The Holistic Man Podcast: Ordinary Men, Extraordinary Gifts

I’m going to be honest… I felt like I was losing my mind. But what I realized is— I wasn’t losing my mind in the way I thought… I was being confronted with the reality that my thinking was off. In this video, I open up about how avoiding my thoughts, my emotions, and my internal struggles caused me to mishandle something that actually mattered. Because of past wounds, hurt, and unresolved issues, I didn’t have the capacity to receive what God was trying to place in my life. And the truth is… it cost me. But through that loss, God showed me something powerful: You have to lose your mind… to gain the mind of Christ. We often think “losing our mind” means we’re breaking down—but what if it actually means we’re being rebuilt?

What does it look like when a christian coach decides that winning games is secondary to winning lives? Tirrell McIver is an educator, football coach, and a man on assignment. In this conversation, he shares how God redirected his passion for football into a ministry, one player, one life at a time.This isn't a sports story. It's a story about what happens when a man of god stops chasing titles and starts building kingdom men.

Today marks one year since my dad transitioned into eternity, and I wanted to take this time to honor him. This video is a heartfelt tribute to his life, filled with personal reflections and cherished memories, highlighting our father-son relationship. It’s a reflection on the lessons, the love, and the legacy he left behind. My dad wasn’t just my father—he was my teacher, my leader, and one of the greatest examples of what it means to be a man of faith, strength, and presence.

He was in a 7-year relationship. Then God said, "This is not who I have for you, my son." What he did next changed everything. In this episode of The Holistic Man Podcast, Karim Graves — poet, worshiper, behavior teacher, and husband — shares one of the most raw and courageous testimonies of obedience you'll hear. If you've ever wrestled with surrendering your plans to God — in your relationships, your calling, or your identity as a man — this conversation is for you.

Your thoughts aren't just private, they're a reflection. And God isn't just concerned with what you think… He's concerned with what your thoughts represent. This is Part 3 of the TRAIN Your Mind series, a framework for biblical mental discipleship built for men who are serious about transformation.

We all experience those moments when a thought just doesn't feel right, yet it lingers. This video explores why we often let these "negative thoughts" persist, leading us to question our own thinking patterns. Discover how to identify and manage "intrusive thoughts" using the TRAIN framework, specifically the GATE phase, to prevent common "thinking errors". This approach helps you develop greater "self control" over your mental landscape. ⚔️

Men, it's time to address what's silently weakening your mind every day. We dive into 1 Peter 5:8, exploring the true "word meaning" of "sober" beyond just abstaining from alcohol to maintaining a "clear your mind" and "christian discipline". This "biblical teaching" is vital for your "spiritual growth" and for confronting the spiritual warfare that seeks to cloud your judgment. ⚔️

Your mind is a battlefield and most men were never taught how to fight. This is your 60-second guide to train your mind with truth. Not willpower. Not hustle. Truth. Romans 12:2 gives you the process. Jesus gives you the promise in John 8:32. Together, they change how you think and how you lead. The move is simple: When a thought hits, ask yourself, "Is this true?" If it isn't, reject it. You are not broken. You are becoming. 📖 Open your Bible today. The truth that sets you free is already in your hands.

What does it really take for a man to move from darkness into true biblical manhood? In this powerful episode of The Holistic Man, we sit down with Paul Rickard — U.S. military veteran, church planter, business owner, and co-senior leader of Citadel Ministries. Paul’s journey is not a typical church story. After walking away from God, diving into the occult and New Age practices, and battling anger and disillusionment, he experienced a radical encounter that changed everything. Today, he is passionate about restoring biblical discipleship and calling men back to spiritual leadership. If you’ve ever questioned what biblical manhood truly means… If you believe men are being underdeveloped in the modern church… If you want to grow as a disciple of Jesus… This episode is for you.

Not every thought you have is true. If you don’t train your mind, your mind will train you. In this episode, I break down a biblical method to control your thoughts using Philippians 4:8 and what I call the TRAIN framework. This is a practical guide to mental discipleship — learning how to renew your mind, stop negative thought spirals, and build spiritual discipline daily. If you’ve struggled with: • Negative thoughts • Insecurity or comparison • Shame or temptation • Overthinking • Lack of mental control This teaching will show you how to: ✔ Take every thought captive ✔ Renew your mind biblically ✔ Filter thoughts through Scripture ✔ Rewire old mental patterns ✔ Build mental authority as a Christian man

Who is controlling your thoughts? In today’s world filled with anxiety, comparison, temptation, and distraction, Christian men are losing the battle of the mind silently. But Scripture teaches that real transformation begins with renewing your mind. “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” — Proverbs 23:7 In this powerful message for Christian men, we break down: How your thoughts shape your identity What the Bible says about renewing your mind (Romans 12:2) How to take every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5) What it means to have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16) How to experience perfect peace by setting your mind on God (Isaiah 26:3) A biblical mental framework from Philippians 4:8 If you want to develop mental discipline, overcome negative thoughts, and live as a Spirit-governed man, this message is for you. The mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. (Romans 8:6) It’s time to guard your mind. Train your thoughts. Walk in authority.

Christian men are taught to pray, provide, and push through but rarely taught how to process pain. In this episode of The Holistic Man: Ordinary Men, Extraordinary Gifts, we unpack why emotional health, biblical discipleship, and therapy are not in conflict. Cameron Stokes shares his journey from cultural Christianity to intentional faith, leadership in men’s ministry, and why vulnerability is strength not weakness. We talk about grief, anger, isolation, brotherhood, and the truth many men avoid: You need Jesus. And sometimes, you need a therapist too. This episode addresses: Christian men and mental health Faith and therapy Why men struggle with vulnerability Emotional healing for men Building healthy men’s ministry Biblical masculinity and leadership How to grow spiritually and emotionally If you’re a husband, father, leader, or man trying to grow in Christ but feeling stuck internally, this conversation will challenge and equip you.

Most men think they’re confident. But most men have never been taught the difference between confidence and cockiness. In this episode of The Holistic Man, we break down: • What cockiness really is (and why the Bible warns about pride) • How comparison quietly builds insecurity • Why approval-seeking destroys masculine authority • What real biblical confidence looks like • How to become bold without becoming arrogant So which one are you building? If you’ve ever struggled with pride, insecurity, comparison, ego, or needing approval, this message is for you.

Are you a Christian man struggling with identity? In this episode of The Holistic Man Podcast, I share the three biggest lies I believed about identity and how finding my identity in Christ completely changed my life. Many Christian men tie their worth to achievement, independence, or their past mistakes. But biblical masculinity teaches something different. 

In this powerful episode, we’re joined by Clayton Phillip Anderson — a revivalist at heart whose life is marked by a deep passion for seeing the restoration of the manifested sons of God rise up in the Church. For Clayton, a move of God isn’t just something he talks about — it’s his life’s mission. Having preached the Gospel since the age of 14, Clayton has witnessed the supernatural power of God firsthand. His testimony leaves no room for doubt: God is alive, God is moving, and God is still performing miracles today. This conversation is filled with faith, fire, and encouragement for men hungry for revival and authentic relationship with God.

In this episode, we’re joined by Trevón Gross Jr., a husband, father, speaker, author, and leader passionate about equipping others to step boldly into the life they are called to live. With experience spanning ministry, business, and leadership, Trevón has dedicated his life to empowering individuals to rise above fear, embrace their calling, and build purpose-driven lives rooted in faith and intentionality. His insight brings both wisdom and challenge for anyone ready to grow into the fullness of who God created them to be. This conversation will encourage you to confront fear, walk in confidence, and pursue purpose with clarity and conviction.

In this episode of The Holistic Man Podcast: Ordinary Men, Extraordinary Gifts, we sit down with Jeremiah Bligen — a gifted artist from Johns Island, South Carolina, known for merging biblical truth with real-life experiences through his music. Jeremiah is committed to producing conviction-filled content that points listeners toward hope, faith, love, and devotion. Inspired by the sounds of 90s/2000s hip-hop, rock, R&B, gospel, and the spirituals his grandfather sang, he blends rapping, singing, songwriting, and production to create a sound that is uniquely his own.

In this episode of The Holistic Man Podcast: Ordinary Men, Extraordinary Gifts, my guest is not only a man of excellence and impact, but also family—my cousin, James W. Smith,II: a proud carrier of the Smith name and legacy. James is a husband, leader, minister, musician, and man who carries both family legacy and Kingdom legacy with honor. Join us for this powerful conversation on faith, leadership, and legacy.

In this episode of The Holistic Man Podcast: Ordinary Men, Extraordinary Gifts, we’re joined by AJ Hall, a man whose life is a testimony of creativity fully surrendered to Christ. He describes himself simply as “a man striving to serve the Lord with the utmost obedience,” and his journey reflects that heart. Saved at the young age of seven, licensed as a minister at eighteen, and ordained at twenty-five, AJ’s walk with God has been steady and Spirit-led. But beyond the pulpit, he’s a gifted creative, an anointed spoken word artist and poet whose words carry power and conviction. You may have seen him on Season 5 of Verses & Flow, where his artistry left an unforgettable mark. He’s also the author of Situationships, a powerful relationship and poetry book, and the producer, writer, and lead of a web series that merges faith, art, and storytelling. Yet, above all, AJ cherishes his most important roles: husband and father. This episode is a deep dive into faith, creativity, obedience, and the beauty of using your gifts to glorify God.

In this episode of The Holistic Man Podcast: Ordinary Men, Extraordinary Gifts, we’re joined by Mario Martinez — CEO, business coach, and host of The Unbound Podcast. Mario shares powerful insight on faith, leadership, and what it means to build a marriage and legacy on the foundation of Christ.  He reminds us that true fulfillment isn’t found in success alone but in walking in the fear of the Lord.  

In this episode of The Holistic Man Podcast: Ordinary Men, Extraordinary Gifts, we’re joined by Codi Fernandez — a Las Vegas native, creative, and multi-talented artist known by his moniker King Codi. Codi is a musician, actor, and graphic artist with a unique gift for merging creativity and faith. As the host of the podcast To The Point, he creates space for real conversations about God, anime, and life—blending depth, humor, and authenticity in every dialogue. From music studios to faith discussions, King Codi brings an artistic fire and spiritual insight that challenges listeners to think deeper, create freely, and live purposefully.

In this episode of The Holistic Man Podcast: Ordinary Men, Extraordinary Gifts, we sit down with Pastor Brad Milks of First Presbyterian Church in Eden, NC.

On this special episode of The Holistic Man Podcast: Ordinary Men, Extraordinary Gifts, I get the incredible honor of sitting down with my parents, Jeffery and Lillie Smith, to talk about life, love, and the lessons they’ve learned from 39 years of marriage for the last time on this podcast. We laugh, we reflect, and we talk honestly about what it’s taken to build a marriage that lasts. From their early days of figuring things out together to the challenges that tested their faith and the love that held them together, they share what they’ve learned about commitment, grace, forgiveness, and fighting for each other when life gets hard. Their story is rich with wisdom, not just about marriage, but about walking with God, raising a family, and staying grounded through every season. Whether you’re single, married, divorced, or somewhere in between, this conversation will leave you encouraged and full of hope.

This Father’s Day, we’re flipping the script! On this heartfelt and joy-filled episode of The Holistic Man: Ordinary Men, Extraordinary Gifts, I’m honored to be interviewed by a very special guest host—my daughter—as she makes her podcasting debut. In this candid and light-hearted conversation, she asks the questions, I share the answers, and together we laugh, reflect, and make memories. From silly stories to sentimental moments, this episode is full of warmth, wisdom, and the beauty of fatherhood through a child's eyes. Whether you're a dad, a daughter, or someone who loves meaningful family moments, this episode will bless you. Join us as we celebrate legacy, laughter, and the unbreakable bond between father and child.

On this special Mother’s Day episode of The Holistic Man Podcast: Ordinary Men, Extraordinary Gifts, I am honored to sit down with my mother, Lillie Smith, a woman who embodies the wisdom, grace, and strength of a Titus 2 woman. As a mother, mentor, and pillar of faith, she shares her journey of godly womanhood, the lessons she’s passed down through generations, and the power of a mother’s influence in shaping strong families and communities. Whether you’re a mother, a daughter, or someone who has been blessed by the wisdom of a mother figure, this conversation is filled with timeless encouragement and inspiration you don’t want to miss!

In this first episode of The Holistic Man Podcast: Ordinary Men, Extraordinary Gifts, I sit down with my father, Jeffery Smith Sr., to talk about life lessons, biblical masculinity, leadership, fatherhood, and building a lasting legacy. With over six decades of lived experience, he shares powerful wisdom on what it truly means to be a holistic man — a man grounded in faith, purpose, resilience, and strong character. We discuss personal growth for men, navigating life’s challenges, leading your family, overcoming adversity, and leaving an impact that lasts beyond your lifetime. If you are a young man seeking direction, a father striving to lead well, or someone pursuing purpose-driven living, this conversation offers practical advice and timeless insight on manhood, spiritual growth, and leadership in today’s world.