Gaining Ground

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 Aubrey2:07 – Brandon Aubrey’s Welcome to the NFL Moment5:05 – Brandon Aubrey’s Unlikely Journey To The NFL7:28 – How To Steward Talent and Pursue Progress9:32 – How Brandon Aubrey Handles Pressure as an NFL Kicker15:20 – Why Pressure At Work Is Perceived18:19 – NFL Kicker: How to Bounce Back After a Miss21:38 – What The NFL Has Taught Brandon Aubrey About Family24:28 – NFL Player: Why Being a Husband and Dad Comes First32:42 – Keeping Family First During an NFL Season33:50 – How Fatherhood Changed Brandon Aubrey36:32 – Brandon Aubrey’s Faith Journey40:55 – Advice for Young Athletes Chasing a Dream41:37 – How To Turn Pressure Into Opportunity45:10 – 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) | skateshopMB01QIQMRDPRQJCWhat It Is (Instrumental) | FriendlierbearMB018TS6WURYX4MWitch (Instrumental) - LovedrugMB01ZSS1RUVB0IK

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 Together1:14 – Introducing Mukwenda & Faithustle4:18 – Why Christian Entrepreneurs Needed Something Different6:11 – The Danger of Following the Wrong Business Voices7:33 – What Real Biblical Success Actually Looks Like12:13 – You Don’t Need a “Christian” Brand to Honor God at Work13:49 – The 5 Pillars of a Faith-Driven Business17:20 – Why the Marketplace Is Central to God’s Mission22:40 – Stewardship Changes How You See Your Career25:01 – What the Fear of the Lord Has to Do With Leadership35:28 – God Cares More About Faithfulness Than Metrics39:34 – The Secret to Growing Any Organization: Grow Your People42:27 – 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 Forget0:36 – Introducing Greg Pruett of Pioneer Bible Translators3:24 – From Engineering Dreams to Bible Translation6:14 – Why So Many People Still Have No Bible8:14 – What Mission Work Taught Greg About Islam10:41 – Why Spiritual Warfare Is More Real Than We Think18:15 – The Prayer Story That Changed Everything22:23 – Healing, Deliverance, and the Power of Jesus’ Name27:26 – Why the Supernatural Feels Distant in the West29:46 – What It Really Means to Pray “In Jesus’ Name”35:25 – When You Finally Come to the End of Yourself40:55 – How to Build a Real Daily Prayer Habit50:44 – 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 RyanMB01BPAMRG7DYS5What It Is (Instrumental) | FriendlierbearMB018TS6WURYX4MWitch (Instrumental) - LovedrugMB01ZSS1RUVB0IK

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 Feelings1:24 – Introducing the Marriage Conversation2:36 – Do Opposites Really Attract?7:38 – Why Marriage Magnifies Everything9:34 – You Are Not Your Spouse’s Holy Spirit11:10 – The Biblical Role of a Helper in Marriage14:28 – Covenant Marriage vs Contract Marriage17:55 – What Happens When You Don’t Feel In Love In Marriage23:45 – Is Divorce An Option In Your Marriage?30:15 – When a Marriage Runs Out of Love38:27 – Why Marriage Is Not 50/5043:26 – 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 | RoaryMB014WOOMNSUD1YWhat It Is (Instrumental) | FriendlierbearMB018TS6WURYX4MWitch (Instrumental) - LovedrugMB01ZSS1RUVB0IK

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 - Intro0:41 - Marriage Panel Introduction3:43 - Marriage Strengths & Frustrations10:24 - How To Know If You’re Ready for Marriage15:21 - Stop Taking Marriage Advice From Culture18:41 - How to Pursue Your Wife Over Time22:16 - Why Date Nights Still Matter In Marriage24:55 - Why Marriages Can Slowly Drift Apart29:09 - Praying Together With Your Spouse33:34 - Biblical Submission Explained37:22 - Should Women Only Submit?41:44 - Fighting Complacency in Marriage43:46 - Building Mutual Admiration In Marriage44:17 - How To Reignite Your Marriage46:04 - Creating a Marriage Mission Statement47:14 - Becoming Unoffendable In Marriage48:37 - The Marriage Comparison Trap50:46 - 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) | FriendlierbearMB018TS6WURYX4MWitch (Instrumental) - LovedrugMB01ZSS1RUVB0IK

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 Shame00:39 – Cody Bobay’s Testimony: From Partying to Christ03:17 – Radical Conversion in the Military05:04 – Why Christian Men Avoid Talking About Lust06:44 – The War for Masculinity and Sexual Purity08:54 – Is Masculinity Being Attacked Today?10:12 – Shame: Satan’s Weapon Against Men12:16 – Why Christian Men Suffer in Silence13:11 – The 1% Better Mindset for Spiritual Growth20:12 – Run to God or Hide? Breaking the Shame Cycle22:20 – Pornography & Spiritual Warfare25:43 – Purity Is Possible for Christian Men30:51 – Breaking Shame from Your Past34:43 – Why Christian Men Need Brotherhood39:22 – Daily Habits to Fight Lust and Sin45:02 – 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) | FriendlierbearMB018TS6WURYX4MWitch (Instrumental) - LovedrugMB01ZSS1RUVB0IK

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 leadership03:10 – The danger of listening to the wrong voices07:50 – Criticism will refine you or define you12:20 – Judgment vs character: knowing the difference15:20 – Hurt people and hidden pain behind criticism18:35 – When critics misunderstand your intentions21:49 – Responding with integrity instead of anger25:07 – Blessing instead of cursing under pressure29:17 – When criticism hits your identity32:47 – Living out of blessing, not for approval35:23 – Not all critics are created equal37:25 – Creating a culture of honest feedback42:32 – Encouragement vs criticism in the home45:41 – Being the thermostat, not the thermometer48:08 – Rising above distraction and staying on mission49:38 – When silence is the wisest response52:19 – 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) | FriendlierbearMB018TS6WURYX4MWitch (Instrumental) - LovedrugMB01ZSS1RUVB0IK

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 decisions01:45 – 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 information10:05 – Why most decisions live in the gray11:25 – How relationships shape judgment13:20 – Why influence never stops in adulthood14:55 – Wisdom is caught, not taught17:30 – Walking with the wise (Proverbs 13:20)20:50 – Trust vs entrust: who gets access to your life22:40 – The wisdom audit every man should do23:20 – Wise men live grounded and principled lives26:40 – Why mentors accelerate wisdom30:45 – Isolation as the enemy of growth38:35 – 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 BensonMB01DGT9QCDA6JVWhat It Is (Instrumental) | FriendlierbearMB018TS6WURYX4MWitch (Instrumental) - LovedrugMB01ZSS1RUVB0IK

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 year01:45 – The discipline gap holding men back03:40 – Motivation vs discipline (why motivation doesn’t last)06:05 – Why most men struggle with consistency09:35 – The Bible on inconsistency (Romans 7 explained)12:40 – Why discipline beats talent and intention15:25 – Small habits that lead to real change18:10 – Why men quit before results show up21:00 – How long consistency actually takes to work24:20 – Discipline without perfection (stop the shame cycle)28:05 – How to recover when you fall off track31:45 – Simple reset plan for men who mess up35:30 – Process vs results (why outcomes don’t change behavior)38:50 – How disciplined men think differently41:10 – 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) - skateshopMB01U0OBFRGCKBVWitch (Instrumental) - LovedrugMB01ZSS1RUVB0IK

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 stuck01:00 – The blame loop and taking responsibility02:45 – How men deflect responsibility in everyday life04:00 – The cost of avoiding ownership (real consequences)07:30 – Why blaming others feels natural09:45 – Adam and Eve: blame from the beginning11:10 – Why successful men take responsibility12:40 – How blame damages marriages and families14:00 – 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 blame29:30 – Thermostat vs thermometer leadership36:40 – 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 EarlMB01FF8PP2HB5CJWitch (Instrumental) - LovedrugMB01ZSS1RUVB0IK

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 grow01:05 – The cultural confusion around masculinity02:30 – Be soft vs be savage (why both miss the mark)03:35 – Comparison and shame in modern men04:40 – Drift vs growth (how men slowly lose ground)05:40 – How men drift from faith and family06:50 – Why growth requires intention09:50 – Success at work but stuck spiritually11:45 – Feeling disqualified from faith14:00 – Hustle culture vs sustainable growth16:30 – Why slow, consistent growth works17:50 – The myth of “busy seasons”19:30 – 1 Timothy 4 and spiritual growth24:05 – Character over performance28:40 – 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) - MARSMB01DGT9QCDA6JVWitch (Instrumental) - LovedrugMB01ZSS1RUVB0IK