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Think you’re doing everything right—clean diet, daily training, long fasts—and still dragging through the day with stubborn belly fat? You’re not alone. We unpack the uncomfortable reality that more than 90% of American adults show signs of metabolic dysfunction, and even the “healthy” crowd isn’t immune. Our story kicks off with a surprise pre-diabetes diagnosis despite elite habits, and a hard look at how fasted cardio, extended fasting, high stress, and under-fueling can quietly push insulin resistance.

Joined by diabetes educator and integrative health therapist Jodi Ghelli, we connect the dots between cortisol, liver glycogen, and insulin demand. Jody breaks down why “pre-diabetic” can be a dangerous comfort label, how the liver rescues you when you skip breakfast, and why that rescue comes with a cost. You’ll learn a practical macro framework—pair protein and carbs in roughly equal amounts with a little healthy fat—to stabilize blood sugar, lower insulin spikes, and unlock steady energy. We also clarify hypoglycemia vs hyperglycemia, when fasting helps versus harms, and how overtraining with under-eating keeps belly fat hanging on.

We get specific on what to test and why: fasting glucose, A1C, fasting insulin, lipid panel, CRP, ALT/AST, and the triglyceride-to-HDL ratio. You’ll leave with actionable steps to fuel workouts properly, plan small but mighty meals every 2 to 3 hours, respect sleep as a metabolic lever, and stop asking your liver to do a job your breakfast should handle. If you’ve been white-knuckling your plan and feeling worse, this conversation offers a smarter, kinder path that still delivers results.

If this helped, follow the show, share it with a friend who trains hard but feels tired, and leave a review so more people can find it. Your future self—and your metabolism—will thank you.

Connect with Jodi:

Facebook: Jodi Deppert Ghelli

IG: @jodi.deppertghelli

Listener Actions Steps (before the end of 2025!)

1️⃣ Get your fasting labs done.

• Fasting glucose
• A1C
• Fasting insulin
• Lipid panel
• hs-CRP
• ALT/AST
• Triglyceride-to-HDL ratio
   These numbers tell the real story.

2️⃣ Audit your habits.
Don’t just ask, “Am I healthy?”
Ask, “Are my habits supporting metabolic flexibility, or stressing it?”

3️⃣ Prioritize sleep + recovery.
Under-recovery can mimic insulin resistance.

4️⃣ Fuel your workouts properly.
Especially if you’ve been training fasted by default.

5️⃣ Share your results with someone qualified.
A coach, a nutritionist, or your naturopath — don’t navigate this alone.

6️⃣ Share this episode with someone who trains hard but feels tired.
They might be right where you were.

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What if the most “successful” church strategies are quietly starving discipleship? I sit down with Alex Kocman of ABWE to unpack why missions and church life must be governed by Scripture, not trends, and how to recognize fruit that lasts. Alex’s own story—from predictable routines to telling the stories of nearly 1,000 missionaries—becomes a lens for rethinking the way we measure impact, send people well, and stay faithful when the numbers don’t sparkle.

We take a hard look at the church growth movement and how a simple missiological observation morphed into a marketing playbook. Alex explains why targeting a demographic may fill seats but can shrink souls, and why the Great Commission demands more than decisions—it demands disciple‑making and covenantal churches built around the whole counsel of God. Along the way, we tackle cultural flashpoints with open Bibles: the role of law and gospel in addressing sin, where gender debates truly surface around the world, and how mercy ministries create space for honest conversations about Christ.

A standout section addresses the crisis of male leadership in missions. Alex names the reasons single women are overrepresented on the field and offers practical, non‑gimmicky ways to call men into courageous service: heralding preaching, singable congregational worship, and a gathered posture that feels like a commissioning, not a performance. We also map out a healthy church‑agency partnership: churches identify, test, and send; agencies train, team, and sustain. To close, Alex previews his forthcoming book, Ordered to Love, which ties love of home to love of the nations, restoring an order of affections that fuels local faithfulness and global mission.

If you’re ready to trade quick wins for deep roots, this conversation will give you language, frameworks, and next steps. Subscribe, share with a friend who cares about missions, and leave a review with one change you’ll make in your church or small group.

Connect with Alex:

•X: @ajkocman
•ABWE X: @ABWEInt
•Missions Podcast X: @missionspodcast
•Facebook: facebook.com/abweministries
•Instagram: instagram.com/abwe_intl

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Freedom isn’t a slogan to us; it’s a story forged in scars, second chances, and stubborn grace. David Earhart joins us on the patio to trace a path from junior-high rebellion and wilderness rehab to captaining teams at a Christian high school, then stumbling when performance couldn’t carry the weight of a broken dream. He opens up about marrying young, raising three kids, and facing a divorce that could have hardened his heart—but instead became the moment he ran toward God, not away.

The conversation shifts gears into career and calling. David breaks down the rocket-ship rise of First Solar and the hard pivot when subsidies vanished and prices crashed. His single most important marketing lesson is disarmingly simple: create value, deliver value, communicate value. We dig into how “menial” tasks like inquiry handling became a leadership engine, why vertical integration saved a business, and how excellence opens doors you can’t script. Then everything slows: an SUV hits him at 45 mph while he’s training for a marathon. First responders prepared his family for the worst; two weeks later he was running again. That miracle sharpened his purpose and sparked a new ambition to spend his best hours on eternal work.

Out of that resolve came Christianity Engaged, a video and social ministry reaching millions with clear gospel teaching and practical discipleship, and Hundredfold Marketing, a tentmaking agency that helps churches expand their digital reach. We get practical for pastors: why most churches underperform online, how to structure content for YouTube and social platforms, and how to unlock Google’s $10,000/month Ad Grant to drive meaningful traffic with GA4 and well-built Search campaigns. Along the way we talk house church discipleship, praying through thousands of requests, and the right way to support single parents without assumptions.

If you care about faith that holds under pressure, leadership that serves, and using modern media to reach real people, this one’s for you. Subscribe, share with a pastor or friend who needs these tools, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway so we can keep building conversations that matter.

Follow David and his ministries:

Christianity Engaged
https://www.christianityengaged.org

Hundredfold Marketing
https://hundredfoldmarketing.com 

https://www.youtube.com/@ChristianityEngaged
https://www.facebook.com/ChristianityEngaged

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What does it take to rewrite a story that started with homelessness, instability, and a 0.3 GPA? We sit down with Eric Jones, a nationally licensed mortgage broker and founder of The Jones Group, to trace the choices, mentors, and mindset shifts that turned rock bottom into a mission to help families and veterans build a stable future through homeownership.

Eric’s journey moves fast—from a shelter in Illinois to a middle class neighborhood shadowed by abuse, from getting kicked out at 18 to graduating with honors, from partying through freshman year to dropping out and finding mentors who demanded more. You’ll hear how “triple the jobs” and “send 20 applications a day” became turning points, why he chose skill stacking over short‑term pay, and how a leap into mortgage sales led to his first six‑figure year. More important, you’ll see how faith reframed his definition of success from income to impact.

We go deep on practical playbooks: finding mentors and proving you’re coachable, replacing excuses with volume and consistency, and using business as a tool for stewardship. Eric shares how inviting men to church built a small circle where two were baptized, and how mortgages can restore dignity for first‑time buyers, veterans, and anyone who needs someone to say, “There’s a path forward—and I’ll walk it with you.” If you’re stuck in a story you didn’t choose, this conversation offers clarity, courage, and steps you can take today.

Listen now, subscribe for more uncommon stories of growth, and share this episode with someone who needs proof that everything is figureoutable. If it helped you, leave a review and tell us the one habit you’re starting this week.

Connect with Eric:

The Jones Group | Powered By Barrett Financial Group, LLC 

Google: "Jones Lending Group Mortgages" or go to Website: JonesLendingGroup.com

The Jones Group is dedicated to serving families, investors, and military veterans by helping them access homeownership, financial stability, and a hopeful future. We provide transparent guidance, education, and support throughout the mortgage process. 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericjones.thejonesgroup/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thejonesgroupmortgage

Google Business Page: https://share.google/gvMNx6BYl4cj4gllM

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What happens when a young man from one of the poorest countries on earth finds himself transplanted into the American dream? Del's story is nothing short of remarkable—a testament to resilience, faith, and the transformative power of opportunity.

Growing up in Haiti without running water, reliable electricity, or consistent meals, Del walked six miles each way to school, often on an empty stomach. As the oldest son in a family of seven, he shouldered adult responsibilities at just 16, working to help feed his siblings when his father couldn't provide. Yet rather than surrendering to circumstances, Del woke at dawn to teach himself English on a mountainside with nothing but determination and a tattered textbook.

This self-education became his passport to possibility when he connected with American missionaries visiting Haiti. Following the devastating earthquake, former NFL kicker Jay Feeley and his family gave Del an opportunity that would forever change his trajectory—a chance to come to America. The culture shock was immense; Del recalls being overwhelmed by everything from freeways to running water, noting that what Jay had in his closet alone "was worth a whole village in Haiti."

Seizing this opportunity with both hands, Del earned a soccer scholarship to Grand Canyon University, maintaining a 3.3 GPA despite English being his second language. Today, he's built a beautiful family with his college sweetheart, works successfully in landscape sales, and has become an accomplished poker player—winning eight of his last eleven tournaments. Through it all, he's remained grounded in his faith and committed to supporting those still struggling in Haiti.

Del's perspective on America is particularly powerful: "The poorest family in America could sponsor any family in Haiti." He firmly rejects victim mentality, believing that regardless of your starting point—especially in America—opportunity awaits those willing to work hard and make good choices. His story challenges us all to reconsider what we take for granted and reminds us that our proximity to the right people often determines our direction in life.

Listen now to this inspiring conversation that will shift your perspective on privilege, opportunity, and what it truly means to be uncommon.

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Bek and Kev reunite in the studio after nearly a year to honor the legacy of Charlie Kirk – a friend, mentor, and truly Uncommon Man who left an indelible mark on our nation. Fresh from attending his memorial service, they share powerful reflections on how this extraordinary event felt more like a revival than a funeral, with thousands gathering in peaceful tribute.

Through personal anecdotes and thoughtful analysis, they explore the core values Charlie championed that made him such a transformative figure. From his ability to speak truth with love to his courageous stance during the COVID lockdowns, Charlie modeled a counter-cultural approach to manhood that resonated deeply with young people across America.

The most moving moment came when Erica Kirk, Charlie's widow, demonstrated remarkable spiritual strength by offering forgiveness to her husband's killer just weeks after the assassination. This profound act of faith left hardened men weeping and showcased the distinctive power of Christian forgiveness in a culture often driven by revenge.

Bek and Kev break down Charlie's most impactful sayings – from "courage takes no skill" to "live for more than yourself" – and discuss how these principles apply to parenting, marriage, and community-building. They reflect on raising teenage boys in today's challenging cultural landscape and how Charlie's example provides a roadmap for nurturing the next generation of courageous leaders.

Whether you were a longtime follower of Charlie Kirk or are just learning about his impact, this heartfelt conversation offers valuable insights about faith, courage, and living a life of purpose. Join us as we celebrate an uncommon man whose legacy continues to inspire a revival across America.

#charliekirk #tpusa #uncommonman #uncommonfreedom #bekandkev

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When we hear the word "church," most of us picture a building with pews facing a stage. But what if that image bears little resemblance to what Jesus and the apostles actually established?

Matt Anderson takes us on a journey back to the earliest Christian communities, revealing how the church was designed to function as a family rather than an institution. Drawing from over 20 years of ministry experience and deep study of the Book of Acts, Matt shows how the first believers gathered around meals in homes, creating intimate communities where discipleship, worship, and mission naturally flowed from their relationships.

The conversation challenges our modern assumptions about church structure and practice. We explore how the Lord's Supper was originally a full feast shared around a table, not just symbolic elements passed in tiny cups. We discover how early church gatherings were multi-generational, with older believers intentionally mentoring younger ones rather than segregating by age. And we examine how resources were shared generously to advance the gospel rather than maintaining expensive buildings and professional staff.

Perhaps most compelling is the reminder that Jesus said the world would recognize his followers not by their buildings, programs, or even their preaching, but by their love for one another. This profound truth suggests that our greatest evangelistic strategy isn't inviting people to services but inviting them into authentic, Christ-centered relationships.

This isn't about abandoning our current church experiences but about thoughtfully examining whether some of our traditions have drifted from biblical patterns. Matt's insights will inspire you to reimagine what church could be when built on the foundation of family relationships rather than institutional structures.

Subscribe now and discover what it might look like to recover the vibrant, intimate church community that turned the ancient world upside down. And stay tuned for Matt's upcoming podcast "Guarding the Good Deposit," exploring apostolic traditions from Christianity's first three centuries.

Follow  and connect with Matt on social:

https://substack.com/@matthewdandersen
https://www.facebook.com/matthewdandersen/
https://www.instagram.com/matthewdandersen/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewdandersen/
https://bio.site/mattandersennj

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When Ryan Centers and his wife Sarah felt called to adopt a sibling group of five children from foster care, they knew their comfortable life with teenage children would be forever transformed. What they couldn't anticipate was how this decision would crystallize their family's mission and purpose in profound ways.

As leaders of multiple businesses serving vulnerable populations – from group homes for foster youth to residential facilities for individuals with developmental disabilities and luxury senior living – the Centers have created an uncommon family culture centered on teamwork, purpose, and kingdom impact. Their growing team of 400+ staff is making waves across Arizona while their family of eleven children (two biological, nine adopted) serves as the beating heart of their vision.

"Centers do hard things" isn't just a motivational phrase hung in their home gym – it's the foundation of their parenting philosophy. From 6 AM workouts with teenage sons to entrepreneurial ventures like their family snow cone business, Ryan intentionally creates opportunities for his children to develop grit and resilience. Unlike many modern parents who shield their children from difficulty, Ryan believes today's "anxious generation" suffers partly from lack of appropriate challenges.

This counter-cultural approach extends to technology management: no cell phones until high school, no social media until graduation, and tech-free Sundays. While initially met with resistance, these boundaries have created space for authentic connection and conversation. Ryan has witnessed the transformation when young people learn to make eye contact, engage in difficult conversations, and discover purpose beyond screens.

Perhaps most distinctive is Ryan's vision of family as a "kingdom team on mission" rather than individuals pursuing separate dreams under one roof. Through family meetings, service activities, and shared business ventures, the Centers operate as a cohesive unit working toward common goals. This mission extends beyond their immediate family through Friends of Ohana, their nonprofit helping foster youth develop workforce skills and independence.

Ready to rethink what family culture and intentional parenting can look like? This episode will challenge your assumptions while offering practical wisdom for creating a household that builds both character and kingdom impact. Visit ohanafriends.org to support their mission or join their upcoming Foster the Future golf tournament on September 19th https://www.ohanafriends.org/events/golf-tournament.

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What happens when you find yourself unable to climb a fence while hunting, handing your rifle and pack to your friend because your weight makes simple outdoor activities impossible? For Brad Taysom, this humbling moment became the catalyst for an extraordinary transformation.

Brad shares his powerful journey of losing approximately 70 pounds and completely reshaping his health metrics in ways that extend far beyond the scale. His visceral fat dropped from dangerously high levels to well within healthy range, body fat percentage plummeted from an obese 39.8% to a lean 14.3%, and he shed 73 pounds of actual body fat while maintaining muscle mass.

The conversation explores Brad's first successful weight loss journey years ago when he lost over 100 pounds and became immersed in CrossFit, achieving 10% body fat. However, as life grew complicated with home renovations, growing family responsibilities, and the pandemic, his health gradually took a back seat. The weight returned, bringing with it diminished energy and capability.

What makes this episode particularly valuable is Brad's vulnerability about the pride that kept him from seeking help sooner and the mindset shifts that have made his current transformation more sustainable. He offers practical wisdom about creating lasting health habits despite rotating work shifts, family obligations, and major home projects. As he eloquently puts it, "You choose the right, you're going to feel good... I find a lot of similarities between health and fitness journeys and spiritual journeys."

For anyone who has achieved health goals only to see them slip away, or who feels too busy to prioritize their wellbeing, Brad's experience offers both inspiration and practical strategies. His story reminds us that reclaiming our health isn't just about looking better—it's about living fully and being present for the people and passions that matter most.

Ready to transform your own health? Learn about the Optavia program that helped Brad achieve his remarkable results and receive a special discount when you mention this episode. If you haven’t already had a conversation with an Optavia coach and are interested in learning more, you can go to bekandkev.com, or go directly to bekandkev.com/get-healthy for the link to our quick health assessment that will help you start the conversation with us or one of our qualified coaches. Anyone who signs up for a full month on our program (minimum of $350) and references this podcast with Brad Taysom will get a $50 credit from us to help them get started at even bigger savings!

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Sean Green's life story reads like an action film script, but with a depth Hollywood rarely captures. From the sun-drenched shores of Trinidad to becoming the oldest person ever to make the U.S. National Karate Team at age 51, Sean's journey exemplifies what happens when faith, discipline, and purpose align.

When Sean moved to America at age 10, he brought with him the military-like discipline instilled by his Caribbean Catholic school education. This foundation, combined with natural athletic ability that led to Division I track competition at Arizona State University, set the stage for his remarkable martial arts career. But what makes Sean truly uncommon isn't just his physical prowess – it's how he integrates his Christian faith with his passion for developing strong, biblically-minded men.

Drawing on his experience as both an educator and martial artist, Sean offers a refreshing perspective on what's missing in today's approach to raising boys. He pulls no punches when discussing the problems plaguing modern education: "We're still in this 'everyone gets a trophy' era" and "socially promoting kids who aren't academically ready because we're afraid to hurt their feelings." His solution? Create environments that challenge young men, require excellence, and provide strong male mentorship.

Sean's martial arts philosophy goes far beyond physical technique. He teaches that "meekness is strength under control" and emphasizes how training develops focus, coordination, memory, and discipline. For Christians who question whether martial arts aligns with their faith, Sean points to biblical warriors like David and Samson, reminding us that men are called to be "providers, protectors, priests, and prophets" in their homes.

Perhaps most inspiring is how Sean made the U.S. National Karate Team two decades after most competitors retire. Unable to match the speed of 20-year-olds, he studied the physics of fighting, mastering timing, distance, and momentum to overcome younger opponents. This same analytical approach and unwavering discipline characterizes his approach to faith, family, and developing the next generation of uncommon men.

Ready to challenge yourself physically and spiritually? Connect with Sean through his website https://gilbertmaf.com/ or social media (@greenesma4fitness on Instagram) to learn how martial arts can transform not just your body, but your character.

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