In this week’s episode of Sermons on the Side, Richard shares a surprising “aha” moment that hit him while watching Doctor Strange for the very first time. In the Marvel film, there’s a line that stirred something deep in him - when a man says, “I just took my miracle and went home.”' It’s a simple phrase, but it hit like a sermon. How often do we do the same thing? God heals, forgives, redeems, and restores us - and then we quietly return to “normal life.” But what if God’s intention f...

In our fourth Roundtable discussion, we’re joined by someone very special - Kyndal Nipper, Richard’s stepdaughter and a long time friend of Brad’s. From the earliest days of Sermons on the Side, Kyndal has been one of our biggest encouragers - a faithful listener, idea-sharer, and cheerleader behind the scenes. Today, she steps to the mic to share a deeply personal story — a journey through loss, grief, and ultimately, hope. Kyndal opens up about the heartbreak of losing her second chil...

In this week’s episode of Sermons on the Side, we start with the spooky story of the Headless Horseman - and a man named Ichabod Crane - but end up somewhere far deeper. The name Ichabod appears long before Washington Irving ever wrote about Sleepy Hollow. In 1 Samuel, it’s the heartbreaking name given to a child born in tragedy - a name meaning “the glory has departed.” Yet, through Samuel’s faithfulness, God restores His people and leads them to a new place of remembrance called Ebene...

In episode 38 of Sermons on the Side, we trace a surprising thread between history, memory, and our own tendency to retreat into hiding places. Inspired by Candace Millard’s account of Winston Churchill’s daring escape during the Boer War, we reflect on a striking moment when Churchill, though technically free, still felt trapped by fear and uncertainty. She powerfully writes, "He could not remain where he was.…Yet neither could he run." That picture of hiding even in freedom sparked a ...

What do you do when life backs you into a corner and the odds are stacked against you? In this episode, Richard shares a powerful conversation he had with a pastor friend whose church was facing a make-or-break moment. The situation reminded him of one of the wildest plays in college football history - Arkansas vs. Ole Miss in 2015 - when, on fourth and twenty-five in overtime, a desperate heave, a wild lateral, and a broken play somehow turned into a first down that kept hope alive.&nb...

In this week’s episode, we pause from our usual rhythm and spend time reflecting on the events of the past couple of weeks following the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk. Together, we share how this moment has shaped us personally and spiritually, and why Dr. Ben Carson’s words at Charlie’s memorial - reminding us that a seed must die in order to grow - continue to resonate deeply. From there, we talk honestly about the challenges Christians face when division, cynicism, and negativ...

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? ...

What do you get when an Oklahoma farm girl ends up at Harvard, then finds herself living in New Zealand with a husband, two kids, and a podcast all about cultivating a life of hopeful expectation? You get Darcie Frost! And you get this special Episode 25! We first met Darcie through a podcasting support group, and what started as a quick connection turned into real friendship. We've cheered each other on, prayed for each other behind the scenes, and now we’re thrilled to introduce her to you....

The merch giveaway was a hit! From the Brad Bundle to the Richard Bundle to surprise bonus prizes, we had a blast sharing the love with you all last week. But today’s episode goes even deeper. Richard shares a story from a Sunday morning that started with peace, coffee... and an unexpected mental battle whiling driving I-65. What happened next? A quiet moment in a Starbucks, the passage about a man with a withered hand, and a personal invitation from Jesus that still speaks today! What does i...

What do kidney stones, giveaways, and the presence of God have in common? In this episode, Richard shares a raw and real story about one of the most physically painful moments of his life - and how, in the middle of it, he encountered the overwhelming comfort of God’s presence. We reflect on how pain can cloud everything… but when we invite the Lord into it, His presence can shift not just our situation, but our perspective. Plus — don’t miss the details on our merch giveaway happening this w...

With the Stanley Cup Finals in full swing, Richard laces up a story from the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team - the Miracle on Ice. But before they shocked the world, Coach Herb Brooks delivered a message to his starting goalie that cuts deeper than any pregame speech: “You have a whole other level you’re capable of… but for some reason, you’re not going there.” That same challenge hits home in our walk with the Lord. What if He’s inviting you into something deeper - but you’re holding back? Wha...