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This is the Beyond the Classroom: life lessons with Mr. B series finale!   I'd like to thank everyone that listened to the pod.  I really, truly, sincerely appreciate it.  You helped this dream go from conception to reality, and for that I am grateful.   In this episode, Mr. B talks about: What this podcast has meant to him, what he's learned through the process of Beyond the Classroom, and What's Next for The Real Tom Bratt. You can always find me here: therealtombratt.com  

It's inevitable that we go through periods of hardship.  When we suppress them, it's easy to then lash out.  When taking care of your pain, make sure to avoid the colossal mistake.  

Not to be too big of a Debbie D, but an older body is more sore and tired than a younger one.  A lot of modern Americans are saving for a retirement and thinking about What's Next.  I'd encourage the opposite.  Think about now.  Enjoy now.  Don't have regrets.   Four specifics:  Financial Stability Be in Shape Thank you notes Go to Meal

This episode is a walkthrough from Conception to Inception to Deception to Reception of this podcast. 

As I was going through the notes on my desk, I came across 3 bullet points that I try to live by.  They're hard for me to follow, which is why I wrote them down.  In this episode, I talk through what they are, and what they mean to me.   don't be afraid to follow the voice where it takes you you've got a path; follow it your truth is your truth

All Creatives go through periods of struggle.  How you go through that struggle may just define your work.  Mr. B talks a bit about this.  

I'm good at concepts, suck at the day-to-day.  I take a rambling look at that in this episode.  

What happened when Mr. B made a Bob Dylan mixed tape for his professor?  Listen to find out.  

Today is Mr. B's birthday!  In celebration, he talks about 39 things he's learned in his 39 years of life.  Enjoy!

In this episode, Mr. B does a terrible job of explaining why he loves the podcast as a medium.  Rather than coherent, he more or less fanboys.  

It's been a while since I released an episode.  I had several ideas, the best intentions, and sat down to do several.  Each time, it stopped before it started.  I had the podcasting equivalent of writer's block.   Then it hit me: I'm not longer Mr. B; I'm The Real Tom Bratt.  Listen to my discovery, what this podcast has meant to me, as well as what TRTB has in store in the future. Much love.  (And Happy New Year!)

On three consecutive Wednesdays in October, Lon Tower III and I made the trek from Lowell, MI to Grand Rapids.  Each week, he took another GED test, and earned his GED October 24, 2018.   On the car rides, we'd talk about life and his story, and he shares his success with us today!

The audience of Beyond the Classroom is pretty broad.  We have people that own thriving businesses, students in the grind, and people looking to begin making their dreams happen.   In this episode, Mr. B delivers 8 Tips to Get Ahead in Life.  Regardless of where your at, these tips should help you get to the next level.  

Last year, Mr. B had the honor of interviewing: Whimsy Librarian, Joseph Liddell, Dr. Courter, and Elon Cook Lee.  In this episode, we hear updates from Dr. Courter and Elon.      

The future may look different than we think.  It's possible that while we're looking for one thing in particular, its alternative is right in front of us, staring and saying, "I'm here".  

Season 3's opening episode discusses a bit of why my wife and I don't post photos of our son on social media.   It started as a personal decision which has led to a lot of interesting conversations.  The 'why' of the decision hits exactly what this season is about. Before jumping in, Mr. B tells the listeners what he's been up to, recaps Seasons 1 & 2, and then rambles about the instinct to photo and publish a lot of our experiences.   (I also see the irony in the content and the fact that I'll make people aware of the episode - THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA=)

Season 3 of Beyond the Classroom: life lessons with Mr. B will debut on September 4.   Season 3 is about the process of getting from Point A to Point B.  It will include 'life lessons' from various people, with the goal being to avoid mistakes others have made.  With new technology at his disposal, Mr. B hopes to make this the best season yet!

Independence is great.  I am very thankful for freedom and equality.  Let this day ask: for whom can extend the branch of freedom; to whom can we work to help up the ladder.  

This season has been all about making the most of your life.  There are a lot of things we cannot control, but we can ALWAYS control how we act.  So, why not be superlative?    

This season has been about bettering yourself and noticing patterns.  That is because, in my own life, that's what I'm trying to do.  As I've been digging through some things, I realized it all started for me...When Creston Closed