POWERS Podcast Episode #403 – Todd Peterson: A Message for Men
Host: Chris Powers
Guest: Todd Peterson
Date: February 3, 2026
Episode Overview
This episode centers around timeless principles of leadership, faith, and manhood, as former NFL kicker and businessman Todd Peterson joins Chris Powers for a candid, in-depth conversation. They discuss why great men often falter, the dangers of isolation, the power of authentic relationships and marriage, how faith shapes their decisions, and the practical rhythms that underpin a purposeful life. Throughout, Todd offers hard-earned wisdom, drawing on personal stories, scripture, and lessons forged through both triumph and humiliation. The tone is transparent, direct, and encouraging—offering a "message for men" wrestling with ambition, faith, and legacy.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Why Do Great Men Fall?
[04:35]
- Isolation & Accountability: Todd opens with a vivid analogy from nature about predators seeking the isolated, underscoring that men often fall when they become isolated — whether by choice or by circumstance.
- Pride & Arrogance: The more successful a man becomes, the more susceptible he is to arrogance and hubris. “The Lord hates pride… The one who humbles himself is the one who’s lifted up; the one who exalts himself… is the one who’s humbled.” (Todd, 07:51)
- Relational Design: God created men to be in deep, authentic relationships—both in marriage and friendships—drawing on biblical references and the concept of the Trinity.
2. The Trap of Success & the Path Out
[09:13], [12:24]
- Organizational Layers & Ego: As men gain success, they tend to layer themselves off from honest feedback and accountability, risking loneliness and poor decision-making.
- Confession & Intentional Change: The first step out of isolation is confession and inviting a few trusted people into your reality: “Rome wasn’t built in a day, but it’s amazing how fast things can be torn down.” (Todd, 12:39)
3. Dealing Thoroughly with Sin
[14:32]
- Honest Self-Examination: Quoting A. W. Tozer and Steve Farrar, Todd underscores the need for men to confront personal sin, noting its far-reaching, damaging ripple effects: "Sin will always take you further than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you were willing to pay." (Todd, 15:17)
- Why We Keep Failing: Referencing Paul’s struggle in Romans, Todd explains the battle between flesh and spirit and the necessity for daily surrender.
4. Living in Faith: Saved vs. Living by the Spirit
[21:31]
- Grace vs. Discipline: There's a difference between being saved and daily living “controlled by the Spirit.” While salvation is an event, submitting your will and walking in the Spirit is an ongoing choice.
- Daily Rhythms: Todd details his daily practice of prayer, Bible reading, and journaling, mapping out practical steps for grounding identity and purpose.
Memorable Quote
"There’s a big difference between just being saved and walking controlled by the Spirit… If I wake up and say, ‘God, I’m desperate for you today', then the character of Christ is manifested in me."
— Todd [19:29]
5. The Transformative Power of Scripture
[24:13], [31:07]
- NOBI-DO (“Know, Be, Do”) Journaling: Todd’s habit is to synthesize each Bible reading session into how it changes his understanding of God, himself, and his actions.
- Scripture, Not Merely Books About God: He advocates reading the Bible itself over secondary books, sharing mentorship stories highlighting spiritual literacy and wisdom gained from repeated, immersive reading.
Notable Moment
"If I’ve been doing this 20 years, I’ve read the Bible 20-plus times... My friend read it 52 times before he died at 102. He was one of the wisest men I ever had the privilege of calling a friend."
— Todd [26:06]
6. Facing Difficult Biblical Truths in Modern Culture
[31:53], [32:49]
- Literalism vs. Cultural Relativism: Todd is direct—he sees the Bible’s instructions as concrete and applies them as such, even when culture drifts or reality feels gray.
- On Generosity and Temptation: Practical takeaways range from generosity (“be generous and willing to share”) to fidelity (“make a covenant with my eyes to bounce them away from anything that’s not mine”).
7. Marriage: The Centerpiece Relationship
[36:31]
- Marriage Mirrors the Gospel: The love between husband and wife is designed as a living illustration of Christ and the Church. Sons, daughters, and the wider community discern spiritual health by observing the marriage.
- Forgiveness, Communication, and Responsibility: If you sense you’re failing your spouse, start by asking forgiveness, opening communication, and recognizing the wife as God’s primary provision and partner.
Notable Quote
"A wife would be the radiance of her husband. So if I’m laying my life down for Susan... the whole world is going to see who I am through her."
— Todd [41:22]
8. Inviting Spouses into Decision-Making
[45:25]
- Todd emphasizes routinely seeking his wife’s counsel on big decisions, recounting a failed business investment where the wives sensed problems early.
- “God gave us a wife for a reason... To not involve her is foolish, dismissive, disrespectful.” (Todd, 47:16)
9. Brotherhood & Authentic Male Community
[51:03]
- No Man Is an Island: Drawing from his football experience, Todd highlights the necessity of having truth-tellers, encouragers, and accountability partners (“foxhole brothers”).
- Radical Honesty and Support: This community knows everything—their finances, flaws, and strengths—mutually pushing each other towards growth and correction.
10. The Realities of a Life of Faith
[55:44], [56:21]
- Adversity Isn’t Failure: Walking with God does not exempt men from hardship; in fact, challenge is inherent. "Walking with God... is the greatest adventure man can go on." (Todd, 56:28)
- Letting Go of Control: Attempting to build "impenetrable fortresses" for comfort only invites hardship that can’t be solved by human effort. Instead, trust in God to be the fortress.
11. When God Unravels "Your Plan"
[62:30], [63:47]
- Performance Traps & Identity: Todd recounts a critical period in young adulthood where God dismantled his performance-based identity (e.g., after missing a crucial college field goal).
- Ultimate Lesson: “Our identity needs to be rooted in something other than our performance. All those things will crumble. That’s a house of cards.” (Todd, 68:56)
12. Grace, Favor, and Life’s “Unfairness”
[73:38], [74:20]
- Undeserved Favor: Todd’s own NFL success, he says, was unequal and rooted not purely in merit, but divine favor - and this principle applies across life.
- God's Glory, Not Our Own: God is “jealous” in the sense that all glory belongs to Him; liberation is found in accepting that life is not about us, but about His purposes.
13. Solving the World's Biggest Problems
[77:36], [78:46]
- Work Together: True, lasting impact comes not from lone-wolf heroics, but collaborative, humble teamwork. He urges listeners to ask “Who else should be in this with us?”
- Unity Attracts Blessing: Biblical unity multiplies outcomes beyond addition, and God “commands a blessing where there’s unity.”
14. What Is God’s Plan for My Life?
[83:12], [83:50]
- Big Picture: Above all, God’s plan is for each person to know, honor, and glorify Him through loving relationships, obedient work, and surrender.
- Practical Steps to Clarity: Root yourself in scripture, seek counsel, and remain in authentic community to discern God’s unique will.
Closing Quote
"If you want to know God’s will for your life… read God’s word. Seek the counsel of godly, wise people. Be in authentic spiritual community. It starts being in the Word."
— Todd [86:05]
Notable Quotes & Timestamps
-
On Isolation and Accountability
“God didn’t create us to do life on our own… I think isolation is a big deal. I also think arrogance and pride and hubris are factors in all that.”
— Todd [04:41] -
On Dealing Thoroughly with Sin
“Sin will always take you further than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you were willing to pay.”
— Todd [15:17] -
On Grace and Daily Surrender
“The grace that saves through faith... is the grace I need today because I will screw up and I will fail.”
— Todd [18:55] -
On the Value of Scripture
“For a long time, I read a lot of stuff written by guys about God. I was convicted to read what God says more than what man says about God.”
— Todd [27:05] -
On Marriage and Reflection
“When I come around the corner, people ought to see Jesus… When [my wife] comes around the corner, you’re either going to know that I’m being a good husband or not. It’s real simple.”
— Todd [41:22]
Timestamps for Essential Segments
- 00:00 — Todd’s naval academy & early lessons on identity
- 04:35 — Why great men fall: isolation, pride, lack of accountability
- 12:24 — Escaping isolation: confession, community, trusted counsel
- 14:32 — The nature and consequences of unconfessed sin
- 19:29 — Surrendering daily and walking in the Spirit
- 24:13 — Todd’s practical morning routine & scripture habits
- 36:31 — The significance of marriage for men
- 45:25 — Why seeking your wife’s input matters
- 51:03 — The necessity of authentic male friendships
- 55:44 — Following Jesus is the greatest adventure, not the easiest path
- 62:30 — When God unravels your “plan”
- 73:38 — Wrestling with God’s favor and “unfairness"
- 77:36 — How to solve the world’s biggest problems: work together
- 83:50 — What is God’s plan for our lives?
Tone & Style
Throughout, Todd is honest, relatable, and encouraging. The conversation blends the tactical (how to build daily rhythms, confront sin, nurture marriage) with big-picture theological truths, all tethered to lived experience. Both Chris and Todd are direct, humorous at times, and deeply personal—offering not just “advice,” but hard-earned wisdom inviting men to deeper faith, greater humility, and real community.
Key Takeaways for Listeners
- Isolation, pride, and lack of accountability are primary reasons even “great” men stumble.
- Real change and healthy leadership come through confession, authentic relationships, and continual surrender.
- Marriage isn’t just a partnership—it’s central to a man’s spiritual growth and legacy, reflecting the gospel itself.
- Immersion in scripture, honest friendships, and humble unity multiply both personal and world-changing impact.
- God’s plan is about His glory, our humility, and living in relationship—not performance or achievement.