Have men become weak, or have we simply forgotten what real strength looks like? Culture keeps handing men two bad options: be loud, aggressive, and impossible to control, or be quiet, passive, and out of the way. Neither one looks like Jesus.

In this episode of the Gaining Ground podcast, Landon sits down with Ryan Miller, author of Meek Is a Mustang, to unpack the confusion so many men feel about their own identity. They talk about the "pendulum" men swing on between toxic masculinity and passivity, why testosterone and physical fitness have declined so sharply in young men, and how the enemy uses passivity (not just aggression) to sideline men from the fights that matter most — in their homes, their marriages, and issues like abortion.

Ryan shares his own story: growing up in isolation, chasing validation through baseball and a Hollywood documentary deal, and the moment God told him to walk away from a project worth millions. That obedience led him to discover that the biblical word for "meek" is the Greek word used to describe taming a wild Mustang — not weakness, but strength fully surrendered and made useful.

This is not a call to soften up. It's a call to get off the pendulum, stop performing manhood, and let God do the taming so you can actually be useful to Him. If you've ever felt like following Jesus meant losing your edge, this conversation will change how you see biblical strength for good.

IN THIS EPISODE:

0:00 – Does Christianity Make Men Weak?

0:54 – Ryan's State of the Union on Manhood

2:58 – How Social Algorithms Push Men Toward Confusion

3:23 – Naming the "They": Understanding Spiritual Warfare

7:17 – The Masculinity Pendulum: Savage vs. Passive

9:23 – Have Men Actually Grown Weaker?

10:04 – Feminism, Abortion, and the Passivity of Men

12:38 – The Physical and Spiritual Collapse of Young Men

15:45 – Ryan's Story: Growing Up in Chaos

17:47 – Chasing Success and Getting Back on the Pendulum

19:42 – Taming Wild Mustangs and the Birth of Chasing Wild

21:38 – Obeying God Over Hollywood and Ambition

24:18 – Losing Everything and Learning Meekness

26:03 – Discovering "Praus": The Greek Word for Meekness

29:11 – Recognizing the Wild Mustang in Yourself

30:57 – True Power Is Found Through Surrendered Weakness

32:44 – Learning Meekness from CIA Agents and Four-Star Generals

35:26 – The First Step to Becoming Meek

37:53 – Repenting of the Lies You Believe About God

41:21 – Ryan's Legacy: Fighting for the Secret Place with Jesus

43:01 – David: A Man After God's Own Heart

45:06 – Closing Prayer

🚀 START HERE!

Learn more about the Gaining Ground men’s movement and how you can get involved at https://gaininggroundmen.com.

✅ ATTEND A GATHERING:

Join us every First Wednesday at 6:30am in the DFW area at a Compass Church campus. These in-person gatherings are designed to help men reset, refocus, and move forward with intention. Oh, and there’s coffee and breakfast of course. Register now at https://gaininggroundmen.com/gatherings/.

👍 NEVER MISS AN EPISODE! LIKE & SUBSCRIBE:

- Gaining Ground | YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@GainingGroundMen)

- Gaining Ground | Spotify (https://tinyurl.com/3pbwbzr7) 

- Gaining Ground | Apple Podcasts (https://tinyurl.com/bp82b792)

MORE FROM RYAN:

- Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ryan_miller/)

- TIktok (https://www.tiktok.com/@dudewithgoodnews)

- Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/@ryan_miller1)

https://linktr.ee/dudewithgoodnews?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=772b3400-0c9b-43e5-be18-9692ac7f2ac3

📱 STAY CONNECTED:

- Gaining Ground | Instagram (https://instagram.com/gaininggroundmen) 

- Landon Sherman | Instagram (https://instagram.com/landonjsherman)

- Drew Sherman | Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/pastor_drew) 

- Compass Church | Instagram (https://instagram.com/mycompasschurch)

- Compass Church | Web (https://compass.church)

MUSIC CREDITS:

TUNISIAN FUR

FriendlierBear

MB01HJNB5EQQUS0

Fitness is not just about looking better. For Christian men, it is about stewardship, discipline, leadership, and learning to bring every part of your life under the lordship of Jesus.

In this episode of the Gaining Ground podcast, Landon sits down with Hunter Sprague from Monolith Movement to talk about why so many men neglect their physical health, what the Bible actually says about bodily training, and why taking care of your body is not vanity; it is discipleship.

They talk about dad bods, gluttony, discipline, weight loss, lifting, diet, steps, hormones, CrossFit, GLP-1s, TRT, and the deeper mindset shift Christian men need in 2026. This is not a shame-filled conversation. It is a wake-up call. If your body is out of order, it will eventually affect your energy, your leadership, your marriage, your parenting, your ministry, and your ability to carry the weight God has placed on your life.

You do not need to become obsessed with fitness. But you do need to stop pretending your body does not matter.

It is time to take ownership, build discipline, and start gaining ground physically.

IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 - Why Christian Men Need a Fitness Wake-Up Call

01:30 - Fitness, Stewardship, and Following Jesus

07:17 - Hunter’s Story and the Start of Monolith Movement

11:23 - Why So Many Men Are Physically Unhealthy

19:33 - What the Bible Says About Bodily Training

26:36 - Why Your Body Is a Discipleship Issue

32:37 - Fitness, Discipline, and Avoiding Extremes

39:04 - How to Start Getting Healthy Today

44:12 - Simple Fitness Habits for Busy Men

54:20 - Diet, Calories, and Enjoying Food with Discipline

01:01:03 - CrossFit, 10,000 Steps, Creatine, GLP-1s, and TRT

🚀 START HERE!

Learn more about the Gaining Ground men’s movement and how you can get involved at https://gaininggroundmen.com.

✅ ATTEND A GATHERING:

Join us every First Wednesday at 6:30am in the DFW area at a Compass Church campus. These in-person gatherings are designed to help men reset, refocus, and move forward with intention. Oh, and there’s coffee and breakfast of course. Register now at https://gaininggroundmen.com/gatherings/.

👍 NEVER MISS AN EPISODE! LIKE & SUBSCRIBE:

-  Gaining Ground | YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@GainingGroundMen)

-  Gaining Ground | Spotify (https://tinyurl.com/3pbwbzr7) 

-  Gaining Ground | Apple Podcasts (https://tinyurl.com/bp82b792)

MORE FROM HUNTER:

- Hunter Sprague | Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/monolithmovement/)

- Monolith Movement | YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@monolithmovement/) 

📱 STAY CONNECTED:

-  Gaining Ground | Instagram (https://instagram.com/gaininggroundmen) 

-  Landon Sherman | Instagram (https://instagram.com/landonjsherman)

-  Drew Sherman | Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/pastor_drew) 

-  Compass Church | Instagram (https://instagram.com/mycompasschurch)

-  Compass Church | Web (https://compass.church)

MUSIC CREDITS:

BEEN WAITING | Friendlierbear

MB01QW6X7EIPDM7

Most dads want to get it right. They want to be present. They want to lead well. They want to love their wife, guide their kids, follow Jesus, and build a home marked by strength, grace, and faith. But a lot of dads are also carrying questions they don’t always say out loud.

Am I doing enough? Am I leading my family well? What if I missed something? What if nobody ever taught me how to do this?

In this Father’s Day episode of the Gaining Ground Podcast, we have an honest conversation about fatherhood, faith, presence, regret, spiritual leadership, and what it means to become the kind of dad your family needs.

This is not about being a perfect dad. It is about becoming a better one.

Whether your kids are toddlers, teenagers, grown adults, or not yet born, you can start where you are. Your presence matters. Your prayers matter. Your example matters. And the way you follow Jesus will shape your family, your home, and your legacy.

Dads, this is the year.

IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 - Every Dad Has A Father Story

03:49 - Growing Up Without A Father

08:08 - How Fatherlessness Shapes A Man

13:24 - Why A Father’s Presence Matters

17:16 - Learning To Trust God As Father

21:00 - Parenting Each Child Differently

27:32 - Fatherhood Regret And Missed Moments

30:36 - Breaking Generational Cycles As A Dad

34:53 - How To Lead Your Family Spiritually

41:40 - Starting A New Family Tree

47:03 - What To Do When You Feel Like You Failed As A Dad

59:20 - Becoming The Dad Your Family Needs

🚀 START HERE!

Learn more about the Gaining Ground men’s movement and how you can get involved at https://gaininggroundmen.com.

✅ ATTEND A GATHERING:

Join us every First Wednesday at 6:30am in the DFW area at a Compass Church campus. These in-person gatherings are designed to help men reset, refocus, and move forward with intention. Oh, and there’s coffee and breakfast of course. Register now at https://gaininggroundmen.com/gatherings/.

👍 NEVER MISS AN EPISODE! LIKE & SUBSCRIBE:

-  Gaining Ground | YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@GainingGroundMen)

-  Gaining Ground | Spotify (https://tinyurl.com/3pbwbzr7) 

-  Gaining Ground | Apple Podcasts (https://tinyurl.com/bp82b792)

📱 STAY CONNECTED:

-  Gaining Ground | Instagram (https://instagram.com/gaininggroundmen) 

-  Landon Sherman | Instagram (https://instagram.com/landonjsherman)

-  Drew Sherman | Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/pastor_drew)

-  Josh Wright | Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/pastorjoshw/) 

-  Compass Church | Instagram (https://instagram.com/mycompasschurch)

-  Compass Church | Web (https://compass.church)

MUSIC CREDITS:

Belly of the Beast (LoFi Version) | skateshop

MB01XWJWC30X6CK

Witch (Instrumental) - Lovedrug

MB01ZSS1RUVB0IK

A lot of men look successful on the outside but feel stuck, angry, anxious, or empty on the inside. They have the job, the family, the goals, the discipline, and the image of strength, but still find themselves wondering why none of it seems to produce peace.

In this episode of Gaining Ground, Landon and Drew sit down with Trey Tucker, founder of Rugged Counseling, to talk about men’s mental health, identity, purpose, anxiety, emotional maturity, and what it actually looks like for men to get healthy without becoming soft, passive, or self-absorbed.

Trey brings a direct, no-nonsense approach to therapy for men. He explains why success cannot become your identity, why distraction keeps men from becoming who God called them to be, and how anxiety and depression often function like a check engine light for the soul.

This conversation covers practical tools for silence, gratitude, emotional awareness, marriage, work stress, rejection, and building a stronger inner life. If you’ve ever felt like you should be happy but you’re not, this episode will help you slow down, look under the hood, and take the next honest step toward health.

IN THIS EPISODE:

0:00 – Why Am I Not Happy?

1:13 – Meet Trey Tucker of Rugged Counseling

3:10 – Why Men Resist Therapy

6:21 – What Healthy Men Actually Look Like

7:26 – Identity, Purpose, and Team

9:04 – Why Distraction Is Killing Men’s Growth

12:33 – Why Successful Men Still Feel Empty

15:04 – Finding Your Identity and Purpose

23:44 – Anxiety, Depression, and Mental Health

27:35 – How To Overcome Anxiety Biblically 32:48 – Be Still and Know That I Am God

36:02 – What To Do When You Feel Overwhelmed

40:18 – How To Harness Your Inner Caveman

41:12 – Healthy Responses To Real-Life Problems

48:04 – The Best Question To Ask Every Day

🚀 START HERE!

Learn more about the Gaining Ground men’s movement and how you can get involved at https://gaininggroundmen.com.

✅ ATTEND A GATHERING:

Join us every First Wednesday at 6:30am in the DFW area at a Compass Church campus. These in-person gatherings are designed to help men reset, refocus, and move forward with intention. Oh, and there’s coffee and breakfast of course. Register now at https://gaininggroundmen.com/gatherings/.

MORE FROM TREY:

- Trey Tucker / Rugged Counseling | YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@RuggedCounseling)

- Trey Tucker / Rugged Counseling | Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ruggedcounseling/)

- Rugged Counseling | Web (https://www.ruggedcounseling.com/)

- Trey’s Book, Tough Enough (https://www.amazon.com/Tough-Enough-Cultivate-Purpose-Strength/dp/0310370566)

👍 NEVER MISS AN EPISODE! LIKE & SUBSCRIBE:

- Gaining Ground | YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@GainingGroundMen)

- Gaining Ground | Spotify (https://tinyurl.com/3pbwbzr7) 

- Gaining Ground | Apple Podcasts (https://tinyurl.com/bp82b792)

📱 STAY CONNECTED:

- Gaining Ground | Instagram (https://instagram.com/gaininggroundmen) 

- Landon Sherman | Instagram (https://instagram.com/landonjsherman) 

- Compass Church | Instagram (https://instagram.com/mycompasschurch)

- Compass Church | Web (https://compass.church)

MUSIC CREDITS:

Top (Instrumental) | Friendlierbear

MB01Y0LCQC6GFUV

Witch (Instrumental) - Lovedrug

MB01ZSS1RUVB0IK

Most people think prison is where freedom ends. But for MILLIONS of incarcerated men and women, prison became the place where they finally encountered the grace of God. In this episode of Gaining Ground, Landon and Drew sit down with Jake Bodine, Founder & CEO of God Behind Bars, to talk about prison ministry, grace, shame, redemption, and what it really means to follow Jesus. We talk about how going behind bars has stretched our theology and forced us to ask a hard question: how far does grace REALLY go? Whether you’ve followed Jesus for years or you’re just starting to figure out faith, this conversation will challenge the way you think about grace, freedom, and the kind of life God is calling you to live.

IN THIS EPISODE:

0:00 – What Prison Taught Me About Grace

1:11 – Welcome to Gaining Ground

3:17 – How God Behind Bars Started

8:46 – How Prison Ministry Reaches Inmates

10:31 – Why Inmates Should Not Be Forgotten

13:36 – What Jesus Says About Prison Ministry

15:59 – Physical Prison vs. Spiritual Freedom

19:08 – Can God Really Forgive Anyone?

24:55 – How To Break Free From Shame

32:50 – Religion vs. A Real Relationship With Jesus

34:53 – What Are You Holding Back From God?

40:57 – How To Live Out Matthew 25

43:47 – Don’t Waste Your Life

46:25 – How To Lead Your Family Toward Jesus

🚀 START HERE!

Learn more about the Gaining Ground men’s movement and how you can get involved at https://gaininggroundmen.com.

✅ ATTEND A GATHERING:

Join us every First Wednesday at 6:30am in the DFW area at a Compass Church campus. These in-person gatherings are designed to help men reset, refocus, and move forward with intention. Oh, and there’s coffee and breakfast of course. Register now at https://gaininggroundmen.com/gatherings/.

MORE FROM GOD BEHIND BARS

- God Behind Bars | Web (https://www.godbehindbars.com/)

- God Behind Bars | YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@godbehindbars)

- God Behind Bars | Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/godbehindbars/)

- God Behind Bars | TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@godbehindbars)

- God Behind Bars | Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/GodBehindBars)

- Jake Bodine | Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/jake_bodine/)

👍 NEVER MISS AN EPISODE! LIKE & SUBSCRIBE:

- Gaining Ground | YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@GainingGroundMen)

- Gaining Ground | Spotify (https://tinyurl.com/3pbwbzr7) 

- Gaining Ground | Apple Podcasts (https://tinyurl.com/bp82b792)

📱 STAY CONNECTED:

- Gaining Ground | Instagram (https://instagram.com/gaininggroundmen) 

- Landon Sherman | Instagram (https://instagram.com/landonjsherman) 

- Compass Church | Instagram (https://instagram.com/mycompasschurch)

- Compass Church | Web (https://compass.church)

MUSIC CREDITS:

Another Time | Friendlierbear

MB01D7NI9QKWLPJ

What It Is (Instrumental) | Friendlierbear

MB018TS6WURYX4M

Witch (Instrumental) - Lovedrug

MB01ZSS1RUVB0IK

Success today does not guarantee fulfillment tomorrow. A lot of men are exhausted, constantly connected, and quietly running on empty. We live in an age of hustle culture, nonstop productivity, and always being available, but the truth is many men are burning out while chasing a version of success that still leaves them restless.

In this episode of Gaining Ground, we talk honestly about burnout, pressure, rhythm, and the pace of modern life. We unpack why so many men feel emotionally exhausted, spiritually drained, and constantly behind, even while accomplishing more than ever before. This conversation explores how technology, work culture, and misplaced priorities can slowly pull men away from what matters most.

We also discuss the biblical idea of Sabbath and rest, why stopping is an act of trust, and how healthy rhythms help men lead their families, protect their minds, and build lives that actually last. From Jesus’ example of rest to practical frameworks like “rest weekly, depart monthly, abandon annually,” let’s get some practical wisdom for men who want to overcome burnout without checking out on responsibility.

If you’ve been feeling tired, overwhelmed, distracted, or emotionally stretched thin, this conversation will help you rethink success, reset your priorities, and build a healthier rhythm for the long haul.

IN THIS EPISODE:

0:00 – Do You Trust God Enough To Rest?

1:49 – How Men Define Success and Legacy

6:55 – Why Your Pace Shapes Your Purpose

8:50 – Why So Many Men Are Burned Out

14:52 – Why You Are Not a Robot

16:21 – Advice on Burnout From a Dying Man

19:16 – What the Bible Says About Rest and Sabbath

24:50 – How To Deal With Busy Seasons

30:02 – Men & Purpose: Are You Aiming at the Right Target?

36:58 – 3 Rhythms to Overcome Burnout

🚀 START HERE!

Learn more about the Gaining Ground men’s movement and how you can get involved at https://gaininggroundmen.com.

✅ ATTEND A GATHERING:

Join us every First Wednesday at 6:30am in the DFW area at a Compass Church campus. These in-person gatherings are designed to help men reset, refocus, and move forward with intention. Oh, and there’s coffee and breakfast of course. Register now at https://gaininggroundmen.com/gatherings/.

MORE RESOURCES:

- Ben Sasse | NYT Interview (https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Vwh9fSk1Xn8?si=VGALA1GD6ivLpAPj) 

👍 NEVER MISS AN EPISODE! LIKE & SUBSCRIBE:

- Gaining Ground | YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@GainingGroundMen)

- Gaining Ground | Spotify (https://tinyurl.com/3pbwbzr7) 

- Gaining Ground | Apple Podcasts (https://tinyurl.com/bp82b792)

📱 STAY CONNECTED:

- Gaining Ground | Instagram (https://instagram.com/gaininggroundmen) 

- Landon Sherman | Instagram (https://instagram.com/landonjsherman) 

- Compass Church | Instagram (https://instagram.com/mycompasschurch)

- Compass Church | Web (https://compass.church)

MUSIC CREDITS:

Another Time | Friendlierbear

MB01D7NI9QKWLPJ

What It Is (Instrumental) | Friendlierbear

MB018TS6WURYX4M

Witch (Instrumental) - Lovedrug

MB01ZSS1RUVB0IK

Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey has one of the most unique stories in the NFL. From professional soccer to software engineering to becoming a three-time Pro Bowler for America’s Team, his path to football didn’t look like most players.

Fresh off a new contract extension with the Cowboys and right in the middle of the 2026 NFL Draft season, Brandon joins Gaining Ground to talk about faith, family, football, pressure, preparation, and what it takes to stay grounded in the middle of an NFL career.

This conversation goes beyond the field. Brandon opens up about missing his first NFL kick, learning to handle pressure, bouncing back after failure, and why being a husband and dad matters more than anything he accomplishes between the lines.

If you’re a Cowboys fan, an NFL fan, or a man trying to lead well under pressure, this episode is for you.

IN THIS EPISODE:

0:00 – Introducing Dallas Cowboys Kicker Brandon Aubrey

2:07 – Brandon Aubrey’s Welcome to the NFL Moment

5:05 – Brandon Aubrey’s Unlikely Journey To The NFL

7:28 – How To Steward Talent and Pursue Progress

9:32 – How Brandon Aubrey Handles Pressure as an NFL Kicker

15:20 – Why Pressure At Work Is Perceived

18:19 – NFL Kicker: How to Bounce Back After a Miss

21:38 – What The NFL Has Taught Brandon Aubrey About Family

24:28 – NFL Player: Why Being a Husband and Dad Comes First

32:42 – Keeping Family First During an NFL Season

33:50 – How Fatherhood Changed Brandon Aubrey

36:32 – Brandon Aubrey’s Faith Journey

40:55 – Advice for Young Athletes Chasing a Dream

41:37 – How To Turn Pressure Into Opportunity

45:10 – A Message for Dallas Cowboys Fans

🚀 START HERE!

Learn more about the Gaining Ground men’s movement and how you can get involved at https://gaininggroundmen.com.

✅ ATTEND A GATHERING:

Join us every First Wednesday at 6:30am in the DFW area at a Compass Church campus. These in-person gatherings are designed to help men reset, refocus, and move forward with intention. Oh, and there’s coffee and breakfast of course. Register now at https://gaininggroundmen.com/gatherings/.

👍 NEVER MISS AN EPISODE! LIKE & SUBSCRIBE:

- Gaining Ground | YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@GainingGroundMen)

- Gaining Ground | Spotify (https://tinyurl.com/3pbwbzr7) 

- Gaining Ground | Apple Podcasts (https://tinyurl.com/bp82b792)

MORE FROM BRANDON:

- Brandon Aubrey | Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/baubs10) 

📱 STAY CONNECTED:

- Gaining Ground | Instagram (https://instagram.com/gaininggroundmen) 

- Landon Sherman | Instagram (https://instagram.com/landonjsherman) 

- Compass Church | Instagram (https://instagram.com/mycompasschurch)

- Compass Church | Web (https://compass.church)

MUSIC CREDITS:

The World Is Yours (Instrumental) | skateshop

MB01QIQMRDPRQJC

What It Is (Instrumental) | Friendlierbear

MB018TS6WURYX4M

Witch (Instrumental) - Lovedrug

MB01ZSS1RUVB0IK

What does the Bible say about business? How should Christian entrepreneurs, business leaders, and professionals think about faith, work, stewardship, integrity, and success in the marketplace?

In this episode of Gaining Ground, Ps. Landon and Drew sit down with Mukwenda Kandole, founder of the Faithustle movement, for a practical conversation about building a business God’s way. This episode explores what it means to follow Jesus in the marketplace without separating faith from work, and why the real issue is often not your industry, but the posture of your heart.

We cover stewardship, generosity, integrity, humility, Spirit-led leadership, and the challenge of building something meaningful without adopting the world’s definition of success. We also talk about the temptation to compartmentalize life, the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people, and why growing people may be one of the most overlooked keys to lasting impact in business.

If you’ve ever wondered how to honor God at work, lead with conviction, or build something without losing your soul in the process, this episode is for you.

Let’s get to work.

IN THIS EPISODE:

0:00 – Faith and Business Belong Together

1:14 – Introducing Mukwenda & Faithustle

4:18 – Why Christian Entrepreneurs Needed Something Different

6:11 – The Danger of Following the Wrong Business Voices

7:33 – What Real Biblical Success Actually Looks Like

12:13 – You Don’t Need a “Christian” Brand to Honor God at Work

13:49 – The 5 Pillars of a Faith-Driven Business

17:20 – Why the Marketplace Is Central to God’s Mission

22:40 – Stewardship Changes How You See Your Career

25:01 – What the Fear of the Lord Has to Do With Leadership

35:28 – God Cares More About Faithfulness Than Metrics

39:34 – The Secret to Growing Any Organization: Grow Your People

42:27 – How to Start Building Your Business God’s Way

🚀 START HERE!

Learn more about the Gaining Ground men’s movement and how you can get involved at https://gaininggroundmen.com.

✅ ATTEND A GATHERING:

Join us every First Wednesday at 6:30am in the DFW area at a Compass Church campus. These in-person gatherings are designed to help men reset, refocus, and move forward with intention. Oh, and there’s coffee and breakfast of course. Register now at https://gaininggroundmen.com/gatherings/.

ABOUT FAITHUSTLE:

Faithustle is a weekly podcast and community that encourages believers in their hustle of business and career to have wholistic biblical view of success. Together they will discover what it looks like to make an impact for the Kingdom and live a life that reflects Christ in our work. Faithustle brings guests that not only have succeeded in their businesses or professions, but represent Christ and have healthy families and relationships. If you are starting out in your career and want direction on how to represent Jesus in the marketplace, check it out! https://www.thefaithustle.com/

JOIN THE FAITHUSTLE NETWORK:

A global community of Christian entrepreneurs building business God’s way. https://skool.com/faithustlenetwork)

FAITHUSTLE EVENT IN DFW | APRIL 17TH:

A meetup for Christian entrepreneurs & creatives to connect, worship, and build Kingdom businesses together. (https://tinyurl.com/5ykhkn6d)

MORE FROM MUKWENDA:

• Faithustle | YouTube (https://tinyurl.com/mrxzadfp)
• Faithustle | Apple Podcasts (https://tinyurl.com/4xze4hpr)
• Faithustle | Spotify (https://tinyurl.com/3wchfyzy)
• Faithustle | Instagram (https://instagram.com/thefaithustle)
• Mukwenda Kandole | Instagram (https://instagram.com/mukwendakandole)

👍 NEVER MISS AN EPISODE! LIKE & SUBSCRIBE:

• Gaining Ground | YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@GainingGroundMen)
• Gaining Ground | Spotify (https://tinyurl.com/3pbwbzr7) 
• Gaining Ground | Apple Podcasts (https://tinyurl.com/bp82b792)

📱 STAY CONNECTED:

• Gaining Ground | Instagram (https://instagram.com/gaininggroundmen) 
• Landon Sherman | Instagram (https://instagram.com/landonjsherman) 
• Compass Church | Instagram (https://instagram.com/mycompasschurch)
• Compass Church | Web (https://compass.church)

MUSIC CREDITS:

• Dream Light - Generdyn (MB01CHUVBAFVJ7R)
• Witch (Instrumental) - Lovedrug (MB01ZSS1RUVB0IK)

Is the supernatural still happening today? Why do so many American Christians struggle to experience spiritual warfare, answered prayer, and the power of God the way believers do in the Bible?

Veteran missionary and President of Pioneer Bible Translators Dr. Greg Pruett shares real stories from unreached villages, Muslim regions, and Bible-less people groups where prayer, healing, and deliverance were part of everyday ministry. This conversation explores why Western culture often filters out the supernatural—and how ordinary believers can recover a biblical expectation of how God still moves today.

If you’ve ever wondered whether miracles still happen, how spiritual warfare actually works, or what it really means to pray “in Jesus’ name,” this conversation gives a clear and grounded framework for understanding the supernatural life of faith.

Dr. Pruett also explains how Scripture shapes confident prayer, why most Christians treat prayer as a last resort, and how simple daily habits can make faith stronger and more resilient in real life. This is not about extreme experiences—it’s about returning to normal Christianity.

IN THIS EPISODE:

0:00 – A Missionary Prayer Story You Won’t Forget

0:36 – Introducing Greg Pruett of Pioneer Bible Translators

3:24 – From Engineering Dreams to Bible Translation

6:14 – Why So Many People Still Have No Bible

8:14 – What Mission Work Taught Greg About Islam

10:41 – Why Spiritual Warfare Is More Real Than We Think

18:15 – The Prayer Story That Changed Everything

22:23 – Healing, Deliverance, and the Power of Jesus’ Name

27:26 – Why the Supernatural Feels Distant in the West

29:46 – What It Really Means to Pray “In Jesus’ Name”

35:25 – When You Finally Come to the End of Yourself

40:55 – How to Build a Real Daily Prayer Habit

50:44 – How Men Can Fight Back Spiritually

🚀 START HERE!

Learn more about the Gaining Ground men’s movement and how you can get involved at https://gaininggroundmen.com.

✅ ATTEND A GATHERING:

Join us every First Wednesday at 6:30am in the DFW area at a Compass Church campus. These in-person gatherings are designed to help men reset, refocus, and move forward with intention. Oh, and there’s coffee and breakfast of course. Register now at https://gaininggroundmen.com/gatherings/.

ABOUT GREG:

Greg Pruett has been President of Pioneer Bible Translators since January 2007. Prior to that he and his wife Rebecca lived in West Africa for 12 years, working with a team of local people to translate the entire Bible into the Yalunka language. Greg holds Masters and Ph.D. degrees in Intercultural Studies from Fuller Theological Seminary and a degree in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University. His book Extreme Prayer: The Impossible Prayers God Promises to Answer (Tyndale, 2014) reveals the ways in which he has made prayer the primary strategy of Pioneer Bible. His second book, Extraordinary Hearing: Preparing Your Soul to Hear from God (Tyndale Momentum, 2023) gives practical, Biblical insights on how to pray and how to hear from God. He and Rebecca have three adult children, two of whom serve overseas.

MORE FROM GREG:

- Greg Pruett | LinkedIn (https://linkedin.com/in/greg-pruett-b193a712)

- Pioneer Bible Translators | Web (https://pioneerbible.org/feature-stories/they-chose-jesus/)

- Pioneer Bible Translators | Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/pioneerbible/)

- Pioneer Bible Translators | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/pioneerbible/) 

- Pioneer Bible Translators | YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@PioneerBible)

- Extreme Prayer by Greg Pruett (https://tinyurl.com/z664y6n8)

- Extraordinary Hearing: Preparing Your Soul To Hear From God by Greg Pruett (https://tinyurl.com/4kjez42z)

👍 NEVER MISS AN EPISODE! LIKE & SUBSCRIBE:

-  Gaining Ground | YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@GainingGroundMen)

-  Gaining Ground | Spotify (https://tinyurl.com/3pbwbzr7) 

-  Gaining Ground | Apple Podcasts (https://tinyurl.com/bp82b792)

📱 STAY CONNECTED:

-  Gaining Ground | Instagram (https://instagram.com/gaininggroundmen) 

-  Landon Sherman | Instagram (https://instagram.com/landonjsherman) 

-  Compass Church | Instagram (https://instagram.com/mycompasschurch)

-  Compass Church | Web (https://compass.church)

MUSIC CREDITS:

Fireborne | Charlie Ryan

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What It Is (Instrumental) | Friendlierbear

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Witch (Instrumental) - Lovedrug

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Marriage isn’t sustained by feelings alone. Feelings fluctuate. Seasons change. Pressure comes from every direction. What determines the strength of a marriage over time is not emotion, but commitment. In this episode, we dive into an honest conversation about what actually builds a lasting marriage. We talk about how differences between spouses can create tension, why marriage tends to magnify both strengths and flaws, and the importance of choosing covenant love rather than treating marriage like a contract.

The sad reality is that many couples enter marriage with an exit strategy already in mind, which makes it easier to walk away when seasons become difficult. But there’s another way, biblical covenant. It’s commitment rooted in sacrifice, humility, and daily decisions to love even when feelings fluctuate.

We also explore other difficult relationship and marriage topics like conflict, divorce, rebuilding trust, seeking counseling, and how couples can begin restoring a marriage that has grown distant. When men commit to personal responsibility, honest communication, prayer, and choosing to fight for your marriage rather than quietly drifting apart, marriages get better.

If you want to build a marriage that lasts through every season, this conversation will challenge and encourage you.

IN THIS EPISODE:

0:00 – People Walk Away From Marriage Based on Feelings

1:24 – Introducing the Marriage Conversation

2:36 – Do Opposites Really Attract?

7:38 – Why Marriage Magnifies Everything

9:34 – You Are Not Your Spouse’s Holy Spirit

11:10 – The Biblical Role of a Helper in Marriage

14:28 – Covenant Marriage vs Contract Marriage

17:55 – What Happens When You Don’t Feel In Love In Marriage

23:45 – Is Divorce An Option In Your Marriage?

30:15 – When a Marriage Runs Out of Love

38:27 – Why Marriage Is Not 50/50

43:26 – What Husbands and Wives Need From Each Other

🚀 START HERE!

Learn more about the Gaining Ground men’s movement and how you can get involved at https://gaininggroundmen.com.

✅ ATTEND A GATHERING:

Join us every First Wednesday at 6:30am in the DFW area at a Compass Church campus. These in-person gatherings are designed to help men reset, refocus, and move forward with intention. Oh, and there’s coffee and breakfast of course. Register now at https://gaininggroundmen.com/gatherings/.

👍 NEVER MISS AN EPISODE! LIKE & SUBSCRIBE:

-  Gaining Ground | YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@GainingGroundMen)

-  Gaining Ground | Spotify (https://tinyurl.com/3pbwbzr7) 

-  Gaining Ground | Apple Podcasts (https://tinyurl.com/bp82b792)

📱 STAY CONNECTED:

-  Gaining Ground | Instagram (https://instagram.com/gaininggroundmen) 

-  Landon Sherman | Instagram (https://instagram.com/landonjsherman) 

-  Compass Church | Instagram (https://instagram.com/mycompasschurch)

-  Compass Church | Web (https://compass.church)

MUSIC CREDITS:

Fracture ft. Idyll | Roary

MB014WOOMNSUD1Y

What It Is (Instrumental) | Friendlierbear

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Witch (Instrumental) - Lovedrug

MB01ZSS1RUVB0IK

Marriage rarely collapses in a single dramatic moment. It drifts, even in Christian marriages. Small compromises, busy schedules, raising kids, unspoken expectations, and over time connection fades without anyone meaning for it to. What once felt like strong marriage begins to feel routine.

Healthy marriages are built through intentional pursuit, shared values, and disciplined leadership inside the home. Culture offers plenty of opinions, but not all of them produce lasting strength. Responsibility, humility, and consistent effort shape the direction of a marriage relationship far more than emotion ever will.

Ps. Landon is joined by his wife MacKenzie, as well as his parents Ps. Drew & Michelle Sherman to reflect on what actually sustains a marriage across every seasons — early years, young kids, stress, disappointment, growth, and change. The focus isn’t on quick fixes. It’s on the habits and mindset that either protect a marriage or quietly weaken it over time. Lean in & build a new marriage one brick at a time.

IN THIS EPISODE:

0:00 - Intro

0:41 - Marriage Panel Introduction

3:43 - Marriage Strengths & Frustrations

10:24 - How To Know If You’re Ready for Marriage

15:21 - Stop Taking Marriage Advice From Culture

18:41 - How to Pursue Your Wife Over Time

22:16 - Why Date Nights Still Matter In Marriage

24:55 - Why Marriages Can Slowly Drift Apart

29:09 - Praying Together With Your Spouse

33:34 - Biblical Submission Explained

37:22 - Should Women Only Submit?

41:44 - Fighting Complacency in Marriage

43:46 - Building Mutual Admiration In Marriage

44:17 - How To Reignite Your Marriage

46:04 - Creating a Marriage Mission Statement

47:14 - Becoming Unoffendable In Marriage

48:37 - The Marriage Comparison Trap

50:46 - Strengthening a Christian Marriage

🚀 START HERE!

Learn more about the Gaining Ground men’s movement and how you can get involved at https://gaininggroundmen.com.

✅ ATTEND A GATHERING:

Join us every First Wednesday at 6:30am in the DFW area at a Compass Church campus. These in-person gatherings are designed to help men reset, refocus, and move forward with intention. Oh, and there’s coffee and breakfast of course. Register now at https://gaininggroundmen.com/gatherings/.

👍 NEVER MISS AN EPISODE! LIKE & SUBSCRIBE:

- Gaining Ground | YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@GainingGroundMen)

- Gaining Ground | Spotify (https://tinyurl.com/3pbwbzr7) 

- Gaining Ground | Apple Podcasts (https://tinyurl.com/bp82b792)

📱 STAY CONNECTED:

- Gaining Ground | Instagram (https://instagram.com/gaininggroundmen) 

- Landon Sherman | Instagram (https://instagram.com/landonjsherman) 

- Compass Church | Instagram (https://instagram.com/mycompasschurch)

- Compass Church | Web (https://compass.church)

MUSIC CREDITS:

What It Is (Instrumental) | Friendlierbear

MB018TS6WURYX4M

Witch (Instrumental) - Lovedrug

MB01ZSS1RUVB0IK

Shame thrives in silence. A lot of men don’t walk away from God when they fail. They hide from Him. And that hiding slowly shapes identity. What started as a mistake turns into a cloak. What began as sin becomes shame. And shame, if left unchecked, will quietly hollow a man out from the inside.

In this episode, Cody Bobay shares how intimacy with Christ became the turning point in his battle with shame. Not perfection. Not pretending. Not performing. Intimacy. The difference between running to the Father when you fall and hiding from Him in the dark is the difference between freedom and bondage. There is a massive gap between a bad habit and a spiritual agreement with hell. When shame becomes identity, men stop fighting. They isolate. They drift. They numb out. And over time, the slow drip of compromise destroys marriages, families, and legacy.

This conversation confronts the reality of spiritual warfare, pornography, hidden struggles, and silent guilt – but it also offers hope. Shame is not your identity. God is not surprised by your struggle. Freedom is possible, but it requires honesty, brotherhood, grit, and a willingness to engage in war instead of pretending it doesn’t exist. You don’t win alone. Warriors don’t isolate. Growth happens 1% at a time — and sometimes, in a single supernatural moment when chains break for good.

If you’re feeling ashamed, here’s what to do: stop hiding. Run to the Father. Get around other men. Stay in the Word. And fight like your soul matters — because it does.

IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 – How Christian Men Overcome Shame

00:39 – Cody Bobay’s Testimony: From Partying to Christ

03:17 – Radical Conversion in the Military

05:04 – Why Christian Men Avoid Talking About Lust

06:44 – The War for Masculinity and Sexual Purity

08:54 – Is Masculinity Being Attacked Today?

10:12 – Shame: Satan’s Weapon Against Men

12:16 – Why Christian Men Suffer in Silence

13:11 – The 1% Better Mindset for Spiritual Growth

20:12 – Run to God or Hide? Breaking the Shame Cycle

22:20 – Pornography & Spiritual Warfare

25:43 – Purity Is Possible for Christian Men

30:51 – Breaking Shame from Your Past

34:43 – Why Christian Men Need Brotherhood

39:22 – Daily Habits to Fight Lust and Sin

45:02 – You Can Win the War Against Shame

🚀 START HERE!

Learn more about the Gaining Ground men’s movement and how you can get involved at https://gaininggroundmen.com.

✅ ATTEND A GATHERING:

Join us every First Wednesday at 6:30am in the DFW area at a Compass Church campus. These in-person gatherings are designed to help men reset, refocus, and move forward with intention. Oh, and there’s coffee and breakfast of course. Register now at https://gaininggroundmen.com/gatherings/.

🔥 MORE FROM CODY:

- Cody Bobay | YouTube (https://www.instagram.com/codybobay/)

- Cody Bobay | Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/codybobay/)

- Cody Bobay | Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/codybobay)

- Cody Bobay | Web (https://codybobay.com/)

- SoulCon Challenge by Cody Bobay (https://tinyurl.com/3wsw3mjm)

- The Dragon Hunt: 21 Days To Freedom From Porn by Cody Bobay (https://tinyurl.com/47x8a326)

👍 NEVER MISS AN EPISODE! LIKE & SUBSCRIBE:

- Gaining Ground | YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@GainingGroundMen)

- Gaining Ground | Spotify (https://tinyurl.com/3pbwbzr7) 

- Gaining Ground | Apple Podcasts (https://tinyurl.com/bp82b792)

📱 STAY CONNECTED:

- Gaining Ground | Instagram (https://instagram.com/gaininggroundmen) 

- Landon Sherman | Instagram (https://instagram.com/landonjsherman) 

- Compass Church | Instagram (https://instagram.com/mycompasschurch)

- Compass Church | Web (https://compass.church)

MUSIC CREDITS:

What It Is (Instrumental) | Friendlierbear

MB018TS6WURYX4M

Witch (Instrumental) - Lovedrug

MB01ZSS1RUVB0IK

Criticism is unavoidable for men who are leading, building, and trying to do something that matters. The moment you step into responsibility—at work, at home, or in your faith—opinions follow. Some are helpful. Others are destructive. Knowing the difference is the difference between growth and burnout.

The real danger isn’t criticism itself. It’s letting the wrong voices shape your confidence, identity, and decisions. Not all critics are created equal, and wise men learn to discern who deserves a voice and who doesn’t. Feedback can either refine you or slowly hollow you out, depending on where it comes from and how you receive it.

Healthy leadership requires humility without insecurity. It means being open to feedback while guarding your character. Judgment can be questioned. Character must be protected. Men who live with integrity create space to learn without living defensively. They don’t react out of ego or anger—they respond out of wisdom.

One of the most powerful ideas explored here is the difference between critics in the stands and teammates on the field. Noise comes from people watching. Wisdom comes from people who are in the game, bleeding with you, and pulling in the same direction. Those are the voices worth listening to.

The same principle applies at home. A strong man builds a culture where his wife and kids can speak honestly without fear. Encouragement sets the climate. Correction lands best in an environment of trust. Words have weight, and how a man responds to criticism reveals far more about his health than the criticism itself.

Criticism doesn’t have to derail your calling. When handled well, it becomes one of the tools God uses to strengthen leadership, deepen character, and sharpen judgment. The goal isn’t to silence every voice—it’s to discern which voices help you grow and which ones distract you from the mission.

IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 – Why criticism comes with leadership

03:10 – The danger of listening to the wrong voices

07:50 – Criticism will refine you or define you

12:20 – Judgment vs character: knowing the difference

15:20 – Hurt people and hidden pain behind criticism

18:35 – When critics misunderstand your intentions

21:49 – Responding with integrity instead of anger

25:07 – Blessing instead of cursing under pressure

29:17 – When criticism hits your identity

32:47 – Living out of blessing, not for approval

35:23 – Not all critics are created equal

37:25 – Creating a culture of honest feedback

42:32 – Encouragement vs criticism in the home

45:41 – Being the thermostat, not the thermometer

48:08 – Rising above distraction and staying on mission

49:38 – When silence is the wisest response

52:19 – Choosing forgiveness before offense

🚀 START HERE!

Learn more about the Gaining Ground men’s movement and how you can get involved at https://gaininggroundmen.com.

✅ ATTEND A GATHERING:

Join us every First Wednesday at 6:30am in the DFW area at a Compass Church campus. These in-person gatherings are designed to help men reset, refocus, and move forward with intention. Oh, and there’s coffee and breakfast of course. Register now at https://gaininggroundmen.com/gatherings/.

🔥 MORE FROM RICK:

- The Hill Church | YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/thehillschurch)

- The Hill Church | Web (https://thehills.org/)

👍 NEVER MISS AN EPISODE! LIKE & SUBSCRIBE:

- Gaining Ground | YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@GainingGroundMen)

- Gaining Ground | Spotify (https://tinyurl.com/3pbwbzr7) 

- Gaining Ground | Apple Podcasts (https://tinyurl.com/bp82b792)

📱 STAY CONNECTED:

- Gaining Ground | Instagram (https://instagram.com/gaininggroundmen) 

- Landon Sherman | Instagram (https://instagram.com/landonjsherman) 

- Compass Church | Instagram (https://instagram.com/mycompasschurch)

- Compass Church | Web (https://compass.church)

MUSIC CREDITS:

What It Is (Instrumental) | Friendlierbear

MB018TS6WURYX4M

Witch (Instrumental) - Lovedrug

MB01ZSS1RUVB0IK

Smart men don’t usually get stuck because they lack intelligence. They get stuck because intelligence alone isn’t enough to carry the weight of real life. Pressure at work, responsibility at home, leadership decisions, relationships, and stress all have a way of pulling capable men into choices they later regret.

The real issue isn’t a lack of information. It’s a lack of wisdom.

Wisdom isn’t about knowing more facts or having a higher IQ. It’s about living skillfully in the reality of God—making the right decision, at the right time, in the right way. Most decisions don’t come with clear moral lines. Parenting, finances, leadership, friendships, and marriage live in the gray, where discernment matters more than raw knowledge.

Wisdom is available to any man humble enough to pursue it. It’s formed through proximity, shaped by relationships, and strengthened by grounding your life in integrity rather than impulse. The people you walk with quietly influence how you think, how you choose, and where you end up. Isolation doesn’t make men stronger—it makes them drift.

This teaching challenges men to take responsibility for their growth, audit the voices shaping their decisions, and intentionally seek mentors who have lived what they teach. Wisdom isn’t reserved for the elite or experienced. It’s built through humility, community, and consistent alignment with truth.

The goal isn’t perfection. It’s fewer regrets, better judgment, and steady forward progress. Smart men don’t need more information. They need wiser inputs, stronger foundations, and the courage to seek growth.

IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 – Why smart men still make stupid decisions

01:45 – The regret question: “Why did I do that?”

05:40 – What wisdom really is (and what it isn’t)

07:05 – Wisdom vs intelligence vs information

10:05 – Why most decisions live in the gray

11:25 – How relationships shape judgment

13:20 – Why influence never stops in adulthood

14:55 – Wisdom is caught, not taught

17:30 – Walking with the wise (Proverbs 13:20)

20:50 – Trust vs entrust: who gets access to your life

22:40 – The wisdom audit every man should do

23:20 – Wise men live grounded and principled lives

26:40 – Why mentors accelerate wisdom

30:45 – Isolation as the enemy of growth

38:35 – Responsibility, wisdom, and gaining ground

🚀 START HERE!

Learn more about the Gaining Ground men’s movement and how you can get involved at https://gaininggroundmen.com.

✅ ATTEND A GATHERING:

Join us every First Wednesday at 6:30am in the DFW area at a Compass Church campus. These in-person gatherings are designed to help men reset, refocus, and move forward with intention. Oh, and there’s coffee and breakfast of course. Register now at https://gaininggroundmen.com/gatherings/.

👍 NEVER MISS AN EPISODE! LIKE & SUBSCRIBE:

- Gaining Ground | YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@GainingGroundMen)

- Gaining Ground | Spotify (https://tinyurl.com/3pbwbzr7) 

- Gaining Ground | Apple Podcasts (https://tinyurl.com/bp82b792)

📱 STAY CONNECTED:

- Gaining Ground | Instagram (https://instagram.com/gaininggroundmen) 

- Landon Sherman | Instagram (https://instagram.com/landonjsherman) 

- Compass Church | Instagram (https://instagram.com/mycompasschurch)

- Compass Church | Web (https://compass.church)

MUSIC CREDITS:

My Guy (Instrumental) - Lonely Benson

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What It Is (Instrumental) | Friendlierbear

MB018TS6WURYX4M

Witch (Instrumental) - Lovedrug

MB01ZSS1RUVB0IK

Most men don’t fail because they lack goals—they fail because they lack discipline. As a new year approaches and goal-setting ramps up, this conversation challenges the belief that bigger goals lead to better results. The real issue isn’t motivation. It’s consistency. Growth doesn’t come from occasional bursts of effort, but from doing small, right things over and over again.

A lot of men live in an “I hope” mindset instead of an “I decide” posture. Hope sounds spiritual, but it’s a terrible strategy. Real change happens when men move from wishing to owning, from intentions to rhythms. Discipline isn’t about perfection—it’s about faithfulness. Even the Apostle Paul wrestled with inconsistency, which means this struggle isn’t a character flaw—it’s a human one.

This conversation breaks down how discipline actually forms, why growth often feels invisible before it shows up, how to recover when you fail without spiraling into shame, and why learning to love the process matters more than obsessing over outcomes. Consistency builds quietly—and then shows up suddenly.

If you’re tired of setting goals every year and wondering why nothing changes, this is a better way forward. No hype. No shortcuts. Just steady rhythms that help you gain ground and become a man others can count on.

IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 – Why men fail at goals every year

01:45 – The discipline gap holding men back

03:40 – Motivation vs discipline (why motivation doesn’t last)

06:05 – Why most men struggle with consistency

09:35 – The Bible on inconsistency (Romans 7 explained)

12:40 – Why discipline beats talent and intention

15:25 – Small habits that lead to real change

18:10 – Why men quit before results show up

21:00 – How long consistency actually takes to work

24:20 – Discipline without perfection (stop the shame cycle)

28:05 – How to recover when you fall off track

31:45 – Simple reset plan for men who mess up

35:30 – Process vs results (why outcomes don’t change behavior)

38:50 – How disciplined men think differently

41:10 – Gaining ground one step at a time

🚀 START HERE!

Learn more about the Gaining Ground men’s movement and how you can get involved at https://gaininggroundmen.com.

✅ ATTEND A GATHERING:

Join us every First Wednesday at 6:30am in the DFW area at a Compass Church campus. These in-person gatherings are designed to help men reset, refocus, and move forward with intention. Oh, and there’s coffee and breakfast of course. Register now at https://gaininggroundmen.com/gatherings/.

👍 NEVER MISS AN EPISODE! LIKE & SUBSCRIBE:

-  Gaining Ground | YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@GainingGroundMen) 

-  Gaining Ground | Spotify (https://tinyurl.com/3pbwbzr7)  

-  Gaining Ground | Apple Podcasts (https://tinyurl.com/bp82b792)

📱 STAY CONNECTED:

-  Gaining Ground | Instagram (https://instagram.com/gaininggroundmen) 

-  Landon Sherman | Instagram (https://instagram.com/landonjsherman) 

-  Compass Church | Instagram (https://instagram.com/mycompasschurch)

-  Compass Church | Web (https://compass.church)

MUSIC CREDITS:

The World Is Yours (Instrumental) - skateshop

MB01U0OBFRGCKBV

Witch (Instrumental) - Lovedrug

MB01ZSS1RUVB0IK

Why do so many men feel stuck—even when they’re working hard, trying to lead, and doing the “right” things? In this episode of Gaining Ground, Landon and Drew Sherman expose one of the most subtle and destructive patterns men fall into: the blame loop. Blame feels natural. It feels justified. But over time, it quietly drains a man of his power, his clarity, and his ability to grow.

Through honest stories from marriage, leadership, parenting, and ministry, this conversation shows how blame shows up in everyday life. From pointing fingers at spouses, coworkers, bosses, or circumstances, to excusing our own inaction, blame becomes a way of avoiding responsibility. And while it may protect our ego in the moment, it ultimately keeps us stuck—relationally, spiritually, and emotionally.

Landon and Drew trace the blame loop all the way back to the Garden of Eden, showing how passing responsibility is woven into human nature. But they also make it clear that blame is not neutral. It damages relationships, erodes trust, and keeps men tethered to their past. When men refuse to take ownership, they unknowingly carry unresolved issues into future marriages, jobs, friendships, and even generations.

One of the central ideas of this episode is learning to “own your 1%.” Even when a situation feels 99% someone else’s fault, growth begins when a man takes responsibility for the part he can control. That shift—owning what’s yours—restores agency. It puts your hands back on the steering wheel of your life. Blame forfeits growth, but responsibility unlocks it.

The conversation also introduces a powerful framework for leadership and masculinity: being a thermostat, not a thermometer. Thermometers react to the environment. Thermostats set the temperature. Men who live in blame simply mirror what’s happening around them. Men who take responsibility change the climate—at home, at work, and in their community—by staying grounded, stable, and intentional.

This episode includes real-world examples from marriage, the workplace, church leadership, and prison ministry, showing how responsibility can break cycles that have existed for decades. It makes a compelling case that the strongest men are not the loudest or most aggressive—but the ones humble enough to say, “This part is on me,” and courageous enough to change.

If you want to reclaim your power, grow as a man of God, and stop repeating the same patterns, this episode offers a clear path forward. Growth doesn’t start when others change. It starts when you do.

Take responsibility. Break the blame loop. Gain ground.

IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 – Why blame keeps men stuck

01:00 – The blame loop and taking responsibility

02:45 – How men deflect responsibility in everyday life

04:00 – The cost of avoiding ownership (real consequences)

07:30 – Why blaming others feels natural

09:45 – Adam and Eve: blame from the beginning

11:10 – Why successful men take responsibility

12:40 – How blame damages marriages and families

14:00 – Leadership, humility, and saying “I’m sorry”

18:15 – Owning your 1% (even when it feels unfair)

22:00 – “Blame is the basket that carries your past forward”

24:30 – Breaking generational cycles of blame

29:30 – Thermostat vs thermometer leadership

36:40 – One step to escape the blame loop today

🚀 START HERE!

Learn more about the Gaining Ground men’s movement and how you can get involved at https://gaininggroundmen.com.

✅ ATTEND A GATHERING:

Join us every First Wednesday at 6:30am in the DFW area at a Compass Church campus. These in-person gatherings are designed to help men reset, refocus, and move forward with intention. Oh, and there’s coffee and breakfast of course. Register now at https://gaininggroundmen.com/gatherings/.

👍 NEVER MISS AN EPISODE! LIKE & SUBSCRIBE:

- Gaining Ground | YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@GainingGroundMen) 

- Gaining Ground | Spotify (https://tinyurl.com/3pbwbzr7)  

- Gaining Ground | Apple Podcasts (https://tinyurl.com/bp82b792)

📱 STAY CONNECTED:

- Gaining Ground | Instagram (https://instagram.com/gaininggroundmen) 

- Landon Sherman | Instagram (https://instagram.com/landonjsherman) 

- Compass Church | Instagram (https://instagram.com/mycompasschurch)

- Compass Church | Web (https://compass.church)

MUSIC CREDITS:

Obsidion (with Boda) - Judah Earl

MB01FF8PP2HB5CJ

Witch (Instrumental) - Lovedrug

MB01ZSS1RUVB0IK

Men are struggling—and most of the time, it isn’t loud or dramatic. It’s slow. It’s subtle. And it’s costing men their faith, their families, and their future. In this episode of Gaining Ground, Landon and Drew Sherman name what many men feel but rarely say out loud: when men stop growing, they don’t stay neutral—they drift. And drift, left unchecked, is deadly.

This conversation tackles the confusion men face in today’s culture, where masculinity is either mocked or exaggerated. One side tells men to be soft. The other tells them to be savage. But neither offers a sustainable, Christ-centered path forward. Landon and Drew unpack why biblical masculinity has nothing to do with hobbies, hustle culture, or appearances—and everything to do with growth, intentionality, and character. They expose how comparison, shame, exhaustion, and busyness quietly pull men off course, often without them even realizing it.

Drawing from 1 Timothy 4, the heart of Gaining Ground comes into focus: real growth takes diligence, practice, and time. The Apostle Paul’s charge to Timothy—“so that all may see your progress”—becomes a framework for understanding why personal growth isn’t just personal. When a man commits to growing in his faith, developing his God-given gifts, and living with integrity, everyone around him benefits. Growth doesn’t have to be explosive to be powerful. Incremental, steady progress is often what creates lasting change.

This episode also speaks directly to two kinds of men: the man who looks like he’s winning on the outside but feels stuck spiritually, and the man who wants to believe but isn’t sure he can because of his past or his failures. Through stories, humor, and honest reflection, Landon and Drew make it clear that no one is too far gone to grow, and no one is disqualified from starting again. God’s posture toward men isn’t condemnation—it’s patience, presence, and invitation.

At its core, this episode is a call to stop chasing extremes and start choosing consistency. You don’t need to gain 99 yards in one play. You need to gain a little ground—daily, weekly, over time. This is the beginning of a journey built around faith, brotherhood, responsibility, and wisdom, designed to help men grow in a way that’s sustainable and real.

If you’re tired of drifting, burned out from hustle culture, or unsure how to grow as a man of God, this episode sets the foundation. It’s not about perfection. It’s about progress. And when men grow, everyone gets better.

IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 – Why men struggle to grow

01:05 – The cultural confusion around masculinity

02:30 – Be soft vs be savage (why both miss the mark)

03:35 – Comparison and shame in modern men

04:40 – Drift vs growth (how men slowly lose ground)

05:40 – How men drift from faith and family

06:50 – Why growth requires intention

09:50 – Success at work but stuck spiritually

11:45 – Feeling disqualified from faith

14:00 – Hustle culture vs sustainable growth

16:30 – Why slow, consistent growth works

17:50 – The myth of “busy seasons”

19:30 – 1 Timothy 4 and spiritual growth

24:05 – Character over performance

28:40 – Small gains that change everything

🚀 START HERE!

Learn more about the Gaining Ground men’s movement and how you can get involved at https://gaininggroundmen.com.

✅ ATTEND A GATHERING:

Join us every First Wednesday at 6:30am in the DFW area at a Compass Church campus. These in-person gatherings are designed to help men reset, refocus, and move forward with intention. Oh, and there’s coffee and breakfast of course. Register now at https://gaininggroundmen.com/gatherings/.

👍 NEVER MISS AN EPISODE! LIKE & SUBSCRIBE:

- Gaining Ground | YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@GainingGroundMen) 

- Gaining Ground | Spotify (https://tinyurl.com/3pbwbzr7)  

- Gaining Ground | Apple Podcasts (https://tinyurl.com/bp82b792)

📱 STAY CONNECTED:

- Gaining Ground | Instagram (https://instagram.com/gaininggroundmen) 

- Landon Sherman | Instagram (https://instagram.com/landonjsherman) 

- Compass Church | Instagram (https://instagram.com/mycompasschurch)

- Compass Church | Web (https://compass.church)

MUSIC CREDITS:

Charged Up (Instrumental) - MARS

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Witch (Instrumental) - Lovedrug

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