In this men's ministry podcast you'll see two leaders discuss the difference between being a buddy versus what the Bible would classify as a real Biblical friend. Jason Cruise of Wild & Kingdom and Rob Harvie of Better Leader go deep into this idea of Christian friendship accountability. Have you ever thought about what God expects from friendship? WHY is it that so many men feel fundamentally alone, even when surrounded by people? WHY does the modern Christian man have dozens of "buddies" in his contact list, yet struggles to name one true brother? This is the fundamental question that sits at the heart of a crisis of male friendship—a crisis that goes far deeper than a busy schedule or social awkwardness.Most men live in the WHAT—the transactional, surface-level relationships that are defined by shared activity: we watch the game, we go to work, we talk about the market. These are nominal friends. They are convenient, they are low-risk, but they offer no foundation. They exist in a world of pleasantries and performance, where authenticity is sacrificed for ease.But for the man of faith, this shouldn't be the standard. The Scriptures don't call us to collect surface level friendships; they call us to something infinitely more powerful. They call us to Biblical Brotherhood.The HOW we shift this paradigm is through Covenant Brotherhood. This is not about being nice to each other; it is about committing to be truthful with each other. It is about a radical vulnerability that says, "I see the worst parts of you, and I am still here." A true brother is the one who steps into the "felt difference"—the profound, life-altering experience of having someone in your life who is willing to speak into your blind spots, hold you accountable, and carry the weight of your burdens.This requires courage. It requires intentionality. And for evangelical men, it requires moving past the ingrained cultural comfort of competitive camaraderie and embracing the uncomfortable, life-giving demand of genuine, transparent relationship. It means shifting our focus from the WHAT (what we do together) to the WHY (why we are together—our shared purpose in Christ).The ultimate purpose, the WHY, is the spiritual health and resilience of the men of God. We cannot lead our families, our churches, or our communities from a place of chronic isolation. The world needs strong, supported, and authentic Christian men. But to achieve this, we must stop settling for casual buddies and start building enduring brothers who are committed to fighting for each other's souls.Listen to this episode to learn the actionable steps toward developing deep male friendships, overcoming the fear of vulnerability, and experiencing the felt difference of authentic Biblical Brotherhood.

What keeps a man from being a "has-been?" This Wild & Kingdom episode deep-dives into the personal strategy of a true thought leader for men who has consistently managed to stay relevant in business for three decades. Whether you are trying to know how to evolve your career and secure your legacy, this is the essential guide for men in ministry and business. THE PIONEER'S MENTALITY: OBSOLETE IS A CHOICEThe world is a graveyard of brilliant minds who failed to adapt. They caught one trend, stopped evolving, and became footnotes. They got replaced.This film is not about them. The Unreplaced Man is the story of Jason Cruise who has navigated cultural shifts, economic crises, and changing landscapes to remain relevant in reaching men with truth and biblical model’s for manhood. Lucky is not the same thing as relentless. We are tearing down the myth that staying relevant is about luck. It’s about a deliberate, relentless personal strategy—a Pioneer's Mentality—that views evolution not as an option, but as a daily requirement. If you’re a driven man in business, a thought leader in your industry, or simply someone afraid of becoming professionally obsolete, this film provides the antidote. Learn the secret to staying relevant for life.THE RELEVANCE CODE: Three Pillars To Never FadeThis documentary reveals the specific, repeatable personal habits and mental models that allow him to continuously stay current and win every decade. This is the relevance code he lives by, broken down for you to apply immediately to your own life and career. Pillar 1: The Habit of Creative Destruction. Most people protect their past wins. The Unreplaced Man forces himself to evolve before the world demands it. You will learn how to evolve yourself and your career by proactively identifying and shedding what is holding you back. This is the personal evolution that fosters success using God’s definition of what success is for a man.Pillar 2: The Relentless Perspective. Relevance is not about chasing trends; it’s about creating them. Jason Cruise talks about staying relevant as a skillset. He proves that staying current is a skill.Pillar 3: The Unbreakable Foundation. Success is about endurance. We discuss the personal strategy behind his longevity across 30 years and why true relevance in ministry and media is built on an unshakeable foundation of putting the Kingdom of God first in his thought processes. This is the simple guide to staying relevant when everyone else is scrambling.Don’t let your ambition turn into burnout. Don't let your success lead to obsolescence. This film is your roadmap to achieving the status of The Unreplaced Man in your own field.

Every man measures himself by what he can contribute to this world. No man is exempt. So what happens when that all goes away unexpectedly?

In this men's ministry podcast, country music artist Jasper Charles discusses how his life pursuits were always under the glow of a neon sign. He packed his bags, left his comfort zone, and chased the life: singer-songwriter, bright lights, and that sweet, electric feeling of a crowd singing your words back to you. That was his identity. That was the whole plot.But life, as it often does, threw a wrench in the narrative. Not a small one, either. It was a complete, career-ending, soul-crushing loss—he lost his voice. The thing he was sure was his gift, his purpose, his worth, just evaporated.This video isn't just about a musician's struggle to make it in Nashville with voice loss or singer depression. It’s about the silent crisis we all face when our self-worth is anchored to our ability to make money or achieve some specific, shiny goal. Jasper was trying to earn his value, day by day, gig by gig. When the hustle stopped, so did his belief in himself.But here’s the unexpected twist—the one that makes the whole story worth telling: the silence became a kind of clearing. When the applause fades, you finally have to listen to a different voice, the one that tells you your value isn’t a performance review. It's a gift.How does somebody overcome depression and an identity crisis? It's a universal problem. The fact that you were intentionally created, by a God that loves you, means that if you are a follower of Christ, you are an image-bearer of God. Your worth is a birthright, not a bonus. It’s what you already have, not what you have to earn.For Jasper, this meant staring down the barrel of his identity crisis and finding a new narrative. The video follows his messy, honest journey from vocal cord damage and deep creative burnout to realizing that his life wasn't a commodity to be sold, but a story to be lived, regardless of who's listening. It's about finding the ultimate peace that comes from decoupling your purpose beyond profit.If you're struggling with finding self-worth in Christ or feel like your career defines your soul, you need to hear Jasper's story. It's proof that sometimes, the only way to find your true voice is to lose the one you thought was everything.Oh, and then there's Montana. This video is about fly fishing in Montana. What a great place to tell the story. And Montana is not easy to fly fish either. You have two veteran fly fishing anglers here and Montana is giving us a run for our money; which is funny when it comes to telling a story about a man overcoming struggles to find his hope and dreams again.

How to hear God's voice is not easy. Listening to God is no formula. And it's hard to trust your own discernment at times. There's this idea that God is out there somewhere, a big booming voice in the clouds, and we’re all just waiting for Him to show up like a divine stage actor. But that’s not really how it works.

A lot of us spend our lives waiting for that cosmic lightning bolt, for God to spell something out in the sky, and we miss the whole point. He's not hiding from us.

He’s already given us His words.

They're all there, bound up in a book.Think of it like this: The Bible isn’t just a dusty old record of ancient history. It's a conversation starter. It’s like getting a text from a friend you haven’t talked to in a while. You read their words, and you remember their voice, their humor, the way they think. You start to feel connected again.When you open the Bible, you’re not just reading words on a page. You're entering a story. God is the main character. He’s the one moving things along, showing up in the mess of people’s lives, and revealing who He is. The more you read, the more you start to recognize His "voice"—not an audible sound, but a sense of His character, a feel for what He values and what makes Him mad.You read a passage about grace, and suddenly you feel this deep, quiet calm. You read about His commands for justice, and you feel this new resolve bubbling up inside you. It’s not just your thoughts. It’s the Holy Spirit using those words to change your mind, to shape your heart, to speak to a situation you’re walking through right now. The Bible is the primary tool He uses to get our attention. It’s where we learn the language of His love, so when He whispers, we know it's Him.The trick is, you have to show up. You have to open the book and give it time. You can’t just expect to hear from God when you’re scrolling through Instagram or stuck in traffic. You have to carve out a little quiet space, even if it's just for five minutes. And you have to stop looking for a secret code or a magic formula. Just read. Let the story wash over you. The more you get to know the author, the more you'll recognize His voice in everything else.YOUTUBE LICENSE: 5ZHHWHSHQBWOOTWXElevated StateDr. Delight

Is God speaking to me? Yes. The question is ... where and how does a person go about hearing God speak? The soul is the inner place where that communication takes place. Your soul isn't just a metaphor - but the soul is misunderstood even in Christian communities. We cannot think of anything more crucial to men's ministry than having men understand what it means to navigate their inner life with God. As always, Wild & Kingdom is a two fronted approach to men's ministry. The Wild & Kingdom Show ... and then the Wild & Kingdom Podcast. The men's ministry podcast we host is about doing a Biblical deep dive on the topic of The Show. A person's soul is the core of who you are, the part of you that connects to God. It’s what makes you a living, breathing being made in His image.Your body is the machine, a temple designed to carry out His work. Your mind is the control center, processing information and making decisions. But your soul is the engine, the power source that gives you purpose. It's the part that longs for meaning and seeks connection with your Creator. This is a battle for men today. The world tells you to be tough, to be self-sufficient, and to ignore that nagging feeling. But ignoring your soul is like trying to drive a car with a broken engine—you can go through the motions, but you'll never actually get anywhere.The soul is the place where God communicates with you.Every person out there wants to know how to hear God's voice. So when God speaks where does He communicate? The Scriptures are the primary tool, matched with the inner voice of God dwelling in the soul of the Christ follower. So what does a healthy soul look like? When a man's soul is aligned with God’s he can move the Kingdom forward because he knows how to find his purpose. It's about finding that deep connection that makes life a real adventure, not just a series of tasks. The Christian life is a faith journey, and a healthy soul is your compass. It points you toward the light, away from the darkness, and toward the life you were always meant to live. This is what it means to be truly alive.

This isn't your grandma's "purity talk." We unpack some topics about sex that "church" typically won't discuss including why it should be celebrated. Greg and Jason go into the hidden costs of casual sex from a biblical perspective. God's design for sexual purity isn't about restriction, but about unlocking the incredible, fulfilling marriage and relationship you're meant to build.

The Wild & Kingdom podcast is built around raw and relevant truth about biblical manhood. This isn't your typical men's Bible study talk. It's about how to live the life God made for every man.

In this episode, Jason Cruise and Greg Driver break down current issues facing men today.

How The Church Could Celebrate Sex

The Rise of Sexless Marriages

How To Overcome Sexual Sin

How To Worship With Your Body

Stop settling for less. Start living a better story.

If you've been in church, there's a really good chance that you've sung a song written by Jesse Reeves.

There's nothing better than learning "why" a globally known songwriter wrote a song.

Today, Nashville songwriter Jasper Charles, who is also the smoky smooth producer of the Wild & Kingdom Podcast, sits down with Jason Cruise and Jesse Reeves as they look into the stories behind some of his most known songs.

The song "I Speak Jesus" has profoundly resonated within Christian worship circles, becoming a staple in contemporary praise and worship gatherings worldwide.

Its immense popularity stems from a powerful combination of accessible lyrics, a declarative message, and its strong theological foundation, deeply connecting with the innate desire of believers to invoke the authority and presence of Jesus.

At its core, "I Speak Jesus" is a simple yet profound declaration of faith.

The repetitive chorus, "Your name is power, Your name is healing, Your name is life," is easily memorized and sung, making it an ideal congregational worship song.

This lyrical simplicity belies a rich theological depth, emphasizing the transformative power attributed to the name of Jesus in scripture.

Churches and worship leaders readily embrace songs that empower believers to proclaim spiritual truths, and "I Speak Jesus" delivers this in abundance.

A significant factor in its widespread adoption is the songwriting prowess behind it, notably featuring **Jesse Reeves**.

A celebrated name in modern worship songwriting, **Jesse Reeves** has co-written numerous beloved Christian worship anthems, including "How Great Is Our God" and "Our God."

His involvement in "I Speak Jesus" lends immediate credibility and a familiar touch to the song, aligning it with a legacy of impactful worship music.

Alongside **Jesse Reeves**, the song's other **Christian worship music writers**—Abby Benton, Carlene Prince, Dustin Smith, Kristen Dutton, and Raina Pratt—contributed to crafting a piece that captures the essence of fervent prayer and spiritual warfare.

The song’s themes of breaking strongholds, overcoming fear and anxiety, and finding peace in Jesus speak directly to the challenges and spiritual battles faced by believers today.

This relatability allows worshipers to personally connect with the lyrics, transforming a congregational song into a deeply personal declaration.

"I Speak Jesus" taps into the yearning for tangible divine intervention, reinforcing the belief that speaking the name of Jesus can bring about healing, freedom, and breakthrough.

Its widespread use in **contemporary worship music** services underscores its role in fostering an atmosphere of hope, faith, and spiritual empowerment, cementing its place as a beloved and impactful **modern worship song**.

Jessee Reeves

Cory Asbury

Strength Without Apology. This is Why Men Are Turning to Joe Rogan for Guidance in Manhood and Culture.

There's a story unfolding in our culture that reveals something profound about the masculine heart.

Young men, feeling lost in a world that seems to have forgotten their value, are gravitating toward voices like Joe Rogan's.

It's not because they're looking for toxic masculinity or aggression—it's because they're hungry for authentic manhood.

While biblical masculinity calls men to be servant leaders, protectors, and providers, many Christian communities have either embraced cultural emasculation or retreated into outdated stereotypes.

Males are flocking to "non-effeminate men" such as Joe Rogan and Jordan Peterson, seeking role models who embody strength without apology.

Rogan's appeal lies in his willingness to explore difficult questions about manhood, leadership, and purpose—conversations often absent from pulpits. His platform celebrates traditional masculine virtues like courage, curiosity, and competence.

This resonates with men who feel culturally neutered by progressive ideologies that view masculinity as inherently problematic.

The gospel offers a better story. Jesus embodied perfect masculinity—tender yet fierce, gentle yet strong. He wept over Jerusalem and cleared the temple. He loved children and confronted corruption. Biblical manhood isn't about dominating others but about sacrificial leadership that serves God's kingdom.

The church must reclaim this narrative, offering young men a vision of masculinity that's both biblically grounded and culturally relevant, before they seek guidance elsewhere.

In this episode of Wild & Kingdom, Greg Driver and Jason Cruise sit down with Jesse Reeves, one of the most noted songwriters in modern church music today, on how Jesse could close the deal when hunting season arrives.

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Wild & Kingdom Is Fueled By: Apex Restoration DKI http://www.ApexDKI.com

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Jesse Reeves has been at the pinnacle of the Christian music industry ... and he walked away over convictions deep within his soul.

The show was on the fundamentals of shooting where Jesse Reeves and Navy SEAL Sam Mackey were on the gun range with a Mossberg Patriot .308.

And we use the concept of fundamentals of shooting a rifle and apply that to a much bigger issue: the current condition of the decline within American Christianity over the last fifty years.

The Church has got to do more than offering men's bible studies.

Men's ministry is bigger than a breakfast once a month.

We are losing men at alarming rates. The numbers tell a story that should make any pastor lose sleep.

Approximately one million young people are leaving the church each year, according to Pinetops Foundation research.

Think about that. One million. That's the entire population of San Jose walking away from faith annually.

If present trends continue, over 40 million young people raised in Christian homes may walk away from the church by 2050.

Gallup confirms what many of us suspected: 67% recalled attending a church, synagogue or other place of worship weekly or nearly weekly while growing up, but only 31% said they do so now.

We're hemorrhaging believers at a rate that would make any business owner declare bankruptcy.

But here's where it gets particularly troubling for church leaders: men are abandoning ship faster than passengers on the Titanic.

Today an estimated 39% of all men can be deemed unchurched according to Barna research.

Nearly four in ten men haven't darkened a church door in six months, except maybe for a wedding where they couldn't escape.Why are men fleeing?

The church often feels like a feminized social club rather than a place where men can wrestle with big questions and engage in meaningful mission.

Many men perceive modern Christianity as overly emotional, relationship-focused, and disconnected from purpose-driven action.

They're looking for a cause worth fighting for, not another small group discussion about feelings.The data paints a picture of institutional failure.

36 percent fewer Americans attended church weekly in 2020 than in 1993. This isn't just about pandemic disruption—it's about fundamental disconnection between what the church offers and what people actually need.

The Pinetops Foundation calls this: "The Great Opportunity," suggesting that if churches can reverse current trends with Generation Z, there's hope.

But opportunity requires honest acknowledgment: we've built institutions that feel irrelevant to modern life, particularly for men seeking authentic community and meaningful purpose beyond Sunday morning performance.

Men's Bible Study

Men's Ministry

Church Hurt

Church Decline

Joe Rogan

Jordan Peterson

Men's Spirituality

Jason Cruise has traveled the nation in the last few decades speaking at men's events. He's had a front row seat watching churches put together events trying to reach men through Men's Ministry. He uncovers what he's seen work well and what seems to have failed.

This podcast is great for pastor or event planners who put on wild game dinners or men's retreats.