Forge Podcast: Conversations for the Journey

From Identity Struggle to Deeper Faith – A Conversation with Hal (Audio)

What do you do when following Jesus costs you approval—and forces you to face parts of your story you’d rather keep underwater? In this Men’s Retreat conversation, Joe sits down with Hal, who shares a deeply personal journey from cultural identity and self-reliance into a growing, surrendered faith. Hal talks about coming to a men’s group during a marriage crisis, watching God bring both rescue and renewal, and how those early steps led to baptism—alongside his wife—after a season marked by bold conviction and real community. We talk about what it means to wrestle with identity after becoming a Christian, especially when family tension and long-held labels make you want to run. Hal connects his story to Jonah—running, going deeper, and discovering that the dark places can become the very place God meets you. He also reflects on sobriety, the pull of money and addiction, and how prayer spoken out loud has reshaped his heart and his home. God isn’t afraid of your deep water. If you’ve been running, hiding, or feeling alone, there’s an invitation here to go deeper with Jesus—and to let community strengthen what God is rebuilding.

Mercy First, Not Punishment – A Conversation with Mark (Audio)

What changes when you stop assuming God’s posture toward you is punishment—and start believing His first bend is mercy? In this Men’s Retreat conversation, Joe sits down with Mark right after session two to talk about what’s landing in his heart. Mark shares how growing up with a good family didn’t automatically mean he understood grace. He describes a legalistic foundation—good works, church as routine, and a critical lens toward others—that God has been patiently reshaping since he and his wife joined Scottsdale Bible Church in 2019. We talk about learning to respond with mercy instead of criticism, especially in everyday moments—like driving a school bus and choosing prayer over anger. Mark also shares candidly about a long, hidden struggle with lust and pornography, and how a message on “no secrets” led him to confession, healing, and deeper intimacy in marriage. God doesn’t expose to shame—He exposes to heal. If you’ve been stuck in judgment, secrecy, or self-protection, this episode offers a simple invitation: step into the light, lean into mercy, and let the Spirit form a new response.

From Prison to Purpose – A Conversation with Michael (Audio)

What if the darkest chapter of your life became the very place God proved He was real—and began rewriting everything? In this Men’s Retreat conversation, Joe sits down with Michael, who shares a powerful testimony of running from God, meeting Jesus in prison, and being transformed from the inside out. Michael talks about being raised Catholic, believing “more good than bad” was enough, and then facing the consequences of a violent choice that led to an 18-year sentence at just nineteen years old. We talk about what it looks like to live with hatred and blame, and how God met Michael in a moment of surrender—removing hatred, healing his body, and giving him a new heart. Michael describes moving from stopping men from going to church to leading Bible studies, bringing others to Christ, and later returning to prison as a badge-wearing volunteer. And we talk about Jonah today—how running doesn’t always look like obvious rebellion. Sometimes it looks like doing “good ministry” while neglecting the first ministry at home. If you’ve been carrying shame, living in secrecy, or chasing validation, this episode is an invitation to come into the light, trust the Father, and let God restore what you thought was beyond repair.

Running Back to God – A Conversation with Chad (Audio)

What happens when God removes your last excuse—and meets you with peace instead of punishment? In this conversation from the Men’s Retreat, Joe sits down with Chad, who describes coming up the mountain after years of busyness, resistance, and quiet running. Chad shares how a first night message on passivity exposed patterns he had lived in, and how God met him in a moment of fear and weakness with calm, clarity, and rest. We talk about rebellion and the story of Jonah, the way God pursues us when we try to go the other direction, and how surrender becomes visible over time—in worship, in community, and in the courage to speak up. Chad also reflects on the steady, faithful influence of a father-in-law, the restoration of family relationships, and the joy of now serving other men. Jesus doesn’t stop chasing hearts. If you’ve been running, numb, or stuck in old patterns, you’re not too far—there’s an invitation to come back, surrender, and let God use your story.

Going Deeper in the Dark – A Conversation with James (Audio)

What if the place you fear most—the unknown, the “belly,” the darkness—isn’t punishment, but rescue? Right after stepping off stage at the Men’s Retreat, James sits down with Joe to talk through what God is doing beneath the surface. James shares the anxious build-up before teaching, the moment worship “broke it open,” and the relief of realizing God can use our stories—especially the ones we’d rather not revisit—for His glory. We talk about why men crave control and convenience, how we manufacture drama just to feel alive, and why the “unknown” feels like bad news even when it’s where God is doing His deepest work. James unpacks the Jonah story with honesty and imagination, connecting the belly to spiritual formation, surrender, and the difference between conviction and condemnation. God isn’t waiting for you to clean it up first. If you’ve been resisting obedience, numbing out, or stuck in a loop you can’t name, this conversation invites you to notice what’s happening in your soul—and let Jesus meet you there.