Rudy Ruettiger is the legendary underdog behind the iconic film RUDY, the walk-on who made one unforgettable play for the University of Notre Dame and became the first player in school history to be carried off the field. One of 14 children raised in a modest home, Rudy overcame dyslexia, rejection, and doubt to become an award-winning speaker, author, producer, and founder of the Rudy Foundation.

Today, Rudy shares how discipline and scarcity forged deep gratitude, how the loss of a close friend pushed him to pursue his dream without a backup plan, and how showing up day after day changed everything. He reflects on the ordinary people who encouraged him, the rejection letters that strengthened his resolve, and the persistence it took to turn a long shot into a legacy. At its core, this is a story of hope, perseverance, and courage.

My friends, if you have ever felt underestimated, overlooked, or unqualified, this episode is for you. If you are standing at the edge of a dream and wondering whether to take the next step, you will leave reminded that perseverance beats pedigree, character outweighs credentials, and your story has the power to inspire someone else.

Recently I shared a story online about a flight delayed because of the arrogance of one person. Thousands of people liked the post. Hundreds more commented. And the vast majority agreed that the man in first class was profoundly arrogant.

Here's what I learned after that post went live:

It turns out, I was the arrogant one. Let me explain.

Andrew Zimmern is an Emmy-winning, James Beard Award-winning chef, television host, author, and global food advocate. Recognized from the wildly popular show Bizarre Foods, Andrew explores culture through cuisine. And yet before the success, Andrew's life was marked by addiction, homelessness, and hard-won second chances that eventually led him towards his purpose.

Today, Andrew shares how curiosity saved his life, why asking for help became his turning point, and how food became the lens through which he learned to see people, cultures, and himself more clearly. He opens up about childhood trauma, addiction and recovery, forgiveness, and how choosing "and" instead of "but" can change the way we hold both pain and hope at the same time.

My friends, if you've ever felt stuck in your past, ashamed of your mistakes, or unsure how to begin again, this conversation is for you. You'll leave this episode reminded that you are not your worst chapter, that curiosity can reopen closed doors, and that second chances are not rare… they're available to anyone brave enough to ask for help and keep going.

Some stories don't gently ask for your attention. They demand it.

Rhonda Bear's story is one of them.

Like so many lives lived on fire for good, her story doesn't begin with comfort or clarity. It begins in brokenness. In a childhood marked by chaos, addiction, and uncertainty. By the age of twelve, Rhonda was already searching for something—anything—that might make her feel whole.

That search led her down a long and painful road. And yet, what happened next is where her story becomes extraordinary.

Let me explain.

Robert Paylor is a former collegiate rugby standout whose life changed in an instant during a national championship match. A spinal cord injury left him paralyzed from the neck down, and doctors told him he would never walk again. He has since defied the odds: walking again, building a family, graduating from UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business, and becoming a sought-after speaker and author featured in Sports Illustrated and People.

Today, Robert shares what it means to lose everything you thought your life would be, how mindset becomes a lifeline when circumstances feel unbearable, and why forgiveness, faith, and gratitude can be the difference between surviving and truly living. He opens up about the moment doctors delivered a devastating prognosis, the long and painful road of rehabilitation, and the inner work required to release anger and choose hope, even when it feels undeserved or impossible.

My friends, if you're carrying disappointment, grief, anger, or fear about a future that doesn't look the way you planned, this conversation is for you. You'll leave with practical mental tools to face what feels paralyzing in your own life, a renewed sense of perspective, and a reminder that you are not broken, and you are not done.

As a kid, meeting someone new often sent my heart racing. You see, I worried they'd judge me by the scars on my face, the burns on my arms, or the fingers that were no longer there.

My mom- always able to read her kids' thoughts and then directly coach them up- observed my pained hesitation when meeting new people. One day she knelt down, looked me in the eye, and shared life-changing wisdom. Let me explain.

Harold Dennis Jr. is a survivor of the Carrollton Bus Crash, one of the deadliest drunk-driving tragedies in U.S. history. He was just 14 years old when everything changed. What followed was a long road through loss, injury, and grief, and a remarkable journey of resilience. Harold went on to become a college athlete, a nationally recognized example of courage in sports, a medical professional, a husband, a father, and living proof that devastation does not get the final word.

Today, Harold Dennis Jr. shares what it took to survive, forgive, and begin again. He opens up about losing his best friend, wrestling with anger and unanswered questions, and choosing forgiveness when it felt impossible. This conversation is honest, unfiltered, and deeply human.

My friends, if you're carrying quiet pain, struggling to move forward, or wondering if hope still belongs to you, this conversation is for you. You'll be reminded that healing takes time, forgiveness can be freeing, and your story is still being written.

Two years ago, Beth and I anxiously dropped off our oldest son, Jack, for his first year of college.

The school Jack chose- Indiana University- is renowned for its strong business schools, a gorgeous campus, and a long heritage of winning basketball. What it was not known for, however, was its football program. So, it's fair to say our astonishment is real that the most losing program in college football history is chasing its first-ever national championship just 18 months later.

And as unlikely as that story is, the story of their quarterback makes it even more remarkable. Let me explain.

Father Joe Detweiler is a Catholic priest, pastor, and living testament to what is possible when hope refuses to let go. As a teenager, Father Joe survived a catastrophic car accident that left doctors unsure he would ever wake up, speak, or recognize the people he loved. Against every medical expectation, he not only recovered, but went on to fulfill his calling to the priesthood, carrying with him a depth of compassion shaped by suffering, faith, and grace. Today, Father Joe shares what it is like to lose everything in an instant, how faith carried him through a coma and a long road of recovery, and why suffering does not mean God is absent. Often, it means He is closer than ever. He opens up about the people who refused to leave his side, the prayers spoken over him when he could not pray for himself, and the quiet, powerful ways God was working even when hope felt out of reach. My friends, if you are walking through something hard, whether grief, uncertainty, fear, or exhaustion, this conversation is for you. You will leave reminded that you matter, that your story is not over, and that even in moments when you feel powerless, love is still at work on your behalf.

A friend said this about a show he'd spent dozens of hours watching, and what struck me wasn't his patience, but his willingness to endure something that never truly moved him. Most of us do the same, filling our nights with noise simply to avoid the quiet.

And yet, what we repeatedly allow into our lives shapes the way we see the world. This week, watch SOUL ON FIRE, now streaming on Netflix.