Pirate Monk Podcast

By Nate LarkinReligion & Spirituality Christianity

Pirate Monk Podcast episodes

November 12 540 | Love Jesus and Cuss a Little | Dani Sumner
On this episode: Nate and Aaron talk with Dani Sumner. Dani a coach, spiritual director, and host of A Holy Mess podcast. She tells the story of her early recovery. She gave herself a year to get better, tucked her notes in the back of her Bible, and committed to the program of AA while reconnecting with God. She talks about church shame, why honest community helped her more than polished faith spaces, and how a near relapse taught her to reach out instead of hiding. Nate shares his own relapse and recovery, and how hard it was to come clean. Dani affirms the value of honesty, support, and continuing to do the work.

Dani Sumner
Holy Mess Podcast

Nov 13-15, 2026 Men’s Clinical Intensive
Oct 21-24, 2027 Samson Summit

NEW Samson Community App (Apple store)
NEW Samson Community App (Google Store)

Send mail to:
Pirate Monk Podcast/Samson House
PO BOX 1656
Columbia, TN 38402

If you have thoughts or questions and you'd like the guys to address in upcoming episodes or suggestions for future guests, please drop a note to [email protected].

The intro and closing music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society. Transitional music https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/

For more information on this ministry, please visit samsonsociety.com. Support for the women in our lives who have been impacted by our choices is available at sarahsociety.com.
The Pirate Monk Podcast is provided by Samson Society, a ministry of Samson House, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. To enjoy future Pirate Monk podcasts, please consider a contribution to Samson House.
54 min
November 03 539 | Fight the Bear | J.D- Denham
On this episode: Nate promotes Aaron back to commodore. They reflect on the 2026 summit. The 2027 summit announcement.

Nate and Aaron talk with J.D. Denham, founder of Warrior Makers and host of the J.D. Denham Podcast. He grew up in a strong Christian home but questioned the faith from a young age. He describes his rebellious streak, years of heroin addiction, and the night he cried out to God. He also covers getting sober on January 18, 2011, standing up for his convictions during COVID, and what it takes to stay sober and live with integrity. J.D. discusses the "warrior gene" idea: the 10% who run at the bear, and why recovering addicts can put that energy to good use.

Nov 13-15, 2026 Men’s Clinical Intensive

NEW Samson Community App (Apple store)
NEW Samson Community App (Google Store)

Send mail to:
Pirate Monk Podcast/Samson House
PO BOX 1656
Columbia, TN 38402

If you have thoughts or questions and you'd like the guys to address in upcoming episodes or suggestions for future guests, please drop a note to [email protected].

The opening and closing music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society. Transitional music from https://www.fesliyanstudios.com

For more information on this ministry, please visit samsonsociety.com. Support for the women in our lives who have been impacted by our choices is available at sarahsociety.com.
The Pirate Monk Podcast is provided by Samson Society, a ministry of Samson House, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. To enjoy future Pirate Monk podcasts, please consider a contribution to Samson House.
41 min
October 29 539 | You Can't Serve Two Masters | Drew Reitzel
On this episode: Nate and Aaron check-in before and update on recent concerts and a hockey-arena trip

Nate and Aaron talk with Drew Reitzel. Drew shares from his story of prayer, conviction, and repentance. He talks about undivided allegiance to Christ in an age of cultural compromise. The conversation explores how divided hearts form, how grace exposes self-deception, and why real change starts internally before it reaches culture. Drew explains how his book, You Can't Serve Two Masters: Undivided Allegiance to Christ in an Age of Cultural Compromise, grew out of prayer and became a mirror for his own heart. He reflects on how writing the book exposed self-deception, including both self-condemnation and self-exaltation, and how truth brought both pain and freedom.

Book:
You Can’t Serve Two Masters

Nov 13-15, 2026 Men’s Clinical Intensive

NEW Samson Community App (Apple store)
NEW Samson Community App (Google Store)

Send mail to:
Pirate Monk Podcast/Samson House
PO BOX 1656
Columbia, TN 38402

If you have thoughts or questions and you'd like the guys to address in upcoming episodes or suggestions for future guests, please drop a note to [email protected].

The Intro and closing music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society. Transitional music from https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/

For more information on this ministry, please visit samsonsociety.com. Support for the women in our lives who have been impacted by our choices is available at sarahsociety.com.
The Pirate Monk Podcast is provided by Samson Society, a ministry of Samson House, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. To enjoy future Pirate Monk podcasts, please consider a contribution to Samson House.
49 min
October 22 538 | Breaking Bad Habits, Anxiety, and the Power of Curiosity | Dr. Judson Brewer
On this episode:
Nate and Aaron continue their series on the “five naturals”, natural strongman. They explore why admitting weakness can feel counterintuitive, especially for men conditioned to lead, know, and control.

Nate and Aaron talk to Dr. Judson Brewer. Dr. Brewer explains how curiosity, awareness, and embodied experience can create real change without shame or self-attack. They discuss why will power alone usually fails and what actually helps people break habits, cravings, and anxiety loops.Brewer shares a neuroscience-based approach to addiction, anxiety, and habit change, with practical language for understanding cravings, vigilance, and identity. If you want a clearer map for working with unwanted behaviors, this conversation is both clinically grounded and deeply practical.

Nov 13-15, 2026 Men’s Clinical Intensive

NEW Samson Community App (Apple store)
NEW Samson Community App (Google Store)

Send mail to:
Pirate Monk Podcast/Samson House
PO BOX 1656
Columbia, TN 38402

If you have thoughts or questions and you'd like the guys to address in upcoming episodes or suggestions for future guests, please drop a note to [email protected].

The music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society.

For more information on this ministry, please visit samsonsociety.com. Support for the women in our lives who have been impacted by our choices is available at sarahsociety.com.
The Pirate Monk Podcast is provided by Samson Society, a ministry of Samson House, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. To enjoy future Pirate Monk podcasts, please consider a contribution to Samson House.
50 min
October 14 537 | A New Kind of Accountability | Donggun Kim
Nate and Aaron talk with engineer Donggun Kim about building Sworn. Donggun helps answer how do you help someone change without flooding them with shame or unnecessary detail. He discusses a privacy-conscious content filter that alerts an accountability partner with just enough information to start a real conversation. Aaron and Nate reflect on why this approach matters in recovery, especially for people who need support without being exposed to potentially triggering details. Donggun shares his story of building Sworn after a personal spiritual turning point motivated by conversations in men’s groups and a desire to help people stay on the “good side of the internet”. He tells why this is different from older accountability tools with category-level alert instead of screenshots, browsing logs, or full URLs. Its also big on privacy.

Links: [email protected]

Oct 23-25, 2026 U.S. Samson Summit
Nov 13-15, 2026 Men’s Clinical Intensive

NEW Samson Community App (Apple store)
NEW Samson Community App (Google Store)

Send mail to:
Pirate Monk Podcast/Samson House
PO BOX 1656
Columbia, TN 38402

If you have thoughts or questions and you'd like the guys to address in upcoming episodes or suggestions for future guests, please drop a note to [email protected].

The music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society.

For more information on this ministry, please visit samsonsociety.com. Support for the women in our lives who have been impacted by our choices is available at sarahsociety.com.
The Pirate Monk Podcast is provided by Samson Society, a ministry of Samson House, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. To enjoy future Pirate Monk podcasts, please consider a contribution to Samson House.
41 min
October 08 536 | Why Facts Don’t Heal | Dr.David Pendergrass
On this episode:Nate and Aaron talk about Aaron representing Samson at the AACCC then widen into general discussion about counseling, community, and why some good things can become substitutes for deeper relationships.

They talk to Dr. David Pendergrass. David shares that many men are taught from childhood to suppress vulnerability, which often turns normal emotions into shame instead of healing. He talks about how cultural history, especially Victorian stoicism and the aftermath of World War II, helped normalize emotional repression in Western Christianity. David unpacks Jewish concepts and how they compare to Christian thinking. He asks us to consider whether emotional suppression has been mistaken for spiritual maturity. David also asks how Paul, James, and Jesus describe the inner struggle with sin, desire, and the heart. All this and so much more.

Links:
Dr. David Pendergrass

Books:
Widen the Window by Elizabeth Stanley
The Meaning of Your Life by Arthur Brooks.

Oct 23-25, 2026 U.S. Samson Summit
Nov 13-15, 2026 Men’s Clinical Intensive

NEW Samson Community App (Apple store)
NEW Samson Community App (Google Store)

Send mail to:
Pirate Monk Podcast/Samson House
PO BOX 1656
Columbia, TN 38402

If you have thoughts or questions and you'd like the guys to address in upcoming episodes or suggestions for future guests, please drop a note to [email protected].

The opening and closing music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society. Additional transition music https://tunetank.com/

For more information on this ministry, please visit samsonsociety.com. Support for the women in our lives who have been impacted by our choices is available at sarahsociety.com.
The Pirate Monk Podcast is provided by Samson Society, a ministry of Samson House, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. To enjoy future Pirate Monk podcasts, please consider a contribution to Samson House.
58 min
October 01535 | Gospel Identity, Shame, and Learning to Be Loved | John Lynch
John Lynch joins Nate and Aaron on the Pirate Monk Podcast to talk about the gospel identity that has shaped his life, ministry, and recovery. The conversation moves from his recent bike trip in Spain to the deeper spiritual work of moving from shame and striving toward being loved by God as you are.They discuss John’s journey from performance-driven religion to grace, the effects of shame, and why safe, honest community matters more than polished spirituality. The episode also previews his role at the upcoming Samson Summit.
Nate and Aaron connect John’s adventurous, “all in” personality to his lifelong passion for gospel identity.
John explains why his goal was not simply to teach the Bible verse by verse, but to help people see who they are in Christ.
He traces that passion to his conversion at age 27, after years of pain and shame following the end of a relationship and his baseball career.
John reflects on how seminary gave him information but not transformation, and how an authentic church community kept drawing him toward Christ.
He shares how naming childhood sexual abuse, after keeping it hidden for 35 years, helped him experience grace more honestly.
The conversation explores the difference between guilt and shame: guilt says you did something wrong; shame says something is wrong with who you are.
John says the voice of shame is not the voice of God—and that God never says, “You’re too much for me.”
John discusses creating “gospel places” where people can be fully known without being loved less.
The episode previews John’s upcoming sessions at the Samson Summit and considers how vulnerability can help people walk alongside one another.

Oct 23-25, 2026 U.S. Samson Summit

NEW Samson Community App (Apple store)
NEW Samson Community App (Google Store)

Send mail to:
Pirate Monk Podcast/Samson House
PO BOX 1656
Columbia, TN 38402

If you have thoughts or questions and you'd like the guys to address in upcoming episodes or suggestions for future guests, please drop a note to [email protected].

The opening and closing music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society. Transitional music https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/

For more information on this ministry, please visit samsonsociety.com. Support for the women in our lives who have been impacted by our choices is available at sarahsociety.com.
The Pirate Monk Podcast is provided by Samson Society, a ministry of Samson House, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. To enjoy future Pirate Monk podcasts, please consider a contribution to Samson House.
42 min
September 30 534 | Truth on The Inward Parts | Mike Snapp
On this episode: Nate gives info on the Samson Summit. Aaron talks to Michael.

Aaron talks story work with Mike Snapp. Michael shares his history with his dad, step-dad, military, flying planes, porn, affairs, wives, girlfriends, recovery, and helping her heal. Mike shares how Samson Society was a big stepping stone to his recovery, growth, and healing. He talk about his d-day and how helping her heal has helped repair his marriage. He also shares his need for counseling and internal family systems work has and is continuing to help him to grow into the Christian man and husband he desires to be.

Oct 23-25, 2026 U.S. Samson Summit

NEW Samson Community App (Apple store)
NEW Samson Community App (Google Store)

Send mail to:
Pirate Monk Podcast/Samson House
PO BOX 1656
Columbia, TN 38402

If you have thoughts or questions and you'd like the guys to address in upcoming episodes or suggestions for future guests, please drop a note to [email protected].

The music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society.

For more information on this ministry, please visit samsonsociety.com. Support for the women in our lives who have been impacted by our choices is available at sarahsociety.com.
The Pirate Monk Podcast is provided by Samson Society, a ministry of Samson House, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. To enjoy future Pirate Monk podcasts, please consider a contribution to Samson House.
58 min
September 24 533 | Understanding Generational Trauma | Dr. Marial Buqué
On this episode: Just Aaron and Mariel.

Aaron interviews Dr. Mariel Buqué. Dr. Buqué is a psychologist, trauma-care specialist, creator of the Generational Trauma Therapy Method, podcaster, and author of Break the Cycle: A Guide to Healing Intergenerational Trauma. She explains how family history, biology, nervous-system patterns, and present-day experiences can interact—and how people can begin creating healthier patterns for themselves and future generations. Other topics include defining triggers, cellular memory, nature, nurture, epigenits, and nervous system sensitivity.

Break the Cycle: A Guide to Healing Intergenerational Trauma
Break the Cycle Podcast
DrMarielBuque.com

Oct 23-25, 2026 U.S. Samson Summit

NEW Samson Community App (Apple store)
NEW Samson Community App (Google Store)

Send mail to:
Pirate Monk Podcast/Samson House
PO BOX 1656
Columbia, TN 38402

If you have thoughts or questions and you'd like the guys to address in upcoming episodes or suggestions for future guests, please drop a note to [email protected].

The music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society.

For more information on this ministry, please visit samsonsociety.com. Support for the women in our lives who have been impacted by our choices is available at sarahsociety.com.
The Pirate Monk Podcast is provided by Samson Society, a ministry of Samson House, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. To enjoy future Pirate Monk podcasts, please consider a contribution to Samson House.
48 min
September 18 532 | Being present with others | Josh Bales
In this episode, Aaron Porter and Josh Bales discuss the importance of authentic community, the role of music and ministry, and the personal growth that comes from shared experiences among men. They explore how vulnerability and presence can transform relationships and spiritual journeys.
Oct 23-25, 2026 U.S. Samson Summit

NEW Samson Community App (Apple store)
NEW Samson Community App (Google Store)

Send mail to:
Pirate Monk Podcast/Samson House
PO BOX 1656
Columbia, TN 38402

If you have thoughts or questions and you'd like the guys to address in upcoming episodes or suggestions for future guests, please drop a note to [email protected].

The music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society.

For more information on this ministry, please visit samsonsociety.com. Support for the women in our lives who have been impacted by our choices is available at sarahsociety.com.
The Pirate Monk Podcast is provided by Samson Society, a ministry of Samson House, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. To enjoy future Pirate Monk podcasts, please consider a contribution to Samson House.

10 min