The Crucible Project Podcast

Terry Martin sits down with host Joy Dunning to share his journey of personal growth and transformation through Crucible. Terry discusses the challenges he faced in his family life and reflects on the importance of recognizing and embracing anger as a means to establish boundaries and gain confidence. Here are some of the topics we cover in our podcast episodes: Radical honesty and grace Spiritual...

Host Joy Dunning sits down with Chris Modrzejewski who shares his journey to the Crucible Project, discussing the transformative impact it has had on his personal life, marriage, parenting, and ministry. He emphasizes the importance of emotional awareness, authenticity, and the ongoing work of personal growth. Chris also shares his mission to build transformational community by connecting people t...

Grayson Ege speaks with host Joy Dunning about the profound impact of the Crucible experience on his journey as a father. They explore themes of intentional parenting, the importance of emotional health, and the dynamics of family relationships. Grayson also shares personal stories about his growth, the challenges of parenting, and the significance of vulnerability and repair in relationships. The...

Leadership host Tim Rush sits down with Crucible Executive Director Roy Wooten to discuss the critical aspects of leadership, particularly in the context of pastoral care. They explore the importance of vulnerability, the need for safe spaces for pastors to express their struggles, and how church members can support their leaders. They also emphasizes the role of confession and authenticity in fos...

Vickie Kerr shares with host Joy Dunning about her transformative journey through soul work and coaching. This conversation dives into the importance of coaching , the dynamics of authentic relationships, and the power of community support in personal growth. Vickie shares how she overcame personal challenges, embraced her worthiness, and emphasizes the significance of dreaming and setting intenti...

Tim Rush and Andy Spell explore the multifaceted nature of leadership, focusing on Andy's personal journey and insights gained over nearly 40 years in ministry. They discuss the importance of recognizing one's leadership style, the role of personality in leadership, and the significance of self-care and validation. Andy shares his experiences with ego management, the journey of self-acce...

Lewis Yuan sits down with host Mark Dunning to share his journey from faithlessness, self-doubt, and personal struggle to finding purpose, healing, and hope through vulnerability and connection. Lewis recounts how years of self-reliance led to brokenness and how his Crucible retreat helped him confront his deepest fears, embrace radical honesty, and connect with a community of men  with reignited...

Leadership Series Host Tim Rush sits down with a very special guest, his wife Kim Rush, certified Crucible Retreat Leader and Coach . Kim reflects on the challenges of leadership, the balance of family and ministry, and the deep personal growth that comes from leaning into soul work. From lessons learned in Mexico, to navigating identity through seasons of loss and change, to embracing the importa...

Kevin Heraly sits down with host Andy Spell to share his transformative journey of stepping into true manhood and embracing soul-deep authenticity. From a pivotal moment that exposed hidden truths to discovering The Crucible Project, Kevin recounts how faith, grace, and accountability reshaped his marriage, fatherhood, and personal integrity. "Sometimes, 48 hours can change your life." H...

In this special Veterans Day episode, Armando Batista, U.S. Service Member, sits down with host Martin Brooker, retired Commodore of the Australian Navy. They discuss their transformative journeys through Crucible and Armando shares how he confronted hidden wounds and because of it, now better understands his own behavior and connects more deeply with his family. Armando describes how Crucible’s i...

Mackenzie Wojta sits down with host Joy Dunning just 72 hours after her first Crucible retreat. Mackenzie shares some of the profound insights gained from confronting personal challenges and embracing vulnerability during a candid conversation about the journey toward authentic connection and self-discovery. "Don’t hold back—take that step. It’s worth the discomfort and the challenge." H...

Sandy Corrigan shares with host Joy Dunning how she shifted from a victim mindset to recognizing the gifts of leadership, responsibility, and service. After overcoming challenges like divorce and single motherhood, she found healing and rediscovered her voice. Now, she encourages others to embrace soul work and step into their full potential, including her own decision to enter the Mrs. Colorado 2...

Dr. Chris R. Mazzarella, PsyD, LCP discusses how The Crucible Project has made a positive difference in his counseling practice. He also shares personally how his Crucible retreat impacted his life and now benefits his clients, stating, “I’ve been in this profession for 27 years... Crucible is the real catalyst for lasting change. I know if my clients take advantage of this resource, it’s like six...

Nathaniel Harrison shares his Crucible journey with host Martin Brooker. He reflects on how the weekend opened him up to deeper authenticity, improved relationships with his family and work, and gave him a renewed sense of purpose in bringing "heaven on earth" to others. Nathaniel shares, "I went from resisting it with every fiber of my being to it becoming a turning point in my lif...

Host Jess Donovan sits down with Pastor and Crucible alum Matt Furr as he shares the impact of Crucible on his work in the church as Lead Pastor of a church in New Hampshire. Matt also shares how Crucible has helped him come alongside other pastors looking for a safe space to tend to their own souls and uncover barriers in their relationship with God. Here are some of the topics we cover in our po...

Tony Bradburn sits down with host Andy Spell to share his Crucible story and the impact it had on his identity. From attending his initial Crucible retreat and then staffing other weekends, Tony found a way to bring together all of his identities - "as a black man, as a believer, as someone who was adopted, that was a powerful experience for me. All of these parts of myself deserve to be inte...

Radio personality Robb Paolasso sits down with host Jay Mountjoy to discuss his Crucible journey, transformation, and living life on mission. Robb shares how attending a second-level weekend with Crucible, Mission and Purpose, sparked a renewed passion for radio and how he intentionally uses his platform to speak life now. He also discusses co-parenting, loss, making amends with adult children, an...

Host Tim Rush sits down with Dr. James Henderson, missionary and co-Founder and Director of Ashrei , a center for Spiritual Formation in Mexico City to discuss cross-cultural leadership, priorities, and balance. "Jesus has this extraordinary balance of God pouring into Him and then Jesus is able to pour Himself out to others and respond to whatever is the need right in front of Him with just...

After going through a period of harsh loss, Crucible Men’s Ministry Assistant Dan Ripple shares how Crucible "saved my life. It made all the difference in the world." Following his initial weekend, he participated in Crucible's two-year program and has found life and community volunteer staffing retreats and bringing soul work to other men. "We all have gifts and talents but to...

James Henderson, co-Founder and Director of Ashrei , a center for Spiritual Formation in Mexico City, shares his Crucible testimony with host Andy Spell. When asked what brought him to his Crucible retreat, James shares, "I didn’t like the man that I saw in the mirror. I was doing mission work and I felt like I was called to serve in the world that God loves and to do it cross-culturally, and...

Leadership Series: Roy Wooten, Executive Director of The Crucible Project , sits down with host Tim Rush to discuss his leadership journey. Hear more about Roy's early days in leadership as a teenager and what he has learned along the way about what true leadership is and how leaders go first both in work and vulnerability to pave the way for others.  Here are some of the topics we cover in o...

Dan Holzer and Fred Macaluso, the visionary founders of Project 5130 , sit down with host Joy Dunning to share their story and mission. Based on their transformative experiences with Crucible, Dan, and Fred created Project 5130 to mentor and disciple high school teens. Through candid stories and heartfelt reflections, they share how their program fosters authentic relationships, accountability, an...

Host Andy Spell interviews Brian Smith from the Crucible Connecticut men's community. Brian shares how Crucible helped him unearth some of the messages in his life that kept him stuck and starting to move forward. He also shares how Crucible has positively impacted his marriage and parenting as a blended family with unique challenges. Brian states, "I can walk my talk. I can be honest wi...

Jess Donovan, Crucible leader and Family Program Manager at her church in New Hampshire shares her observations on the multigenerational impact of Crucible, the intersection of Crucible and the local church, and how each generation can contribute to each other. Here are some of the topics we cover in our podcast episodes: Radical honesty and grace Spiritual growth Discipleship Mentorship Personal...

Pastor and Crucible Leader John Casey is interviewed by Leadership Series host Tim Rush about his leadership journey. He shared how his leadership really began by being a good student and doing what was needed. He stated, “One has to learn to lead yourself before being able to lead others.” He highly values doing things well, which has propelled his leadership. In his fifties, he learned that he a...