The Be Still Podcast

Welcome back to the Be Still Podcast! Last episode was just me reading hate comments, and Brett and MJ had so much FOMO that they came in two days later to do it with me. So this time I brought two lists, our worst website reviews and our worst TikTok comments. They hadn't seen any of them, so you get their real reactions.

We start with a free mystery tee someone really did not like, why pre-orders sometimes run late, a one-star review about white text on a yellow shirt (I reply to it live), whether our oversized tees are actually oversized, and "the lowest quality shirt I have ever seen." Then the TikTok comments get heavier: you can't profit and call it faith-based, mental health and religion, church hurt, why "it's not a religion, it's a relationship" doesn't sit right with me, and a $44 shirt "in this economy."

"Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

CHAPTERS
0:00 Welcome to episode 4
0:41 Halloween weekends and our accents
3:54 Our worst website reviews
6:28 "The free shirt was useless"
7:28 The story behind the Walk by Faith tee
12:05 Pre-order delays and missing stickers
17:36 "White text on a yellow shirt"
19:50 Replying to that review live
23:05 "It says it's oversized, but it's not"
25:42 Doubt the math or the self-awareness?
27:09 "The lowest quality shirt I have ever seen"
30:27 Gum, pens and the erasers from school
33:13 Our worst TikTok comments
34:56 "You can't profit and call it faith-based"
38:57 "Saved her from rational thinking"
40:08 "Mental health and religion go hand in hand"
41:22 Church hurt and Hosea
43:03 "It's not a religion, it's a relationship"
48:31 "$44 in this economy"
50:37 Buy it once, wear it for years
54:14 "No one's holding your toes to the fire"
56:43 Wrap up

WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT
Bad reviews come with the territory: we're blessed to have enough customers that we get bad reviews at all, and these are a tiny fraction of them. Most of you are amazing and leave five stars. Good disclaimer, humble brag.

The Walk by Faith tee: it sold out the first time we dropped it, but when we restocked it, it just sat on our shelves. We all agreed it wasn't really our branding anymore, so it went into the free mystery tee you got with a hoodie. Still a great fit, still 100% cotton, just a particular taste. Brett also told the story of the day someone looked at that exact shirt and called it corny. That one comment basically retired it. Add it to the graveyard.

Pre-orders: a pre-order lets you claim your spot instead of hoping you catch a restock. Our supplier gives us a date, but one step in the supply chain can slip and a shipment comes in 10 days late. We send email updates and offer refunds on late pre-orders, and going forward we're adding a two-week buffer to what our supplier tells us, so you get it by the date we promise.

Missing stickers: we hand pack every single order in our warehouse, and on a restock day with 1,000+ orders going out, a sticker can get missed. If that happens, email MJ and she'll make it right.

White ink on yellow: we screen print some of our shirts in-house, and we only run white ink. Some people love contrast and some people love the minimal monochrome look. Both are okay. I replied to the review live, smiley face included.

Sizing: there's a sizing chart and a find-your-size feature on the site. Our oversized tees really are oversized. MJ gave her dad one for Christmas, and it was still oversized on him.

Quality: Brett has had his What a Friend tee for two and a half years, he still wears it every week, and it's the shirt he was wearing when he met MJ. You can't tell him that's a bad quality shirt.

Profit and faith: it's not about a profit for us. We've seen the impact our clothes have, and that's why we'd rather pour our work into this than a paycheck somewhere else. When a comment like that comes in, MJ said she pauses and asks if it's accurate, and she comes back to whether we're glorifying God to the best of our ability with what we have. He is 100% in charge of this.

Mental health and religion: there's usually real hurt behind a comment like that. The beautiful part about Christianity is that it's not about you, it's about Him, and there's a loving God asking you to run towards Him. Church hurt is real. The church is imperfect people trying to serve and worship a perfect God. If a church hurt you, pray for one that will lift you up and disciple you, and get plugged in.

Religion vs. relationship: Jesus was the most religious person ever. If what you mean is legalism, say legalism. Words matter, because people on the outside looking in are listening.

A $44 shirt: a piece that lasts you five or ten years costs less over time than cheap ones you blow through, and you're supporting a business that gives proceeds back to Christian mental health ministries. Our pro tip: if the price is stressing you out, sit on it. If you're still thinking about it fondly a day or two later, it's a great purchase. And if you ever buy something and realize you can't afford it, email us and we'll cancel and refund it in full.

YOUR TURN
Which comment should we answer in part two? Drop it below. And if you got a mystery tee that wasn't your style, tell us who you gifted it to.

HOSTS
Caleb Weidner, founder of Forty-Six Ten
Brett Fleming, sales and partnerships
MJ Fleming, warehouse manager and customer care

ABOUT FORTY-SIX TEN
Forty-Six Ten is a Christian apparel company named after Psalm 46:10. Every order is picked, packed and shipped out of our warehouse in South Jersey, the same place we filmed this episode.

Shop: https://fortysixten.net
Instagram: @fortysixtenco
TikTok: @fortysixten

Be still and know. We'll see you next time.

#BeStillPodcast #ChristianPodcast #HateComments

Be Still Podcast, Episode 3

Welcome back to the Be Still Podcast! This one is a solo episode. I'm Caleb, founder of Forty-Six Ten, and before heading to my family's Halloween dinner I sat down in the warehouse to go through some of the hate comments we get on our videos. Not to dunk on anyone, but because a lot of them are fair questions, and the way we answer them can show people Christ's love.

We start with the yearly debate over whether trick-or-treating is a sin. Then I play a few of our TikToks and answer the comments under them: why we sent Ella Langley a box of our stuff, why we can't approve every free sample request, whether we actually care about mental health, why our hoodies cost what they do, a rainbow video that got called judgmental, and a hoodie that "peeled off after the first wash."

"Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

CHAPTERS
0:00 Welcome to episode 3
0:44 Why I read hate comments
1:32 Is trick-or-treating a sin?
2:11 The box we sent Ella Langley
3:17 "Sending millionaires free stuff"
3:57 Why we can't approve every sample request
5:10 "Y'all don't care about mental health"
5:27 A comment that deserves more than a quick answer
6:20 "$70 is ridiculous"
7:22 Knockoffs, and why we went patchwork
9:11 "Make it affordable for all"
9:54 A Christian shoemaker makes good shoes
10:10 June is for rainbows
10:51 "Jesus sat at a table full of sinners"
12:29 Someone's wearing 4610 in the wild
13:05 "The hoodie was ironed on"
14:11 Wrap up: wisdom teeth and Halloween candy

WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT
Halloween: I don't think this is a cop-out. I really think it comes down to the heart posture behind it. If you can't wait to dress up as a demon and watch something dark tonight, I think that's wrong. If you're hanging out with family while your little cousins dress up and get candy, I don't think that's sinning.

Free stuff for celebrities: Ella Langley bought one of our Jesus Is King light green camo shirts and posted it without us even knowing. We didn't find it until about nine months later, so MJ packed her a box of basically everything else we have. We're not sending it because she can't afford it. We're sending it because she wasn't going to buy it, and supporting a big musician with a big audience could help us spread our message of faith to more people.

Sample requests: we get thousands of sample requests a month from creators, and we send out maybe 100. When we don't send you one, it doesn't mean we don't like your content. We have to steward our stuff well and keep inventory for the people spending their hard-earned money with us.

Pricing and knockoffs: a lot of people are used to cheap, mass-produced, drop-shipped stuff. When we did all screen print, our designs got knocked off fast, sometimes with our own photos. That's a big reason we moved to patchwork and stitched designs. A cheap knockoff wears out within a year. One of our hoodies should last 15 to 20 years if you take care of it. And like the quote MJ shared last episode, a Christian shoemaker doesn't make Christian shoes by putting a little cross on them. He makes really good shoes.

Rainbows and judgment: the rainbow is God's sign of His promise that He will never flood the earth again, and that He is faithful. Taking it back isn't us putting ourselves on a high horse. Brett, MJ and I have all struggled with sin like everyone has. We use God's standard to check ourselves first.

Dupes: our Jesus Saves hoodies are stitched and embroidered. Nothing on them is ironed or printed on, so nothing can peel off. If you see one online for $30, it's not us. Buy from our actual shop.

YOUR TURN
What hate comment should we answer next? Brett and MJ want in on the next one, so drop it in the comments. And tell me what candy I should eat tonight with a torn up cheek.

HOST
Caleb Weidner, founder of Forty-Six Ten

ABOUT FORTY-SIX TEN
Forty-Six Ten is a Christian apparel company named after Psalm 46:10. Every order is picked, packed and shipped out of our warehouse in South Jersey, the same place we filmed this episode.

Shop: https://fortysixten.net
Instagram: @fortysixtenco
TikTok: @fortysixten

Be still and know. We'll see you next time.

#BeStillPodcast #ChristianPodcast #HateComments

Be Still Podcast, Episode 2

Welcome back to the Be Still Podcast! This is the conversation we teased in episode 1. I'm Caleb, founder of Forty-Six Ten, and I'm back in the warehouse with two of my best friends and teammates, Brett and MJ Fleming.

Does a song, a movie or a hoodie have to mention God to be Christian? We get into Christian art and how much creative liberty is too much, the non-Christian movies and music that have pointed us back to God, and what actually makes 4610 a Christian business. Brett shares the prayer walk he does through the warehouse every morning, we answer the "you're profiting off of Jesus' name" comments, and MJ brings a quote about a Christian shoemaker that sums up the standard we want for everything we make.

"Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

CHAPTERS
0:00 Welcome to episode 2
1:15 Does art have to mention God to be Christian?
3:10 How much creative liberty is too much?
4:06 The kids' movie that changed how MJ saw Noah's ark
6:12 Always go back to the source of truth
8:33 Do we picture Jesus as the actor on screen?
9:50 God's fingerprints in secular books and movies
12:09 Witchcraft, wizards and fantasy stories
14:31 When non-Christian art glorifies God more
16:20 Music that reminded MJ of life before Christ
17:22 Movies that broke our hearts for people
20:23 Why MJ cries differently at the same songs now
21:49 What makes 4610 a Christian business?
23:55 Brett's morning prayer walk through the warehouse
25:38 "You're profiting off of Jesus' name"
27:38 Is pointing people to Jesus enough?
30:25 The last strand before someone comes to faith
32:01 A Christian shoemaker makes good shoes
33:58 Staying a Christian business as we grow
38:31 You will know them by their fruits
40:04 Never stop asking if we're doing it right
41:34 Has a hate comment ever made us think?
44:09 Why not just work hard at a secular job?
45:53 Wrap up

WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT
Christian art: MJ thinks a piece of art is only Christian if it glorifies God, His character and His kingdom. Having Christianity tied into it, even biblical characters or stories, isn't enough on its own. Adaptations that take liberties can shape how people see the Bible for years. MJ grew up with a kids' movie about Noah's ark that said God didn't want to flood the earth, and she had to relearn the real story later. Artists making Christian art carry a real responsibility, because people who don't know Jesus, or whose faith isn't rock solid yet, are listening. Brett's advice: always go back to the source of truth, and when you read a children's Bible with your kids, point them back to the real thing in Scripture.

God's fingerprints everywhere: Brett read classic secular novels all through school and still found Christian themes in them: courage, sacrifice, good triumphing over evil. Maybe a hot take, but some non-Christian art glorifies God more than art that calls itself Christian. You don't go stargazing looking for Christian stars. You're just looking at God's creation.

Art that points us back to God: MJ talks about music from before she was saved that now reminds her of what God has done, Brett's mom's playlist that walks from life before Christ all the way to salvation, and movies that broke our hearts and had us praying for people we've never met. "These lyrics of hopelessness and desperation and pain, that was me, and I'm so glad that I have Christ now."

What makes a business Christian: it's not the fact that we put Jesus on our clothes. It's how you treat people and the decisions you make. Brett comes in early and prays over the warehouse every morning, and if God took it all away tomorrow, we'd say what an amazing opportunity that we even got to do it. On profit, the Bible talks about money and work all the time. What matters is stewarding it well and the heart posture behind it. MJ pushes it further: the goal isn't only pointing people to Jesus, it's glorifying God in every business practice, from the design to customer service to how we treat and pay the people we work with. "A Christian shoemaker isn't a Christian shoemaker because he puts little crosses on his shoes. He's a Christian shoemaker because he makes really good shoes."

Staying faithful as we grow: keep Christ first, keep asking whether we're doing this the right way, and hopefully have many more three-hour conversations about whether something is good or not. And as Brett was reminded, a piece of clothing might be the last strand before someone comes to faith. We might never see it on this side of heaven.

YOUR TURN
Does art have to mention God to be Christian? Tell us what you think in the comments, and send us any questions you want us to answer on the show.

HOSTS
Caleb Weidner, founder of Forty-Six Ten
Brett Fleming, sales and partnerships
MJ Fleming, warehouse manager and customer care

ABOUT FORTY-SIX TEN
Forty-Six Ten is a Christian apparel company named after Psalm 46:10. Every order is picked, packed and shipped out of our warehouse in South Jersey, the same place we filmed this episode.

Shop: https://fortysixten.net
Instagram: @fortysixtenco
TikTok: @fortysixten

Be still and know. We'll see you next time.

#BeStillPodcast #ChristianPodcast #ChristianArt

Be Still Podcast, Episode 1

Welcome to the very first episode of the Be Still Podcast! I'm Caleb, founder of Forty-Six Ten, and I'm joined by two of my best friends and teammates, Brett and MJ Fleming. (Yes, they're married.)

In this one I share how 4610 started as a college class project I almost said no to, and why we named it after Psalm 46:10. Brett and MJ introduce each other, from Salt Lake City and a 13-hour phone call to a January wedding in Philly and both of them ending up full-time at the warehouse.

Then we get into what it actually looks like to go into business with your friends, why work can never be king, a sermon length over/under that got a little heated, and how scrolling can be the way we run from being still.

"Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

CHAPTERS

0:00 Welcome to the Be Still Podcast
0:19 How 4610 started
3:31 Brett introduces MJ
6:38 What MJ does at 4610
7:26 Engaged in June, married in January
8:37 MJ introduces Brett
10:53 Brett goes full-time at 4610
14:40 The 47-page plan Brett wrote in college
17:07 1 a.m. at the warehouse and the cost of building something
18:55 When a job is more than a paycheck
21:10 Should you go into business with friends?
22:52 Why business partners are a lot like a marriage
26:39 Why people say "don't go into business with friends"
27:59 Work can't be king
29:50 Looking up to each other
32:24 The questions Brett and MJ didn't see coming
34:18 Sermon over/under: how long is too long?
37:33 Why Brett said 70 minutes
40:17 Expectations and attention spans
41:37 Listening to sermons at 1.7x speed
42:27 We've lost the ability to be bored
43:49 Quiet makes room for God
44:32 Scrolling is running away from Jesus
45:58 Take it to Jesus, even when you don't want to
47:15 Wrap up

WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT
How 4610 started: I was a junior in college when my roommate needed a partner for his entrepreneurship final. The top teams had to pitch on stage in front of the school, and honestly I was scared to do it. Once I made the logo I was all in. We picked Psalm 46:10 because it was one of my post-it note verses, the one that reminded me God was in control no matter how crazy college got. None of this was my plan, but God has led it every step of the way.

Brett and MJ: MJ grew up in Salt Lake City, did missions work, and went to college in Florida, where she met Brett on a work trip. Less than a week later they were on the phone for 13 hours straight. They got engaged in June, MJ moved to New Jersey in August to become our warehouse manager, and they got married in January. If you've ever emailed us, it was most likely MJ answering you. Brett grew up in South Jersey, was homeschooled, graduated with a 4.0, and spent three and a half years in corporate sales and marketing before joining 4610 full-time to run sales, partnerships and wholesale.

Business with friends: People say don't go into business with friends. We think that advice usually comes from a fear mindset, and from a worldview where work becomes the main thing. When God is at the center, work can't be king. What makes it work for us is vision alignment, hard conversations early, owning it and apologizing fast, no ego, and actually looking up to each other in the areas where we're not as strong.

The sermon over/under: What's the absolute maximum length for a sermon before it starts losing the congregation? We all held up our answers at the same time and landed on 50, 60 and 70 minutes. You'll have to watch to see who said what, and why one of us was trained by 70-minute family devotions at 12 years old.

Being still: We've lost the ability to be bored. Try a 30-minute walk with no phone and no music and see what comes up. A lot of us scroll so we don't have to face our own thoughts and fears, and in a way that's running from Jesus. You're not stopping your brain, you're not being still. The better answer is to take it to Jesus, even when your prayer starts with "I don't really want to be talking to You right now."

YOUR TURN
How long is too long for a sermon? Drop your number in the comments.

We also teased a future episode: what's the difference between a Christian song or movie and one made by a Christian? Does art have to mention God to glorify Him? Let us know what you think, and send us any questions you want us to answer on the show.

HOSTS
Caleb Weidner, founder of Forty-Six Ten
Brett Fleming, sales and partnerships
MJ Fleming, warehouse manager and customer care

ABOUT FORTY-SIX TEN
Forty-Six Ten is a Christian apparel company named after Psalm 46:10. Every order is picked, packed and shipped out of our warehouse in South Jersey, the same place we filmed this episode.

Shop: https://fortysixten.net
Instagram: @fortysixtenco
TikTok: @fortysixten

Be still and know. We'll see you next time.

#BeStillPodcast #ChristianPodcast #Psalm4610

My business, Forty-Six Ten Apparel Company, has been going through some crazzzzy scammer trials. I talk about how the Bible says we are to deal with thieves and things in life that aren't just. When things aren't fair, what does God say to do? I jump into Psalms and Thessalonians to find His answers! I pray this heart posture check will encourage you in times when things in your life just don't feel fair. God bless!

I discuss the hymn "He Will Hold Me Fast" (the Shane & Shane version) and give some thoughts on how Jesus holds us fast and not vice versa.

Lyrics:

When I fear my faith will fail

Christ will hold me fast

When the tempter would prevail

He will hold me fast

I could never keep my hold

Through life's fearful path

For my love is often cold

He must hold me fast

He will hold me fast

He will hold me fast

For my Savior loves me so

He will hold me fast

Those He saves are His delight

Christ will hold me fast

Precious in His holy sight

He will hold me fast

He'll not let my soul be lost

His promises shall last

Bought by Him at such a cost

He will hold me fast

He will hold me fast

He will hold me fast

For my Savior loves me so

He will hold me fast

For my life He bled and died

Christ will hold me fast

Justice has been satisfied

He will hold me fast

Raised with Him to endless life

He will hold me fast

'Til our faith is turned to sight

When He comes at last

He will hold me fast

He will hold me fast

For my Savior loves me so

He will hold me fast

He will hold me fast

He will hold me fast

For my Savior loves me so

He will hold me fast

He began to work on me

He began to work on me

You'll complete the work on me

You'll complete the work on me

Ooh-ooh-ooh

Today I sit down and talk about the second part of the Forty-Six Ten Apparel Co. story from my perspective! I hope you see the ways in which God was completely faithful throughout the entire journey. He intricately put every obstacle and person and piece in place for His ultimate glory.

I heard a C.S. Lewis quote on love tonight- one that I would consider a life quote that I hold dear. I talk about how Lewis and 1 Corinthians talk about true love- whether it's a friendship, family relationship, or romantic relationship/marriage.

Sit down with me as I go through Romans 12! I've been studying Romans with my men's discipleship group the past month and wanted to share some perspectives and thoughts I had on this excerpt.

Today I explore a response to one of our Instagram submissions asking how to share Jesus at school without shoving it down people's throats? Join me as I use Biblical perspective to ponder this question.

Article I mentioned: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fortysixtenco/episodes/Sharing-Jesus-in-Public---How-to-Share-At-School-e2nfmnh

Hey guys! Doing another song lyric review, this time on the track "The Future" by Tenth Avenue North (once again). I explore what people commonly worry about for their futures and how a Biblical perspective can change our worry to a burden lifted off our shoulders daily.

Tonight I sit and talk through the impactful lines of the song "Don't Stop the Madness" by Tenth Avenue North. It explores how God calls our heart posture to be amidst the pain, trials, confusion, madness, and chaos of life.

Welcome to the Forty-Six Ten technically "podcast." Talking about how this will potentially go and how God led our first steps in the business journey 2.5 years ago!