You can feel the difference when someone knows your life well enough to catch your tone on the first hello. That’s the power running through this conversation with Bret Barnhart—twelve years of weekly mentorship that turned business growth into something deeper: a resilient marriage, a healthier relationship with his dad, and a family vision his kids help shape. We dig into why long-term coaching beats quick fixes, how context compounds advice, and what happens when a leader drifts into “goo...
What happens when a successful business owner realizes that achieving his financial goals left him feeling completely empty? Bret Barnhart had built Barnhart Excavating from $1,500 to a thriving company, but found himself miserable, angry, and struggling with high blood pressure in his twenties. His wake-up call came when reaching a long-desired financial milestone brought no satisfaction—only regret for all he had sacrificed along the way. This raw, honest conversation reveals the remarkabl...
Derek Champagne's extraordinary journey from a teepee-dwelling childhood to serial entrepreneurship offers profound insights into the elusive balance between achievement and fulfillment. In this deeply personal conversation, Derek reveals how his unconventional upbringing shaped his entrepreneurial spirit and work ethic. Raised by former hippies who found Christianity and opened their home to dozens of foster children, Derek learned early lessons about generosity and purpose that would guide ...
What does it mean to be truly worthy? In this soul-searching conversation, Aaron Walker sits down with Darren Gray, a man who's spent decades walking alongside NFL champions, coaches, and influential leaders, to explore the profound disconnect many successful men experience: achieving everything yet still feeling like they're not enough. Gray, who co-authored "The Jersey Effect: Beyond the World Championship" and counts Tony Dungy among his closest friends, pulls back the curtain on what hap...
What happens when someone born without arms or legs decides that "no excuses" isn't just a motivational phrase, but a way of life? Kyle Maynard answers this question through his extraordinary journey of redefining human potential. Kyle's story begins with parents who refused to treat him as disabled, creating what he calls a "Jedi mind trick" effect—when they told him he wasn't disabled, he simply accepted it. This foundation shaped his perspective that would carry him through wrestling (des...
In this episode, we dive into authentic leadership with Frank Ableson, founder and president of Navitend, sharing insights from a recent ISI Roundtable Virtual Event with our Community. In this dynamic discussion, Frank reveals how he transformed his approach by celebrating team members’ “graduations,” embracing “stream workers,” and introducing workplace chaplains to support personal growth. Discover how involving family and fostering authentic connections can transform your busi...
We're diving into the question every married man has thought but few have discussed openly: "Why don't we have more sex?" This honest conversation with guest expert Dan Purcell unpacks the hidden barriers to sexual fulfillment in marriage and offers practical wisdom for rebuilding intimacy. Sexual difficulties in marriage aren't usually about the surface-level issues we blame—stress, fatigue, or busy schedules. The root problems typically stem from how we approach intimacy itself. When achie...
The slow drift happens so gradually you barely notice it. One day, you're newlyweds with stars in your eyes, and the next, you're business partners managing a household with the efficiency of a Fortune 500 company – except something vital is missing: that spark of connection that brought you together. Behind every successful entrepreneur stands a spouse who carries far more than most realize. They're juggling household responsibilities, emotional labor, and often their own career while watch...
That dreaded moment when your spouse says, "I think you're working too much." You want to defend yourself—after all, you're working hard to provide for the family you love. But deep down, you know they're right. The bills still need to be paid, though, leaving you caught in what feels like an impossible situation. This tension between financial provision and emotional presence creates what we call "The Provider's Prison." It's a place where well-intentioned entrepreneurs find themselves trap...
Have you ever considered what would happen if you completely unplugged from your business for two months? Most entrepreneurs immediately reject the idea as impossible. "My business would fall apart without me!" But what if that belief isn't just wrong—what if it's actually holding back both you and your organization? In this thought-provoking episode, we explore the transformative power of taking a sabbatical as a business owner. Through raw, honest stories of extended breaks, we reveal why ...
When was the last time you truly rested without feeling guilty about it? In our achievement-oriented culture, countless Christian entrepreneurs struggle with the nagging question: Do I deserve free time, and if so, how much? This profound conversation tackles the dangerous myth that rest is simply a reward for hard work. Instead, we explore how rhythm—not balance—creates the foundation for sustainable success and meaningful impact. God didn't design us to run on fumes, yet many successful bu...
Your climb is determined by your crew. This powerful truth stands at the heart of our conversation about creating a personal board of directors—those ten individuals who shape your trajectory more than any other factor in your life. Many of us were raised to keep struggles private, handle problems internally, and avoid vulnerability at all costs. This mindset creates isolation that stifles growth and limits potential. We explore the paradigm shift required to build an intentional circle of t...
Have you ever felt like your prayers were hitting the ceiling with no response? That moment when God seems distant, when spiritual drought leaves you questioning everything you thought you knew about faith? You're not alone. This raw conversation dives into those desert seasons we all experience when divine silence tests our spiritual foundations. Rather than offering trite platitudes, we explore a counterintuitive truth: what feels like God's absence is often His invitation to deeper growth...
What if the key to authentic leadership isn't following established frameworks but boldly forging your own path? In this thought-provoking exploration of maverick leadership, we challenge the epidemic of sameness plaguing Christian business leadership today. Most leaders won't admit we're not drowning in a lack of information—we're suffocating in sameness. Every podcast, book, and leadership course tells you to follow a system someone else created. But what if that playbook wasn't written fo...
What if the key to business clarity isn't about doing more, but resetting your personal foundation? For entrepreneurs caught in the storm of endless decisions and overwhelming to-do lists, losing sight of yourself becomes all too common. This transformative conversation dives deep into the personal pillar of transformation every business owner needs. We begin by examining the identity crisis at the heart of entrepreneurial burnout—the tendency to hide behind what we call "the mask of success...
What does true financial fitness look like through a kingdom lens? In this thought-provoking conversation, we tackle one of life's most challenging questions: How much money is actually enough? The answer might surprise you. Rather than focusing on specific dollar amounts, we discover that "enough" means having sufficient resources to fulfill whatever purpose God has called you to. This perspective transforms money from being our destination to serving as a powerful tool for creating lasting...
Brotherhood isn't just a nice-to-have for men—it's essential for growth, success, and fulfillment in every area of life. Having spent two decades without close male friendships, I discovered firsthand how isolation magnifies problems and leads to emotional suppression. When we try to shoulder burdens alone, we miss out on the perspective, accountability, and support that only authentic brotherhood can provide. The biggest obstacle most men face is the belief that they simply don't have time ...
The culture tells men that success means going it alone, but nothing could be further from the truth. Real achievement and fulfillment come when we surround ourselves with brothers who challenge, support, and walk alongside us through life's journey. We dive deep into why isolation is the true enemy of excellence, and how the right male friendships become essential foundations for character growth, faith development, and leadership success. You'll discover why vulnerability becomes not just ...
The relentless pursuit of profit often leaves entrepreneurs feeling hollow, trapped in businesses that generate income but lack genuine purpose. This emptiness isn't just a modern phenomenon—it's the inevitable result of separating faith from business leadership. What if your business could be more than a money-making machine? What if it could become a calling, a mission field, and a platform for transformative impact? In this thought-provoking episode, we explore the often-overlooked integ...
What happens when you look in the mirror each morning? Do you like who's staring back at you? Aaron Walker and his new co-host, Seth Buechley, kick off Season 2 of the ISI Brotherhood podcast by tackling this profound question head-on, examining how we build personal resilience in the face of daily challenges. The conversation begins with a refreshingly honest admission: both successful entrepreneurs still struggle with the man in the mirror. But rather than offering platitudes, they dig int...