BraveCo Podcast

I brought my wife on to talk marriage, with a slight emphasis on the man's role. We've been married eleven years, going on twelve, and our story is a little unusual, she came into my life mid-hike, stepping straight into raising my three kids from my first marriage, and now we've got five kids between us. We use that story to unpack one of our favorite analogies: marriage is an empty box, and the only thing you can pull out of it is what you've actually put in. Most people think marriage is going to solve their problems or fix their loneliness, but the truth is marriage exposes whatever cracks are already in your foundation, and taking ownership of yourself is the first and most important skill for building something healthy.We get really honest about our own early years, including the alarm I used to set on my phone that just said "the house has needs," and how I realized that if I didn't want my wife to feel like my mom, I had to take responsibility instead of waiting to be told what needed doing. We talk about how there's no universal standard of "shoulds" in a marriage, everybody's definition of responsible comes from how they were raised, and how learning to make what matters to your spouse actually matter to you is a skill, not an instinct. We also get into a striking statistic about how a husband coming to faith is far more likely to bring the whole family along than if a wife or child does first, which speaks to just how much of a catalyst a man is for the emotional and spiritual direction of his home.We close out with practical tools for anyone who didn't grow up with a healthy model for any of this: get a counselor, get into a community of healthy men who will call you up instead of enabling you, and stop carrying secrets, because what you hide defines you, while what you bring into the light sets you free. I also bring in John Gottman's research on the "four horsemen" that can predict with striking accuracy whether a marriage will succeed or fail, and why resentment and unforgiveness are so dangerous once they take root. At the end of the day, the goal isn't just a peaceful marriage, it's a connected one, and that takes both people willing to take ownership. Thanks for listening, guys, stay brave, and we'll see you next week.Chapters:00:00 – Intro04:50 – The Marriage Box09:40 – Who's Better at Taking Ownership in Our Marriage? 14:38 – "She Feels Like My Mom"19:28 – The System That Never Gets Set Up 24:20 – When Dad Never Showed Weakness 29:11 – Why Counseling Isn't a Lifetime Sentence 34:06 – The Pressure of Being the Only One Who Knows 38:55 – The Man as Catalyst43:46 – The Four HorsemenCONNECT WITH BRAVECOJoin Our Free Community for Men (ladies, sign up your man): https://www.braveco.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveco.menInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/braveco.men/Shop: https://shop.braveco.org/ABOUT BRAVECO: We live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

On this episode of the BraveCo Podcast, I'm joined by my great friend Cole Zick, director of Moral Revolution alongside his wife, for our monthly conversation about what it actually means to be a man. This time we're tackling a topic most guys avoid talking about out loud: managing your sex drive. Cole and I get into why so many men in ministry and in everyday life are frustrated by their sex drive and even afraid of it, and we make the case that God didn't give you that drive as a curse to manage but as a gift with a real purpose behind it, one built to point you toward your spouse, the one person in your life you actually get to choose.We go deep on what it looks like to train that appetite well, comparing it to learning to manage desires for money, cars, and comfort long before marriage even enters the picture, and we get surprisingly direct about what the Bible does and doesn't say about masturbation, including an unexpected Old Testament verse that shows God cared enough about this appetite to draw hard lines around it a long time ago. Cole also opens up about his own story, ten years of a sexually active marriage followed by a divorce that took him overnight to zero, and the blunt advice a mentor gave him about staying clean until he remarried. From there we talk honestly about how much harder purity gets for single men, the loneliness that comes with it, and why setting your expectations ahead of time changes everything.We close out with some of the most practical tools in the whole conversation: how a dopamine detox, through fasting, exercise, and real human connection, can reset a brain that's been leaning on quick hits for too long, why owning your insecurity out loud with the people you're dating matters more than hiding it, and why building a group of men who are actually pursuing strength alongside you is the difference-maker Cole keeps coming back to. If you've ever felt like something is wrong with you because of your sex drive, I hope this conversation helps you see it differently. Thanks for listening, guys, stay brave, and we'll see you next week.Chapters:00:00 – Why Men Fear Their Sex Drive 06:15 – God's Vision for Sex: Your Spouse Is the One You Choose 12:33 – Self-Servicing vs. Real Intimacy With Your Wife 18:43 – Training Your Appetite Young: Lessons in Managing Desire 25:03 – Does the Bible Talk About Masturbation? 31:14 – From 10 Years Active to Zero Overnight: Cole's Divorce Story37:31 – Fighting for Purity as a Single Man 43:43 – The Dopamine Detox: Fasting, Exercise, and Connection 49:59 – The Vulnerable Text: Owning Your Own Insecurity 56:20 – Building a Brotherhood of Real AccountabilityCONNECT WITH BRAVECOJoin Our Free Community for Men (ladies, sign up your man): https://www.braveco.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveco.menInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/braveco.men/Shop: https://shop.braveco.org/ABOUT BRAVECO: We live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

This week on the podcast, I brought on my favorite guest of all time: my mom. I wanted to sit down with her and dig into some of the wildest stories from my childhood, the ones I've never really told on this show before, starting with the night a demon-possessed teenager showed up at our home group and my parents accidentally launched a deliverance ministry that would define our family for years. My mom walks me through it in her own words, along with the story of Tracy Evans, a missionary who survived being shot at, shipwrecked, and hunted in the Philippines, and who later brought a young woman, the spiritual daughter of Anton LaVey, to live in our house.From there we get into some of the most intense moments of my upbringing: a manifestation that turned violent and sent my mom running for her life, my sister Jamie's terrifying medical crisis when she started having seizures as a kid, and the time my two older sisters, ages 12 and 14, were sent to smuggle Bibles into Communist China, one of them getting interrogated for hours and the other getting separated from her group in the middle of the night. My mom also opens up about the hardest financial season of their lives, losing their business, owing 1.8 million dollars, and watching God provide through a string of miracles that included a banker forgiving their debt in tears.We close the conversation talking about her Parkinson's diagnosis seven years ago and how she refused to let it define her, choosing instead to go elk hunting at 500 yards, harvest a black bear with a crossbow, and keep showing up for life instead of shrinking back. This episode is really a tribute to her, to her faith, her grit, and the way she and my dad lived out the gospel in real, messy, unglamorous ways long before it was something either of them had figured out. If this episode encourages you, give your own mom a call, and if you enjoyed it, like, comment, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Stay brave.Chapters:00:00 – Meet My Mom 06:36 – The Night Deliverance Ministry Was Born 13:14 – Taking In Anton LaVey's Daughter19:54 – Growing Up Surrounded by Angels and Demons 26:31 – When "Susan" Turned Violent33:13 – My Sister's Terrifying Seizure and a Demonic Attack 39:51 – Smuggling Bibles Into Communist China as Kids 46:28 – Leaving Weaverville and Losing Everything in Bankruptcy 53:05 – The Miracle That Saved Us From $1.8 Million in Debt 59:41 – Parkinson's, Hunting Adventures, and a Tribute to MomCONNECT WITH BRAVECOJoin Our Free Community for Men (ladies, sign up your man): https://www.braveco.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveco.menInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/braveco.men/Shop: https://shop.braveco.org/ABOUT BRAVECO: We live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed, triggered, or flooded by your emotions and reached for every tool in the book to regulate them, this episode is for me as much as it's for you. As a pastor and counselor, I talk a lot about self-awareness, objectivity, and positive self-talk, and those tools genuinely matter. But in this episode I want to hand you something bigger than a tool: a complete shift in how you interpret the season you're in. I walk through what I imagine an hour-long coaching session with God would sound like, and why a man whose faith has never been tested is a weak man. Using James 1 as a life verse, I break down why endurance, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, is the only real process for growing into a stronger, more mature man.From there I get into the gym metaphor I use constantly with the guys in my life: nobody goes to the gym and calls themselves weak because the weights feel heavy. Resistance is the whole point. I talk about Jocko Willink's "Good" mindset, why we've been sold propaganda that life is supposed to be easy, and how living from a place of victory beats fighting for victory every single day. Then I get into the second, and honestly more foundational, key: how you see God. I dig into the moment Jesus was baptized and the Father declared, "This is my son in whom I am well pleased," before Jesus had performed a single miracle, and what that means for those of us who think we have to earn God's love through performance.I close out the episode with the great exchange from Philippians 4, trading our anxiety for God's peace, and why rejoicing isn't denial but actually a "cheat mode" that puts us into testimony mode, the spirit of prophecy that gives other people hope. I finish with a prayer over every man and woman listening, especially those carrying wounds from an absent father or a hard past, that this would be a season of breakthrough and restoration. If this episode encourages you, I'd love for you to rate, review, and share it with someone who needs it. Stay brave.Chapters:00:00 – Welcome03:02 – The Life Hack That Beats Every Emotional Regulation Tool 06:11 – Built Up, Not Broken Down09:14 – The Gym Metaphor12:19 – Living From Victory Instead of Fighting for It 15:20 – The Second Key18:23 – What Jesus's Baptism Teaches Us About God's Love 21:25 – Practical Steps to a Deeper Connection With God 24:35 – The Great Exchange27:36 – A Prayer for Breakthrough and RestorationCONNECT WITH BRAVECOJoin Our Free Community for Men (ladies, sign up your man): https://www.braveco.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveco.menInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/braveco.men/Shop: https://shop.braveco.org/ABOUT BRAVECO: We live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

I sit down with Dr. Margaret Nagib, a clinical psychologist and one of my most trusted friends, for a conversation I've wanted to have for a long time: how do you actually work through anxiety and depression as a man? Margaret breaks down why so many of us are struggling right now, from information overload to unprocessed childhood trauma, and explains what's really happening in your body and brain when you hit your window of tolerance. We get into the COVID season specifically, including her own story of telling God "I'm done" with the news, and how that moment shaped the way she now helps her clients regulate their emotions.The heart of this episode is a tool Margaret taught me that genuinely changed my life: recognize, relabel, refocus. I share exactly how I used radical thankfulness to pull myself out of anxiety spirals during one of the hardest seasons of my life, tapering off medication I'd been on for eight years while caring for a newborn. Margaret explains why fighting anxious thoughts only makes them louder, why distraction is actually a healthy tool, and why "it's not me, it's anxiety" became the phrase that finally let me detach from the spiral instead of getting swept up in it.We also go deep on depression, including the medical side I didn't expect, like a severe vitamin D deficiency that mimicked major depressive symptoms, and I open up about a recent surgery that triggered a spiral of hopelessness I had to consciously fight my way out of. Margaret closes with the psychology of hope, the story of the rats who kept swimming, and why every man needs a "hope holder" in his life when he can't hold onto hope himself. If you've ever felt like anxiety or depression was something only you were dealing with, this conversation is for you.Chapters:0:00 – Meet Dr. Margaret Nagib6:04 – COVID Overload: When the News Became Too Much12:06 – Why Men Are Taught to Suppress Their Emotions18:07 – Anxiety Isn't a Problem to Solve, It's a Spiral to Exit24:12 – Avoidance, Trauma, and Why We Run From Emotion30:14 – The Power of Radical Thankfulness to Break Anxiety36:15 – Mapping Your Anxiety Triggers Before They Hit42:20 – Vitamin D, Medication, and the Medical Side of Depression48:21 – Jason's Surgery Story: Catching Depression Before It Spirals54:27 – Agency, Hope, and Finding Your "Hope Holder"Dr. Margaret Nagib is a speaker, author, and clinical Psychologist. In this episode, Jay and Margaret explain how to deal with anxiety and depression. You will be better equipped to respond to your triggers and regulate your emotions.Episode Notes:- We experience anxiety and depression when we are beyond our capacity to cope.- One of the most powerless feelings for a man is wanting to help someone without knowing how to help them.- Avoidance is a symptom of trauma- Hope is the overall perception that a goal can be met- A person filled with hope has high agency (belief in yourself) and multiple pathways (ways to get where you want to go)Margaret's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/margaretnagib/CONNECT WITH BRAVECOJoin Our Free Community for Men (ladies, sign up your man): https://www.braveco.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveco.menInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/braveco.men/Shop: https://shop.braveco.org/ABOUT BRAVECO: We live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

This week I brought on my good friend Cole, who's raising three boys and a daughter, to dig into something that's been on my heart for a long time: how do we actually turn a boy into a man? We get into the real, practical side of fatherhood, from a flag football cheating scandal that turned into a life lesson on his sideline, to the conversation I had with my own son about learning to think and problem-solve instead of having every issue solved for him. Cole and I talk about how "becoming a man" isn't a single moment, it's language and intentionality threaded through everyday interactions, from sports to chores to the hard conversations nobody wants to have.We also get into why so many kids today grow up feeling unnecessary instead of needed, tracing the shift from the agricultural age, where a child's contribution literally put food on the table, all the way to today's information age, where kids can go their whole childhood without ever feeling essential to the family. I share the story of building what we call a family "ethos," teaching my kids what it means to be a Valentin, and how identity like that shapes behavior far more than rules ever could. And then I get real about one of the hardest seasons of my life as a dad: the moment my 17-year-old son decided to move out because he wanted more responsibility, and what happened over the year that followed, spaghetti dinners, blown budgets, and all.This conversation isn't about having it all figured out. It's about being willing to pay the personal price it takes to disciple your kids well, even when it costs you a practice, a peaceful evening, or your own comfort. If you're a dad in the thick of raising boys, or even if your kids are grown and you're wondering how you can still show up for the young men around you, this episode is for you. And don't forget, our Foundations of Masculinity course and our Sexuality and Relationships course are both completely free at braveco.org. Thanks for listening, and we'll see you next week.Chapters:00:00 - Intro: Why Masculinity Matters Today02:00 - The Role of a Father in Training Sons05:10 - Teaching Responsibility: A Father's Approach08:35 - Sports as a Tool for Life Lessons13:20 - How Vision Shapes Responsibility in Young Men16:40 - Creating a Family Ethos22:15 - Sacrifice as a Parent: The Cost of Discipleship30:00 - Letting Your Kids Learn Through Challenges36:10 - Navigating Tough Conversations with Teens42:00 - Free Tools to Support Fathers and MentorsConnect with Cole Zick:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colezick/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cczickCONNECT WITH BRAVECOJoin Our Free Community for Men (ladies, sign up your man): https://www.braveco.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveco.menInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/braveco.men/Shop: https://shop.braveco.org/ABOUT BRAVECO: We live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

This episode is lesson one from our Foundations of Masculinity course. I start with a true story out of Kruger National Park in 1993, where wildlife officials relocated a group of young male elephants without any older males to guide them. Within a few years, rangers started finding endangered white rhinos brutally killed, not by poachers, but by these juvenile elephants who had no elder to show them how to act. The second they flew in a few older bull elephants, the chaos stopped. When I first heard that story, it hit me like a truck, because it's exactly what's happening to men in our culture today.From there, I trace how we got here, starting with the sexual revolution of the 1960s and Woodstock's "free love" philosophy, and how removing responsibility and courtship from relationships between men and women actually backfired, leading to a massive spike in fatherlessness that's still wrecking families today. I break down the real difference between being male, being masculine, and being a manly man, and why manhood isn't something you're born with, it's something that has to be poured into you by other men. I also get personal, sharing my own dad's story of growing up without a father and how my grandfather, a hardworking farmer, shaped an entire ethos around what it means to be a man, even without ever using the word "masculinity."By the end of this episode, I dig into what Scripture actually says about a man's role, starting in Genesis, and I talk honestly about the different but equally valuable roles men and women carry, using some pretty relatable stories from my own marriage and home along the way. If you've ever felt confused about what it means to be a man in today's world, or if you've caught yourself acting more like a "man boy" chasing short-term gratification instead of long-term reward, this episode is for you. I close it out with a prayer over every man listening. Thanks for tuning in, and if this episode hits home, share it with a friend who needs to hear it. Stay brave, and we'll see you next week.Chapters:00:00 – Welcome04:09 – The Elephant Story: What It Teaches Us About Fatherless Men08:11 – The Sexual Revolution's Broken Promise12:22 – Toxic Masculinity vs. True Manhood: The Confusion Today16:32 – What Manliness Really Means: Jesus as the Model20:42 – Man Boys: When Selfishness Never Grows Up24:54 – My Grandfather's Farm: A Lesson in Manly Work Ethic29:01 – The Sump Pump Story: A Man's God-Given Responsibility33:12 – Different Roles, Equal Value: Men and Women by Design37:17 – Don't Suppress Your Masculinity: A Prayer for Every ManCONNECT WITH BRAVECOJoin Our Free Community for Men (ladies, sign up your man): https://www.braveco.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveco.menInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/braveco.men/Shop: https://shop.braveco.org/ABOUT BRAVECO: We live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

This episode comes straight from our BraveCo conference. John open's by walking through one of my favorite overlooked stories in Scripture: the resurrection morning where Jesus spends his first hours back from the dead playing what can only be described as practical jokes on his closest friends. If you've never noticed Jesus's sense of humor in the text, I promise once you see it, you can't unsee it, and it changes how you relate to Him.From there, John lays out a framework I've spent years developing: the masculine journey through the stages of beloved son, cowboy, warrior, lover, king, and sage. John uses David and Goliath, stories from his own life growing up on my grandfather's cattle ranch, and even a scene from Kingdom of Heaven to show how God doesn't just drop courage and identity on us out of nowhere. He initiates us through real experiences, one stage at a time, and most of us are walking around as unfinished men still needing to be built up in one of these areas, whether that's beloved-ness, adventure, the fight with our enemy, or learning to truly know our wife's heart.The second half of this talk is where John get's really practical, because none of this framework matters if you can't hear your Father's voice for yourself. John shares some of the wildest, most personal stories of God speaking to me, through a nalgene bottle, an underwear tag, and a canceled sermon that turned out to save me from disaster, and then John walk's the room through simple, no-pressure ways to start recognizing his voice in your own life. We close together in a guided time of prayer, facing our fears, asking the Father hard questions, and breaking agreements we've made with the enemy about who we are as men. If you're hungry for more of God and tired of trying to figure life out on your own, this one is for you. Stay brave, and I'll see you next week.Chapters:00:00 – Welcome08:04 – You Are a Son16:20 – How God Initiates Men Through Experience24:21 – The Beloved Son Stage32:35 – Eve, Beauty & Why Your Wife Needs God, Not Just You40:42 – God Isn't as Religious as You Think48:48 – The Key to Everything56:59 – How to Actually Hear God Speak1:05:04 – Facing Your Fears & Letting God In1:13:14 – Warrior Prayer: Breaking Agreements With the EnemyCONNECT WITH BRAVECOJoin Our Free Community for Men (ladies, sign up your man): https://www.braveco.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveco.menInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/braveco.men/Shop: https://shop.braveco.org/ABOUT BRAVECO: We live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

This week's Brave Co episode is from my time teaching at Danny Silk's Keep Your Love On University. I dig into a question I ask almost everyone I talk to: what's your actual process for dealing with pain? Most men, even tough guys, don't have a real answer, they just medicate with food, alcohol, work, or scrolling, and I walk through why that always backfires, using James 1, the picture of a farmer sowing in tears, and a hunting analogy about always taking the hard way instead of the easy way.I get personal in this one and tell the full story of finding out my wife was having an affair, what it felt like to want to eject from my whole life with three kids depending on me, and why I eventually realized there was no shortcut, only one path through the pain. I break down why hope and vision matter more than willpower, including the wild "Rat With Hope" experiment and why couples I counsel don't need me to fix their old marriage, they need vision for a new one. Then I shift into forgiveness, probably the most misused word in the church, and explain why "just give it to Jesus" or "nail it to the cross" doesn't actually work if you've never processed the pain underneath it.By the end, I lay out the five real steps I use and teach couples and individuals to actually work through pain and get to genuine forgiveness rooted in compassion, not obligation. This episode runs long because we did a full teaching plus Q&A, but if you've ever felt stuck reliving the same pain over and over, this gives you an actual framework, not just theory. Stay brave out there.Chapters:00:00 – Why Most Men Have No Real Process for Pain08:12 – The Farmer's Mindset: Why Sowing in Tears Leads to a Harvest16:24 – The Ecosystem You Inherited: Where Your Coping Skills Really Came From24:33 – My Story: Discovering My Wife's Affair and Wanting to Eject32:44 – Why Quick Fixes Are the Fastest Path to a Miserable Life40:51 – Hope Energizes, Vision Sustains: The Rat With Hope Experiment49:02 – You Have More Capacity Than You Think: Perseverance and Identity57:12 – Why "Just Forgive Them" Doesn't Work (And Never Did)1:05:25 – What Jesus on the Cross Teaches Us About Real Forgiveness1:13:38 – The 5 Steps to Process Pain and Forgive From CompassionCONNECT WITH BRAVECOJoin Our Free Community for Men (ladies, sign up your man): https://www.braveco.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveco.menInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/braveco.men/Shop: https://shop.braveco.org/ABOUT BRAVECO: We live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

Connect with Sathiya: https://www.sathiyasam.com/Jay and Sathiya both grew up in the church, and we both know what it's like when the emotional side of manhood gets either fully embraced or completely rejected. In this episode, we get into why fatherlessness, not war, addiction, or incarceration on their own, is actually the root issue behind almost every major crisis we see in families today, and why healing fathers is the only way to stop producing broken sons.We trace how the s*xual revolution of the 1960s and 70s quietly rewired an entire culture away from responsibility and toward instant gratification, and how that shift is still playing out in dating, marriage, and fatherlessness today. Jay also walks through something I think every man needs to hear: where you're at right now probably isn't your fault, but it is your responsibility to fix. He breaks down a real, practical five-step process for working through pain instead of just slapping a "blanket of forgiveness" over your whole life, including a raw personal story about processing his own divorce through journaling, and why forgiving from compassion is so much more powerful than forgiving out of pure obligation.Toward the end, we zoom out to talk about what actually changes a society: not just rules, but men rediscovering that responsibility, not happiness, is what gives life real purpose. Jay unpacks his framework for fatherhood, protect, provide, and promote, and explains what "promote" really means through the lens of discover, develop, deploy, the same process his own dad used to help him find his calling as a counselor at 13 years old. If you're a man carrying father wounds, or you're a dad trying to break a cycle before it starts, this episode gives you language and tools for both. Stay brave out there.Chapters00:00 – Why Fatherlessness Is the World's #1 Issue05:15 – The Fatherlessness Epidemic10:27 – Why Taking Responsibility Breaks the Cycle of Fatherlessness15:44 – How the Sexual Revolution Fueled a Fatherless Generation21:02 – Taking Ownership of Your Healing26:15 – Why Presence Beats Perfection as a Father31:26 – Processing Real Pain Step by Step36:47 – Why Silencing Your Inner Child's Pain Isn't Real Forgiveness42:06 – Why Responsibility (Not Happiness) Gives Men Real Purpose47:16 – Discover, Develop, Deploy: Building a Legacy That Outlives YouCONNECT WITH BRAVECOJoin Our Free Community for Men (ladies, sign up your man): https://www.braveco.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveco.menInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/braveco.men/Shop: https://shop.braveco.org/ABOUT BRAVECO: We live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

I sat down with my daughter-in-law Alley for one of the most requested conversations on the Brave Co podcast: how to actually date well. We dig into why so few people were ever taught how to date, what it really means to be ready for a relationship, and why "dating yourself" first changes everything about how you show up for someone else.From there, Alley and I walk through defining the relationship instead of letting it drift "organically," why trust in marriage actually starts on your very first date, and how leading with intentionality removes so much of the anxiety that ruins modern dating. Then we get into the intimacy ladder, fourteen questions I've used to figure out whether someone is safe, fun, aligned in values, and ready to build a real future, including how to handle a partner's past, how to fight fair, and how to keep God (not each other) as your source of security.If you're dating, thinking about dating, or just want to understand why your relationship feels stuck at a certain level, this episode gives you a real framework instead of guesswork. Stay brave out there, and if this helped you, subscribe to the Brave Co podcast and share it with someone who needs it.Chapters:00:00 – Welcome07:08 – Are You Ready to Date? Learning to "Date Yourself" First14:20 – Trust Starts on Day One, Not on Your Wedding Day21:24 – Killing the "Organic Dating" Myth28:36 – A Framework for Every Step of Dating35:51 – "Is This the One?" 42:57 – Red Flags, Safe People, and Handling Someone's Past50:05 – Insecurity, Neediness, and Keeping God in the God Spot57:16 – Conflict Skills: How Couples Learn to Fight Fair1:04:27 – Unconditional Love, Win-Win, and Why "Forever Isn't Long Enough"CONNECT WITH BRAVECOJoin Our Free Community for Men (ladies, sign up your man): https://www.braveco.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveco.menInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/braveco.men/Shop: https://shop.braveco.org/ABOUT BRAVECO: We live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

This week's episode is something special — it's John Eldridge's live message from our Brave Co conference, and it is one of the most powerful things I've ever witnessed delivered to a room full of men. John opens with Proverbs 4:23 and builds an entire framework around a single, urgent idea: the heart is the center of everything. Your ability to love, to fight, to chase your calling, to win your kids, to find joy — all of it flows from your heart. And if your heart has been shut down, beaten up, or buried under years of performance and pain, nothing else in your life is going to work the way God designed it to.John walks through three things wired into the masculine soul — battle, adventure, and beauty — and what happens when men lose access to them. He does a live exercise with the room around favorite movies that is genuinely one of the most illuminating things I've ever seen, showing how story is the language of the heart and how the films we love are whispering clues about our true identity and mission. He also takes on the emasculated version of Jesus that most men have been handed by the church — the soft, religious, timid figure who no man would actually follow into battle — and replaces it with the fierce, brilliant, playful, deeply human Jesus of the Gospels.The core of this message is a call to wholeheartedness — not more discipline, not more willpower, but the actual restoration of the heart that Jesus came to accomplish. John is a therapist with 30 years of experience and thousands of men behind him, and he is not speaking in theory. He's speaking from the trenches of his own story. If you are a man who has been grinding hard and still feeling like something essential is missing, this message is for you. Please share it, leave a comment, and subscribe so more men can hear it. Stay brave.00:00 – Welcome 04:41 – Gender, the Masculine Soul, and the Image of God You Carry09:22 – The Glory of God Is Man Fully Alive14:03 – What Your Favorite Movies Reveal About Your Soul and True Identity18:44 – Yahweh Is a Warrior23:25 – The Emasculation Crisis28:06 – The Real Jesus32:47 – Adventure Is Food37:28 – Beauty, Sexuality, and the Assault on the Masculine Heart42:09 – Wholeheartedness Is the GoalCONNECT WITH BRAVECOJoin Our Free Community for Men (ladies, sign up your man): https://www.braveco.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveco.menInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/braveco.men/Shop: https://shop.braveco.org/ABOUT BRAVECO: We live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

Connect with Todd: https://www.ridinghighministries.org/aboutIn this episode, I sit down with one of my best friends on the planet, Todd Pierce — a former professional bareback rider who competed in over 100 rodeos a year and now runs Riding High Ministries, where he breaks wild horses in front of live audiences as a living picture of man's relationship with God. Todd takes us inside the brutal world of professional rodeo: the borrowed gear, the 15-plus knockouts, the broken bones, the nights driving through the dark eating hot dogs just to get to the next event. But what really hits different is hearing him talk about what the rodeo life couldn't prepare him for — being a husband and a father who actually shows up emotionally.What makes Todd's story so powerful is that he spent years doing ministry — real, sincere, devoted ministry — and still giving surface-level answers to deeply hurting men. It wasn't until he discovered tools around emotional intelligence, culture of honor, and the courage to say "I don't know what I'm doing" that things started to shift. Hearing him describe the moment his son Colton sat him down and told him what it was like to grow up with him — and watching Todd actually receive it instead of deflect it — is one of the most honest and healing things I've ever witnessed in a man.If you've ever felt like you were doing everything right and still falling short at home, this episode is for you. Todd and I get into how men unknowingly inherit an operating system they never chose, why toughness without vulnerability will cost you the people you love most, and what it actually looks like to create a new culture in your marriage, your parenting, and your walk with God. This conversation will challenge you and, I believe, set something free in you. Stay brave.Chapters:00:00 – Welcome to Brave Co06:47 – From Racehorse Jockey to First-Time Rodeo Competitor13:34 – The Raw, Unfiltered Reality of Professional Rodeo Life20:21 – Knocked Out and Dragged27:08 – When Toughness Stops Working33:55 – Injury, End of Career, and the Start of Something New40:42 – The Operating System You Never Chose47:29 – The First Truly Courageous Thing He Ever Did54:16 – Healing Through Hard Conversations With Your Wife and Kids1:01:03 – Living Transparent and a Prayer Over Every Man ListeningCONNECT WITH BRAVECOJoin Our Free Community for Men (ladies, sign up your man): https://www.braveco.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveco.menInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/braveco.men/Shop: https://shop.braveco.org/ABOUT BRAVECO: We live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

Connect with Abi: https://www.instagram.com/abistumvoll/I don't bring many women onto BraveCo, but when I do, it's because they have something that men need to hear — something they won't get anywhere else. Abby Stumble is one of my oldest and most trusted friends, and this conversation is one of the most honest ones I've ever had on this podcast. Abby grew up thinking she had a great childhood. She was wrong. A mentally ill, drug-addicted mother. A home full of chaos she internalized as her own failure. Panic attacks, suicidal thoughts, self-hatred, and a body she despised — all without a single clear explanation for why. It wasn't until she was 37 that the real story started to unravel. And what happened next changed everything she thought she knew about herself, her marriage, and what healing actually looks like.We go deep into marriage in this one — specifically what happened when two beautiful train-wrecks decided to build a life together. Abby and Justin's story is a masterclass in how broken attachment cycles play out in real relationships: the avoidant man who disappears, the anxious woman who picks fights just to pull him back, and both of them trauma-bonding through explosions they thought was just how love worked. Sound familiar? We unpack the exact moment their marriage started to change — and it wasn't a big dramatic breakthrough. It was ownership. Honesty without shame. Vulnerability that didn't demand rescue. And I share my own piece of this too, because for years I went home every night feeling like a boy, not a man — isolated, ashamed, and slowly drowning while Lauren watched me disappear. This is the conversation that brings all of that into the open.And then Abby goes somewhere I didn't expect. She tells the story of a season four years ago when she was so sick she couldn't walk ten feet, had lost thirty pounds, and begged Justin — through genuine physical torment — to end her suffering. What she learned in that dark place about present-moment living, nervous system regulation, collecting moments of good, and training your brain to attach to safety instead of pain is some of the most practical, life-changing content I've ever heard. If you're in a hard season right now — with your health, your marriage, your emotions, or your sense of who you are as a man — this episode is for you. Stay Brave.Chapters:00:00 – Welcome to BraveCo09:44 – Growing Up in Chaos19:27 – The Slow Unraveling29:11 – Two Trainwrecks, One Marriage38:54 – Jason's Story48:38 – The Vulnerability Men Fear Most 58:21 – Small Steps, Big Culture1:08:05 – When the Body Breaks Down1:17:48 – Regulating the Nervous System1:27:32 – The Tiny Things, The Future With Hope, and a Prayer Over Every Person ListeningCONNECT WITH BRAVECOJoin Our Free Community for Men (ladies, sign up your man): https://www.braveco.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveco.menInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/braveco.men/Shop: https://shop.braveco.org/ABOUT BRAVECO: We live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

Website: johndeloney.comInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/johndelony/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnDelony/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johndelonyYoutube Channel:  @TheDrJohnDelonyShow  I don't say this lightly — I finished this book in a single day. Dr. John Delony's Building a Non-Anxious Life is one of the most practical, honest, and genuinely helpful things I've put in front of the men who follow Brave Co. And before I even started asking questions, I had to be upfront with John about something: anxiety hasn't just been an academic topic for me. It's been my life. From OCD as a kid that I couldn't name, to coping in ways I'm not proud of, to a full nervous breakdown — I've spent years clawing my way out of a hole I didn't fully understand until much later. That's exactly why this conversation matters so much to me.Dr. Delony has two PhDs, has worked in mental health for decades, and somehow manages to take the most complex stuff about how our brains and bodies work and make it simple enough to act on. In this episode, we unpack what anxiety actually is — not a disease, not a character flaw, not a broken brain — but a smoke detector. A signal. Your body working exactly the way it was designed to work to get your attention about something that isn't right in your world. We talk about the ticker tape of shame that runs under most men's lives, why so many high-achieving guys are secretly falling apart, what it means to actually love yourself, and why you absolutely cannot do this alone.Dr. Delony also walks us through his six daily choices framework — Choose Reality, Choose Connection, Choose Freedom, Choose Health and Healing, Choose Mindfulness, and Choose Belief — and we get into the ones that hit me hardest personally. If you're a man who has ever felt like you're behind, like you're not doing enough, like no matter what you accomplish it still doesn't feel like it's working — this episode is going to stop you in your tracks. Go grab the book. Take the anxiety test at johndeloney.com. And stay brave.Chapters:00:00 – Jason Gets Personal About His Own Battle With Anxiety07:02 – Your Body Isn't Broken — It's Working Exactly as Designed14:05 – We've Built a World Our Bodies Can't Survive In21:07 – What Anxiety Actually Is28:09 – The Ticker Tape Lie35:12 – The Real Cheat Code42:14 – The 6 Daily Choices49:16 – Freedom, Health and Healing, and the Power of Mindfulness56:19 – Why Self-Actualization Is a Myth1:03:21 – What Are You Really Worth?CONNECT WITH BRAVECOJoin Our Free Community for Men (ladies, sign up your man): https://www.braveco.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveco.menInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/braveco.men/Shop: https://shop.braveco.org/ABOUT BRAVECO: We live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

Connect with Michael: https://michaelkoulianos.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelkoulianos/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelKoulianos1/Youtube: https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCBKurdZlFEMaLdwxSYMRNAwI'll be honest — I almost didn't record this episode the way I did. Because it required me to sit across from one of my closest friends and one of the most gifted men I know when it comes to the presence of God, and admit that I've been struggling. Struggling to feel connected. Struggling to cultivate that place with the Holy Spirit that I know I'm supposed to have — especially after walking through five weeks of watching my mother-in-law die of cancer. That's not an easy thing to say as a pastor. But I said it anyway. And what Michael gave me back was one of the most practically powerful and spiritually deep conversations I've ever had on this podcast.Michael Koulianos leads Jesus Image, a church and global movement, and there is genuinely no one I know who flows in the presence of God the way he does. In this episode, he walks us through his personal morning prayer routine — two hours, early, consistent for 20 years — and breaks down exactly what it looks like: silence, Bible reading from Genesis to Revelation looking for Jesus the whole way, worship, and a prayer list he's been building for years with names being crossed off one by one. But more than the mechanics, he talks about what it means to feel God's presence not as an emotional high but as a continual awareness. And he talks about mourning — why giving yourself permission to grieve is actually the door that opens to the Holy Spirit's comfort.We also get into the real cost of leading a movement, the false sense of responsibility that burns leaders out, what God is actually doing on the earth right now, and why the cross isn't just the starting point of the Christian life — it's the whole shape of it. If you're a man who's been running on empty spiritually, or you've been grinding so hard you've lost the thread of why you started, this episode will recalibrate you. Carve out the time to watch the whole thing. It's worth every minute.Chapters:00:00 – Welcome: Jason Gets Honest07:15 – Little Ezra, Grief, and Why Mourning Opens the Door14:31 – Sensing vs. Feeling21:46 – Inside Michael's Morning Routine29:01 – Prayer Lists, John Eldridge, and Hearing God's Promises36:16 – How to Find Jesus in Every Page of Scripture 43:32 – The Hardest Part of Leading a Movement50:47 – Burnout, Boundaries, His Church Doubling While Michael Couldn't Speak58:02 – What God Is Doing on Earth Right Now1:05:17 – Living on His Mission, the Cross-Shaped Life & Closing PrayerCONNECT WITH BRAVECOJoin Our Free Community for Men (ladies, sign up your man): https://www.braveco.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveco.menInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/braveco.men/Shop: https://shop.braveco.org/ABOUT BRAVECO: We live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

This week's Brave Co podcast is a moment I've been waiting to share with you guys — John Eldredge live from our BraveCo conference last year, and I'm telling you, this one carries weight. John takes us all the way back to Adam in the garden and shows us how the original failure of masculinity — passivity, the failure to engage — is still being passed down through every generation of men. He unpacks the fig leaf every man wears, why what you meet when you meet a man is rarely his true heart, and how the poser inside of us is quietly keeping us from the life God designed us for.John gets vulnerable about his own story — growing up as the only son of an alcoholic father, the trips to the river that ended, the police station ride home in absolute silence, and the vow he made as a teenager that he would never trust anyone. He talks about the wound every boy carries, the two questions every man is secretly asking — am I loved, and do I have what it takes — and how the way those questions were answered in our childhood is still shaping who we are today. If you've ever wondered why you medicate with work, alcohol, sex, or constant achievement, John explains it with a clarity I haven't heard anywhere else.The back half of the episode moves into one of the most powerful guided prayer experiences I've ever sat in. John walks every man through inviting Jesus into the wounded places, forgiving the people who hurt us, breaking the agreements we've made about ourselves, and letting the older us finally bless the younger boy we've been ashamed of for years. This is sacred ground. Sit with it. Don't rush it. If this episode meets you in a deep place, share it with a man in your life and start marking your calendar for next year's BraveCo conference, June 21–23 in Redding, California. Subscribe, rate, and review — and stay brave.Chapters:00:00 — Jesus, I Want My Whole Heart Back07:29 — Adam's Failure and the Birth of the Fig Leaf14:58 — Masculinity Is Strength on Behalf of Others22:27 — Love, Validation, and the Father's Voice29:56 — The Police Station and the Vow That Shaped a Life37:25 — Raising Boys and the Bestowal of Manhood44:54 — Naming Your Wound and What You Believe52:23 — A River Runs Through It and the Lost Father59:52 — Jesus Asks, "Where Do You Need Me?"1:07:21 — Blessing the Younger Boy Inside YouCONNECT WITH BRAVECOJoin Our Free Community for Men (ladies, sign up your man): https://www.braveco.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveco.menInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/braveco.men/Shop: https://shop.braveco.org/ABOUT BRAVECO: We live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

This week on the Brave Co Podcast, I'm getting personal about something that's been stirring in my heart for the last eight months — the role of a man as a watchman, a priest, and a contender in prayer. I'll be honest with you, I've never thought of myself as a prayer warrior in the same league as men like Lou Engle or Watchman Nee, but God has been pulling me into a deeper place. After a lunch with a friend who is genuinely a man of prayer, I started making small shifts — five minutes here, ten minutes there — and watching what God was doing in real time. This episode is me inviting you into that same stirring.I walk through the four roles every man is called to step into — priest, prophet, king, and warrior — and zoom in on what it means to be a priest who goes to God on behalf of his family. We look at Isaiah 62, Ezekiel 22, Psalm 106, and the story of Moses literally changing God's mind on behalf of a rebellious nation. The truth is, God isn't lacking power. He's looking for men who will take ownership, men who will stand in the breach, men who refuse to let their families, their churches, and their cities go unprotected. That's you. That's me. That's our actual role.I share a story from my childhood about falling asleep under the chairs at my dad's Friday night prayer meetings while men like Bill Johnson and Danny Silk contended in the room, and how that model is still shaping me today. I talk about the Businessmen's Revival in America and why I believe God is waking men up right now to do the same thing in this generation. If you've been passive, distracted, or unsure where to even start, this episode gives you a simple challenge — just five minutes. Start there, build the habit, and watch what shifts. Subscribe so you don't miss the next drop, and head to braveco.org for hats, gear, and more.Chapters:00:00 — A Time When Masculinity Is Shamed02:15 — A Lunch That Stirred Me to Pray04:29 — Priest, Prophet, King, and Warrior06:44 — What a Real Watchman Actually Does08:59 — God Found No One to Stand in the Gap11:13 — How Moses Changed God's Mind13:28 — You Are a Royal Priesthood15:42 — Falling Asleep Under the Prayer Chairs17:57 — The Businessmen's Revival and Your Five Minutes20:11 — A Prayer Over Every Man ListeningCONNECT WITH BRAVECOJoin Our Free Community for Men (ladies, sign up your man): https://www.braveco.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveco.menInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/braveco.men/Shop: https://shop.braveco.org/ABOUT BRAVECO: We live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

This week on the Brave Co Podcast, I'm doing my absolute favorite thing — going live with you guys and tackling the questions you don't want to ask out loud anywhere else. We covered some heavy ground, from a husband who feels triggered by his wife's silent attitude, to a stay-at-home dad of five wondering if he's hit his ceiling, to a man wrestling with whether he's truly hearing God's voice about a big move. I tried to give each guy real, practical tools — not Christianese platitudes — because that's what we men actually need to grow.A few themes kept rising to the surface as we worked through these conversations. Conflict resolution is a learned skill, not a personality trait, and most of us never had it modeled for us. The culture of your home is something you build on purpose, not something that just happens to you. And when it comes to hearing God, I'm convinced more men are paralyzed by the fear of getting it wrong than are actually missing His will — because we serve a Father who's kind, not a trickster waiting for us to mess up. I shared the exact framework I use when I'm trying to make big decisions, and how I keep moving forward without spiritualizing my own passivity.We closed with a powerful conversation with my friend Alejandro who's about to plant a church in Washington while caring for a wife who's hurting. I unpacked the three needs every woman has — to feel safe, seen, and known — and gave practical, doable steps any husband can start using this week to hit that target. If you want to lead your home well, this episode is loaded with tools. Make sure you subscribe so you don't miss next week's drop, and head over to braveco.org if you want to check out our gear and resources.Chapters:00:00 — Welcome to the Live Q&A05:24 — Conflict Is a Learned Skill, Not a Personality10:47 — Invest in Your Marriage Like You Mean It16:11 — A Stay-at-Home Dad Hits the Wall21:34 — Optimize Before You Escape26:57 — How Do I Actually Hear God's Voice?32:21 — Green Lights Until God Says Stop37:44 — Called to Plant a Church, Wife in Pain43:08 — Stop Solving, Start Validating48:31 — Build the Culture, Hit the TargetCONNECT WITH BRAVECOJoin Our Free Community for Men (ladies, sign up your man): https://www.braveco.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveco.menInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/braveco.men/Shop: https://shop.braveco.org/ABOUT BRAVECO: We live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

This week on the BraveCo Podcast, I sat down with one of my closest friends, Richard Gordon, for a conversation I've been wanting to have for a long time. Richard is on our executive team at Bethel Church, and over the years I've had the privilege of watching him grow from a son in our house into one of the strongest fathers I know. We dug into the journey of moving from "what can I get?" to "what can I give?" — that quiet, often invisible shift that turns boys into men and sons into fathers.We got real about marriage, parenting, and the things nobody warns you about — bedtime battles, sensory struggles with our kids, co-sleeping, and the seasons where you feel like you're failing even when you're showing up. I shared what it was like walking my daughter Edy through years of dysregulation after my mother-in-law passed, and Richard opened up about how God keeps inviting him deeper into leadership through his family first. We also talked about what I call "the noble drug" — the way work and ministry can quietly become an escape, even when it looks valiant from the outside.If you're a husband, a dad, or a leader feeling pulled in a thousand directions, this conversation is for you. My prayer is that it gives you permission to make your family your number one team, to be led by vision instead of need, and to remember that the seasons that feel the hardest are often the ones you'll look back on as the most sacred. Hit subscribe so you don't miss next week, and check out our new gear at braveco.org. Love you guys.Connect with Richard: https://richardgordon.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richardgordon_/Chapters:00:00 — Welcome Back & Meet Richard Gordon03:24 — From Son to Father: The Mindset That Changes Everything06:48 — How God "Tricked" Richard Into Leadership10:14 — Jesus as Lord AND Friend: Leading Your Kids Without Losing Connection13:38 — Bedtime, Routines & Why Connection Regulates Everything17:04 — Walking Through Edy's Sensory Journey & Our Hardest Season20:28 — Co-Sleeping, Emotional Safety & Building a Bubble at Home23:54 — Your Family Is Your #1 Team (And Why That Matters)27:18 — Led by Vision, Not by Need: The Noble Drug of Overworking30:44 — Your Greatest Assignment & Final EncouragementCONNECT WITH BRAVECOJoin Our Free Community for Men (ladies, sign up your man): https://www.braveco.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveco.menInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/braveco.men/Shop: https://shop.braveco.org/ABOUT BRAVECO: We live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

Website: https://www.dadawesome.org/In this episode, I sit down with Jeff Zaugg, host of the Dad Awesome podcast and author of Dad Awesome, to talk about what it really takes to become an intentional, healthy, and present father. Jeff shares the story behind his new book, the lessons he has learned from years of conversations on fatherhood, and why every dad needs more than good intentions to lead his family well.We talk honestly about the moments we have missed it as dads, the anger, pain, passivity, and unprocessed wounds that can come out on our kids if we do not bring them into the light. Jeff shares a powerful story about a snowball that broke trust with his daughter, and we discuss how repentance, self-awareness, brotherhood, and humility can bring healing instead of shame.This conversation is for every dad who wants to grow, lead, and love his family with greater purpose. If fatherhood matters to you, it is worth investing in. Grab Jeff's book at dadawesome.org and start building a plan for the kind of father you want to become.Chapters:00:00 Welcome Back to Brave Co03:21 The Weight of Becoming a Dad06:42 The Snowball That Broke Trust10:03 When Dads Lose Control13:24 The Grenades Fathers Carry16:45 Healing Pain From the Past20:06 Self-Awareness and Brotherhood23:27 Growing as Sons Before Fathers26:48 Loved, Learner, Leader30:09 Why Dads Need a PlanCONNECT WITH BRAVECOJoin Our Free Community for Men (ladies, sign up your man): https://www.braveco.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveco.menInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/braveco.men/Shop: https://shop.braveco.org/ABOUT BRAVECO: We live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

In this episode of the BraveCo Podcast, I sit down with Martin West, a former fighter pilot turned leadership coach, to unpack what actually makes teams succeed or fail. After spending several days with him working on our own team, I realized something that challenged everything I thought I knew about leadership. It's not just about having a great plan. It's about what's happening beneath the surface of your team dynamics.We dive deep into the concept of vulnerability-based trust, constructive conflict, and why most teams settle for artificial harmony instead of real progress. Martin shares powerful lessons from his time flying F-18s, where every mission was scrutinized and feedback was constant. That level of accountability shaped how he now helps leaders eliminate dysfunction, build trust, and create environments where people can actually grow.If you lead a team, a business, a family, or even want to become a better man, this conversation will challenge you. The biggest takeaway is simple but hard to accept: the leader is always the limit. But the good news is, once you become aware of it, you can start building a culture where truth, feedback, and growth become the norm—and that changes everything.Connected with Martin West: https://www.xgap.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-west-93123a1a/Chapters:00:00 – Vulnerability, Creativity, and the Power of Disagreement04:31 – From Fighter Pilot Dreams to Elite Training Reality09:02 – The Cost of Constant Feedback and Accountability13:33 – Leadership Lessons from High-Stakes Environments18:04 – The Five Dysfunctions of a Team Explained22:35 – Why Conflict Is the Key to Team Breakthrough27:06 – The Leader Is the Limit of Every Team31:37 – The Power of Feedback and Ego Removal36:08 – Breaking Artificial Harmony in Teams and Relationships40:39 – Building a Culture of Truth, Vulnerability, and GrowthCONNECT WITH BRAVECOJoin Our Free Community for Men (ladies, sign up your man): https://www.braveco.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveco.menInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/braveco.men/Shop: https://shop.braveco.org/ABOUT BRAVECO: We live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

In this live Q&A episode of the Brave Co Podcast, I answer real questions from men navigating some of the hardest parts of life and relationships. We talk about anxious attachment in dating, how to slow down and build trust the right way, and why so much relationship anxiety comes from asking questions too early. I also break down a framework for healthy dating, emotional boundaries, physical intimacy, and how men can lead relationships with clarity instead of fear.We also dive into what it looks like to take responsibility after failure without spiraling into shame. I speak directly into relapse, p*rnography, healing, counseling, and how to understand the deeper need underneath destructive patterns. This conversation is about ownership, connection, recovery, and learning how to respond to failure in a way that actually leads to growth. If you are trying to become a stronger man emotionally, spiritually, and relationally, this part of the episode will hit home.In the final section, I answer a question from a husband and father trying to love his wife well during a demanding season of work, babies, financial pressure, and exhaustion. I share practical advice for marriage, communication, small daily connection points, supporting your wife, and leading your family when life feels stretched thin. This episode is packed with honest coaching for men who want to grow in masculinity, relationships, emotional health, and responsibility.Chapters:00:00 Why Masculinity and Manhood Matter Today04:40 Dating Anxiety and the Pressure of “Is She the One?”09:20 The Relationship Ladder and Why Intimacy Must Be Slower13:59 Emotional Boundaries, Trust, and Healthy Dating Pace18:40 How to Reconnect With an Ex the Right Way23:19 Failure, Relapse, and Taking Responsibility Without Shame27:59 P*rnography, Pain, and the Search for Real Connection32:39 Counseling, Ownership, and Rebuilding After a Fall37:19 Marriage Pressure, Young Kids, and the Bond Formed in Hard Seasons41:59 Practical Ways to Love Your Wife While Carrying Heavy DemandsCONNECT WITH BRAVECOJoin Our Free Community for Men (ladies, sign up your man): https://www.braveco.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveco.menInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/braveco.men/Shop: https://shop.braveco.org/ABOUT BRAVECO: We live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

In this episode, I challenge men to look at marriage from a completely different perspective. I ask one honest question: if your marriage was a business, how would it be doing? Most of us would never run our company, career, or mission the way we run our marriage. We plan for business, measure business, invest in business, and protect business. But too often, we let marriage drift and then wonder why it feels disconnected.I break down the four things every successful business has that every strong marriage also needs: ownership, investment, regular check-ins, and vision. I talk through practical ways Lauren and I have applied these principles in our own marriage, from daily touch points and intentional conversations to taking responsibility for areas I used to avoid. This is not about treating your wife like an employee. It is about leading with stewardship, clarity, and purpose.If you feel like your marriage has been running on autopilot, this episode will help you slow down, take an honest look, and make meaningful changes. I believe strong marriages do not happen by accident. They are built through intentional leadership, daily investment, and a clear vision for what you are creating together. If this episode helps you, send it to a friend and share it with another man who needs it.Chapters:00:00 The Question That Changes Everything02:47 Why Marriage Needs an Audit05:34 Applying Business Strategy to Marriage08:21 The First Key: Ownership11:08 Passivity, Pain, and Taking Responsibility13:55 The Second Key: Intentional Investment16:42 The Daily Habits That Transform Marriage19:29 The Third Key: Regular Check-Ins22:16 The Fourth Key: Vision for Your Marriage25:03 A Final Marriage Audit for MenCONNECT WITH BRAVECOJoin Our Free Community for Men (ladies, sign up your man): https://www.braveco.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveco.menInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/braveco.men/Shop: https://shop.braveco.org/ABOUT BRAVECO: We live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

What does it look like to take on something so hard that it exposes every weakness, every excuse, and every limit you thought you had? In this episode of the Brave Co Podcast, I sit down with my friends to unpack the full story behind the Peak to Peak challenge: climbing Mount Shasta, biking 112 miles, and then climbing Mount Lassen all in one push. What started as a wild idea became a brutal test of endurance, brotherhood, planning, and resilience.We talk through all three attempts, including what went wrong the first two times, the physical and mental breakdowns that came with failure, and the specific changes that finally led to success. This conversation is about more than mountains and miles. It is about what happens in a man when he chooses challenge over comfort, gets around the right people, and refuses to quit when things get painful.If you have been feeling stuck, bored, discouraged, or disconnected from purpose, this episode is a reminder that growth often begins with saying yes to something hard. Whether that is a physical challenge, a new business, deeper brotherhood, or simply taking the next brave step in life, this conversation will push you to stop waiting for confidence and start building it through action.Chapters:00:00 Why Men Need Hard Things04:32 The Wild Peak to Peak Idea09:04 First Attempt and Early Breakdowns13:36 Pain Cave, Fatigue, and Quitting Points18:08 Second Attempt and Strategic Mistakes22:40 Training, Systems, and Better Preparation27:12 The Third Attempt Changes Everything31:44 The Final Push Through the Night36:16 What the Challenge Built in Them40:48 Brotherhood, Adventure, and the Call to RiseCONNECT WITH BRAVECOJoin Our Free Community for Men (ladies, sign up your man): https://www.braveco.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveco.menInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/braveco.men/Shop: https://shop.braveco.org/ABOUT BRAVECO: We live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

The world feels more divided than ever, especially when it comes to war, politics, and truth. In this episode, I sit down with my friend David to process what's really happening in the world right now, specifically around Iran and the growing global conflict. This is not about having all the answers, it's about asking the right questions. What is actually true? Who can we trust? And how should we respond as men of faith when the stakes feel this high?We wrestle with the tension between pacifism and the idea of a just war. What did Jesus actually mean when He said to love your enemies? Does that apply in every situation, even when evil is present? We talk through real-life scenarios, personal experiences, and biblical frameworks to try and understand what responsibility looks like when it comes to protecting our families, standing against evil, and staying rooted in love.At the end of the day, this conversation comes back to the heart. How do I lead myself and my family well in a time filled with fear, confusion, and conflicting information? How do I stay grounded in truth without becoming consumed by headlines? My hope is that this episode challenges you to think deeper, seek God more intentionally, and live with both strength and compassion in a complicated world.Chapters:00:00 — A Divided World and the Truth Problem04:25 — Why This Conversation About War Matters08:50 — Looking Back at Past Wars and Their Consequences13:15 — A Real-Life Moment That Challenges Pacifism17:40 — Pacifism vs Just War: What Does the Bible Say?22:05 — Motives, Protection, and Moral Responsibility26:30 — Iran, Power, and the Reality of Global Threats30:55 — The Complexity of War and Leadership Decisions35:20 — Media, Misinformation, and What We Can Trust39:45 — Leading Your Family with Faith in Uncertain TimesCONNECT WITH BRAVECOJoin Our Free Community for Men (ladies, sign up your man): https://www.braveco.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveco.menInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/braveco.men/Shop: https://shop.braveco.org/ABOUT BRAVECO: We live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

In this live BraveCo Q&A, I answer real questions about marriage, parenting, anxiety, overwhelm, spiritual leadership, and emotional health. We talk about what happens when one spouse takes over, when the other shuts down, and how fear, childhood wounds, and control can quietly shape the way we relate to each other. If you have ever felt stuck in the same patterns in your marriage, this conversation will help you identify what is really going on beneath the surface.I also dig into some of the most important challenges couples face in family life: learning how to trust each other, dealing with chronic overwhelm, becoming more intentional as a parent, and navigating different parenting styles without tearing each other apart. We talk honestly about conflict avoidance, procrastination, emotional triggers, nervous system stress, and what it looks like to create an actual plan for growth instead of just surviving the moment.My hope in this episode is to give you practical language, deeper clarity, and real encouragement for the places where your marriage and family feel stretched. Whether you are preparing for your first child, trying to heal from your own upbringing, or learning how to love your spouse well in the middle of tension, this episode is full of honest insight and actionable direction. Make sure to subscribe and follow along for more Brave Co conversations every month.Chapters:00:00 - Welcome to the Brave Co Live Q&A04:35 - Letting Go of Control in Marriage09:03 - Anxiety, Trust, and Different Decision-Making Styles13:38 - When Overwhelm Becomes a Lifestyle17:18 - Raising a Daughter in the Formative Years21:58 - Fears of Repeating Your Parents' Mistakes26:39 - When Procrastination Hides Inner Conflict31:10 - Conflict Avoidance and the Cost to Marriage35:00 - Navigating Different Parenting Styles39:40 - Loving Your Spouse While Protecting Your KidsCONNECT WITH BRAVECOJoin Our Free Community for Men (ladies, sign up your man): https://www.braveco.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveco.menInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/braveco.men/Shop: https://shop.braveco.org/ ABOUT BRAVECO: We live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

In this episode, I tackle a question that has been heavy on my heart for a long time: am I simply a Christian, or am I actually a disciple of Jesus? There is a real difference between believing in Jesus and surrendering my entire life to Him. I break down why discipleship is more than church attendance, worship songs, or identifying as a believer. It is about obedience, surrender, carrying my cross, and arranging my life around the commands of Christ.I also talk about how the modern church can sometimes reduce discipleship to participation instead of transformation. Jesus preached to crowds, but His model was never built on crowds alone. His model was life-on-life discipleship. In this conversation, I unpack the Great Commission, why preaching the gospel is the doorway and not the destination, and why every believer is called not just to consume, but to reproduce what God has done in them.This episode is a challenge to men who want more than a casual faith. I speak directly to the call of biblical masculinity, spiritual leadership, repentance, obedience, and kingdom multiplication. If you have ever felt the tension between simply attending church and truly living as a disciple of Jesus, this conversation will challenge you to raise the standard and ask the deeper question: who am I becoming, and who am I leading?Chapters:00:00 - A Life Below the Calling of Christ01:15 - The Difference Between a Christian and a Disciple02:29 - Have We Settled for Less?05:42 - From Belonging to Reproducing08:03 - Repentance and the Full Calling of Christ10:48 - Church Growth vs Kingdom Multiplication13:23 - Alignment, Covering, and Real Discipleship15:48 - Final Challenge and OutroCONNECT WITH BRAVECOJoin Our Free Community for Men (ladies, sign up your man): https://www.braveco.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveco.menInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/braveco.men/Shop: https://shop.braveco.org/ ABOUT BRAVECO: We live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

We're living in a moment where masculinity is mocked and a lot of men feel unsure of what strength actually looks like. In this live BraveCo Q&A, I answer real questions men are sending in—marriage conflict, emotional connection, boundaries in friendships, leadership in business, spiritual father wounds, fatherhood, and rebuilding trust after betrayal. My goal is simple: give you practical tools you can use today, not theory.If your conversations with your wife keep turning into arguments, I'm going to show you why it happens and how to change the outcome—starting with a “soft start” and learning how to listen without loading your rebuttal. We'll also talk about how to help your wife feel heard (and how you can feel heard too), plus what it means to be a safe place for her emotions without trying to fix, shame, or run.Then we go deeper: what to do when a friend relationship becomes draining, how to build reciprocal friendships, how to pursue spiritual fathers without turning them into idols, and how to rebuild trust the right way after lies, secrecy, or betrayal. If you're ready to protect connection, lead with clarity, and become a stronger man—this episode is for you.Chapters:00:00 - Why This Podcast Exists00:54 - Communicate Without Arguing With Your Wife04:16 - How to Help Your Wife Feel Heard (And You Too)08:03 - Kingdom Business: Identity Under Assignment12:20 - Boundaries With a Draining Friend16:40 - Building Reciprocal Friendships20:45 - Spiritual Fathers: Honor Without Idolizing27:46 - Holding Your Wife's Emotions as a Husband35:01 - New Fathers + Rebuilding Trust After BetrayalCONNECT WITH BRAVECOJoin Our Free Community for Men (ladies, sign up your man): https://www.braveco.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveco.menInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/braveco.men/Shop: https://shop.braveco.org/ ABOUT BRAVECO: We live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

As men, we often feel like we're stumbling our way through life, especially when it comes to our roles as fathers, leaders, and husbands. But God's original design for men is not about figuring it out on our own. In this episode, I share the importance of embracing God's plan for manhood — a blueprint for maturing, leading, and ultimately carrying His glory. From the formation process in Genesis to the call, testing, and commissioning that every man faces, this message is a call to rise up, embrace the journey, and walk in the fullness of your identity.God's design isn't just for men to be strong on their own, but to be shaped, tested, and equipped by others. It's a process — one that we can't do alone. Through the Brave Co. Ride of Passage and through relationships with other men, we are empowered to walk out God's calling for our lives. It's time to stop stumbling and start living out the destiny that God has for us. If you've ever felt unseen, or like you don't have what it takes, this episode is for you. Join me as we explore how God's plan for men leads to freedom, strength, and divine purpose.Chapters:00:00 - The Gift of a Clear Pathway to Manhood04:03 - Genesis 2: The Beginning of God's Formation Process09:12 - The Shaping Process: Becoming a Vessel for Responsibility13:52 - Manhood and Leadership: Carrying God's Glory18:47 - Delayed Gratification: Mastering Long-Term Strength24:02 - Equipping: Using Your Struggles for Greater Impact33:27 - God's Heart for Men: Raising Leaders, Not Just Followers36:03 - Conclusion: Embracing God's Plan for Every ManCONNECT WITH BRAVECOJoin Our Free Community for Men (ladies, sign up your man): https://www.braveco.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveco.menInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/braveco.men/Shop: https://shop.braveco.org/ ABOUT BRAVECO: We live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

Two Weeks Left Until Rite of Passage, Join Us: https://www.braveco.org/riteofpassageSo many young men stumble their way into manhood because nobody ever gave them a clear pathway. In this episode of the BraveCo Podcast, I sit down with my close friend Todd Pierce to talk about what fathers can give sons that culture never will: intentional initiation, identity, and a moment that marks the shift from boyhood to manhood.Todd shares his story of learning fatherhood without a roadmap, how control can masquerade as leadership, and why becoming a man is synonymous with becoming like Christ. We get into the real work of fathering: earning influence, prioritizing connection over compliance, and having the humility to repair what you did not do well early on. If you have ever wondered, “Am I doing this right?” you are not alone.We also unpack the living parable Todd is bringing to our Ride of Passage, breaking a wild horse in real time as a picture of self leadership, calm in chaos, and love that wins without manipulation. If you are a dad who wants to lead a healthier son, this conversation will light a fire and give you language for the journey. Subscribe for more episodes, and if you want to join us in Jacksonville February 28 through March 1, 2026, register at braveco.org.Chapters:00:00 - A Clear Pathway Into Manhood04:31 - When “Being a Man” Meant Control06:28 - The Missing Ingredient: Initiation07:23 - The Standard: Being a Man Like Christ11:01 - Feeling Inadequate as a Father and Choosing Intentionality15:00 - Breaking a Wild Horse as a Living Parable of LeadershipCONNECT WITH BRAVECOJoin Our Free Community for Men (ladies, sign up your man): https://www.braveco.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveco.menInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/braveco.men/Shop: https://shop.braveco.org/ ABOUT BRAVECO: We live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

In this episode of the Brave Co. podcast, I dive deep into the concept that no young man should stumble into manhood. As fathers, the best gift we can give our sons is a clear pathway to adulthood. This journey doesn't just happen—it's intentional. I discuss the significance of Brave Co.'s Rite of Passage, a 30-hour weekend designed to help fathers and sons encounter God together, push limits, and leave forever changed. This isn't a retreat or conference—it's a transformative experience.Join me and NFL Champion Steve Weatherford as we share our insights on fatherhood, leadership, and the power of vulnerability in raising strong, capable men. We discuss how true masculinity is about strength tested, faith forged, and fathers leading their sons by example. Fathers, this episode is for you—if you're ready to give your son the best gift he could ever receive, this is your call to action.We also explore the upcoming Brave Co. Ride of Passage, a weekend event in Jacksonville, Florida, where we'll break a wild horse, run a Spartan Race, and set our sons on a path toward manhood. Fathers and mentors, you don't want to miss out on this powerful, life-changing experience.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction to the Brave Co. Ride of Passage05:06 - Steve's Journey: From Super Bowl Champion to Fatherhood Mentor15:30 - The Power of Intentionality in Parenting22:25 - Sponsorship Opportunities and How to Support Other FathersCONNECT WITH BRAVECOJoin Our Free Community for Men (ladies, sign up your man): https://www.braveco.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveco.menInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/braveco.men/Shop: https://shop.braveco.org/ ABOUT BRAVECO: We live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

Rite of Passage: A Clear Path Into Manhood register now: https://www.braveco.org/riteofpassageI've been thinking a lot about how to position myself to win—because most men don't lose because they're beaten… we lose because we quit. In this episode, I'm challenging you to stop living from comfort and start living from calling. Comfort is the silent killer of potential, and if you want a different life, you're going to have to take risks, step out of the boat, and run in such a way as to get the prize.I break down what separates the men who keep winning from the men who keep stalling: they solve the right problems. Not the easy problems. Not the “busy work” problems. The highest-impact problems. We talk about procrastination as emotional regulation, why you can be productive and still not go anywhere, and how vision increases your tolerance for discomfort—like Navy SEALs who endure hell week because they're locked onto what's on the other side.Then I give you five non-negotiables to set yourself up to win: daily discipline, radical ownership, relentless growth, brotherhood, and a purpose bigger than comfort. If you want to look back at 2026 and say, “I crushed it,” get a notebook and take inventory: am I positioned to win—or am I running away? Also—if you want to take action with your son, check out the Brave Co Rite of Passage (Feb 28–Mar 1, 2026 | Jacksonville, FL) and learn more at BraveCo.Chapters:00:00 - No Young Man Should Stumble Into Manhood (Rite of Passage Invite)02:43 - Most Men Don't Lose—They Quit (Comfort Kills)07:17 - Take the Risk: Step Out of the Boat09:47 - Great Men Solve the Right Problems (High-Impact Focus)16:07 - Run to Win: Focus, Discipline, and the Prize17:20 - Tolerance for Discomfort: Vision Creates Endurance22:27 - Great Men Aren't Born—They're Built (Daily Momentum)28:06 - 5 Non-Negotiables + Final Inventory for 2026CONNECT WITH BRAVECOJoin Our Free Community for Men (ladies, sign up your man): https://www.braveco.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveco.menInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/braveco.men/Shop: https://shop.braveco.org/ ABOUT BRAVECO: We live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

Rite of Passage: A Clear Path Into Manhood register now: https://www.braveco.org/riteofpassageEvery boy needs a moment where he's called out of boyhood and into manhood—where his strength is tested, his faith is forged, and a father's voice calls him forward. That's why we built the BraveCo Ride of Passage: a 30-hour weekend where fathers and sons encounter God together, push limits, and come home changed. This isn't a retreat or a conference—it's a rite of passage. (Jacksonville, Florida • February 28–March 1, 2026)In today's live Q&A, I answer real questions men are facing right now: What do you do when your kids vent to you about their mom and they're carrying pain? How do you validate your child without throwing your spouse under the bus—and how do you “bridge” the conversation on the back end to help the family communicate better? I also talk to the friend who's watching a marriage hit a tipping point when one spouse wants help and the other refuses counseling—and why changing one person's skills and boundaries can start shifting the whole ecosystem.Then I share my personal experience with OCD and intrusive thought loops—what it felt like, what actually helped, and the simple framework that changed my life: recognize, relabel, refocus (and how thankfulness can become a powerful reset). We also hit temptation in marriage (curiosity about a past relationship) and what to do when separation is on the table—plus the most practical next step I've seen work when the stakes are high: get the right guide in your life.Chapters:00:00 Ride of Passage: Calling Boys Into Manhood01:14 Live Q&A: Ask Anything (Anonymous Welcome)01:50 When Kids Vent About Their Mom: What To Do02:25 Validate Emotions Without Dismissing Mom03:16 Don't Throw Your Spouse Under the Bus04:01 Be the Bridge: The Back-End Conversation05:12 Marriage Tipping Point: One Spouse Refuses Help05:42 Why One Person Getting Help Can Shift Everything09:04 How I Overcame OCD Loops: The 3 R's19:31 Curiosity About an Ex + Separation: Next StepsCONNECT WITH BRAVECOJoin Our Free Community for Men (ladies, sign up your man): https://www.braveco.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveco.menInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/braveco.men/Shop: https://shop.braveco.org/ ABOUT BRAVECO: We live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

In this week's episode I join my dad on Cultural Catalysts to discuss the growing crisis of fatherlessness and how to restore authentic manhood. I share my powerful vision for helping boys become men through meaningful rites of passage. Together, we explore how our culture has substituted therapy and medication for true discipleship, leaving many young men without proper initiation into manhood. I also go into inspiring stories of transformation from our BraveCo events, where hundreds of men gather to mentor and celebrate young men through challenging physical and spiritual journeys. Join us as we reveal BraveCo's exciting new partnership with Spartan Races for an upcoming father-son Rite of Passage event in Jacksonville, Florida – a powerful opportunity for fathers, mentors, and sons to experience life-changing connection and growth together. Discover how proper initiation into manhood can heal generations and transform communities!Connect with Kris Vallotton: Website: https://www.krisvallotton.com/Facebook:   / kvministries  Instagram:   / kvministries  X: https://x.com/kvministriesCONNECT WITH BRAVECOJoin Our Free Community for Men (ladies, sign up your man): https://www.braveco.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveco.menInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/braveco.men/Shop: https://shop.braveco.org/ ABOUT BRAVECO: We live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

Rite of Passage: A Clear Path Into Manhood register now: https://www.braveco.org/riteofpassageAs a pastor, counselor, and dad, I'm convinced of this: no young man should stumble his way into manhood. In this episode of the BraveCo Podcast, I sit down with my close friend Cole Zick to talk about what most families feel but don't know how to fix, the lack of a clear, intentional pathway for boys to become grounded, capable men. We get practical about the pain points fathers feel, the pressure of raising teenage sons, and why “just go to church” isn't enough to form men who can lead, serve, and endure.We unpack why boys need testing and equipping, and how feedback builds capacity. We talk about the power of coaches, youth pastors, mentors, and a tribe of men, and why “heroes” matter if we want our sons to delay gratification and pursue what's possible. We also hit real parenting language like trust, freedom, structure, boundaries, and why failure isn't an indictment, it's often the training ground when you actually have a plan.If you're a dad (or a single mom raising sons) and your boys are in that 10–18 window, I want you to hear this: it's not too late, but it does require intentionality. If you want to take a real step, join us for the BraveCo Ride of Passage with our Spartan partnership: February 28–March 1, 2026 in Jacksonville, Florida (ages 12–19). Register at braveco.org. And if this episode helps you, subscribe, share it with a father who needs a pathway, and let's rebuild manhood on purpose.Chapters:00:00 — No Young Man Should Stumble Into Manhood01:14 — Cole Zick Returns: The Need for a Real Plan03:39 — “Come Follow Me, I Will Make You”04:16 — The Crisis: Men Aren't Reproducing Discipleship06:41 — The Weight of Parenting Teenage Sons07:36 — Building a Network of Trusted Men for Your Boys15:11 — Testing, Feedback, and Capacity: How Boys Become Men20:12 — Trust Earns Freedom: Clear Standards at Home28:46 — The 7 Pillars of Initiation + Ride of Passage DetailsCONNECT WITH BRAVECOJoin Our Free Community for Men (ladies, sign up your man): https://www.braveco.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveco.menInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/braveco.men/Shop: https://shop.braveco.org/ ABOUT BRAVECO: We live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

We just hit 200 episodes, and I wanted to do something different. Instead of one conversation, I'm counting down the 10 moments that have shaped the BraveCo community the most. These are the clips that hit men in the chest, brought real change into marriages, and reminded us what it means to live with a whole heart.In this episode, you'll hear why vulnerability isn't weakness, and why hiding doesn't make us strong. We talk about relationships and dating without all the pressure, what courage really is, and how the presence of God becomes an anchor when you're wrecked on the inside. We also go straight at the stuff men don't want to talk about: anxiety, the lies playing on repeat in your head, and how addiction is often a symptom of pain that never got a voice.Here's the links to the TOP 10 from our 200 Episodes: Number 1 - John Eldredge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOg88tcR1ggNumber 2 - Carl Lentz: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5e3vtBK3eS4&authuser=0Number 3- Sathiya: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EY02c6mUukg&authuser=0Number 4 - Dr. John Delony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aAq04ebRFI&authuser=0Number 5 - Kris Vallotton: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6_Yl7vW3t8&authuser=0Number 6 - Todd Pierce: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GLIjbpN9gY&authuser=0Number 7 - Michael Koulianos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYpmAYFRYJY&authuser=0Number 8 - Danny Silk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMEUtdpTyl0Number 9 - Alley Vallotton: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aicz5scd03w&authuser=0Number 10 - Abi Stumvoll: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBxCIvnFPGMChapter:00:00 - 200 Episodes: 10 Moments That Shaped BraveCo01:17 - #10 Brian Johnson: Vulnerability Isn't Weakness 04:03 - #9  AlleyVallotton: Dating Without Pressure (Boundaries & Clarity)06:23 - #8 Danny Silk: Courage, Story, and the Call to Rise 10:22 - #7 Michael Koulianos: Weakness, Pain, and the Nearness of God 12:24 - #6 Todd Pierce: Courage and the Fight Every Man Faces 15:16 - #5 Kris Vallotton: Weaponized Meditation & Spiritual Warfare 17:22 - #4 John Delony: Exposing the Lies Behind Anxiety 19:26 - #3 Sathiya: The Pain Beneath Porn and Addiction 22:14 - #2 Carl Lentz: Truth, Infidelity, and Rebuilding Trust  24:55 - #1 John Eldredge: Strength on Behalf of OthersCONNECT WITH BRAVECOJoin Our Free Community for Men (ladies, sign up your man): https://www.braveco.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveco.menInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/braveco.men/Shop: https://shop.braveco.org/ ABOUT BRAVECO: We live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

Rite of Passage: A Clear Path Into Manhood register now: https://www.braveco.org/riteofpassageNo young man should stumble his way into manhood. In this episode, I sit down with my dad for a conversation that hit me in the chest: the difference between living like a slave and living like a son. We open John 15 and talk about how obedience is real, but it's not the finish line. God is inviting us into friendship, into revelation, into the kind of inner transformation where we don't just “do what we're told,” we become like Him.Then we go somewhere most people never take the Joseph story. Joseph didn't just interpret a dream and “save the day.” We unpack how withholding revelation can create slavery, how a short-term solution can build a long-term prison, and why your gifting without a legacy mindset can accidentally harm the very people you're called to serve. If you're a man building a business, a family, or a ministry, this will challenge the way you define wisdom and success.We also get practical: pruning, discipline, sonship, and the process God uses to mature a man—called, tested, equipped, commissioned. If you've been stuck in survival mode, fear mode, performance mode, or you've never known what it feels like to be a beloved son, this conversation will give you language and direction. At the end, I share a simple 5-minute daily exercise that can start rewiring your inner world: asking the Lord what He's thinking about you.Chapters:00:00 - Rite of Passage: A Clear Path Into Manhood00:50 - Welcome Back + Dad Joins the Conversation03:44 - John 15: From Obedience to Friendship With God07:17 - Joseph's Dream: Revelation That Changes Everything10:40 - The Twist: Joseph Enslaves Egypt12:26 - Slavery Comes From Withholding Revelation15:06 - Symptomatic Cures Become Tomorrow's Slavery18:15 - Your Home: Palace or Prison Depends on Revelation30:49 - Initiation: Beloved to Sage (The Manhood Pathway)47:32 - How to Build Sonship: 5 Minutes With God DailyCONNECT WITH BRAVECOJoin Our Free Community for Men (ladies, sign up your man): https://www.braveco.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveco.menInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/braveco.men/Shop: https://shop.braveco.org/ ABOUT BRAVECO: We live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

Connect with Pedro Adao

THE BRAVECO RITE OF PASSAGE: https://www.braveco.org/riteofpassageIn this powerful episode of the Brave Co podcast, I dive deep into the importance of fathers guiding their sons through the rite of passage into manhood. Our culture has lost the intentionality and significance of this vital moment in a young man's life, and I'm here to challenge that. Every boy deserves a clear pathway, a moment where he is called out of boyhood and into the responsibilities of manhood. This isn't just about age—it's about identity, strength, and faith.We'll explore the historical context of rites of passage across cultures—from the Native American vision quests to the bar mitzvah—and how these practices shaped strong men throughout history. I also share my personal experiences and what I've learned from my father. This episode is packed with practical insights for fathers who want to equip their sons with the virtues and values they need to step confidently into manhood. If you've been looking for a way to build a lasting legacy for your son, this is the episode you don't want to miss.Stay tuned to hear about the upcoming Brave Co. Ride of Passage, an event that's designed to break the mold of traditional conferences. This is a 30-hour immersive experience for fathers and sons that will challenge both physically and spiritually, leaving you forever changed. It's time to stop letting culture dictate what it means to be a man—let's take back the power of initiation.Chapters:00:00 - Intro - Rite Of Passage09:00 - Our Standard for Manhood18:26 - The Seven Pillars Every Young Man Needs to Go Through18:49 - Pillar 1: The Beloved Son - Knowing He Is Loved No Matter What19:52 - Pillar 2: The Explorer - Taking Risks and Learning Perseverance21:25 - Pillar 3: The Warrior - Fighting for What's Right with Honor23:36 - Pillar 4: The Brother - Belonging to a Brotherhood25:00 - Pillar 5: The Builder - Taking Responsibility for Strength26:08 - Pillar 6: The King - Living with Purpose and Value28:28 - Pillar 7: The Sage - Passing On Wisdom to the Next Generation30:00 - The Importance of a Clear Plan for Your Son's ManhoodCONNECT WITH BRAVECOJoin Our Free Community for Men (ladies, sign up your man): https://www.braveco.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveco.menInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/braveco.men/Shop: https://shop.braveco.org/ ABOUT BRAVECO: We live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

In this episode of the BraveCo Podcast, I'm answering your real, raw questions about dating, marriage, trust, and fatherhood as a man of God. We start with how to actually meet women in person in a world that hides behind screens and dating apps. I share my own story of dating after divorce, how I met my wife Lauren, and why growing your in-person game is one of the most important skills you can build as a single man. If you've ever felt stuck, awkward, or intimidated around women, this conversation will give you practical tools to initiate low-pressure, honest, and confident conversations.From there, we dive into one of the hardest topics I hear about as a pastor and counselor: emotional abuse in marriage. Is it ever a good enough reason to leave? What does it look like to set strong, healthy boundaries without instantly jumping to divorce? I'll walk you through why emotional abuse is not “less serious” than physical abuse, why you need wise outside counsel, and how to discern what's really happening in your relationship. We also talk about rebuilding trust after pornography or betrayal—why “I've changed” isn't enough, how to validate your wife's pain, and how trust is rebuilt not by perfection, but by how you clean up the mess you made.Finally, we tackle the question so many men carry quietly: “How do I father my kids when my dad never fathered me?” I share stories from my own family, how my dad invited spiritual fathers into his life, and how you can pursue older men, mentors, and healthy community instead of waiting for someone to chase you down. We talk about joining men's groups, serving leaders you respect, and becoming “good soil” that fathers want to invest in. If you're hungry to grow as a man, husband, and father—and you're willing to grind, show up, and do the work—this episode will give you a clear path forward.Chapters:00:00 - Why Every Boy Needs a Rite of Passage01:44 - How to Meet Women Without Online Dating09:09 - Is Emotional Abuse a Reason to Leave My Wife?13:20 - Rebuilding Trust After Porn and Betrayal19:10 - How to Father Your Kids When You Lacked a Father23:00 - Inviting Spiritual Fathers and Mentors Into Your Life25:02 - Stop Waiting to Be Chosen—Pursue Father Figures26:11 - How to Send Your Questions to BraveCoCONNECT WITH BRAVECOJoin Our Free Community for Men (ladies, sign up your man): https://www.braveco.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveco.menInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/braveco.men/Shop: https://shop.braveco.org/ ABOUT BRAVECO: We live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

THE BRAVECO RITE OF PASSAGE: https://www.braveco.org/riteofpassageAs a pastor, counselor, and dad, I have watched so many young men stumble their way into manhood without a clear pathway. In this episode of the Brave Co Podcast, I break down the stages our sons move through and what it looks like to call them out of boyhood and into manhood with intention. From the “cop” phase with little kids, to mentoring teens, to coaching young men who are 18, 19, and 20 and still living at home, I share real stories from my own life and conversations I have with fathers all the time.I talk about how to shift from controlling your son's every move to training him to make wise decisions, carry real responsibility, and discover his God-given purpose. You will hear how my dad prepared me for puberty, identity, and independence, why I had to start fighting my own battles, and how those milestones shaped me. Then I walk you through what to do when your son wants to stay at home as an adult, how to set clear expectations, and how to stop enabling him so he can grow into a man who produces more than he consumes.If you are a dad of a teenage or young adult son, this conversation will give you language, courage, and a practical roadmap. I also share why we created the BraveCo Rite of Passage, a 30-hour weekend where fathers and sons encounter God together, push their limits, and mark the moment a boy is called into manhood. Join us February 28 – March 1, 2026 in Jacksonville, Florida. Get all the details and grab your spot at braveco.org, and do not forget to subscribe, share this episode with another dad, and drop a comment with your biggest takeaway.Chapters:00:00 BraveCo Rite of Passage: Why Every Boy Needs a Moment of Manhood01:14 Why Masculinity and Fatherhood Matter04:12 The “Cop Phase”: Parenting Little Kids With Boundaries and Protection07:17 From Cop to Mentor: Teaching Teens Responsibility and Purpose11:06 Boys vs. Men: Responsibility, Work, and the Parable of the Talents15:47 Milestones With Dad: Puberty, Identity, and Fighting Your Own Battles19:19 When Your Son Is 18–20: Moving From Mentor to Coach23:12 Adult Sons at Home: Contracts, Expectations, and Contribution26:00 When Your Son Moves Out (and Maybe Moves Back In)34:02 Final Encouragement to Fathers and How to Set Your Son Up for SuccessCONNECT WITH BRAVECOJoin Our Free Community for Men (ladies, sign up your man): https://www.braveco.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveco.menInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/braveco.men/Shop: https://shop.braveco.org/ ABOUT BRAVECO: We live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

We live in a culture that shames masculinity and leaves men confused about who they are and what they're called to. In this episode of the BraveCo Podcast, I share a message that's been burning in my heart: the journey from the promise to the promised land—and why the middle ground is where God actually forms us into the men we're meant to be. I talk about the “compass bearing” God gives us, the mountaintop goals we aim at, and the frustrating, winding road between where we are and where we know we're called to go.Using the stories of David, Joseph, Adam, and the Israelites, I unpack how God forms, fills, and finishes men in the middle. We look at caves, pits, deserts, and valleys—not as proof that God abandoned us, but as the forge where He shapes our character, teaches us to trust Him, and gets Egypt out of us. I share from my own journey of building BraveCo, walking through divorce, debt, fatherhood, and leadership, and how I've had to trade self-help-only solutions for real dependence on God, who promised to make my path straight.If you feel stuck, in-between, or discouraged because your reality doesn't yet match your promise, this episode is for you. My prayer is that you'll learn how to lean not on your own understanding, how to choose faith over fear, and how to see your middle ground as holy ground where God is actively forming you into a king. If this speaks to you, make sure you subscribe, share it with another man who needs it, and drop a comment about where God is meeting you in the middle right now.Chapters:00:00 Why Masculinity Is Under Attack (Intro)01:26 Finding Your Compass Bearing (Mount Shasta Story)03:12 The Painful Beauty of the Middle Ground04:25 My Story: Nerdy Kid with a King's Calling06:18 You Don't Make You—God Makes You08:35 Formed in the Middle: Adam & Assignment10:01 David's Cave Season: Learning to Be King12:46 Joseph's Pit, Prison & Promotion15:18 Finished in the Middle: Valleys, Wilderness & Your Next StepCONNECT WITH BRAVECOJoin Our Free Community for Men (ladies, sign up your man): https://www.braveco.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveco.menInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/braveco.men/Shop: https://shop.braveco.org/ ABOUT BRAVECO: We live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

In this BraveCo live Q&A, I sit down with a few brave men who are willing to ask the questions most guys keep to themselves. We talk honestly about what it looks like to stop abandoning yourself in marriage, how to confront fear without becoming controlling, and how to show up as a powerful man without losing connection at home.I answer a vulnerable question from a married man who keeps falling back into “doormat” patterns and feels exhausted from replaying old relational trauma in a new relationship. We unpack the difference between serving from love vs. abandoning yourself from fear, what it means to be two powerful people in a marriage, and how to build real skills in conflict, boundaries, and communication. I also share why you cannot heal relational trauma outside of relationship and give practical language you can start using today.Later in the episode, I address how I would counsel a woman in her 20s who struggles with pornography and why investing in expert help for addiction is one of the most important decisions you can make. We talk about porn as a fake solution to real pain, how to rewire your brain, and why good friends aren't always good guides. We finish by talking with a close friend about time management, discipline, and how to control what you can control without becoming rigid and angry at the world. If you're a man who wants to grow stronger in marriage, purity, and purpose, this episode is for you.Chapters:00:00 – Introduction00:28 – Live Q&A Kickoff and First Caller Introduction01:01 – “I Keep Becoming a Doormat in My Marriage”03:21 – Two Powerful People: Honesty, Needs & Fear of Disappointment07:00 – Building Communication & Boundary Skills as a Man11:12 – Healing Relational Trauma Inside Relationship14:40 – Counseling a Woman in Her 20s Who Struggles with Porn16:39 – Why You Need Expert Help for Addiction (Not Just Good Friends)19:36 – Time Management, Discipline & Things You Can't Control23:37 – Flexibility, Purpose & Final Encouragement to Brave MenCONNECT WITH BRAVECOWebsite: https://www.braveco.org/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveco.menInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/braveco.men/Shop: https://shop.braveco.org/ ABOUT BRAVECO: We live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

In this BraveCo live Q&A, I sit down with a few brave men who ask the questions most guys keep to themselves. We talk about what it really looks like to lead as a single dad, how to know if you are actually ready to date again after divorce, and how to invite someone into your family without sacrificing your kids in the process. I share my own story of betrayal, navigating divorce and eventually blending a family, and the difference between simply “moving on” and truly “moving forward.”We also dive into one of the most vulnerable questions a husband can ask: “What do I do when I am not as attracted to my wife after kids?” Together we unpack how bodies change, how life stress and kids affect desire, and why emotional and spiritual connection are often the real drivers of attraction in a long term marriage. I give practical ways to pursue your wife's heart again, rebuild connection, and invite her into a health journey without shaming her or shutting down.Finally, we talk about unity in the Church and how to bring pastors and leaders together across denominations for prayer and real relationship. I share how I think about influence, trust and momentum, and give some simple steps to start gathering leaders in your city without it becoming weird, political or divisive. If you are a man who wants to lead your family well, love your wife deeply and stand for your city with other believers, this conversation will speak directly to you.Chapters:00:00 Welcome to the BraveCo live Q&A for men00:40 Single dad Tommy shares his story of divorce and dating again02:15 Are you actually ready to date again after a painful divorce05:10 Letting your kids set the pace of your new relationship09:10 Who comes first, kids or girlfriend, before and after marriage10:40 Noah opens up about losing attraction to his wife after kids13:40 Rebuilding emotional and spiritual connection when bodies change18:20 Going on a health and fitness journey together as a couple20:40 Jordan asks how to unite pastors and churches in his city24:40 Practical steps for cross denominational unity and BraveCo next stepsCONNECT WITH BRAVECOWebsite: https://www.braveco.org/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveco.menInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/braveco.men/Shop: https://shop.braveco.org/ ABOUT BRAVECO: We live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

I sat down with my brother and longtime friend Cole Zick, we found ourselves wrestling with one question: What's the role of a man in a world that seems to be falling apart? From mass shootings to moral confusion, we're watching violence rise in ways that test our faith, courage, and leadership. This conversation isn't about politics — it's about calling men back to their God-given design to protect, heal, and lead with emotional and spiritual maturity.In this episode, Cole and I dive deep into what real protection looks like — not just carrying a weapon, but cultivating the emotional composure to de-escalate conflict, protect your family, and lead your community with integrity. We talk about how unhealed pain fuels chaos, how churches can prepare wisely without fear, and why it's time for men to master both strength and tenderness.This isn't a doom-and-gloom episode. It's a wake-up call to become the kind of men the world actually needs right now — men who carry wisdom, humility, and power under control. Stick around to the end; I share a personal story that'll make you laugh and think about what courage really looks like when your family's on the line.Chapters:00:00 – Intro: Why This Conversation Matters01:09 – Violence in America and the Spirit Behind It04:30 – What Is a Man's Responsibility to Protect?06:14 – Should Christians Carry Guns?09:46 – The Power of Emotional Mastery10:33 – The Story of My Son and the Shotgun14:44 – Building Church Security Without Fear17:36 – Recognizing the Same Spirit Behind Culture Wars22:40 – Healing the Root of Brokenness in Men34:53 – Final Thoughts: Competence, Courage, and CompassionCONNECT WITH BRAVECOWebsite: https://www.braveco.org/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveco.menInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/braveco.men/Shop: https://shop.braveco.org/ ABOUT BRAVECO: We live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

I sit down with my friend Stephen De Silva, creator of The Prosperous Soul and former CFO at Bethel Church. We talk about something most men never realize — that our financial struggles are rarely about money. They're about what's happening inside our hearts and minds. Stephen helps us unpack the connection between the soul and wealth, revealing how your mindset and theology can either limit or multiply what God wants to do in your finances.I share a bit of my own story — moments when I thought “we just need more money,” but the truth was, I hadn't planted any new seeds. There was no stewardship, no multiplication, just waiting for a miracle. Stephen challenges that mindset head-on, teaching how to align our internal world with the mind of Christ, and how to grow capacity through protection, provision, and identity. We talk practicals too: creating multiple streams of income, overcoming fear around money, and learning to be both shrewd as a serpent and innocent as a dove.If you've ever felt stuck financially or wondered how to build true prosperity that lasts for generations, this conversation will light a fire in you. Whether you're trying to climb out of debt, launch a new income stream, or teach your kids how to steward money God's way, this is your roadmap to becoming a man who prospers from the inside out.

I sit down with my friend Stephen De Silva, creator of The Prosperous Soul and former CFO at Bethel Church. We talk about something most men never realize — that our financial struggles are rarely about money. They're about what's happening inside our hearts and minds. Stephen helps us unpack the connection between the soul and wealth, revealing how your mindset and theology can either limit or multiply what God wants to do in your finances.I share a bit of my own story — moments when I thought “we just need more money,” but the truth was, I hadn't planted any new seeds. There was no stewardship, no multiplication, just waiting for a miracle. Stephen challenges that mindset head-on, teaching how to align our internal world with the mind of Christ, and how to grow capacity through protection, provision, and identity. We talk practicals too: creating multiple streams of income, overcoming fear around money, and learning to be both shrewd as a serpent and innocent as a dove.If you've ever felt stuck financially or wondered how to build true prosperity that lasts for generations, this conversation will light a fire in you. Whether you're trying to climb out of debt, launch a new income stream, or teach your kids how to steward money God's way, this is your roadmap to becoming a man who prospers from the inside out.

When I sat down with my friend @RyanPineda , I knew this episode was going to be packed with truth, but I didn't expect the level of raw honesty and practical wisdom he brought. Ryan's story starts where a lot of us have been—broke, uncertain, and wondering what God's plan really looks like when the dream we've been chasing falls apart. From playing professional baseball to flipping couches just to survive, Ryan shows what it looks like when faith collides with grit.Connect with Ryan: https://ryanpineda.com/What I love about this conversation is how real Ryan is about risk, failure, and obedience. He talks about maxing out $50,000 in credit cards to flip his first house—trusting that if it didn't work out, God would still provide. That decision became a turning point, birthing multiple businesses, social-media influence, and a mission to raise up Kingdom entrepreneurs through Tentmakers. His success didn't come from playing it safe; it came from partnering with God and being willing to move even when it didn't make sense.If you've ever felt stuck—financially, spiritually, or emotionally—this episode will challenge you to take inventory of your skill set, your mindset, and your faith. We talk about how to identify the next skill that will multiply your income, how to break the fear of risk, and how obedience always leads to blessing. This one's for every man who knows there's more in him, but just needs the courage to take that next step.Chapters:00:00 – Intro: Skills That Lead to Real Wealth01:30 – From Baseball to Broke: Ryan's Early Journey04:00 – Flipping Couches and Finding Purpose08:00 – Overcoming Fear and Taking Risk10:15 – The First Prophetic Word: Real Estate15:00 – The $50K Credit-Card Leap of Faith19:00 – When God Says “Do It Again”: The Social Media Pivot23:00 – Obedience, Growth, and Kingdom Influence33:00 – The Skillset That Determines Your Income40:00 – Failures, Faith, and Getting Better Every DayABOUT BRAVECOWe live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

Welcome back to the Brave Co Podcast, men. This week, we're diving into an essential topic that can transform your life: wealth and prosperity. For so many of us, the idea of wealth might have been twisted through negative experiences, bad teachings, or a lack of understanding. We've all heard that money is the root of evil, but what does the Bible really say about wealth? Is there a difference between greed and prosperity? In this episode, we're not just talking about the financial side of prosperity, but also the deeper, spiritual aspects of wealth. Wealth, according to scripture, isn't just money—it's a mindset and a way of living that affects every part of who you are.As I talk with my dad, Kris Vallotton, we break down the real meaning of wealth in God's eyes and how to shift your mindset. We also explore the importance of having a clear plan for your financial future, as well as a powerful perspective on stewardship and generosity. One of the key takeaways from today's episode is the need to embrace prosperity in every area of life—emotionally, physically, spiritually, and financially. Prosperity isn't just about accumulation; it's about freedom, peace, and the ability to bless others. God wants to partner with you in building wealth, but first, you must learn to steward it well and let go of limiting beliefs that have held you back.In this conversation, we tackle the practical side of prosperity. From giving generously to understanding how money works for you (and not the other way around), we lay out actionable steps to start building wealth. If you've ever felt stuck in a cycle of scarcity, this episode is for you. We're going to help you break free from those limiting mindsets and start living in the abundance God has designed for you. Take the first step today toward transforming your mindset, finances, and life. Get ready to dive in!Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction: Building Strong, Capable Leaders03:09 - Understanding Prosperity and Wealth from a Biblical Perspective07:12 - Wealth as a Power: Attracting Blessings Through Favor11:23 - Breaking Free from the Poverty Mindset14:25 - Stewardship: The Key to Wealth Building18:31 - The Difference Between Prosperity and Riches22:14 - Biblical Wisdom and Creating a Kingdom Economy26:10 - The Parables of Talents: Lessons on Investment and Stewardship30:22 - The Power of Generosity and Making God Your Partner35:00 - Practical Steps to Build Wealth and Financial Freedom42:01 - Final Thoughts: Shifting From Working for Money to Money Working for YouABOUT BRAVECOWe live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

Connect with Chad: www.wealthbuilders.net/bravecoIn this episode of the BraveCo podcast, we kick off our wealth and prosperity series with Chad Frantzen, founder and CEO of WealthBuilders Investments and the host of the Kingdom Finance Show podcast, who shares his journey from trading time for money to mastering financial freedom. Together, we explore practical steps, biblical principles, and mindset shifts every man needs to build a legacy for his family and the kingdom.Chad dives deep into the difference between exchanging time for money versus value for money, breaking poverty mindsets, and creating multiple streams of income. We discuss how to create simple, effective financial plans, the power of leveraging assets, and how small, consistent steps can lead to big results. I also share personal stories from my own journey, including how I faced financial reckoning, the importance of mentorship, and the practical strategies my wife and I used to scale our income and impact.If you're ready to stop running on autopilot and start stewarding what God has entrusted to you, this episode is for you. We talk about intellectual property, investing with kingdom values, cultivating humility, and teaching our children the principles of stewardship and delayed gratification. No matter where you are in your financial journey, there's a next step you can take today to build tomorrow. Join us as we uncover the mindset, habits, and strategies that set wise men apart from the average guy.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction: The Need for Masculine Financial Leadership01:00 - Launching the Prosperity & Wealth Series02:17 - Chad Frantzen's Journey to Building Wealth04:46 - Trading Time for Money vs. Value for Money06:08 - Level 1: Making Sense of Money07:06 - Level 2: Making Money & Passive Income09:57 - Facing Financial Reckoning & Creating a Plan16:32 - Investing Wisely: Risk, Debt, and Asset Leverage22:00 - Scaling Income: Courses, Groups, and Intellectual Property36:47 - Habits of Wise Men: Generosity, Delayed Gratification & Family TeachingABOUT BRAVECOWe live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.