260. Laugh With Us, Cry With Us, And Celebrate 2025

Happy New Year!

In this special recap episode, Cory and Channock kick off 2026 by looking back on a wild, emotional, growth-filled 2025. We celebrate wins, share honest behind-the-scenes moments, talk about what we’re carrying into the new year, and name what we’re wrestling with as leaders, husbands, dads, and pastors.

From podcast milestones (downloads, top episodes, consistency) to personal wins (books, ministry moments, RELife homes, and the launch of Zoay Intensive), this episode is a reminder that showing up matters — and that hope is still on the table.

✅ Like / Subscribe / Share (especially to start the year)
⭐ Leave a review if the podcast has helped you
💬 Comment below: What’s one win from your 2025 — and what are you hoping for in 2026?

00:08 - Welcome Back + Happy New Year (2026)
00:32 - Matching Sweatshirts + Shoutout to Lakata
00:59 - Why This Yearly Recap Is Happening Now
01:32 - Thank You to Listeners + Start of Year Six
01:54 - Share the Episode to Kick Off the Year
02:19 - Cory’s “Verse for the Year” + The 26 Life (1 John 2:6)
04:19 - Laugh/Cry/Celebrate: The Heart of the Recap Episode
05:01 - Biggest Win: Consistency (Showing Up Every Week)
06:18 - The “Sustaining” Season of Life
06:49 - Podcast Wins: Downloads, Growth, and 100K Milestone
08:07 - Most-Listened Series: “Let’s Talk About Hell” + Shane Willard
08:52 - Cory’s 2025 Personal Wins (Books, eBooks, Sacred Undoing, Zoay Intensive)
10:55 - Channock’s 2025 Wins (20 Years, Book Release, RELife Progress)
14:01 - Family & Life Wins (Kids, Relationships, Soccer Success)
15:41 - Supporting RELife: Housing Initiative for Single Moms
16:36 - Favorite Podcast Episode of 2025 (Channock)
17:13 - Cory’s Favorite Episode: “The Avocado Miracle”
18:25 - Favorite Hill City Sermon/Series of 2025
20:48 - Big Question: What Are You Wrestling With Entering 2026?
21:09 - Channock: Leadership Growth, Uncertainty, and Rest
23:24 - Cory: Taking Time Before Goals + Releasing “Quit” Language
24:00 - Cory Opens Up: The Hardest Three Months + Choosing Joy
26:50 - Closing: Share, Review, and You’re Loved (Outro Music)