
Hosted by Engage Your Destiny · EN
The Ben Peterson Show is for those who refuse to drift in a world being reshaped by AI. Hosted by Ben Peterson, founder of a movement bringing the Gospel to our military, veterans, and their families, the show guides you in navigating your faith through the new age of AI and culture so you can lead with conviction and step forward with purpose.

This week on The Ben Peterson Show, Ben sits down with Mick Wienholt for one of the most powerful conversations we’ve had yet.After surviving a catastrophic avalanche that left his skull shattered in multiple places, Mick walked away believing he had simply beaten the odds. But years later, after the devastating loss of his unborn son, he came face-to-face with a pain he could not overcome on his own.What followed changed everything.From trauma, grief, and surrender, to fatherhood, faith, technology, and purpose — Mick shares how God met him in his darkest moment and completely transformed the direction of his life.This conversation goes far beyond survival.It’s about identity.Purpose.Faith in a world consumed by distraction.And why no technology can replace the voice of our Creator.WATCH UNTIL THE END - this story could change how you see pain, purpose and the power of redemption. Engage Your Destiny (EYD) is a 501(c)3 on a mission to help combat the deadly epidemic of military suicide with faith. 📢 WANT TO BE PART OF THE MISSION? | Help us continue to reach U.S. military members, veterans, and their families- ❤️ DONATE TODAY: http://engageyourdestiny.org/becomeaguardian📕 PRE-ORDER BEN’S NEW BOOK: https://whenintelligenceisnthuman.comNEW EPISODES EVERY WEDNESDAY! SUBSCRIBE to never miss an episode & TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS to see how faith is impacting our soldiers. Want to see more behind-the-scenes, more interviews, or something different? Drop a comment or leave a review!LET'S CONNECT: Follow us on Facebook: / https://www.facebook.com/engagedestiny Follow us on Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/engage.your.destiny/ Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction & Mick’s unbelievable survival story02:00 – Climbing a Colorado peak without a helmet06:00 – Triggering the avalanche08:00 – Waking up at the bottom with devastating injuries12:00 – Skull fractures, brain surgery & recovery15:00 – Growing up in a performance-driven household19:00 – The devastating loss of their unborn son22:00 – Surrendering to God in the middle of grief24:00 – “You had a God-shaped hole in your heart”25:00 – Faith, skepticism & evidence of God28:00 – Raising children in a technology-driven culture32:00 – Artificial intelligence, identity & purpose36:00 – How Mick hears from God and finds clarity39:00 – Final thoughts & where to follow Mick

This week on The Ben Peterson Show, retired Lieutenant General Jerry Boykin shares the incredible story of how faith carried him through war, leadership, near death experiences, and some of the most intense military operations in modern American history.As one of the original members of Delta Force, General Boykin opens up about the brutal selection process that shaped America’s most elite counterterrorism unit, surviving combat in Grenada after being shot multiple times, and the miracle that followed when doctors wanted to amputate his arm.But this conversation goes far beyond military history.General Boykin shares how surrendering his life to Christ transformed everything, why prayer and Scripture became the foundation of his strength, and why this next generation must learn to hear God’s voice in an age dominated by technology, distraction, and artificial intelligence.From Vietnam and Delta Force to faith, discipline, leadership, and America’s future, this conversation is a powerful reminder that true strength is forged in surrender to God.WATCH UNTIL THE END - this story could change how you see pain, purpose and the power of redemption. Engage Your Destiny (EYD) is a 501(c)3 on a mission to help combat the deadly epidemic of military suicide with faith. 📢 WANT TO BE PART OF THE MISSION? | Help us continue to reach U.S. military members, veterans, and their families- ❤️ DONATE TODAY: http://engageyourdestiny.org/becomeaguardian📕 PRE-ORDER BEN’S NEW BOOK: https://whenintelligenceisnthuman.comNEW EPISODES EVERY WEDNESDAY! SUBSCRIBE to never miss an episode & TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS to see how faith is impacting our soldiers. Want to see more behind-the-scenes, more interviews, or something different? Drop a comment or leave a review!LET'S CONNECT: Follow us on Facebook: / https://www.facebook.com/engagedestiny Follow us on Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/engage.your.destiny/ Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction03:00 – How Jerry Boykin came to Christ05:00 – Vietnam and serving with the ROK Marines07:00 – Entering the Special Forces community09:00 – The secret formation of Delta Force10:30 – The brutal Delta Force selection process12:30 – Building America’s elite counterterrorism unit16:00 – The Iran hostage crisis and Tehran operation19:00 – Combat in Grenada and being shot in battle22:00 – Doctors wanted to amputate his arm24:00 – Faith, prayer, and hearing God’s voice26:00 – Artificial intelligence and the future of warfare28:00 – What people truly worship in modern culture31:00 – Why young people must learn American history

This week on The Ben Peterson Show, we dive into one of the most important conversations happening in our culture today, the hidden science behind violence, identity, and human behavior.Ben sits down with violence prevention expert Robert Mahoney to unpack why violence is rarely random, how people slowly spiral toward destruction, and what society continues to misunderstand about anger, trauma, isolation, and belonging.From mass shootings and gang culture to AI addiction and emotional isolation, this conversation reveals the deeper psychological and spiritual crisis shaping modern culture.Robert explains how identity, purpose, and community can either heal people, or pull them toward darkness. Together, Ben and Robert explore the warning signs most people miss, why technology is reshaping human connection, and how AI is beginning to replace real relationships for an entire generation.This episode is more than a conversation about violence, it’s about what happens when people lose meaning, lose connection, and lose hope.WATCH UNTIL THE END - this story could change how you see pain, purpose and the power of redemption. Engage Your Destiny (EYD) is a 501(c)3 on a mission to help combat the deadly epidemic of military suicide with faith. 📢 WANT TO BE PART OF THE MISSION? | Help us continue to reach U.S. military members, veterans, and their families- ❤️ DONATE TODAY: http://engageyourdestiny.org/becomeaguardian📕 PRE-ORDER BEN’S NEW BOOK: https://whenintelligenceisnthuman.comNEW EPISODES EVERY WEDNESDAY! SUBSCRIBE to never miss an episode & TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS to see how faith is impacting our soldiers. Want to see more behind-the-scenes, more interviews, or something different? Drop a comment or leave a review!LET'S CONNECT: Follow us on Facebook: / https://www.facebook.com/engagedestiny Follow us on Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/engage.your.destiny/ Follow us on Pray.com: / https://www.pray.com/benpetersonTimestamps:00:00 – Introduction to the science behind violence02:00 – Why violence is rarely random05:00 – The broken systems failing people in crisis10:00 – Identity, purpose, and community explained12:00 – Deconstructing radicalization and grievance culture15:00 – The Dayton shooter case study19:00 – Why prevention matters more than response22:00 – The connection between suicide and violence25:00 – Ben shares his Iraq combat anger experience27:00 – Why society misunderstands aggressive behavior31:00 – Intervention vs negotiation psychology35:00 – AI, Gen Z, and emotional dependency38:00 – How chatbots create emotional attachment40:00 – Dopamine addiction and social media42:00 – The terrifying unknown future of AI44:00 – Why AI struggles with contextual understanding46:00 – Surveillance culture and predictive technology50:00 – Why human connection still matters most53:00 – Helping struggling people before violence happens

This week on The Ben Peterson Show, we confront one of the most unsettling questions of the AI era: what happens when artificial intelligence begins influencing darkness instead of restraining it?After reports surfaced involving mass shooting suspects allegedly using ChatGPT to help strategize attacks, Ben Peterson breaks down the deeper spiritual, cultural, and moral implications behind the rise of artificial intelligence. From emotional manipulation algorithms to the collapse of moral absolutes, this conversation explores how technology is shaping the next generation, and why discernment has never mattered more.This is not just a conversation about AI.It’s a conversation about truth, human nature, spiritual warfare, and the future of society.Ben challenges listeners to think critically about the technologies they trust, the voices shaping culture, and the urgency of staying grounded in faith during one of the most rapidly changing moments in human history.WATCH UNTIL THE END - this story could change how you see pain, purpose and the power of redemption. Engage Your Destiny (EYD) is a 501(c)3 on a mission to help combat the deadly epidemic of military suicide with faith. 📢 WANT TO BE PART OF THE MISSION? | Help us continue to reach U.S. military members, veterans, and their families- ❤️ DONATE TODAY: http://engageyourdestiny.org/becomeaguardian📕 PRE-ORDER BEN’S NEW BOOK: https://whenintelligenceisnthuman.comNEW EPISODES EVERY WEDNESDAY! SUBSCRIBE to never miss an episode & TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS to see how faith is impacting our soldiers. Want to see more behind-the-scenes, more interviews, or something different? Drop a comment or leave a review!LET'S CONNECT: Follow us on Facebook: / https://www.facebook.com/engagedestiny Follow us on Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/engage.your.destiny/ Follow us on Pray.com: / https://www.pray.com/benpetersonTimestamps:00:00 – Welcome to The Ben Peterson Show01:15 – The mission of Engage Your Destiny02:20 – Prayer for revival, the military, and America03:30 – Reports of AI-assisted mass shooting planning06:00 – How AI algorithms and language models work07:45 – The 13,000-message ChatGPT controversy09:00 – Moral relativism and the dangers of AI without safeguards10:45 – “The speed to sin is only gonna get faster”11:40 – Relationship with God vs relationship with technology13:00 – Introducing “When Intelligence Isn’t Human”14:20 – The real-world consequences for families15:00 – OpenAI, responsibility, and the future of AI ethics15:45 – AI robots, morality, and dangerous future questions16:20 – Spiritual preparedness in the age of AI17:00 – Final challenge and call to action

This week on The Ben Peterson Show, we confront one of the most dangerous spiritual and cultural shifts of our generation: artificial intelligence becoming a false source of truth, purpose, and even worship.As AI rapidly advances, some of the world’s leading technologists are already discussing AI-generated religions, AI “Messiah” figures, and the future of digital spirituality. What happens when faith becomes a trillion-dollar business model? What happens when people begin turning to machines for guidance meant to come from God?Ben Peterson breaks down the rise of AI religion, the commercialization of faith, the dangers of deception, and why this generation must learn to use AI as a tool — not a guide for the soul.From AI avatars of Jesus and Buddha, to the growing conversation around AI consciousness and purpose, this episode explores why humanity is entering a defining moment unlike anything we’ve seen before.WATCH UNTIL THE END - this story could change how you see pain, purpose and the power of redemption. Engage Your Destiny (EYD) is a 501(c)3 on a mission to help combat the deadly epidemic of military suicide with faith. 📢 WANT TO BE PART OF THE MISSION? | Help us continue to reach U.S. military members, veterans, and their families- ❤️ DONATE TODAY: http://engageyourdestiny.org/becomeaguardian📕 PRE-ORDER BEN’S NEW BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1637636237?tag=simonsayscomNEW EPISODES EVERY WEDNESDAY! SUBSCRIBE to never miss an episode & TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS to see how faith is impacting our soldiers. Want to see more behind-the-scenes, more interviews, or something different? Drop a comment or leave a review!LET'S CONNECT: Follow us on Facebook: / https://www.facebook.com/engagedestiny Follow us on Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/engage.your.destiny/ Follow us on Pray.com: / https://www.pray.com/benpeterson⏱️ Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction: AI, faith, and the future of culture01:30 – Engage Your Destiny’s mission and the Guardian program02:15 – Ben’s new AI book and helping families navigate technology03:30 – AI-generated Jesus and Buddha avatars04:30 – Religion becoming a trillion-dollar business05:45 – Why AI cannot replace a relationship with God06:30 – Pendulum Theory and generational collapse cycles08:00 – “Me” generations vs “We” generations08:45 – Prosperity gospel and commercialization of faith10:30 – The dangers of turning religion into entertainment11:15 – Anthropic, Claude AI, and “child of God” discussions12:15 – Technology accelerating human sin13:00 – AI relationships, sex robots, and moral collapse13:45 – “The Great Deception” and Matthew 2414:30 – AI-created religions and digital messiahs15:15 – Why people will begin worshiping AI16:00 – Wars, rumors of wars, and the birth pains of the end times16:45 – Rachel’s childbirth story and spiritual preparation17:30 – Awakening your spirit in the age of AI18:15 – Final warning: use AI as a tool, not your guide

This week, we step into a pivotal moment on the Engage Your Destiny Podcast as we introduce The Ben Peterson Show—a new chapter focused on faith, culture, and the rising influence of artificial intelligence.As technology rapidly reshapes the world, a deeper question emerges: are we using AI as a tool… or allowing it to become our guide?In this episode, Ben Peterson shares the heart behind the rebrand and unpacks a critical tension facing this generation—how to navigate faith in an age where answers are instant, but wisdom is often missing. Through real-life stories and personal conviction, he reveals the difference between creating with purpose and outsourcing the very voice God placed within us.This message goes beyond technology. It’s about identity, discernment, and the responsibility of believers to remain grounded in truth while engaging a changing world.📢 WANT TO BE PART OF THE MISSION? | Help us continue to reach U.S. military members, veterans, and their families- ❤️ DONATE TODAY: http://engageyourdestiny.org/becomeaguardian📕 READ THE STORY THAT'S CHANGING LIVES: https://engageyourdestiny.org/bookNEW EPISODES EVERY WEDNESDAY! SUBSCRIBE to never miss an episode & TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS to see how faith is impacting our soldiers. Want to see more behind-the-scenes, more interviews, or something different? Drop a comment or leave a review!LET'S CONNECT: Follow us on Facebook: / https://www.facebook.com/engagedestiny Follow us on Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/engage.your.destiny/ Follow us on Pray.com: / https://www.pray.com/benpetersonTimestamps:00:00 – Introduction to The Ben Peterson Show01:00 – Why the rebrand from Engage Your Destiny Podcast02:00 – Faith in the age of AI and cultural shifts03:00 – The critical question: tool or guide?04:00 – Using AI as a tool (real-world business example)05:30 – The danger of using AI as a guide06:30 – Choosing prayer over instant answers07:30 – Waiting, seeking, and receiving clarity08:00 – The growing reliance on AI for direction08:30 – Gen Z, AI, and the crisis of guidance09:00 – A call to lead, think, and live differently

This week on the Engage Your Destiny Podcast, we sit down with Andrea Hand, artist, songwriter, and founder of Sound of Hope, for a powerful conversation about suicide, trauma, mental health, and the healing power of faith.Andrea shares how her life changed after losing three people to suicide in a single year, including her cousin. What began as a calling in music became a mission to confront the silence around mental health and help people find hope, healing, and freedom.From touring with Carrie Underwood and appearing on The Voice, to building a nonprofit that helps remove the stigma around emotional pain, Andrea opens up about what unresolved trauma, hidden wounds, and core lies can do to a person’s life if left unaddressed.This conversation goes deeper than mental health awareness. It is about truth, inner healing, community, and learning how to walk with God in a world filled with noise, distraction, isolation, and artificial intelligence. Andrea shares why faith matters, why healing is often a process, and why no one should suffer in silence.📢 WANT TO BE PART OF THE MISSION? | Help us continue to reach U.S. military members, veterans, and their families- ❤️ DONATE TODAY: https://engageyourdestiny.org/suicideispreventable 📕 READ THE STORY THAT'S CHANGING LIVES: https://engageyourdestiny.org/bookNEW EPISODES EVERY WEDNESDAY! SUBSCRIBE to never miss an episode & TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS to see how faith is impacting our soldiers. Want to see more behind-the-scenes, more interviews, or something different? Drop a comment or leave a review!LET'S CONNECT: Follow us on Facebook: / https://www.facebook.com/engagedestiny Follow us on Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/engage.your.destiny/ Follow us on Pray.com: / https://www.pray.com/benpetersonTimestamps:00:00 Introduction00:45 Andrea Hand’s background in music and ministry02:00 Losing three people to suicide in one year05:00 The beginning of Sound of Hope06:00 Suicide, mental health, and the church’s blind spot07:30 The vision for the Sound of Hope docuseries10:00 Trauma, core lies, and inner healing18:30 Rejection, identity, and the music industry27:00 Why Andrea is passionate about removing the stigma30:00 AI, isolation, and protecting the human soul38:00 Hearing God in a distracted world43:00 Final message of hope for those who are struggling

This week on the Engage Your Destiny Podcast, we share a powerful testimony from an undisclosed base in the Middle East, a story of warfare, prayer, and the undeniable intervention of God. In the middle of ongoing incoming attacks, a chaplain cried out for a miracle: a six-hour window to rescue a family trapped in a war zone. What happened next is a reminder that God still moves on the battlefield.This episode is more than a testimony from the front lines. It is a call to faith under pressure. Ben Peterson opens the Word in Joshua 10 and draws a direct connection between the God who fought for Israel and the God who still answers impossible prayers today. When chaos surrounds you, when the battle feels nonstop, and when you need heaven to make a way, this message will challenge you to pray boldly and stand firm.This conversation also speaks directly to the spiritual battles many are facing right now, fear, mental exhaustion, temptation, hopelessness, and the war for the mind. If you’ve been feeling under attack, this episode will remind you that you do not have to surrender your thoughts, your peace, or your purpose. You are called to fight with spiritual authority and trust the God of the impossible.WATCH UNTIL THE END - this story could change how you see pain, purpose and the power of redemption. Engage Your Destiny (EYD) is a 501(c)3 on a mission to help combat the deadly epidemic of military suicide with faith.📢 WANT TO BE PART OF THE MISSION? | Help us continue to reach U.S. military members, veterans, and their families- ❤️ DONATE TODAY: https://engageyourdestiny.org/suicideispreventable 📕 READ THE STORY THAT'S CHANGING LIVES: https://engageyourdestiny.org/bookNEW EPISODES EVERY WEDNESDAY! SUBSCRIBE to never miss an episode & TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS to see how faith is impacting our soldiers. Want to see more behind-the-scenes, more interviews, or something different? Drop a comment or leave a review!LET'S CONNECT: Follow us on Facebook: / https://www.facebook.com/engagedestiny Follow us on Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/engage.your.destiny/ Follow us on Pray.com: / https://www.pray.com/benpetersonTimestamps:00:00 Welcome to Engage Your Destiny00:45 The Guardian mission and supporting active-duty military01:50 Joshua 10 and the God who fights for His people04:20 Testimony from an undisclosed base in the Middle East05:00 Six weeks of nonstop incoming fire05:45 A family trapped in a war zone06:15 The chaplain’s impossible prayer06:40 The six-hour miracle window07:20 What battle are you facing right now?08:10 God still answers prayers on the battlefield08:40 Spiritual warfare and taking thoughts captive10:00 A call to fight for your mind, family, and purpose10:20 Why Engage Your Destiny supports service members10:40 Become a Guardian and join the mission

This week on the Engage Your Destiny Podcast, Ben Peterson takes on one of the most urgent questions of our time: Is A.I. slowly eroding your faith?As artificial intelligence becomes more embedded in everyday life, military operations, decision-making, and even the way people search for meaning, this conversation goes deeper than technology. Ben unpacks how AI can quietly become a substitute for spiritual dependence, discernment, and trust in God—especially when people begin turning to machines for answers their souls were meant to bring to the Lord.Using a powerful Navy SEAL training analogy, biblical truth, and his own story of trauma, combat loss, and suicidal darkness after Iraq, Ben reveals what real faith looks like when you cannot see what’s ahead. This episode is a challenge to reject false comfort, resist spiritual numbness, and return to the only compass that can guide you through the dark: the Word of God.This is more than a conversation about innovation. It is a wake-up call about dependence, identity, spiritual hunger, and the battle for your soul in a digital age.WATCH UNTIL THE END - this story could change how you see pain, purpose and the power of redemption. Engage Your Destiny (EYD) is a 501(c)3 on a mission to help combat the deadly epidemic of military suicide with faith.📢 WANT TO BE PART OF THE MISSION? | Help us continue to reach U.S. military members, veterans, and their families- ❤️ DONATE TODAY: https://engageyourdestiny.org/suicideispreventable📕 READ THE STORY THAT'S CHANGING LIVES: https://engageyourdestiny.org/bookNEW EPISODES EVERY WEDNESDAY! SUBSCRIBE to never miss an episode & TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS to see how faith is impacting our soldiers. Want to see more behind-the-scenes, more interviews, or something different? Drop a comment or leave a review!LET'S CONNECT: Follow us on Facebook: / https://www.facebook.com/engagedestinyFollow us on Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/engage.your.destiny/Follow us on Pray.com: / https://www.pray.com/benpetersonTimestamps:00:00 – Introduction: Is A.I. eroding your faith?01:00 – The mission of Engage Your Destiny and why this topic matters02:20 – How AI is already being used in military operations02:50 – Navy SEAL underwater navigation as a picture of faith04:30 – Faith, the Word of God, and believing in what you cannot see06:10 – What separates humanity from machines07:00 – The rise of artificial superintelligence and spiritual dependence07:40 – Why quick answers can weaken deep faith08:00 – Jesus walking to the cross and trusting through the unknown09:00 – Ben’s story: Iraq, trauma, loss, and suicidal darkness10:05 – The mentor’s words that changed everything10:40 – Is AI replacing trust in God?11:20 – Are you turning to technology for answers your soul needs from God?12:00 – How faith led Ben from pain into purpose13:00 – Doom scrolling, numbness, and spiritual hunger13:30 – Final challenge: what are you turning to for your soul?

This week on the Engage Your Destiny Podcast, we step into a conversation most people will never hear inside the life of a Special Forces chaplain who has walked through war, brokenness, and redemption.From the battlefields of Ramadi to ministering to elite warriors in the Middle East, Justin shares what it means to carry faith into some of the darkest places on earth. This is not theory it is lived experience.We hear how trauma, infidelity, and despair nearly destroyed his life and how God met him in that place and rebuilt everything. From restoring his marriage to baptizing soldiers on deployment, his story reveals what redemption really looks like under pressure.But this conversation goes deeper.It explores the unseen weight carried by soldiers, the reality of evil in modern warfare, and how faith stands in a world of uncertainty, AI driven combat, and global conflict. What does it mean to follow Christ when life and death decisions are happening in real time?This is more than a story.It is a call to understand the cost of war on the soul and the power of faith to restore it.WATCH UNTIL THE END - this story could change how you see pain, purpose and the power of redemption. Engage Your Destiny (EYD) is a 501(c)3 on a mission to help combat the deadly epidemic of military suicide with faith.📢 WANT TO BE PART OF THE MISSION? | Help us continue to reach U.S. military members, veterans, and their families- ❤️ DONATE TODAY: https://engageyourdestiny.org/suicideispreventable 📕 READ THE STORY THAT'S CHANGING LIVES: https://engageyourdestiny.org/bookNEW EPISODES EVERY WEDNESDAY! SUBSCRIBE to never miss an episode & TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS to see how faith is impacting our soldiers. Want to see more behind-the-scenes, more interviews, or something different? Drop a comment or leave a review!LET'S CONNECT: Follow us on Facebook: / https://www.facebook.com/engagedestiny Follow us on Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/engage.your.destiny/ Follow us on Pray.com: / https://www.pray.com/benpetersonTimestamps00:00 Introduction01:00 From infantry soldier to chaplain03:00 Trauma from Ramadi and losing 120 soldiers06:00 Marriage breakdown and moment of conviction08:00 Encounter with God and radical transformation12:00 Darkness in the military and how faith brings light16:00 Ministry in Special Forces and earning trust19:00 Faith in the middle of global conflict24:00 AI warfare and the future of the battlefield30:00 Spiritual mission vs modern war35:00 Finding answers in a world of noise41:00 Who are you without technology44:00 How to hear God’s voice50:00 Final encouragement and mission