Gratitude and Growth

Don’t Fight Back. Fight Forward. When someone hurts, disrespects, or doubts you, it’s easy to give them more of your time and energy than they deserve. Mike explores how to redirect that energy toward the people and purposes that matter, with a practical challenge to take one small step forward this week.

Big dreams deserve a place in your everyday life. In “Systems Beat Goals,” we explore how simple, repeatable actions help turn good intentions into follow-through. Discover one practical way to make room for what matters, even on a busy Tuesday.

Keep the big dream. Give it a daily practice. 🌱

Intro and outro music: “Born to Win/Built to Dominate” by Collect Six. Used with permission.

What if “I can’t do this” really means “I haven’t learned how yet”? Inspired by an idea Mike heard from Charlie Rocket, “Find the Recipe” explores how curiosity, faith, and persistence can help us approach what feels overwhelming. You don’t need every answer to begin. Find guidance, practice the first step, and give yourself room to grow.

Your story doesn’t have to be perfect to point someone toward God. Inspired by Testimonies on the Turf and its theme, “Your Story, His Glory,” this episode invites you to look back with gratitude, recognize God’s faithfulness, and consider how your testimony could encourage someone else.

What if the way we talk about our problems is actually making them feel bigger?

In this episode, we look at how one simple shift from complaining to asking better questions can change how we handle stress, conflict, procrastination, and everyday problems. And we’ll look at what Jesus showed us about gratitude when the problem in front of us seems bigger than what we have in our hands.

What if disagreement didn’t have to damage the relationship?

In this episode, we explore Priya Parker’s idea of “healthy heat” and why learning to disagree with honesty, respect, and curiosity can actually strengthen our relationships.

Because sometimes the relationship has to be bigger than the argument.

What if the story you’re telling yourself about someone is only based on one page?

In Episode 59, we look at the difference between sympathy and empathy, why curiosity can change the way we see people, and one simple question that may help us judge a little slower and understand a little more.

Sometimes the perspective shift starts with admitting: maybe I don’t know the whole story.

Took a loss? Fine. Just don’t let it bring a friend. 👀

Inspired by a powerful lesson from Duke women’s basketball coach Kara Lawson, Episode 58 is about what happens after things don’t go your way.

The loss happened.
What you give next is up to you.

🎙️ Don’t Let One Loss Create the Next One

A one-degree shift doesn't feel like much today. But over time, it can lead you somewhere completely different.

This week on Gratitude & Growth, we're talking about the small habits, choices, and acts of faith that change our direction. Sometimes God doesn't show us the next 2,400 miles. He simply asks us to be faithful with the next degree.

Life doesn’t always go according to plan. A missed turn, setback, or unexpected detour doesn’t mean you have to give up on where you’re going. Sometimes you simply need to recalculate.

In this episode of Gratitude & Growth, we look at the difference between changing the destination and finding a new route, and how faith and gratitude can help us keep moving when life takes us somewhere we never expected.