In this episode of the MakeReady Podcast, we sit down with Matthew Lopez for one of the rawest, most powerful testimonies you’ll ever hear. Matthew holds nothing back: growing up in violence, molestation as a child, 150+ fights, a double life, suicidal darkness, and the moment he finally fell into the arms of grace in 2016. He shares how God used a devastating fight with his own brother to break him, lead him to Regeneration at Watermark, and begin rewriting a story that once looked hopeless.

Then, just when life was finally beautiful—marriage to an incredible woman of faith, a beautiful daughter and baby son on the way—his wife was diagnosed at eight months pregnant with an orange-sized, “worst-kind-on-the-planet” brain tumor. Matthew recounts the parking-garage prayer where he told God, “Take her if You must—You’ll still have my life,” and how, fifteen months later, there is no evidence of disease in her body.

This conversation is equal parts gut-wrenching and glory-filled: childhood trauma, rage, forgiveness, redemption, miracles, and the kind of unshakable peace that only comes when you’ve been to the bottom and met Jesus there.

If you need hope in the middle of chaos, if you’re wrestling with anger or past wounds, or if you just want to see what it looks like to trust God when the diagnosis says impossible—this episode will wreck you and rebuild you at the same time.

Support the Mission

The MakeReady Podcast exists to equip men to stand firm in their faith and lead with biblical strength in a culture that opposes it. If this content has encouraged you, consider partnering with us to reach more men with the truth. Your gift helps us create resources, share powerful stories, and build a movement of godly leaders.

Give today: ⁠https://makeready.org/give⁠

In this episode of the MakeReady Podcast, we sit down with Klint Guerry—business leader, mentor, and man of faith—to explore what it looks like to follow Jesus wholeheartedly in the middle of success, pressure, and everyday life.

Klint shares his journey from chasing achievement to discovering a deeper purpose that only comes through surrender. With honesty and humility, he opens up about the moment God grabbed hold of his life, unraveled his self-reliance, and began a process of transformation that shaped his leadership, his marriage, and his mission.

We talk about what it means to lead with conviction and compassion in the marketplace, how to recognize when pride is disguising itself as drive, and why true success starts with stewardship, not status. Klint offers wisdom on learning to listen, to repent quickly, and to let faith lead when fear or ambition tries to take control.

If you’ve ever wondered how to integrate faith and work, how to lead others without losing yourself, or how to walk faithfully when God redirects your plans, this conversation will challenge and inspire you to lead where you are—with gratitude, courage, and grace.

Support the Mission

The MakeReady Podcast exists to equip men to stand firm in their faith and lead with biblical strength in a culture that opposes it. If this content has encouraged you, consider partnering with us to reach more men with the truth. Your gift helps us create resources, share powerful stories, and build a movement of godly leaders.

Give today: https://makeready.org/give

In this episode of the MakeReady Podcast, we sit down with Mario Zandstra—business leader, former Pine Cove president, and lifelong disciple-maker—to explore how God redeems broken family stories and transforms marriages into reflections of His grace.

Mario shares his journey from a rough upbringing in East L.A. to leading one of the most impactful Christian ministries in America, and now mentoring men and leaders across generations. With honesty and humor, he opens up about decades of marriage, parenting seven children, and learning to fight for faithfulness when culture, comfort, and even ministry compete for your heart.

We talk about what it means to build a marriage that lasts—not one built on happiness, but holiness. Mario offers powerful insights on confession, accountability, and the subtle idols that can destroy men long before scandal ever does. He shares stories of redemption, the pain of family patterns, and how choosing to “stay married” becomes a generational decision that echoes for centuries.

If you’ve ever wondered how to lead your family through hardship, how to protect your marriage in a distracted world, or how to walk in grace when you fail, this conversation will challenge and encourage you to be the man God designed you to be—anchored, accountable, and all in.

Support the Mission

The MakeReady Podcast exists to equip men to stand firm in their faith and lead with biblical strength in a culture that opposes it. If this content has encouraged you, consider partnering with us to reach more men with the truth. Your gift helps us create resources, share powerful stories, and build a movement of godly leaders.

Give today: https://makeready.org/give

Chapters:

0:00 – Intro & Welcome

1:25 – Mario’s Early Story & Calling

5:10 – Marriage in the Midst of Brokenness

9:40 – The Power of Accountability & Confession

14:20 – Cultivating Covenant Love

19:50 – Generational Impact of Marriage

24:15 – Handling Temptation & Idols

28:45 – A Marriage That Endures

33:30 – Leading Your Family with Faith

38:05 – Q&A & Final Charge

41:30 – Closing Prayer & Next Steps

In this episode of the MakeReady Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Mike Goddard—longtime educator, former superintendent, and current head of Prestonwood Christian Academy—to uncover how faith transforms education, family, and leadership in a culture that often fractures both truth and trust.

Mike shares his journey from chasing NFL dreams to decades in public schools, and ultimately to leading one of the largest Christian academies in Texas. Along the way he opens up about seasons of brokenness, how a classroom of freshmen “saved his life,” and why discipleship—not diplomas—is the true measure of educational success. He recounts powerful stories of camp, coaching, and community that shaped his calling, and how God uses pain, setbacks, and even lawsuits to forge leaders who stand firm.

We talk about the battle for kids’ hearts in today’s schools, why parents are the clearest model of Christ their children will ever see, and how isolation is Satan’s favorite trap for men. Mike challenges fathers to double down on faith, create ripple effects that last for generations, and model a wholehearted walk with Christ—because every decision echoes in eternity.

If you’ve ever wrestled with the purpose of education, questioned how to disciple your family, or needed hope that God can use even scars for Kingdom good, this conversation will call you to lead boldly, love deeply, and see every classroom, camp, and kitchen table as a mission field.

Support the Mission

Give today: https://makeready.org/give

In this episode of the MakeReady Podcast, we sit down with Will McNutt—co-founder of Anthem, a Texas real estate company, and a veteran of conservative campaigns including two Trump presidential transitions—to explore the bold intersection of faith, family, and civic involvement in a world that often retreats from responsibility.

Will shares his journey from law school to building businesses and influencing policy, unpacking how true calling transcends career, turning politics and parenting into acts of Kingdom advancement. Sharing His insider stories on unprecedented transitions, he challenges men to show up consistently, forge genuine friendships, and embrace a builder's mentality that compounds over time.

We talk about why Christians must engage civically without retreating, how to balance the urgent now with a diligent future, and why trials aren't just endured but counted as joy per James 1—producing steadfastness amid the suck. Will also casts a vision for men to lead sacrificially, vote in every election, and block-walk for causes that matter in a culture craving bold builders.

If you’ve ever wrestled with blending faith and politics, struggled to prioritize family amid ambition, or wondered how to turn hardships into growth, this conversation will ignite you to build boldly, advance the Kingdom, and live with unshakeable purpose.

Support the MissionThe MakeReady Podcast exists to equip men to stand firm in their faith and lead with biblical strength in a culture that opposes it. If this content has encouraged you, consider partnering with us to reach more men with the truth. Your gift helps us create resources, share powerful stories, and build a movement of godly leaders.

Give today: https://makeready.org/give

In this episode of the MakeReady Podcast, we sit down with Andrew Beck—creative leader, thinker, and cultural critic—to explore the intersection of art, truth, and leadership in a world that often confuses beauty with distraction.

Andrew shares his journey from Madison Avenue’s ad world to a deeper pursuit of meaning, unpacking how true creativity isn’t just aesthetics but a spiritual act meant to reflect the glory of God. From his love of history to his call for courageous leadership, he challenges men to discern the difference between art that uplifts and media that manipulates.

We talk about why Christians often settle for “safe” creativity instead of excellent art, how culture’s obsession with screens has distorted beauty, and why leadership isn’t about titles but sacrificial action. Andrew also paints a vision of what it means for men to embrace responsibility, take risks, and create with conviction in a culture starving for truth.

If you’ve ever questioned what makes something truly beautiful, wrestled with how faith and creativity fit together, or longed for stronger examples of godly leadership, this conversation will inspire you to pursue art, truth, and life with deeper purpose.

Support the Mission

The MakeReady Podcast exists to equip men to stand firm in their faith and lead with biblical strength in a culture that opposes it. If this content has encouraged you, consider partnering with us to reach more men with the truth. Your gift helps us create resources, share powerful stories, and build a movement of godly leaders.

Give today: https://makeready.org/give

In this episode of the MakeReady Podcast, we sit down with Chad Warren—pastor, teacher, and disciple-maker—to confront one of the greatest lies facing men today: the myth of rugged individualism.

Chad shares his powerful story of growing up without a father, chasing respect through toughness and achievement, and finally encountering the personal love of God that broke through his striving. From Navy SEAL dreams to a call into ministry, his journey exposes the emptiness of self-reliance and the freedom found in surrender.

We talk about why so many men are languishing instead of flourishing, how isolation fuels fear and impostor syndrome, and why true strength can only be forged in brotherhood and dependence on Christ. Chad unpacks the biblical roots of manhood, the church’s call to embody God’s presence in the world, and practical steps to fight back against the epidemic of loneliness.

If you’ve ever wrestled with feeling like you’re not enough, questioned your purpose, or longed for genuine connection with other men, this conversation will challenge and encourage you to step out of isolation and into the life you were made for.

Support the Mission

The MakeReady Podcast exists to equip men to stand firm in their faith and lead with biblical strength in a culture that opposes it. If this content has encouraged you, consider partnering with us to reach more men with the truth. Your gift helps us create resources, share powerful stories, and build a movement of godly leaders.

Give today: https://makeready.org/give

In this episode of the MakeReady Podcast, we sit down with Jim Coté—chaplain, mentor, and lifelong disciple-maker—to call men back to the heart of Jesus’ mission: making disciples.

Drawing from decades of ministry, Jim shares how authentic brotherhood, intentional accountability, and spiritual fatherhood have the power to change lives and reshape communities. We talk about the emptiness of cultural Christianity, the epidemic of isolation among men, and why raising up the next generation requires presence, courage, and love. Jim urges men to stop settling for shallow faith and to step into the challenge of multiplying disciples who walk closely with Christ.

If you’ve ever felt the ache for real connection, struggled to lead your family spiritually, or wondered how to leave a Christ-centered legacy that lasts, this conversation will equip and inspire you to live with purpose and conviction.

Support the Mission

The MakeReady Podcast exists to equip men to stand firm in their faith and lead with biblical strength in a culture that opposes it. If this content has encouraged you, consider partnering with us to reach more men with the truth. Your gift helps us create resources, share powerful stories, and build a movement of godly leaders.

Give today: https://makeready.org/give

In this episode of the MakeReady Podcast, we sit down with Derek Mathews—pastor, disciple-maker, and leader of leaders—to wrestle with what it truly means to shepherd God’s people.

From the danger of becoming a “greenroom pastor” to rediscovering the biblical call to walk among the sheep, Derek unpacks why presence matters more than polish, why performance-driven ministry leaves men isolated, and how genuine connection and authenticity reflect the heart of Christ. We talk about the difference between scaling a church and shepherding a flock, why real transformation happens in circles not rows, and how leaders can resist the pressure to appear polished and instead model honesty and dependence on God.

If you’ve ever felt like church has become more performance than presence, or wondered what true biblical shepherding looks like in today’s culture, this conversation will challenge and encourage you to return to the simplicity of knowing and being known.

Support the Mission

The MakeReady Podcast exists to equip men to stand firm in their faith and lead with biblical strength in a culture that opposes it. If this content has encouraged you, consider partnering with us to reach more men with the truth. Your gift helps us create resources, share powerful stories, and build a movement of godly leaders.