Courage and Healing: Confronting Generational Cycles of Mental Struggles with Toby Slough

Is Jesus truly the Son of God? That becomes the center point of a powerful convo on the book of St. John. John is so much more than just a letter. It’s the eyewitness account of a man whose life was completely transformed by Jesus. This is Part Two of a series of conversations with Paul Cole and his son, Pastor Brandon Cole. Our faith ultimately centers on the answer to this question, 'Is Jesus who he says he is?' The answer is packed into the Gospel of John through a deeply personal, eyewitness revelation. John takes us into conversations, encounters, and experience Jesus through the eyes of someone who knew Him, walked with Him, and loved Him. And a man that learned that Jesus spoke of his Kingdom ... and was the King. Brandon is a gifted communicator and pastor of Gallery Church in Fort Worth, Texas, a vibrant community passionate about building lives full of faith, hope, and love—and presenting Jesus in a fresh and compelling way, on every street and in every heart. Brave Men is hosted by Paul Louis Cole, president of Christian Men’s Network. CMN is based in Texas and serves men and families in more than 100 nations around the world. For resources to disciple men, strengthen families, and build a generation of courageous followers of Christ, visit CMN.men. 00:00 Introduction: Brandon Cole and the Gospel of John Series 04:42 Signs vs Statements: What Got Jesus Crucified 08:55 The Power of Identity: Cliff's Coast Guard Story 12:15 The Seven I Am Statements: Who Jesus Says He Is 23:00 Salvation in Three Tenses: Past, Present, and Future Life 28:19 I Am the Bread of Life: Daily Provision and Proximity 32:53 I Am the Light of the World: Brilliance That Never Fades 34:53 I Am the Door and the Good Shepherd: Against the Gatekeepers 39:37 I Am the Resurrection and the Life: Lazarus and Brotherhood 53:33 Die Now or Die Later: The Pattern of Death and Resurrection

In the first few minutes we find out why Chris Harper gets in trouble. But it's good trouble. My friend Chris Harper is a storyteller. He builds word pictures that we can touch and see ... and leads men into truth. Better known as "Harp" he serves as the CEO of BetterMan. A ministry equipping more than 2500+ churches and 300,000+ men across the U.S. How do we live as a Christian man in a world in chaos ... and a world that is fully aligned against your truth. Because truth isn't a philosophy or system of thought, truth is a person - Jesus Christ. This is an extraordinary conversation with a man that is passionate about biblical manhood. Chris Harper speaks often on topics such as a man’s identity in Christ and the importance of being a gospel-centered husband and father. Chris received his Masters degree from Dallas Theological Seminary and his Doctorate from the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Brave Men is hosted by Paul Louis Cole, president of Christian Men's Network. Brave Men is a production of CMN, which is based in Texas and operating on the ground in over 100 nations. For tools to disciple men and families go to CMN.men 00:00 Introduction: Chris Harper and Living Christian Out Loud 13:44 The Three Heart Deficits Every Man Has 14:49 Definition and Identity: The Gideon Problem 29:40 From Chick-fil-A to Christ: Harper's Conversion Story 43:59 The Joyful Pursuit of Sacrificial Responsibility 58:19 Why Pastors Are Falling: The Calling Crisis 1:04:22 Knowledge vs Wisdom: The Experience Factor 1:13:17 Better Man Ministry: The On-Ramp Approach 1:18:49 Storms Don't Destroy, They Reveal 1:25:25 Make Money, Save Money, Give It Away

Rawd B. Jones is a specialist in soul care—helping men take care of the dynamic center of their lives. As the founder of RPLNISH, Rawd has dedicated himself to helping pastors, ministry leaders, and men step away from the relentless demands of leadership long enough to reconnect with God, build meaningful relationships, and experience the rest and renewal they so often provide for everyone else. He is an energetic, insightful, and passionate communicator who speaks into both the corporate and church worlds about leadership, health, purpose, and the condition of the soul. Jesus said it this way in Matthew 11:28 MSG: “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life.” That invitation is at the center of this conversation. Before we can lead others well, we must learn how to live in a state of replenished wellbeing ourselves. In this wide-ranging conversation, Rawd and Paul dig into some of the central issues facing men today. How do we address the confusion surrounding masculinity? What are the effects of fatherlessness? How does a man lead successfully without losing his soul? And how do we build lives that are not only productive, but deeply meaningful? Rawd brings the conversation back to the Word of God and to the inner life of a man—because what happens in you will eventually determine what happens through you. This is an important conversation about becoming healthy, whole, replenished men who have the strength to lead well. Brave Men is hosted by Paul Louis Cole, President of Christian Men’s Network. CMN is a global movement of men committed to building strong men, strong marriages, strong families, and strong churches through the discipleship of men. We are CMN - we rescue men. Brave Men is a production of Christian Men’s Network. 00:00 Introduction: Rod Jones and the Brave Men Podcast 01:19 From Plain White Rappers to Soul Care Ministry 03:27 The Masculinity Crisis: Fatherlessness and Immaturity 06:12 Understanding Soul Care: Mind, Will, and Emotion 09:06 The Tyranny of the Urgent: Why Men Don't Rest 17:47 Rest as a Superpower: Entering God's Rest 20:29 Digital Cocaine: The Phone Addiction Problem 27:03 Prayer Life: Different Kinds of Prayer 37:59 Joe Rogan and the Manosphere: Culture's Vacuum 45:29 Educating Boys: The School System Challenge 51:35 Intentional Fatherhood: Being Present for Your Sons 54:43 The Weight of the World: Digital Anxiety 1:02:34 Proximity and Brotherhood: How to Make Friends 1:04:55 Courage Comes From Community: Fighting Together 1:12:00 Closing: The Spirit of a Father

Before ministry is a method or a message, it is brotherhood. Jesus called His disciples friends. Daniel stood with brothers. Strong men are not formed alone—they are forged in relationship with men who love God, love people, and refuse to leave one another behind. When we rescue men, we rescue families, we save the next generation. This episode is a challenge to get cranked up on our purpose and mission. Jesus said, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you” (John 15:16). In our walk with the Lord, you don’t choose the mission—the mission chooses you. We speak life to dry bones, call men out of passivity, and help faithful men become disciple-makers who will raise up others. Pressure reveals what is inside a man, and when the Holy Spirit fills him, courage rises. At the center of it all is grace. Jesus pictured grace like a farmer throwing seed everywhere—you never know where it will land or what harvest it will produce. We are still on the mission God gave Adam, to tend the garden ... but today we are gardeners of the hearts of men: breaking hard ground, removing stones, pulling thorns, and cultivating hearts where God’s Word can grow. We work the soil. God brings the harvest. BraveMen is hosted by Paul Louis Cole, president of Christian Men’s Network. CMN is a global movement of men discipling men, serving on the ground in more than 100 nations. We believe strong men build strong families, strong churches, and strong communities. We are men on a mission—and that mission is Jesus. For resources to disciple men and strengthen families, visit CMN.men. 00:00 Introduction: Brotherhood and the Mission of Jesus 00:53 The Process of Discipleship: Becoming Like Christ 07:21 Christ the Center: Colossians 1 and the Power of Jesus 09:07 The Danger of Isolation: Elijah Under the Tree 12:07 From Slaves to Friends: Jesus and the Power of Friendship 14:30 Abraham and Lazarus: The Secret of Friendship with God 19:33 Christ Revealed is God Defined 20:47 The Parable of the Sower: Understanding the Seed 26:27 Our Mission: Tilling the Soil of Men's Hearts 28:40 The Gardener's Call: Making Every Man Good Soil

Mark Matlock is one of the most interesting men I’ve ever met. For decades, he has lived at the intersection of faith, culture, research, and the next generation. He doesn’t just study where culture has been—he pays attention to where it is moving. His groundbreaking work, including Faith for Exiles, has become a trusted sounding board for leaders across the spectrum of Christian ministry. Today on BraveMen, Mark brings that depth of insight into a powerful conversation about discipleship, culture, and what it means to build resilient faith in a rapidly changing world.