The Daily Forge with Braxton Bonds

What You Feed Grows: A Talk on Secular Music

I haven’t listened to secular music in almost four years. Not because somebody told me I had to stop — but because I finally started paying attention to what it was doing to my soul. I grew up on it. I knew every word. It shaped how I thought about women, about success, about who I was supposed to be. And for a long time, I didn’t even realize the damage because it just felt normal. But this past weekend — bachelor party, wedding, all of it — the music was everywhere. And I didn’t walk out. I didn’t plug my ears. I just… sat in it. And by the end of the weekend, I could feel it. My thoughts were different. My mouth was different. The way I was looking at things was different. My soul started acting like the old man I thought I’d put away. That’s when I knew I had to talk about this. Because what you feed grows. And what you let in your ears gets into your heart whether you invited it there or not. Today we’re going there — no condemnation, just truth.

Last Man Standing Part 2: What 113 Miles Taught Me

From the start line in Austin to the hardest moments deep into the race, this episode tells the story of pushing past limits physically, mentally, and spiritually. I share the role my crew played, the mindset and strategy behind the run, and how God met me throughout the journey.

“God in the Details: My First Sermon Story”

In this episode, I share the story behind preaching my very first sermon in Louisville, Kentucky—and how I even got there is something I could’ve never planned myself. What seemed random at first was actually God working in every detail. This isn’t just a story about preaching; it’s about the sovereignty of God and how deeply He cares for His people. He doesn’t miss moments. He doesn’t overlook needs. And sometimes, He goes to incredible lengths to make sure His sheep hear exactly what they need, exactly when they need it. If you’ve ever wondered whether God is really involved in the small details of your life, this story will challenge that. He is intentional, He is present, and He is always working—even when you don’t see it.

“Opening Doors” — BPN Last Man Standing, Part 1

Before I ever took a single step on race day, God had already been moving. In Part 1 of this series, I’m taking you behind the scenes of how I even got to the BPN G1M Last Man Standing — and I can’t tell the story without telling you about God’s faithfulness every step of the way. From the moment I learned about the race to the doors that kept opening when they had no business opening, this episode is a testimony before the run ever starts. We’re talking provision, confirmation, and the kind of peace that only comes when you know you’re walking in assignment — not ambition. If you’ve ever needed a reminder that God goes before you, this one’s for you. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.” — Psalm 37:23

Discover Your Purpose

We’re living in a generation obsessed with purpose — vision boards, hustle culture, self-actualization, and finding your “why.” But what if most of what we’ve been told purpose is… is completely wrong? In this episode, we break down the three anchors of a life truly lived with purpose — and they’re not what the world is selling you. We’re talking about the call to know God, to love God, and to make disciples. Not as religious boxes to check, but as the deepest, most transformative framework for why you exist. We also get honest about the false purposes that quietly hijack our lives — success, significance, comfort, reputation, and even ministry — and how chasing them leaves us feeling empty no matter how much we achieve. If you’ve ever felt like something was still missing after hitting your goals, this episode is for you. Key Takeaways: ∙ Why “finding your purpose” has become an idol in itself ∙ The three God-given anchors of a purposeful life ∙ How false purposes disguise themselves as good things ∙ What it looks like to practically realign your life around what actually matters