Take A Step

Send us a text

This week on The Take A Step Podcast, we’re bringing you something special. This episode isn’t recorded in a studio or across a Zoom call — it’s recorded around a  fire with 20 brothers who showed up, stepped up and completed the David Goggins 4x4x48 Challenge together at our men’s retreat last weekend.

For 48 hours, we ran four miles every four hours. But what made the weekend powerful wasn’t just the miles — it was the conversations, the authenticity, the shared purpose and the spiritual growth that happened in between them. In this fireside discussion, you’ll hear from men who decided they were done settling for comfort. We talk openly about why we chose to take on such an intense challenge, what the suffering taught us, and how God used fatigue and brotherhood to reveal deeper strength and clarity.

You’ll hear raw reflections on discipline, faith, and identity… stories of men overcoming fear and self-doubt… and the kind of encouragement that only comes from a community committed to rejecting complacency. We also dive into how this retreat will shape the way we lead our families, pursue our purpose, and show up in the world moving forward.

If you’ve ever wondered what happens when a group of faith-driven men lock in, lean on each other, and commit to something bigger than themselves — this episode will give you a front-row seat.

Subscribe to The Weekly Mile newsletter: https://www.letstakeastep.com/

Apply to The Tribe: https://www.letstakeastep.com/

Take A Step exists to redefine the way young men view success by shifting their focus from the destination to the process!

Take A Step Socials:
Instagram: @__takeastep__
LinkedIn: Take A Step
YouTube: Take A Step

Send us a text

Goal setting—it’s one of those topics that either fires you up or makes you want to shut down. For some guys, goals represent possibility, purpose, and progress. For others, they bring up pressure, anxiety, or fear of failure. Why does the same word create such different reactions?

In this episode of The Take A Step Podcast, Josh breaks down the real reason behind our mixed emotions around goals and challenges the way most of us have been taught to think about them. He shares why goals aren’t supposed to define your worth or determine your fulfillment, and why vague “intentions” aren’t enough to drive real change. Instead, he unpacks what it means to set goals that are clear, measurable, and aligned with your faith—goals that serve your purpose rather than control it.

You’ll learn how to separate your commitments from your goals, use the SMART framework effectively, and create direction without the pressure that leads to burnout. Most importantly, Josh reminds us that our goals should always flow from who God is calling us to become—not just what we want to achieve.

Whether you’re chasing career milestones, building discipline, or just trying to live with more intention, this conversation will help you redefine success and take purposeful action toward what truly matters.

Tune in, take notes, and let’s start setting goals that build character, deepen faith, and move you closer to the man God designed you to be.

— Reject complacency. Take a step.

Subscribe to The Weekly Mile newsletter: https://www.letstakeastep.com/

Apply to The Tribe: https://www.letstakeastep.com/

Take A Step exists to redefine the way young men view success by shifting their focus from the destination to the process!

Take A Step Socials:
Instagram: @__takeastep__
LinkedIn: Take A Step
YouTube: Take A Step

Send us a text

In this episode, Josh sits down with John Szarszewski — the newest partner of Take A Step — to talk about the mission to build future leaders grounded in faith, discipline, and purpose. Together, they unpack why so many young men today feel stuck, unmotivated, and disconnected from a greater calling — and how Take A Step exists to change that.

Josh and John dive into the core problem at the heart of their mission: complacency. They explore why it’s so easy for young men to choose comfort over challenge, distraction over discipline, and isolation over community — and how faith and intentional action can reverse that pattern.

The two also share the vision for Take A Step’s growing community — a brotherhood of men who refuse to settle for less than the life God created them to live. Through accountability, shared purpose, and consistent growth, the goal isn’t just to build better men, but to raise up future leaders who will impact their families, workplaces, and communities for generations to come.

If you’re a man who’s tired of comfort, ready to confront complacency, and eager to find a tribe of like-minded brothers pursuing purpose — this conversation will challenge and equip you to take your next step forward.

Subscribe to The Weekly Mile newsletter: https://www.letstakeastep.com/

Apply to The Tribe: https://www.letstakeastep.com/

Take A Step exists to redefine the way young men view success by shifting their focus from the destination to the process!

Take A Step Socials:
Instagram: @__takeastep__
LinkedIn: Take A Step
YouTube: Take A Step

Send us a text

In this episode, Josh breaks down The 4 Steps of Leadership — a framework for becoming the kind of leader who builds others up rather than standing above them. Too many men chase leadership for status or recognition. But true leadership isn’t about control — it’s about calling others higher.

Josh walks through four pivotal steps that every man must take if he wants to lead with purpose, humility, and faith. From self-leadership and character to service and multiplication, these principles reveal how the best leaders don’t create followers — they create more leaders.

Through Scripture, personal reflection, and practical takeaways, Josh challenges you to remove ego from your leadership journey and focus on stewardship over spotlight. Whether you’re leading a team, a family, or just yourself, this episode will help you build a foundation of influence rooted in discipline, integrity, and purpose.

Take notes. Reflect. And then take a step toward becoming the kind of man others want to follow — because you first chose to follow Christ.

Subscribe to The Weekly Mile newsletter: https://www.letstakeastep.com/

Apply to The Tribe: https://www.letstakeastep.com/

Take A Step exists to redefine the way young men view success by shifting their focus from the destination to the process!

Take A Step Socials:
Instagram: @__takeastep__
LinkedIn: Take A Step
YouTube: Take A Step

Send us a text

In this episode of The Take A Step Podcast, Josh sits down with Diesel David, founder of Diesel David, an automotive repair company that started when he was just sixteen—working out of the backseat of his 1990 Toyota Corolla. What began as a side hustle in a high school parking lot has become a thriving business built on faith, grit, and relentless learning.

Josh and David dive deep into what it really means to take a step before you feel ready. They unpack the truth that you have to start something to figure out how to do it, and that the ability to take risks only gets harder the longer you wait. Together, they explore how God’s Word has anchored David through seasons of uncertainty, how he’s learned to navigate the tension between marriage and entrepreneurship, and why feeling worthy of God’s calling is essential to doing purposeful work.

If you’re a man who feels stuck—waiting for the perfect plan or permission to begin—this conversation is your wake-up call. David’s story is proof that purpose doesn’t start when everything’s figured out; it starts when you trust God enough to move forward.

This episode will challenge you to take your next step in faith, with courage, humility, and conviction.

Subscribe to The Weekly Mile newsletter: https://www.letstakeastep.com/

Apply to The Tribe: https://www.letstakeastep.com/

Take A Step exists to redefine the way young men view success by shifting their focus from the destination to the process!

Take A Step Socials:
Instagram: @__takeastep__
LinkedIn: Take A Step
YouTube: Take A Step

Send us a text

Welcome to The Take A Step Podcast — where faith-driven men come to reject complacency and take purposeful action every day. Hosted by Josh Johnston, founder of Take A Step, this show dives deep into what it really means to live with intention, discipline, and faith in today’s world.

In this episode, Josh unpacks The Weekly Mile edition titled “The Routine Trap.” Routines have become the new badge of honor — from color-coded morning schedules to perfectly optimized productivity hacks. But too often, men fall into the trap of building routines that look impressive instead of routines that actually move them forward.

Josh challenges the over-glamorized idea of routine and brings it back to its purpose: alignment. He shares how to recognize when your routine has become a comfort zone, why “checking the box” isn’t the same as growth, and how to rebuild habits that serve your mission — not your ego.

If you’ve ever felt stuck doing the right things for the wrong reasons, this episode will help you pause, reflect, and recalibrate. Because the goal isn’t to look disciplined — it’s to become the man God called you to be.

Whether you’re on your morning commute, grinding in the gym, or walking through a season of growth, this episode will remind you: your steps matter most when they’re taken with purpose.

Listen now — and take your next step.

Subscribe to The Weekly Mile newsletter: https://www.letstakeastep.com/

Apply to The Tribe: https://www.letstakeastep.com/

Take A Step exists to redefine the way young men view success by shifting their focus from the destination to the process!

Take A Step Socials:
Instagram: @__takeastep__
LinkedIn: Take A Step
YouTube: Take A Step

Send us a text

At our most recent Take A Step Workshop, I had the privilege of sitting down with Tommy Newberry—NY Times bestselling author and one of the most sought-after coaches for high performers. For over 30 years, Tommy has worked with entrepreneurs, leaders, and professionals who refuse to settle for mediocrity. In this conversation, he shares the consistent patterns he’s seen in those who thrive—what sets them apart, what holds them back, and how discipline, faith, and clarity of purpose drive long-term success.

Beyond his insights, Tommy also takes live questions from our workshop community, offering practical and personal wisdom that you can immediately apply in your own life.

Whether you’re building a business, leading your family, or simply looking to reject complacency in your daily habits, this episode is packed with perspective from someone who has spent decades helping men pursue excellence.

Subscribe to The Weekly Mile newsletter: https://www.letstakeastep.com/

Apply to The Tribe: https://www.letstakeastep.com/

Take A Step exists to redefine the way young men view success by shifting their focus from the destination to the process!

Take A Step Socials:
Instagram: @__takeastep__
LinkedIn: Take A Step
YouTube: Take A Step

Send us a text

In this episode of The Take A Step Podcast, Josh unpacks one of the most common myths we hear in personal development: work-life balance.

The problem? Balance assumes we live two separate lives — one at work and one at home. That mindset pressures us to show up as two different people, constantly juggling and never feeling whole.

Josh challenges this idea and introduces a healthier perspective: work-life alignment. Instead of trying to keep two worlds apart, alignment integrates your career, relationships, and faith into a unified life. When these areas complement rather than compete, you stop living divided and start living with integrity and clarity.

If you’ve ever felt torn between who you are at the office and who you are at home, this conversation will help you see a better way. You’ll walk away with a fresh perspective on how to pursue your calling without losing yourself — and how to step into each day with greater purpose.

Take a step today toward alignment, not balance.

Subscribe to The Weekly Mile newsletter: https://www.letstakeastep.com/

Apply to The Tribe: https://www.letstakeastep.com/

Take A Step exists to redefine the way young men view success by shifting their focus from the destination to the process!

Take A Step Socials:
Instagram: @__takeastep__
LinkedIn: Take A Step
YouTube: Take A Step

Send us a text

In this episode of The Take A Step Podcast, we bring you two powerful keynotes from our most recent Take A Step Workshop—messages that challenge us to reject complacency and live with purpose.

First, you’ll hear from Boyce Buckner, a decorated Army leader with over 20 years of active-duty service. Boyce is also a leadership coach, a devoted husband and father, and a man of deep faith. In his talk, “Be About It,” he shares hard-won lessons on leadership, discipline, and integrity—reminding us that words mean little if our actions don’t follow.

Next, John Szarszewski takes the stage. John is the owner of HEW Fitness, founder of the True Faith Journal app, and a seasoned performance coach. More importantly, he’s a Jesus follower, husband, and father committed to living with conviction. His keynote, “All In, In All Areas,” pushes us to stop compartmentalizing our lives and instead pursue excellence with consistency, in every area of life.

These two talks will leave you inspired and equipped to step boldly into your calling. Because real growth happens when we stop talking about it—and start being about it.

Subscribe to The Weekly Mile newsletter: https://www.letstakeastep.com/

Apply to The Tribe: https://www.letstakeastep.com/

Take A Step exists to redefine the way young men view success by shifting their focus from the destination to the process!

Take A Step Socials:
Instagram: @__takeastep__
LinkedIn: Take A Step
YouTube: Take A Step

Send us a text

In this special episode of The Take A Step Podcast, Josh shares his raw and authentic response to the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk. This is not just commentary—it’s a call to reflect deeply on the value of human life, the courage to stand boldly for what you believe in, and the responsibility to live with morality, ethics, and Christ-like integrity.

Charlie wasn’t just a public figure—he was a role model to countless men and women across generations. His conviction, his mission, and his voice reminded us that truth matters, faith matters, and courage matters. Though his life was cut short, his message will live on as a legacy of boldness and unwavering faith.

Josh opens up about what Charlie’s life and death mean for us today: the urgency to reject complacency, the importance of walking faithfully in our calling, and the need to carry forward a vision grounded in Biblical truth.

This episode is both a tribute and a challenge—an invitation to honor Charlie’s life by stepping forward in our own. May we never forget the gift of his influence. Thank you, Charlie.

Subscribe to The Weekly Mile newsletter: https://www.letstakeastep.com/

Apply to The Tribe: https://www.letstakeastep.com/

Take A Step exists to redefine the way young men view success by shifting their focus from the destination to the process!

Take A Step Socials:
Instagram: @__takeastep__
LinkedIn: Take A Step
YouTube: Take A Step