Listen now using the player below, or subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Breaker, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, or Google Podcasts.
Raising kids to have an understanding and appreciation for work and the role it plays in God's Kingdom is one of the many responsibilities we have as men and fathers. And teaching kids to have a great work ethic is part of this challenge, but it seems to be getting harder with each generation.
My guest on this episode is Matt Wagner. He is a family man and has been a good friend for more than twenty years. During this time, I have watched Matt work to build his own business, transform his family farm, and along with his wife, Kerri, raise three kids who—by today's standards—aren't afraid of hard work. So when it comes to demonstrating and instilling a great work ethic into the next generation, I cannot think of anyone more qualified on the subject.
There are a lot of great takeaways in this episode, so if this is an area that you're actively working on with your kids, you may want to take some notes.
Key points include:
It's never too early to give your kids responsibilities
The benefits of doing work as a family
Tips on how to view your workday, workweek, and work-life
Doing small things well—the first time
Work ethic is a learned behavior
Parents must demonstrate work-life balance
Giving your work (and career) to God
How prayer can influence your work
THANKS FOR LISTENING!
If you liked today’s message, would you consider taking a moment to leave a rating and review in iTunes? This helps people find the show and it gets our message in front of more men like yourself.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
If you’re looking for encouragement, support, guidance, and accountability from other like-minded men, then I’d like to invite you to join our free and private Facebook Group. The men here are doing more than just talking about being better husbands and fathers—they’re actually doing it. And they can help you as well.
Most of us are UNINTENTIONAL with screens, but the architects within the tech industry intentionally make their content distracting, manipulative, and addictive. My conversation with Doug Smith, author of the best-selling book [UN]INTENTIONAL, shows how our obsession with screens can take us to places we regret. And in his book, he unpacks a biblical approach to breaking free from our addiction to screens. This conversation, and Doug’s book, are essential tools for men as we strive to lead ourselves and our families with integrity and intentionality.
I talk to so many men who feel stuck in life, which seems to be a growing problem in our society. If you feel stuck, for whatever reason, then this episode might be for you. My guest in this episode is Joe Prim, the author of OPEN: Six Life-Changing Principles. In this conversation, Joe unpacks these principles and clarifies why we get stuck and how we can get unstuck utilizing his six life-changing principles.
Men today face many challenges, including depression, apathy, and a general lack of purpose, arguably resulting from the soft lifestyles we have the luxury of living in our modern age. To compensate and reclaim key components of masculinity, men must replace physical work once associated with survival with physical training at home or in the gym. In this episode, my guest, Jordan Miller of Run2Gun, helps me break down the many benefits of physical fitness. We talk about the importance of having a growth mindset, how improved fitness leads to better performance, and how the discipline we develop in the gym bleeds into every area of life because training is a metaphor for life.
Humanity seems to have devolved when it comes to our ability to have difficult conversations. Nowhere is this more apparent than when we talk about politics and religion. Today, my guest is Corey Nathan, host of the podcast Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other. In this episode, Corey shares his experience growing up in a Jewish household and how he navigated difficult conversations with his family when he became a born-again Christian. He also shares insight from his ongoing theological studies and training and discusses how we as Christians can and should approach difficult conversations while exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit.
As society attempts to redefine manhood, many men grapple with life's challenges, not knowing that Jesus provides a plan for life while also setting the standard for manhood. This episode features Josh Khachadourian, author of the book The Standard: Discovering Jesus as the Standard for Masculinity. In our conversation, we unpack Josh's book and discuss how men can take dominion in life with Jesus as the standard for our masculinity.
I know many men who dream about starting their own business, but entrepreneurship—or solopreneurship—comes with many challenges. Today's guest is Gabe Nelson. He specializes in helping people overcome the challenges of business ownership and master their finances along the way, helping them create the life they want for themselves and, potentially, generations to come. If you're hungry to carve out your own path in life, then do not miss this conversation.
Have you ever felt called to something but found yourself unable to make the leap of faith necessary to make your dream a reality? Perhaps you’ve been unable to discern if your vision aligns with God’s plan for your life? Or, maybe you’re tired of living life on your terms but unsure of how to put God in charge? If you can relate to any of this, then this episode is for you.
In this first episode of my fourth year podcasting, I talk about why I needed to take a break from the show, the process of returning, and, more importantly, what I hope you all can learn from my experience.
There are a lot of misconceptions about the Holy Spirit that can cause us to miss out on experiencing a life of greater purpose. As leaders in our homes, we need to understand who the Spirit is and his role in our families' lives. Join me and my guest, Bruce Blumer, as we unpack his new book Mighty Winds and Gentle Whispers: The Purpose and Power of the Holy Spirit. If you're looking for a practical resource on how to develop a closer relationship with God, based on biblical knowledge and backed with inspirational stories, you'll want to tune in.
There are few things more grotesque and evil than the exploitation of women and children for sexual gain. Sadly, there's an entire industry devoted to it, fueled by the insatiable sexual appetites of men around the world. David Zach, the lead singer/songwriter for the band Remedy Drive, joins the show to talk about his role with The Exodus Road, a counter-trafficking organization committed to cracking down on the criminal networks responsible for trafficking women and teenagers around the world. This is a problem created by men, and it will require good men like David Zach to step up and take action if we hope to bring it to an end.