The Godly Young Men Podcast

Modern-day society tries to convince guys to take shortcuts in a lot of crucial areas. In this episode, Joe & Will discuss why shortcuts don't work and why godly young men should avoid even trying them. Specific topics include: Why shortcuts can be so tempting Different areas of life that offer shortcuts How dopamine addiction fuels our impatience How shortcuts can cause you to look down on hard work Why the process matters more than the result Why you respect yourself more when you don't take shortcuts And much more! For more information, visit www.focuspress.org/podcast

Almost all guys are motivated by one thing or another. In this episode, Joe & Will discuss what are unhealthy and healthy things to be motivated by. Specific topics include: Is it good or bad to be motivated by guilt? Is fear a healthy motivation? The "chip on your shoulder" mentality The problem with always doing things for other people Pride & arrogance as a motivation What is a healthy motivation? And much more! For more information, visit www.focuspress.org/podcast

Is being a momma's boy a good thing or a bad thing? In this episode, Joe & Will discuss all the problems godly young man can have by being momma's boys. Specific topics include: The role of the father in shaping sons How being a momma's boy can hurt your marriage What being a momma's boy IS & ISN'T What does it look like to be a momma's boy? How you can get over being a momma's boy And much more! For more information, visit www.focuspress.org/podcast

Every godly young man will get to fill out their resume and sit through a job interview at least once in their life. In this episode, Joe & Will discuss the do's and don't's of resume writing and interviewing for a job. Specific topics include: Being honest on your resume What do you need to add to your resume? What time should you arrive for your interview? Your posture and attire for your interview What job interviewers are looking for And much more! For more information, visit www.focuspress.org/podcast

There's certain characteristics that all godly young men just need to avoid. In this episode, Joe & Will list 10 different versions of "THAT" guy that you don't want to be. Specific topics include: The Tryhard guy The Wheelhouse guy The "Actually" guy The One-Up Guy Mr. Look at Me guy And much more! For more information, visit www.focuspress.org/podcast

Accountability is so crucial for guys being successful in life. In this episode, Joe & Will discuss the value of accountability and why every guy needs to know what to look for in an accountability partner. Specific topics include: Why accountability is important for guys Why your wife/girlfriend shouldn't be your (only) accountability partner Some biblical examples of accountability How to choose an accountability partner Why your accountability partner should be better than you in some way How to be a good accountability partner And much more! For more information, visit www.focuspress.org/podcast

With summer just around the corner, it is absolutely immodesty season. In this episode, Will & Joe navigate some difficult territory and answer some challenging questions regarding dressing modestly. Specific topics include: Are men's modesty and women's modesty equal? Is it a guy's responsibility or the girl's? Immodesty as a stumbling block Does God give us a standard for what's modest/immodest? Modesty pitfalls for guys to avoid And much more! For more information, visit www.focuspress.org/podcast

So many young men these days struggle with being directionless and aimlessness. In this episode, Joe & Will discuss how to handle this feeling and what you can do about it. Specific topics include: What causes so many young men to feel directionless? Fear of the unknown and fear of failure The crucial role that parents play in a young man's direction Knowing your values and missions The balance of chasing your passions without being unrealistic Move your feet And so much more! For more information, visit www.focuspress.org/podcast

Spending time with God is the one of the most important things a young man can do, but so many don't know how. In this episode, Joe & Will discuss how to practically spend time with God and what that should look like. Specific topics include: Why you have to have a plan to spend your time The importance of intentionality, prioritization, and consistency Getting past the weirdness/awkwardness of prayer Helpful tips for prayer What about Bible reading? Helpful tips for Bible reading And so much more! For more information, visit www.focuspress.org/podcast

Raising daughters is a great deal different than raising sons. In this episode, Joe & Will each list the top 5 things they want to pass on to their daughters. Specific topics include: Why modesty matters Being a true, genuine friend Why the world is wrong about a girl's #1 commodity Is being submissive weak? Is being a stay at home wife lazy? Appreciating the value and worth God sees in us And so much more! For more information, visit www.focuspress.org/podcast

Raising sons can be intimidating and overwhelming. In this episode, Joe & Will both list the top 5 things they want to teach their sons. Specific topics include: Progress over perfection Why being a flake is a bad character trait Sexual fulfillment found in marriage Why the little things matter Leading with a generational mindset as a father And much more! For more information, visit www.focuspress.org/podcast

Old people are just the worst, aren't they? In this episode, Joe & Will discuss the way younger people should view and treat older people. Specific topics include: The generational gap How young people contribute to the problem How old people contribute to the problem An aversion to tradition vs. change General avoidance of conversation/mentoring Why Godly Young Men MUST respect older people And much more! For more information, visit www.focuspress.org/podcast

Why are so many young men leaving the church of Christ and choosing orthodoxy? In this episode, Joe & Will dive into this question and discuss what the church can learn from Orthodoxy's appeal to young men. Specific topics include: What is Orthodoxy? Why Orthodoxy appeals to young men The expectations and challenges that Orthodoxy provides A man's desire to be a part of something important What the church of Christ can learn from this And so much more! For more information, visit www.focuspress.org/podcast

Is it common for guys to have insecurities or is that just an issue for girls? In this episode, Joe & Will take on the topic of insecurities and answer a ton of questions surrounding how guys should handle them. Specific topics include: Common areas of insecurities for guys Various causes of insecurities for guys Playing the comparison game Is it true that everyone has insecurities? Are insecurities sinful? How do you overcome insecurities? Developing a plan to overcome insecurities The proper spiritual perspective And much more! For more info, visit www.focuspress.org/podcast

Risk-taking is usually looked at as a common, masculine trait. Is taking risks inherently stupid or are there times in life when taking risks is what a godly young man should do? Joe & Will answer that question in this episode. Specific topics include: How risky should we physically be with our bodies? Skydiving, motorcycles, snowmobiling, etc. How much risk should you take when pursuing a girl? Should you play it safe or take risks in your career? Finances - Is debt a bad risk to take? Investments, crypto, and real estate Joe & Will's 5 principles for taking risks And so much more! For more information, visit www.focuspress.org/podcast

Society has plenty of incorrect opinions on what it means to be masculine. In this episode, Joe & Will discuss what stereotypically masculine things actually are healthy for young men to do. Specific topics include: The fake versions of masculinity Why certain masculinity stereotypes are healthy Lifting weights Playing sports Hunting & fishing Fixing things How these activities build your self esteem as a man And so much more! For more information, visit www.focuspress.org/podcast

Not everyone is blessed with an available father, either physically or emotionally. In this episode, Joe & Will discuss how to handle situations where your father is not the man he should be. Specific topics include: The impacts of a physically unavailable father What do we mean by an emotionally unavailable father? How your view of your earthly father affects your view of your Heavenly Father How to have tough discussions with your dad Striving to be a better dad than your father was to you A word to the fathers... And so much more! For more information, visit www.focuspress.org/podcast

Public speaking is a skill that is immensely valuable to all young men. In this episode, Joe & Will discuss the technical side of public speaking as well as the details of preaching sermons. Specific topics include: Dynamics of public speaking Voice inflection, posture, eye contact, hand gestures, etc. Why the dynamics matter What about preaching sermons? The ins and outs of preaching a sermon The content of a sermon: topical vs. textual Will & Joe's most embarrassing preaching stories And so much more! For more information, visit www.focuspress.org/podcast

Contrary to what may be popular opinion, every Christian young man should not make being a preacher their aim. In this episode, Joe & Will discuss why that is and how to know if being a preacher is for you. Specific topics include: Why every young man shouldn't be a preacher The immaturity problem Using ministry as a backup plan Questions to ask yourself if you're thinking of preaching Do we have a preacher crisis? What about tentmaking? And much more! For more information, visit www.focuspress.org/podcast

Far too many young men don't put any thought into their participation in worship. In this episode, Joe & Will discuss how godly young men can commit to increasing their participation in worship. Specific topics include: How to increase your FOCUS during worship Focusing during singing, prayer, Lord's supper, and sermon How to increase your PARTICIPATION in worship Why you have to sing out What to think about during the Lord's supper How to increase your ROLE in worship And much more! For more info, visit www.focuspress.org/podcast

There's no denying that the church has an eldership crisis. In the first episode of 2024, Joe & Will discuss why all godly young men should make being an elder a goal worth striving for. Specific topics include: Are elders the spiritually elite of the church? Why are elders so important? Examining the eldership qualifications The "faithful kids" debate What can you be doing RIGHT NOW? And so much more! For more info, visit www.focuspress.org/podcast

We reached our 50th episode! In this special, year-end episode, Joe & Will discuss the importance of godly young men evaluating themselves to determine where they're headed in life. Specific topics include: Examining the past Setting goals for yourself Why writing down your accomplishments & failures helps Examining the present Examining the future A year-end review of the Godly Young Men Podcast And so much more! For more information, visit www.focuspress.org/podcast

While it might not be on their radar before having kids, godly young men need to be ready for the decision on how to educate their kids. In this episode, Joe & Will make the case why every godly young man should homeschool their kids. Specific topics include: Why homeschooling is statistically on the rise How public schools contribute to youth unfaithfulness Debunking myths about homeschooling "Aren't homeschoolers weird and awkward?" 4 reasons to homeschool your kids And so much more! For more information, visit www.focuspress.org/podcast

Critical thinking is a lost art in society today. In this episode, Joe & Will discuss why godly young men must develop critical thinking and how they can go about doing so. Specific topics include: Book smart vs. street smart Learning how to think and not just what to think The role of academia in the loss of critical thinking How to develop critical thinking Learning how other people think And so much more! For more information, visit www.focuspress.org/podcast

Young men are faced with all kinds of challenges when it comes to entertainment. In this episode, Joe & Will discuss how a godly young man should handle the various forms of entertainment society throws their way. Specific topics include: - Is God anti-entertainment? - What movies/shows can godly young men NOT watch? - How much language is too much language? - What about violence? - How music can affect our worldview - VR, video games, podcasts, etc. And so much more! For more information, visit www.focuspress.org/podcast

Social anxiety affects so many young men these days. In this episode, Joe & Will discuss how godly young men can overcome social anxiety and why it's important for them to do so. Specific topics include: How to know if you have social anxiety How Covid impacted social anxiety What the Bible says about social anxiety The key to overcoming social anxiety Just. Be. Honest. And so much more! For more information, visit www.focuspress.org/podcast

A lot of young men think they've "arrived." In this episode, Joe & Will discuss what it means for young men to earn their place in the world and why that's important. Specific topics include: Why inserting yourself into conversations is a problem How the Bible emphasizes older generations Why everything shouldn't be equal How do young men earn their place? Why self-awareness is CRITICAL And much more! For more info, visit www.focuspress.org/podcast

Most young men today are only immersed in today's culture and know very little about what it means to be cultured in a broader sense. In this more lighthearted episode, Joe & Will discuss all the elements of being cultured and why young men should strive to be cultured. Specific topics include: Why does it matter to be cultured? Why being cultured gives you a legitimate voice The importance of being cultured with music The importance of being cultured with art Being cultured with fine dining, travel, etc. How this relates to God's Word and Bible study And much more! For more info, visit www.focuspress.org/podcast

At some point, every young man asks themselves if they're ready for marriage. In this episode, Joe & Will discuss how a godly young man can know if he's ready for marriage, or maybe more importantly... how he can know if he's NOT ready for marriage. Specific topics include: Is there such a thing as "fully ready" for marriage? Marrying old vs. marrying young Hallmarks of guys who AREN'T ready for marriage Being obsessed with teenager type fun The importance of emotional stability Hallmarks of guys who ARE ready for marriage What does it mean to be financially stable? And so much more! For more info, visit www.focuspress.org/podcast

Most young people today, even in the church, couldn't tell you what the purpose is for marriage and sex according to God's word. In this episode, Joe & Will discuss what the purpose for marriage & sex is and why every godly young man MUST know what they are. Specific topics include: Why the world sees no point for marriage Apart from God, marriage is meaningless Why most young people don't view marriage positively What is the full purpose of marriage? Why marriage isn't just about two people co-existing How the church can do better in their discussions of sex And much more! For more info, visit www.focuspress.org/podcast

Deion Sanders has taken the sports world by storm in polarizing fashion. Everyone seems to have a strong opinion on him. In this episode, Joe & Will examine why Deion is so effective in leadership and love him or hate him, what godly young men can learn from him. Specific topics include: Why Deion gets so much hate Where Deion goes wrong What makes Deion such an effective leader? The "fair & equality" myth Demanding a high level of effort Infectious confidence & charisma And much more! For more info, visit www.focuspress.org/podcast

Is it okay to be a follower? Should all men strive to be leaders? In this episode, Joe & Will discuss the leader vs. follower dynamic and what godly young men should aim for. Specific topics include: Leadership traits that ALL men should strive for Assertiveness vs. servant leadership How optimism helps you be an effective leader The problem with people pleasing High expectations vs. encouraging your followers Ways to excel as a follower And much more! For more info, visit www.focuspress.org

The self-esteem battle is a battle many young people face, even young men. In this episode, Joe & Will discuss self-esteem and how to have positive self-esteem that's not too high or too low with God as the foundation. Specific topics include: Different types of low self-esteem Where ultimate value & worth comes from Why popularity can't be what drives your self-esteem Don't care what irrelevant people think The key to having positive self-esteem And so much more! For more info, visit www.focuspress.org

Far too many young men are wrapped up in thinking about themselves and their problems. In this episode, Joe & Will discuss the various cards that young men can play that are simply unbecoming of godly young men. Specific topics include: The victim mentality card The "Leaning into bad character traits" card Is insecurity wrong? Unattainable Image Syndrome "Nobody cares. Work harder." And much more! For more info, visit www.focuspress.org/podcast

Mental health has been a focal point in our society in recent years. In this episode, Joe & Will tackle the tough subject of mental health and what a godly young man's perspective on it should be whether he's struggling with it or not. Specific topics include: How 21 Pilots, Mac Miller, Logic, NF, and others influenced the mental health discussion What causes mental health struggles? Why mental health struggles cannot define you The root of depression The root of anxiety Why finding community is essential to good mental health And much more! For more info, visit www.focuspress.org/podcast

Guys, young and old alike these days, are altogether unserious. There's not many young men specifically who take themselves seriously. In this episode, Joe & Will discuss why godly young men must take themselves seriously and how to do so. Specific topics include: Why is being "unserious" a problem? How chasing fun and youthfulness leads to "unseriousness" Why refusing to take risks and achieve difficult things leads to "unseriousness" Why godly young men should put an end to all self-deprecating humor Why godly young men should scale back on being a perpetual kid And so much more! For more info, visit www.focuspress.org/podcast

Social media is a part of our world whether we like it or not. In this episode, Joe & Will discuss how godly young men should handle themselves on social media and what pitfalls to avoid. Specific topics include: Don't have an alternate identity online Stop caring so much what other people think Be careful how you interact with girls online Should we download TikTok? What about Instagram, Snapchat, etc.? And much more! For more, visit www.focuspress.org/podcast

Money makes the world go round as they say... how should godly young men view money? In this episode, Joe & Will discuss why godly young men must have a proper relationship with money and how to be financially responsible. Topics include: Is it wrong to want money? The problem with chasing money for status Where the Bible speaks positively about wealth Learning to keep a budget Saving & investing Legitimate spending vs. frivolous spending Why a godly young man MUST be financially responsible And so much more! For more, visit www.focuspress.org/podcast

At this point, it's almost impossible to not know who Andrew Tate is. In this episode, Joe & Will examine Andrew Tate's 10 rules for life in order to determine where Andrew Tate is right and where he's wrong. Topics include: Is Andrew Tate right about anything? Embrace suffering Be competitive Is outworking everyone even possible? Honoring your ancestors The MAJOR flaw in Andrew Tate's 10 rules And much more! For more, visit www.focuspress.org/podcast

Reading is a lost art almost completely among young men today. In this episode, Joe & Will make the case that reading books of all genres should be an integral part of a godly young man's life. Topics for this episode include: Why reading makes you smarter Why reading improves your communication abilities Why reading expands your attention span Why reading helps with your Bible study Tips for getting started Will & Joe's top books from each genre And so much more! For more, visit www.focuspress.org/podcast

Many young men are left clueless about what it looks like to actually be a gentleman. In this episode, Joe & Will discuss why godly young men should strive to be gentlemen and what exactly that looks like. Topics include: "The Jerk" Andrew Tate Syndrome "Mr. Desperate" Why maturity is preferable to being a goofball How to be a gentleman Doting without spoiling And much more! For more, visit www.focuspress.org/podcast

Dating typically goes completely unquestioned both in culture and in the church. In this episode, Joe & Will examine the modern practice of dating to consider the problems with it and to discuss if there is a better way of finding a potential spouse. Topics for the episode include: What's the purpose of dating? What are the problems with dating? Why dating gives ample opportunity to give in to temptation Unrealistic relationship expectations Why godly young men should look for something different What "intentional dating" looks like And much more! For more, visit www.focuspress.org/podcast

The greatest threat to being the type of man God wants us to be is without a doubt the threat of pornography. We live in a world where porn is only getting easier and easier to access and become addicted to. In this episode, Joe & Will discuss how you can break free from pornography, whether you're struggling with just occasional use, or a full-fledged addiction. Topics for this episode include: Behavioral methods such as software filters & accountability partners Knowing and avoiding your triggers How do you know if you're truly addicted? Why porn is not the problem, but actually a symptom of the problem Why do so many young men run to porn? And so much more! For more, visit www.focuspress.org/podcast

Many young men are far more interested in and knowledgeable about sci-fi, Marvel, or video games than they are about what's going on in politics or culture. In this episode, Will and special guest host Reese Harrub discuss why young men SHOULD care about politics and the culture. Topics for this episode include: Why politics and culture are inherently related Does God want you to care about politics? How being plugged in to the culture helps you to lead your family How politics affects various aspects of our lives Will & Reese's top 3 patriotic movies And much more! For more, visit www.focuspress.org/podcast

Friends can make or break you. For young men, choosing the right friends can have a huge impact on whether or not you stay faithful to God. In this episode, Joe & Will discuss what to look for in friends and how you can be the right friend for someone else. Topics for this episode include: Why you need guy-guy friendships What makes a good friend? Look for someone who challenges you to be better Look for someone with whom you can discuss difficult subjects Watch out for "Yes men" Watch out for "convenient" friends And much more! For more, visit www.focuspress.org/podcast

Our worldly culture gives young men all kinds of bad advice regarding what to look for in a wife. In this episode, Joe, Will, and special guest Luke Harrub discuss what godly young men should prioritize in seeking out a godly wife. Topics for this episode include: "Wife material" according to society Be wary of the checklist mentality What godly young men should look for in a wife The difference between flaunting yourself and presenting yourself well The importance of a moldable heart And much more! For more, visit www.focuspress.org/podcast

"What do you want to do with your life?" "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Young men are inundated with questions like this all the time. In this episode, Joe & Will tackle the importance of choosing the right career, and what young men need to know and be prepared for. Topics for the episode include: College vs. the workforce Blue collar vs. white collar jobs What are you looking for in a job? The reasons why certain jobs make more money Why to not jump ship constantly The importance of diversifying Traits/attributes to master now And much more! For more, visit www.focuspress.org/podcast

There are many things young people can be involved in that might not be categorized as sins... but are still unwise nonetheless. In this episode, Joe & Will discuss a few of these "youthful vices" and examine the problems with each. Topics include: Why some things can still be unwise even if they aren't "sins" Tattoos Vaping Gaming Phone Addiction Virtual Promiscuity And much more! For more, visit www.focuspress.org/podcast

Young people have heard hundreds of lessons on peer pressure and temptation... yet more and more young men are giving in to it without thinking twice. In this episode, Joe & Will discuss in depth how godly young men can fight to overcome temptation. Topics for this episode include: Being aware of what actually tempts you Don't put yourself in tempting situations Prom? Swim parties? Being alone with your girlfriend? Unlimited phone access? How do you get out of temptation? You have to decide that you're going to fight it And much more! For more, visit www.focuspress.org/podcast