Being Sons

Episode Summary: What if the key to great fatherhood isn't trying harder—but becoming freer? In this episode, Jay sits down with Jeff Zaugg (Dad Awesome) to explore how identity shapes everything. Together, they unpack why striving falls short, how presence transforms relationships, and what it looks like to lead your children from a place of sonship—not pressure. In This Episode: Why striving act...

SUMMARY In this episode of the Being Sons podcast, we delve into "The Big Six" essential needs every child requires from their caregivers, as explained by our guest, trauma therapist, podcast host and author Adam Young. Together we discover how attunement, responsiveness, engagement, affect regulation, emotional strength, and repair can profoundly impact a child's development and secure attachment...

E59 SUMMARY Sam Eldredge is the Founder and Director of Noble Workshops, a wonderfully effective intensive on-site healing workshop that helps hurting people experience holistic care that encompasses mind, body, heart, and spirit. Jay recently attended Noble and it was life-changing and beautiful.   Sam and host Jay Heck explore the multifaceted, courageous journey of healing and sonship. They dis...

SUMMARY Living in awe of the mystery of God and His ways is meant to be part of our normal daily life. Teaching us to enter into that mystery, with Him, is God's delight, and the way He makes provision for our every need. But our world, it's pace, technology, and near-instant access to information is proving to be a barrier to the intimacy with God we need to live. Through this conversation with J...

SUMMARY of E57   In the second part of this encouraging conversation, Jeff Zaugg and host Jay Heck celebrate the ministry of fatherhood, recalling personal stories of repeated failure along with the undeniable evidence of growth. They discuss the challenges all fathers face, the impact of their presence in their home, and the role of God in leading their parenting journey. They explore this multif...

In part 1 of this 2 part conversation, Jeff Zaugg and host Jay Heck explore the themes of fatherhood, sonship, and the joyful journey of being a dad. Jeff shares his learning curve with the DadAwesome initiative, emphasizing the importance of inviting joy, humility, and intentionality into our fathering. The discussion delves into the rewards that come from taking risks in our parenting, seeking h...

Summary of E55 In the second half of this conversation, Jay Heck and Scott Hare explore the profound themes of sonship and adoption as depicted throughout the entirety of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. They discuss the journey from being orphans to becoming sons of God, emphasizing the transformative power of understanding one's identity in Christ. The conversation delves into the biblical...

Summary Q: How deeply is the theme of sonship embedded in the whole Biblical narrative? A: So deeply it will blow your mind! In part 1 of this 2 part conversation, Jay Heck is joined by Bible scholar and Holy land tour guide Scott Heare to explore the profound and ubiquitous theme of sonship through the whole of scripture. Drawing on his deep understanding of the Biblical text and how God's story...

Summary In part 2 of this 2 part conversation with Rich Pantusa we explore the theme of being sons in the workplace and how to see the sacred work of God in it. It draws parallels with the experiences of the Israelites in Egypt and their journey of sonship, highlighting the importance of going through uncomfortable places to develop character and trust in God. The conversation also discusses the p...

How does God use a man's work to initiate him? In part 1 of this 2 part conversation, Jay Heck and guest Rich Pantusa discuss the tension of living a sacred life while working in a secular environment. They also discuss the importance of inviting God into this duality to His path and perspective. The conversation touches on topics such as finding identity in work, the pressure to provide for famil...

Welcome back for part 2. The world is an anxious place and growing more anxious by the hour. What is God's provision and path to help us live above the fear, in union with Him, no matter what life looks like? For this 2-part discussion I invited friend and counselor Mandy Nelson to discuss her life-long journey with anxiety, what she is learning, and how it has led her to becoming a mentor who hel...

The world is an anxious place and growing more anxious. Why? What is God's provision and path to help us live above the fear, in union with Him, no matter what life looks like? For this 2-part discussion I invited my friend Mandy Nelson to discuss her life-long journey with anxiety, what she is learning, and how it has led her to becoming a mentor who helps others navigate fears and find the peace...

What is the Biblical definition of a sage? In part 2 of this 2-part conversation with author Chris Bruno we cover this and explore the first and second passages every maturing man must take in order to become the hero behind the hero. Chris Bruno is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Director of Restoration Project and author of the new (and excellent) book Sage: A Man's Guide into His Second Pass...

In the stories we all love so much there is often an older man in the shadows guiding the hero on his journey. He is the Sage... the hero behind the hero . But what exactly is a "Sage"? Who becomes one? And why are sages so rare today? These are the questions we explore with Chris Bruno, Licensed Professional Counselor, Director of Restoration Project and author of the new (and excellent) book Sag...

This is part 2 of our conversation with Jim Barker, a wise man who has for decades explored the invitation into sonship and become comfortable sitting with big questions. In this episode I press Jim to help us understand how sons are practically transformed by the love of God, and how experiencing it and operating in it go hand in hand. There is a secret power released in us only when we learn to...

My guest on this episode is Jim Barker, a man who has done the work to become a true sage to me and so many other men. I asked Jim to sit with me and share some of the stories and wisdom he's gathered on his journey from being a pro golfer who mocked Christians to a son of God and gifted discipler of men. 

Have you really considered the power of fairy tales? From what dimension do these epic fantasies get their power to move the human heart? Join Jay Heck and guest Mandy Nelson as they use the blockbuster trilogy The Lord of the Rings to discuss how God uses story to grant us, His sons and daughters, access to truths written so deeply on our hearts only He can take us there.   About Our Guest - Mand...

What does it mean to be "adopted" as sons by God? This is the question Scott Morin (co-director of Empowering Ranch ) and I dive into in this episode. Scott returns to the podcast to  bring some helpful perspective into this discussion using the lens of the Biblical language. We start with defining adoption, move into personal stories of how God transforms orphans into sons, and then discuss what...

Why wait for sex until marriage? Is there a compelling reason? Culture has lost God's vision for this incredible gift and the narrow path that ensures we get the most satisfaction out of it. In part 2 of this 2 part conversation, Jay talks with his 20 year old son Baer and his best friend Jake about the hot topic of sex. Whether you are a father prepping for the conversations with your son, or a s...

Navigating our sons skillfully from boyhood into the world of men is confusing and sometimes terrifying, especially when it comes to the topic of sexuality. No father leads his son perfectly, but this perfection we'd like to offer is not as critical as simply having some courageous intentionality. In these next 2 episodes I have a conversation with my 20 year old son Baer and his best friend Jake...

What does the journey of sonship look like? No one knows better than Darren Lewis. In part 2 of this 2-part conversation Darren shares his personal redemptive tale to help us see how God rescues us from living like orphans, reveals our true identity as His beloved sons, and molds us into the spiritual fathers the world so desperately needs. ABOUT DARREN AND FATHERING ADVENTURES: Darren Lewis is fa...

Our guest is Darren Lewis, father of 4 sons and founder/director of Fathering Adventures, an adventure ministry equipping men in Australia with the guidance they need to father the way God intended. Darren's redemptive tale poignantly illustrates how God takes orphans in their brokenness and lovingly molds them into the deeply good fathers humanity so desperately needs. What does the journey from...

In part 2 of this 2-part conversation, Being Sons continues it's interview with New York Times best-selling author and father-figure to many, John Eldredge, discussing his new book "Resilient". Spiritual pressures are increasing and testing our strength in these turbulent times, and God is making provisions for those who align themselves with Him. So how do we do this? How do we recognize what we...

Best-selling author and a father to many, John Eldredge joins us again for a 2-part conversation about learning to live with resilience from God in these testing times. It's the subject of his timely new book release " Resilient ". We talk about the pressures of the hour we live in, the end of the age, the reasons men's hearts are failing, and the abundant provision God is giving in this hour to H...

Have you experienced a tough but life-changing season in the wilderness? It's unavoidable. God takes every son he loves through these tough seasons. But why? In this encouraging episode I talk with Scott Morin , co-director of Empowering Ranch , about how God uses the wilderness to transform men and prepare them for a supernatural life in the land of blessing and influence. Scott brings his many y...