What if the habits we do every day are shaping our souls more than we realize?
In this episode of Walking with the Wise, Sam and I sit down with Justin Whitmel Earley — a lawyer, author, and speaker — to talk about the powerful connection between our physical habits and our spiritual life. His new book, The Body Teaches the Soul, digs deep into how our bodies aren’t just along for the ride — they’re a big part of how God forms us.
Justin’s story really stuck with me. He went from being a missionary in China to a lawyer chasing success and eventually hit burnout. But instead of giving up, he started small: habits like scripture before phone, box breathing, fasting and feasting, and learning to lament. Over time, those practices completely reshaped his mind, body, and relationship with God.
What You’ll Learn:
- How habits shape your spiritual life
- Simple anchor habits to start today
- The power of breathing + prayer for peace
- Why feasting and fasting both matter
- How to find shalom in your body and mind
- Building faith through community
My favorite part of this conversation? Justin’s reminder that habits won’t change God’s love for us but God’s love for us should change our habits. This episode will help you slow down, pay attention to your rhythms, and see how even the simplest daily choices can become ways to love God and others better.
▶️Learn more about Justin Whitmel Earley here:
https://www.justinwhitmelearley.com/
▶️Learn more about Walking with the Wise here:
Linktr.ee/walkingwiththewise
#WalkingWithTheWise #JustinWhitmelEarley #SpiritualHabits #ChristianPodcast #FaithAndMentalHealth
What if sharing my faith didn’t have to feel awkward or forced?
In this episode, Sam and I sit down with Pastor Allen Bonnell to talk about what everyday evangelism really looks like — not just from the pulpit, but in our daily lives. Pastor Allen opens up about his powerful journey from a difficult childhood to becoming a lead pastor, and how God used his story to reach others.
We dive into what it truly means to walk in humility, take ownership rather than just membership in the church, and why young people play such an important role in building strong communities of faith.
Pastor Allen also shares simple and practical ways to start faith conversations naturally, why evangelism is often caught, not taught, and how prayer and relationships make all the difference.
This episode reminded me that evangelism isn’t about pressure or perfection — it’s about love, service, and showing others the hope we’ve found in Christ.
What You’ll Learn:
- Why humility matters in leadership and daily life
- How evangelism can feel natural, not intimidating
- The difference between being a church member and a church owner
- How college students can use their time wisely to serve and grow spiritually
- Why prayer is the foundation of sharing your faith
- How to build relationships that open doors for gospel conversations
- Ways to overcome fear when talking about your faith
- The power of sharing your personal story and testimony
- How to be more welcoming and outward-focused at church
- Why the next generation has a vital role in the future of the church
▶️Learn more about Allen Bonnell:
https://weareibc.com/team/
▶️Learn more about Walking with the Wise here:
Linktr.ee/walkingwiththewise
#WalkingWithTheWise #ChristianPodcast #Evangelism #FaithInAction #PastorAllenBonnell
What if business isn’t just about profit but about transformation? In this episode of Walking with the Wise, we sit down with Sebastian Harris, serial entrepreneur, innovator, and co-founder of Public Square (a values-based e-commerce company that scaled to IPO in just 2.5 years with a $350M valuation).Sebastian shares his journey from youth ministry in New Zealand to building startups in the U.S., and how God showed him that business is a vehicle for societal change. From hearing God in unexpected ways (even in Excel formulas!) to building aligned teams and systems that accelerate growth, this conversation is packed with wisdom for young leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone seeking to integrate faith into everyday life.You’ll learn:- Why alignment is the secret to fast decision-making and team success- How to discern when it’s time to stay or move on in life and business- The underrated power of systems thinking for leadership and growth- Why a bad decision made in faith can be better than a good one made in doubt- How to walk with God daily and invite Him into every part of life—even spreadsheetsDon’t miss this episode! It’s full of practical takeaways, powerful testimonies, and wisdom for anyone walking with God in leadership, business, or personal growth.▶️Learn more about Sebastian Harris here:https://www.sandbox.fund/▶️Learn more about Walking with the Wise here:Linktr.ee/walkingwiththewise#WalkingWithTheWise #ChristianLeadership #FaithAndBusiness #SebastianHarris #ChristianEntrepreneur
What have we learned after 10 episodes of walking with wise leaders?
In this episode of the Walking with the Wise Podcast, Sam Bodine and Nate Breed discuss key takeaways from various interviews, emphasizing the importance of changing inputs to achieve different outputs in life, the significance of spiritual warfare, productivity tips, theological insights, health and nutrition perspectives, and the power of personal testimonies.
They also explore effective giving, the role of humility in leadership, and the importance of mentorship and building relationships. The conversation wraps up with reflections on how to integrate these insights into daily life.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Key Takeaways
03:04 The Importance of Changing Inputs for Better Outputs
06:07 Insights from Spiritual Warfare and Practical Advice
09:10 Productivity Tips and the Role of Sleep
12:04 Theological Insights and Their Practical Applications
15:10 Health and Nutrition Perspectives
18:19 The Power of Personal Testimonies
21:08 Effective Giving and Career Choices
24:00 The Role of Humility in Leadership
27:22 Building Relationships and Mentorship
29:58 Final Thoughts and Reflections
Learn more about Walking with the Wise here:
Linktr.ee/walkingwiththewise
#WalkingWithTheWise #ChristianLeadership #FaithAndWisdom #LifeLessons #ChristianPodcast
Are you wrestling with questions about purpose, calling, or how to faithfully serve God where you are right now?
Dr. Dondi Costin—retired Air Force Major General, chaplain, and now President of Liberty University—shares wisdom on leadership, faith, and the power of “blooming where you’re planted.”
In this episode of the Walking with the Wise Podcast, Nate and Sam sit down with Dr. Dondi Costin to explore his incredible journey from industrial engineer to chaplain, to leading Christian universities. Along the way, he unpacks lessons on:
- Why faithfulness in small things matters
- How to balance ambition with godly contentment
- The importance of mentorship (Paul, Barnabas, Timothy model)
- Habits that shape who you are becoming
- Trusting God’s timing and providence in your career and life
Whether you’re a student, young professional, or seasoned leader, this episode will challenge and encourage you to see every day as a gift and live for God’s glory.
Chapters
00:00 - Walking with the Wise Podcast
01:53 - The Journey to Leadership
05:03 - Blooming Where You're Planted
10:58 - Work Ethic and Balance
19:43- Motivation and Excellence
22:51 - The Importance of Mentorship
30:26 - Navigating Career Paths and Discovering Passions
35:51 - The Importance of Mentorship and Relationships
40:39 - Building Healthy Habits for Life
48:53 - Life Lessons and Final Thoughts
Learn more about Dr. Dondi Costin here:
https://www.liberty.edu/about/president-of-liberty-university/
Learn more about Walking with the Wise here:
Linktr.ee/walkingwiththewise
#ChristianLeadership #FaithAndWork #WalkingWithTheWise #GodlyAmbition #LifePurpose
Mr. Roenicke is a wise dude. Here are some takeaways:
What does it mean to stay faithful when the world pulls you off course?
In this episode of the Walking with the Wise Podcast, we sit down with Peter Greer, President & CEO of Hope International, to talk about living mission-true lives. Peter shares powerful lessons on:
- How small compromises can lead to major drift in faith and leadership
- Why habits and systems shape the trajectory of our lives more than we realize
- The role of prayer in building a life that lasts
- Living from a place of “belovedness” instead of achievement
- Practical wisdom for young leaders navigating purpose and calling
Whether you’re discerning your calling, struggling with drift, or simply longing to go deeper in your faith, Peter’s story and insights will both challenge and encourage you.
Listen in and discover how to live on mission with Christ — for the long haul.
Learn more about Peter Greer here:
https://www.peterkgreer.com/
Learn more about Walking with the Wise here:
Linktr.ee/walkingwiththewise
#WalkingWithTheWise #MissionTrue #FaithfulLiving #ChristianLeadership #PrayerLife
David had some awesome wisdom. Here are takeaways:
JD Bauman talks about effective giving and careers, psychoogy of why people give, his own story of how he got here, and more! These links were mentioned in the show:
https://www.christiansforimpact.org/
https://www.eaforchristians.org/
https://oradicals.substack.com/p/how-to-live-well-the-seven
In this episode of Walking with the Wise, hosts converse with Pastor Eddie Williams about the intersection of health, nutrition, and faith. He describes his journey from NFL to pastoral ministry, discussing how he discovered his call to serve. Eddie also touches on the often-overlooked sin of gluttony, the significance of stewardship over our bodies, and practical steps for improving health. He offers actionable advice on diet, supplements, and the importance of staying physically active while stressing that true wellness stems from living as intended by God.
Learn more about Eddie at https://exnihilohealth.com/ or find his church at https://www.dxa.ch/
Trevin hits a lot of important points about theology today! We focus a lot of the concepts from his recent book, The Thrill of Orthodoxy.
Learn more about Trevin at https://trevinwax.com
Reagan gets super practical about how to be productive. Listen in to learn about planning, goal setting, morning routines, Scripture, and more.
Check out Reagan's content at https://redeemingproductivity.com/.
Tune in for practical tips on how to win! Dr. McClendon, an associate dean at Liberty University, challenges misconceptions and teaches truth in this great episode.
In this episode of Walking with the Wise, Josh Rutledge, Vice President of Spiritual Development at Liberty University, shares his journey of faith, beginning with his first sermon in a jail cell. He discusses his roles and responsibilities at Liberty, including leading programs like Convocation and Campus Community, and emphasizes the importance of humility, obedience, and practical wisdom in leadership. Josh also reflects on the challenges of discerning God's will and provides actionable advice for young people seeking to balance work and play, while staying faithful to their callings. The conversation concludes with Josh offering insights into the impact of small changes in habits and the importance of personal influence in spiritual growth.00:00 Josh Rutledge Full Episode00:13 Introduction to Walking with the Wise00:21 Meet Josh Rutledge: A Humble Leader01:40 Opening Prayer02:19 Fun Nicknames and Rapid Fire Questions03:07 Role and Responsibilities at Liberty University08:52 Josh Rutledge's Journey to Liberty14:38 Early Ministry Experiences20:02 Reflecting on God's Guidance23:51 Navigating Life's Unfolding Mystery26:10 Reflecting on God's Faithfulness28:09 Practical Advice for College Students30:42 Leadership and Influence39:22 Balancing Work and Play42:28 Rapid Fire Questions45:57 Concluding Thoughts and Prayer
