Fresh Courage

Fresh Courage

By Jason RogersSociety & Culture
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Fresh Courage episodes

  • EP 4 | From Bullied to Baller: Brock Miller Reveals the Power of Looking Beyond Yourself

    From Bullied to Baller: Brock Miller Reveals the Power of Looking Beyond Yourself

    In this episode, I sat down with Brock Miller, a former Utah State basketball star who's faced alopecia head-on and come out stronger. Brock's journey from a young kid losing his hair to becoming a college athlete and inspirational figure is nothing short of remarkable.

    Look, I know conversations about personal struggles can be tough, but trust me, this one is incredibly uplifting. Brock's story will challenge your perceptions of adversity, spark important dialogues about inner confidence, and maybe even change how you view your own challenges.

    We're diving deep into:

    • The shock of being diagnosed with alopecia at age 8
    • How faith, family, and basketball became pillars of strength
    • Why true confidence comes from within, not external validation
    • The power of using your struggles to help others
    • Balancing competitive drive with compassion
    • Whether you're facing your own battles, supporting someone who is, or just need a dose of inspiration, this episode is packed with insights that could reshape your approach to life's challenges.

      Ready to explore the intersection of faith, sports, and personal growth? Hit play and let's jump in.

      → Share this video: Brock's story could be the encouragement someone in your life needs today.

      Video Chapters:

      00:00 Introducing Brock Miller: Utah State Basketball Star
      02:45 Growing Up in a Basketball Family
      10:58 Dealing with Alopecia Diagnosis at Age 8
      16:23 Finding Strength Through Faith and Family
      21:32 Choosing to Serve a Mission Despite Opportunities
      29:47 Lessons from Argentina and Return to Basketball
      33:21 Reframing Repentance and Personal Growth
      39:12 Making an Impact Through Service and Leadership

      About Brock Miller:

      Brock's journey from a kid with alopecia to a college basketball star is as inspiring as it is crucial. After years of personal struggles and athletic achievements, he's now dedicating his experiences to encouraging others facing similar challenges. With a powerful testimony of faith and a passion for positive change, Brock is at the forefront of a movement to redefine courage and confidence.

      About Fresh Courage with Jason Rogers:

      Hey, I'm Jason Rogers, and Fresh Courage is all about highlighting people who've faced tough challenges head-on and come out stronger. We dive into real stories of resilience, growth, and the kind of courage that inspires us all to push a little harder. If you're looking for honest conversations and practical wisdom to fuel your own journey, you're in the right place.
      Remember, it's okay to struggle with self-confidence or personal challenges. If you're dealing with alopecia or any other condition affecting your self-image, reach out to support groups or counselors for help.

      #AlopeciaAwareness #FaithOverFear #CollegeBasketball #FreshCourage #InnerStrength #OvercomingAdversity #MissionaryService #SelfConfidence #UtahStateBasketball #InspirationPodcast

      47 min
    • Ep 3 | The Religion Business: Exposing Truth and Transforming Faith

      The Religion Business: Exposing Truth and Transforming Faith

      Hey everyone, Jason here from Fresh Courage. Today, I'm sitting down with Nathan Apffel, a filmmaker on a mission to revolutionize the way we think about religious institutions. Nathan's journey from action sports documentaries to tackling the complexities of faith and finance is nothing short of fascinating.
      Look, I know discussions about religion and money can be sensitive, but trust me, this conversation is eye-opening. Nathan's project will challenge your perceptions, spark important dialogues, and maybe even change the future of faith-based organizations.
      We're diving deep into:
      - The shocking truth about religious finances
      - How technology could bring transparency to churches
      - Why younger generations are disengaging from religion
      - The potential for faith-based organizations to solve global issues
      - Balancing critique with constructive solutions
      Whether you're a devoted believer, a skeptic, or somewhere in between, this episode is packed with insights that could reshape your understanding of modern religion. Ready to explore the intersection of faith, finance, and the future? Hit play and let's jump in.
      → Keep an eye out for "The Religion Business" docuseries and app, launching in late summer/early fall 2024.
      → Share this video: This conversation could be the catalyst for important discussions in your community.
      Video Chapters:
      00:00 Introducing Nathan Apffel: From Action Sports to Religious Reform
      05:30 The Religion Business: Uncovering 3,500 Years of History
      12:45 Shocking Revelations: Financial Practices in Religious Institutions
      18:20 Technology's Role in Bringing Transparency to Churches
      25:40 Generational Shifts: Why Young People Are Leaving the Church
      32:15 The Potential Impact: How Churches Could Transform the World
      38:50 Balancing Critique with Constructive Solutions
      45:30 The Future of Faith: Rebuilding Trust and Relevance
      52:10 Final Thoughts: Courage to Question and Reform
      About Nathan Apffel:
      Nathan's journey from action sports filmmaker to religious finance investigator is as unexpected as it is crucial. After years in the entertainment industry, he's now dedicating his skills to exposing truth and promoting accountability in religious institutions. With a keen eye for storytelling and a passion for positive change, Nathan is at the forefront of a movement to transform the "religion business."
      About Fresh Courage with Jason Rogers:
      Hey, I'm Jason Rogers, and Fresh Courage is all about highlighting people who've faced tough challenges head-on and come out stronger. We dive into real stories of resilience, growth, and the kind of courage that inspires us all to push a little harder. If you're looking for honest conversations and practical wisdom to fuel your own journey, you're in the right place.
      Remember, questioning your faith or religious institutions is okay. If you're struggling with doubt or disillusionment, reach out to trusted mentors or counselors for support.
      #ReligionBusiness #FaithAndFinance #ChurchAccountability #FreshCourage #ReligiousReform #TransparencyInFaith #ModernReligion #ChurchFinances #FaithfulStewardship #ReligiousInstitutions

      1 hr 9 min
    • Ep 2 | How One Mother's Pain Sparked a Suicide Prevention Movement with Brandy Vega

      Army Veteran Turns Personal Tragedy Into Life-Saving Mission

      Hey everyone, Jason here from Fresh Courage. Today, I'm sitting down with an incredible woman who's taken her personal pain and transformed it into a powerful mission. Brandy Vega isn't just an Army veteran and successful entrepreneur - she's a beacon of hope in the fight against suicide.
      Look, I know mental health can be a heavy topic, but trust me, this conversation is one you can't miss. Brandy's story will open your eyes, warm your heart, and maybe even save a life.
      We're diving deep into:
      - How a 17-year-old's dream led to a career in military media
      - The near-tragedy that became a turning point
      - Why we NEED to talk about suicide (and how to do it right)
      - Practical ways to support yourself and others
      - The power of making a simple promise
      Whether you've struggled with mental health yourself or know someone who has (spoiler alert: we all do), this episode is packed with insights that could make a real difference.
      Ready to be inspired? Hit play and let's jump in.
      → Take action now: Visit http://www.promise2live.org and make your promise to live. It's a small step that could have a massive impact.
      → Share this video: You never know who might need to hear this message today.
      Video Chapters:
      00:00 Introducing Brandy Vega: Veteran, Entrepreneur, Advocate
      03:40 From Army Dreams to Media Reality
      07:10 The Personal Tragedy That Changed Everything
      12:30 Birth of Promise to Live: Turning Pain into Purpose
      18:20 Breaking the Stigma: Why We Need to Talk About Suicide
      23:40 Practical Steps to Support Mental Health
      28:15 Balancing Family, Business, and a Life-Saving Mission
      33:50 The Power of a Promise: How You Can Make a Difference
      38:20 Final Thoughts: Courage to Act on Your Intuition
      About Brandy Vega:
      Brandy's journey from Army broadcast journalist to mental health advocate is nothing short of extraordinary. After nearly losing her child to suicide, she founded Promise to Live, a non-profit dedicated to suicide prevention. With over 25 years in media production and a heart for helping others, Brandy is changing the conversation around mental health one promise at a time.
      About Fresh Courage with Jason Rogers:
      Hey, I'm Jason Rogers, and Fresh Courage is all about highlighting people who've faced tough challenges head-on and come out stronger. We dive into real stories of resilience, growth, and the kind of courage that inspires us all to push a little harder. If you're looking for honest conversations and practical wisdom to fuel your own journey, you're in the right place.
      Remember, your mental health matters. If you're struggling, reach out. Call or text 988 for immediate support.
      #MentalHealthMatters #SuicidePrevention #FreshCourage #VeteransMentalHealth #BreakTheStigma #PromiseToLive #HopeHeals #SpeakUp #YouMatter #ResilienceWins

      41 min
    • EP 1 | More Than a Body: Breaking Free From Body Shame with Dr. Lexie Kite

      Social Media, Self-Image, and Raising Kids: A Real Conversation

      If you've ever worried about how social media affects your daughter, wondered if you're doing enough to support the women in your life, or just want to understand why body image is such a big deal - this conversation is for you. My friend Dr. Lexie Kite and I get real about the challenges we're all facing.

      In this chat, we dive into how social media and cultural expectations are shaping how we see women's bodies - including our own. Whether you're a parent, a partner, or just someone trying to navigate this image-obsessed world, you'll find some honest talk and practical insights here. No sugar-coating, just real conversation about real issues.

      If you want to learn more about this stuff, check out Lexie's book "More Than a Body". It's got a ton of great info and strategies: https://www.morethanabody.org/more-than-a-body-book/

      Video chapters:

      00:00 Catching up and why this topic matters
      05:45 The Fiji study: How media changes us
      14:30 Instagram fame and what it's really doing
      23:15 How guys can step up and support women
      35:20 Why working on ourselves matters (yes, even therapy)

      What we covered:

      • How social media is messing with our self-image, especially for women and girls
      • The wild story of how TV changed an entire culture's body image in Fiji
      • Why Instagram fame isn't all it's cracked up to be (and might be doing more harm than good)
      • How us guys can do better at supporting the women in our lives
      • The challenges of raising kids, especially daughters, in this image-obsessed world
      • Why therapy isn't just for "broken" people (yeah, I went there)
      • How to see people as, well, people - not just bodies
      • Guest Speaker: Dr. Lexie Kite is a body image researcher, author, and advocate. She has a Ph.D. in body image from the University of Utah and co-wrote the book "More Than a Body" with her twin sister. Lexie's been doing this work for over 15 years, way before body positivity was a thing on social media. She's passionate about helping people, especially women and girls, see themselves as more than just bodies.

        About Your Hose: Jason Rogers here - dad, husband, and podcast host passionate about having real conversations that matter. I'm on a mission to challenge societal norms, promote mental health, and create a better world for our daughters. Join me as we tackle tough topics with honesty, vulnerability, and a commitment to positive change.

        #RealTalk #BodyImage #SocialMediaReality #RaisingKids #WomensSelfWorth #BeingHuman #HonestConversations #ParentingToday #RelationshipGoals #PersonalGrowth

        43 min

      About Fresh Courage

      From the publisher's feed

      This is Fresh Courage, where we dive deep into the stories of extraordinary individuals who embody the spirit of fresh courage. These are the people who have faced challenges head-on, discovered…