UNSTUCK AND ALIVE

Mark Appel was once baseball's brightest star—the phenom everyone was watching, the future of the game. In college, he had it all: talent, leadership, team respect, and opportunity. But things didn't go as planned. On-field disappointment, surgeries, and an early exit from the sport could have defined him. In this episode, Mark opens up about the highs and lows of his career, the deep grief of unmet expectations, and how his faith in God was his anchor. Through pain and uncertainty, he discovered that true security isn't performance—it's daily dependence on Jesus. Mark reflects on what real success looks like: relationships, integrity, and loving people well. He shares how his journey has reshaped his understanding of success and failure, and how his faith sustains him through life's unknowns. This conversation is an inspiring reminder that even in loss and struggle, God's presence and purpose remain.

Jeff Spadafora, writer and leader shaped by the Halftime journey and the author of The Joy Model, explores what it looks like to move from success to significance. Raised in the Catholic tradition, Jeff walked away from church as a teenager and spent two decades chasing the American Dream: education, career, marriage, family. On paper, it worked. Internally, it didn't. By his mid-30s, he found himself in an existential crisis, realizing that everything he believed would bring joy… wasn't. Jeff shares how a deep sense of purposelessness became his greatest pain. From self-studying world religions, to reluctantly returning to church for his kids, to encountering the Gospel in a way that finally clicked, Jeff's story is an honest look at hunger for meaning and hunger for God. Now, Jeff helps others discover their calling through The Way because he knows firsthand what it feels like to wake up without one. The Way [https://www.theway2life.org/]

In this episode of Unstuck and Alive, Steven Neuner and Todd Pinkston sit down with Ryan Henry—Expert EOS Implementer®, Visionary of Entrepreneurial Leap, and Co-Founder of The Entrepreneurial Media Company—to talk about the hidden traps that keep high-capacity leaders stuck. Ryan opens up about the lies he carried for years ("something's wrong with me"), the freedom found in accepting your God-designed uniqueness, and why most entrepreneurs don't actually need another tactic—they need a deeper reset. Then the conversation takes a powerful turn as Ryan shares the moment he nearly died—a forced interruption that became a fulcrum for clarity, surrender, and a new way of living: "hard easy" (love + flow, not fear + control). If you're building a business but don't want to lose your life in the process, this one will recalibrate you.

In this episode, Edwin shares a vulnerable and powerful story of how the Lord gently unraveled a lie that shaped more than two decades of his life. For 25 years, Edwin was driven by the belief that true security meant never living paycheck to paycheck. He pushed hard, built wealth, and achieved the dream he thought would finally bring him peace. But with success came the constant stress and fear of losing everything he had worked for.  Edwin opens up about the long, painful, and ultimately freeing journey that led him to lay down an idol that had shaped his decisions, his identity, and his suffering for 20 years. In surrendering the thing he thought would give him life, he found something far better—a heart no longer divided, a joy he had never known, and a renewed, unshakable joy in the Lord.

Brandon Lee is the founder of a youth-focused nonprofit that serves local teens through the world of BMX. Brandon opens up about the quiet faith that carried him through deep hardships, the season when pain pulled him away from the Lord, and the slow, honest rebuilding of his relationship with Him—even while life was far from "figured out." Brandon lives with a steady joy—serving the Lord, loving his family, and using BMX as an avenue for hope and connection in his community.

Terry Pham is founder of Fat Straws, longtime friend, and a foundational part of WayForward's story. Terry joins us for a conversation about growth, clarity, and transformation. Terry is always experimenting, building new habits, and pursuing growth in his personal, spiritual, and professional life. His curiosity drives him to try new things, but his deepest desire is to be transformed from the inside out by the Lord. This year, Terry is leaning into surrender, identity, and the work happening "below the line." Though he's a bold and accomplished entrepreneur, he's choosing to slow down, pay attention, and let God shape the parts of his life that matter most. We encountered some unexpected technical issues that required us to wrap this episode a bit early. We'll be back soon to continue the conversation with Terry and dive even deeper into his story.

Tom is a father, husband, and a discipler of men. One of Todd's dearest friends, they discuss all that Tom is learning with the Lord right now; the importance of forgiveness, grace, and God's truth. Todd and Tom talk about WayForward trip #1, the impact of a community of men, how God can truly transform someones life, and that there is freedom in being fully known and fully loved.

Shawn is a retired pitcher for the Texas Rangers and now serves as Co-Owner, Chief Visionary Officer, and Master-Level Pitching Instructor at POP Athletics. Known for his perseverance, purpose-driven leadership, and relentless pursuit of excellence, Shawn brings the same discipline he had on the mound into developing the next generation of athletes. His mission goes far beyond mechanics and performance. Shawn is dedicated to helping young athletes and their families understand their God-given gifts—and to pursue those gifts with intention, humility, and heart. He teaches not only how to train at an elite level, but how to stay grounded in purpose so that talent becomes a blessing, not a burden. Learn more:  popathletics.com [https://popathletics.com/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/pop.athletics/]

Bill Strahan is a co-founder of WayForward, serial entrepreneur, has started multiple companies, has been in the tech industry and fitness industry, and is one of the most influential people in Todd's life. We talk about shifting perspective, asking hard questions for the sake of growth, friendships, and his first WayForward trip.

John Marshall is the mastermind behind CrossFit Richardson with his wife Julia where they have built up not just a gym, but an incredible community within it. We talk about what it looks like to run a business and care for people physically and spiritually.

Kade is a serial entrepreneur who goes after big things and is always ready to start something new. Running ultramarathons, mentoring and fellowshipping with other men, he's impactful, ambitious, and generous. We talk about his involvement in ministry and business, and some of the most important lessons he learned in losing it all. He shares the beauty that came from losing a "kingdom" he thought he was building and how that has shaped him.

Todd is the President and Founder of WayForward Adventures, loves working alongside his wife and best friend, Erin, and is dad to three great kids. Todd and Steven talk about Todd's story; identity, taking risks, growth and vulnerability, relationships, and WayForward Adventures. Join them in the journey of becoming Unstuck and Alive. Learn more about WayForward Adventures at WayForwardAdventures.com [https://www.wayforwardadventures.com/] Find Todd on: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/toddpinkston/?hl=en] LinkedIn  [https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-pinkston/]

Welcome to Unstuck and Alive! Steven is a lifetime entrepreneur, has built and exited many successful companies, he leads & builds great teams, and lives with purpose. Steven and Todd dive in Steven's story and talk about the things that have shaped him into who he is today. Steven shares that the things he has been most embarrassed about and most stuck in have been the most fruitful things in his life. We're excited for you to hear more about what Steven has done to become Unstuck and Alive. Follow Steven: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-neuner/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/steven.neuner.3/] See what Steven is up to: Superpowers [https://superpowershq.com/] BarnHill Vineyards [https://www.barnhillvineyards.com/]

Welcome to Unstuck and Alive!  Steven is a lifetime entrepreneur, has built and exited many successful companies, he leads & builds great teams, and lives with purpose. Steven and Todd dive in Steven's story and talk about the things that have shaped him into who he is today. Steven shares that the things he has been most embarrassed about and most stuck in have been the most fruitful things in his life. We're excited for you to hear more about what Steven has done to become Unstuck and Alive.  Follow Steven: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-neuner/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/steven.neuner.3/]  See what Steven is up to: Superpowers [https://superpowershq.com/] BarnHill Vineyards [https://www.barnhillvineyards.com/]