Men in the Arena - Christian Men's Podcast

Jesus' message is direct: stumbling blocks will arise. But woe to the man who is one. What if you are a stumbling block? In this week's message, Jim Ramos takes a hard look at Jesus' warning in Luke 17:1–3 and Matthew 18 about "stumbling blocks." Jim unpacks how a man's refusal to live by God's design can become the very trigger that wounds families and children. Men, don't set the trap. Clear the path. This message is from The MAG, The McMinnville Area Gathering for men in McMinnville, Oregon.  Jim's newest book, Guardrails: Ten Boundaries for an Unbreakable Marriage will be releasing in April 2026. Pre-order your copy today at https://tinyurl.com/guardrails115.  

This is a Men in the Arena podcast highlight from EP 974 with Jonathan Stephenson: Forging Stronger Men Check it out! Jim's newest book, Guardrails: Ten Boundaries for an Unbreakable Marriage will be releasing in April 2026. Pre-order your copy today at https://tinyurl.com/guardrails115.

How do you speak about your wife when she's not in the room? Do you honor her — or subtly tear her down?  In this special series of 'Average Joe' conversations, Jim Ramos sits down with longtime friend Dean Yoder to discuss one of the silent killers of marriage: how we frame our spouse. The words you use shape your heart, and when you frame your wife poorly to others, you don't just damage her reputation…You weaken your own foundation. Men, your words matter. The frame you build around your wife will either guard your marriage…or expose it. Jim's newest book, Guardrails: Ten Boundaries for an Unbreakable Marriage will be releasing in April 2026. Pre-order your copy today at https://tinyurl.com/guardrails115.

What's forging your character right now? Are you avoiding pressure — or embracing it? This week, Pastor Jim Ramos sits down with Jonathan Stephenson from Warrior Forge Foundation to talk about how adversity shapes a man. Comfort never forged strength. Pressure does. Resistance does. This episode will challenge you to embrace the grind and become the man adversity is trying to build. Mention Men in the Arena for a 25% discount at /www.warriorforge.org. Jim's newest book, Guardrails: Ten Boundaries for an Unbreakable Marriage will be releasing in April 2026. Pre-order your copy today at https://tinyurl.com/guardrails115.  

This is a Men in the Arena podcast highlight from EP 971 with Brian Smith & Ed Uszynski: Youth Sports Boundaries for Christian Families Check it out! Jim's newest book, Guardrails: Ten Boundaries for an Unbreakable Marriage will be releasing in April 2026. Pre-order your copy today at https://tinyurl.com/guardrails115. Get Jim Ramos' USA TODAY Bestselling book, Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God (https://tinyurl.com/dialedinbook)

Are you emotionally connected to your wife, or slowly drifting? Are you controlling the temperature of your marriage, or ignoring it? In this special series of 'Average Joe' conversations, Jim Ramos sits down with friend Chris Clay for an extremely practical conversation about building guardrails that protect both your character and your marriage. Drawing from the third guardrail in Jim's upcoming book, Guardrails: Ten Boundaries for an Unbreakable Marriage, they discuss what it means to avoid developing an emotional connection with another women, and how to stay emotionally connected to your bride. Jim's newest book, Guardrails: Ten Boundaries for an Unbreakable Marriage will be releasing in April 2026. Pre-order your copy today at https://tinyurl.com/guardrails115.

Have youth sports become the center of your family? Are Sundays on the field replacing Sundays with Jesus? In this expert interview, Jim Ramos talks with Brian Smith and Ed Uszynski to expose the truth about today's $40 billion youth sports machine...and how Christian parents are getting pulled into it without even realizing it. Tips from their book Away Game: A Christian Parent's Guide to Navigating Youth Sports will help your family find a healthy balance. Sports can either build your kids and family, or they can burn them out - which one depends on you.  You can pick up Brian and ED's book here! (tinyurl.com/youthsports115) Jim's newest book, Guardrails: Ten Boundaries for an Unbreakable Marriage will be releasing in April 2026. Pre-order your copy today at https://tinyurl.com/guardrails115.  

This is a Men in the Arena podcast highlight from EP 968, Rick Reynolds: He/She Cheated! Can We Save the Marriage? Affair Recovery with an 84% Success Rate Check it out! Jim's newest book, Guardrails: Ten Boundaries for an Unbreakable Marriage will be releasing in April 2026. Pre-order your copy today at https://tinyurl.com/guardrails115.

Are you getting a little too personal with someone who isn't your wife? Emotional affairs don't explode overnight—they bleed out slowly, one conversation at a time. In this special series of 'Average Joe' conversations, Jim Ramos sits down with friend Paco Arenas for an extremely practical conversation about building guardrails that protect both your character and your marriage. Drawing from Jim's upcoming book, Guardrails: 10 Boundaries for an Unbreakable Marriage, they unpack real-life stories and wisdom from decades of marriage to set clear boundaries every man needs to pursue.  Jim's newest book, Guardrails: Ten Boundaries for an Unbreakable Marriage will be releasing in April 2026. Pre-order your copy today at https://tinyurl.com/guardrails115.

Whether you blew it or your wife did, trust is shattered in your marriage. But there is hope! Infidelity doesn't have to mean the end of your marriage. It can actually be the beginning of something new and healthier. In this expert interview, Jim Ramos talks with Rick Reynolds, an affair recovery expert and marriage therapist, who knows the battlefield firsthand. From surviving his own failure, to helping couples rebuild from betrayal, Rick breaks down the brutal reality of infidelity, how to start the hard road back, and provides the hope you're looking for.  Take the Affair Analyzer at affairrecovery.com to get custom next steps for your affair type, and if you sign up for a course or resources, tell them Men in the Arena sent you! Here are the books/resources mentioned in this episode!  The Myth of the Greener Grass (https://tinyurl.com/Greener115) by J. Allan Petersen Run Baby Run (https://tinyurl.com/Run115) by Nicky Cruz Preorder Jim's newest book, Guardrails: Ten Boundaries for an Unbreakable Marriage at https://tinyurl.com/guardrails115     

This is a Men in the Arena podcast highlight from EP 965, MercyMe: The Father-Son Story That Could Change How You See Your Son w/ MercyMe's Bart and Sam Millard. Check it out! I Can Only Imagine 2 hits theaters February 20th, 2026! Watch the trailer and get tickets at icanonlyimagine.com. Jim's newest book, Guardrails: Ten Boundaries for an Unbreakable Marriage will be releasing in April 2026. Sign up to be notified when it's available at https://meninthearena.org/guardrails. Every man needs a locker room. Apply to join an exclusive brotherhood of like-minded men in The Locker Room, our monthly live Zoom Q&A call! We meet in the Locker Room once a month for community, fellowship, laughter, and to help each other find biblical answers to life's difficult questions. Locker Room members also get access to monthly exclusive leadership trainings, historically only available to the staff team at Men in the Arena. Membership is by application only. Go here to apply: https://patreon.com/themeninthearena Get Jim Ramos' USA TODAY Bestselling book, Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God (https://tinyurl.com/dialedinbook)

What does it really mean to live above reproach in a culture that constantly tests your integrity? In this special series of 'Average Joe' conversations, Jim Ramos sits down with long-time friend Kent Mahelona for an extremely practical conversation about building guardrails that protect both your character and your marriage. Drawing from Jim's upcoming book, Guardrails: 10 Boundaries for an Unbreakable Marriage, they unpack real-life stories and wisdom from decades of marriage to set clear boundaries every man needs to pursue. Jim's newest book, Guardrails: Ten Boundaries for an Unbreakable Marriage will be releasing in April 2026. Sign up to be notified when it's available at https://meninthearena.org/guardrails. This episode is sponsored by Compassion International. Our goal is for the Men in the Arena tribe to sponsor 1,000 boys over the coming year! Help us reach that goal and make a difference in a child's life today. When you sponsor a child using our link, you'll receive a free copy of Jim's book, Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God! I Can Only Imagine 2 hits theaters February 20th, 2026! Watch the trailer and get tickets aticanonlyimagine.com. Every man needs a locker room. Apply to join an exclusive brotherhood of like-minded men in The Locker Room, our monthly live Zoom Q&A call! We meet in the Locker Room once a month for community, fellowship, laughter, and to help each other find biblical answers to life's difficult questions. Locker Room members also get access to monthly exclusive leadership trainings, historically only available to the staff team at Men in the Arena. Membership is by application only. Go here to apply: https://patreon.com/themeninthearena Get Jim Ramos' USA TODAY Bestselling book, Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God (https://tinyurl.com/dialedinbook)

I Can Only Imagine 2 hits theaters February 20th, 2026! Watch the trailer and get tickets at icanonlyimagine.com. Pain and suffering don't have to break a man—they can forge his story. In this expert interview, Jim Ramos talks to Grammy-nominated 'MercyMe' frontman Bart Millard and his son, Sam. Together, they talk about the upcoming film I Can Only Imagine 2 (releasing February 20) and the real story behind it. Bart opens up about walking his son through serious health struggles while carrying the pressure of leadership, fatherhood, fame, and faith under stress. Bart discusses resilience, responsibility, and what it took to stand firm as a father when life refused to let up. This conversation is also a reminder that it's never too late to make a change to be the best version of the man and father you're called to be.  Watch the trailer and get tickets at icanonlyimagine.com. Jim's newest book, Guardrails: Ten Boundaries for an Unbreakable Marriage will be releasing in April 2026. Sign up to be notified when it's available at https://meninthearena.org/guardrails. This episode is sponsored by Compassion International. Our goal is for the Men in the Arena tribe to sponsor 1,000 boys over the coming year! Help us reach that goal and make a difference in a child's life today. When you sponsor a child using our link, you'll receive a free copy of Jim's book, Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God! Every man needs a locker room. Apply to join an exclusive brotherhood of like-minded men in The Locker Room, our monthly live Zoom Q&A call! We meet in the Locker Room once a month for community, fellowship, laughter, and to help each other find biblical answers to life's difficult questions. Locker Room members also get access to monthly exclusive leadership trainings, historically only available to the staff team at Men in the Arena. Membership is by application only. Go here to apply: https://patreon.com/themeninthearena Get Jim Ramos' USA TODAY Bestselling book, Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God (https://tinyurl.com/dialedinbook)

This is a Men in the Arena podcast highlight from EP 962, Undefeated: Habits That Break the Cycle of Defeat and Build Purpose w/ Shawn Johnson. Check it out! Jim's newest book, Guardrails: Ten Boundaries for an Unbreakable Marriage will be releasing in April 2026. Sign up to be notified when it's available at https://meninthearena.org/guardrails. This episode is sponsored by Compassion International. Our goal is for the Men in the Arena tribe to sponsor 1,000 boys over the coming year! Help us reach that goal and make a difference in a child's life today. When you sponsor a child using our link, you'll receive a free copy of Jim's book, Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God! I Can Only Imagine 2 hits theaters February 20th, 2026! Watch the trailer and get tickets aticanonlyimagine.com. Every man needs a locker room. Apply to join an exclusive brotherhood of like-minded men in The Locker Room, our monthly live Zoom Q&A call! We meet in the Locker Room once a month for community, fellowship, laughter, and to help each other find biblical answers to life's difficult questions. Locker Room members also get access to monthly exclusive leadership trainings, historically only available to the staff team at Men in the Arena. Membership is by application only. Go here to apply: https://patreon.com/themeninthearena Get Jim Ramos' USA TODAY Bestselling book, Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God (https://tinyurl.com/dialedinbook)    

What does your life look like when you're truly living out your identity in Christ? Are you becoming who you were created to be—or just living in the shadows of that calling? In this 'Average Joe' conversation, Jim Ramos sits down with longtime friend and fellow ministry leader Michael Rilee to unpack what your identity in Christ really means. Not what you do. Not who you know. But who you are at your core—and how God actually sees you. I Can Only Imagine 2 hits theaters February 20th, 2026! Watch the trailer and get tickets at icanonlyimagine.com. This episode is sponsored by Compassion International. Our goal is for the Men in the Arena tribe to sponsor 1,000 boys over the coming year! Help us reach that goal and make a difference in a child's life today. When you sponsor a child using our link, you'll receive a free copy of Jim's book, Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God! Get Jim Ramos' USA TODAY Bestselling book, Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God (https://tinyurl.com/dialedinbook)  

What happens when your faith is tested in real time? How do you stay obedient to God when the pressure is high and the path forward isn't clear? In this expert interview, Jim Ramos has a real and deeply transparent conversation with Shawn Johnson, whose world was turned upside down when he was diagnosed with an incurable degenerative brain disease. Shawn openly shares his journey from denial to hopelessness, all while continuing to serve as a pastor and leader. You'll hear what Shawn had to learn, not just to survive the last few years, but to truly thrive as a whole and complete man and how radical honesty with God ultimately transformed his faith. Check out Shawn's book: Kiss the Fire https://tinyurl.com/KissFire115 Jim's newest book, Guardrails: Ten Boundaries for an Unbreakable Marriage will be releasing in April 2026. Sign up to be notified when it's available at https://meninthearena.org/guardrails. This episode is sponsored by Compassion International. Our goal is for the Men in the Arena tribe to sponsor 1,000 boys over the coming year! Help us reach that goal and make a difference in a child's life today. When you sponsor a child using our link, you'll receive a free copy of Jim's book, Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God! I Can Only Imagine 2 hits theaters February 20th, 2026! Watch the trailer and get tickets aticanonlyimagine.com. Every man needs a locker room. Apply to join an exclusive brotherhood of like-minded men in The Locker Room, our monthly live Zoom Q&A call! We meet in the Locker Room once a month for community, fellowship, laughter, and to help each other find biblical answers to life's difficult questions. Locker Room members also get access to monthly exclusive leadership trainings, historically only available to the staff team at Men in the Arena. Membership is by application only. Go here to apply: https://patreon.com/themeninthearena Get Jim Ramos' USA TODAY Bestselling book, Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God(https://tinyurl.com/dialedinbook)  

This is a Men in the Arena podcast highlight from EP 926, Preparing for Your Overnight Success: Cultivating Grit During Building Years w/ Mark Batterson. Check it out! Jim's newest book, Guardrails: Ten Boundaries for an Unbreakable Marriage will be releasing in April 2026. Sign up to be notified when it's available at https://meninthearena.org/guardrails. This episode is sponsored by Compassion International. Our goal is for the Men in the Arena tribe to sponsor 1,000 boys over the coming year! Help us reach that goal and make a difference in a child's life today. When you sponsor a child using our link, you'll receive a free copy of Jim's book, Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God! I Can Only Imagine 2 hits theaters February 20th, 2026! Watch the trailer and get tickets aticanonlyimagine.com. Every man needs a locker room. Apply to join an exclusive brotherhood of like-minded men in The Locker Room, our monthly live Zoom Q&A call! We meet in the Locker Room once a month for community, fellowship, laughter, and to help each other find biblical answers to life's difficult questions. Locker Room members also get access to monthly exclusive leadership trainings, historically only available to the staff team at Men in the Arena. Membership is by application only. Go here to apply: https://patreon.com/themeninthearena Get Jim Ramos' USA TODAY Bestselling book, Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God (https://tinyurl.com/dialedinbook)

How should a man respond when a child walks into the room? Are you intentional—or distracted—in moments that could shape a life forever? In this Equipping Men in 10 episode, Jim Ramos challenges men to rethink how they engage with children—from toddlers to teenagers. Looking at how Jesus welcomed, valued, and blessed children, Jim unpacks why every interaction matters and how one moment of intentionality can create lifelong impact. You'll learn why children should be treated as whole people, not interruptions and four practical rules every man can live by when engaging kids. Jim's newest book, Guardrails: Ten Boundaries for an Unbreakable Marriage will be releasing in April 2026. Sign up to be notified when it's available at https://meninthearena.org/guardrails. This episode is sponsored by Compassion International. Our goal is for the Men in the Arena tribe to sponsor 1,000 boys over the coming year! Help us reach that goal and make a difference in a child's life today. When you sponsor a child using our link, you'll receive a free copy of Jim's book, Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God! I Can Only Imagine 2 hits theaters February 20th, 2026! Watch the trailer and get tickets aticanonlyimagine.com. Every man needs a locker room. Apply to join an exclusive brotherhood of like-minded men in The Locker Room, our monthly live Zoom Q&A call! We meet in the Locker Room once a month for community, fellowship, laughter, and to help each other find biblical answers to life's difficult questions. Locker Room members also get access to monthly exclusive leadership trainings, historically only available to the staff team at Men in the Arena. Membership is by application only. Go here to apply: https://patreon.com/themeninthearena Get Jim Ramos' USA TODAY Bestselling book, Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God (https://tinyurl.com/dialedinbook) 

Are you respected at work—but ignored at home? Do the people who know you best actually respect you? In this weeks message, Jim Ramos unpacks what Scripture says about being a respected man—not a compartmentalized one. Drawing from Job 29 and real-life experience, he challenges men to stop "waffling" between roles and start living as integrated, whole men whose lives are worth imitating. You'll see why respect must be earned, not demanded and how one practical step can identify where you're "waffling" and grow stronger. Jim's newest book, Guardrails: Ten Boundaries for an Unbreakable Marriage will be releasing in April 2026. Sign up to be notified when it's available at https://meninthearena.org/guardrails. This episode is sponsored by Compassion International. Our goal is for the Men in the Arena tribe to sponsor 1,000 boys over the coming year! Help us reach that goal and make a difference in a child's life today. When you sponsor a child using our link, you'll receive a free copy of Jim's book, Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God! I Can Only Imagine 2 hits theaters February 20th, 2026! Watch the trailer and get tickets aticanonlyimagine.com. Every man needs a locker room. Apply to join an exclusive brotherhood of like-minded men in The Locker Room, our monthly live Zoom Q&A call! We meet in the Locker Room once a month for community, fellowship, laughter, and to help each other find biblical answers to life's difficult questions. Locker Room members also get access to monthly exclusive leadership trainings, historically only available to the staff team at Men in the Arena. Membership is by application only. Go here to apply: https://patreon.com/themeninthearena Get Jim Ramos' USA TODAY Bestselling book, Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God (https://tinyurl.com/dialedinbook)  

This is a question from the brotherhood in The Locker Room. Every man needs a locker room. Apply to join an exclusive brotherhood of like-minded men in The Locker Room, our monthly live Zoom Q&A call! We meet in the Locker Room once a month for community, fellowship, laughter, and to help each other find biblical answers to life's difficult questions. Locker Room members also get access to monthly exclusive leadership trainings, historically only available to the staff team at Men in the Arena. Membership is by application only. Go here to apply: https://patreon.com/themeninthearena Jim's newest book, Guardrails: Ten Boundaries for an Unbreakable Marriage will be releasing in April 2026. Sign up to be notified when it's available at https://meninthearena.org/guardrails. This episode is sponsored by Compassion International. Our goal is for the Men in the Arena tribe to sponsor 1,000 boys over the coming year! Help us reach that goal and make a difference in a child's life today. When you sponsor a child using our link, you'll receive a free copy of Jim's book, Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God! I Can Only Imagine 2 hits theaters February 20th, 2026! Watch the trailer and get tickets aticanonlyimagine.com. Get Jim Ramos' USA TODAY Bestselling book, Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God (https://tinyurl.com/dialedinbook)