In 1988 The Proclaimers, a Scottish duo, wrote and performed one of pop music’s most singable and relatable hits of the late 20th century. The endearing theme of loyalty affirmed the commitment to endure any challenge or distance to stay with a loved one or friend. 
In 2014, lifelong friends Justin and Patrick literally went to the Camino de Santiago, a 500 mile trek across Spain, and endured the unrelenting challenge of an “accessible Camino.” Justin had become paralyzed due to a neuromuscular disease and Patrick answered Justin’s prayer to do the Camino by simply saying, “I’ll Push You.” The resulting documentary film of the same name was released and five subsequent trips have been taken since. 
This summer (2026) two more final trips will be led by Patrick and Justin, but these trips will also be accompanied by cinematographer Trevor Lubiens. In this episode of Michael in the Middle tells the story of how own journey to discovery as he recounts previous and deeply profound trips with his friends. Trevor also tells how they will produce a new documentary, “More Than Steps.”
It’s a fascinating hour that delves into friendship, doubt, revelation, and triumph!

Michael in the Middle is back! In his return to regular podcasting, Michael shares his thoughts on why we sometimes need a kickstart to restart projects or initiatives toward the kind of personal growth that helps others in the process.

Come along as Michael looks back at his journey toward becoming a Maxwell Certified Leadership Team member. The ultimate destination is always determined by the roads we take along the journey!

When it started raining in the mountains of Western North Carolina, Bobby and Alyssa Forest had an inkling that maybe this storm would be different than anything they had ever seen. They were right. 

Within days of the arrival of Hurricane Helene, their home and their church, Asheville First Nazarene, became a soul-saving and life-giving haven for thousands over the next three months. And that story continues. 

Episode 56 of Michael in the Middle explores how one couple found their way toward helping others even in the middle of their own need. It's a fascinating hour of love and care. As the Janet Pascal song from several years ago reminds us, "It Won't Rain Always." 

Dan Fogelberg sang a memorable line in the late 1970s, “my life’s a living legacy to the leader of the band.” It hit me again as I listened to my friend, Gary Barker, tell his story of building businesses and adding value to people over the past as several years. 

Gary’s a successful member of the Maxwell Certified Leadership Team but his journey was marked by his relationship with father and other influential people. The conversation found here in Episode 55 flowed with practical leadership tips but also several affirmations of simply being present in positive ways in the lives of others. 

Episode 54 features a frank discussion of the necessity of honesty as well as the price that is paid for true forgiveness to occur in our most significant relationships. Before the conversation gets heavy there's also a healthy dose of Boston Red Sox family lore. Jeff Scott's grandfather, Stephen Nease, was president of Eastern Nazarene College for a number of years. He also served as president at Mt. Vernon Nazarene University, Southern Nazarene University, and Nazarene Theological Seminary. Jeff is deeply ingrained in the church and in higher education. He is thoughtful, highly learned, and also funny. The story he shares in the podcast centers largely around a crisis of faith and, later, the journey he and his wife, Joy, have taken toward wholeness. It's worth every minute of your time!

In his return to the podcast after a long layoff, Michael talks about the temptation to give up when the going gets tough. In the pursuit of doing something worthwhile there are often moments when the simple determination to keep going is the key to breakthrough.

My wife and I recently moved to a new home. One of the things we love most about it is the "sunroom" that looks out over a sprawling back yard. Watching the sunrise from time to time as it breaks the darkness across our yard and the 160 acre farm with which we share a fence line is never not amazing.

With the arrival of Episode 51, I was drawn to #51 of the St. Louis Cardinals, worn so well and for so long by Willie McGee. As a rookie center fielder for the Cards, McGee patrolled the field like a boss. He's still teaching young Cardinals outfielders how to play the game.

Episode 50 of Michael in the Middle was a few weeks in the making, but it was worth the wait. Joe Drake is one of the most interesting men any of us will ever know. His life story took almost as many twists and turns as any motorcycle enthusiast ever took on a mountain road. On the verge of divorce years ago, Joe and his wife, Val, were invited to church and lovingly brought into a relationship with the God from whom they had been running for years. 
"Smokin' Joe" Drake is now "Reverend" Joe Drake. Still "ready for adventure and whatever comes our way," Joe is an international leader in Bikers for Christ as well as lead pastor at Bethel Church of the Nazarene in Nashville, TN.Join Michael and Joe for an often entertaining yet deeply moving chat about loving God and loving people!

With a long and successful career in baseball including college and the pros, Nick Hiter knows what it takes to lead a winning team.