Forging The Path

What happens when your faith feels like pressure instead of peace? In this episode of Forging the Path , licensed professional counselor Jonathan Irish shares his journey from life as a pastor’s kid to guiding men toward healing as a therapist. Together, we unpack how identity in Christ redefines masculinity, how to break free from the “chameleon life,” and why so many men silently struggle with f...

What happens when a soldier’s toughest battle isn’t fought on the battlefield—but in facing the tragic loss of a spouse? In this deeply personal episode of Forging the Path , Lt. Col. Dan Hendershot courageously opens up about his journey through grief, faith, and finding resilience after losing his wife to cancer. From commanding troops in Iraq to navigating heartbreak at home, Dan shares raw ins...

What do hunting, brotherhood, and biblical masculinity have in common? Everything. In this episode of Forging the Path , Adam Zastrow sits down with Jairius Stolar and Matthew Austin for a bold, faith-filled conversation about what it means to be a man in today’s world. They talk about fatherhood, firearms, mentorship, and the kind of friendships men desperately need—but rarely find. With stories...

What does it look like to surrender everything — addiction, pride, fear — and let God rebuild your life from the ground up? In this episode of Forging the Path , former Marine, Addison Chapman shares his raw story of addiction, recovery, and the powerful calling that emerged from his pain. From military service and firefighter training to wrestling with lust and pride, Addison lays it all on the t...

What happens when a teacher hears God's call to reach students through hip-hop? In this powerful episode of Forging the Path , Josh Atkinson (aka ATK) shares how he went from classroom teacher to Christian rap artist — and launched a full-blown ministry that’s changing lives. Through ATK Ministry, Josh is helping students write, produce, and perform gospel-centered music that connects directly wit...

What does it mean to be a steward of your body? In this episode of Forging the Path , Michael Creed -- business owner, mortgage lender and father of 2 -- lays down a powerful challenge to Christian men: stop making excuses and start living with discipline. We talk about the connection between physical fitness and spiritual leadership, the legacy you're building for your children, and why true masc...

Why are so many men checking out of church? And what can we do about it? In this powerful episode of Forging the Path, Pastor Steve Sonderman -- founder of No Regrets Men's Ministry -- shares his journey from injury and disappointments to founding a movement that has impacted thousands of men around the world. We dive deep into the following: Why men feel disconnected from modern church culture Th...

Why are so many men leaving the church? In this roundtable discussion, we break down the real reasons behind the decline in male church attendance and how we can fix it. In this episode, we cover: Why men struggle to engage with church culture The historical and cultural shifts that contributed to the decline How men can step up in faith, leadership, and discipleship The role of the church in call...

What does it take to overcome loss, find purpose, and trust in God through it all? In this powerful episode of Forging the Path, Steve Nelson - owner of Wingman Gifts - shares his incredible journey of faith, perseverance, and resilience through some of life’s toughest trials. From losing his firstborn son to battling severe illness and depression, Steve opens up about the struggles that tested hi...

As brothers, Ethan and I grew up in the same house, in the same church, with the same exposure to faith—but we took different paths. While I’ve fully embraced my faith in Christ, Ethan has spent years wrestling with belief, doubt, and the search for meaning. In this conversation, he shares his journey from questioning faith to rediscovering the profound impact of Jesus Christ. This isn’t just anot...

I sat down with First Sergeant Johnny Ferreira to discuss powerful leadership lessons, his journey in the Army National Guard, and the challenges facing military recruitment today. Johnny shares his personal story of transformation—from growing up in a tough neighborhood to becoming one of the top recruiters in the nation. Discover actionable insights about leadership, the importance of service, a...

Join us for a powerful conversation with Jairius Stolar as we explore the challenges and opportunities for men to reclaim their God-given identity in today’s world. In this episode, Jairius shares his journey of faith, family, and leadership, offering actionable insights on: What biblical masculinity truly means. The importance of accountability in the church. Lessons from entrepreneurship and leg...

Dr. Chad joins Adam for the second time on Forging The Path! In this episode, they talk about a variety of topics related to health & fitness in which Dr. Chad shares his expertise and advice about the following: The current state of our country's health and nutrition. Hopeful expectations for our country's leadership 2025 and beyond. How our Christian faith is integrated into our fitness. Why...

I used to struggle with fatigue and seasonal depression. It would actually get pretty bad during the long, dark days of winter - until I began implementing some simple things into my daily routine. Wanted to share them with you here.

Five life-changing lessons that I, and many others, wish we’d known at 20. These insights go beyond conventional advice, offering a faith-centered approach to growth, gratitude, and purposeful living. Key Lessons Covered: 1️⃣ Embrace Mistakes – Start now, even if it’s imperfect. 2️⃣ Choose Gratitude, Even in Tough Times – Discover how gratitude leads to joy. 3️⃣ Social Media Isn’t Real Life – Prio...

In this episode of Forging The Path, I sat down with Luke Rupnow to discuss foundational habits for new dads looking to lead their families with strength and consistency. From establishing family traditions to supporting young moms, Luke shares powerful, faith-centered advice for dads navigating the young child stage. Don’t miss these essential tips on balancing fatherhood, marriage, and personal...

Brian Hemming joins me for a cigar and a conversation at Lake Country Cigars. Brian is the founder and owner of FITFO Custom Cans. The mission at FITFO Custom Cans is to create a portable, durable, rugged, air tight and distinctive humidor for our clients. They accomplish this by taking a simple .30 or .50 cal ammo can and transforming it into a unique, functional, and one of a kind statement piec...

It's election season! So let's talk about it. Also, check out this great clip from Johnny Ardvanis: " A Pastoral Perspective on Politics "

Here are 4 essential relationships every man needs to become who God has created him to be: Sonship - This is all about our identity in Christ . Jesus didn’t just forgive our sins when He died on the cross. Although that’s amazing, that’s just the beginning. His sacrifice allowed us to be fully adopted into God’s family as a new creation. When we are rooted and established in the unconditional lov...

What are the keys to keeping the romance alive after 18-years of marriage, running a family business together, and raising 3 teenagers? You gotta fight for it. In this episode, I'm joined by my wife, Claire, and we talk about some practical ways to keep your marriage amazing. We touch on the following ideas: ~ How to keep the spark alive in your marriage. ~ Developing healthy habits with your spou...

Welcome back, friends. It's time for season 2! In this episode, I (Adam) give a brief update about Forging The Path, the mission, and how YOU can help. I also share a short teaching from our Band of Brothers conversation a few weeks ago. We talked about PAM - the passive aggressive male - and the tendencies in each of us to be passive in many areas in our lives. But Christ does not call men to be...

Discover the realities of work-life balance and practical business wisdom with Ben Murphy, a successful real estate entrepreneur and dedicated family man. Ben shares his journey, insights, and the challenges he faces in balancing his thriving career with his personal life. Learn about his four pillars of faith, family, fitness, and finance, and how prioritizing these areas has helped him navigate...

Transform your life with these Five Simple Protocols, or as I'm calling them, 'Cheat Codes'. For more content related to helping men become who God created them to be, subscribe and turn that notification bell on! ================== Thank You to Our Awesome Sponsors: Goosehead Insurance: (414) 260-2202 https://www.goosehead.com/ S2F installation: (262) 470-6882 https://www.s2finstall.com/ Phantom...

Fear and lies are the only weapons that our enemy has against us. So, Kevin Oelke and I discuss how we can boldly speak the truth in our modern world. We explore the cultural pressures that make it difficult to stand firm in one’s beliefs and provide practical advice on how to navigate these obstacles with courage and conviction. Whether you're a leader, parent, or anyone seeking to live out your...

Part-3 of our Father-Son Bible Study. (The best one yet!) We talk about Jeremiah 29:13, "You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."