How do we stay Christlike when family conflict rises, especially around the holidays? In this episode, Isaac sits down with Mike Ahrendt and Ken Wegrzyn to talk about biblical principles for peacemaking, humility, forgiveness, and navigating hard conversations.

Thank you for listening.

In this episode, I sit down with my dad, Tim Speweik, for a conversation on true gratitude—rooted in Christ, shaped through life, and central to the Thanksgiving season. We read an excerpt from something he wrote years ago, look at the real history behind Thanksgiving, and talk about why Christians should lead the way in thankfulness. A simple, encouraging reminder to see God’s goodness and give Him praise.

Tim’s testimonial episode (Spotify):
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5lqjZ2Tb08qghnhY5eWZbd?si=Wx7_YDnsSRaY8v9R2BcO5Q

Tim’s article:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hYBXAr3va1aa608EwwiCSq3Fg01n1ONi/view?usp=drivesdk

Video referenced:

https://youtu.be/IqQuG_JUqhg?si=RhiZ5GnO7x9RefyO

Thank you for listening.

Why does writing matter? Why should Christians be readers and writers? And why is poetry something men need to reclaim?

In this episode, we’re joined by Noah Wing and Ryan Baechle, two well-read literature guys who teach writing and think deeply about the power of words. Together, we talk about why good writing shapes us, why consuming well-written books strengthens our minds and our faith, and why Christians should make writing a regular practice in their lives.

Whether you already love reading or you’re trying to grow in this area, we hope this conversation encourages you to pick up a pen, open a book, and use your words for the glory of God.

The links to the media mentioned in the episode are below.

Noah’s article on the Michigan sulfur spring:
https://enjoyer.com/stinking-spring-hidden-in-rural-michigan/

Video of the spring:
https://youtu.be/cNBFsPwiY7I?si=QRhrDQHJmGYWQOkP

Jordan Peterson on Writing:
https://youtu.be/Kwjw2J6ByJo

Jordan Peterson writing guide:
https://jordanbpeterson.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Essay_Writing_Guide.docx

Tim Bayly’s substack:
https://bayly.substack.com/

Out of Our Minds Podcast mentioned:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/out-of-our-minds/id1571137041?i=1000734487015

Seamus Heaney reading ‘Digging’:
https://youtu.be/61zlSYgFwmk?si=Au1lvaMRy1bfG7eW

Thank you for listening.

In this episode, Jason Wilson shares how he got saved. Growing up in the projects, Jason dealt with pride and arrogance, trying to make life work on his own strength and intellect. He became a husband and father at a young age and faced years of instability and struggle—then he found Christ. Jason and his wife both came to faith, and through God’s patient guidance and merciful hand, he learned God’s purpose for his life. Today, Jason serves as a dean and athletic director, using the skills he’s developed to connect with young people and point them to Jesus Christ.

The correct term that I was referencing is not “oughts,” it is “aughts,” which refers to the decade from 2000 to 2009.

Thank you for listening. 

This is the sixth and final episode of the 2025 men’s conference podcast.

In this episode, host Parker Cornwell introduces us to one of our breakout speakers for this year’s conference, Matt Miklovic. Matt will be leading a session called “Faith for Your Children.”

Each year here at Christ the Word, we host a men’s conference titled Builders Conference. The conference is being held this year on Saturday, November 8. Please join us as we consider our theme, which is the question, “What is a man?”

For more information, please visit buildersconferencetoledo.com

The main Builders Conference Podcast (Spotify) feed can be found here: https://open.spotify.com/show/5lwV5Nm2UpJepCssji3fp8?si=mHeODylVQMWluc-xqvQDzA

This is the fifth episode of the 2025 men’s conference podcast.

In this episode, host Parker Cornwell introduces us to one of our breakout speakers for this year’s conference, Mike Pollock. Mike will be leading a session called “Christian Endurance.”

Each year here at Christ the Word, we host a men’s conference titled Builders Conference. The conference is being held this year on Saturday, November 8. Please join us as we consider our theme, which is the question, “What is a man?”

For more information, please visit buildersconferencetoledo.com

The main Builders Conference Podcast (Spotify) feed can be found here: https://open.spotify.com/show/5lwV5Nm2UpJepCssji3fp8?si=mHeODylVQMWluc-xqvQDzA

This is the fourth episode of the 2025 men’s conference podcast.

In this episode, host Parker Cornwell introduces us to one of our breakout speakers for this year’s conference, Matt Slick. Matt will be leading a session called “Who is My Neighbor?”

Each year here at Christ the Word, we host a men’s conference titled Builders Conference. The conference is being held this year on Saturday, November 8. Please join us as we consider our theme, which is the question, “What is a man?”

For more information, please visit buildersconferencetoledo.com

The main Builders Conference Podcast (Spotify) feed can be found here: https://open.spotify.com/show/5lwV5Nm2UpJepCssji3fp8?si=mHeODylVQMWluc-xqvQDzA

Nick and Isaac sit down with Jordan Daugherty, an elder here at Christ the Word Church, to discuss what effeminacy is, how to fight it, and what biblical manhood should look like.

The Jerry Clower “New Bull” joke that Jordan retells can be found here: https://youtu.be/0Gmw6j6eCCY?si=CQEBFu2dyOunQTgi

Thank you for listening. 

Chris is a husband, father, and firefighter paramedic. He joins us on this episode to discuss how he became a Christian.

As mentioned in the episode, here is the data on male suicide:

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the overall age-adjusted suicide rate in the United States remained nearly the same, at 14.21 per 100,000 in 2022 and 14.12 per 100,000 in 2023. 
In 2023, men died by suicide 3.8 times more than women.

White males accounted for 68.13% of suicide deaths in 2023.
Citation: https://afsp.org/suicide-statistics/

The book Chris mentions is called Dirty Glory: Go Where Your Best Prayers Take You by Pete Greig. 

Thank you for listening. 

This is the third episode of the 2025 men’s conference podcast. Each year here at Christ the Word, we host a men’s conference titled Builders Conference. The conference is being held this year on Saturday, November 8. Please join us as we consider our theme, which is the question, “What is a man?”

For more information, please visit buildersconferencetoledo.com

The main Builders Conference Podcast (Spotify) feed can be found here: https://open.spotify.com/show/5lwV5Nm2UpJepCssji3fp8?si=mHeODylVQMWluc-xqvQDzA