Core4Life

Nobody signs up for suffering - but nobody escapes it either. In this episode, the Core4Life guys get honest about their own seasons of pain, loss, and testing, and wrestle with the question every believer and many non-believers eventually ask: if God is good, why does he allow this?We dig into what Scripture actually says about suffering - not the bumper sticker version, but the raw, honest truth found in Job, the Psalms, Paul's letters, and more. We also talk about what the church tends to get wrong when someone is hurting, what it actually looks like to show up well, and how Paul came to call the very thing he begged God to remove a gift.If you're in a hard season right now, this one's for you. If you're not, someone close to you probably is.

What does it really look like to discern God’s will?In this episode, the Core4 guys talk openly about doubts, direction, and the tension of trying to follow God when clarity isn’t always obvious. We share moments when His leading felt undeniable - and seasons where we wrestled with uncertainty.How do you move when you don’t have the full blueprint?How do you test what you’re sensing?What does obedience look like when the outcome isn’t guaranteed?This conversation was recorded on Google Meet while we were all in different places physically - which feels fitting. Even when we’re scattered, we’re still trying to follow in the same direction.If you’re in a decision season or navigating questions of calling, this one will resonate.

We sat down and got brutally honest about money - the best financial decisions we’ve made, the worst ones we still cringe about, and the habits that quietly shape everything. Somewhere in the middle, Mike and Jarrod go way too deep on how to game the McDonald’s app for free food, because stewardship apparently starts with fries. And then, in a turn no one saw coming, Mike somehow ends the episode being “martyred.” It’s practical, self-aware, slightly unhinged, and exactly the kind of real conversation most people never have about money.If you'd like to contribute to our mission, sign up here - https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/donate-to-core4life-ministries

In this Year in Review episode, the Core4Life hosts slow down and look back on the year honestly – the wins, the setbacks, and the lessons God used along the way.Each host shares personal highs and lows from the past year, from growth and answered prayers to seasons of frustration, doubt, and recalibration. Nothing polished. Nothing filtered. Just real reflection on what it looks like to keep showing up when life doesn’t go as planned.This episode is less about accomplishments and more about alignment – where we drifted, where we grew, and what we’re carrying forward into the next year.If you’ve had a year that stretched you, surprised you, or humbled you, this one will hit close to home.

Five years ago, Core4 launched the beCHILL pillar with a heart to help men slow down, connect deeply, and build stronger relationships with their families and God. In this episode, the team looks back on what that’s meant in practice—the rhythms we’ve learned to protect, the moments that reminded us to be present, and the ways we’ve grown (and struggled) to truly rest in a busy world.We unpack how the original vision for beCHILL has evolved, what balance looks like in different seasons of life, and how intentional rest and connection have shaped our families and faith today. From camping trips and family nights to quiet time with God, it’s an honest look at how we’ve tried to live this out over the years.Whether you’ve followed Core4 from the start or are just joining us, this episode offers practical wisdom and real-life encouragement to help you slow down, find peace, and stay grounded in what matters most.

How do you share your faith when your “office” is a laptop and a Wi-Fi connection?In this episode, we sit down with John Heck to explore what it looks like to live out your faith in a remote work world. From virtual meetings to cloud-based connections, John opens up about the unique opportunities—and challenges—of bringing Christ into spaces where co-workers may never meet face-to-face. Tune in for practical insights on representing Jesus faithfully when your workplace doesn’t have walls.

Five years ago, Core4 launched the beNOBLE pillar with a vision to live with integrity, character, and purpose. In this episode, the team reflects on what that journey has looked like over the years—the lessons learned, the challenges faced, and the growth that’s taken place both individually and collectively.We dig into how the original ideas behind beNOBLE have held up, what’s changed as life has evolved, and how living with nobility impacts family, work, and community today. From practical takeaways to honest reflections, this is a candid conversation about what it really means to pursue nobility over the long haul.Whether you’ve been with us since the beginning or are new to the Core4 journey, this episode offers encouragement and perspective on staying true to your values and walking them out in real life.

Jarid was an Ohio kid that quickly found his way to New Yord to pursue a career in acting. In the middle of a successful career in TV, film, and Broadway, Jarid had a transformative encounter with Christ. Tune in to hear how he tried to navigate his world of acting with Jesus now at the center.

It’s been five years since we first laid the foundation for Core4Life—and in this episode, we sit down with Jarrod to reflect on how our beDRIVEN pillar has grown and shifted with us.What started as a push for hustle and discipline has matured into something deeper: living with intentionality, staying aligned with our purpose, and learning when to pause, pivot, or press on. We talk through personal stories, challenges, and what drive looks like today—with families, careers, and faith shaping our perspective.Whether you’re starting fresh or feeling stuck, this episode will remind you that being driven isn’t just about going hard—it’s about going the right way.

John Moyer has faithfully taught in the public schools for 34 years. He now does leadership consulting (along with some other interesting side gigs). John is a thoughtful and faithful Christian educator that offers some really wise insights to living out your faith in the workplace.

In this episode of the Core4Life podcast, Jarrod Williams joins the Core4 team to reflect on the evolution of the "beFIT" pillar since the podcast's inception five years ago. Initially, "beFIT" emphasized physical health, focusing on exercise routines and fitness goals. Over time, this concept has matured into a more holistic approach, encompassing not only physical well-being but also mental, emotional, and spiritual health.The discussion highlights how the Core4 members have integrated "beFIT" into their daily lives, recognizing that true fitness involves balance across various aspects of life. They share personal stories and insights, illustrating how their understanding of fitness has deepened, leading to more intentional living and a commitment to overall well-being.This episode offers listeners a candid look at the journey of personal growth and the importance of adapting one's approach to fitness as life evolves. It's a testament to the Core4Life mission of continuous improvement and the pursuit of a balanced, fulfilling life.

Dr. Jason Kolb is back. This time Jason's wife, Amy, joins us as the share their powerful testimony of how God met them in their personal tragedy. After a dramatic skiing accident, God began to do amazing things in and through them. Listen in to hear how God met them on their journy.Buy Dr. Kolb's book here.

Dr. Jason Kolb has been rooted in his faith since childhood. He was also called into medicine at an early age. Hear how he tries to bring spiritual light and life in a setting that is constantly dealing with physical darkness and death.

Have you ever felt like you've been in a spiritual dry season? Has God ever seemed distant? It happens to everyone, but God doesn't want us to stay in that spot. Join the Core4 + Jarrod Williams as we discuss dry seasons that we've felt in our own lives, how we've identified them, and ultimately how we've gotten out of them. We hope this episode serves as encouragement and inspiration for anyone listening that may be struggling through a dry season.

In this first follow-up episode to our latest podcast - Faith in the Workplace - Jarrod interviews police officer Travis Ebetino. Travis heard the gospel in a clear and powerful way in college which sent him on a journey of sharing Jesus wherever God takes him. God has led him on multiple overseas deployments and he also currently serves as a police officer. Listen to what faith in the workplace looks like for him.

Core4 + Pastor Jarrod Williams is finally happening! And it's everything he's always dreamed of. In this series, Jarrod will interview people from all walks of life and find out how they integrate their faith into their day-to-day life and their livelihoods. We're kicking off this awesome series with the 4 Ps of faith in the workplace - Point, Problems, Plan, Prayer. We're also joined halfway through the podcast by a very special guest... Listen in to find our who it is!

Boy has it been a slow year for C4L podcasts! Sorry about that and thanks for hanging in there with us anyway. In this episode we talk through what's been going on in our lives, ask each other questions about how we're going to make 2025 our best year ever, and just enjoy time catching up. Join in for the conversation, the questions, and the methods that we're going to implement to make 2025 the best year ever.

We sit down with our good friend and frequent guest, Joe Weigel. He's quickly becoming a top scholar on the life and works of C.S. Lewis. Join us as we discuss that and more on this episode.

It's been a while but we hope you're ready for a great episode featuring Tom Chamberlin - Discipleship Pastor at Riverwood Chapel in Stow, OH. We talk through the various paths of discipleship, what it means to be a disciple, and the potential dangers of AI.

We finish 2023 with some final thoughts on the events of the year including where we've seen God move in our lives, things that we want to focus on going into 2024, and how we plan to be "On Mission". We also discuss the recent passage of Issue 1 in Ohio. What that means for Christians and how we need to extend everyone grace while still holding firmly to Biblical truths.

Our first three-time guest is back on the mics with us - Pastor Jarrod Williams! We kick off the episode with the classic game - 2 truths and a lie - with some pretty hilarious results. Then we dig into some more serious topics including Alpha Course, Jarrod's recent pastoral sabbatical, counseling, and finish up the episode with some discussion on lies that we all tell ourselves.

The Core4 are finally back together again! We sit down to discuss John Mark Comer's book, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry. It's a challenging read that pushes back against some of the prevailing attitudes in our culture right now when it comes to success, drive, and time management. Do we think hurry should be ruthlessly eliminated? Tune in to find out!

Dan Blechschmid volunteered to serve with Samaritan's Purse on their Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) after hearing our past guest, Brock Kreitzberg, talk about the work that they were doing. He shared with us his history and heart for missions, both domestic and international, as well as some of the most impactful stories that he saw while deployed in war-torn Ukraine. Resources: Radical The Unexpected Adventure No Excuses 33 the Series Good Works Mission A Note from Dan: To my friends from Samaritan’s Purse – As said in the podcast, while I am a huge fan, I am not an official spokesperson for Samaritan’s Purse so comments in the cast do not officially represent Samaritan’s Purse the organization, but I hope you agree I tried my best to speak consistent with the mission of our great organization.    Please also know that before I agreed to do the podcast, I did contact and receive permission from Samaritan’s Purse media relations and they with security to ensure that this was permitted.  I pray for you and thank God for you each day, and for the amazing and selfless work that you do to share the love of Jesus Christ around the world!  To my family, my friends, my church, and my work – I don’t think I officially said “thank you” in the pod cast.   The unexpected and sheer volume of support received through hundreds of prayers, comments, texts, emails were so very much appreciated – more than you will ever know.   THANK YOU does not come close to covering it but that’s all I have.   Now I also have to be so bold as to ask one more thing of you.   Please continue to pray for and support missionaries, mission workers, deployed Samaritan’s Purse staff for their safety, and for their continued success in sharing the love of Jesus wherever they are serving.    

The Core4 (minus one) sit down with our friend, and author, Joe Weigel, to discuss his new book and the current state of schools in the USA. Order Joe's book here - The Critical State of Education: How Classical Education Can Defeat Critical Marxism

The Core 4 sit down to discuss Christianity Today's The Rise & Fall of Mars Hill podcast. The group comes at the podcast from 2 different sides with some of us not having any experience with Mark Driscoll's ministry beforehand, and some of us being impacted by his ministry previously. The conversation is spirited and lively as we try to unpack the question: "Do the ends justify the means?"

The Core4 wraps up the year by sitting down to talk through our highlights from 2022. We discuss our favorite Core4 moments, favorite books, fitness highlights, and more! We also provide a sneak peek at the 2023 Core4Life Pillar Challenge that you can jump into from anywhere! Just click this link to join our Facebook group and get in on the challenge!

Are you afraid of flying? Do you write your "will" on a random piece of paper and sign it to make it "official" when you're traveling? Apparently you're not alone... Listen in to this hysterical conversation with Justin and Kristin Berthiaume! We talked about listening to God's calling, chatting with door-to-door Mormons, real estate, coming back to the faith, and much more with this cool couple!

Joey Jenkins is one of the most driven people that we know! Listen in as he talks about where that drive comes from, the challenges that he's faced in his life, how he regularly wrestles with God, and how he learned that God will straighten what satan twists.  This is a hugely impactful episode that you won't want to miss! Resources: Joey's Documentary - Perception | From Prison to Purpose Joey's Book - Never Hit the Snooze Button Vooks Slaying the Dragon

This is a truly inspiring episode that you don't want to miss! Our good friend, Justin Dodson, walks us through his journey from full-time college ministry to a sales job. The ups, the downs, and everything in between. If you've ever been out of a job, or felt lost at times, this episode is for you. Justin also gives some great reading recommendations: Hero on a Mission - Donald Miller J-Curve - Paul Miller Wounded - Terry Wardle Extreme Ownership - Jocko Willink

The Core4 is back and talking about our love/hate relationship with screen time as parents. We talk about some of the stigmas associated with screen time, how we handle it with our kids, and give some practical advice on how to "redeem" screen time for your family. Links: YouTube Channels Mark Rober Backyard Scientist Ninja Kidz Dude Perfect Smarter Every Day Slow-mo Guys Sci Show Kids Rightnow Media The Creators Bible Man Apps/Audio books Vooks Hoopla Ideas other than screens Week or 2 of no screen time in the summer Hikes Board games: Catan Jr, Ticket to Ride Jr, Sequence, Trekking the National Parks

The Core 4 sit down to talk about loving others even when it's difficult. God commands us to love everyone, including our enemies. We talk about why that's so hard to do sometimes and give some practical ways that we can put that into practice. 

We were honored to be able to sit down and talk with NFL Hall of Famer, Darrell Green at his charity golf outing. For those that may not know who Darrell Green is…he’s a pretty big deal. Arguably the best defensive back to ever play the game and arguably the fastest player of all time, once recording a 4.09 40 time. He was a 2x Super Bowl Champ, NFL Man of the Year, 7x pro-bowler, holding double-digit NFL records…the list goes on and on as he is one of the most decorated defensive players to ever play. But most importantly, he always stayed humble, worked extremely hard, and stayed focused on his main purpose, which was fulfilling God’s plan for his life and living for Him and not fame and fortune. That led him to start the Darrell Green Youth Life Foundation to develop leaders by making long-term investments in children from at-risk communities. The foundation accomplishes this by supporting students academically, developing their character from a young age, raising expectations, and investing in their lives through committed mentoring relationships. My sister Heather, who we had on an earlier podcast, started this foundation in Richmond, Virginia and they have been running strong now for over 20 years.  We took the opportunity to sponsor a hole at their golf tournament this year, where we hung out all day, talking with each group and the celebrities coming through about what we’re all about here at Core4Life. We were also able to sit down with Darrell for a bit and record this podcast to hear more about his heart for the foundation. Darrell was quick to mention to us that he turns down most podcasts, but because it was my sister, he was happy to make an exception and we were very appreciative.

What's the most uncomfortable thing to talk about in church? We're guessing "sex" is at or near the top of the list you just came up with. That's why we wanted to add it to our "Confronting Challenging Issues" series. Today the Core4 sit down to talk about sex from a Christian perspective including sex before marriage, society's view of sexuality, pornography and the damage it can cause, and God's ultimate plan for sex and intimacy in marriage. If you haven't listened to the rest of the series, check out our episodes on Money, Drinking, and Truth.

Why is truth a challenging issue? In this episode we bring back one of our first guests, Pastor Jarrod Williams from Redemption Chapel, to discuss it.  We live in an age of "my truth", and "it's true for you but not for me." How do we approach the topic as Christians? Is there such a thing as subjective truth? Listen in as we cover those topics and more.

We got the privilege to sit down with former US Winter Olympian and American Bobsled World Champion, Brock Kreitzburg, to talk about his crazy journey through sports, the Olympics, and Hollywood and how all of that left him feeling empty and in search of what God wanted for his life and not what he wanted. That led him to full-time mission work with Samaritan’s Purse and now as Executive Director for Summit Missions in Green, OH. You won’t want to miss this episode as we kick off season 3. If you ever have a feeling that there could be more to life than what you are currently experiencing; give this a listen and see if you might be searching for what you want for yourself and not necessarily what God wants.

Have you missed one of our episodes this season? It's ok. We forgive you.  We've had an amazing year full of fantastic guests, new experiences, and great content. We tried to boil down some of our favorite moments from this season into one episode. If you like the clips that you hear and want to listen to the full episode we've linked them below. Thanks so much for being the best listeners! Jerrad Lopes Len Howser Andy Shepperd Rick McKee Josh Dujanovic Joseph Rojas Missionaries

The Giver, The Challenger, The Peacemaker, The Individualist. Are these the latest Marvel superheroes? Nope. They're some of the types of the Enneagram personality test. In this episode, the Core4 takes an online Enneagram test (only the most official) and then go over their results. We try to guess each others' types and have a lot of fun in the process. Whether you swear by the Enneagram or not, it definitely helps you discover some things about yourself and the people that you're closest to. If you'd like to take the test or see what the different Enneagram types are, here are some helpful links: Enneagram Types The Enneagram test we took

The Core4 is back and talking about another challenging issue: Money.  Everybody wants it. Nobody likes talking about it. It can easily run or ruin your life. Listen in as we talk through some of the stigmas of money, how we deal with it in our lives, the importance of giving, why Jesus talked about it a lot, and so much more. 

Our good friend, Dan Lemoine, is back on the show talking about his new book, Fear No Food. We talk with Dan about the process of writing his book, some of the reasons behind writing it, and he gives some great tips on health and nutrition. This is Dan's second time on the show. If you missed his first episode, check it out here - Dan Lemoine 

When it comes to alcohol, how much is too much? Some Christians would say that we shouldn't drink at all. Some would say "Jesus drank wine... so let's go!" In this episode, we talk through this challenging issue that can easily divide the church. We give our own personal experiences with alcohol, talk through our decision to feature bourbon in our first season, and much more.

As disciples of Christ, we are called to be missionaries. For most of us; that resides within the family and community around us. Listen in as we got the unique opportunity to sit down with 2 different couples who are full-time overseas missionaries and how God has specifically challenged them to make an impact for his kingdom. Resources: Speaking of Jesus by Carl Medearis When Helping Hurts by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert Reading Romans With Eastern Eyes by Jacskon W. Perspectives on the World Christian Movement by Ralph D. Winter

We had the absolute privilege of chatting with Joseph Rojas, lead singer of Seventh Day Slumber and owner of Nashville Label Group! We talked about his weight loss journey, his family, sobriety, and the struggles that go along with it, how the band has been able to play free-to-the-public shows over the past year, and so much more.  Listen in as we dig into Joseph's life, his struggles, challenges, successes, and failures. He has an incredible heart for Jesus and palpable love for people who are struggling. We loved every minute of this interview!

Mission work is always at the top of our minds at Core4Life, whether that be at home, in our community, at our workplaces, or elsewhere. Today we got the chance to talk to Josh Dujanovic and our very own Ryan Shary after they just got back from a trip to Roblealto in Costa Rica. Listen in to hear a little more about Josh, his faith story, his huge heart for God, and how that led him to Roblealto. But also how that affects his everyday life and some practical applications for those of us that sometimes forget pretty easily.

In this Quick Hits episode, we chat with our past guest, Kory Bays, about repentance. What it means, how to do it, why it's important to us as Christians, and more. We'll be bringing you these shorter, one-topic Quick Hits episodes every other week! Stay tuned for more great content!

***DISCLAIMER*** Someone (who shall remain nameless) didn't switch the mic again off of the laptop mic, so the quality of the recording is not up to Core4Life standards...our most humble apologies. However, the content from Joe was still very high quality. So join us this week as we sat down with Joe Haddad and listen in on how he started up his own company, University Tees, almost 20 years ago, which has grown to 200 people at their headquarters and 700+ people working remotely from over 300 campuses across the country. Along with the craziness of running this company, he walked us through many other things he's involved in, the challenges he's faced and how they've helped shape who he is today. All with raising a family of 4 alongside his wife Ashley. Get ready to be motivated. Resources mentioned by Joe: ISI Life F3 Master Plan Coach Fit Soul by Ben Greenfield Success is not an Accident by Tommy Newberry

We talked with Pastor Rick McKee from Redemption Chapel about what the church is doing around racial reconciliation. We discuss some of the history, as well as how to approach the topic and have meaningful conversations and dialog around some of the hot-button issues in our culture. We'll be bringing you these shorter, one-topic Quick Hits episodes every other week! Stay tuned for more great content!

We are blessed by some amazing wives. In today's episode, you'll get to find out more about our (waaaaay) better halves. We sit down with all of the Core4Wives - Miranda (Ryan), Sara (Mike), Laura (Matt), and Kendall (Andrew) - to get their thoughts on what it was like when we started the podcast, what the pillars mean to them, how they've seen us change through this experience, their favorite episodes, and much more! Resources: Kids Bowl Free Pass It On - Jim Burns The Gospel Coalition Let Them Be Kids - Jessica Smartt How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind, Decluttering at the Speed of Life - Dana K. White The Minimal Mom Dumbing Us Down - John Taylor Gatto

Join us this week to listen in on our conversation with Kory Bays, as he walked through the challenges of starting his own business and his trials of faith through that process.

This is the final episode of a four-part Quick Hits series where we dig deeper into each of our Core4 pillars. Today we'll talk about our beCHILL pillar. What does it mean to #beCHILL? Why did we include that as one of our core pillars? Join us as we talk about what the pillar represents to us, how we put it into practice, and where we intend to go with it in the future. We'll be bringing you these shorter, one-topic Quick Hits episodes every other week! Stay tuned for more great content!

We were excited to get the chance to learn more about our lead pastor, Rick McKee, from Redemption Chapel. We sat down with him and chatted about all kinds of things, including his path to faith, his time in ministry, what he loves about Redemption Chapel, and even some of the things that are difficult for him. On top of all that, he has some great tips on parenting!