Recently, I was officiating a beautiful summer wedding when at the reception the Father of the Groom gave his toast to the couple and made a statement that stuck with me. He said, “Marriage won’t always be easy, but it’s also not that complicated. PURSUE each other every day and good things will happen.” As I sat and marinated on that statement, I began to recognize the truth in his words. When we stop pursuing and choosing one another, we allow footholds to take place in our lives and in our relationships. In other words when we begin prioritizing other things, getting distracted, or simply growing complacent - we create a recipe for losing at love. However, as my friend’s dad reminded us, although it may not always be easy, with God it is always possible! Joining us today to help your life, relationships, and marriage step into that possibility is a wonderful couple who love walking alongside of the broken hearted to help them live a life of abundance, Chuck & Ashley Elliott. Chuck and Ashley are authors, speakers and content creators who have partnered with YouVersion, RightNow Media, The American Association of Christian Counselors, and an array of other national organizations. They also serve as advisory board members for the AACC’s International Christian Coaching Association. Frequent speakers and popular workshop leaders, their numerous certifications in psychoeducational programs equip them to help others build relational success. My friends, no matter your relationship status, this is a conversation that will equip you to look, live, love, and lead more like Christ from the inside out!

Chuck & Ashley’s Website: https://www.chuckandashley.com/about-us

Purchase Their Most Recent Book, I Used to Be _____: How to Navigate Large and Small Losses in Life and Find Your Path Forward - https://www.amazon.com/Used-Be-___-Navigate-Forward/dp/0800742494

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Nikita Koloff, better known as the "Russian Nightmare," stormed the wrestling world as few others have in the history of the sport. Imposing, immovable, and unbeatable, Nikita left a trail of fallen opponents as he brought the Cold War that loomed over the globe into the ring. From a hard-scrabble beginning to rings around the world, Nikita Koloff filled arenas, thrilled fans, and captured five world titles in the process. And then, when he was at the top of his game, he walked away from the sport. Little did he know that 11 months later, on October 17, 1993, he would find himself at an altar surrendering his life to Jesus. This encounter changed everything, including, his heart, his attitude, his focus, his mindset, and his destiny. Fast forward all these years later, he has now preached in approximately 1200 churches, 28 different denominations, as well as traveled to all 50 states and 30 countries. Our prayer is that as you hear this inspiring testimony of how God performed "heart surgery" on Nikita, that you too would realize that Jesus is the only One who can truly satisfy your soul, and no matter how far gone you may feel, you’re never out of His reach.

Nikita’s website: https://www.koloff.net/about.html

Purchase Nikita’s Book: https://www.amazon.com/NIKITA-Tale-Redemption-Nikita-Koloff/dp/0984409068

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We’ve all heard the words of James 1:2 which remind us to, “Consider it pure joy my brothers and sisters when you face trials of many kinds.” But let’s be honest there are moments where life is just flat out painful, and as the infamous movie character, Rocky Balboa, once taught us, “life will beat you to your knees and keep you there if you let it.” There are moments where it seems like no one hits as hard as life does. But then Rocky’s words shift to encouraging us that, “it’s not about how hard you can hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward… how much you can take and keep moving forward.” Sometimes all it takes is a shift in perspective to realize that we’re never out of the fight. You see happiness is external, but joy is internal. Joy is a fruit of the spirit, and as our guest today reminds us, although there are moments that may seem difficult and challenging, we get the opportunity to surrender our burdens to the Lord and give control over to the Holy Spirit allowing His joy to then invade and flow through us. Today’s guest is a man who, like all of us, is no stranger to challenge or adversity having endured plenty of painful and waiting seasons along his journey thus far. Our Built Different Guest today is the 3rd base coach for the 2023 World Series Champion Texas Rangers as well as the 2024 American League All-Star Team, Coach Tony Beasley!! To know Coach Beasley is to love him. This man is an incredible leader and truly possesses an unwavering and contagious joy that is a direct reflection of the Lord dwelling within him. In and throughout this episode Coach Beasley discusses how we can TRAIN for our TRIALS, the importance of fixating on God’s promises rather than our problems, and some of the lessons he learned through some of the hardest seasons of his life. Trust us, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss!

Find Coach Beasley on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/coachtonybeasley/

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Let’s be honest, there are several unique challenges singleness can bring in society and culture today. From the ‘hook-up’ culture we are seeing, to the trauma of attachment wounds, fear of commitment, loneliness, and more, singleness can at times be a very difficult season of life to navigate let alone appreciate. However, our guest today believes that singleness isn’t a curse to endure. Rather, it’s a gift to enjoy, even if at times it can be hard to see it that way. Our special guest who will be equipping and enlightening us today with several practical tools, conversation starters, and action steps to thrive and be content no matter our relationship status is Teaching Pastor of Red Rocks Austin and Best-Selling Author of the his newest book, Single Today, Ryan Wekenman. Ryan has been an unmarried pastor for over a decade. He’s heard all the usual questions: “Are you dating anyone? Any wedding plans in the future?” But he knows the real question they’re asking is, “Hey, do you think you’ll be single for the rest of your life?” Yet, even in the midst of all of the questions, our guest has discovered firsthand—and from hundreds of meetings with other single people—that we are often consumed by regrets or shame from the past, together with worry or fear of the future, making it feel impossible to find peace in the present. But the good news is that it doesn’t have to be that way. Our prayer is that today’s conversation would offer you a new perspective to begin seeing and living differently in the days ahead.

Purchase Ryan’s Book, Single Today, Here: https://www.amazon.com/Single-Today-Conquer-Yesterdays-Tomorrows-ebook/dp/B0CCNGN612

Connect with Ryan on social media: https://www.instagram.com/ryanwekenman/

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There’s an old quote that still rings true today, “More than 70% of leaders do not finish well.” Unfortunately, we so often see those with big followings, platforms, and pedestals fall or stumble due to something being done in private. However, our guests today want to help each of us become the leader that we would want to follow - a leader that possesses a great work ethic, vulnerability, and integrity. Joining us today to help us learn how we can shrink the integrity gap within our own lives and become the leader who lives out what we preach are the married co-founders of Living Wholehearted, a professional counseling and organizational development firm, as well as the global Courageous Girls movement, a free online curriculum equipping moms for every stage of their daughter’s growing years. After two decades in leadership and trauma-informed therapy, they are bridging the gap between Biblical, clinical, and relational wisdom to help leaders live with integrity in the home, workplace, and community. Our prayer is that through this conversation you would be educated, equipped, empowered, and encouraged to not just lead, but to lead well.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Happy 4th of July week everyone!!! You see, the Fourth of July—also known as Independence Day—has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution. On July 2nd, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, and two days later, on July the 4th, delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson. From 1776 to the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence, where many like you and me will be celebrating with festivities ranging from fireworks, parades, and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues. However, as we gather with family and friends, we pray that you would reflect on the sacrifices of our forefathers who fought bravely for the liberties we enjoy today. Their courage and resilience laid the foundation for the America we know and cherish. Further, as we gratefully fly our American Flags this Independence day, we pray that our great nation would get back to the qualities on which it was always intended to stand upon: liberty, justice, freedom, love of country, national purpose, and one nation under God. Even though we may find ourselves in some unprecedented times, we serve a God, who goes where He is invited! Let us all pray that the heart of this nation would be restored back to him! Therefore, in honor of the 4th of July, we wanted to bring on a very special guest who has a real heart and appreciation for soldiers and veterans, those who unfortunately get so overlooked in our country today and who have brought the war home with them and suffer with the challenges of PTSD on a daily basis, a heart for this country, and a heart that is on fire for the Lord! Our special guest today is Garrett Unclebach - Garrett Unclebach was a U.S. Navy Seal who achieved much in his military career, but he says none of it “is him.” He is only measured by how he serves and loves God today. His message is simple and clear, to show others the path to greatness through a life not focused on themselves. We pray that this conversation built around the concepts of discipline, sacrifice, duty, valor, strength, integrity, and character would remind you just how blessed we truly are to live in the Land of the Free, because it’s the Home of the Brave! God bless you! God bless this land! And God bless the USA!

Garrett’s Website: https://www.theimpossible.life/garrettunclebach

The Impossible Life Podcast: https://www.theimpossible.life/podcast

Garrett’s Mindset Mastery Program: https://www.theimpossible.life/mindset

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As Mike Tyson would say, “Everyone’s got a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” I think we can all agree that life sometimes delivers unexpected knockout blows that threaten to send us to the canvas of the ring we call life. Pain, challenge, adversity, and disappointment are all inevitable, but it’s not about what happens to us as much as it’s about how we respond to what happens to us. Will you give up or will you get up? Will you quit or will you keep pushing forward? Thankfully today, we have a very special guest who is no stranger to setbacks in this life. Our guest today, Lance Thonvold, was a superstar NCAA Division 1 pitcher at the University of Minnesota before becoming an MLB Draft Pick by the Seattle Mariners. However, after a professional career riddled with injuries, Lance was forced to retire from the game he loved at the age of 25. Unsure of what to do next, Lance remembers the Lord imprinting a unique perspective on his life, that even when the storms of life come our way, we must remember that we are being planted, not buried. In spite of his pain, Lance has become an impactful author and one of the leading and resounding leaders in motivational and inspirational speaking. Our prayer is that today would shift your perspective, ignite your perseverance, and remind you of the incredible purpose God has called you to! Keep on, keeping on!

Lance’s website: https://lancethonvold.com/

Purchase Lance’s Book - Planted, Not Buried: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CHWP94YP?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_9F4TENF8JVJFE5RPGBDX

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Leadership is one of the most talked about concepts in all of society. Yet, so many continue to have a misunderstanding on what true leadership is. Joining us today to not only discuss leadership, but also the importance of mentorship and discipleship is a man who needs no introduction, Benjamin Lundquist. Benjamin is a top motivational and leadership speaker, pastor, coach, and one the leading voices for leadership development and empowerment for today’s generation. He is passionate about helping students and professionals see their worth and value, crush their limiting beliefs, and lead with excellence. The message he shares is highly motivating, relatable, and equips student and professional audiences with tools that work. He hosts the Rise and Lead Podcast which ranks in the top 1% and has been downloaded in over 130+ countries around the world. He frequently works with corporate and faith organizations, universities, and high schools. As his message spreads around the world, Benjamin continues to drive positive change and is making an undeniable impact as an inspirational force and role model for anyone seeking to find their greatness and unlock their superpower. We pay that this conversational would be impactful and transformational for you and those you love for the journey ahead.

Benjamin’s Website: https://www.riseandlead.com/about

Rise & Lead Podcast: https://www.riseandlead.com/podcastepisodes

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