Men of the Mountain

In this special joint episode of The Men of the Mountain Podcast and Into the Fire Podcast, John Baker and Zach Monroe sit down for a real, unscripted conversation about what it means to be a man in today’s world. This isn’t an interview—it’s two men with parallel missions exploring where their work overlaps and where it differs.Together, they dive into owning your story, facing adversity instead of running from it, discipline versus distraction, masculine vulnerability, brotherhood, and the silent battles many men fight alone. Drawing from their personal experiences with faith, addiction, trauma, fatherhood, leadership, and the healing power of the outdoors, John and Zach unpack how challenge, accountability, and intentional daily practices shape resilient men.This conversation is about stepping out of autopilot, finding purpose through responsibility and service, and learning how adversity can become a credential for leadership rather than a source of shame. If you’re a man navigating identity, isolation, or the tension between strength and vulnerability, this episode is an invitation to step into the fire—and come out stronger.You can find and follow Zach with the following links:Forge & Freedom Social: @ForgeNFreedomInto The Fire Podcast:YouTubeSpotifyApple Podcasts

After a long overdue return to the mic, this episode of The Men of the Mountain Podcast comes straight from the trails, the cold air, and the quiet voice of God speaking in the wilderness. What started as a hike to Horsetail Falls turned into two hours of impressions, ideas, promptings, and lesson, In this episode, I share seven lessons the mountain teaches us about struggle, growth, alignment, pacing, opposition, and the presence of God in our daily climb. From resisting the urge to quit in the first mile, to understanding what struggle really means, to learning when to push and when to rest, these insights connect outdoor experience with spiritual truth in a simple, relatable, and deeply personal way.If you’ve ever felt behind, unprepared, discouraged, or unsure if God is really walking with you, this conversation is for you. The message is simple:Trust Him. Keep moving. He directs the path, both up the mountain and through the wilderness.

In this episode of Men of the Mountain, host I sit down with my brother Caleb to unpack the lessons learned from completing the grueling DC Peaks 50 — a 50-mile ultramarathon with over 10,000 feet of elevation gain that took place on the second wettest day in Utah history.Caleb shares how his motivations for ultra running have evolved over time — from chasing clout to finding peace, discipline, and purpose as a father. He explains how he trained differently this time, prioritizing durability, holistic health, and mental strength over mileage. Together, the brothers explore the deeper parallels between endurance and fatherhood: learning to stay calm under pressure, facing adversity with gratitude, and embracing the process rather than just the finish line.From running into lightning storms to enduring sleepless nights as a dad, this conversation dives into what it truly means to be a “man of the mountain” — to choose tranquility in chaos, and to let challenges strip away everything unnecessary until only your truest self remains.

In this episode of Men of the Mountain, I sit down with Michael Anderson, therapist-turned-coach and founder of Unbound, to talk about healing from pornography and transforming shame into strength.Michael shares how real freedom comes not from fighting urges, but from understanding the deeper needs behind them. We unpack how shame keeps men stuck, how to replace guilt with growth, and what it means to lead with authenticity and self-compassion.If you’ve ever struggled with addiction, self-doubt, or the pressure to appear “put together,” this conversation will remind you that healing begins when you stop hiding and start connecting.Links:Michael's Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/4AJom5qLrU9o0iypjopNm6?si=476d5a0bd9a746bcMichael's Podcast (Apple Podcasts): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unbound-helping-husbands-fathers-outgrow-pornography/id1837528293

We continue exploring what it means to be a Man of the Mountain—a man of faith, strength, and purpose in a chaotic world.In Part 2, we break down three outward-facing principles:Salt of the Earth: preserving goodness and healing through integrity and faith.The Sheepdog : standing guard, protecting others, and leading with courage and humility.Charity: embodying the pure love of Christ in every challenge.This episode is a call for men to rise above mediocrity, live with conviction, and become “mountain ready” in spirit and action."Arise from the dust… and be men."To learn more about the Men of the Mountain coaching program, schedule an appointment with John Baker: https://calendly.com/johncbaker814/30min

Frank Schwartz, CEO of the international men's leadership movement F3 Nation, shares insights and stories of how his "perfect" life began to crumble, how he began his journey of giving his life to God, and how men can create impact around them. Find your closest F3 workout here - https://map.f3nation.com/

We are not living in easy times. We are living in hard times. And in hard times, men are called to rise up, to lead, and to keep climbing when others camp out on false summits. This episode is Part 1 of a 2-part series on becoming a Man of the Mountain.In this first part, we break down three core principles: Preparation, Taking and Relinquishing Control, and Accepting Discomfort. These are not abstract ideas. They are daily disciplines that determine whether you stay stuck or keep moving forward.

In this episode of the Men of the Mountain podcast, we introduce our very first guests of the show. We go in depth in the story and experiences of three brothers who all struggled with pornography. While shockingly similar at first glance, we quickly see the differences come to light as these three brothers talk about their battles with pornography for the very first time.

In the final episode of this 3-part series on spiritual perspectives for personal development, we look at the power of Jesus Christ as our Advocate. More than a Savior of all mankind, He knows you personally, pleads your cause before the Father, and claims you as His own. Discover how this truth brings confidence, pushes back shame, and transforms our relationship with Him into something deeply personal.

Last time on the Men of the Mountain podcast, we talked about sin—not just as rebellion, but as part of God’s plan to teach us, humble us, and shape our character. We looked at the story of Adam and Eve and how their choice, though often called a mistake, actually opened the door for growth, knowledge, and progress. I also shared from my own life how even my battles with pornography have taught me lessons that now strengthen my marriage, my fatherhood, and my faith. The takeaway was this: sin isn’t the end of the story—it can actually be the beginning of becoming who God intends us to be.

In this episode of Men of the Mountain, we begin a 3-part series on spirituality and how it shapes our confidence, identity, and ability to overcome life’s hardest battles. Today, we look at sin not as a word of shame, but as a vital part of God’s plan to teach, humble, and strengthen us. Through the story of Adam and Eve, we’ll explore how mistakes and weakness can actually become stepping stones toward growth and greater closeness with God.

Satan’s favorite weapon is twisting the truth — about God, about pornography, and about who you really are. But you don’t have to keep living under those lies. In this episode of Men of the Mountain, we explore six powerful ways to fight back, reclaim your confidence, and stand firm in your true identity as a son of God. Along the way, we’ll clear up some misconceptions about dopamine, talk about the brain chemicals that keep you grounded in the present, and share practical tools you can start using today.If you’re ready to break the cycle of shame, rediscover your worth, and rise as a warrior for truth — this episode is for you.6 Tactics PDF: https://subscribepage.io/aQYNeHThe Art of Manliness Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tame-the-dopamine-drive-how-to-stop-chasing-and-start-living/id332516054?i=1000716529140

In this episode of Men of the Mountain, we confront a reality most avoid: that evil is real, and its architect—Satan—has a plan. Drawing from scripture, ancient wisdom, and modern spiritual insights, we reveal how Satan’s tactics aren’t always dramatic or obvious. They’re subtle, targeted, and aimed at one goal: to make you miserable, distracted, and spiritually numb. But there’s hope. When we understand our enemy, we can fight back with clarity and conviction. This episode challenges Christian men to wake up, armor up, and reclaim their purpose in the face of darkness.

This is the story of how Men of the Mountain began: not in a studio, but waist-deep in the freezing Sweetwater River. When I was 18, I carried a paraplegic boy across that river during a reenactment of the 1856 handcart rescue. What began as a pioneer experience became a moment of spiritual awakening that shaped the rest of my life. That’s where I first felt the weight and responsibility of the word rescue, and my personal need to BE rescued. In this episode, I share the pivotal moments that led me here: the sacred stillness of Martin’s Cove, the personal wrestle with pornography and self-worth, the career detour that drained me, and the unmistakable call I received from God to “build an army.” You’ll hear about the tears, the resistance, and the moment I knew I couldn’t hide behind writing anymore—I had to speak.I also unpack the symbolism behind the name Men of the Mountain, and how the mountains of scripture—from Sinai to Horeb—represent the places where God calls men, refines them, and gives them purpose. This is my origin story. 

In this first episode of Men of the Mountain, I share my personal journey — from the early roots of a pornography habit to the healing I found in Jesus Christ. You’ll hear how curiosity, pain, and loneliness shaped my struggles, and how shame nearly kept me silent. But you’ll also hear how God met me in the wilderness of my adversity and began turning me into a warrior.This episode isn’t just about addiction — it’s about identity. About how our mortal struggles don’t define us, but how we respond to them does. It’s about realizing we are sons of God, deeply loved even in our imperfections.If you’ve ever felt stuck, ashamed, or alone, my hope is that this story gives you courage and clarity. Because not only is there hope in adversity — there is complete transformation.