The MakeReady Podcast

In this episode of the MakeReady Podcast, we welcome back Todd Wagner—pastor, teacher, author, and founder of Watermark Community Church—for a conversation about discipleship, leadership, and what it really means to follow Jesus in a culture that constantly pulls us in other directions. For decades, Todd has challenged people to move beyond casual Christianity and embrace a faith that transforms e...

In this episode of the MakeReady Podcast, we sit down with Bill Jack—co-founder and longtime faculty member of Worldview Academy—to talk about liberty, worldview, and what it means to live a faith that refuses to stay private. For more than 30 years, Bill has trained students to think clearly, defend their beliefs, and apply Scripture to every area of life. From public school classrooms to cultura...

In this episode of the MakeReady Podcast, we sit down with Jace Yarbrough—attorney, veteran, father, and a candidate for U.S. House of Representatives in Texas’s 32nd District—to talk about vocation, courage, and what it looks like to follow Christ faithfully in contested ground. Jace shares his journey from a small West Texas upbringing to military service, law school, and the front lines of cult...

Dave Stotts grew up geeking out over movie soundtracks and imagining himself as a swashbuckling filmmaker—until an eight-year-old boy walked out of Raiders of the Lost Ark forever changed. What hooked him wasn’t just the adventure or the face-melting scene; it was a cool archaeologist treating the Bible like it actually happened in real places, real history. For over twenty years, Dave has hosted...

Neil Tomba has pastored in Dallas for nearly three decades, but the lessons that shaped him most didn’t happen behind a pulpit—they happened on a bicycle. What began as quiet solo rides in the Colorado mountains turned into a cross-country journey from Santa Monica to Annapolis, 100 miles a day, stopping to talk to strangers about their lives, their faith, and their pain. What he discovered was si...

In this episode of the MakeReady Podcast, we sit down with Abner Wahhab for a testimony that will leave you speechless.   A Turkmen raised Muslim in northern Iraq, Abner grew up second-class under Saddam: no rights, no property, no dreams, just daily survival. When the regime collapsed in 2003, he went from pharmacy student to U.S. military interpreter overnight, living behind wire in one of the m...

In this episode of the MakeReady Podcast, we sit down with Matthew Lopez for one of the rawest, most powerful testimonies you’ll ever hear. Matthew holds nothing back: growing up in violence, molestation as a child, 150+ fights, a double life, suicidal darkness, and the moment he finally fell into the arms of grace in 2016. He shares how God used a devastating fight with his own brother to break h...

In this episode of the MakeReady Podcast, we sit down with Klint Guerry—business leader, mentor, and man of faith—to explore what it looks like to follow Jesus wholeheartedly in the middle of success, pressure, and everyday life. Klint shares his journey from chasing achievement to discovering a deeper purpose that only comes through surrender. With honesty and humility, he opens up about the mome...

In this episode of the MakeReady Podcast, we sit down with Mario Zandstra—business leader, former Pine Cove president, and lifelong disciple-maker—to explore how God redeems broken family stories and transforms marriages into reflections of His grace. Mario shares his journey from a rough upbringing in East L.A. to leading one of the most impactful Christian ministries in America, and now mentorin...

In this episode of the MakeReady Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Mike Goddard—longtime educator, former superintendent, and current head of Prestonwood Christian Academy—to uncover how faith transforms education, family, and leadership in a culture that often fractures both truth and trust. Mike shares his journey from chasing NFL dreams to decades in public schools, and ultimately to leading one of...

In this episode of the MakeReady Podcast, we sit down with Will McNutt—co-founder of Anthem, a Texas real estate company, and a veteran of conservative campaigns including two Trump presidential transitions—to explore the bold intersection of faith, family, and civic involvement in a world that often retreats from responsibility. Will shares his journey from law school to building businesses and i...

In this episode of the MakeReady Podcast, we sit down with Andrew Beck—creative leader, thinker, and cultural critic—to explore the intersection of art, truth, and leadership in a world that often confuses beauty with distraction. Andrew shares his journey from Madison Avenue’s ad world to a deeper pursuit of meaning, unpacking how true creativity isn’t just aesthetics but a spiritual act meant to...

In this episode of the MakeReady Podcast, we sit down with Chad Warren—pastor, teacher, and disciple-maker—to confront one of the greatest lies facing men today: the myth of rugged individualism. Chad shares his powerful story of growing up without a father, chasing respect through toughness and achievement, and finally encountering the personal love of God that broke through his striving. From Na...

In this episode of the MakeReady Podcast, we sit down with Jim Coté—chaplain, mentor, and lifelong disciple-maker—to call men back to the heart of Jesus’ mission: making disciples. Drawing from decades of ministry, Jim shares how authentic brotherhood, intentional accountability, and spiritual fatherhood have the power to change lives and reshape communities. We talk about the emptiness of cultura...

In this episode of the MakeReady Podcast, we sit down with Derek Mathews—pastor, disciple-maker, and leader of leaders—to wrestle with what it truly means to shepherd God’s people. From the danger of becoming a “greenroom pastor” to rediscovering the biblical call to walk among the sheep, Derek unpacks why presence matters more than polish, why performance-driven ministry leaves men isolated, and...

In this episode of the MakeReady Podcast, we sit down with Kirk McJunkin—former University of Texas football player, NFL draft pick, business leader, athletic director, and lifelong disciple-maker—to uncover why performance can never define a man’s worth. From chasing identity on the field to finding true value in Christ, from navigating a strained relationship with his father to learning how to f...

In this episode of the MakeReady Podcast, we sit down with Adam McGough—former Dallas City Council member, attorney, and community leader—to explore why men of faith must engage where they live, not just in theory, but in the daily realities of their neighborhoods. From fighting crime in high-risk areas to navigating the tensions of city politics, from walking alongside the homeless to leading bil...

In this episode of the MakeReady Podcast, we sit down with Ryan Williams—President of The Claremont Institute—to explore why deep thinking, good books, and historical literacy are essential for men who want to lead with clarity in a chaotic world. From the American founding to the fall of Rome, from the administrative state to the classroom, Ryan unpacks how the past is not just prologue—it’s the...

In this episode of the MakeReady Podcast, we sit down with Ron Dodson to explore how beauty, truth, and craftsmanship reflect the heart of God. From Norm Macdonald to Monet, from ancient philosophy to modern video games, Ron unpacks how good art doesn’t just entertain—it teaches, challenges, and calls us to evaluate what is true, beautiful, and worth building. We also dive into the dangers of cult...

In this episode of the MakeReady Podcast, we sit down with Jeff Parker—a seasoned ministry leader who has spent over 20 years inside the megachurch world—to talk about what happens when alignment fades, community fractures, and church no longer feels like home. After decades in a thriving megachurch, Jeff found himself disoriented, asking hard questions about leadership, calling, and the quiet dri...

In this episode of the MakeReady Podcast, we sit down with Jacob Robinson—entrepreneur, founder of Dig World, and father to a courageous son with special needs—to talk about how pain, purpose, and perseverance collide when life doesn’t go according to plan. From corporate ambitions to janitorial work, from planting churches to launching a construction-themed amusement park, Jacob’s story is anythi...

In this episode of the MakeReady Podcast, we sit down with Jack Mueller—former NCAA wrestling standout and aspiring pastor—for a raw and unfiltered conversation on singleness, dating, and biblical masculinity in a culture that’s lost the plot. Jack opens up about his journey from spiritual apathy to deep conviction, the lessons learned from failed relationships, and why modern dating often feels m...

In this episode of the MakeReady Podcast, we sit down with Clint Bruce—former Navy SEAL, NFL linebacker, and founder of several purpose-driven organizations—to talk about why so many men today feel lost, isolated, and overwhelmed by the weight of modern life. From the ball field to the battlefield to the boardroom, Clint shares how hardship forged his strength, how fatherhood redefined his mission...

In this episode of the MakeReady Podcast, we sit down with Bill Yuhasz to talk about why so many men—and pastors—are running on empty. Bill opens up about stepping away from the safety of the pulpit to launch Known Legacy, a ministry built on calling men out of passivity and into purpose. From the loneliness of church pews to the silent burnout happening behind the scenes in ministry, this convers...

In this episode of the MakeReady Podcast, we sit down with Ron Dodson to talk about how men of faith should think about politics, power, and the purpose of government. From the founding fathers to the failures of modern culture, Ron takes us on a thoughtful, biblical look at how the church should engage the public square. We explore questions like: Is America a Christian nation? What’s the governm...