Intentional Guy

What are you planting in the dark?

In this episode, Michael sits down with Matthew Wingo — founder of Turn Right Ministry and author of Turn Right: The Pursuit of Noble Things — a man whose story runs so close to Michael's own that he calls him his twin in journey. Matthew was winning in public and losing in private, quietly tending what he calls a "hidden orchard" of buried emotions, isolation, and secret struggle. For nine years he watered those seeds in silence — until the harvest came, costing him two marriages and sending him into a prodigal season that ended with nothing left but Jesus and the ashes.

Matthew and Michael go deep on the fear of failure, the lie that you're the exception to God's grace, the moment of confession across the table from a mentor who just kept smiling and saying "you're forgiven," and why the trials that follow us out of the far country are the very crucible God uses to refine us.

If you've ever felt too far gone — if shame has become your identity — this conversation is for you. You're never out of His reach.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• The hidden orchard: why bad things grow in the dark
• The prodigal son isn't a salvation story — it's a squandered-inheritance story
• Owning 100% of your 5%
• Step 4 inventory: connecting the dots of your own wiring
• The power of confession with a trusted brother
• Why testimony gives hope that theology alone can't

Grab Matthew's book Turn Right: The Pursuit of Noble Things — available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, and Google Play.

Until next time — keep being intentional.

Let's get coffee. Let me be your brother. Let me walk beside you.

#TheIntentionalGuy #ChristianMen #MensMinistry #FaithBasedPodcast #Testimony #CelebrateRecovery #Redemption #ProdigalSon #ChristianPodcast #BiblicalManhood #Brotherhood #Accountability #GraceOfGod #HopeAndHealing #TurnRight #MatthewWingo #MenOfFaith #RecoveryJourney #ChristianLiving #FreedomInChrist

What if the thing that takes a man down isn't his sin — it's his pride in hiding it?

In this episode, I sit down with Pastor Timothy Allen — 43 years walking with Christ, 20+ years of pastoral ministry, and a longtime prison chaplain — for a conversation that hit close to home for both of us. Timothy shares how God called a man who'd never been arrested to a ministry behind bars, and tells an unforgettable story of an inmate who turned down the plea deal he'd prayed for because God said "tell them no" — and what happened next.

We dig into his book Before the Fall and why pride, not sin, is what ultimately brings a man down. Timothy breaks down the "slow drift" — how a heading that's off by just one degree looks fine at first but leaves you miles off course — and why every man needs brothers who will carry his mat, tell him the truth even when he gets mad, and never leave him halfway there.

I also open up about my own fall, the 15 years I ran from God, and the man who sat with me at a Wendy's and changed my life by refusing to judge me.

If you've ever felt yourself coasting, isolating, or hiding a struggle because of what people might say — this one's for you.

🔗 CONNECT WITH PASTOR TIMOTHY ALLEN
📖 Get Before the Fall on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0e56AwXZ
🌐 Website: https://www.romans10nine.com
📱 Romans10Nine Bible study app — courses & daily devotionals (App Store & Google Play)

⏱️ CHAPTERS
00:00 Welcome & introducing Pastor Timothy Allen
01:04 Timothy's story: an unexpected call to prison ministry
03:33 Michael's season in corrections — where God chased him down
05:12 "What I receive far exceeds what I give"
08:36 The inmate who turned down the deal: "Tell them no"
15:09 Faith, obedience, and asking God for fairness — not a free pass
19:04 Performance-based Christianity vs. grace
21:31 Before the Fall: it's not the sin — it's the pride
22:34 Peter sinking: why men drown rather than cry out
27:27 Iron sharpens iron: the brothers who pulled Michael back
29:46 The slow drift: how 271° looks just like 270°
34:46 The enemy's long game: slow pulls, not big assaults
37:23 The friend who won't sugarcoat it — and why you need him
39:43 Four men and a mat: carrying a brother to Jesus
47:59 Don't point out a flaw unless you're willing to help
51:35 100 men walking to Providence: we're never all weak at once
54:16 Forge your brotherhood before the hardship comes
56:00 Where to find Before the Fall & Romans10Nine

Keep being intentional. 💪

#TheSlowDrift #ChristianMen #BeforeTheFall #FaithAndFamily #ChristianPodcast #MensMinistry #IntentionalLiving #SpiritualGrowth #Discipleship #PrisonMinistry #IronSharpensIron #ChristianLife

Most Christian men don't lose the battle in the moment they fall.

They lose it five minutes later.

The enemy whispers, "You did it again. This is who you are. You might as well keep going." One bad decision becomes a whole night. One night becomes an identity. Before long, shame feels more permanent than hope.

In this honest episode of The Intentional Guy Podcast, Michael Chestnut speaks directly to Christian men who are tired of fighting the same battle with pornography, lust, and masturbation. This isn't about piling on guilt or pretending sexual desire doesn't exist.

One of the most important conversations in this episode is for the single, divorced, and unmarried Christian man. What do you do with a sex drive that God intentionally created when marriage isn't your current reality? Scripture doesn't offer easy shortcuts, but it does offer wisdom, hope, and practical disciplines that help you honor God without pretending the struggle isn't real.

You'll discover:

• Why your God-given sex drive isn't something to be ashamed of.
• Practical, biblical ways to steward sexual desire when you're unmarried.
• The hidden trap that keeps men stuck long after they've fallen.
• What recovery psychology reveals about the "one-more-time" spiral.
• A simple five-minute strategy to stop shame before it gains momentum.
• How one honest phone call can change the direction of your entire night.
• Biblical hope for men who are weary of starting over.

If you've ever promised God, "Never again," only to find yourself back in the same place, this episode is for you.

You are not defined by your worst night.
You are not disqualified by your struggle.
You are not fighting alone.

The righteous man isn't the one who never falls—he's the one who keeps getting back up.

It's time to break the spiral, understand the purpose behind the sex drive God gave you, and discover that restoration is always one honest step away.

Scripture: Proverbs 24:16 • Psalm 51 • Matthew 5 • 1 Corinthians 7

☕ Need a brother to walk beside you? Reach out. Sometimes the next step toward freedom begins with one honest conversation.

What happens when you've spent years believing your failures define you?

In this powerful conversation on The Intentional Guy Podcast, Michael Chestnut sits down with Eli Brackenbury, author of Finding God at 50, to discuss how God meets us in our brokenness—not after we've cleaned up our lives, but right in the middle of the mess.

After two divorces, years of chasing success, and believing he had disqualified himself from God's purpose, Eli reached the end of himself. In complete surrender, he invited God to take control—and everything changed. What followed was a journey of healing, restoration, and discovering that God was after his heart, not his performance.

Michael and Eli also share their own experiences with divorce, shame, rebuilding their identities, and the importance of surrounding yourself with godly men who will challenge, encourage, and carry you when life gets hard. Their conversation is filled with practical wisdom and hope for anyone wondering if God can still use their story.

• Why surrender is the beginning of restoration.
• How failure and divorce don't have to define your identity.
• The difference between religion and a personal relationship with Jesus.
• Why every man needs strong, godly friendships.
• How God uses our deepest wounds to prepare us for our greatest purpose.
• What it means to trust God even when you can't see the next step.

If you've ever felt like you've gone too far, failed too much, or wondered if God could still use you, this episode is for you.

👍 If this conversation encouraged you, be sure to:

• Like this video
• Subscribe to The Intentional Guy Podcast
• Share this episode with someone who needs hope today
• Leave a comment and let us know what spoke to you most!

Chapters

• 00:00 The Journey of Surrender
• 07:35 The Impact of Surrender
• 16:30 The Role of Community
• 27:18 The Power of Faith and Trust
• 42:40 Encouragement and Support

#TheIntentionalGuy #ChristianMen #Faith #Jesus #ChristianPodcast #MensMinistry #IdentityInChrist #Healing #Restoration #Surrender #DivorceRecovery #FindingGod #Hope #BiblicalManhood #Discipleship #ChristianLiving #Purpose #MensMentalHealth #EliBrackenbury #FindingGodat50

Competency Cancels Fear: From Pulpit to Bureau — An FBI Agent's Guide to Fearless Living

What happens when you take a small-town Baptist pastor who's never held a gun and hand him a badge for the FBI? You get 24 years of stories that sound made up — teenage prostitutes, gang members, terrorists, SWAT raids — and a man who never lost sight of the fact that he was still, first and foremost, a shepherd.

In this episode, Michael sits down with Eric Robinson — former pastor, 24-year FBI veteran, and SWAT operator — for a conversation that goes far beyond cop stories. Eric unpacks the concept that changed how he thinks about fear entirely: competency cancels fear. Not the absence of danger — the presence of preparation.

They talk about:

* Why Eric's headaches disappeared the day he left ministry for the FBI — and what his body was trying to tell him
* The danger of carrying everyone else's burdens without anyone to carry yours
* What "the flinch test" taught Eric about welcoming people the church often turns away
* Why judgment on your face costs you influence later
* The SWAT practice of "after action reviews" — and how it's a model every man could use in marriage, parenting, and recovery
* Owning your mistakes before anyone calls you out on them, and why that's a mark of strength, not weakness
* Redefining masculinity through the person of Jesus — kindness, availability, and truth spoken in love, not condemnation

Whether you've never met an FBI agent or you've never sat with your own failures long enough to learn from them, this episode will challenge you to stop running from fear and start preparing for it.

Eric's book, releasing this October, tells the full story — find out more at http://preachertobreacher.com.

#IntentionalGuyPodcast
#CompetencyCancelsFear
#FromPulpitToBreacher
#FBIAgent
#SWATTeam
#ChristianMasculinity
#FaithAndCourage
#MenOfFaith
#BiblicalManhood
#AfterActionReview
#OwnYourMistakes
#FearlessLiving
#PastorToAgent
#IronSharpensIron
#ChristianMenPodcast

The conversation delves into the deceptive nature of privacy, the tragic consequences of exposure, the impact of isolation, the truth about incognito mode, the collateral damage of sin, the weight of shame, the choice to walk in the light, and the hope for restoration. It emphasizes the importance of seeking support and refusing to believe the lies of isolation and shame.

Takeaways

• Isolation is a liar
• Restoration happens across a table with someone who refuses to quit on you

Chapters

• 00:00 The Promise of Privacy
• 02:32 The Tragedy of Exposure
• 03:31 The Impact of Isolation
• 08:03 The Truth About Incognito Mode
• 09:31 The Collateral Damage of Sin
• 11:40 The Weight of Shame
• 14:33 The Choice to Walk in the Light
• 16:05 The Hope for Restoration

What if your biggest battle isn't just temptation... it's a system that's learning your weaknesses?

Every day, the algorithm studies what you watch, what you click, when you're most vulnerable, and what keeps you scrolling. But this isn't a new strategy. Long before smartphones and social media, the enemy was already using personalized temptation in the Garden of Eden.

In this episode, Mike Chestnut explores the surprising connection between today's algorithms and Genesis 3, revealing how Satan has always studied our weaknesses—and how we can fight back.

You'll discover:

• Why the algorithm knows your weakest moments
• The connection between Genesis 3 and today's digital world
• How small compromises become life-altering decisions
• Why awareness is one of your greatest spiritual weapons
• One practical challenge to help you break the pattern this week

If you're tired of feeling trapped in the same cycle, this episode is for you.

• Episode chapters
• 00:01 — The Algorithm Is Studying You

  How platforms learn your habits and build tomorrow’s bait.

• 01:39 — The Oldest Algorithm: The Serpent’s Strategy

  Connecting personalized temptation to Genesis 3.

• 03:53 — The “Just One Tap” Lie

  Why small choices still shape who—and what—has influence over you.

• 06:04 — Awareness, Accountability, and Resistance

  The host’s personal story and the call to recognize vulnerable patterns.

• 07:44 — This Week’s Challenge: Disrupt the Pattern

Practical steps for changing the habit, followed by a closing invitation.

📖 Get my book Are You Ready? A Practical Battle Plan for Christian Men on Amazon:
https://a.co/d/09l2TZlN

☕ Need someone to talk to? Let's get coffee. You don't have to fight this battle alone.

👍 If this episode encouraged you:

• Like this video
• Subscribe to The Intentional Guy Podcast
• Share it with another man who needs to hear it

Scripture References:

• Genesis 3
• Genesis 3:6
• 2 Corinthians 11:3

#IntentionalGuy #ChristianMen #PornRecovery #Lust #Purity #BiblicalManhood #Faith #Discipleship #SpiritualWarfare #Accountability #MensMinistry #ChristianPodcast #Freedom #PornAddiction #MikeChestnut

The conversation delves into the hidden struggles of individuals in the church, particularly the fear of divorce and the isolation experienced in a failing marriage. It emphasizes the importance of safe and supportive relationships, the role of the church, and the path to restoration and reconciliation. The episode concludes with a call to action, encouraging individuals to seek support and not walk through their struggles alone.

Takeaways

• Fear of divorce in the church
• The importance of safe and supportive relationships

Chapters

• 00:00 — Hidden pain in struggling marriages
  02:13 — Understanding hurts, hang-ups, and habits
  10:48 — Finding a safe person to talk to
  14:40 — How to support someone in a hurting marriage
  17:26 — When is a marriage worth fighting for?
  19:56 — Safety, abuse, and unfaithfulness
  21:01 — Four practical steps toward reconciliation
  23:13 — Hope and restoration through Hosea
  24:27 — A personal story of isolation and rebuilding
  26:44 — This week’s challenge: one honest conversation

The conversation delves into the rarely discussed topic of masturbation in the context of Christianity, exploring its implications on marriage and relationships. It emphasizes the impact of self-gratification on individuals and the importance of surrendering this primal aspect to God, leading to transformation and growth.

Takeaways

• Masturbation and its implications in the context of Christianity
• The impact of self-gratification on marriage and relationships

Chapters

• 00:00 The Start of the Conversation
• 03:42 The Bible and Masturbation
• 07:50 The Sin of Self-Gratification
• 11:41 The Impact on Marriage
• 13:41 Chronic Use and Its Effects
• 16:26 God's Design for Intimacy
• 17:20 The Transformation and Challenge

The conversation delves into the complexities of forgiveness, trust, and restoration in relationships. It emphasizes the need for patience, consistency, and intentional pursuit in rebuilding trust and healing from betrayal. The focus is on understanding the process of forgiveness, actively pursuing restoration, and allowing time for healing and rebuilding trust.

Takeaways

• Forgiveness is a decision to release the debt, made new, sometimes daily, while the healing catches up to the decision.
• Rebuilding trust takes time and consistency, and it's not about big gestures but about ten thousand small, faithful days.

Chapters

• 00:00 Understanding Forgiveness
• 01:24 Rebuilding Trust
• 03:55 Actively Pursuing Restoration
• 06:16 Healing and Patience
• 08:03 Love, Patience, and Rebuilding
• 09:24 The Journey of Healing