In this episode of On Solid Ground, Kenny Barnwell and Shannon Thompson explore what it really means to act like a Christian and how faith shows up in everyday life.

They discuss the difference between being saved by grace and living a transformed life, and how true faith produces visible fruit over time. The conversation dives into conviction, repentance, spiritual growth, and the daily decisions that shape a Christian walk.

Kenny shares how his life changed after surrendering to Christ and how everyday choices, speech, attitude, and relationships became areas of intentional growth. Shannon reflects on conviction, humility, and how sanctification unfolds differently for each believer.

This isn't a podcast from experts. It's two friends walking out their faith, learning, wrestling with Scripture, and choosing to live differently because of Jesus.

If you're exploring faith, growing in faith, or trying to live it out more intentionally, you're welcome here.

What We Talk About in This Episode

• Acting like a Christian vs simply claiming Christianity
• Grace vs works and how faith produces transformation
• Conviction, repentance, and spiritual growth
• How everyday behavior becomes worship
• Leading others through example
• Speech and personal conviction
• Humility and overcoming comparison
• Being ready to share your faith
• Living faithfully in difficult circumstances
• Love is the defining mark of a Christian

Scriptures Referenced

• Ephesians 2:8–9 — Saved by grace through faith
• Matthew 7:16 — You will know them by their fruit
• 1 Peter 3:15 — Be ready to give an answer
• Matthew 15:11 — What comes out of the mouth reflects the heart
• Matthew 7:24–25 — Building life on the Rock

Key Takeaways

• Being a Christian is more than belief; it is a transformation
• Conviction is part of spiritual growth
• Our daily actions can become worship
• Faith becomes visible through love and humility
• We are not saved by works, but true faith produces fruit

If this episode encouraged you, follow the show, share it with someone who needs it, and stay on the journey with us as we continue learning what it means to build our lives on solid ground.

THEME SONG BY: Joe Wolfe

In this episode of On Solid Ground, Kenny Barnwell and Shannon Thompson dive into what it truly means to follow Christ in your career. They explore the tension between ambition and obedience, success and surrender, identity and occupation.

Is your career something you control, or something you steward? Are you building a platform for yourself, or allowing God to build something through you?

Kenny reflects on how personal development shaped his early career and how coming to Christ reframed his understanding of calling. Shannon shares insights about aligning work with purpose and trusting God even when direction is unclear. 

This conversation challenges listeners to examine whether their professional lives are rooted in self-effort or built on the solid ground of Jesus. Because success without surrender is still sand.

What We Talk About in This Episode

• career as calling vs career as identity

• ambition, drive, and surrendering outcomes to God

• working for God, not just for people

• trusting God in seasons of transition

• success without Christ vs success surrendered to Christ

• stewardship of talents and opportunities

• faith in the workplace

• building a career on solid ground

Scriptures Referenced

• Colossians 3:23–24 – Work as unto the Lord

• Proverbs 16:3 – Commit your plans to the Lord

• Matthew 6:33 – Seek first the Kingdom

• Luke 16:10 – Faithful in little, faithful in much

• Proverbs 22:29 – Skilled work leads before kings

Key Takeaways

• Your career is a platform for stewardship, not identity

• Calling is discovered through surrender, not control

• Excellence honors God when rooted in humility

• Success built without Christ will not last

• When Jesus is the foundation, work becomes worship

If this episode encouraged you, follow the show, share it with someone navigating career decisions, and stay on the journey with us as we continue learning what it means to build our lives on solid ground.

THEME SONG BY: Joe Wolfe

In this episode of On Solid Ground, Kenny Barnwell and Shannon Thompson have an honest conversation about the role of friendship in the life of a Christian man. They talk about gratitude, vulnerability, and the importance of having people you can call when life gets heavy.

From old friendships and new connections to the idea of being intentional in building community, this episode explores what it means to have friendships that sharpen, encourage, and pull us closer to Christ.

The conversation also dives into practical ways to stay connected, including Kenny’s daily appreciation message habit and the deeper question of who you trust to walk with you through life’s hardest moments. Together, they reflect on how true spiritual friendships are built through time, trust, prayer, and shared faith.

This is not a podcast from experts. It is two friends learning, growing, and trying to live differently because of Jesus. If you are seeking deeper relationships, accountability, and real brotherhood, this episode will speak to you.

What We Talk About in This Episode

• the importance of gratitude and intentional positivity

• having friends you can call during difficult seasons

• old friendships vs new friendships in different seasons of life

• being selective and intentional about who you share with

• the power of encouragement and staying connected

• daily habits that strengthen relationships

• community vs transactional networking

• choosing friends who pull you closer to Christ

• praying for God to bring the right people into your life

Scriptures Referenced

• Proverbs 27:17 – As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another

• Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 – Two are better than one

• Proverbs 17:17 – A friend loves at all times

• Colossians 3:13 – Bear with each other and forgive one another

• 1 Thessalonians 5:11 – Encourage one another and build each other up

• Proverbs 13:20 – Walk with the wise and become wise

• 1 Corinthians 15:33 – Bad company corrupts good character

• Romans 12:10 – Be devoted to one another in love

• Proverbs 18:24 – A friend who sticks closer than a brother

Key Takeaways

• Friendship is not accidental, it requires intention and effort

• Real friends listen, encourage, and stand with you in adversity

• Spiritual friendships should move you closer to Christ

• Community matters more than transactional relationships

• Being a great friend is the best way to find great friends

If this episode encouraged you, follow the show, share it with someone who needs it, and stay on the journey with us as we continue learning what it means to build our lives on solid ground.

THEME SONG BY: Joe Wolfe

In this episode, Kenny Barnwell and co-host Shannon Thompson continue the conversation on family life by focusing on parenting through a biblical lens.

They talk openly about the challenges, responsibilities, and blessings of raising children while trying to follow Christ.

From discipline and patience to prayer and leading by example, this conversation centers on what it means to be a godly parent in everyday life.

This is not a conversation from experts. It is two fathers learning in real time, leaning on Scripture, and doing their best to raise their children with love, structure, and faith.

If you are a parent, hoping to be one, or simply reflecting on the impact of your own upbringing, this episode is an honest look at the journey of raising kids while building your life on solid ground.

What we talk about:

• the responsibility and blessing of being a Christian parent

• discipline, patience, and learning self-control

• training children through example, not just instruction

• the role of prayer, church, and daily habits in the home

• baptism, faith, and helping kids grow into their own beliefs

• how Scripture guides parenting decisions

• the importance of consistency and presence

• planting seeds of faith that grow over time

Scriptures referenced:

• Proverbs 22:6

• Ephesians 6:1–4

• Hebrews 12:7–11

• Proverbs 17:6

If this episode encouraged you, follow the show, share it with someone who might need it, and stay on the journey with us as we continue learning what it means to build our lives On Solid Ground in Christ

THEME SONG BY: Joe Wolfe

In this episode of On Solid Ground, Kenny Barnwell and Shannon Thompson talk openly about marriage, faith, and what it truly means to be a Christian husband building on a solid foundation.

Both share honest stories from their past, including relationships before Christ, seasons of compromise, cultural and spiritual challenges, and how God faithfully worked through it all to bring redemption, healing, and alignment. From navigating unequally yoked relationships to learning how to lead with humility, prayer, and daily obedience, this conversation is a real look at marriage shaped by grace and surrender.

This isn’t a conversation about perfect marriages.It’s about imperfect people learning to put Christ at the center, recommitting daily, and choosing to build something that lasts.

If you’re married, preparing for marriage, or simply wanting to understand God’s design for covenant relationships, this episode is for you.

What We Talk About in This Episode

• Friendship, faith, and long-term brotherhood

• Relationships before Christ and lessons learned

• Being unequally yoked and navigating belief differences

• Cultural and family pressures around marriage

• What it means to be a Christian husband

• Marriage as a covenant, not a contract

• Prayer, Scripture, and daily spiritual rhythms at home

• Leading with humility, sacrifice, and accountability

• Becoming one flesh in mindset, finances, and purpose

• Building a marriage that can withstand storms

  
  

  Resources Mentioned

• Daily Bible reading practices

• Christian music and worship in the home

• Christian education and children’s Bibles

• Marriage counseling and spiritual mentorship

  
  

  Scriptures Referenced

• Matthew 7:24–27

• Luke 9:23

• Matthew 18:20

• Ephesians 5:25

  
  

  Key Takeaways

• Marriage is built on Christ, not comfort

• Being a Christian husband requires daily surrender

• Faith is lived out in small, consistent actions

• Prayer and Scripture anchor a marriage in truth

• Commitment often looks like recommitment

If this episode encouraged you, follow the show, share it with someone who needs it, and stay on the journey with us.

THEME SONG BY: Joe Wolfe

In Episode 3 of On Solid Ground, Kenny and Shannon dive deeper into their personal faith journeys and the real, practical resources that helped shape their walk with Christ.

From church community and Bible study to music, podcasts, apologetics, and theology, this conversation is an honest look at how faith grows over time, especially through questions, doubt, and curiosity.

Rather than presenting themselves as experts, Kenny and Shannon share as fellow travelers, discovering, learning, and building their lives on solid ground together.

This episode is for anyone who has ever asked, “Where do I go next in my faith?

What We Talk About in This Episode

• The importance of community and doing church together

• Why faith is both personal and communal

• How music can act as a bridge to deeper faith

• Navigating doubt without fear or shame

• Differences between relationship and religion

• The role of denominations and why discernment matters

• Why apologetics matters in conversations with skeptics

• Guarding against false teaching and spiritual distractions

• Staying grounded while continuing to seek truth

  
  

  Resources Mentioned

• The Bible (NIV and multiple translations discussed)

• Hebrews 10:24–25 and 1 Corinthians 3:16–17

• Bible Success Secrets Podcast – Myron Golden

• Apologetics Canada (AC Podcast) – Wes Huff

• The Case for Christ – Lee Strobel

• Systematic Theology – Wayne Grudem

• Discovering the Jewish Jesus – Rabbi Schneider

• Joyce Meyer – Battlefield of the Mind

• Jensen Franklin – Fasting

• Streetlights Bible (audio Bible with music)

• NewChurches.com theology and preaching courses

• Hillsdale College theology courses (free)

No matter where you are on your journey, keep seeking, stay hungry, and stay grounded. As much as you are searching for God, He is already searching for you.

THEME SONG BY: Joe Wolfe

In this episode of On Solid Ground, Kenny Barnwell and co-host Shannon Thompson share their personal faith journeys and unpack what it really means to build your life on solid ground in Christ.

Kenny opens up about growing up in church, walking away into atheism, and eventually encountering God in undeniable, supernatural ways. From questioning faith and church hurt to a life-altering cartel attack in Mexico and a season of deep depression, Kenny shares how God met him in both crisis and surrender, ultimately leading him to baptism and a renewed life in Christ.

Shannon shares his own journey of growing up around church, believing in God early on, but slowly learning what it truly means to live out faith daily. Together, they discuss testimony, grace, sanctification, obedience, and the ongoing process of dying to the old self and walking with Jesus one day at a time.

This is not a podcast about having all the answers.
It’s about asking honest questions, wrestling with Scripture, and choosing to seek God together.

If you’re exploring faith, returning to it, or wanting to go deeper, you’re in the right place.

What We Talk About

• personal testimony and the power of lived experience
• growing up in church vs discovering faith later in life
• atheism, doubt, and wrestling with belief
• the difference between religion and relationship
• salvation vs sanctification
• surrender, obedience, and dying to the old self
• supernatural encounters with God
• depression, healing, and baptism
• why this podcast exists and where it’s headed

Scriptures Referenced

• Romans 7–10
• Proverbs 3:5–6
• Philippians 2:12
• Matthew 18:20
• Luke 9:23

If this episode encouraged you, follow the show, share it with someone who needs it, and stay on the journey with us as we learn to build our lives on solid ground.

THEME SONG BY: Joe Wolfe

In our very first episode, Kenny Barnwell and co-host Shannon Thompson talk about why this podcast exists and what it means to build your life on solid ground in Christ.

Kenny shares how he moved from debating as an atheist to surrendering his life to Jesus. Shannon talks about growing up in church, believing in God, but not always living it out.

Together, we dive into grace, sanctification, honest questions, and what it looks like to grow day by day instead of pretending we have it all figured out.

This isn’t a podcast from “experts.” It’s two friends walking out their faith, learning, wrestling, reading Scripture, and trying to live differently because of Jesus. If you’re exploring faith, coming back to it, or wanting to go deeper, we’re glad you’re here.

What we talk about:
• discovering faith as adults
• grace vs. legalism
• what sanctification really means
• reading and understanding the Bible
• the spiritual resistance that comes when you step out in faith
• what future episodes will cover (testimonies, theology, family, purpose, mental health, money, and more)

Scriptures referenced (in conversation):
Romans 7–10, Proverbs 3:5–6, Philippians 2:12, Matthew 18:20, Luke 9:23.

If this episode encouraged you, follow the show, share it with someone who needs it, and stay on the journey with us!

THEME SONG BY: Joe Wolfe