A Time to Sharpen

A Time to Sharpen

Axel Liimatta & Brandon Maxwell

Episodes 73
Avg. Duration 42m
Activity Highly Active
Apple Rating 5.0 (11)
Since Mar 2022
Latest Episode Mar 2026

Publishing Details

Schedule
Monthly
Format
Episodic
Consistency
77%
Hosting
anchor.fm

Contact & Outreach

About This Podcast

A bi-weekly podcast that examines how working with teenagers can make us better versions of ourselves: better teachers, better counselors, better parents…better people. Join two of Whetstone Boys Ranch's co-founders, Axel Liimatta and Brandon Maxwell, as they discuss what twenty years of serving struggling teenagers and their families has taught them about how to address the most challenging of behaviors. You'll find answers without dogma, encouragement without false hope, and sharpening without shame.

Explore Statistics

Recent Episodes

FAQ's: Part 3

Mar 31, 2026 39m

FAQ's Part 3

S1E71 FAQ's: Part 2

Mar 16, 2026 52m

FAQ’s: Part Two will address some of the questions that come out around the kitchen table at 11:30 at night: Is this place actually professional… or just a ranch with a nice logo? What kind of boys…

S1E70 FAQ's: Part 1

Feb 20, 2026 49m

If you’re considering a place like Whetstone for your son, you’re not just looking for a brochure, you’re looking for answers. Real ones. The kind you ask when you can’t sleep. The house is finally…

Mountains & Molehills

Feb 04, 2026 49m

Description Forthcoming

Next-Gen

Jan 09, 2026 46m

Everyone likes new things. New phones. New systems. New news. That’s weird phrase, but you catch my drift.The problem is, new doesn’t always mean better. On the other hand, old doesn’t automatically…

Self Care

Dec 23, 2025 41m

Self-care doesn’t announce itself at Whetstone with spa music and soft lighting. It shows up in the mundane: brushing teeth, washing clothes, tending a cut, making a bed that will be messed up again…

S1E67 Money

Dec 05, 2025 49m

No one likes to talk about money. The very word is a little cringy. We prefer to talk about wealth, finances, the budget. These are more palatable. The same thing applies to the term fund-raising.…

S1E66 Spiritual Life

Nov 20, 2025 52m

It’s a little ironic that has taken us 65 episodes to get this topic. You could argue it should’ve been the first one we ever recorded, because spiritual life is our top priority — the reason we do…

S1E65 Girls

Oct 26, 2025 42m

Running a boys ranch means we spend a lot of time talking about manhood—but you can’t really understand boys without talking about girls.God made us different on purpose. Not to compete but to…

S1E64 Light's Out

Oct 15, 2025 43m

When most of the world goes to sleep, life at Whetstone keeps rolling. The lights may be out, but the work doesn’t stop. Boys still need care. Emergencies can happen. And someone has to keep diligent…

S1E63 Bumps & Bruises

Sep 17, 2025 44m

Bumps, bruises, and bug bites—it’s all part of growing up in the Ozarks. Around here, ‘rub some dirt on it’ isn’t just advice, it’s practically a lifestyle. Of course, we’re also First Aid certified,…

S1E62 Harvard-Bound

Aug 20, 2025 1h 33m

It’s not everyday that a former student of yours says that he’s been accepted to Harvard Law School - or every year...or every lifetime! But recently, Whetstone was honored by the news that one of…

S4E61 Sleep Matters

Jul 31, 2025 41m

Sleep is the secret weapon most of us are too tired to use. We hustle, grind, and caffeinate our way through exhaustion, ignoring the one thing our minds and bodies need most. In this episode of A…

S1E60 Neurodivergence

Jul 14, 2025 48m

We all think differently. But some of us think more differently than others…if that makes sense. Maybe it doesn’t. I don’t know. Which is why we invited Jonathan Page to talk with us about the very…

S1E59 Growing Pains

Jun 13, 2025 51m

Some of us are old enough to remember when Kirk Cameron was a teenage heartthrob and the star of an 80’s family sitcom called “Growing Pains.” This show was also notable for its catchy theme song and…

S1E58 Staying Married

May 15, 2025 50m

It’s impossible to overestimate the importance of marriage. Sure, some marriages fail, some are toxic, and some are even deadly. Still, there is nothing that has the power to build a person, a…

S1E58 Sick & Tired

Apr 23, 2025 40m

Flu season is almost over, but if you hurry, there’s just enough to catch the seasonal bug if you want. You have until the end of May, in case you're interested. There’s really a lot to be said for…

S1E57 Childhood Bullying Pt. 2

Mar 29, 2025 57m

In part two of this special podcast dealing with school bullying, Axel, Brandon and Thomas share thoughts about the bullying problem, along with some simple, proven effective ways to address…

S2E56 Childhood Bullying: Pt. I

Mar 08, 2025 58m

Whetstone's Thomas Brown joins Brandon and Axel for the first of a two-part series on the subject of childhood bullying. Once a victim of terrible bullying, Thomas emerged as a three-decades…

S55E1 LOL!

Feb 20, 2025 48m

Rules without Relationship = Rebellion. We’ve said this before on the podcast, but it bears repeating. Whetstone Boys Ranch was founded upon this basic assumption. Rules are necessary, but without a…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does A Time to Sharpen have?

A Time to Sharpen has published 73 episodes since March 2022, covering topics in Kids & Family, Parenting.

Is A Time to Sharpen still active?

A Time to Sharpen is currently highly active with new episodes monthly. Average episode length is 42m.

How do I contact A Time to Sharpen for sponsorship or guest appearances?

Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for A Time to Sharpen, including email and social media links.

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