The Awkward Pastor

(Ep. 14 - Season 1 Finale) How to Lead Like Jesus...In A World That Acts Like Hell

In this Season Finale, Brandon and Tim sit down with the two men who once led Brandon through the fires of Route Clearance in Iraq, his former Platoon Leader and Platoon Sergeant. Together, they revisit close calls, split-second decisions, and the kind of battlefield leadership that scars you, shapes you, and saves you. But this isn’t just a war story...it’s a real world masterclass in servant leadership. They dive deep into humility under pressure, camaraderie forged in explosions and dust, sacrificial love that carried brothers through fire and trauma, and the tough love that corrects you before it kills you. Through it all, the conversation keeps circling back to one truth: Jesus is the ultimate model. And if He could lead with compassion in a world that rejected Him, then we can learn to lead like Him in a world that often acts like hell.

(Ep. #13) Bombhunters Anonymous: Confessions of a Route Clearance Patrol

A Veterans Day Special | The Awkward Pastor Podcast TRIGGER WARNING: The content therein discusses real war trauma, has sounds from an actual firefight, and may be disturbing for some. He rode the turret. Brandon drove the truck. Together, they hunted for bombs in Baghdad. Seventeen years later, Brandon sits down with Corey Collings—the .50 cal gunner who stood over his right shoulder in the turret of an RG-31—as Tim guides them through a raw conversation of memory, chaos, and miracles. They talk about a brotherhood forged only in the blast zone—where dark humor kept them sane, whispered prayers cut through radio static, and finding God somehow somewhere in the chaos. This isn’t Hollywood war. This is real and raw talk about trauma. It’s being terrified... and still rolling toward the #1 killer of U.S. troops.  It’s what happens when faith, fear, and fire share the same seat.

(Ep. #12) The Devil Was A Worship Leader

Before TikTok singers, fog machines, and Christian radio jingles… there was Lucifer — Heaven’s original worship leader and the first musician in history. 🎤🔥 In this savage deep dive, The Awkward Pastor unpacks the origin of music from a biblical perspective, God’s divine design for sound, and how the enemy hijacked it for pride and manipulation. From Ezekiel 28 to the modern stage, we expose how music still carries supernatural power — to heal souls or hypnotize them — and how it’s often weaponized from pulpits to playlists. Joining Brandon and Tim is Christian Artist & Songwriter Morgan George, bringing an insider’s take from the worship world — the glory, the grind, and the spiritual warfare behind the songs. 📚 Check out Morgan’s books:Letters to the Church, Part 1 https://a.co/d/0pAFviO Letters to the Church, Part 2 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BRM1GB8L?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_mwn_dp_GWZ96605HF5YBFMX5392&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_mwn_dp_GWZ96605HF5YBFMX5392&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_mwn_dp_GWZ96605HF5YBFMX5392&bestFormat=true&csmig=1&ascsubtag=srctok-b345d64002a61c6c&btn_ref=srctok-b345d64002a61c6c 🎶 Lucifer was the instrument. Worship was his job description. Pride was his downfall. 🎙️ So the next time you sing — ask yourself, who’s really getting the glory? This episode blends biblical theology, cultural critique, musical insight, and enough awkward truth to make a worship conference pack up early. 🎧 Follow The Awkward Pastor for more bold truth, savage grace, and awkward conviction.

(Ep. #11) 15 Signs You're Probably A Church Drama Queen

Here for it: the foyer throne was taken, my “puro” got poached, coffee was lukewarm, donuts vanished, and somebody said my solo was off-pitch. Tragic, right? Or… maybe it’s not persecution—it’s pride. This episode is not about legit church hurt (that’s real and we care). It’s about the petty stuff we dress up as “spiritual warfare.” If you’ll storm out over carpet color, write a six-page letter because the pastor didn’t shake your hand, or post cryptic verses aimed at your choir director—yeah, this one’s for you. We’re dropping 15 Signs You’re Probably a Church Drama Queen—with Bible, banter, and a mirror. Expect savage honesty, redemptive humor, and a call to unity: “that there be no divisions among you… perfectly joined together” (1 Corinthians 1:10, NKJV). If drama thrives on attention, disciples thrive on repentance. Let’s trade gossip for prayer, preference for principle, and noise for the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23, NKJV). No pity parties—just growth. Share this with the friend who’s “normally not one to post, but…” (we love you).  👉 Leave a rating/review—helps us reach more folks.  👉 Join The Awkward Church on Facebook for Bible studies, Q&As, and bonus chaos (the sanctified kind).  🎁 P.S. There’s an Easter egg at the end. If you’re mad by the credits… that might be Sign #15. We are The Awkward Pastor. Less drama, more resurrection. Let’s go. WARNING: THIS EPISODE MAY HURT YOUR FEELINGS.

(Ep. #10) Live Q and A with Undercover Matt

Live Q and A with Undercover Matt Special Follow-Up to Ep. #9: The Shot He’ll Never ForgetRetired undercover police officer Matt returns for a no-holds-barred Q&A session hosted by The Awkward Pastor. This time, it’s not just about high-stakes operations—it’s about awkward confessions, Appalachian childhood “threats,” and even the kind of Hallmark movie plots you’ll never see on cable TV. 🔥 What They Dive Into: Hallmark Goes Undercover: If Matt’s life were a Hallmark movie, what would it be titled and how would it play out? Scary Situations: Which is more terrifying—busting a meth lab or surviving a church business meeting? Scripture in the Shadows: Which Bible passages brought comfort when the nights got dark and dangerous? Pulling the Trigger: How does one mentally and spiritually prepare for that kind of decision? Family and Friends: Did people step closer when it got real—or back away? Hands and Feet of Jesus: What does it really look like to live this out in the middle of chaos? Christians and the Law: Should a believer ever call the police on another Christian? Deep Cover: What’s the longest timeframe Matt ever stayed undercover? Join the live chaos.