Impactus podcast

The future is coming for all of us.

It can be scary to think about—but does it need to be?

In this thought-provoking conversation, Dean talks with Dr. Joel Murphy of Acadia Divinity College, who invites us into the world of "futuring"—a disciplined, hope-filled way of discerning where culture is headed and how Christian men can respond with wisdom and intentionality.

Rather than simply reacting to change, Joel challenges men to recognize emerging trends, imagine possible futures, and step into their God-given calling to help shape what's next.

From the rise of AI and the "attention economy" to the growing influence of the online manosphere, Dean and Joel dive into some of the realities shaping modern masculinity.

But grounded in a deep confidence in Christ, Dr. Murphy holds the tension between realism and hope—reminding us that while the world is shifting rapidly, God is not.

The future is coming for all of us. The question is—what kind of men will face it?

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It turns out one of the toughest things about being a man is not one of the most obvious things:

How hard it can be to make and keep a friend.

When we were boys, friendship often came easier—between school, church, sports, etc., there were just other guys around, and if you were to try and define "how" your best boyhood friendships developed, it would likely be challenging. They just kind of "happened."

Fast-forward to adulthood, and those friendships don't seem to "just happen" in the same way anymore.

In a time when our online lives often eclipse our in-person encounters, more and more men are finding it hard to meaningfully connect with other men socially.

And yet every man knows that he needs brothers around him to journey through life with, to lean on and depend on, to be encouraged and challenged, and to grow.

It is a massive problem in our culture, even within the Church—so what are men to do?

Enter Steve McCready, a pastor, leader, and friend of Impactus, who was so fascinated by the issue of friendship and faith that he devoted an entire doctorate to researching and writing on it.

Steve and Jordan jump into this important conversation, exploring why friendship is so crucial, why many men find friendship so challenging, what the Bible says about it, and some simple, practical steps a man can take to connect with others.

This is a common problem with good, easy solutions—don't miss this episode!

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Luke Detraz lost his father at an early age, first through divorce and then through his dad's premature death.

The loss sent Luke on a journey of pain, loneliness, self-destruction, and wondering where God was in all of it. For years, he carried questions about his identity, his masculinity, and whether he would ever have what it took to make it in this world.

God met him powerfully in his brokenness, and through healing, discipleship, restoration, and people placed in his life, Luke was rebuilt into the healthy and godly man he is today.

Out of this journey of loss and redemption, Luke has a deep burden for other hurting men and has given his life to helping them find the same healing and grace that Christ extended to him.

Luke sits down with Chris on this episode of the Impactus podcast to share his story, his ministry, his new book on masculinity, and to talk about how God meets men in their pain and brings them back to life again.

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In a world of burnout, divided attention, digital overwhelm, and spiritual disconnection, many men have lost sight of the greater story they were meant to inhabit.

To help us solve this problem, Heath Hardesty, pastor of Valley Community Church in California, has written All Things Together, a winsome and timely invitation to rediscover that divine story through a reimagined vision of apprenticeship to Jesus—one that brings together the scattered pieces of our lives and cultivates peace in an increasingly divided world.

In this episode of the Impactus podcast, Dean and Heath discuss Heath's personal journey, the importance of community, and the role of both gentleness and strength for men in discipleship. The conversation emphasizes the need for spiritual formation rooted in grace and the significance of being present in our relationships with God and others.

Whether you're a seeker or a seasoned follower of Jesus, this conversation is worth listening to!

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Justin Roethlingshoefer, faithful husband and believer, was a self-proclaimed "fat kid" with eating disorders and significant health issues when God got a hold of him

The Lord healed, redeemed, and transformed Justin on multiple levels, and he is now on the cutting edge of health from a biblical and Christ-centered perspective, focusing on reclaiming fitness in both our bodies and our souls.

In this conversation, Justin sits down with Jordan and shares his journey from struggling with health issues to becoming a leader in health transformation through his program, Holy Health. They discuss the importance of understanding one's identity in Christ, the dangers of disintegration, the enemy's plan to take us down and how to beat him, and practical steps to achieve wellness in every area of life in a God-honoring way.

This episode is fascinating, challenging, and inspiring, and will encourage men to take hold of their health in a whole new way!

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How easy is it for you to admit, "I'm wrong?"

What about acknowledging you made a mistake?

Or can you make a list of some of your biggest faults?

Some of us may handle these questions better than others, but most men struggle with them, to be sure.

In this episode of the Impactus podcast, Chris chats with Nathan Clarkson, an actor, director, and author who has written a new book called I'm the Worst: How Freedom is Found in Admitting Our Faults.

In this conversation, Chris and Nathan talk about the significant challenges men face in being honest about their failings and weaknesses, and the transformation that God can bring about when we fight those instincts towards self-preservation and are willing to be honest, vulnerable, and trusting of others who can help us.

God desires to meet men in their struggles and their messes. Join us for a fascinating and wide-ranging conversation about how men can invite Him in and find healing and freedom as they do.

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Why is it so hard for men to ask for help?

Or admit they don't know something?

Or be open enough to be vulnerable?

Whether through our upbringing, our theological beliefs, or our personal views on masculinity, we all bring preconceived ideas to the table of what a man "should" be.

But as challenging as they might be, what if those avenues of humility, vulnerability, and other people were the exact things God wanted to use to make you a better and more Christlike man?

In this conversation, Dean chats with A.J. Swoboda, a husband, father, professor, and author who has written a new book, A Teachable Spirit: The Virtue of Learning from Strangers, Enemies, and Absolutely Anyone.

Dean and A.J. challenge traditional notions of masculinity, arguing that true manhood is rooted in vulnerability and the recognition of one's need for support from others, and there is great work that God can do when men are willing to walk that path.

True masculinity is not about having it all together. Join us for this engaging conversation about what this means and how we can live it out.

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Every Christian man knows pornography isn't good for us—but do we really understand why?

And even more importantly, do we know how to actually break free?

Sathiya Sam, a friend of Impactus, is celebrating 10 years of freedom from pornography by the grace of God—and he has dedicated his life to helping other men experience that same lasting freedom.

In this honest, vulnerable, and timely conversation, Sathiya sits down with Jordan to unpack the challenges so many men face in the pull of pornography. They explore the root of long-standing inner struggles as well as emerging realities, including significant concern over the rise of AI-generated porn, and what current science reveals about pornography's devastating effects on the brain.

Drawing from a deeply personal journey of recovery, Sathiya shares hard-won wisdom, practical insight, and genuine hope for men who are tired of the cycle and longing for real healing through Jesus.

If you want freedom that lasts, this is a conversation for you.

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Being a dad may be the only significant role in a man's life where he doesn't make a plan.

Whether it's our marriage, finances, career trajectory, physical health, church engagement, or any other important aspect of our lives, men typically assess the situation, decide where they want to go, and then create a plan to get there.

In parenting, however, someone at the hospital just hands you a new baby one day and says, "Good luck!"

Raising your kids to be courageous, capable, and confident adults is one of the most important things a man can do, yet many feel ill-equipped or unsure of how to navigate the challenge of it all. We want to raise our kids in the way of Jesus, but struggle to figure out the "how."

Thankfully, pastor and author Jeff Hamilton created Dad Academy to help do precisely that.

Dad Academy is a book and curriculum that teaches fathers important biblical principles for parenting, as well as provides tools for reflection that will help a man craft a specific and intentional plan for his own kids.

In this episode, Jeff sits down with Chris as they discuss deliberate fatherhood, the challenges dads face today, the difficult cultural moments we are navigating, and how easy it can be to prayerfully make an intentional plan to raise your kids in the Lord and develop healthy, flourishing adults.

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In this special New Year's conversation, Dean, Jordan, and Chris sit down together to reflect on the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026 as we kick off a new year together!

The men discuss the powerful significance of New Year's traditions, resolutions, and personal growth. They grapple with the challenges of striving to be better men, explore why so many try New Year's resolutions that fail, discuss the importance of spiritual formation in creating lasting change, and talk about how accountability and community can help us grow, with the concept of a "Rule of Life" serving as a guide for men looking for intentional living in the way of Jesus.

Join us for this fun and interesting conversation to start 2026 right!

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