Personal Growth Episodes

Tim Ross was an unsaved pastor's kid on the southside of Los Angeles when God arrested him before the streets could. Today he's a professional podcaster, social media influencer, author, preacher and businessman. His podcast, The Basement, has been seen and heard by millions around the world. This is Tim's story. A powerful, honest and transparent walk through one man's journey from southside to the largest platforms in the world. What does God do in a man's life that takes him from level to ne...

After his five-year-old son was kicked out pre-school, Chris Harper had a word ... or two. My friend Chris Harper is a storyteller, he builds word pictures that we can touch and see and leads men into truth. Better known as "Harp" he serves as the CEO of BetterMan. A ministry equipping more than 2500+ churches and 300,000+ men across the U.S. So, what do you do when your little boy is told he can't stay in his pre-K classroom, and what was the egregious nature of his crime? Harp takes us on a j...

Jeremy Stalnecker was at war. As commander of a counter-mechanized platoon providing navigation and lead security for the First Battalion in Operation Iraqi-Freedom he was in the middle of the action. Today he helps men heal the unseen wounds of combat. As CEO of the Mighty Oaks Foundation, the actions he takes every day bring new life to hundreds of veterans and men who have been sidelined by the trauma and abrasions of battle. Post-traumatic stress has been a huge issue for many veterans and ...

A powerful principle for successful men is, "Know your season." Success is not about the clock but organizing and controlling your participation in the events and seasons of life. It is about having a focus for the purpose of each minute. This is what we'll cover in-depth today on the Brave Men podcast. Jesus taught religious men in the synagogue, "You can tell the season on earth, you know when the rain is coming, but the true dimension you must have is the discernment to know the seasons of t...

Nick Caine is a modern-day abolitionist. He is the co-founder, with his wife Chris Caine, of the global anti-trafficking organization A21. With tremendous efficiency A21 is attacking the scourge of human slavery – an evil more prevalent today than at any time in human history. Through education, prevention, restoration and relocation they have saved the lives of thousands of victims. This is a brilliant conversation with a man who is changing the world through love and compassion. Nick’s wife C...

Demario Davis is one of the leading players in the National Football League. He’s a fierce and focused perennial All-pro linebacker for the New Orleans Saints. Now in his 14th year of playing football at the highest level, Demario is the quintessential professional – hard working and hard hitting. Demario is also hitting fatherlessness and urban issues in our culture with the same ferocity. He is the founder of Devoted Dreamers Foundation that inspires young men to live the life God intended fo...

One of the most underrated men in the Bible is a man named Barnabas. He’s the man who believed in the terrorist Paul after his radical conversion, believed in John Mark after his failure and walked beside men to encourage their best life. He’s rarely mentioned ... but he helped change the world. Paul Andrew centers us on what it means to live a life that is truly selfless. Paul Andrew and his wife, the noted author and speaker Andi Andrew, moved from Australia almost 20 years ago to plant Liber...

Lt. Col. Oliver North (ret.) is a combat decorated U.S. Marine, #1 best-selling author, business owner, holder of three U.S. patents and well-known statesman. For seventeen years he was a syndicated columnist and host of “War Stories” on FOX. The only friend of Brave Men podcast that was targeted for assassination by Abu Nidal, Col. North is a man of courage and hope. He’s coordinated hostage rescues, headed up counter-terrorism teams, been wounded in war and leads men’s Bible studies in his ho...

Invest some time in an inspiring conversation with CMN President Paul Cole. Start cranking the fundamentals of becoming a champion. It’s doing the basics and doing them well over and over that creates a successful season … and a successful life in Christ. Building a life that overcomes adversity doesn’t just happen. It’s the result of determination and purpose and discipline. Using Maximized Manhood, the global best-selling book written by Paul’s father Dr. Ed Cole, as a guide we dive in to the...

The power of brotherhood, forgiveness and restoration with my good friend Javon Ruff on this episode of the Brave Men podcast. Together, we unpack the timeless parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15 and explore how shallow relationships can derail our purpose. This is as real as it gets – authentic and gritty. Javon is a man that speaks in a way we can all understand, answering the hard question - how does a man get back to God when he’s gone off the rails? As one of America’s leading voices ...

What does Noble manhood look like? Will it change things – or just add to the issues? Stephen Mansfield is a best-selling author and influential statesman. His counsel is sought by key leaders across the nations which has taken him from the halls of Washington to the shores of Tripoli. Stephen has answers. They’re not easy – it involves men accepting responsibility. Stephen has written numerous best-sellers from Lincoln’s Battle With God to Mansfield’s Book of Manly Men. But success came from de...

Today a motivating, encouraging conversation with you and host Paul Cole. A powerful word on our identity, purpose and value. The foundational story is from the renaming of Benjamin, Jacob’s son, and later the father of the twelfth tribe of Israel. That’s found near the end of the book of Genesis. When Jacob changed Benjamin’s name – everything in Benjamin’s life changed. It was the affirmation of his father that built the life of a great man – from the day of his birth forward. In the tapestry...

Getting real about the past, finding perspective in the pain. Discovering redemption in the ruin of life’s random hits and destructive choices. Today on BraveMen Podcast we’re joined by Ron Acosta, a man whose journey of resilience and faith will inspire and challenge you. From losing everything he built to finding an unexpected family revelation at 48, Ron's story is a testament to the transformative power of God’s grace. Once a high-powered executive, Ron shares how his journey led him from co...

An influential voice to leaders across the nations who level up their lives both personal and professional, Michael Murphy is leading the charge for a new generation of pastors, business owners and entrepreneurs. His Leaderscape Network is helping high-capacity men achieve tremendous results in every part of their lives. Bringing to them a level of fulfillment that too often escapes us in our chaotic performance-driven culture. Michael Murphy is the author of "XLR8: A Prophetic and Practical Bl...

Sathiya Sam was a good person. Went to church. Honored his parents. Did well in school. But he was an addict. To porn. Here’s an amazing story of bondage and freedom. Lies and truth. Messed up but then a new life emerges from the crash. This will inspire you. Connect with the courageous journey of Sathiya Sam as he shares his story of overcoming a 15-year-long pornography addiction that began in his childhood. Raised in a Christian home, Sathya faced the challenge of navigating his exposure to ...

Could redefining masculinity through the lens of Christlikeness transform not just individuals, but entire communities? Join us as we sit down with Robert Barriger, an ex-surfer from Southern California whose life took a radical turn during the Jesus Revolution. His journey took him all the way to Peru, where he and his wife Karen have established Camino de Vida, a church that has become a beacon of hope and change throughout Latin America. Robert shares his compelling story, painting a vivid pi...

Ever wondered what it was like to be at the heart of the Jesus Movement on the West Coast? Join us on the Brave Men Podcast as we sit down with Philip Wagner, a devoted minister and founder, with his wife Holly, of Oasis Church in Hollywood. This is what happened during the vibrant 1970s Christian revival as hundreds of thousands came to Christ and defined a generation. From his collaboration with Maranatha Music to his leadership at the Vineyard Church under Ken Gullickson and Lonnie Frisbee, P...

At age 14, Luke Richey wasn't your typical teenager; he was hacking into banks and postal services. But that was just the beginning of his wild journey from a life of chaos to a man of faith. Today Luke is a world leader in Augmented Reality and the front edge of internet development. It is a compelling story of his early days as a messed up teen-age hacker to becoming a world-class software developer. His innovative work with his company Gravity Jack is making waves in the tech industry. His j...

Identity is under attack, and the stakes have never been higher. Ever felt like you weren’t enough or feared your past defines you? Here’s hope! Join me today on Brave Men as we confront the crucial themes shaping the lives of Christian men today. From the relentless attack on the family to the disruption of the family unit by fatherlessness to the devil's strategic distortion of our sense of self, we at war, and identity is one of our greatest weapons. When a demon possessed man was healed by ...

True identity is not found on a resume or LinkedIn profile … it’s found in your story. But what has shaped your story? Join me for a fascinating exploration of identity as we celebrate the launch of my new book, "Identity: Finding the Real You and Why It Matters." This episode is a deep dive into how the narratives we believe about ourselves influence our decisions and behaviors. I share actionable steps like reading the Bible and engaging with a supportive community to help you live boldly and...

The Brave Men podcasts highlight men who are leaders because they’re honest, strong, vulnerable and filled with wisdom. But what can we learn from boxing? Here’s your answer. Fred Ichniowski is a leading business consultant and boxing commentator. And he’s also a dad … When Fred Ichniowski’s eight-year-old son asked him a profound question about life, it sparked a conversation that transcended simple fatherhood advice. In this enlightening episode, Fred, a seasoned business consultant and boxin...

Unlock the transformative power of neuroscience-informed Christian counseling with licensed professional counselor and certified sex therapist, Josh Spurlock. Immerse your heart into a terrific conversation with our good friend Josh as we peel back layers of emotional and relational inhibitors. Dive with us into a profound discussion on the long-term effects of father wounds, the significance of intentional vulnerability, and the potential that lies within our God-given mechanisms for personal g...

Embarking on a spiritual odyssey often means confronting the comfort zones that dull our fervor. Stephen Prouse is a spiritual warrior - boldly confronting the comfort zones of a culture committed to self justification. A strong man with a strong voice Stephen is well known online as the Fifth Horseman and the Fourth Watch. But his personal story has been one of a series of obstacles resulting in a dynamic faith in Jesus that defines his heart and life. Today on Brave Men a robust conversation ...

He almost lost it all … then, through remarkable tenacity and finding renewal in Christ, recaptured his masculine virtue. Now my friend Skylar Lewis is crushing it. Join me on a radical, sacred, transformative journey with Skylar, founder of Rise Up Kings, as we explore the reconstruction and revival of authentic masculinity. We shatter the myths surrounding toxic masculinity, embrace the rigors of a spiritually focused man, and learn how to balance the pressures of work, family, and friendships...