I've known my mom for 30-some-odd years. Our relationship has been one long series of lessons.

I forget exactly what the first lesson she taught me was; at least the first that I remember and still try to live by. It may have been something about standing up for outsiders - those who didn't have anyone else to stand up for them.

Actually, it could've been how to slice a bell pepper the right way (top first). No, I got it! It was how to be a gentleman and always walk between a woman and oncoming traffic. I'm not sure that was it either, actually. At some point, I guess it becomes less about all these individual lessons and more about the collective sum.

But you know the thing about my mom and her lessons, is that class is still in session. She doesn't stop me from eating dessert before dinner anymore, or call me and ask if I've brushed my teeth before I go to bed. But she's still teaching me something all the time, whether she knows it or not.

Take this last year, for example. One year ago, my mom reluctantly retired after 40-plus years of teaching pre-school (yes, she was literally a teacher). Shortly thereafter, her mother passed away. Weeks later, her mother-in-law's health also turned south.  More recently, she watched her house of almost three decades come crashing down for reconstruction. Did I mention my mom doesn't care much for change?

Yet true to form, my mom kept silently instructing all throughout. She served instead of hiding. She spoke calm instead of pitying herself. She prayed instead of withering. I've never loved my mom more, or appreciated the example of strength when it would've been so much more natural to fall weak.

I'm not sure what next year's lesson will be, but my notebook is wide open and pencil sharpened. Keep teaching, Mom. Because I'm still learning.

-Dan Dillard

Shawn McDonald stopped by Air1 this week and spent some time talking to us about his new album, The Analog Sessions, plus some other cool stuff that didn't make the show. Not to worry- we've got the full interview & unaired clips!

Listen here:

Kristian Stanfill joined us in the studio and chatted about his song "One Thing Remains," among other topics.

Listen to the interview below or Thursday's full Eric and Mandy podcast. You can also subscribe to the daily podcast on iTunes or through Feedburner.

The story behind "One Thing Remains" and beating Chris Tomlin on the Air1 Top Ten:

On country music and how country boys wear leather:

The "March Madness" song:

Full interview, with bonus unaired material from Kristian Stanfill, on today's podcast:

A couple of Sundays ago I was given $5 from my church. That's right, my church gave me money. In fact, everyone in church that morning was given some cash - anywhere from $5 to $100. My church just has wads of cash and it doesn't know what to do with it! Kidding!

Your church may have done this in the past, too. The idea was that we were to use this money with "maximum impact" for someone else. It was also a reminder that EVERYTHING we have (money, home, things, jobs, kids, etc.) belongs to God - we are just stewards of these things.

So what can you really do with $5 that can make an impact on someone else? I got great suggestions - buying water for the homeless, getting a cup of coffee for a stranger at Starbucks, buying lunch for the person behind me in the drive-thru (lots of food-related stuff).

I held that bill in my wallet, because I kept waiting for this amazing moment where I would rescue some stranger with my 5 bucks! I pictured myself at a gas station and overhearing some person saying, "I only need 1 1/4 worth of gas to get my grandma to the hospital, but I have no money?!" And then I run to them (in slow motion) with my $5 and save the day. There is crying and hugging and the ensuing Lifetime movie based on this experience.

Everything I thought of or that was suggested involved a stranger. Not a bad thing, mind you. But as sat and prayed about it, my Dad came to mind. I'm not super close to my dad. There is no animosity - we are just very different people. We don't hang out or talk much outside of family get-togethers. My dad doesn't need $5. In fact, my dad has helped me a zillion times with money throughout my entire life. Always helpful; always generous. The last few years his health has declined and he's struggled with trying to sell his business. My dad has worked so hard and long for many years, but now at this stage of his life the business was just weighing him down.

About a week ago we found out he had a buyer for his business. My dad would soon be able to retire. I could give him the 5 bucks - he wasn't going to be working after all. Nah, I thought I would do something that I don't recall ever doing and out of character for our relationship. I would send him a card that costs me $5.

In that card I was able to tell my dad "congratulations." I was able to tell him "great job on a lifetime of hard work" and how that hard work was so appreciated. And how it allowed him to have to such an impact on my life and my family. There was a bit more to the card, but I'll keep that between the two of us.

I wanted to talk myself out of buying that card. Giving that money to a complete stranger would have been so much easier. Kind of like it's easier to go oversees to do mission work (which is awesome, by the way), than it is to talk to your neighbor...or to reach out to your own dad. There's more of a risk relationally and emotionally when its someone you know and love. And yet when it comes to using that money for maximum impact, I couldn't think of anyone better than a person who made such a maximum impact on my life.

-Eric

In honor of Dr. Seuss's birthday, we asked Joel & Luke from For King & Country to read a bit of a Seuss classic. Gather the kids around and enjoy!

If you’ve ever felt limited to a label that someone else has given you, Dan Dillard from the Air1 Morning Show can relate. He says that’s been a big part of his journey. Here’s his story.

I would imagine you can think back, regardless of how old you are, to those few moments in life where you felt like you'd made it: I¹m a real grown-up, with a real driver's license, a real diploma, real job, marriage, house, kids, etc. These are milestones and they can be the defining moments of our human existence. This week, when the switch flipped on for Air1 Dallas/Ft. Worth on 101.7, I felt like a real grown-up.

Before I explain why, let me back up and apologize if this story sounds pretty me-centric and selfish. The irony is, it¹s actually a story about selflessness. We say it all the time, but it¹s true - if people like you had never gotten behind Air1 to support it, forget DFW, there would be no Air1 anywhere. Air1 has been and always will be a community of people coming together to say yes to something right, something positive, and something counter-cultural. But yeah, I¹m selfish. The first morning we went live in Dallas, was the first time that my own family and friends could turn on their radio and hear my voice coming out of the speakers. Initially, I had the reaction of a 4-year-old conquering the monkey bars on a playground, "Mom, Dad, look at me! I¹m a big boy!! I'm really doing it!!!" But the next reaction (and probably more humble one), was emotion. It boggles my mind that through the radio I get to spend time with you every morning. You go to work, I get to go with you. You¹re running errands, me too. Dropping the kids off at school? I¹m in. It¹s like we¹re great friends who've never actually met.

Now all of a sudden, I get to do all that stuff with my own Dad as he makes his way to the office in the West End. I¹m in the car with my Mom as she heads to Tom Thumb to pick up some groceries. Driving around in Plano, it¹s the first time my little nephew and nieces get to hear Uncle Dan¹s voice on the radio (assuming they can do without Wheels on the Bus for a few minutes). Grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, all so much nearer with the flip of a switch. All that being said, I¹m going to try and get out of the way now and let my family meet the Air1 family, and vice-versa.  If you need me I¹ll be the guy over on the monkey bars, trying to contain himself a little bit.

-Dan Dillard

You can follow Dan on Facebook!

Dad's and their daughter's hair - most times it's not a great combo. This dad figured it out...kinda. He uses a vacuum to put his daughter's hair in a ponytail, and it works...kinda :) Some dad should open a salon using this method...this is gonna be huge!

"I guess there's no such thing as a 'perfect' marriage, but if there was...I'm pretty sure this is the picture you'd find in the dictionary. It's a guy named John teaching his wife Linda - whose memory has been fading - how to read again with alphabet flashcards right in the middle of Starbucks. Such patience, such joy, such pure love." -Dan

Apparently guys with brown eyes are more trusting? Huh?