Podcast
Armchair Authentic
Hosted by Rhett and Justin · EN
"Armchair Authentic" is a heartfelt and engaging podcast hosted by two lifelong friends who have shared a journey of 39 years. The show is a platform dedicated to the art of genuine connection and authentic living. At the core of "Armchair Authentic" is the belief that everyone has both a unique and unified purpose, and the hosts are passionate about helping their listeners fulfill this calling.
Listeners can expect a blend of laughter, introspection, and inspirational stories as the hosts and their guests share experiences, challenges, and triumphs. Through these real conversations, the podcast strives to inspire and empower individuals to embrace their journeys and fulfill their mission.
If you have any questions, comments, ideas, or would like to say hello, the guys would love to hear from you at info@armchairauthentic.com
*NEW EPISODES DROP EVERY MONDAY*
21episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
E100 | Saving the Best for Last: Living The Upside-Down Kingdom
Dec 2901:25:35Tap to summarizeWhat if the bravest move at the peak of momentum is to slow down and listen? Hitting 100 gave us permission to treat our show like a time capsule—capturing real friendship, honest faith, and the kind of ordinary moments that quietly change a life. We didn’t script these conversations; we kept it simple: hit record, tell the truth, and let the upside-down kingdom lead. That posture took two Alabama guys to every continent, not because we chased numbers, but because small faithfulness travels further than ambition.We talk about seasons—how a storm outside can echo a shift inside—and why we’re choosing a pause without drama. No rift, no scandal, just obedience. We revisit the time capsule vision for our families and future listeners, the value of hearing real voices wrestle with grief, growth, and grace. Microphones became mirrors, revealing tones to surrender and habits to refine. Along the way we celebrate hidden service, the towel over the title, and the paradox Jesus taught: the less we strive, the more room there is for God to work.We also get practical about craft and calling: how curiosity turned pressure into skill, from building “At the Movies” messages to teaching students; how repetition with reflection compounds growth; how Nicodemus’ journey hints that honest questions can lead to brave public faith. We honor valleys as classrooms and mountaintops as stewardship, then offer a clear gospel invitation and next steps—find a life-giving church, open the Gospel of John, and walk with people who tell the truth with grace.If this conversation stirred you, share it with a friend and let us know what part resonated most. Subscribe if our time together has encouraged you, leave a review—your words help more people find hope when they need it most.FOLLOW US:Facebook: @armchairauthenticInstagram: @armchairauthenticTwitter: @ArmchairAuthPodWebsite:www.armchairauthentic.comEmail Us:info@armchairauthentic.com#ArmchairAuthentic #Episode100 #FinalEpisode #PodcastLife #AuthenticLiving #UpsideDownKingdom #Faithfulness #FindJoyTrack Title: Brooklyn Bridge | Artist Name(s): Lunareh | Lifetime License Granted Via Soundstripe
Transcribe →E99 | Calling All Spiritual Fathers: A Conversation with Pastor Scott Ray
Dec 2201:50:21Tap to summarizeImagine watching a small, struggling youth group grow into a spiritual family that marks generations. That’s the story we revisit with Pastor Scott Ray—the mentor who taught us that the real work of ministry rarely happens on stages, but in living rooms, hospital corridors, church vans, and parking-lot prayers. We swap memories that still shape us today: a bus breaking down on the way to the Brownsville Revival and strangers stepping in to push it forward, backyard worship where simple songs opened heaven, and road trips that formed character far more than any keynote ever could.What stands out most is Pastor Scott’s quiet, steady way of leading: make room, empower others, and trust the Holy Spirit. He rotated teenage worship leaders, invited older adults to serve as spiritual mothers and fathers, and refused to confuse performance with presence. Together, we unpack the core ingredients that still change lives—relationship, sensitivity to God, and the courage to redefine, reassign, and realign. We name the ache many feel today: disappointment, loneliness, and the longing for spiritual fathers. Pastor Scott shares how his own unfulfilled desire became an invitation to become what he once needed, turning pain into purpose and mentorship into legacy.This conversation is warm, funny, and unvarnished. We talk reverence—the fear of the Lord that isn’t fearfulness but awe—alongside stories of botched drama lines and spinning “ascensions” that kept us humble. Beneath the laughter runs a steady call: live on purpose, notice the one raising a hand in the balcony, and let your church smell like sheep, not stages. If you care about youth ministry, discipleship, spiritual parenting, or building a community that truly feels like family, this episode will stay with you.If this resonated, share it with someone who helped shape your faith, subscribe for more honest conversations, and leave a review telling us what you’re redefining, reassigning, or realigning right now.FOLLOW US:Facebook: @armchairauthenticInstagram: @armchairauthenticTwitter: @ArmchairAuthPodWebsite:www.armchairauthentic.comEmail Us:info@armchairauthentic.com#ArmchairAuthentic #NewEpisode #PodcastLife #AuthenticLiving #SpiritualFatherhood #FaithConversations #Mentorship #PresenceOverPerformance #FindJoyTrack Title: Brooklyn Bridge | Artist Name(s): Lunareh | Lifetime License Granted Via Soundstripe
Transcribe →E98 | People Love the Cheese: Finding Joy in the Season
Dec 1500:49:19Tap to summarizeThe season shines brightest when we slow down long enough to notice it. We kick things off with lighthearted Christmas riffs—from plot holes in The Santa Clause to the rise of 20-foot yard inflatables—before turning toward what truly makes the holidays meaningful: presence, memory, and connection.A surprise call to our friend Jon Ross (with a first-time hello from his wife, Rachel) turns into a road-trip debrief from Disney, where Space Mountain thrills and the desire to bring the kids next time spark a deeper reflection on how families create traditions that actually last. Jon Ross shares how he once slipped into full Scrooge mode, then reclaimed joy by anchoring the season with simple, repeatable rituals—lights after the final service, Home Alone on the couch, and a favorite neighborhood display.One of the most practical takeaways is deceptively small: an emotion journal. When something stirs him, Jon Ross notes what happened, what he felt, and how strong it was. That simple habit reveals patterns, slows reactivity, and creates space to choose a truer response next time. It’s a gentle way to move from always asking “what’s next?” to learning how to savor “what just was.”We also revisit a healing worship moment from 2006, where grief met the chorus of Agnus Dei, and we laugh through stage mishaps, toppled trees, and the timeless reminder that “people love the cheese.” Joy and reverence live side by side here—goofy sock snowballs, honest friendship, and the kind of moments that keep a season grounded.If you’ve been speeding through December, consider trying the emotion journal and choosing one small tradition that helps you linger—drive to see lights after your last workday, play a single album all the way through, or make cocoa without a screen. Subscribe, share this episode with a friend who needs a breather, and tell us: what tradition helps you stay present this year?FOLLOW US:Facebook: @armchairauthenticInstagram: @armchairauthenticTwitter: @ArmchairAuthPodWebsite:www.armchairauthentic.comEmail Us:info@armchairauthentic.com#ArmchairAuthentic #NewEpisode #PodcastLife #AuthenticLiving #FindJoy #PresenceOverPerfection #HolidayReflections #SlowDown #PeopleLoveTheCheeseTrack Title: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing | Artist Name(s): LNDÖ | Lifetime License Granted Via SoundstripeTrack Title: Brooklyn Bridge | Artist Name(s): Lunareh | Lifetime License Granted Via Soundstripe
Transcribe →E97 | Platforms, Paddocks, and Presence: Carrying Faith into Real Life
Dec 800:57:41Tap to summarizeWhat do a tidy refrigerator reel, a 15-second toaster tip, and a two-stroke professional go-kart have in common? More than you’d think. What starts as a dad’s plan to help his son Max enter the 2026 race season with a thoughtful social strategy turns into something deeper: how simple, useful content can open doors for sponsors, community, and conversations that actually matter.We talk algorithms without worshiping them, sharing the workflow behind quick, story-led reels that don’t steal the joy of race day. And along the way, we celebrate one of the best parts of the karting world—people who lend tools, swap setup notes, and genuinely care how you’re doing. Competitive on track, generous in the paddock… a living picture of what the church looks like at its best.From there, the conversation widens. What does “ministry” mean outside of Sunday? Some are called to vocational church; others bring the church into garages, grids, workplaces, and green rooms. We unpack gathering wherever you are, planting seeds instead of applying pressure, and navigating construction, deconstruction, and reconstruction of faith without losing the Cornerstone.If you’ve ever wondered how to carry your convictions into real life—sponsors, socials, and all—this is a warm, practical roadmap. You’ll hear stories about teaching through tiny videos, parenting a young racer with character at the center, and becoming the kind of presence that makes people curious about your hope. It’s about integrity in public, kindness under stress, and finding God’s work in the ordinary.If this resonated, share it with a friend who needs encouragement, follow us on socials for more behind-the-scenes, and leave a review so others can find the show.Where are you bringing the church this week?FOLLOW US:Facebook: @armchairauthenticInstagram: @armchairauthenticTwitter: @ArmchairAuthPodWebsite:www.armchairauthentic.comEmail Us:info@armchairauthentic.com#ArmchairAuthentic #NewEpisode #PodcastLife #AmbitionAndContentment #FindJoy #AuthenticLivingTrack Title: Brooklyn Bridge | Artist Name(s): Lunareh | Lifetime License Granted Via Soundstripe
Transcribe →E96 | Don’t Drift—Decide: Why You Need Vision and Values
Dec 100:46:35Tap to summarizeFeeling stretched thin by schedules, money tension, or the pressure to keep up with everyone else’s expectations? In this episode, we unpack a practical way to bring peace and purpose back into your home: write a simple family vision, choose a few lived values, and let those guide every yes and no. Drawing from Proverbs 29:18 and Habakkuk 2:2, we explore how revelation becomes real when you slow down, listen for God’s voice, and make it plain—on paper, in practice, and in the rhythms of your week.We share stories from our own homes—why we chose presence over hustle, how a one-income season shifted our priorities, and how intentional weekly rhythms create space for joy. You’ll hear a framework that starts with becoming before doing: love God in a real relationship, learn to love yourself as God loves you so you can love others well, steward everything with care, and choose joy by creating moments and memories that last. These aren’t slogans; they become guardrails that protect your time, money, and attention from algorithms and urgencies that don’t know your purpose.If you’ve felt scattered, reactive, or stretched beyond what’s healthy, this conversation will help you define who you want to become, choose a short list of values you can actually live, and schedule your “big rocks” first so the rest can fit around them. By the end, you’ll walk away with shared language for decisions, a way to get aligned with your spouse, and a path to turn faith into daily practice.If this resonates, would you share it with a friend? Follow us on your favorite app and leave a quick review—your words help more people find a seat at the table.FOLLOW US:Facebook: @armchairauthenticInstagram: @armchairauthenticTwitter: @ArmchairAuthPodWebsite:www.armchairauthentic.comEmail Us:info@armchairauthentic.com#ArmchairAuthentic #NewEpisode #PodcastLife #AmbitionAndContentment #FindJoy #AuthenticLiving #Vision #Values #Why #WhybeforeWhatTrack Title: Brooklyn Bridge | Artist Name(s): Lunareh | Lifetime License Granted Via Soundstripe
Transcribe →E95 | At The Table of Gratitude
Nov 2401:02:27Tap to summarizeThanksgiving week has a way of revealing both our best intentions and our messiest moments—and that’s where we begin. From family stories to the comfort movie that still hits, to the joy of a brand-new griddle humming on the patio, we trace the thread from meals to meaning. Gathering, cooking, and laughing become the rituals that create belonging—without the pressure that often shadows Christmas. We even swap notes on the hidden costs of the hobby (tools, covers, cleanup) and the surprising grace of letting go—of old grills, old habits, and old expectations.From there, we turn to gratitude. Not the polished kind you find on greeting cards, but the steady kind that survives numb seasons and unanswered questions. We explore gratitude as a choice—a practice rooted in Scripture, prayer, and the daily nearness of God. That opens the door to a deeper shift: choosing surrender over strategy. Instead of forcing a three-to-five-year plan, we aim to love well right now—God first, then our families, then our friends—and trust that tomorrow will take care of itself. There’s room here for lament, for psalms sung at a piano, and for letting God burn away the chaff so a cleaner refill can come.We end with a word from Joshua 1—be strong and courageous—and the promise that makes courage possible: wherever we go, God goes with us. If you’re craving a slower, steadier way through the holidays, this conversation blends practical warmth with spiritual depth—part backyard hibachi, part soul reset. You’ll find insights on gratitude, surrender, spiritual resilience, and how small rituals can reshape a season.If this resonates, would you share it with a friend? Follow us on your favorite app and leave a quick review—your words help more people find a seat at the table.FOLLOW US:Facebook: @armchairauthenticInstagram: @armchairauthenticTwitter: @ArmchairAuthPodWebsite:www.armchairauthentic.comEmail Us:info@armchairauthentic.com#ArmchairAuthentic #NewEpisode #PodcastLife #AmbitionAndContentment #FindJoy #AuthenticLiving #Thrive #SurviveTrack Title: Brooklyn Bridge | Artist Name(s): Lunareh | Lifetime License Granted Via Soundstripe
Transcribe →E94 | Putting the Good In Goodbye
Nov 1701:15:42Tap to summarizeEver notice how the best laughs open the door to the deepest lessons? We kick things off with some 80s Olan Mills nostalgia and on-camera mishaps, and before long we’re neck-deep in the stuff that actually shapes us: listening to understand, leading with open hands instead of control, and learning how to put the good in goodbye without bitterness.Paul, Barnabas, and John Mark make an appearance—not as a cautionary tale of a church split, but as a picture of multiplication when disagreement is handled with honor.We get practical about seasons and pruning. Trees flourish when they’re cut back with purpose; teams and friendships do too. We talk about setting for this season expectations, blessing transitions, and resisting the urge to turn every departure into drama. And if you’ve been stretched thin by expectations, you’ll feel the sting of people-pleasing. The John Candy documentary becomes a mirror for ministry and leadership: when “yes” becomes an identity, burnout isn’t far behind. Boundaries aren’t selfish; they’re spiritual stewardship.We also name toxicity and how quickly it spreads. Acts 14 shows minds poisoned by unresolved hurt and agenda-driven words. Before posting or replying, we ask: Does this build unity or feed division? The mantra we land on is simple and hard: the less I strive, the more I thrive. Less of me, more of Him. That shift frees us to lead with clarity, love people without clutching them, and trust God to grow different branches in different directions.If this resonates, would you share it with a friend? Follow us on your favorite app and leave a quick review—your words help more people find a seat at this table.FOLLOW US:Facebook: @armchairauthenticInstagram: @armchairauthenticTwitter: @ArmchairAuthPodWebsite:www.armchairauthentic.comEmail Us:info@armchairauthentic.com#ArmchairAuthentic #NewEpisode #PodcastLife #AmbitionAndContentment #FindJoy #AuthenticLiving #Thrive #SurviveTrack Title: Brooklyn Bridge | Artist Name(s): Lunareh | Lifetime License Granted Via Soundstripe
Transcribe →E93 | Aligned Within: Spirit, Soul, and Body
Nov 1001:09:30Tap to summarizeA 30-minute argument with ChatGPT about an outdated “paper gap” tip turns into more than a laugh; it becomes a live-fire lesson in discernment. Trust the tool. Verify with reality. Keep your agency.That tension points to the deeper work: ordering life by spirit, soul, and body. Justification is a gift you can’t earn; sanctification is a daily choice you can’t outsource. The goal isn’t behavior polish—it’s heart transformation that flows through thoughts and habits.We talk honestly about real struggles—lust, pride, performance—and the strange mercy of thorns that keep us leaning on grace. Shame stalls growth; confession unlocks it. Scripture anchors us. Prayer becomes oxygen. Friendship builds guardrails when old triggers try to pull us back.We close with Psalm 126 and the courage to sow in tears. Even on hard days, you still have seed to plant—encouragement to give, truth to speak, presence to offer. That’s where durable joy grows: not in numbing pain, but in partnering with God through it.Use AI as a tool, not a teacher. Feed your spirit first, let your mind agree with truth, and watch your body follow.If this conversation helps you breathe easier and think clearer, tap follow, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review so more people can find the show.What seed will you sow this week?FOLLOW US:Facebook: @armchairauthenticInstagram: @armchairauthenticTwitter: @ArmchairAuthPodWebsite:www.armchairauthentic.comEmail Us:info@armchairauthentic.com#ArmchairAuthentic #NewEpisode #PodcastLife #AmbitionAndContentment #FindJoy #AuthenticLiving #spiritsoulbody Track Title: Brooklyn Bridge | Artist Name(s): Lunareh | Lifetime License Granted Via Soundstripe
Transcribe →E92 | Miscarriage Exposed the Shadow Side of Ambition: Justin's Story of Spiritual Rebirth.
Nov 301:17:21Tap to summarizeA father–son road trip to pick up a racing engine sparks a playful riff on soundtracks, lyrics, and the strange ways music becomes the story of our lives. Then the tone shifts. We open a tender chapter about hustle, calling, and the December miscarriage that exposed the shadow side of ambition—how easy it is to run over people in a good-sounding name.What followed wasn’t a strategy but a surrender. A quiet question—When was the last time you simply sat across a table to listen?—became the doorway back to purpose. One-by-one coffees with no agenda, a discipline to listen without rescuing, and a return to Philippians 2 reshaped everything: do nothing from selfish ambition, consider others, attend to their interests. The result wasn’t smaller impact; it was deeper impact. Doors opened without forcing. Community shifted from planning sessions to fireside conversations. Presence replaced performance. Hidden work—prayer, listening, steady friendship—carried more power than any platform.We also confront how art forms us. The melodies we love can carry messages we’d never choose, just as the habits we celebrate can hide motives we need to name. Guardrails help: playlists that lift when certain songs pull us under, rhythms of rest, questions that ask whether a choice serves people or only our image. And we hold space for ongoing grief—four miscarriages and a stillbirth—alongside the joy of four sons. Pain didn’t disappear; it found purpose in an others-first life, where obedience looks like small tables, honest questions, and the courage to slow down.If you’re tired, grieving, or caught in the churn, this conversation offers practical hope: listen before you solve, choose people over platform, and let God breathe on the unseen parts of your week. Subscribe for more stories like this, share it with a friend who needs encouragement, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway so we can keep building this community together.---------------------------------------------FOLLOW US:Facebook: @armchairauthenticInstagram: @armchairauthenticTwitter: @ArmchairAuthPodWebsite:www.armchairauthentic.comEmail Us:info@armchairauthentic.com#ArmchairAuthentic #NewEpisode #PodcastLife #AmbitionAndContentment #FindJoy #AuthenticLiving #MiscarriageTrack Title: Brooklyn Bridge | Artist Name(s): Lunareh | Lifetime License Granted Via Soundstripe
Transcribe →E91 | Beauty from Brokenness: Rhett’s Story of God’s Redemption and Restoration After Divorce
Oct 2700:58:53Tap to summarizeA detour for cheap gas at Buc-ee’s, a stranger named Joe from Idaho, and a headset cameo at Starbucks set the stage for a much deeper conversation about presence—slowing down, asking better questions, and carrying the fruit of the Spirit into ordinary places.What begins with laughter and connection turns into one of the most personal episodes yet, as Rhett opens up about his journey through divorce in his early twenties—betrayal, an emptied home, financial wreckage, and the moment he chose worship over despair. That decision, anchored in Proverbs 3:5–6 and Psalm 34, became the first step out of a long, dark tunnel.Together, we explore what real trust looks like when everything falls apart—not with clichés or quick fixes, but through the quiet choices that carry you forward through faith: showing up when it hurts, giving with a grateful heart, leaning on loyal, life-giving friends, worshiping while weeping, forgiving instead of growing bitter, and trusting God when nothing makes sense and you truly don’t understand.Over time, redemption gave way to restoration—family rebuilt with Linda and Max, debts erased, ministry renewed—and what once felt like a mountain now looks like a distant hill in the rearview mirror.If you’re walking through heartbreak, burnout, or loss that’s taken your breath away, this conversation offers both hope and handles. You’ll hear how to “see the color” again, how to ask questions that awaken dreams, and how one step with God can outrun a thousand in your own strength.Come for the laughs about Buc-ee’s and Starbucks. Stay for a story of grace, grit, and the God who brings beauty from brokenness.If this encouraged you, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review so more people can find these stories of redemption and restoration.---------------------------------------------FOLLOW US:Facebook: @armchairauthenticInstagram: @armchairauthenticTwitter: @ArmchairAuthPodWebsite:www.armchairauthentic.comEmail Us:info@armchairauthentic.com#ArmchairAuthentic #NewEpisode #PodcastLife #AuthenticLiving #FindJoy #AmbitionAndContentment #Faith #Redemption #Restoration #DivorceRecovery #Hope #Grace #GodIsFaithfulTrack Title: Brooklyn Bridge | Artist Name(s): Lunareh | Lifetime License Granted Via Soundstripe
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