Intentional Guy

That’s my word for 2026—and it’s not just a theme, it’s a decision.

In this powerful New Year’s Day episode of The Intentional Guy Podcast, I open up about why offense has been quietly stealing my peace, damaging relationships, and fueling negative thinking—and how God has been calling me to something better.

This episode was recorded hours after I found out I was being laid off, making the message painfully real and deeply personal. This isn’t theory. This is faith tested in real time.

What happens when darkness meets redemption? In this powerful episode, Mark Cooley shares his raw and transformative testimony of overcoming addiction, crime, and a traumatic past through the redemptive power of Jesus Christ.From childhood trauma and rebellion to experimenting with drugs and black magic, Mark's story takes you through the depths of despair to the heights of spiritual freedom. After hitting rock bottom and facing arrest, a divine intervention changed everything. Behind bars, Mark encountered Christ in a life-altering way that broke every chain.Now free and walking in purpose, Mark is committed to leading others to Christ and returning to jails to mentor those still searching for hope. His story proves that no past is too dark for God's light to penetrate, and that true transformation is possible for anyone who seeks it.Key Topics:Overcoming addiction and destructive behaviorFinding faith in the darkest placesThe power of redemption and second chancesPrison ministry and giving backAccountability and spiritual growthFamily reconciliation and forgivenessConnect with The Intentional Guy Podcast - helping men lead intentional, purposeful lives grounded in faith.Your past doesn't define your future. There is always hope.

BROTHERHOOD OF 5 | The Men Every Man Needs Before the BattleQuick question: How many real friends do you have? Not acquaintances. Not work buddies. Real brothers who would show up at 2 AM when you're falling apart?This past year, isolation nearly broke me. Depression hit hard, and instead of reaching out, I hid. I pushed away the very men God placed in my life to carry me through the fire.But five brothers refused to let me fall—Joe, Ebon, Dylan, Duane, and Pete. They pursued me when I was running. They held me up when I couldn't stand. They pulled me out of the darkness.Today, I'm introducing you to these men and giving you a blueprint to build your own Brotherhood of 5.

This milestone episode features my close friend Joe Mikalajunas sharing one of the most powerful redemption stories you'll ever hear.

What would you do if you had to choose between your brother and your future? Joe made that choice—and it cost him four years in federal prison. But that prison cell became the place where everything changed.

From Army officer to federal inmate to dishwasher to CEO... Joe's journey will challenge you, inspire you, and remind you that God's plans are perfect even when we can't see them.

This episode covers:🔹 Making impossible decisions and facing the consequences🔹 Finding Christ in the darkest valley🔹 Surviving spiritual warfare and physical danger in prison🔹 The power of surrendering control to God🔹 Building a life of purpose after losing everything

If you're walking through your own valley right now, this conversation will speak directly to your heart.

Every man leads someone — whether he realizes it or not.In this episode of The Intentional Guy Podcast, Michael Chestnut reminds us that leadership isn’t about power, position, or platform — it’s about presence.Through powerful examples like Tim Tebow and Brian Pursell, we explore what it means to lead with humility, consistency, and faith — even when no one’s watching.You don’t need a microphone to make a difference.You just need a faithful walk with God.👊 Every man carries influence.The question is — where are you leading the people who follow you?👉 Watch now and be challenged to lead intentionally, live faithfully, and influence others toward Christ.⚔️ Next Week: Our 100th Episode Celebration!A powerful story of redemption and healing — don’t miss it.#IronSharpensIron #TheIntentionalGuyPodcast #ChristianMen #Faith #Leadership #Purpose #MensMinistry #FaithInAction #LeadByExample #ChristianPodcast #IntentionalLiving #RealMenLead #JesusFirst #FaithOverFear

The Battle No One Sees: Fighting Loneliness, Depression, and Anxiety with FaithWe've created a world where "How are you?" has become the question nobody actually wants answered. But what happens when even the strongest among us hit a breaking point?In this episode, we dive into the hidden battles of loneliness, depression, and anxiety—struggles that even people of deep faith experience. Through the story of Elijah (who called down fire from heaven, then asked God to take his life just one chapter later), we discover a powerful three-step strategy for moving toward healing and freedom.You'll learn:✓ Why feeling lonely or anxious doesn't mean your faith is weak✓ What the U.S. Surgeon General says about the loneliness epidemic✓ How God met Elijah's needs—body, soul, and purpose✓ A simple framework: Rest, Reconnect, RefocusIf you've ever felt like you're carrying weight alone, this episode is for you. You're not forgotten. You're not disqualified. God's not done with you yet.Connect with The Intentional Guy:Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it today.#Loneliness #MentalHealth #ChristianPodcast #Faith #Depression #Anxiety #MensMinistry #BiblicalWisdom #Elijah #IntentionalLiving #ChristianMen #SpiritualGrowth #MentalHealthAwareness

Welcome back to Intentional Guy. It's been over a year since I've been here, and today I need to explain why I disappeared.Twenty years ago, FBI agents showed up at my door and exposed the secret life I'd been living as a youth pastor. What followed was a brutal 15-year journey to find restoration—battling suicidal thoughts, psychiatric hospitals, and shame that nearly destroyed me.Last year, I thought the major battles were behind me. Then life knocked me down from a completely different direction. And instead of using the tools I'd learned, I isolated. I pulled away from everyone. I went silent.But isolation was exactly what the enemy wanted.In this episode, I share the honest truth about:Why I disappeared for over a yearHow a relationship setback triggered old patterns of isolationThe critical difference between forgiveness and restorationWhy isolation nearly paralyzed me againHow the men in my small group refused to let me disappearWhy you're NOT defined by your past decisionsKEY SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:Psalm 34:18 - The Lord is close to the brokenheartedRomans 8:28 - In ALL things God works for goodPsalm 37:4 - Take delight in the LordEphesians 6:12 - Our struggle against spiritual forces1 Peter 5:8 - The enemy prowls like a lionHebrews 10:24-25 - Not giving up meeting together2 Corinthians 4:8-9 - Struck down but not destroyedRomans 8:1 - No condemnation in Christ JesusIf you're struggling in silence right now—feeling alone, isolated, or convinced that your past has disqualified you from hope—this message is for you. You are not alone. And you are not destroyed.REACH OUT TO ME:📧 Email me personally: [email protected] WILL respond to you. You don't need to have it all figured out. You don't need to be cleaned up first. Just reach out. Let's build a strategy together to help you move out of the darkness.READ MY FULL STORY:📖 "EXPOSED: FBI Raid to Redemption"Amazon: https://a.co/d/5hBakbhMy book chronicles the full 20-year journey from FBI investigation to complete restoration. It's raw, honest, and written for anyone who feels beyond redemption.WHAT'S COMING THIS YEAR:This year on Intentional Guy, we're exploring what it really means to live with intention—not perfection. We'll share stories of real redemption from men who thought they were finished but discovered God wasn't done with them yet.CONNECT WITH ME:📧 Email: [email protected]📖 Book: https://a.co/d/5hBakbhSubscribe and hit the notification bell so you don't miss any episodes.Let's walk this out—together.#IntentionalGuyPodcast#growyourfaith #faithpodcast #christianpodcast #menoffaith #faithjourney #RealFaithStories#christianinspiration #godsgrace #redemptionstory #restoredbygrace #godisnotdone #faithoverfear #graceinaction #jesusredeems #romans828 #2Corinthians49#psalm3418 #hopeinchrist #ForgivenNotForsaken

"The Invite That Changed Everything: Will's Journey from Addiction to Faith"Description:

With Michael and Amber Chestnut