The Built Different Podcast with Dr. Zach Clinton

Can you believe it’s already Christmas?? What a magical time of the year! The lights, trees, decorations, Santa, but most importantly the true reason for the season which is a time of reflection and celebration for the Lord sending His One and Only Son Jesus to this world. You see, on that day, over 2,000 years ago, Hope, entered the world, because Hope has a name and His name is Jesus! But we are not naive enough to understand that there can be moments in our lives that distract and discourage us from pressing into that Hope. Let’s be honest, there are some days that just seem darker than others. Life can be flat out painful when the wheels are falling off the bus, and things just aren’t the way they’re supposed to be. But it’s in those moments that Hope is needed more than ever! Thankfully, our Built Different Guest today who will be celebrating our 100th episode with us here at the Built Different Podcast is the one and only, Annie F. Downs!!! For those that may not know Annie, she is a best-selling author, nationally known speaker, and the host of the awesome “That Sounds Fun” podcast. Annie, comes with a powerful word reminding us that God never wastes our pain and how even in our darkest moments in life we can cling to the promise that Light is Coming! Listen Now, and enjoy an incredible episode with Annie! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

A word that often comes to mind during this Christmas and Advent season is worship. But what does it truly mean to worship God? Worship in its purest form has simply been described as reverence and adoration for the Lord. One can actually be going through one of the most difficult times or seasons of their life, but still, come to God in reverence and adoration for WHO He is. Therefore, the worship we ought to bring should not be dependent on whether or not we’ve had a bad day or a bad life journey thus far. We are called to come to Him as we are, in our brokenness – with our “broken hallelujahs”. Joining us today to take a deeper dive into how we can experience the presence of God through the power of worship is one of the most well-known and renowned musicians and worship leaders of our day, Mack Brock! Mack has written and sang countless number 1 songs that so many of us play over the loud speakers of our cars and sing during Church! But today Mack discusses with us how worship has carried him through some of the most difficult times and seasons of his own personal life. Yes, worship is more than just a song. Our prayer is that that no matter what you may be going through, that after listening to this episode you would begin developing a heart postered toward worship today and throughout this holiday season. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

It’s Christmas time! The most wonderful time of the year, but often we can get lost in the hustle and bustle of the season. We often get lost int he hosting, buying, gifts that come with the holidays. Advent is a time for God’s people to slow down, rest, reset, and prepare our hearts for what God has instore for us this Christmas season and into the new year. On this episode we talk about the importance of preparing our hearts and minds and celebrate the true meaning of the season, Jesus.  Joining us on this week’s episode is Ruth Chou Simons. She is a Wall Street Journal bestselling and award-winning author of several books, including GraceLaced, Beholding and Becoming, and When Strivings Cease, and Emmanuel. She is an artist, entrepreneur, and speaker, using each of these platforms to spiritually sow the Word of God into people’s hearts. Through her online shoppe at GraceLaced.com and her social media community, Simons shares her journey of God’s grace intersecting daily life with word and art. Ruth and her husband, Troy, are grateful parents to six boys—their greatest adventure. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

We all know the feeling of being unsatisfied. Instead of wrestling with the tension of feeling unsatisfied, we often settle and don’t move forward to experience the “abundantly more” life that God invites us to live with Him. Often, the tension of feeling unsatisfied can be God’s invitation for you to experience more with Him and within your community. What’s beautiful about the abundantly more life is that it can equally be found in the seasons of sorrow and the seasons of joy and that’s exactly what we discuss this week. Joining us on the podcast this week is Nikki Dutton. Nikki is a speaker, writer, and host of the More with Nikki Dutton podcast. Her purpose is to help others find more in their faith, relationships, home, and every day life. She’s married to her husband, Scott, and together they share life with their pets — Scout and Trooper. Nikki also works with A21 which exists to abolish slavery everywhere, forever. Her specific role is building relationships and facilitating partnerships. We dive into Nikki’s story and how she began experiencing the abundantly more in her walk with Jesus and how she now encourages others to do the same.  Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Life isn’t easy. We all know that. And to be honest with you, praise doesn’t always come out naturally when it feels like everything in your life is working against you and the wheels are coming off your bus. However, I’ve heard it said that the greatest gift you can give the Lord, others, and yourself is that of thanksgiving. Why? Because when we focus on gratitude, the tide of disappointment washes away and the tide of love rushes in. Joining us on the podcast today to share a little about his testimony and how the act of gratitude has transformed his life is Coach Adam Donyes. Adam is a man who has impacted countless lives as he serves in many different roles including: the K-Equip Director at K-2 (Kanakuk Kamps) and also directing Kanakuk’s Worldview Kamp; serving on the teaching team at Woodland Hills Family Church; Founder and President of Link Academy in Branson, MO which exists to provide students with a year of purpose for a lifetime of pursuit as their goal is to empower future leaders to impact the world for Christ; and so much more! What I love about Adam is his humility and the grateful heart that he possesses. He truly has a hunger and desire to know God and to make God’s name known! Our prayer is that after listening to today’s episode you would leave feeling more equipped and encouraged to live a life of gratitude and develop a grateful heart no matter your circumstance. Remember, even if God doesn’t do anything else, because of what He did by sending His One and Only Son to die, be buried, and rise again 3 days later for you and me, He has already done enough! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Have you ever asked yourself the question, “What’s my purpose?” or maybe even “Do I have a purpose?” So many people desparately seek answers to those very common questions. But to the person listening who has maybe asked those questions, I have a good news for you, because in and throughout today’s episode, our Built Different Guest takes us on a journey as to how we can find, identify, and develop the purpose that God has called us to. Joining us today on the podcast is world renowned life coach, best-selling author, positive psychology expert, motivational speaker, and founder of the Coaching and Positive Psychology Institue, Valorie Burton! Valorie has devoted her life to helping others become happier, healthier, and more resilient. Her goal is to help you close the gap between where you are and where you REALLY want to be. In doing so, one of the first steps is identifying your purpose or calling in this life. Friedrich Nietzsche once said, “He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.” Thankfully, in today’s episode Valorie gives us very practical tools such as reshaping our perspective, practicing the act of gratitude, and reframing our self-talk or questions we may be asking ourselves. Ultimately, this episode will help remind you that when it comes to resilience and purpose, not only do you have these traits, but you also have the ability to build them! Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” My friends, let's identify your purpose today! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Have you ever felt frustrated or even discouraged in thinking that your story doesn’t matter? Well let me assure you of one thing, your story and testimony matter more than you could possibly ever know or imagine! And the good news is that there is nothing that you could possibly do that could separate you from the love of God! You’re not too far gone, you’re not too far down the wayward path, you haven’t made too many mistakes - you are always in His reach! Joining us today on the Built Different Podcast to share his story and to talk about the faithfulness of God, the author of all of our stories, is my dear friend and coworker, Garrett Hedrick! Garrett, like all of us has experienced great pain and adversity in and throughout his life, but thankfully due to his willingness to surrender his life over to Christ and through the power of relationships that God has intentionally placed along his path, he’s been able to find purpose in the midst of his pain. I’m reminded of Philippians 1:6 which reads “I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” My friends, you may be walking through a tough chapter of your life, but keep turning the page. The end hasn’t come until God says it’s done. Trust in the author! God’s not done writing your story! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

I’ve heard it said that, “If serving is below you, then leadership is beyond you.” Remember the words of Mark 10:45 which remind us that the greatest leader to ever walk the face of the earth, being Jesus, “did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Our Built Different Guest today is truly a man after God’s own heart who has a love and devotion for sacrificing his life for the service of others. General William Boykin is a true American Hero having accumulated one of the most decorated military careers spending 36 years in the army, 13 of which were spent in the Delta Force, and the last 4 years having served as the Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence. General Boykin truly has a heart for shaping strong leaders and warriors both on and off the battlefield. Yes, he’s been a part of and lead several high-profile missions such as the Iran Hostage Rescue attempt and even the Black Hawk Down incident in Mogadishu, Somalia, but this man has a heart for building champions for Christ. Spiritually speaking, we are in a fight every single day, but the question we must ask ourselves is, “How are we preparing or training for our trials?” In and throughout this episode I’m reminded of the words of John Maxwell which say, “True Leadership must be for the benefit of the followers, not the enrichment of the leader.” Don’t live this life chasing success as success will only leave a fingerprint on creation… Instead choose to live this life consistently pursuing significance which will leave a footprint on the soul. Just ask yourself every day, who have I served? Who have I encouraged? and who I have empowered today? Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap. Judge each day by the seeds you have planted. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Do you feel an immense pressure to preform at work, school, in relationships, or in sports? Katie Hollern, a newly emerging professional golfer who recently qualified for the LPGA tour, can empathize with these feelings of pressure, fear, and performance specficially in the realm of professional sports. Shifting from a collegiate lacrosse career to a professional golf career late in the game, Katie shares about how to alleviate pressure with gratitude, how to trust the “Spirit of Power” (Holy Spirit) that is within us, and how the Lord doesn’t “call the equipped, but equips the called”. Through her testimony, Katie encourages us today to choose the pain of failure instead of the pain of regret and reminds us that God loves to prove us right when we place our trust in Him. Let us be encouraged by this interview today and be reminded that God sees us exactly where we are at and he is ready and eager to do “immeasurably more than  Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

One of my favorite quotes out there reads, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” additionally, Galatians 6:9 reminds us to “not grow weary in doing what is right, for in due time, you will reap a harvest if you do not give up.” Both of these incredible reminders indicate the power and significance of one word: PERSEVERANCE. Joining us today on the Built Different Podcast to discuss how we can continually grow and develop a mindset to persevere is 2x Olympic medalist and renowned Life Coach, Dr. Mark Crear. Having endured a difficult childhood which included being a victim of physical and emotional abuse to using that pain and becoming the #1 110-meter hurdler in the world, Dr. Crear clearly understands perseverance and how to overcome some of life’s biggest hurdles. Our prayer is that you would be encouraged and motivated to stay the course consistently pursuing your best each and every day! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.