Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey - Ep 1252 | Sage Steele on Her New Faith Journey & Finding Her Husband

Episode Date: October 10, 2025

Sage Steele opens up about her faith-fueled journey through divorce, newfound love, and standing against ESPN’s vaccine mandate. Her story of surrendering control to God and prioritizing biblical truth over worldly pressure challenges us to live boldly. Tune in to hear how Sage’s commitment to authenticity and family inspires unwavering faith in a chaotic culture. Check out The Sage Steele Show here or wherever you listen to podcasts: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSageSteeleShow Share the Arrows 2025 is on October 11 in Dallas, Texas! Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://sharethearrows.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for tickets now! Sponsored by: ⁠Carly Jean Los Angeles⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.carlyjeanlosangeles.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Good Ranchers⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.goodranchers.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠EveryLife⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.everylife.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Buy Allie's new book, "Toxic Empathy: How Progressives Exploit Christian Compassion": ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.toxicempathy.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ --- Timecodes: (00:00) Intro (02:25) Finding Love Again (08:30) Dating as an Adult (17:40) Sage's Faith Journey (28:50) Friendship with your Adult Children (41:55) Maintaining a Relationship with your Parents (49:00) ESPN Cancellation & Repercussions (01:08:20) Sage's Beauty Routine --- Today's Sponsors: A’del — Try A'del's hand-crafted, artisan, small-batch cosmetics and use promo code ALLIE 25% off your first time purchase at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://⁠⁠⁠⁠AdelNaturalCosmetics.com⁠ EveryLife — The only premium baby brand that is unapologetically pro-life. EveryLife offers high-performing, supremely soft diapers and wipes that protect and celebrate every precious life. Head to ⁠EveryLife.com⁠ and use promo code ALLIE10 to get 10% of your first order today!Seven Weeks Coffee — Experience the best coffee while supporting the pro-life movement with Seven Weeks Coffee; use code ALLIE at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.sevenweekscoffee.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to save up to 25% off your first order, plus your free gift! Shopify — Shopify is the commerse platform behind millions of businesses around the world. Get started with your own design studio to turn your big business idea into profit. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://⁠⁠shopify.com/allie⁠ to sign up for your $1 per month trial and start selling with Shopify today! NetSuite — Gain visibility and control of your financials, planning, budgeting, and inventory so you can manage risk, get reliable forecasts, and improve margins. Go to ⁠NetSuite.com/ALLIE⁠ to get the CFO's guide to AI and Machine Learning. --- Episodes you might like: Ep 328 | Cancel Culture, Antifa & BLM Strike Again https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-328-cancel-culture-antifa-blm-strike-again/id1359249098?i=1000499199303 Ep 465 | Vaccine Passports Turn NYC to Clown Town https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-465-vaccine-passports-turn-nyc-to-clown-town/id1359249098?i=1000531013420 Ep 544 | Why American COVID Policy Has Failed Us & How to Fix It | Guest: Dr. Bret Weinstein https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-544-why-american-covid-policy-has-failed-us-how/id1359249098?i=1000546528361 --- Buy Allie's book, You're Not Enough (& That's Okay): Escaping the Toxic Culture of Self-Love: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://alliebethstuckey.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Relatable merchandise – use promo code 'ALLIE10' for a discount: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shop.blazemedia.com/collections/allie-stuckey⁠

Sage Steel was suspended by ESPN in 2021 for speaking out against forced vaccines. Her journey since then of love, of faith, of bravery is so incredible and multi-layered. We are going to be talking about all of that today, including her recent wedding to her new husband, her relationship with her parents and her kids, her journey of faith. and then also those really dark, difficult moments just a few years ago when she thought she wasn't going to be able to go on when she put everything on the line for the truth. You are going to be so encouraged by this incredible conversation. It's brought to you by our friends at Good Ranchers.

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This is going to be an amazing day of biblical teaching and worship. You will be reminded that you're not alone and you will walk out of there with zero fear of man. Maybe this is a launch pad for you into a new era of courage for the gospel, whether you are a stay-at-home mom, whether you are an employee, a student, a grandmother, no matter what stage of life you are in. if you are a woman, share the arrows is for you. Go to share the arrows.com.

You can use code Alley 20 on ticket, master, press unlock, enter code Alley 20, share the arrows. com. Share the arrows this year is brought to you by our friends at Carly Jean, Los Angeles. I will see you there tomorrow. All right, without further ado, here is Sage Steele. Sage, thanks so much for taking the time to join us. I'm so glad to finally have you here.

We've been trying to do this for a long time. So thank you for welcoming me. finally worked out for you to be in studio. Okay, you're a newlywed. I am. You've been married for four and a half weeks. Okay, tell me about newlywed life, please, everything. You know what? It's just such a blessing because I didn't know if I'd get a second chance at love, to be honest with you. And gosh, forgiving myself in the situation for, you know, choosing to get a divorce in the first place, never the plan, never the dream, never the desire. So it's just such a blessing. And, And I think our stories are a little similar.

It just happened to you a lot longer, a lot earlier in life than me. But I was 51. I'm 52, almost 53 now when we met. And it was literally, you know, like I knew that night. I knew it. Okay, tell me. No, you got to go into detail. How did you mean?

I guess I never told you. You saw him. And was it kind of like love at first sight or you were like, oh, that guy's handsome. When did you know? I knew about, I knew about at the end of the evening that we met. and it was November 12th, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. I was at a charity event for veterans. I had gone with a friend whose husband couldn't come,

so I was everybody's favorite plus one at that point. I'm like, yes, I'll be your plus one. I don't have a life or a date. It's all got. I just sent my youngest off to college, so I was, you know, lonely and just happy to go keep myself really busy. And went to this charity, especially because my dad's a vet, and I grew up in Army life,

And we're at the cocktail hour. I'm just waiting for the dinner to start. It's called Tomahawk Charities, and it's wonderful if anybody's wondering. And he walks up to me. He's like, hi, my name is Dave, and we have something in common. And I'm thinking, I roll what cheesy line is this one going to give me, you know? And he said, our mothers have known each other for more than 30 years. Wow.

And our dads were stationed together at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Army officers back in the early 90s, and our mothers volunteered at a convent for retired nuns in Leavenworth, Kansas. Oh, my goodness. And it's stayed in touch despite moving across the country since 93. Wow. And you didn't know him at all. Never knew. I'm three years older.

Full disclosure. And so I was in college when he was in high school in Kansas, and I didn't live, live in Kansas because of that. So we'd never met. But when I asked, when he said the story, I mean, I knew about. about the convent and the nuns. I mean, they were a major part of our family's life. One nun in particular, sister Charles Marie. And so I was like, what's your last name?

And he told me and I'm like, oh, I know of your mother and the family. And so then the dinner started and I'm looking around because tall and handsome, yes. And I'm like, who? Where is he? He was cute. Let me make sure that put the lights up and make sure I still think he's cute. And later that night there was like a, you know, a little post party downtown Nashville with this charity and he said he was going to show up. I'm the one that asked him. I was like,

so are you going to the post party? And he said, yep, he says, well, I am now. Yeah. After I asked. So we started chatting and Allie, it was two to three hours straight. It was like no one else was in the room. It literally is so cheesy. But like no one else is in the room. And it hit me about halfway through. And something at like the butterflies hit. And, like the butterflies hit. And we had a lot in common and, you know, some tough conversations about both of our divorces. I have three kids. He has two kids. The effects of that. The disappointment in ourselves and just the difficulty that that is. And we bonded over that and obviously the military. Like he's a former army officer as well. He served a tour in Iraq. And it just hit me. And I had to excuse myself. I was like, I'll be right back.

and I took this deep breath and I came back over and he was in the restroom and my girlfriend who brought me there she looked at me and she's like you're going to marry him. Don't screw it up. Oh my goodness. No pressure. Yeah. And I looked at. I was like, I know.

Wow. The first night. Yeah. And I don't know that it was as immediate for him, but close. And I went home to the hotel and the next morning I woke up to my mom calling me. And she said, did you meet Dave Barbuda? And I said, yeah, what the heck? How do you know?

She said, his mom called me. So he texted his mom. His mom texted my mom. My mom texted me. And that was November 12th. And we got engaged on April 12th. And we got married on September 5th. Oh, my goodness.

And is it fast? Yes. Was I afraid of judgment at times from friends, friends, family, strangers? Yes, I was. And then it's like, who cares? Like, I know this is my person for many reasons beyond his charm and good looks. It was so much deeper than that immediately. So it's been very emotional. It hasn't even been a year. Very emotional because I didn't know it would ever happen again. And when you know, you know. Quick pause to tell you about our first sponsor for the day. And that is seven weeks coffee.

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Obviously, you're not messing around. You're not just trying to see what's out there. It's a lot more serious, both because of how you are feeling, but also because of your life situation. So what was it like when y'all first started dating those conversations to determine, okay, is this person really the one that I want to spend the rest of my life with? some very deep conversations that were immediate. And I loved that. He lived in Tennessee. I lived in Florida. So it was all on the phone. And I actually am so grateful for that because there's nothing else that gets in the way. Nervousness to go out to dinner. What do I wear? You know, any physical tension or whatever where you're like, okay, it was just conversation. And the first conversation we had was 48 hours after we met. And I was driving. driving from South Florida up to North Florida to visit my parents, and it was five hours in the car. And we were texting.

I was voice texting, okay, mom, not texting while driving. I was voice texting while driving. And then it was like, isn't it easier if we just talk? And so for the final four hours of that five hour drive, we went everywhere and talked about everything. And it was so easy. And I actually didn't want that long drive to end because of it. And so conversation is everything. And I hadn't dated much at all, yeah, in those five years.

And I actually had married my first boyfriend. So when I was 20 is when I met my ex-husband and married at 26, 27, and married until 47. So I literally did not know how to date. The one guy dated in between divorce and meeting Dave, I remember when I was texting him back something, I was sitting next to my daughter at the time. She was probably 20. she's 23 now and she looked at me she's like is that what you're texting him and I was like well yeah she's like oh give me that so she took the phone and she rewrote it and then she was now wait an hour

and she put it down and I'm like I don't I don't know this world I don't know how to date I've never dated and I don't like this world the games and I'm too old for this like what are we doing so the conversations were really beautiful for the beginning and because I was, you know, so much older, I just thought, what the heck? Like, let's not hold back and just be super honest. And if he likes me great. And if he doesn't, then he wasn't meant to be. And we went deep really, really, really fast. And I do want to share this, though, because I've just started to share this a couple times publicly. But there was a real turning point in that journey where you say, okay, I'm single, fine, I'll go on a date here, there, if someone

sets me up or whatever. And so I was saying yes. And then I went on a really awful date on New Year's Eve, 23 going into 24. Like, I knew it going in. It's so stupid. And I was, I live at the beach in Florida and I did my normal beach walk and when I came back, I was in full workout close and I just walked into the Atlantic Ocean. People watching probably like, keep an eye on this one. She looks like what's going on? What is she doing? She can't walk on water. What is this? And yeah, full workout clothes and I just walked out there and I just started praying. And I literally like opened my arms, which Catholics, we don't do, right? You just do this. And I just was like, Lord, I just felt so dumb and defeated for having wasted my time, even though it's never a wasted time.

And I said, Lord, please don't bring me anybody until you bring me somebody and make it really obvious because I'm kind of an idiot. And that was January 1st, 2024. When I say it was like silence until November 12th, nothing. Wow. And yeah. at that moment when I look back, everything changed. It took nine, ten months to meet Dave, but everything in my life changed because I believe now,

it was really the first time I gave up control and let go and just let God. And it's such a, you know, cliche and saying, let go, let God. Well, I finally did at 51. And look what happened. So it was also, I think that's why the conversation, conversations just flowed and I didn't hold anything back. And when he asked me one night on one of our

marathon phone call sessions, what was really important to me, what are the qualities I need in a man and a relationship? And the first thing I said was someone to walk this faith journey with me because I didn't want to do it alone and I needed help. I wanted a partner to discuss these things with and ask questions and come up with answers on our own and fail and get back up. And I knew when I said it, it was going to be a game changer. Because if he wasn't into that, then I finally knew I wasn't going to settle. Not that I had settled before in my first marriage. I just wasn't there yet. It wasn't as much of a priority that it needed to be. I thought it was, but in hindsight it wasn't. And maybe things would have been different had it been. But it

wasn't meant to be for whatever reason. And when I said faith number one, he kind of chuckled. Because it was for him too. And I think, oh my gosh, what if I hadn't said that? Like there's just been so many blessings that have come from this. Yeah, from being totally honest. Totally. And you were still in that moment surrendering. You still weren't in control.

And you were acting out of a place of surrender that, okay, this is what I believe. This is what I hold dear. And this is going to be make or break. Yeah. And if it's break, it's okay. It's going to be hard, but it's okay. And that's like a very freeing place to be. but a hard place to get to for those of us who really like to try to control the outcomes.

And I don't believe I was ever a control freak. Maybe early on as a mom, a very young mom and trying to be the perfect everything and you fail at trying to, you know, have perfection as your goal. But I can't believe what has happened since I completely let go. But I think when you do try to control that part, the relationship part, I was trying to protect myself. Yeah. I was protecting myself from getting hurt again. Mm-hmm. And that was me putting myself in situations to get hurt, right?

Right. As well as any man or woman who's been divorced is you're going to protect yourself because you're afraid, oh my gosh, I don't want to make this mistake again. And especially when you have children. Mm-hmm. So I think I was very closed off. in many ways in order to protect. And I remember my body language at times where I can look back and I physically felt myself doing this and tightening up. And it's like, wow, when you can take a step outside of yourself and that bird's eye view and you watch yourself do that, like fetal

position almost, it's so sad. It's so scary. So I know now that that's why I wasn't ever fully letting go. Next sponsor is Adele Natural Cosmetics. Adele has been with Relatable for years. I love partnering with them, not only because I love their products. I mean, I use their products every day. Their essential cleanser, their essential moisturizing spray. I love their body lotions. I love their makeup. It's all so good. But because this is another unapologetically, Christian and pro-life company, they're not scared to put their values out there on their packaging, on their social media. And that's because their Christian principles are really imbued in everything they do. from getting the most natural ingredients and putting them in all of their handcrafted products

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I can tell you from personal experience. Go to Adele Natural Cosmetics. Use code Alley for 25% off your first time purchase. Adele Natural Cosmetics.com code Alley. So the faith journey, most important for both of you, what is that faith journey that you're on right now? Reminding myself, first of all, that it is a journey and that I will never have it all figured out.

I was raised Catholic and always like really proud Catholic. you know, and I am proud of my upbringing because it was beautiful in every way. And we went to Mass every Sunday and CCD and Sunday school and all the sacraments. But I, I, listen, I mean, I still consider myself Catholic, but I am figuring out so much more and asking questions about things that I think are missing from Catholicism for so many of us. I guess I can just speak for myself and for my husband, where we both are like, gosh, we were never really encouraged to dig deep in the Bible. So I didn't realize that as much until the last few years when I, you know, have stepped

away from my previous life and career as a sportscaster and just focusing on, yes, God and going to church, but, okay, I have this. But, you know, the decision, frankly, to get divorced was a, you know, a, you know, a huge journey in my faith, which might sound weird to some, but it was. I felt like I asked for signs and I got permission, very clear from God. And then the decision to stand up for myself at work when I worked at ESPN and Disney involved a lot of prayer. And every time I relied on God, he gave me really clear answers. And so the journey is that, wow, Sage, you dummy, if you just give it up, and ask for guidance, you really get it.

I have gotten it. And so it's just continued to build and build and build. And today, you know, Dave and I did not get married in the Catholic Church because we're not allowed to. If you're divorced and choose not to annul your marriage, you're not allowed to go back and get married in the Catholic Church. And I don't know all the meaning behind that, but I disagree with it. it because even though it did not last, there were beautiful times and moments and I have three awesome kids that we created. And to annul it by saying that that means it didn't exist, it didn't happen. It happened. I would never deny that. Why would I? I had 20 lovely years with this

man that produced my babies. And so to cast it off like it didn't exist, I don't care to know more about it because I moved on from it, but that's why I didn't get married in the Catholic Church. And so we did a non-denominational ceremony and incorporated scripture and prayer into it with the officiant who's a dear friend of mine, Chris Harrison, who said how much it honored him that he finally has a bride and groom who want to include that in their non-denominational ceremony. Like, how crazy is that, right? So every day we start, whether we're in the same state or not, we really are working very hard to be while he has kids in Tennessee. And I have kids in three different states and college and the workforce now with our daily reading.

And it starts with the scripture and then is, you know, a story and a description and ends with a prayer at the end. And it's like, okay, we do it and one of us reads it to the other. And we break it down. and what does it mean and how can we apply it? How could we have applied it better yesterday or whatever day and going forward? And there's some accountability with that. And I know that I need that. I need the accountability.

I need the partner. And someone to say, hey, I know that we're really busy today. And you have a Zoom in 15 minutes that you committed to, but we need to do this. And I do the same for him. So there's just, I don't know, it was such a private journey for me. before and I hate that. So now maybe I'm trying to make up for lost time. Yeah. And knowing that God's been here the whole time and he's ready with open arms. And that, that is exciting. Yeah. And I'm excited for you because I love the Bible. And I know that like when you start reading scripture and maybe

you don't feel like this, but I felt like this. And I've heard a lot of people say this that it can feel intimidating because you feel like, okay, well, I've been a Christian or I've been a Catholic my whole life. I shouldn't know this. But I mean, even theologians who have been studying the Bible their whole life still come across passages that they're like, gosh, that's hard to understand. And that's why I love so many resources. Like I use a study Bible that has notes for, okay, this is where he's located, this is what he's looking at, this is what he's talking about, this is what the word originally means in the Greek. And I'm not saying you have to have all that or know all of that for anyone out there. But it helps. And the Bible is so rich with meaning

and give so much clarity and so much understanding and so much grounding that when everything seems to change, you can go back to the Word of God for clarity. And so, like, I'm excited for you to, like, be on this journey and reading scripture because there's so much to know and so much to understand. And it increases your love for God. The more you read the Bible, the more you love But I think that's why I ran away from it because it's overwhelming. Because it's so big and there's so much to know and so much to understand. And sometimes it's just, it's not easy reading. I think it depends on.

Totally. Right? And I'm like, okay, I have enough trouble with, you know, reading normal. Yes, yes. And quite often I do audio for that reason because I can also multitask or it's on my beach walk or whatever. Yeah. I know that I need what you gave me.

I know that I need to see it and see it four times, like really absorb it and probably have six highlight colors and have a system with that. And I'm realizing it's like that that's okay, whatever it needs. But I think it's just been so overwhelming since the realization that I need it in the last few years. And then you have, I have great excuses because life has taken over and moving and changing my life. completely in becoming an empty nester and this you know the end of one career in the beginning of another that I had no idea like you've had so much change in the past so much but it's not an excuse you know um it is a reason and it's my reason but it's not an excuse and so here we go and the fact that i don't have to do it alone is really exciting yes and one thing and you're already doing this

which is great but i remember someone telling me this like okay so when i was in college and then after college, you don't realize that you are so not busy. Like, you think that you're busy. But I'm thinking about how much I slept in and I would wake up at like nine. And then I would have my personal quiet time until like 10, 30, 11, go to class. And I just had so much time. And I kind of thought that that's what a quiet time with God always has to look like. Yeah. That I always have to sit there with my journal, with my Bible for two hours and dissect everything. But then I became a mom. Yeah. And I'm like, oh my gosh. I'm so tired. I have so much going on. And so there have been seasons of life where I just haven't been

reading the Bible until I thought of it like eating. And when you're busy, you don't skip a meal or just not eat that day. You find a way to do it. Even if it's just a protein bar, even if it's on the go, if you are feasting on the Bible, that means you take what you can get, how you can get it. So even though I too prefer to be sitting down highlighting and journaling and all of that, like if, this morning on the way in we listen to Hebrews 1 in our Bible app and it like read it for us and maybe I'll have more time to read the Bible today but maybe I won't but today there really is no excuse and I'm preaching to myself just as much as anyone else there's no excuse not to do anything you've got to eat something yes so listen to it skim it do what you have to don't if you tell

yourself it has to be an hour every time you won't do it right you know and then you and then you feel like a failure and then one day turns into two turns into a week and then you're done and and and but deep down then you're beating yourself up more and they're shame and that like it's terrible what what we can do to ourselves my aunt a couple years ago going through stuff was actually when I was still at ESPN and just the ending there the last couple years were tough and um a couple things but one thing she shared with me that I have to continue to use and then shared with my kids is it doesn't have to be an hour or even 15 minutes, ideally, right? But for, you know, younger kids and college age, and they're on the run, and again, we all think we're busy at that time. Like, you know,

when you're walking to class, you can just pray, no one has to know. You have to drop to your knees in the middle of the park or whatever. Sometimes it's a quick, Jesus, I trust in you. Three seconds, maybe two. I talk fast. And it's really fast and it's just a really good reminder that you can pray anywhere at any time. And then if that becomes a habit, there's a real domino effect in a good way versus the other way. Next sponsor is Shopify. Shopify is what we use in our merch store

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idea into with Shopify on your side. Sign up for your $1 per month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com slash alley. That's Shopify.com slash alley. Can you tell me about your relationship with your kids? Because I love that you're always posting about them and it just seems like you'll have a really sweet parent-child relationship, but also at this point, be even a friendship. And, you know, my kids are in the itty-bitty stage, six, four, and two. But that's, I mean, that's one of the goals of every parent. You want to maintain that relationship forever while not being their friends too early because they need the rule giver and they need the authority. Yes. So maybe that's like a big question. But just tell me about how you've kind of maintained what

seems like a super healthy and sweet relationship with your three kids. That's, so isn't that the biggest compliment with your children because it's something that we're forever questioning ourselves as mothers, you know. Mine are now, yeah, 23, 21, and 19. So we're on the exact same path as you with every other year. Oh, another baby, you know. It is definitely a friendship now with my oldest Quinn who's 23. Graduated college in May and has a job and she works in Nashville. And She calls me her best friend. And I'm like, it brings tears to my eyes because I always heard that as a younger mother that someday, you know, you're in the throngs of it when older parents share that with you. Someday they're going to be your best friend, but probably not until they're about 25 and you better buckle up and hang on and pray.

True, all of those things. And it's here. No, it's not perfect. I annoy her so much. But, you know, she calls me more than I call her now. You know, I used to poke, poke and stalk her, as she said, you know. And now she calls and she FaceTimes all the time. And the other night, we're trying to go to bed.

And she wanted to FaceTime. And it was an hour and a half. And, you know, I think Dave fell asleep. And he's like, what time did you end up? And I'm like, I didn't tell him the truth because I didn't want him to be like, you can't because I need my sleep. And I'm bad about sleep. Yeah. But I don't want to hang up with her.

Of course. Because it took a long time to get to the point where she wants to talk to me, wants to call me. she might like him more than she likes me. Honestly, I love that. What a great problem to have. What I would say is like each relationship with each kid is very different and awesome in its own way. I think that's one thing that I had to learn throughout all those years is, you know, just because you have the same rules for each child, like as it should be, you might have to

communicate those rules slightly differently. and they might receive them differently. And the punishment's going to be the same too, but the way that you communicate it, sometimes that every kid, they're different human beings. So I think with age, of course, she's 23. My son, Nicholas, is 21, and my daughter, Evan, is 19, and she's a sophomore in college.

Nicholas is about to graduate. So our conversations now are so much different. And he is looking to me a little bit more, but also trying to prove himself, like, I don't need you. And I know mom, you have all these, you know, connections, but I don't need them or want them. And I don't offer them because I think that's a dangerous road to go down as well. They actually don't need me. They have proven they don't need me in those ways. They have their own talent and skill set. And that's no, I don't want them to ever feel

like that. Probably to a detriment, I've always stayed way, way, way in the background. Do it without me. Trust me, it's probably better these days, depending on who you talk to who might hate your mother. You don't want to mention that you're my child, you know? But it's been beautiful to see, you know having them together at the wedding all three of my kids surreal again not what i would have dreamt of right like i got married and had kids the way we're quote unquote supposed to do it and to have them standing by my side though um for parents who have gone through this divorce with children and then remarrying um oh my gosh it's so hard and to blend families, it's so hard, and we're just in the beginning stages of it. But my kids have gotten to

witness their mother, finding love again, not having given up on it. And they get to witness me being treated like a princess by this man. And our relationship has changed. Our friendship has changed evolved with my kids because they've seen me with Dave and how that relationship has evolved too. So I feel like I have a better relationship with my kids now more than ever because they're, I think they appreciate me more. I hope. I think so. Some of them communicate that differently than others, you know. Yeah. But they they also see a softening in me where I think I was like this for so many years and because I was, you know, the mom. Yeah. And, and, and, And the sole redwinner, their entire lives, which has brought on a lot of pressure.

And I'm still that person. But they've seen me soften and to see me taken care of has made them soften towards me. So I'm still learning every day about how our relationship is evolving, you know, as mother and children, even though they're adults. But I think for so long I was afraid, you know, that they, that the friendship would, you know, wouldn't get to this point. And we got to earn it. Both the parents and the children have to really earn it and work hard and be kind and forgive. But I know now that they see me in a different light. And it was worth all the hard work with still a long way to go. Yeah. It's really special. Are they all friends? They are. I love that. And that's what I want to know. How did you help foster that? Because, you

that's what I want so much. And I always tell them, I'm like, I make them answer me. How long will you be sisters? And they say forever whenever they're in an argument. So what does that mean? That you're always going to be friends. And you always need to be kind. And you know, I say that like raising girls is relationship management from a very early age, whereas raising boys is a lot of injury management from a very early age. And we don't really like, we don't have any ER visits or anything. We've got a ton of emotions and princess dresses. and, you know, like, I wasn't raised with sisters. I'm an only girl, but I am, like, I'm learning a lot about what that looks like.

And I am not, I'm realizing I'm not just raising a six, four, and two year old. Like, I'm raising a future 25, 23, 19 year old. And I want them to have each other's back forever. So, like, what advice can you give those of us who are in the thick of, like, you know, the young and toddler years to help already start cultivating that love and love and and that like between them. Yes. And while expecting this, because they're going to.

Yes. And some of that is like you're learning to work through conflict, which is good. Yeah. I think it's super important to that as part of it. I would start a little earlier even. And my goal as a mother was to have my kids very close together. Now, what a blessing I was able to. Yeah.

So many women are unable to. And that breaks my heart. If you can, it's people like, oh, my. gosh, it's a lot in my career. And then two in diapers. It's like, yeah, it's hard. And it's fleeting. Get over yourself. Go do it. Because my dream was that at this age, they would then be friends. And it has absolutely been the case. So I don't remember much from those years. Because when my third was born, my first was still three. Yeah. And I was on, you know, regional and national TV and, you know, my husband was a stay-at-home dad, and it was like, Ellie, I'm sad in some

ways because I was so busy and so stressed that I don't remember as much as I'd like to. I hope that they come up with some sort of pill that can help my memory just regenerate and come back because there were so many great times, and it was a different era without cell phones. Really, they were just coming on, you know? And so I don't have that video evidence like most parents today do with everything possible with their children. It is. It is. hard, but I would say, if you are able, Lord willing, go for it and have them really close together. You know, since then, I joke around with them and I use a lot of humor and I'm like, guys, I'm going to be dead someday, hopefully not for a really, really long time because I want to make

your life really difficult for a very long time. But someday when I'm gone, it is only you. You only have each other. So be kind like you're doing already. And then in the in-between phase with friends and especially with girls because girls can be so difficult and catty and mean. And they allow friendships to take precedence over the relationships with their siblings. And that's not okay. Is it normal?

Sure. Let's continue to teach them the lessons from it when they're in it, you know? And your loyalty must lie with each other. I love that my son is in the middle of these two girls. I've always been like, yep, my boys in between these. two psycho girls of mine and they're crazy and love and all the best possible ways. He is the glue. You know, he's the peacemaker.

He also will call me on stuff. He'll be like, Mom, I think you were too hard on her on that and here's why. And I'm like, ew, stay in your lane. I'm your mom. And then I'm like, he was right. Yeah. You know? So the friendship is everything.

And it also comes from like that desire to have them close together was because I have, I'm the oldest of three. I have a brother who's 21 months younger and then nine years younger than me. And I felt like it took me until I was an adult to get to know him because he was a different generation. Yeah. So he's 43. I'm 52. Like it is completely different. I went to college.

He was nine years old. Yeah. So for us, that's what worked. And I wish I would have had more. I do. I really regret that. And it wasn't, you know, I wasn't. you know, I wasn't the one that was staying home. I was very present and turned down a lot of assignments through the years to be home.

Didn't sleep much for a good 10, 12 years, honestly. So I don't want it to be like I wasn't home because I sacrificed to make sure I was. I still feel it physically and mentally. It was the best thing possible. But I just, I always people say, well, it's expensive to have kids and it's tough. I'm like, yeah, uh-huh. There are so many people who regret not having more. I always say, you'll never regret having more, but you might if you don't. Yeah. And somehow, we always figure it out. Even financially, you figure it out, especially when it's based in really the right reason. So I don't know. Sometimes they hate each other, but I did a show with just Dave and I actually right before the wedding. Dave took my seat, kicked me out in my chair and interviewed me on my own show two days before the wedding. And the BTS before the recording began was all three of my kids. They were in the condo at the same time. because it was wedding week. And I had all three sitting next to me in the couch for a minute. And it was utter chaos. And it was like they turned into six, four, and two again.

And they were like, poke, poke, poke, elbow, scream, yell, throw something. I'm like, how old are we? And I loved it. Yeah. Because they really are friends. So for as many things I feel like I failed at as a mom, I must have done a few things right along the way because they love each other. Next sponsor is Every Life. Every Life is America's pro-life diaper.

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That's EveryLife.com. Code Allie 10. And not only your relationship with your kids, but I also notice from what you post, your relationship with your parents. Yes. It's still really special and it seems really close, which not everyone can say that.

I also, super close to my parents, really close to my dad, closer than we were growing up. We just kind of needed a little bit of separation for me to go to college and for me to grow into the adult that I always wanted to be. And then, yeah, you know, I rely on him so much. Call him all the time like your kids do. But you have maintained that relationship with your parents who have been married for how many years now? A lot of years.

This October 16th is 54 years. 54 years. You talk about a role model. Yeah. For a relationship. Mm-hmm. My parents are everything to me. And I'm forever in debt.

I never went through a bad phase as a teenager or even in college. I really didn't. I was such a goody two shoes. It was so annoying to everybody else in my life. And I was such a pleaser. Except for the one time that you almost committed a felony. I did commit a felony. That we were talking about off air.

You were a goody two shoes except for that one time. that you tried to commit identity theft. Yeah, I did. I did commit identity theft, actually. It's the fake ID. If that's the worst thing I did, I was said to my mom, dad, I did have like a government issued fake ID from college because I had to go to the bar that my boyfriend, soon to be husband, was going to.

I was only 20 and I had to hang out. So I didn't tell them until years later. And I actually still have it. Oh. Is that a crime too? Probably. Don't come after me. I don't know. Statute of limitations is good on that one. I would hope so. I don't know. 31 years later. Yeah. But I showed them and they were mortified. Oh my goodness. And I was like, see, I wasn't perfect to my brother. See?

Yeah. But they, I don't know. Like, their strength and what they went through to get to today, but certainly at the beginning of their relationship when. And, you know, back in 1971, it was shortly after interracial marriages were legalized, which is crazy to think about. Yeah. A black dad and a white mom, and it wasn't okay by everybody and their families. And they went through it. Wow. And my mom was told to choose between her family or my dad. Wow.

By her parents, her mother more so. And the fact that at 22 years old, she had to make that decision. I'm in awe of her. Yeah. And that strength. And then awe of my dad to make sure he protected her and had her back. And if anybody is really bored, I keep on my ex account pinned a story that NFL films did of my family like seven or eight years ago. Wow.

And in that piece, it's like seven or eight minutes long, actually, too. I learned something about them and what they went through during that time and what my dad did to make sure that. my mom's parents knew that even though you disowned her, that he was taking care of her. He was being a man and a leader and protector of my mother as she was devastated to have to make that decision. So I found out that story, details of that story through that NFL film space. I didn't know what a blessing to have that long after we're all gone for our great, great grandkids who know that they're only here because of the strength of my parents in that time.

But I look back at that and what they went through. and I am. I'm in awe of them because not many people would have chosen that. And so I've drawn so much strength from them as a mother, as a wife, and trying to emulate how they've done things. Talking through a lot of difficult things with them with divorce and being so scared to disappoint them, to disappoint God, like so, so, so. So deep. And they, of course, are parents. And they have literally pulled me off the ground at times when I was like, I thought it was over. Life was over. So I, yeah, I owe them everything. And I lately have been, you know, I found this happiness with my husband. And I've noticed I haven't talk to them as much every other day instead or third day instead of every day. And I'm like, oh gosh, I can't let that happen because, listen, as a parent, you just want your kid to be happy, even if she's old. Like, you still want your kid to be happy and that's all they want.

So they're fine, but I've noticed it and I miss that. So I need to continue to prioritize them. If anyone has Kleenex, I look like an idiot right now. Yeah, let me get some. There we go. Thank you. You knew, didn't you? Thank you. One more. They've had to do that for me plenty of times, by the way, so don't worry about it. I have this fear, this real fear, because they're 79 and 76. My dad's been, he's actually at the Mayo Clinic, as we speak right now, as we're taping this, in Jacksonville, outside of where they live for his cancer, which he's been dealing with two different kinds for 14 years.

Wow. So strong. He looks so strong. I know. He's almost 80 and you'd never know it. As he says, though, black don't crack. So he doesn't take all the credit for it. I'm like, dad, whatever.

He looks so young and healthy despite what he's dealing with. His faith has grown so much throughout this cancer process. And it's incredible. And he's inspired us through it. But I just, I want to honor them in every way. And through a lot of it, I didn't think that I was. But I know now that I was. and just being true to myself, you know, even if it was stressful for them,

because being true to ourselves can come with a lot of backlash when you're in the spotlight as no one knows better than you. But they are my people. It was also such a blessing. I was fearful that when I found my person, that they wouldn't be here to see it for obvious reasons as we age. So to have my kids there to witness it and my mom and dad to witness this, they are, yeah, they're my best friends. And I just want to continue to please them until forever, you know? Yeah. Gosh, I think about how important that is to God that one of the big 10 commandments was literally honor your father and mother.

Like that's how much that relationship matters to him. And it just seems to me. just as an outsider looking in, like you've just done that so well. And I just can imagine how proud they are of you. And when you're talking about their story, going back to them taking a risk for the sake of not only love, but also just what was right, that these are two human beings, image bearers of God, no matter what their melanin count is, and God called them together. And what God is called together, let no man separate. That's what Jesus says. And that must have been, at least in part, like where you got the strength and the courage to stand for what was true when it was like really risky to do that. Last sponsor for the day is NetSuite.

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Go to net suite.com slash alley. That's net suite.com slash alley. You've had this long career, this illustrious career, and it came to a point when truth was on the line and you took a risk. And can you talk to us about that? I know you've talked about your story a lot and like standing up for truth and ESPN and all of that. But can you take us?

back to that moment of having to like muster the strength and courage needed to represent truth. I had been suspended, punished at ESPN in 2021. As we tape this exactly four years ago, I was suspended and in bed, sobbing and scared to death of what was next. And yeah, I was suspended for speaking up about being forced to take the COVID vaccine in order to keep my job at Disney. Not everybody realizes that ESPN and ABC are owned by Disney. So there's a lot of tentacles there. And I had to be fully vaccinated by September 30th, 2021 or else. And I waited to the very last second and I had prayed about it because I was ready to walk away.

But as the sole wage earner with three kids and, you know, an ex. and alimony and all those things. Like I felt like I had to make the choice to do it to keep my job. I still struggle with that. I feel like I caved. I did what I had to do at that moment with the knowledge that we had at that time too. A lot has changed. And so I did it and I complied and then I talked on a podcast about it.

And while complying, I had literally come from getting the shots. I was running a little bit hot, mad that I had to do it. And I said, I think it's sick and wrong for any employer to force an employee to do something to their bodies that they don't want to. Pretty simple. I said, but I love my job and I need my job. And here we are. And that was the beginning of the end. And I didn't know that it was because I did it.

I took the job. You told me to do it. But at that time, yeah, it was a different world. And when I was pulled off the air and suspended, I mean, I had gone from like, you know, kind of the model employee for all those years. I started in 2007 there. I didn't leave until 2023. Yeah. I was one of the longest tenured women at that network. And they really, you know, had a very solid lucrative contract.

And, yeah, they just crushed me. And then public apology that was forced to come from it. And of course, you just do it. Then you're just scared. They scare you into it. I'm like, okay, I'll say and do whatever you want, whatever. So they suspended you in 2021, but she didn't stop working there until 2023. And the turning point in standing up for myself was after they punished me and continued to punish me, even after the apology and after the suspension and continue to take events and opportunities away from me.

that wasn't fun but I realized that wait you did that to me but then my colleagues who happened to align with the narrative that Disney wants with everything were able to go on an NBA show basketball and talk about

how devastated they were that Roe versus Wade was overturned and abortion on a basketball show or the alleged LGBTQ don't say gay laws in Florida that actually remember that right on a football show on ESPN airwaves when I did it on a podcast on the side separating myself from ESPN. And I was honestly confused and asked questions and they wouldn't answer and wouldn't answer. And it wasn't even political what you said.

No. It was about principle. It was about principle. And I separated myself. I think this is sick and wrong, but I did it onward. I'm going back to work. So the hypocrisy was thick. And it had been building for years since Trump was elected and even really before then.

but I stayed quiet on everything else in order to keep my job. And so the hypocrisy is when I said no. And when I had to decide what no meant, and in this case it was do I stand up for myself to the point of filing a lawsuit against Disney? That was that was the scary moment. And I knew that I could no longer be silent because then I'm a hypocrite if I am preaching about standing up and standing tall to my children. and then being quiet, I'm just as bad as everybody else. So the night I called an attorney, Brian Friedman, who has saved a lot of us. Megan Kelly, he was Megan Kelly's attorney when she was treated the way she was by NBC.

Chris Harrison, the former host of The Bachelor, who was treated terribly by ABC as well and canceled for nothing. Both of them. Like when you look back at that, not to rehash both of their stories, but some people don't know. Megan Kelly, she made like a black face comment, not even like a proving of it, just asking a devil's advocate question. Yeah. The outrage was crazy. And then Chris Harrison for extending the benefit of the doubt or grace to someone who had gone to like a formal. Yeah.

And a sorority in the South. Yes. And he didn't even say it was okay. He was just like, well, you know. And he was kicked off. I mean, it's crazy. It was a crazy time. I'm not sure if all of that was still happening a day.

Maybe it would. But it was such a hyper. It was crazy. Which trial time? Completely. And when you think about it, Chris has happened six months before mine. We had been dear friends and he actually reached out to me to talk to my father. They had been friends. Chris and I hosted Miss America together years prior. Spelling Bee like crazy ties back with Chris and I. And he wanted to talk to my father as a black man to see. Here, look at the tape. This is what he said to my dad. Please and tell me, did I say something wrong? Let me learn from him.

and my black father who lived through the civil rights era and broke the color barrier at West Point as the first black football player ever there. And his felt true racism was like, young man, you did nothing wrong, stand tall. But it was too, you know, it was too late in the eyes of society and social media back in 2021. Isn't it funny, by the way, that Megan Kelly for asking a question about blackface and how, remember in the 80s, this was her context, I think. in the 80s when people dressed up in the black face for Halloween and it was fine. And now a couple years later, it's not like, what is that? That's all her question was. I believe this week, Whoopi Goldberg talked about people. I don't even remember the full context with that. But hey, just make your skin a little bit darker to blend in. And then you can help defend from the ice agents, like whatever that way. Insanity. How there's so much hypocrisy there. So it's thick. And yes, it's changed. But their lives were altered forever. as was mine. I had to ask myself at that moment, how far are you willing to go? And I talked to earlier about the heart of right, which is part of the cadet prayer at West Point that my dad made us as kids memorize and make me to choose the hard or right instead of the easy wrong and never to be

content with a half truth when the whole can be one. I love that. And this was very clear at that moment that the heart of right was to speak up and to probably throw my entire career and livelihood away, but to speak truth with it. It literally my situation was all encompassing compared to that prayer. And so that night before the lawsuit dropped,

I spoke to each one of my kids. Quinn was in college, the other two were in high school, and they each were scared because they knew what was going to come at them, including snide remarks from teachers that had already happened about lesser things. coaches, their friends' parents, social media, my kids were attacked. People threatened to rape my daughters through the years because of opinions their mother has had, like, next level.

So I wanted them to know what was coming, to never feel pressure to defend me, ever, ever. But if someone brings it up, remember diversity of thought. That's what we lead with. You don't have to agree with your mother, actually, but just remind people that we all have a right to our opinion and to be respectful and kind. And when I was apologizing to my kids as I said what was coming, I'm sorry. And my son, who was 17 at the time, looked at me. And he said, Mom, it's about time you stood up for yourself. Wow.

What a lesson that my child taught me. That number one, not only was I doing the right thing, but that he had been witnessing me doing the wrong thing for so many years. Even though my heart was in the right place and well intended to keep my job so I could support everybody, but to protect them from that ugliness that I knew would come. But I was teaching them the opposite of what I was preaching to them. I was teaching them to be quiet and just accept it and to take it. And that was the wrong thing. So I knew, Ellie, at that moment, that even if I lost this lawsuit, pretty good chance, talk about David versus Goliath, like me versus Disney. Are you

kidding me. And it sounds cheesy and I've said it in public before, but I knew that even if I lost, that I already won because my kids had seen me like being silent. And now at least they know that I stood up and I'm going to go down swinging. So it was such a beautiful time within the scariest time. And I'm so grateful that ESPN crushed me and were hippoccurts. And we're, hypocritical in their treatment of me because I would never would have been backed into a corner to have to make that kind of a decision. And for those who don't know, how did the lawsuit end up? It ended up settling out of court with Disney. And from the moment of suspension to the settlement was 22 months. Wow. So long two years. Oh my gosh. And then 16 months from the moment of when the

lawsuit was filed to departure. So every single day, I went on air with the pending lawsuit, knowing Bob Eiger and company, to say the least, did not want me on their airways. And they had to pay me as well. But I was so scared to go in every single day. Because I knew my bosses had told me when I was coming off suspension how many people hated me and were disappointed in me for my opinions and my thoughts on other things as well. And so when I went back to work the first day after my suspension, my mom and dad had come and driven down from Pennsylvania or up. I lived in Connecticut from Pennsylvania. And we're with me when I was on the floor and not eating and actually confined to bed because I got the worst case of COVID after taking the shot that was going to guarantee that I didn't get it.

So there was just so much hypocrisy in all of it. And I was not healthy at that point. And my dad, while undergoing chemotherapy, they came anyway because that's what parents do. And when I say pull me off the ground, like when they arrived, I was on the ground in between my coffee table and the couch. And yeah, they literally lifted me up. And then they were there. And when I went back to work, my dad turned into football player and coach Gary Steele and said, okay, ladies. I was with my best friend at the time, my makeup artist and my mom.

And he's like, huddle up. And we're going to say a prayer. And you're going to go in there with strength. And you're not going to crumble. Because I was shaking. I'd probably lost 10 pounds with my fear during the suspension. And we, you know, said, our father, who are in heaven, we went through all of that. All of the things that we do is Catholics.

And then he said, St. Michael the Archangel. protect us from the wickedness and snares of the devil. And I went into that building every single day from that day on upon return from suspension on the phone talking to my parents, reciting that prayer before I walked in that building every day. And I literally felt, I felt protected. I knew God had my back because he had up until this point, was he going to quit now? I didn't think that he was. And so I envision this bubble around me as I walked in the doors every day and said hi to everybody, even those who quit talking to me, and put the mic on and plug my IFB in and compartmentalized and live on the air every single day, national TV, two hours. And every day we said that prayer. And every day I felt stronger.

And every day I did better. Like my performance, I can look back now and say it. was the best work I've ever done with the least amount of fear and insecurity, which I'd always carried. I didn't show it on TV every day, but I felt it. And it started to go away, despite the hatred that I felt literally. So I am so grateful for that time and for being backed into the corner to have to make the toughest decision ever, aside from my personal life, It was a toughest decision ever. And my kids got to see you got to practice what you preach.

Yeah. Well, thank you so much. Just for your example. I know you weren't trying to be an example for all of us. I didn't want to. I didn't want any of us. You weren't trying to. You weren't a culture warrior.

You weren't a political activist at that point. You just knew something was unjust and you said it. And you'd come from a legacy of that. Like, that is your heritage because your parents did the same thing. own way. So I'm just grateful. I'm very grateful to you. And we need to see that in different spheres of the world, not just conservative media. Yeah. Because, you know, we get, like, of course, I genuinely believe everything that I say, but it's also, like, it's a job. We get paid for it, too. But you said the right thing when you were getting the opposite of getting paid for it. Like, you were getting,

like, go and paying a lot of money because you said it. So I'm just, thank you for saying that. And I had one person who reached out to me, very prominent, probably the most prominent at ESPN still. And he said, why would you do this? Like, why is it worth it? Why would you risk everything? And this is actually before the lawsuit. It was during other things I had said. He's like, what did he say? His exact words, I believe, were, yeah, how does this help you? And he's right. I don't know that it helps me. In that moment, it hurt me. It did the opposite. And he was right. So when I look at the decision to file the lawsuit, it was building much sooner than I ever realized where when you're pushed down repeatedly, repeatedly, repeatedly, repeatedly. Yeah, it was maybe dumb from a financial perspective. And if I wanted to keep that incredible job that I'd worked my whole life for, you know, at some point I'm going to ask him about that when he thinks now because he speaks quite differently now as well. Yeah. If it is who I'm thinking of. I can tell that. Yeah. And it's okay. Because it made me think about it. But that's why when I pulled that trigger and I knew with the lawsuit, first of all, I knew there was no going back. And it was super cool, I think. And I mean, it didn't feel good. But now to look back on those last 16 months with a lawsuit. With a.

pending lawsuit to still. Yeah. I forced them to put me on air every single day. And I also, the biggest gift was to have people come up to me in the bathroom because they were afraid to say it in the hallway. Yeah. Or private DMs from private personal accounts, not work accounts. Disney accounts, you know, they were afraid, but they'd find a way to reach out to me and say, thank you. You're standing up for more than, like, it would make me cry, Allie, because I was like,

Okay, this is my little story right now and my problem. It is so much bigger than me. Totally. And I realized that just by standing up and talking about being forced to take a shot, that I actually was representing thousands of people at my own company because Disney is massive. Yeah. So that's what kept me going besides feeling it was the right thing. And for my kids, people I'll never have the opportunity to meet who I realized, okay.

they're afraid to speak up and they should be look what happened to me i'm the prime example of why you stay silent at that time now there's many more examples you know um and i wasn't alone at the time either but it was it was cool to realize this is nothing to do with me this is so much bigger and what a blessing that that i got to be the one at that moment at that network to have a big mouth and you know get in trouble. Yeah. Well, I'm grateful. Okay, can we end on a very superficial note? Okay. This is the elephant in the room here, actually. And it is that you were just so incredibly beautiful. Like, you are. Okay. And we all have to know how at 52 years old, you look the way that you do. And so we all, all of the related gals, maybe even the related bros out there, need to know what you do for your

skincare. Is it really just, as you said, Blackdonle crack? Or do you have a secret for us less malinated girlies out there? Less melanated? I don't think I've ever heard it put that way. Yes. So that when I am 52, I can look like a fraction of what safe steel looks like. I'm going to move in. You guys are all great for my ego. Thank you. Anytime. Anytime. No, thank you. I have tried to really just own all of that. it the last few years. When you sit in front of a camera for your whole career and are judged based on what you look like versus your words when I work so hard to memorize every statistic and to tell a great story within every highlight. And I only would have three and a half minutes

for an interview live on SportsCenter, but you're darn right. I'm going to get like, they didn't listen to that. Some did more than I'm probably giving credit. But like it was judged based on this. And then you sit in front of a mirror and you have a makeup artist. thank goodness. But then they're like, oh, your eyebrows too low. You should get some Botox. And you know what? For like three years, once a year or so I would for like three years, for once a year I'd go do it. And then I realized this is not who I want to be. And this is not who I want my daughters to be to feel this pressure. It's so real. They already live it with social media. So several years, I just stopped. Like forget it. This is a

what it is. And yes, my genetics are super helpful, I guess. Thanks, mom and dad. But I mean, like, product wise, I use beef tallow. I slather it all over my face every night. That's it. I'm not great with water and I need to hydrate myself better like we all do. We all do. I am super passionate about exercising and being active and working out, especially because my body is changing. I I am in menopause. It sucks. It is real. It's different for every woman.

The hormone stuff, like I've had to dive deep on that, and I'm failing at that too because I'm not taking the vitamins that they're giving me because of low this, high, that. Honestly, I feel like I've, I probably look healthier now because I'm healthier internally. Yeah. And I'm being kinder to myself. Not perfect. I had this wedding dress I had to fit into a month ago. That was super stressful.

I'm like, these pictures are going to last forever. Y'all looked great. Y'all both looked so good. No, thank you. I'm so, I'm so grateful for it. But I truly feel along with, okay, exercise, eat well. I have the biggest sugar addiction. Like, it's terrible.

I asked Dave, I have to have sweets every night. Like, have to. It's a requirement. I always say, okay, some people are drug addicts. I could be a Coke head, all right, guys? If I need my chocolate, leave me alone. Like, there are worse things, you know? Yeah, I tried to do all the healthy things.

But I'm finally being a little kinder to myself. Yeah. And I feel like it is reflecting in my skin. Like, it sounds cheesy. And I will admit, I've been gray since I was 25. Really? My hair is white. Oh, my goodness.

Totally. Whenever you decide to let that girl, it's going to look so good. No, it's not. Yes, it is. Yes, it is. Your husband agrees. He's going to love it. I don't think he actually agrees with it. And it's okay. At some point, it is, whenever you decide. It could be 20 years from now. But it will look really good. I think it'll look cool because I think the silver and darker, complexed people is really like my dad is that silver fox with black skin. And I love it. Yeah. No, listen, it means a lot. And I need to accept the compliment and not be like, ew, right? Oh my gosh. It was so funny when you did that because I was like, you can tell that you have 20-something year old daughters. Because that's exactly how they would respond.

Yeah, ooh, mom's up. But I do, I believe it is so much more internal now. And I didn't think that before because we can do all the superficial things and that's great. But that's then what's happening inside. And I finally worked so hard on the inside through diving deep on some tough things and through my faith. Like that's the full circle part of this conversation is that I finally know that no matter what and how I look, my husband's going to love me. My kids are going to love me. Usually my parents are going to love me.

And most importantly, God loves me. He made me this way. For years, I was told you have to straighten your hair on TV because that's not what TV anchors look like, right? And so accepting who you are and then taking care of these bodies that you said to me earlier, we were given this. We have to take care of it. So thank you.

And beef tallow. Okay, beef tallow. I used the beef tallow too. So I'm grateful for that. I'm glad for the tip. Well, you are a woman to admire. And if people don't already subscribe to your show, how can they do that? I think I have it down.

You can correct me when you say, yes, Sage Steel Show on YouTube and everywhere that you enjoy your podcast. Yeah, everywhere you listen. So YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, all that good stuff. That's where people can subscribe. And I am kind of crazy on Instagram because I blow up my kids. Yes. You do post regularly on Instagram, which I appreciate. I love following people.

Sometimes, because these kids get a little, sometimes, like, I've used it to humiliate them in a kind way. Like, I told you to clean your room. And it's been a week. And so now I'm walking in and it's going on Instagram stories. And because their friends follow me, guess what? The rooms are cleaner. So you see, you see all of it. Okay, there you go.

That's the thing that you can do for your adult children that you don't do to your little children. They get to a certain age and public shaming is like socially acceptable. Yes. So I'll log that away for future parenting advice. Thank you so much. Thank you. I really appreciate your authenticity. so much and this was so good to get to talk to you. That means so much that you had me on. Thank you.

Thank you.