Forge Podcast: Conversations for the Journey

Latest Episodes:

From Self-Reliance to Surrender – A Conversation with Douglas Jul 21, 2026

Show notes

What if the thing you’re chasing—success, security, control—can’t actually hold you up when life says “no”?

In this Men’s Retreat conversation, Joe sits down with Douglas, who shares how God used both hunger and hardship to reshape his life. Douglas talks about coming to Scottsdale Bible Church and Forge as a newer face, finding brotherhood through Tuesday nights and serving at House of Refuge, and discovering that community can meet you in places you didn’t even know you were breaking.

We talk about what it looks like to stop trying to “clean yourself up” before coming to Jesus, why comfort can quietly pull you away from dependence on God, and how the Lord used job loss and rejection to expose pride and rebuild faith. Douglas also speaks honestly about strongholds—especially pornography—and the practical call to repent, then replace old habits with life-giving rhythms.

God doesn’t waste the hard seasons. If you’ve been tired of carrying everything alone, there’s an invitation here: surrender again, honor God, love people, and keep going.

From Self-Reliance to Surrender – A Conversation with Douglas (Video) Jul 21, 2026

Show notes

What if the thing you’re chasing—success, security, control—can’t actually hold you up when life says “no”?

God doesn’t waste the hard seasons. If you’ve been tired of carrying everything alone, there’s an invitation here: surrender again, honor God, love people, and keep going.

Addicted to God – A Conversation with Vin (Audio) Jul 14, 2026

Show notes

What if the thing you’ve called your weakness—your cravings, your compulsions, your pull toward “one more”—is actually pointing to what your soul was made for?

At the Men’s Retreat, Joe sits down with Vin, who’s newer to Scottsdale Bible Church and Forge, but already feels the impact of real brotherhood. Vin shares what it’s like to walk into a space where men “bury their souls” fast—talking marriage, work, depression, and victories with surprising honesty and speed.

We talk about Jonah as more than a fish story: the deeper issue is mercy, forgiveness, and the heartbreak of wanting judgment for an enemy. Vin connects that to real life—especially marriage—and to the call to lead with mercy the way God does. Then he gets personal about addiction, sharing his past with meth and the freedom he found in Jesus.

Vin’s takeaway is simple and practical: community is the pathway forward. If you’ve been fighting alone, this episode invites you to get connected, pursue real discipleship, and learn to crave God more than anything else.

Addicted to God – A Conversation with Vin (Video) Jul 14, 2026

Show notes

What if the thing you’ve called your weakness—your cravings, your compulsions, your pull toward “one more”—is actually pointing to what your soul was made for?

From Identity Struggle to Deeper Faith – A Conversation with Hal (Audio) Jul 07, 2026

Show notes

What do you do when following Jesus costs you approval—and forces you to face parts of your story you’d rather keep underwater?

In this Men’s Retreat conversation, Joe sits down with Hal, who shares a deeply personal journey from cultural identity and self-reliance into a growing, surrendered faith. Hal talks about coming to a men’s group during a marriage crisis, watching God bring both rescue and renewal, and how those early steps led to baptism—alongside his wife—after a season marked by bold conviction and real community.

We talk about what it means to wrestle with identity after becoming a Christian, especially when family tension and long-held labels make you want to run. Hal connects his story to Jonah—running, going deeper, and discovering that the dark places can become the very place God meets you. He also reflects on sobriety, the pull of money and addiction, and how prayer spoken out loud has reshaped his heart and his home.

God isn’t afraid of your deep water. If you’ve been running, hiding, or feeling alone, there’s an invitation here to go deeper with Jesus—and to let community strengthen what God is rebuilding.

From Identity Struggle to Deeper Faith – A Conversation with Hal (Video) Jul 07, 2026

Show notes

What do you do when following Jesus costs you approval—and forces you to face parts of your story you’d rather keep underwater?

Mercy First, Not Punishment – A Conversation with Mark (Audio) Jun 30, 2026

Show notes

What changes when you stop assuming God’s posture toward you is punishment—and start believing His first bend is mercy?

In this Men’s Retreat conversation, Joe sits down with Mark right after session two to talk about what’s landing in his heart. Mark shares how growing up with a good family didn’t automatically mean he understood grace. He describes a legalistic foundation—good works, church as routine, and a critical lens toward others—that God has been patiently reshaping since he and his wife joined Scottsdale Bible Church in 2019.

We talk about learning to respond with mercy instead of criticism, especially in everyday moments—like driving a school bus and choosing prayer over anger. Mark also shares candidly about a long, hidden struggle with lust and pornography, and how a message on “no secrets” led him to confession, healing, and deeper intimacy in marriage.

God doesn’t expose to shame—He exposes to heal. If you’ve been stuck in judgment, secrecy, or self-protection, this episode offers a simple invitation: step into the light, lean into mercy, and let the Spirit form a new response.

Mercy First, Not Punishment – A Conversation with Mark (Video) Jun 30, 2026

Show notes

What changes when you stop assuming God’s posture toward you is punishment—and start believing His first bend is mercy?

From Prison to Purpose – A Conversation with Michael (Video) Jun 23, 2026

Show notes

What if the darkest chapter of your life became the very place God proved He was real—and began rewriting everything?

In this Men’s Retreat conversation, Joe sits down with Michael, who shares a powerful testimony of running from God, meeting Jesus in prison, and being transformed from the inside out. Michael talks about being raised Catholic, believing “more good than bad” was enough, and then facing the consequences of a violent choice that led to an 18-year sentence at just nineteen years old.

We talk about what it looks like to live with hatred and blame, and how God met Michael in a moment of surrender—removing hatred, healing his body, and giving him a new heart. Michael describes moving from stopping men from going to church to leading Bible studies, bringing others to Christ, and later returning to prison as a badge-wearing volunteer.

And we talk about Jonah today—how running doesn’t always look like obvious rebellion. Sometimes it looks like doing “good ministry” while neglecting the first ministry at home. If you’ve been carrying shame, living in secrecy, or chasing validation, this episode is an invitation to come into the light, trust the Father, and let God restore what you thought was beyond repair.

From Prison to Purpose – A Conversation with Michael (Audio) Jun 23, 2026

Show notes

What if the darkest chapter of your life became the very place God proved He was real—and began rewriting everything?