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"That study's not just for you. Get writing." – What James Finke heard from the Lord in 2020 James Finke joined us today on The StoryField. James hedges bets for a living. He runs professional liability insurance for a Berkshire Hathaway company. All day long he decides which lawyers, architects and engineers are a good risk. At 30, his life looked perfect on paper. The wife. The kids. The career. The house. Then one night he was in the back of an ambulance. He thought it was a heart attack. It was a panic attack. It started the darkest season of his life. He tried everything. Books. Therapy. Breathing techniques. Meditation. Then a coworker handed him a Bible and said, "Just read a chapter a day." One morning in his basement, with another attack coming on, James opened to where he had left off. Luke 12:22. The heading read: Do Not Worry. He lost it. "Oh, this is real. This is true." Then COVID hit. James was mapping out an apologetics class for his church home group when the download came: that study's not just for you. Get writing. No connections. No publishing background. No plan to be an author. Today his books have reached more than 50,000 readers in 15 countries. All the profits go to his local church. We talk about the one question James asks every atheist. The "minimal facts" of the resurrection. The 15 minutes of "spiritual whack-a-mole" he played with his dentist from the chair. How a road-trip audiobook and a short story he wrote to trick his wife became his novel Dear Judas. And how an insurance company rock band ended up on stage at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Twice. If you have a book or a story in you, stay to the end. James says the gatekeepers are "irrelevant." And he built a free toolkit just for StoryField listeners. Grab a coffee (James brought his Dunkin') and press play. Text Message The StoryField Unstuck Coaches is a vibrant community of vetted professionals dedicated to facilitating growth and progress in various aspects of life and business. We understand that individuals encounter unique challenges in different areas, and we believe in the power of community support to overcome them.  www.unstuckcoaches.com At The Allen Firm, PC., we are dedicated to offering comprehensive legal services that ensure you can face life’s challenges with confidence. Our mission is to provide you with the information and the peace of mind necessary to make informed decisions, knowing that your legal matters are in capable hands. The Allen Firm, PC Support the show

“The climate that has to change is the climate of the mind.” – Joel Salatin Joel Salatin joined us today on The StoryField. In the spring of 1958, a revolution broke out in Venezuela. Locals took over the Salatin family farm and ran them out at the end of a machine gun. Joel’s dad was 39. Joel was 4. They lost everything. Back in the States, the family bought the cheapest land they could find: a gullied rock pile in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. The neighbors called it the armpit of the community. The experts said plant corn, buy chemicals and borrow money. Joel’s dad said no to all of it. Today that rock pile is Polyface Farm. Places that were solid rock in Joel’s lifetime now have 16 inches of soil on them. Joel calls himself a “Christian libertarian environmentalist capitalist lunatic farmer.” Time Magazine called him the world’s most innovative farmer. He has written 18 books, edits The Stockman Grass Farmer and hosts about 15,000 visitors a year at Polyface. But first he was a 14-year-old selling at a Depression-era curb market. Two elderly ladies took him under their wing and taught him how to display, price and think like a business. Joel calls them his surrogate grandmas. He got teary telling us about them. Then came a job as a newspaper reporter, a young marriage lived on almost nothing, a black walnut business that went bust in year one, and a winter reading the old organic classics. Then an older Amish Mennonite couple handed Joel their chicken customers. That list became Polyface. Joel says that is just the story of his life. “You just do faithfully what you can with what you’ve got.” We dig into why there is no ecology without animals. Why Joel builds ponds: “Stop it, spread it, soak it.” How the chickens follow the cows in what he calls a ballet in the pasture. And why grass grows in three stages: diaper grass, teenage grass and nursing home grass. Conventional farmers, stay for the middle. In Joel’s county it takes four acres to feed a cow for a year. Polyface does it on 0.9. In 30 years they have not leased one farm that didn’t double its production in the first year, with no seed and no fertilizer. Just management. And if you only have a little land, Joel tells you exactly where to start. Plants first, because plants don’t run away. Then laying hens, meat chickens, a pig, then a cow. Not goats. “Every goat is a professional” at mischief. Join us for a real conversation about caring for the land God gave us and getting to “viscerally participate in creation’s redemption.” Grab a coffee and press play. Text Message The StoryField Unstuck Coaches is a vibrant community of vetted professionals dedicated to facilitating growth and progress in various aspects of life and business. We understand that individuals encounter unique challenges in different areas, and we believe in the power of community support to overcome them.  www.unstuckcoaches.com At The Allen Firm, PC., we are dedicated to offering comprehensive legal services that ensure you can face life’s challenges with confidence. Our mission is to provide you with the information and the peace of mind necessary to make informed decisions, knowing that your legal matters are in capable hands. The Allen Firm, PC Support the show

John Eldredge joins us for a wide-ranging and deeply practical conversation about what it means to become the man God created you to be. We dig into the legacy of Wild at Heart, the themes that have resonated with millions of men, and why the journey toward healing, courage, and purpose matters so much in today’s world. John shares pieces of his own story — growing up in chaos, finding refuge in his grandfather’s ranch, coming to faith during the Jesus movement, and realizing that beneath outward success there was still a deeper work of healing to be done. From there, we explore the core ideas that have shaped his teaching for decades: the masculine soul, the need for initiation, the warrior heart, the call to adventure, and the importance of learning to fight for what matters most. We also talk about the wounds many men carry quietly for years: the need for love, validation, and fathering; the dangers of ignoring pain; and how anger, addiction, or passivity can often be symptoms of something deeper. John explains why healing is not just about behavior change, but about recovering the heart itself — and why it’s never too late to begin that journey. If you’re a man trying to make sense of your story, a father hoping to lead your sons well, or someone who wants a more grounded and biblical view of masculine formation, this conversation will challenge and encourage you. We also touch on brotherhood, spiritual growth, the stages of masculine development, and how to build a life that is marked by courage, tenderness, and purpose. Join us for a real conversation about the wound every man carries and the God who is committed to healing it. Grab a coffee and press play. PS. Want to go deeper? Read Wild at Heart or John's newest book, Experience Jesus. Really. Then download the Pause app and find free resources for men and women at wildatheart.org. Text Message The StoryField Unstuck Coaches is a vibrant community of vetted professionals dedicated to facilitating growth and progress in various aspects of life and business. We understand that individuals encounter unique challenges in different areas, and we believe in the power of community support to overcome them.  www.unstuckcoaches.com At The Allen Firm, PC., we are dedicated to offering comprehensive legal services that ensure you can face life’s challenges with confidence. Our mission is to provide you with the information and the peace of mind necessary to make informed decisions, knowing that your legal matters are in capable hands. The Allen Firm, PC Support the show

In this powerful episode, Josh Allen sits down with regenerative agriculture expert Ray Archuleta to unpack why healthy soil is the foundation of healthy farms, healthy food, and healthy people. Ray explains the core principles of regenerative agriculture — diversity, context, reduced disturbance, and community — and shares practical wisdom for restoring land, improving productivity, and working with nature instead of against it. They also dive into the deep connection between soil health, carbon, climate, and human health, making the case that life in the soil is the real key to renewal. Ray breaks down why covered ground, living roots, and biodiversity matter so much, and why the answer to many of today’s biggest agricultural and environmental challenges isn’t more inputs, but more life. If you care about farming, sustainability, climate solutions, or the future of our food system, this conversation will challenge and inspire you. Ray’s perspective is equal parts practical and hopeful — a reminder that restoration is possible, renewal is real, and the land can heal when we work with creation the way it was designed to function. #regenerativeagriculture #soil health #carbonstorage #climatechange #healthysoil #sustainablefarming #human health #biodiversity #restoration #RayArchuleta Text Message The StoryField Unstuck Coaches is a vibrant community of vetted professionals dedicated to facilitating growth and progress in various aspects of life and business. We understand that individuals encounter unique challenges in different areas, and we believe in the power of community support to overcome them.  www.unstuckcoaches.com Support the show

In this episode, entrepreneur and author Terry Looper shares the remarkable story behind his journey from burnout and overachievement to a life of peace, surrender, and faith-driven leadership. Best known for his book Sacred Pace, Terry explains how he learned to make major business and life decisions by slowing down, consulting Jesus first, gathering facts carefully, and waiting for peace before acting. Terry opens up about building Texon into one of Houston’s largest private companies, the pressure of high-stakes leadership, and the burnout that forced him to reevaluate everything. What followed was a deeper understanding of prayer, surrender, and what it means to truly seek God’s will in both business and everyday life. His insights are especially relevant for Christian leaders, entrepreneurs, founders, executives, and anyone feeling the weight of striving, stress, or decision fatigue. If you’ve ever wondered how to lead with wisdom instead of pressure, how to avoid burnout, or how to trust God in the middle of complex decisions, this conversation will encourage and challenge you. Terry’s story is a compelling reminder that God’s way is not only available in ministry, but also in the marketplace — and that peace can be a powerful guide in business, leadership, and life. Text Message The StoryField Unstuck Coaches is a vibrant community of vetted professionals dedicated to facilitating growth and progress in various aspects of life and business. We understand that individuals encounter unique challenges in different areas, and we believe in the power of community support to overcome them.  www.unstuckcoaches.com At The Allen Firm, PC., we are dedicated to offering comprehensive legal services that ensure you can face life’s challenges with confidence. Our mission is to provide you with the information and the peace of mind necessary to make informed decisions, knowing that your legal matters are in capable hands. The Allen Firm, PC Support the show

In this powerful StoryField conversation, Dr. Lee Warren shares his remarkable journey from a small-town childhood and a faith-filled upbringing to becoming a neurosurgeon, Army physician, author, and podcaster. He opens up about the path that led him into medicine, his years serving in war zones, and the intense pressure of making life-and-death decisions in Iraq. Dr. Warren also talks candidly about the personal suffering that reshaped his life, including the death of his son, Mitch, and the long process of grief, anger, and healing that followed. That pain eventually led to a breakthrough insight: the mind and brain are not the same thing, and the thoughts we choose can literally change how our brains function and how we experience life. We also dive into the practical side of his book, The Life-Changing Art of Self-Brain Surgery, including the 10 commandments he lays out for changing your thought life, interrupting fear, resisting destructive patterns, and learning to think in a way that produces hope, peace, and resilience. Whether you’re walking through grief, battling anxiety, or just trying to understand how faith and neuroscience connect, this episode offers wisdom, honesty, and a deeply encouraging vision for what’s possible. Text Message The StoryField Unstuck Coaches is a vibrant community of vetted professionals dedicated to facilitating growth and progress in various aspects of life and business. We understand that individuals encounter unique challenges in different areas, and we believe in the power of community support to overcome them.  www.unstuckcoaches.com At The Allen Firm, PC., we are dedicated to offering comprehensive legal services that ensure you can face life’s challenges with confidence. Our mission is to provide you with the information and the peace of mind necessary to make informed decisions, knowing that your legal matters are in capable hands. The Allen Firm, PC Support the show

In this episode, Grant Gustafson shares a deeply personal and honest story of faith, family, ministry, suffering, and redemption. He opens up about growing up in a broken home marked by divorce, addiction, church hurt, and generational pain, and how those early experiences shaped his view of God, himself, and relationships. He also shares the unexpected moment in high school when faith became personal, leading to baptism, a growing hunger for Jesus, and eventually a long season of vocational ministry. Grant walks through the realities of life in ministry, the tension of fundraising and leadership, and the internal pressure that can come with trying to hold everything together. He then takes listeners into one of the hardest seasons of his life: marriage struggles, a major health crisis, his wife’s cancer diagnosis, financial instability, and the emotional weight of feeling like he had hit rock bottom. In the middle of it all, he describes how Scripture, prayer, community, and a renewed understanding of suffering helped reframe his story. This conversation is especially powerful for anyone navigating trauma, burnout, marriage difficulty, chronic health issues, spiritual wrestling, or a season that feels unanswered and overwhelming. Grant’s story is a reminder that healing is often slow, faith is often forged in suffering, and Jesus is present even when life feels like it is falling apart. Listeners will come away encouraged by Grant’s vulnerability, challenged by his perspective on suffering and humility, and strengthened by the hope that God can redeem even the most painful seasons of life. Text Message The StoryField Unstuck Coaches is a vibrant community of vetted professionals dedicated to facilitating growth and progress in various aspects of life and business. We understand that individuals encounter unique challenges in different areas, and we believe in the power of community support to overcome them.  www.unstuckcoaches.com At The Allen Firm, PC., we are dedicated to offering comprehensive legal services that ensure you can face life’s challenges with confidence. Our mission is to provide you with the information and the peace of mind necessary to make informed decisions, knowing that your legal matters are in capable hands. The Allen Firm, PC Support the show

In this episode, Micah sits down with Mark Stephens and Ed Hanson of Go Big Business Group to talk about how a golf and promotional products company grew from a small consulting idea into a multi-division business built on service, relationships, and faith. They share stories from the course, lessons from military and corporate careers, and the importance of saying no to the wrong work so you can say yes to doing the right thing well. The conversation also dives into how Christian values shape their leadership, customer service, hiring, and decision-making. From charity tournaments and memorable golf experiences to servant leadership and a new benevolent fund, this episode is packed with practical business wisdom, authentic faith, and a few fun golf stories along the way. https://gobigbg.com/ Text Message The StoryField Unstuck Coaches is a vibrant community of vetted professionals dedicated to facilitating growth and progress in various aspects of life and business. We understand that individuals encounter unique challenges in different areas, and we believe in the power of community support to overcome them.  www.unstuckcoaches.com At The Allen Firm, PC., we are dedicated to offering comprehensive legal services that ensure you can face life’s challenges with confidence. Our mission is to provide you with the information and the peace of mind necessary to make informed decisions, knowing that your legal matters are in capable hands. The Allen Firm, PC Support the show

In this episode of The Story Field, rodeo legend Ted Nuce shares his journey from an adopted child in California to one of the most respected bull riders in rodeo history. Ted opens up about the fear, discipline, and mental toughness it took to ride bulls at the highest level, as well as the faith that carried him through the danger, injuries, and pressure of competition. He also reflects on the friendships, mentors, and moments that shaped his career, including the rise of the PBR and the lessons he learned about identity, purpose, and trusting God through every season of life. Ted’s story is a powerful reminder that passion, perseverance, and faith can carry you farther than you ever imagined. Text Message The StoryField Unstuck Coaches is a vibrant community of vetted professionals dedicated to facilitating growth and progress in various aspects of life and business. We understand that individuals encounter unique challenges in different areas, and we believe in the power of community support to overcome them.  www.unstuckcoaches.com At The Allen Firm, PC., we are dedicated to offering comprehensive legal services that ensure you can face life’s challenges with confidence. Our mission is to provide you with the information and the peace of mind necessary to make informed decisions, knowing that your legal matters are in capable hands. The Allen Firm, PC Support the show

In this episode of The StoryField, Dr. Allen Williams — 6th-generation farmer, former tenured professor, and founder of Libertas Land — explains regenerative (or “redemptive”) agriculture and why restoring life in the soil matters. Allen explains six core principles which can change everything for both agriculture producers and the environment ContextArmor/coverminimize disturbanceliving rootsDiversity,integrated livestockWe cover practical first steps, common barriers (peer pressure, debt, lack of education), and simple on-farm tests to track progress.  Tune in today to hear real-world wins: lower input costs, higher net profits (often within year one), faster restoration timelines (major gains in ~3 years), improved carrying capacity, re-greened desertland, and much higher nutrient density in food. If you want hope, actionable steps, and a faith-informed view of stewarding the land, this episode is for you. Resources:  Email - Dr. Allen Williams: [email protected] Libertas Land (libertas-land.com) Roots So Deep docu-series. https://rootssodeep.org/ Carbon Cowboys https://carboncowboys.org/ The ECDYSIS Thousand Farms research. https://www.ecdysis.bio/1000-farms Text Message The StoryField Unstuck Coaches is a vibrant community of vetted professionals dedicated to facilitating growth and progress in various aspects of life and business. We understand that individuals encounter unique challenges in different areas, and we believe in the power of community support to overcome them.  www.unstuckcoaches.com At The Allen Firm, PC., we are dedicated to offering comprehensive legal services that ensure you can face life’s challenges with confidence. Our mission is to provide you with the information and the peace of mind necessary to make informed decisions, knowing that your legal matters are in capable hands. The Allen Firm, PC Support the show

In this 100th episode, Josh and Micah look back on the story behind The StoryField—how it began during COVID, how they chose the name, and why the podcast has always been about sharing meaningful stories rather than chasing numbers or money. They reflect on favorite guests, including Dr. Ben Edwards, Sue Becker, Bob Goff, Jamie and Donna Winship, Matt Chandler, and others whose stories have encouraged, challenged, and inspired listeners. The conversation also highlights the deeper purpose behind the show: helping people find hope, grow in faith, and see the value of obedience, authenticity, and real-life testimony. They also share about The Unstuck Project, a new video series and coaching resource designed to help people get unstuck in life, family, and business - you can see what its about at Unstuck Coaches. It’s a warm, honest, and celebratory look at 100 episodes of stories that matter. Text Message The StoryField Unstuck Coaches is a vibrant community of vetted professionals dedicated to facilitating growth and progress in various aspects of life and business. We understand that individuals encounter unique challenges in different areas, and we believe in the power of community support to overcome them.  www.unstuckcoaches.com At The Allen Firm, PC., we are dedicated to offering comprehensive legal services that ensure you can face life’s challenges with confidence. Our mission is to provide you with the information and the peace of mind necessary to make informed decisions, knowing that your legal matters are in capable hands. The Allen Firm, PC Support the show

Craig Scoville shared his life story, recounting a difficult childhood marked by his father’s alcoholism, early substance abuse, and eventual deep addiction through his twenties.  After a decisive spiritual encounter where he repented and found peace, Craig was delivered from addiction and began discipleship in small Texas churches, which led to marriage and a calling to missions. He and his wife served over seven years in East Asia with Kids Across Cultures, focusing on education, medical care, clean water, and community transformation through local churches.  Craig described practical insights for helping addicts, emphasizing godly sorrow, confronting enabling behaviors, and long-term discipleship and highlighted the Father’s restorative love and purpose for each life. He encouraged others to pursue God’s purpose, get involved with mission work like Kids Across Cultures, and support initiatives that provide education, clean water, and medical care for impoverished children. Text Message The StoryField Unstuck Coaches is a vibrant community of vetted professionals dedicated to facilitating growth and progress in various aspects of life and business. We understand that individuals encounter unique challenges in different areas, and we believe in the power of community support to overcome them.  www.unstuckcoaches.com At The Allen Firm, PC., we are dedicated to offering comprehensive legal services that ensure you can face life’s challenges with confidence. Our mission is to provide you with the information and the peace of mind necessary to make informed decisions, knowing that your legal matters are in capable hands. The Allen Firm, PC Support the show

“The answer to suffering is always more love”.  – Jonathan Tepper In this deeply moving conversation, Jonathan Tepper joins Storyfield to discuss his memoir “Shooting Up: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Addiction.”  Jonathan recounts growing up as a missionary kid in 1980s Madrid, where his parents founded a drug-rehab center amidst a heroin and AIDS epidemic. He shares vivid memories of the people who became like family — especially Raul — the painful losses his community endured, and how compassion and service shaped his life. We explore the realities of addiction and recovery, the emotional toll of grief (including the tragic death of his brother), and how his upbringing inspired a life of learning and resilience that led him from Madrid to Chapel Hill and eventually to Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. Jonathan reflects on the lessons of dignity, presence, and “more love” as the response to suffering, and how ordinary acts of compassion had extraordinary impact. Listen for honest storytelling, tough questions about loss and mental health, and practical hope for anyone walking through grief.  Grab Jonathan’s book Shooting Up: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Addiction and visit his website to connect and learn more. Text Message The StoryField Unstuck Coaches is a vibrant community of vetted professionals dedicated to facilitating growth and progress in various aspects of life and business. We understand that individuals encounter unique challenges in different areas, and we believe in the power of community support to overcome them.  www.unstuckcoaches.com At The Allen Firm, PC., we are dedicated to offering comprehensive legal services that ensure you can face life’s challenges with confidence. Our mission is to provide you with the information and the peace of mind necessary to make informed decisions, knowing that your legal matters are in capable hands. The Allen Firm, PC Support the show

Dr. Karl Payne joined us for an incredible interview with this long-time pastor who served 20+ years as a chaplain for the Seattle Seahawks. Dr. Payne tells the story of who how spiritual warfare walked into his front room and changed his ministry forever, which all led to him writing this MUST HAVE book for all Christians:  Spiritual Warfare: Christian, Demonization, and Deliverance We did a deep dive with Dr. Payne about:   DemonizationOppression v. DemonizationPractical ways to discern if you are hearing from God vs the demonic.Finally, we learn a simple, transferable framework to engage in spiritual warfare and help set people free: the three C’s — Confess, Cancel, Command. This is a practical, Bible-centered conversation for pastors, counselors and any believer wanting clear, usable tools for spiritual battles. Text Message The StoryField Unstuck Coaches is a vibrant community of vetted professionals dedicated to facilitating growth and progress in various aspects of life and business. We understand that individuals encounter unique challenges in different areas, and we believe in the power of community support to overcome them.  www.unstuckcoaches.com At The Allen Firm, PC., we are dedicated to offering comprehensive legal services that ensure you can face life’s challenges with confidence. Our mission is to provide you with the information and the peace of mind necessary to make informed decisions, knowing that your legal matters are in capable hands. The Allen Firm, PC Support the show

W. Paul Young, author of “The Shack” joined us on The StoryField. We had a deeply honest conversation with Paul touching some major parts of his story: growing up as a missionary kid.surviving abuse and generational wounds.the first time he told the truth after getting caught in an affair.the long journey into healing, trust and presence. Join us for this amazing interview with Paul Young where we explored some other ideas that could change your life - Expectations: why releasing expectations frees relationships. Trusting God: how living in the moment is the heart of real trust and how to move from control to healthy trust. Grace: for the moment. Responsibility: is not what has been taught; it’s really the “ability to respond”. And, of course we learned the surprising origin of The Shack. Why listen: This episode is for anyone wrestling with shame, control, or the fear-driven future-trip. Paul’s hard-won wisdom invites a life of present-tense trust, radical honesty, and deeper, safer relationships. Text Message The StoryField Unstuck Coaches is a vibrant community of vetted professionals dedicated to facilitating growth and progress in various aspects of life and business. We understand that individuals encounter unique challenges in different areas, and we believe in the power of community support to overcome them.  www.unstuckcoaches.com At The Allen Firm, PC., we are dedicated to offering comprehensive legal services that ensure you can face life’s challenges with confidence. Our mission is to provide you with the information and the peace of mind necessary to make informed decisions, knowing that your legal matters are in capable hands. The Allen Firm, PC Support the show