A Conversation Worth Having: My Guest Appearance on the Hidden Secrets in Books Podcast

I recently sat down with the host of the Hidden Secrets in Books Podcast for a conversation that went straight to the heart of what I’ve been called to do, helping men find freedom through faith, honesty, and the courage to finally ask for help. It’s always a little different sitting on the guest side of the mic, but the message doesn’t change, no matter who’s asking the questions. Men are hurting, men are hiding, and men are searching for more. This conversation gave us the space to talk about all three.

WHY ASKING FOR HELP IS THE STARTING LINE, NOT THE FINISH LINE

We opened with a question I get asked in almost every interview, and for good reason: why is it so hard for men to ask for help? I talked about how men become experts at burying fear, shame, and pain—pushing it down and hoping it never resurfaces. But it always does. A life of real freedom starts with a relationship with Jesus Christ, and from that foundation, a man can finally take an honest look in the mirror and let God begin the work of redemption.

THE TRUTH ABOUT MASCULINITY IN AMERICA TODAY

We didn’t dodge the hard question either: what’s the state of masculinity right now? My honest answer is we’re not in a good place. Culture has spent years painting masculinity as something to be ashamed of, when the real issue is that most men have never had role models who taught them how to lead with their hearts. Biblical masculinity starts with knowing God and then knowing yourself, because a man who hasn’t dealt with his own healing will always struggle to love his wife and be present with his children the way they need him to be.

HOW FAITH BECAME THE FOUNDATION OF EVERYTHING

I shared the story of the moment that changed the trajectory of my life, a men’s retreat back in the spring of 2019, surrounded by hundreds of men chasing the same thing I was. It was there, in a simple morning worship session, that God spoke a truth I’d never fully grasped: that I was His beloved son and He wanted an intimate relationship with me. That moment reshaped how I lead, mentor, and live, and it’s the reason True Man Life Coaching and American Family Renaissance exist today.

THE FOUR FEARS THAT KEEP MEN STUCK

We also unpacked the obstacles I see holding men back time and again — the fear of rejection, the fear of uncertainty, the fear of vulnerability, and the fear of unworthiness. These fears become quiet agreements men make without ever realizing it, and they’re simply not true. Walking through that door of freedom, with Christ leading the way, is how a man starts to break those agreements for good.

BEHIND THE BOOK — TRUE MAN, TRUE WAYS

The host asked about what inspired True Man, True Ways, and I got to share the heart behind it—introducing readers to the ultimate True Man, Jesus Christ, and grounding every chapter in scripture. It’s a book built on the basics men often skip: goal-setting, health, and, especially, journaling, which remains one of the most underused tools for a man’s growth.

A MORNING ROUTINE THAT PROTECTS THE DAY

We closed the conversation by talking practically, the daily habit that keeps me anchored. Up at 4:30, a workout, scripture, and prayer, then calibrating the calendar before the day even begins. The principle behind it matters more than the schedule itself: if you don’t own your time, your time will own you.

YOUR CHALLENGE THIS WEEK

Take an honest inventory of which of those four fears has the tightest grip on you right now, and bring it into the light, with God, with a brother, or with someone you trust. That single act of honesty is where freedom begins.

Listen on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBd-6C0yxMY

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3oshAwjJej2yMSivSQppHb

Listen on Apple:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-man-true-ways-rediscovering-faith-purpose-masculinity/id1896568346?i=1000778465189

Mike Van Pelt (MVP) is a Christian men’s mentor, speaker, and author of True Man, True Ways. He is the founder of True Man Life Coaching and a leader of the soon-to-launch American Family Renaissance, helping men reclaim their God-given identity so they can lead strong families and restore the moral and spiritual foundation of the American home. Learn more at truemanlifecoaching.com.

 



via American Family Renaissance https://ift.tt/cLeNWvq

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