Solid Steps Radio

“I am self sufficient.” That is a lie that many a men (and women) have believed for generations. “I can do it without any help, and do what I want to do.” God has called us to live dependent and surrendered lives to him. For some, it is an eye opening moment, to others it is a slow fade for the realization of that truth. On this week’s show, Gus Castillo talks about his journey from being born in Mexico, moving to America and seeing that education and accomplishments at work can never fill the void that God intended for us to have filled only by Him. He is joined by his friend and mentor Barry Suggs to show how God uses others to help us to see we can’t do life by ourselves.

How exactly did an average Joe turn a bankrupt company into a 30-branch business that earns over $300 million in revenue and gives 10 percent of its profits to ministries across the world? John Wieland has asked himself that question hundreds of times—and in the end, he wrote a book to figure it out. His conclusion? Success is an intricate and beautiful tapestry woven from the uncommon threads of business, family, and faith.

“The Lord is in the details.”-David Laughlin

$80. That’s how much David needed, to the dollar, in order to make some movement in his personal word. They took up a collection for him at a tiny church, and how much do you think they came up with, to the dollar?

On this week show friends David Laughlin and Amos Martin talk about their journey of generosity, tithing, and giving. What do the scriptures say? What does it look like in real life?

“The average age of a young woman that is recruited into sex trafficking is 11-13.” - Jeanne Allert. Jeanne Allert has been an English teacher, instructional designer, technology director, and Internet consultant. But a conversation with 19 year old Heather on Payson Street in downtown Baltimore, changed the trajectory of Jeanne’s life, and eventually the lives of many other women. On this week show, Kurt and Chad talk with this Jeanne and Pastor Brian Sites about the reality vs perception of sex trafficking in the United States, and what we can do to help prevent and stop the cycle of sin, both for the man and the woman involved in trafficking. In 2007, Jeanne founded and is the current Executive Director of The Samaritan Women , an organization who’s mission is “That any survivor , anywhere in the nation, would have access to qualified, compassionate care.” Brian Sites and his wife Karissa, have been involved in helping women who are in the sex trafficking industry in the Kentucky area, loving them and being a safe place for them to go to experience the love of Christ. For more information about the reality of sex and labor trafficking in America please visit the website and the organization: https://thesamaritanwomen.org

(This is a repeat episode - enjoy!)

“Growing up, no one was allowed to talk at the dinner table except dad.” Dan Woodard was raised with six unspoken rules: don’t talk, don’t feel, don’t trust, don’t think, don’t choose, and don’t change. These rules guided his life from boyhood till early in his marriage. When he finally dared to break these rules, it disrupted his status quo but ultimately set him free to experience and enjoy healthy relationships. In this compelling book, Let’s Break the Rules, Dan teams up with Dr. Dan Reinhardt to describe the damage these six rules can cause and how to find healing and wholeness. This book offers practical tools to break the cycle of abuse, relational brokenness, and family drama. (This is a repeat episode - enjoy!)

“Suicide is a disease for which prevention is the only acceptable treatment.”- Dr. Matthew Sleeth author of Hope Always: How To Be A Force For Life In A Culture Of Suicide. Suicide. It’s a cold, frustrating and gross word. When you hear it, someone comes to mind, someone personal.

130 people everyday will take their own life in America. About 5 an hour. Thats the highest percent per population - more than any other country. That’s not including accidental overdoses. “Hope Always is a guide for people who currently deal with, have dealt with, or will deal with suicide. It is for people who are struggling with suicidal ideation and the friends, family, colleagues, and church leaders who love them. At its core, this book is both an argument for life and a plan for preventing suicide. Throughout these pages, I will offer you a perspective not typically found in books about suicide. Here we will focus on why people did not commit suicide rather than on why they did. We will also examine the limitations of statistics and dig deeply into the role of faith in preventing suicide.” - Dr. Sleeth. Buy the book on Amazon.com (This is a repeat episode - enjoy!)

From prison to PHD. One mans journey from lowest of lows that include drinking in middle school, drug addiction, drug smuggling, 30 year prison sentence and a miracle release after 7 days (a judge erases Victor sentence for no reason other than Gods conviction to do so) to a path God has called him as a pastor and a professor, Victor Vinson tells his amazing story with Kurt and Chad. (This is a repeat episode - enjoy!)

On this week’s show clinical psychologist Mark Denney talks with Chad and Kurt about the journey of healing for your soul. (This is a repeat episode - enjoy!)

Thanksgiving is associated with a specific day in a specific month. Can’t you have Thanksgiving all year long? On this week’s show, Chad and Kurt welcome Pastors Bob Russell and Matthew Sleeth into the studio to talk about living a life of thankfulness. There is a connection between cynicism and ungratefulness. Complaining can kill any chance of having a thankful attitude. Men, you can play a role in developing a spirit of thankfulness in your home. (This is a repeat episode - enjoy!)

Thanksgiving is associated with a specific day in a specific month. Can’t you have Thanksgiving all year long? On this week’s show, Chad and Kurt welcome Pastors Bob Russell and Matthew Sleeth into the studio to talk about living a life of thankfulness. There is a connection between cynicism and ungratefulness. Complaining can kill any chance of having a thankful attitude. Men, you can play a role in developing a spirit of thankfulness in your home. (This is a repeat episode - enjoy!)