The Intentional Man Podcast

For many men, the struggle with identity begins in childhood. Culture, education, family, and the words spoken over him impact his view of himself and how he fits into the world. By finding his identity in Christ, a man can live a powerful and fulfilled life whose identity is not found in a career, wealth, or position; but rather as an intentionally created and known friend of God. A man that humbly leads by example and speaks life into those around him making a difference in both his generation and those to come.Want to develop a healthy sense of identity and help your children do the same? Join us for the next 30 minutes!

What ticks you off? What is it that you can't stand? When you look at the world through "God's eyes", what brokenness can you not ignore? Maybe it's sex trafficking or poverty. Maybe it's fatherless homes or the neglect of the aged generation. Whatever it is, it may be a passion that God has placed in your heart. In this episode we discuss how Nehemiah's God-given passion for rebuilding the broken down walls of Jerusalem allowed him to organize and encourage the people to accomplish an overwhelming task in record time. Then, we apply these principles to life today and see how we can make a difference without overcomplicating the mission and becoming overwhelmed.

What if the challenging moments we face in life are part of a larger plan that is being guided by God? Take a look at Joseph’s remarkable journey—his 22 years transitioning from tending sheep to becoming the second most powerful man in Egypt. Throughout this incredible path, God was intricately involved in every step, ensuring Joseph reached his destination at precisely the right moment, all while his faith was deepening and evolving.

Just like the scars we carry on our body have stories behind them, the scars we have from difficult times - a broken relationship, a diagnosis, a job loss - carry a powerful story that can impact the lives of others by showing how God's faithfulness brought you through. Don't waste difficult times. Embrace them. Then, learn, grow, and share so others can benefit, as well.

Today's culture is anything but pure. Social media, music, movies all seem to promote sex and selfishness. What is a godly man called to do? Believe it or not, the answer is not to shield your family from culture, but rather prepare them for it. No matter how hard you try, you will not prevent your family from encountering today's culture. So why not equip them to live a godly life in spite of it? In this podcast, learn three ways a man can maintain an unpolluted culture within his home by eliminating chaos, investing in his children daily, and maintaining healthy inputs.

Change - especially unexpected change - can suck. Most men like the predictable and controllable so when the unexpected comes and disrupts life, he may not know how to best to handle it. In this episode, Rick and Rusty discuss how a man can maximize the benefit of change by not reacting, but intentionally acting in a way that guarantees positive outcomes regardless of what change life's circumstances brings his way.

Every man will face temptation. In fact, you probably have faced some sort of temptation already today. The question is not will you face it, but what will you do when you face it?In this episode we see how Jesus handled temptation through His 3 "It is Written" statements to the devil when tempted in the wilderness and how we as men need to have these same types of declarations ready when we meet temptation in our life.

Jordan Petersen says that a good man is a dangerous man who knows how to control himself. Should a Christian man also be capable of danger? While we are commanded to turn the other cheek and love our enemies, we are also expected to protect and serve those in our care and those who cannot protect themselves. To do this requires us to be dangerous. In this episode we discuss 4 areas in which a Christian man should be dangerous, why it is important, and what to do if you feel a little "less dangerous" than you'd like to be.

Do you view failure as a means of growth? If your goals are big enough, the opportunity for failure will be ever-present and it can play a major role in your growth as a man. In this episode we cover 5 ways to approach failure to ensure it remains a "blip" on our timeline and not a destructive relapse into our old ways of doing things.

Are you setting yourself up for failure or success in 2025? In this episode we discuss 3 types of goals: outcome, action, and system. We review strengths of each style and how all three are more effective when implemented together as a whole.Have serious goals for the year ahead? This episode will help set you up for success.

As we begin 2025 lots of guys set resolutions in an effort to be better men. Better husbands, better dads, better off financially, better off spiritually, more healthy. While many of us start strong, very few actually finish that way. In fact, most have given up by the end of January. If you are one of thousands of guys who want to make 2025 an exception year of growth and improvement, this podcast covers 5 ways to ensure your desire to change goes beyond a simple "resolution" and becomes a new - and permanent - habit.

How should a man handle life when it throws unexpected misfortune his way? Job shows us that by refusing to blame others, circumstances, or God, we can make it through the tough times and know that God has plans for us on the other side.

Noah lived in a time in which the people around him did whatever they chose. Culture was anti-God and their hearts were continually focused on evil. In some ways, it was similar to our culture today. While the darkness in culture was raging, Noah was a bright, uniquely righteous, anomaly. He was a man - the only man - who honored God and when God's judgement was brought against the people, Noah found grace in His sight. Because of his righteousness, humility, obedience, and persistence, Noah was able to lead his family to salvation from the certain destruction of the coming flood. Today, godly men have the same opportunity to lead their family to the salvation found in Jesus. To do so, we must be willing to be different, be obedient, and even look a little foolish at times. It may be uncomfortable. It may be difficult. But in the end it will all be worth it.

While Cain's story is short and we do not know much about him, there are still things we can learn from history's first murderer. Competition, anger, jealousy, rage: all things you may have felt on your drive to the office this morning but also things that are very dangerous in the life of a man when left unchecked. Cain allowed these emotions to get the best of him and in a loss of control he killed his brother and created a ripple effect of guilt, judgement, punishment, and separation. In this episode, we discuss how a man can guard himself against the destructive power of jealousy and comparison and how it isn't just a cultural issue found in social media - it is even evident in the Christian arena.

What happens when a man fails to lead well in the home? Adam - history's first man - failed to lead well and this failure impacted his relationship with God, his marriage, and every one of his descendants following. In this episode we'll look at 4 ways Adam failed: 1. He left his wife unprotected. 2. He did not trust God's instruction 3. He sacrificed his wife for self-preservation / comfort 4. He caused unnecessary pain and separation

When we read of humble men in the Bible, we do not find weak or ineffective men. We see warriors, leaders, and men who accomplished great things - not because of who they were - but because of who God is. As a man understands humility from a biblical perspective he can redefine what it means in his life and how he applies it. Rather than viewing it as a sign of weakness, he may very well find it as a path to success.

Going to church, reading books, watching inspirational clips on Instagram, and (of course) listening to podcasts that promote Christian values and growth can be a great way to grow in your relationship with Christ. But, how do you know what you are hearing, reading, and watching is... well, actually true? While it is perfectly acceptable and even helpful to look for outside resources to help our Christian growth, it is also critical that we are reading the Bible ourselves and comparing what we hear to what is actually written. In this podcast Rick and Rusty discuss the importance of personal bible study and how it fits into everyday life.

For children, fear seems like a part of life. A dark room, monsters under the bed, starting a new school, and going to the dentist can send shivers down the spine of almost any 7 year old boy. As adult men, we may pretend we're over it, but fear still exists - it just looks different. Many times it is centered around failure. We're afraid of failure in a career, as a parent, as a husband, in finances, or simply life in general. In this episode, Rick and Rusty discuss the steps a man can take to identify and overcome fear and live a rich and fulfilling life full of adventure.

Temptation. It's not just sex, lust, porn. There are many areas where a man can be tempted and recognizing them is key to winning the integrity battle we face each day. In this episode Rick and Rusty discuss that while temptation is inevitable, it certainly isn't invincible. By identifying weak areas and then prayerfully and intentionally planning for battle against them, you will increase your odds of overcoming the next time temptation rears its ugly head.

The idea of giving someone else our time, resources, or energy is not at the top of most men's list - particularly if the other person is a stranger, a competitor at work, or someone who can't repay us somehow in return. It doesn't feel natural. However, when we view serving from the right perspective, we can find it as an opportunity to grow, feel more fulfilled, and experience more happiness than we'll find when simply focusing on our own comfort. In this episode, we discuss common misconceptions associated with serving, how finding value in others helps generate a desire to serve, and that serving becomes surprisingly enjoyable when we learn to find satisfaction in giving.

How do you measure your health? By a lack of sickness? By the way you feel when you wake up? By the digits that show on the bathroom scale? By the amount of weight you put up in the gym? While these markers can provide insight into a man's health, there is much more to it. In this series, we dive into the details of health: How is it defined? What does it include? How can we accurately gauge our health? And, last but not least, what tools can we use to improve and sustain excellent health throughout our life? After all, life span without health span isn't much to look forward to.

In a culture where "absolute truth" is criticized, opinions on purity vary greatly - ranging from strict adherence to traditional values and roles to a "do what feels good" and "anything goes" perspective. How does a man intentionally live a pure life and promote it in his family when the idea of biblical purity seems antiquated? Does it even matter? We'll discuss this and more in this episode of The Intentional Man Podcast.

Old or young, a man who allows himself to be held accountable to others is on the path of wisdom and success. A man who does not, however, will likely experience great failure and heartache throughout his life. No matter what we think we know, having men around us who will call us out when we're out of line is invaluable. In this episode, Rusty and Rick discuss how accountability helps create trust, aids in decision making, and sets a man up for long term success.

Farming 1800 acres. Adopting four children in addition to the three he and his wife already had. Leading a Bible study when he didn't feel adequate. Leaving it all to become a full-time missionary in Guatemala. In this episode, Greg shares how God has continually provided each time he has stepped into a new and uncomfortable calling. Through Greg's inspiring story, we learn that comfort should not be the goal, that retirement isn't the destination, and God will always equip those He calls. To support Greg’s missionary ministry or find out more, visit https://adventuresinmissions.servicereef.com/events/adventures-in-missions-3/staff-missions-2025/participants/gregksmith1996

For a man to achieve success in life, a mentor who will motivate, educate, and hold him accountable is key. Additionally, a successful man should seek out someone to pass on the knowledge he has acquired over time. In this episode, Rick and Rusty discuss the significance of mentors, mentorship, and how men can bridge the generational divide by dedicating time to mentor others.

Organization does not come naturally for everyone but it is worth the effort if you want to live a healthier, more productive, enjoyable life. By organizing your life you can build in free time for family and friends, time to focus on the most important things, and possibly even add years to your life by creating healthy habits like quality food choices and exercise.

Benches or chairs? Lights and smoke or organ and choir? Pass the plate or online giving? Most people have preferred ways of "doing church" -- and that's ok. The problem begins when we believe that our way is the only way church can and should be done. In this episode, Rusty and Rick enjoy poking a little fun at each other's preferences and then discuss how some church-goers take differences too seriously, leading to division and even church splits unless the conflict is handled in a biblical, healthy way.

John Bates, professional counselor and martial arts instructor in several fighting styles including Jiu-Jitsu, Karate, and Escrima, joins us to discuss how men can enjoy a greater quality of life by practicing principles learned in martial arts and programs such as MOVNAT that focus on training in natural functional movements.

As we celebrate Father's Day this weekend we want to thank all you dads out there doing your best to father your kids and make a difference in their life. Fatherhood can be tough and today we'll look at 6 things that every child should know about dad. From wondering if we've got what it takes to get this fatherhood thing right to carrying guilt from past failures, every dad likely has few areas of insecurity he deals with that make him wonder if he's doing a good job or just barely keeping the plates spinning.

In a 2021 study, 57% of men said they have feelings of loneliness. While many men claim they can run solo – and even prefer it – this stat proves that even men need at least one or two other guys to do life with. We aren’t made to do life alone. Even men need community. In this episode we look at causes of the loneliness men feel and also some solutions we can use to help solve the problem.

Doing hard things is important but there is also wisdom in finding an easier way to integrate difficult tasks. By finding ways to simplify these areas in life we create a better environment, become more successful, and create more space for other important areas.

Guys love a challenge and even glorify doing hard things but does everything in life have to be hard? By finding ways to simplify difficult things, we can be more successful in accomplishing them and also create more time for more important things - like our family.

A man’s perspective impacts the way he views life’s challenges. By approaching life from a growth and abundance perspective rather than a scarcity and fear perspective, a man can address, adapt to, and overcome the challenges he faces, leading his family and others to new levels.

Our perspective defines the way we view the world, the people around us, and also how we view ourselves. By developing and maintaining a healthy perspective, we can be more successful, be better equipped for meeting challenges, and have better relationships. In today’s episode we will discuss some different perspectives men carry and how we can improve our perspective when it isn’t healthy.

In the special guest episode, Dr Daniel West shares his experience with receiving a cancer diagnosis at a young age, the impacted it had on his family, and how his faith in God and being surrounded by a strong community made all the difference.

While there will always be personalities that are difficult for us to deal with, by intentionally looking for positives in them we are better able to work with others, maintain healthy family relationships, and even represent the Lord better in our life.

To start any new habit can be difficult but by intentionally approaching the change using the 4 steps discussed in today's podcast short, a man can eliminate bad or wasteful habits and replace them with good, more productive ones that allow him to invest time into the areas that really matter.

Our life is made up of a series of habits. The time we wake up, our morning routine, the route we take to work, the way we like our coffee. In life, there are times when we recognize the need to make a new habit or get rid of an old one in order to become healthier, more productive, or to just create time for more important things. However, habits are not always easy to begin - or end. In this episode, Rick and Rusty discuss how habits are formed, broken, and how to have the best success in achieving your new you.

In business, family, or another relationship, we may find ourselves in a position to challenge someone in an area that needs improvement. By approaching the individual from the right perspective and with their best in mind, we can create a positive interaction that encourages growth rather than conflict.

Challenging others can be tough. When done without consideration it can create conflict, resentment, and strain relationships. However, when approaching someone from the right perspective and looking for a win-win resolution, conflict does not have to be a part of the experience. In this episode. Rick and Rusty discuss strategies for handling situations when challenging another is necessary with a family member, friend, or in a professional environment.

The fact is, challenges will come. Sometimes daily. For the Christian man, he is able meet these challenges head-on knowing that he isn't alone. When a man places his trust in God, the challenges he will face can be met and overcome - sometimes with great difficulty - but still overcome. In this episode, Rusty shares some great tips on meeting life's challenges with boldness and expectation to succeed.

Challenges are a natural part of life and the way we view them will cause us to either hide from or embrace them. By addressing challenges head on, a man can use difficult times in life to make him stronger and better equipped to help others when they encounter similar circumstances.

Telling her you love her is good. Showing her is better. Loving her in the way she feels most loved is best. In this podcast short, learn the 5 love languages, some challenges associated with each, and ways that you can learn to love your wife in the way she feels most valued.

The way we view our wife plays a very important role in how well we love her. If you view her as an opponent or simply something to be consumed, your relationship is heading for disaster. For a man to love his wife in a way that matters to her, he needs to understand how she feels loved. And guess what, guys? It's probably different than the way you feel loved. In this episode, learn the areas in which a man needs to love his wife and the 5 love languages that Gary Chapman helped identify that most people fall within when it comes to receiving love. Click here to take the free 5 love languages test.

Some men are confident in who they are even when it's unpopular. Others wear masks, changing who they are depending on the crowd they are currently with. A man who has a strong sense of identity will be better equipped to arrange priorities, maintain values, and live a more intentional life. In this episode, Rusty shares steps a man can take to zero in on his true identity, decide if it's who he wants to be, and then challenge himself in areas that may need change.

Whether you're a doctor, salesman, lawyer, foreman, educator, or pastor, having a healthy sense of identity not associated with your profession is critical for a man in order to live a productive, directional, intentional life. In this episode, Rick and Rusty discuss where a man's identity is formed, main areas in which he may find identity, and how to assess and renew his identity if there are areas he'd like to strengthen.

In the final days before His execution and subsequent leaving behind an empty tomb, we find Jesus remaining confident in both His identity as the Son of God and in His purpose to be the ultimate sacrifice for mankind's sin. When we as men are aware of and confident in who we are and what we are called to, we are able to operate more intentionally and make a more decided difference in the world around us for the glory of God.

Where a man invests during his final days says a lot about who he is. In this episode, Rick and Rusty discuss what Jesus focused on throughout His final week and how these areas can help us keep a proper focus in our daily life.

Intentionally creating space for fun may seem unimportant but it can actually be a great way to make memories and deepen the relationships with your kids. Rusty shares how going "all in" on fun with your family may takes some planning but can pay dividends in laughter.

While it's important for us dads to invest in the serious and very important parts of raising our kids and leading our family, it's just as important for us to carve out time to be a fun dad. Our kids need to see us laughing, joking, relaxing, and enjoying our life - in a way that includes them. In this episode, Rick and Rusty share 8 ways you can score some "fun dad" points with the kids and make some great memories without spending lots of cash.