This week we sit down with Michael Warden - author, coach, free spirit, and founder of the men’s recovery ministry Braveheart Men. Richard first met Michael four years ago during a Braveheart Men’s Intensive, and since then Michael has continued to impact the lives of hundreds of men through his work. Michael joins us to share about the release of the final two books in his four-part mystic Christian fantasy series, The Pearlsong Refounding. With the first two volumes already out, the c...

Have you ever noticed how quickly our priorities can shift? One day we’re frustrated about a football game, a job, or the little inconveniences of life, and the next day something happens that reminds us of what truly matters. In this week’s episode of Sermons on the Side, Richard shares a personal story from his years living in New York that started with a Monday Night Football game and ended with a comment from a friend that has stuck with Richard for years. This story sets the stage ...

What happens when your mind gives up before your body ever does? This 4th of July, Brad took on the grueling CrossFit workout “1776” - 1,776 reps in honor of America’s independence. About halfway through, he caught himself saying, “This is impossible.” That moment of negativity could have sunk the whole workout… until a friend reminded him, “You’re already choosing defeat. Learn to live - and speak - positively over yourself.” In this episode of Sermons on the Side, we talk about ...

In this episode, Richard shares how a simple quote from historian and biographer Candice Millard sparked a deeper reflection. Millard is known for uncovering hidden stories behind famous historical figures, reshaping the way we remember them. In an interview, she was asked why she chases these obscure angles, and her response was: “It fascinates me what we remember and what we forget.” That line opened the door for Richard to think about the same truth in our spiritual lives. Some of the swe...

After some much-needed catch-up from summer vacations (highs, lows, and all the laughs in between), Brad and Richard dive into a powerful Sermon on the Side moment from Richard’s past. While driving home from church years ago, Richard found himself weighed down by the false names and labels the enemy had spoken over his life - names rooted in shame, failure, and sin. But in that very moment, God broke through. A friend, sitting in church hundreds of miles away in Colorado, sent him a timely t...

We’re celebrating a big one - Episode 30 of Sermons on the Side! It’s our 3rd roundtable discussion and our 2nd remote interview, this time with a longtime friend and pastor from New York, Jay Cookingham. Jay has been a friend of Richard’s for decades, and his life and ministry have been marked by a deep passion for seeing men embrace God as their true Father and step fully into their sonship in Him. In this conversation, Jay shares about his years of involvement in men’s ministry...

🚨 Spoiler Alert: If you’ve never seen the movie 'Saving Private Ryan' and plan to, you may want to hit pause and come back later. 🚨 This week, we reflect on one of the most gut-punching, unforgettable scenes in movie history - from the final act of Saving Private Ryan. Captain John Miller's last words to Private Ryan, “Earn this...earn it,” echo into the life of the man he saved... and maybe into our own. But what happens when those words slip into our theology? What if we start to belie...

Radical generosity. Sacrificial love. A toddler’s lesson at Chick-fil-A. In this heartfelt episode of Sermons on the Side, Brad shares a tender moment from a recent family outing - five seats, two parents, three kids, and one single waffle fry left in the tray. What happened next between two-year-old Shep and four-year-old Bekah caught him completely off guard… and led us into a deep reflection on what radical generosity really looks like. This week’s conversation is less about what we do and...

Is it possible that what’s falling apart is more alive than what once stood strong? In this week’s episode of Sermons on the Side, we dive into an unexpected treasure: an ancient poem called The Ruin, discovered through an article sent to Richard by his daughter Carly. Written from the perspective of a translator of old poetry, The Ruin explores the haunting beauty of broken things and of once-mighty structures now crumbled by time. But this isn’t just about history or poetry. It’s about us. ...

What started as a casual dinner with a visiting friend turned into a sacred moment of reflection - one of those conversations that sticks with you. Between talk of wins, losses, and everything in-between, Brad felt prompted to say, “We need to build more altars in our lives.” That simple phrase launched this week’s episode! Join us as we explore the biblical examples of building altars and unpacking what it means for us today. Why did God so often ask His people to stop and build? ...