FirstAdam: A Transparent Podcast for Men

How many people have ever heard of Eddie Collins? Not someone most people are familiar with. But his stats are amazing. He was committed to the game.

Collins ranks 11th in the major leagues for most hits of all time with 3,315, and 7th for most stolen bases of all time with 745. He is one of five players to steal six bases in a game, and the only person to do so twice. To date, Collins is the only major league player to play for two teams for at least 12 seasons each. Upon his retirement, he ranked second in major league history in career games (2,826), walks (1,499) and stolen bases (744), third in runs scored (1,821), fourth in hits (3,315) and at bats (9,949), sixth in on-base percentage (.424), and eighth in total bases (4,268); he was also fourth in AL history in triples (187).

But Eddie Collins holds an incredible record that was established in 1930. He has held this record for almost 100 years. Eddie holds the record for the most sacrifice bunts in the history of baseball. 512 sacrifice bunts. No one has even come close to breaking it. Eddie knew something that most men don't. There is victory when you are committed to sacrifice. But you have to be committed to it. Eddie was committed to sacrifice. As a matter of fact, he won 6 World Series championships.

Let me ask you a simple question. Do you commit or do you quit? Most men look for the easy way out when things get hard. Marriage is tough...divorce. Kids a hard...withdraw. Work is rough...look for a new job. Relationships are painful..isolate. Church is truthful... find something else that's not so I feel better.

The idea of sacrifice and commitment is a foreign concept in a "ME" culture. Especially when things get hard. In this episode, we talk about "5 things to do" if you don't want to be committed to something. Join us as we talk about what it means to handle hard better through a commitment to sacrifice.

You have to learn to pace yourself

Pressure

You're just like everybody else

Pressure

You've only had to run so far, So good

But you will come to a place

Where the only thing you feel

Are loaded guns in your face

And you'll have to deal with

Pressure.....Billy Joel

What is pressure: it's a force exerted on or against an object. Every man feels this. Pressure robs us of life. There is a simple question for every man has to ask. How does the pressure of keeping it all going affect me.

Join us for Part 2 of Pressure.

We are joined by a couple of guests and we listen to a story of a pastor who under the pressure of life, found himself sitting at a counter with a gun in his hand ready to escape the PRESSURE. Hear the story and DISCOVER THE LIE that men must carry it all.

Every man feels it, the question is, how do you deal with it? Listen in on how a man dealt with it. What did he learn and what is still left to learn. This is a very honest and open conversation on a topic that every man faces. And if we are honest, all men have thought about what it would like to be gone or done. But when you allow God to use your weakness, something strong comes from it.

Don't ask for help

You're all alone

Pressure

You'll have to answer

To your own

Pressure

Pressure pushin' down on me

Pressin' down on you, no man ask for

Under pressure that brings a building down. - Davie Bowie & Queen 

What is pressure: it's a force exerted on or against an object.   Every man feels this. Pressure robs us of life.  There is a simple question for every man has to ask.  How does the pressure of keeping it all going affect me.  

Pressure can mess with the psychology of a man. Check out the symptoms:  

Overwhelmed:  How many of us feel swamped by the responsibilities at hand, feeling like there’s too much to handle within too little time?

Anxiety: How many men are constantly worried about potential outcomes, often anticipating negative results?

Stress: Pressure affects our mood and behavior. Many men display irritability, mood swings, or anger.

Fear of Failure: We suffer from the dread of not meeting expectations—whether one's own or those of others.

So how do we deal with the pressure we face as men?

Withdrawal: We withdraw from social interactions and find ourselves alone.

Procrastination: Ironically, the feeling of pressure leads to procrastination as a way of avoiding the stress of dealing with the issues. 

On this episode, we are joined by a couple of guests and we listen to a story of a pastor who under the pressure of life, found himself sitting at a counter with a gun in his hand ready to escape the PRESSURE.  Hear the story and DISCOVER THE LIE that men must carry it all.  

Every man feels it, the question is, how do you deal with it?

So I asked ChatGPT (AI) to answer this question: Tell me about Andrew Milich.

The response: As of my last update in December 2023, there's no widely recognized public figure named Andrew Milich in mainstream media, politics, sports, or other notable fields that I have information on. It's possible that Andrew Milich could be a private individual or someone notable in a more niche or local context. If you can provide more details or specify the field or context in which Andrew Milich is known, I might be able to help you better or suggest where you could find relevant information. Basically, what I came to understand by this is that I am unknown.

To be honest, most men like to be unknown. I like to be unknown. But what we have come to understand is the more you are known the more you can influence because our stories are windows into who we are and people can relate to them.

On this episode, we switch it up a bit. We call it the "get to know me more" episode. Sometimes knowing someone's story helps understand who they are and why they think or believe the way they do. So join us as JB asks me some hard questions about my life. It is my prayer and hope that my life will be an encouragement to you. Listen in and get to know us. And with that being said....Hello, My Name is Andy.

To whom it may concern:

It's important for me to be upfront and honest with you right now. I need some space and time to myself. I ask that you respect my solitude and give me some distance. I kindly ask that you refrain from contacting me or attempting to engage with me. I do not think you can relate to how I am feeling. You just don't understand. It's better just to keep things at surface conversations. So please, respectfully, STAY AWAY.

Sincerely, -Every Man.

Masculinity has often emphasized traits such as stoicism, independence, and emotional restraint in men. As a result, some men may feel pressure to conceal their emotions or vulnerabilities, fearing that showing transparency could be perceived as weakness or vulnerability. There can be a stigma around men expressing vulnerability or emotional needs, which might make it more challenging for some men to form deep connections with others.

On this episode, we get real about the issue guys have with deep friendships. After watching an ABC tv special on a place where men retreat to discover deeper issues in themselves, we dissect the conversation and see what God has to say about it. Join us as we discover why men are alone....

What imprint will you leave? Have you ever thought about that? What will be said of you? Leaving an imprint means making a lasting impression or impact on someone or something. It signifies leaving behind a mark. Something that signifies you were there. It is significant and enduring. It makes a lasting impact or contribution that continues to shape the world even after you are gone. It involves creating something of value that will have a positive influence on others, whether it be through your actions, work, or relationships. It is something that reflects your values, beliefs, and the difference you have made in the lives of others. It is about leaving behind a positive and lasting mark that will inspire, transform, and benefit future generations. That's the defining mark of a leader.

True leaders don't invest in buildings. Jesus never built a building. They invest in people. Why? Because success without a successor is failure. Join us this episode as we talk with Daniel and Tury Nunez. A father and son who are leaving an imprint that is not about them but is all about serving others. Listen in on an intimate discussion on leadership, fears, and legacy. Will your ceiling be someone's floor from which they begin building their legacy?

"To be the man, you gotta beat the man." - Hulk Hogan

To beat the man means you have to be "built better". This implies improvement or enhancement compared to something else. On an individual level, "built better" can refer to personal growth and development. It might involve improving oneself physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually. Ultimately, being "built better" implies progress, advancement, or enhancement in some aspect relative to a previous state, standard, or alternative. It signifies a commitment to improvement. How many men allow themselves to be beaten down through life circumstances, problems, the past, etc.? Yet Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:27 "

but I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified."

Join us this week as we talk to a man who had everything against him, he should be disqualified, yet he is "built better". He beat the man inside him to submission so that God may show him victory.

The wheels on the bus go round and round, round and round, round and round. The wheels on the bus go round and round, all through the town. "The struggle bus" is a term used to describe a state of difficulty or hardship that someone is experiencing. It implies that the individual is having a tough time dealing with challenges or obstacles in their life. The phrase is often used humorously to acknowledge and express empathy for someone who is going through a rough patch or facing various difficulties.

Truth be told, we all ride "The Struggle Bus". Even the Apostle Paul rode it when he said in Romans 7:15, "I do not understand myself. I want to do what is right but I do not do it. Instead, I do the very thing I hate." How many of us men can relate to that? The struggle to do what is right but we still do wrong.

Join us this episode as we talk about the struggle between doing right and being right. There is a huge identify difference between "I am a sinner" vs. "I struggle with sin". Take a listen and find your "I AM", so you can get off the bus.

Growing up I used to watch the "Love Boat". Awesome show. The theme song was even better. Check it out. (and I know you will actually be singing it as you read it:) )

Love boat

Love, exciting and new

Come aboard. we're expecting you.

Love, life's sweetest reward.

Let it flow, it floats back to you.

I remember when I first fell in love with my wife. It was the sweetest reward. It was exciting and new. We would talk on the phone and when it was time to say good-bye, each one of us would pretend to hang up...but really we were still wanting to extend the conversation. You hang up, no you hang up. Or we would go out of our way to make something for each other. I remember making the most amazing mix tape. (yes an actual tape, shows my age). First love, it touches places in our soul that are unique. First love is often described as a unique and unforgettable experience characterized by intense emotions, excitement, and a sense of discovery. First love can also be a time of vulnerability and growth as we learn to navigate the ups and downs of relationships. The emotions associated with first love can be incredibly intense and all-encompassing. From the thrill of infatuation to the depths of longing and desire, we may feel a rollercoaster of emotions as we explore our feelings. But let's be honest after a while familiarity and routine bring forth complacency and we lose the feelings. What we once did for our "First Love" is forgotten. We start to think what have they done for me lately. Join us this episode as we talk about First Love. How to return to your First Love for God and your spouse, the advice is the same.

JB's Recipe: https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/orecchiette-sausage-broccoli.html

This is what the LORD Almighty says: “Consider your ways." Haggai 1:7 Ok honest talk. If you think about your last year are you satisfied with what happened? Or do you look back with regret? Most men look back and think of all the ways they did not succeed, change, or grow. We look back with regret. The longer we keep looking back in the rearview mirror, it takes away from everything that's moving forward. In this episode, we ask 10 questions that every man should ask. God says in the book of Haggai to "consider your ways". That means we are to know the direction we are going. Lewis Carroll, the author of Alice in Wonderland wrote “If you don't know where you want to go, then it doesn't matter which path you take.” As men we must consider our ways for others are depending on our direction. Join us as we discuss 10 vital questions to ask in the new year. Perhaps it is time for you to "Consider your ways".