From the Ring to Redemption | One Man's Brutal Surrender

Who Told You That's Who You Are? Breaking Free From Inherited Identity

Many men live by a story they didn't choose, shaped by past failures or labels. This episode explores how these experiences contribute to an individual's personal identity and self concept, often leading to an identity conflict. We discuss mental wellbeing and self improvement, offering insights into understanding human behavior and fostering personal growth. Stay strong. Stay faithful. God bless. Brotherhood Forged is a Christian men's podcast helping men grow in faith, discipline, and leadership. In Episode 108, Joey Koontz and Paul Bengel get real about one of the most important questions a man can ask himself -- Who told you that's who you are? Most men are living from a story they never intentionally chose. A failure. A wound. A label someone handed them years ago. And they have repeated it so many times it became their identity. In this episode, Joey and Paul unpack how to stop inheriting an identity and start building one -- rooted in Christ, not performance. Topics covered in this episode: -- Why your worth is not your performance, and what happens when you confuse the two -- How "I got this" -- the three most dangerous words a man can say -- leads to isolation, burnout, and broken relationships -- The lie that strength means emotional shutdown, and what real strength actually looks like -- Why lone wolves never thrive long term and brotherhood changes everything -- How peer pressure and the need to belong can quietly hijack your identity for decades -- What it means to root your identity in Christ -- not your career, your athletic ability, or your past Joey shares how cancer stripped away every title he once leaned on -- and what remained. Paul opens up about a recent stretch of emotional shutdown that nearly cost him his peace at home. This is an honest, unscripted conversation between two men who are still in the work. Referenced in this episode: -- Pastor Joby Martin -- "I Got This" and the three most dangerous words a man can say. Visit jobymartin.com [http://jobymartin.com] or YouTube: @jobypmartin -- Bryce Crawford -- Instagram clip on grace, forgiveness, and the 100% of what Jesus did for us -- Inky Johnson -- athlete, speaker, and example of identity rooted beyond performance. Look him up. -- Movie: Average Joe -- a story of faith, promise, and giving all glory to God win or lose 🔥 BROTHERHOOD FORGED COMMUNITY A coaching-driven community for men ready to lead with strength, faith, and integrity -- in their homes, their bodies, their mindset, and their legacy. Weekly coaching calls. Daily challenges. Real accountability. A brotherhood of men who actually show up for each other. No fluff. No excuses. Start your free 7-Day Devotional: bro4ged.com/land [http://bro4ged.com/land] Explore the full community: bro4ged.com [http://bro4ged.com] Forge your identity. Lead your family. Reclaim your future. If this episode hit home, SHARE IT with a man who needs it. Like, subscribe, and leave a review -- it helps more men find this show. Download Brotherhood Forged on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. Questions? Email us: info@brotherhoodforged.com [info@brotherhoodforged.com]

From the Ring to Redemption | One Man's Brutal Surrender

Join Joey Koontz and Wes Bake for a special episode of the Christian podcast, Brotherhood Forged, as they share insights from a coffee shop conversation. This discussion highlights the importance of self improvement and personal growth, emphasizing how a strong men's community fosters accountability for men. Stay strong. Stay faithful. God bless. Brotherhood Forged is a Christian men's podcast helping men grow in faith, discipline, and leadership. In Episode 107, Joey Koontz sits down with Wes Bake -- fifth-generation farmer, pro wrestler "GQ Status," husband, father, and a man who nearly lost everything to alcoholism, pride, and isolation.Wes grew up on a farm in Monroe, Ohio with a grandfather who was the closest thing to Jesus he had ever seen. He left for Mount Vernon Nazarene University to study youth ministry -- and traded it all for a pro wrestling career. What started as fun slowly became a four-day-a-week drink fest. The mask went on. The marriage crumbled. The double life took over. You will hear about the DUI with his kids in the car. The suicidal thoughts. And the moment his eight-year-old son pulled the keys from the ignition without saying a word -- and Wes finally surrendered everything to God.He shares how small group leader Tim Oakes showed up on the side of the road within ten minutes. How Wes completed FIVE consecutive years of Regeneration recovery ministry. And how God redeemed not just his sobriety -- but his marriage. He and his wife Carrie now lead a marriage ministry for other couples.If you are isolated, wearing a mask, or telling yourself "I got this" -- this episode is for you. As Pastor Joby Martin says, those are the three most dangerous words a man can say. Learn more at http://jobymartin.com [http://jobymartin.com] or YouTube: @jobypmartin----------------------------------------🔥 BROTHERHOOD FORGED COMMUNITYThis is a coaching-driven community for men ready to lead with strength, faith, and integrity -- in their homes, their bodies, their mindset, and their legacy. Weekly coaching calls. Daily challenges. Real accountability. A brotherhood of men who actually show up for each other. No fluff. No excuses.Start your free 7-Day Devotional: http://bro4ged.com/land [http://bro4ged.com/land] Explore the full community: http://bro4ged.comForge [http://bro4ged.comForge] your identity. Lead your family. Reclaim your future.-- If this hit home, SHARE IT with a man who needs it. Like, subscribe, and leave a review -- it helps more men find this show. Download on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.Questions? Email us: mailto:info@brotherhoodforged.com [info@brotherhoodforged.com] 00:00 Introduction and Background 07:43 College Life and Wrestling Journey 29:13 Marriage and Struggles with Alcohol 37:12 Faith and Family Dynamics 38:11 The Illusion of a Perfect Family 41:49 Living a Double Life 48:35 The Turning Point: DUI and Surrender 54:56 The Importance of Community and Brotherhood 59:36 Rebuilding Trust and Redemption 01:08:58 The Role of Faith in Transformation 01:14:41 BF Outro Official.mp4 #BrotherhoodForged #ChristianMensPodcast #ChristianMen #MensFaith #BiblicalMasculinity #MenOfGod #ChristianMensCommunity #FaithAndLeadership #JoeyKoontz #PaulBengel #resilience #ChristianTestimony #MensAccountability #AlcoholRecovery #MarriageRedemption #SurrenderToGod #WWE #HulkHogan #hacksawJim #superfly #wwf

Spiritual Leadership in Marriage: What Nobody Tells Men

Brotherhood Forged is a Christian men's podcast helping men grow in faith, discipline, and leadership. Episode 106 started with a text message. One of our brothers reached out to Joey an hour before our Wednesday night discipleship call and asked a question a lot of men are afraid to say out loud: "How do I actually lead my wife spiritually?" What followed was one of the most real, unscripted conversations we've ever had. Joey Koontz and Paul Bengel walk through 10 lessons on spiritual leadership in the home -- from being emotionally present, to releasing expectations, to why consistency builds more credibility than any single grand gesture ever will. They also get honest about where they personally still fall short, which makes this one worth sending to every married man you know. Books mentioned in this episode: "Experiencing God" by Henry Blackaby (12-week workbook) "Disciplines of a Godly Man" by R. Kent Hughes People mentioned: Joby Martin (jobymartin.com [http://jobymartin.com]), Brian Pruitt, Coach Lauren (Body and Bell), and community member Richie. Challenge for this week: Pick one thing from this episode and do it before Sunday. Ask her how you can pray for her. Apologize first. Show up with consistency, not just intensity. Get the FREE 7-Day Devotional at bro4ged.com/land [http://bro4ged.com/land] and start building a stronger foundation today. Want to go deeper with a band of brothers who actually show up? Join the Brotherhood Forged community at bro4ged.com [http://bro4ged.com]. Weekly coaching calls, daily challenges, and men who are serious about becoming who God called them to be. Download, subscribe, and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify -- it helps more men find the show. If this episode helped you, share it with one guy who needs it. Watch the full video version of this episode on YouTube and catch baby Theo making a special guest appearance in the final segment. Worth it. Email us: info@brotherhoodforged.com [info@brotherhoodforged.com]

Gratitude Is a Weapon | Why Most Men Never Pick It Up | Brotherhood Forged

The conversation delves into the transformative power of gratitude, highlighting its role as a weapon and a catalyst for change. It explores the impact of gratitude in the face of hardship, the connection between gratitude and contentment, the role of gratitude in serving others, and the humbling effect of gratitude. The discussion emphasizes the importance of recognizing and embracing gratitude in everyday life, and the profound impact it has on relationships, perspective, and personal growth. Takeaways * Gratitude is a weapon * Gratitude changes your focus from pressure to presence Chapters * 00:00 Gratitude as a Weapon * 05:49 Gratitude and Contentment * 11:09 Gratitude and Serving Others * 16:06 Gratitude and Humility

No Perfect Dads, Only Present Ones | 5 Parenting Lessons Every Father Needs | Ep. 104

Brotherhood Forged is a Christian men's podcast helping men grow in faith, discipline, and leadership. Nobody handed you a parenting manual. In Episode 104, Joey Koontz and Paul Bengel share the five most important lessons they've learned as fathers — grounded in scripture, lived experience, and the kind of honest conversation men rarely have. From a powerful blacksmith parable about a dad who spent his life shaping iron and never shaping his son, to a breakdown of five practical principles you can apply in your home starting tonight — this episode is for every man who wants to be a present, intentional father. SCRIPTURES REFERENCED: • Deuteronomy 6:6-7 • Proverbs 22:6 BOOKS & AUTHORS MENTIONED: • The Compound Effect — Darren Hardy (darrenhardy.com) • Ryan Holiday (ryanholiday.net) PEOPLE MENTIONED: • Pastor Steven Furtick (stevenfurtick.com) THE 5 PARENTING LESSONS: 1. Presence matters more than perfection 2. Validate your kids' feelings — don't minimize them 3. Ordinary moments build core memories 4. Model the life you want them to live 5. Build identity before performance BROTHERHOOD FORGED COMMUNITY: If you're tired of figuring it out alone, Brotherhood Forged is built for you. Real men, real accountability, real faith. Start with the FREE 7-Day Devotional for Men at bro4ged.com/land or explore everything at bro4ged.com. Questions? Email us at info@brotherhoodforged.com If this episode meant something to you, share it with a fellow dad, rate the show, and leave a review — it helps more men find this content. Watch the full video version on our YouTube channel at Brotherhood Forged. Forge your identity. Lead your family. Reclaim your future.