Wild Obedience Man

🎙️ Crumb Confessional — Episode 39a

Title: I’m just a dude trusting God’s gonna do something with this

Description:

It’s Father’s Day, June 15, and I’m driving through Newtown after buying a new Carhartt shirt and listening to Jordan Peterson and Sam Harris discuss the chaos of the internet and institutional collapse. I reflect on algorithmic decay, moral erosion, and the collective brain-melting that’s defining our era—and contrast it with the CRUMB model: long-game discipleship, truth-seeking, and small acts of obedience. I talk through fake news, AI deepfakes, and culture wars, and call out to listeners to recalibrate their identity around Jesus. This is my honest attempt to fight darkness with crumbs.

I talk about:

• Upgrading to XL Carhartt shirts and feeling stronger on Father’s Day
• The chaos of the internet as described by Peterson and Harris
• Why Twitter (X) promotes the worst impulses in us
• My rationale for CRUMB as a countercultural truth-based model
• The Spoken Cosmos tool I’m building to help discern truth
• Why love must overpower fear if we want anything to change
• The hard call to follow Jesus as the only coherent response to global breakdown

💡 Highlights & Timestamps:

00:00 – Driving through Newtown on Father’s Day, reflecting on new shirt and muscle gains

03:45 – Breakdown of Jordan Peterson & Sam Harris podcast on internet chaos

08:12 – How algorithms promote worst behavior and the brain-melting effect of X

12:50 – CRUMB as a slow-drip countermodel to mass manipulation

17:33 – My personal long-game vision: truth, Jesus, and small obedience

23:10 – Identity, eternity, and waking up to what matters

28:30 – Calling out listeners: if you’re still here, God might be trying to reach you

📖 Scriptures Referenced:

• John 14:6 – “Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life”
• Proverbs, Psalms, Ecclesiastes – referenced as ancient wisdom still revealing truth today
• 1 John 4:18 – “Perfect love casts out all fear”

🧠 Core Takeaway:

The only logical, moral, and sustainable way forward—for both society and self—is to follow Jesus, one crumb of truth and obedience at a time.

🙏 Closing Line:

I don’t care if I’m ranting—I love you, and I’m tired of the darkness. Let’s start walking toward the light.

🎙️ Crumb Confessional — Episode 38

Title: It's not easy to quit

Description:

I'm parked outside a UDF on Beechmont staring at a cigarette poster that says, "It's not easy to quit." It's a moment of real-time temptation, the kind that used to knock me out. I'm alone in the car, running errands in Cincinnati, and the urge to buy a $5 edible hits hard. I talk about what it's like to still want the old high, to pray sincerely for it to go away—and not feel it lift. But I also share how confession, speaking it aloud, and doing this war journal helps me keep going.

I talk about:

• Seeing the "It's not easy to quit" sign right as I felt tempted
• Why Africa was easier: no access, no option
• The tattoo I got for 2 Corinthians 12:7–11
• How addiction turns into forced prayer
• What happened last time I hid it from my wife
• Why bringing it to light keeps me clean
• Fighting with truth, Spirit, and spiritual weapons

💡 Highlights & Timestamps:

00:00 – Sitting at UDF in front of the “It’s not easy to quit” poster

03:15 – Remembering the ease of sobriety in Africa: no access

05:20 – Why I got a tattoo of 2 Corinthians 12:7–11

08:40 – How God uses my thorn to draw me closer

11:10 – The downward spiral when I hide it from my wife

14:55 – Real-time confession helps me resist the edible

17:30 – “If I want to be seen more than be real, I’ll cave”

20:45 – Final prayer: for the addicts, strugglers, and the weary

📖 Scriptures Referenced:

2 Corinthians 12:7–11 – "Thorn in the flesh... my grace is sufficient"

🧠 Core Takeaway:

Temptation doesn't always disappear through prayer—but bringing it to light gives it less power.

🙏 Closing Line:

Crumb Confessional #38 — I'm trying to model walking out my faith, not by sight.

🎙️ Crumb Confessional — Episode 37

Title: How much can we protect our kids' innocence?

Description:

It’s the morning of June 14th, and I’m on my way to Starbucks before a housewarming party at Jamie and Luci’s. Last night’s movie with my kids stirred something deeper in me. First Noah, then Leo—both got scared and had to leave. And then that Final Destination skull poster… it just pushed me to reflect on what our kids are exposed to visually, and how much of it we can—or should—control. I don’t have all the answers, but I’m asking the questions again.

I talk about:

• Taking the boys to How to Train Your Dragon and why they couldn’t finish
• The impact of a scary skull poster outside the theater
• Why I was moved when it got replaced with a Brad Pitt racing movie poster
• Whether video calls dull the sweetness of reunions
• My wrestle with overexposure and stimulation in modern parenting
• The difference between protecting innocence and isolating kids
• My 90s homeschool flashback and what I want for my family today

💡 Highlights & Timestamps:

00:00 – Driving to Starbucks and Kroger before Jamie & Lucy’s house party

01:35 – How Noah and Leo both reacted to the movie last night

04:40 – The skull poster that scared Leo even more—and what happened next

07:50 – Visual stimuli change the energy of a place; I felt it viscerally

10:10 – Wrestling with modern parenting: protect or expose?

13:20 – Remembering the ultra-sheltered 90s Christian kids…and learning from it

15:00 – Reflecting on the cost of overstimulation in childhood today

🧠 Core Takeaway:

“When the poster changed, the room changed—and it reminded me just how much our kids are absorbing."

🙏 Closing Line:

Crumb Confessional #37 — I’m just trying to spend as much time as I can with my family…and think intentionally.

🎙️ Crumb Confessional — Episode 36

Title: I just want to protect their innocence

Description:

It’s evening. We’re at the theater watching How to Train Your Dragon 2—and my three-year-old, Noah, taps my arm and says, “Dad, I’m scared. I want to go home.” So we leave. Just like that. The whole car ride, I’m undone by how innocent he is, and how beautiful that is. I don’t want to miss it. I don’t want to lose it. I want to protect it, steward it, and remember moments like this forever.

I talk about:

• Leaving the movie theater because my son said he was scared
• What it stirred in me about childhood innocence
• How precious and pure our kids really are
• Why I wasn’t upset we left early—I was proud
• My heart to protect and nurture my kids through every stage
• A note to myself to never miss how much this matters

💡 Highlights & Timestamps:

00:00 – Watching a movie, and Noah says, “Dad, I’m scared. I want to go home.”

01:40 – Why I wasn’t frustrated—we just left, and I was proud of him

03:10 – The innocence of a child in contrast to a dark world

04:20 – Reflections on stewarding childhood as a father

06:00 – Remembering how special your own kid’s heart can be

07:05 – This little moment filled me up more than the movie ever could

🧠 Core Takeaway:

“Children are innocent—and it’s a sacred thing to protect that, nurture that, and never forget how precious it is.”

🙏 Closing Line:

Crumb Confessional #36 — I just wanted to make a note of it.

🎙️ Crumb Confessional — Episode 35

Title: Crucifying the Idol of Self



Description:

It’s early Friday morning, June 13th, and I’m recording from my in-laws’ basement before the rest of the house wakes up. Last night we spent time with dear friends, played a hilarious game called Puns of Anarchy, and had some powerful conversations. One topic that resurfaced for me this morning was abortion—but not from the typical debate angle. I share a fresh lens I’m wrestling with, one that cuts to the core of dying to self and trusting God. I also introduce a new framework I’m processing around rest, running, and relationship.

I talk about:

• Hanging with close friends and playing Puns of Anarchy
• A moment of gratitude for my mother-in-law watching the grandkids
• The idol of self as the root issue in abortion and beyond
• Choosing trust in God over self-preservation
• Wrestling with the triple R idea: relationship, rest, run
• My plan to finally upload a backlog of Crumb episodes
• Going to see How to Train Your Dragon with the kids and cousins tonight

💡 Highlights & Timestamps:

00:00 – Recording early morning from in-laws’ basement

01:40 – Reflections on abortion as crucifying the idol of self

05:30 – Not elevating self over God when it feels like you’re “losing your life”

08:45 – Wrestling with decisions that don’t make sense “on paper”

11:10 – Relationship, rest, run: new framework forming

15:30 – Weekend plans and uploading Crumb backlog

🧠 Core Takeaway:

Dying to self isn’t just about big decisions—it’s the daily grind of trusting God when nothing else makes sense.

🙏 Closing Line:

Talk to y’all later.

🎙️ Crumb Confessional — Episode 34c

Title: God’s Not a Cupcake

Description:

Five minutes after Episode 34b, I’m in the car with the kids, and things take a turn—from hustle and restlessness to one of the most precious, spirit-filled family conversations. It starts with Noah saying, “God is not a cupcake,” and it launches into a whole ride of theology, forgiveness, deer-spotting, and trusting God’s timing. From Jesus’ resurrection to berry-eating deer, this episode captures what it’s like to disciple your kids in real time.

I talk about:

• Noah’s spontaneous line: “God is not a cupcake”
• Apologizing to my son for laughing at his insight
• Explaining Jesus’ death and resurrection to my kids
• Talking through how God still loves “baddies”
• Discussing what sin means and how to love enemies
• Teaching patience, miracles, and asking God to see deer

💡 Highlights & Timestamps:

00:00 – “God is not a cupcake” and a real apology to my son

02:30 – Why Jesus died and rose again

04:10 – “God still loves the baddies”

06:20 – What it means to miss the mark (sin explained to kids)

09:00 – Looking for deer and learning to wait on God

12:15 – Backyard miracles and bedtime deer prayers

🧠 Core Takeaway:

Sometimes the deepest discipleship happens in the car with your kids—one cupcake comment at a time.

🙏 Closing Line:

Crumb Confessional #34c — If you want to see a deer, ask God and be patient. He’ll show you at the perfect time.

🎙️ Crumb Confessional — Episode 34b

Title: I Don’t Know How to Relax Anymore

Description:

It’s still June 12th, and I’m in the car heading to lunch with my dad, his cousins, and my kids. I said I’d take the day off, but now I’m restless. When I don’t have a task or project, my mind spirals into guilt, anxiety, and productivity panic. I’m wrestling with the fact that God may be giving me a green pasture moment—and I don’t know how to lay down in it. This is part two of the battle: trying to relax.

I talk about:

• Feeling anxious when I’m not being productive
• Struggling to enjoy rest even when I’ve planned it
• Undoing hustle culture and “raging through the machine”
• Confessing I don’t know how to relax anymore
• Recognizing how laziness led to bankruptcy in the past
• Asking God to either keep or remove the spirit of hustle

💡 Highlights & Timestamps:

00:00 – Restless on a day off, driving to cousin lunch

01:45 – “What am I not getting done?” mindset kicks in

03:20 – Years of hustle culture programming surfacing

04:55 – “I don’t know how to relax anymore”

06:35 – Comparing Navy SEAL mindset vs green pastures

08:10 – “God, walk-off home run this spirit if you want to”

🧠 Core Takeaway:

When God finally gives you green pastures, it can be hard to believe you’re allowed to rest in them.

🙏 Closing Line:

Crumb Confessional #34b — Let’s get all of this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

🎙️ Crumb Confessional — Episode 34a

Title: Yes, I Will Battle

Description:

It’s June 12th, 10:50 AM, and I’m tired. I’m coming off a high from yesterday’s momentum on thedailycrumb.com, but this morning didn’t bring the same energy. I knew it would be a battle today—and it is. But I said yes. Yes to the fight. Yes to not doing it in my own strength. Yes to the Lord. Just saying yes made something lift. This isn’t about pushing harder or doing less—it’s about staying in the ring when your spirit’s worn.

I talk about:

• Waking up tired after a full-throttle day
• Recognizing early that today would be a battle
• Saying “yes” to God even without energy
• How trying to do less can still be striving
• Feeling spiritually lighter after surrender
• Finally being unembarrassed by thedailycrumb.com

💡 Highlights & Timestamps:

00:00 – June 12, 10:50AM: “Today is gonna be a battle”

01:12 – The crash after a big day of progress

02:40 – Why “yes, I will battle” is the real start of peace

04:05 – “Trying to do less is still a form of striving”

06:15 – *thedailycrumb.com*: “I’m not embarrassed anymore”

07:30 – Wrapping up with kids calling from upstairs

🧠 Core Takeaway:

Saying yes to the battle—even when you're tired—is sometimes the lightest thing you can do.

🙏 Closing Line:

Crumb Confessional #34a — I said yes to the battle. That was enough.

🎙️ Crumb Confessional — Episode 33o2

Title: Catching Rats with Fishing Poles

Description:

It’s 11PM and I’m driving home after a full night serving on the streets with Love City Church. I’m wiped. The young bucks and old vets are still going hard, but I’m tapped out. One of the highlights—if you can call it that—was meeting a man fishing for rats with a pole and smacking them on the concrete. Not to cook—just to eliminate them. The camps seemed fuller than last time. Weed, alcohol, brokenness, but also a lot of kindness. I’m grateful to be back out here. Catholic and Protestant, teaming up for something real.

I talk about:

• Feeling worn out while others keep going
• A man using a fishing pole to catch and eliminate rats
• Observing a noticeable increase in homeless camps
• Signs of substance use, but also open hearts
• Giving out toiletries, clothes, and sandals
• Love City Church and Old St. Mary’s teaming up for the kingdom

💡 Highlights & Timestamps:

00:00 – “I’m wearing out my friends… I’m going home”

01:20 – “He said he fished for rats and smacked them against the concrete”

03:00 – “Old spots that were empty are now filled again”

04:45 – “You can kind of tell how the economy’s doing by the number of camps”

06:10 – “Catholics and Protestants teaming up—it’s a beautiful thing”

🧠 Core Takeaway:

Sometimes what you witness in the streets stays with you for days—and that’s the point.

🙏 Closing Line:

Crumb Confessional #33o2 — The old Catholics and Protestants teaming up. It’s a beautiful thing. Signing off.

🎙️ Crumb Confessional — Episode 33N2

Title: I Kind of Want to Go Home, But We're Staying

Description:

It’s late and I’m driving solo, caravaning behind a few others. We’ve still got stops to make—over by the Bengals stadium, then Third Street, maybe the courthouse or St. Francis after that. I’ll be honest: I kind of want to go home. I want to get some sleep. But something about knowing the others are still pushing forward keeps me moving too. So we're staying.

I talk about:

• Driving alone, caravan-style, between camps
• Feeling torn between going home and finishing the route
• Planned stops at the stadium, Third Street, and more
• How other people’s faithfulness fuels your own
• Staying in the work even when you’re tired

💡 Highlights & Timestamps:

00:00 – “So I got two 20-year-olds, a 23-year-old, and Rebecca up ahead...”

00:45 – “Honestly, I kind of want to go home”

01:30 – “But I also kind of want to stay—so we’re staying”

🧠 Core Takeaway:

Other people’s endurance can be your reason to keep going when you feel done.

🙏 Closing Line:

Crumb Confessional #33N2 — I kind of want to go home. But we’re staying.