Send us a textOur most compelling, eye opening, thought provoking and controversial episodes of the year…2024 was another extraordinary year for the Strong By Design podcast filled with some truly powerful conversations. So, we simply looked at the most downloaded episodes of the year and compiled a Top Ten list for your enjoyment!While we don’t do a ‘Best Of’ episode every year on SBD, we felt 2024 deserved it and we hope you find this special New Year’s Day episode entertaining as it gives you a glimpse into what our show is all about covering all things Body, Mind and Spirit. This Top Ten list has some remarkable people speaking truth about God, thinking big, mindset training, finding true health, having a passion for fitness and much much more!Thank you very much for listening and following our show. We are grateful for you and hope that the Strong By Design experience is providing value in your life. 1. Ep 351 - Master Your Marriage  2. Ep 352 - Killing it in Health & Fitness 3. Ep 361 - Transgender and the Battle for Identity  4. Ep 344 - When did Jesus Leave the Government?5. Ep 348 - Falling Short: A Failed Pastor's Journey to Restoration  6. Ep 349 - Vote with Your Fork! Naturally Prevent Disease & Illness  7. Ep 343 - Breathing for Better Sleep  8. Ep 346 - Seeds of Hope - Sowing Life, Love and Laughter 9. Ep 350 - How's the Culture in Your Kingdom?10. Ep 353 - Release Your Diet Baggage with God's Grace   "We don't let them choose what food to eat. We don't let them choose whether or not they're going to go to school. But we're going to let them pick their gender?" — Pastor Daryl Black  Time Stamps00:00 - Welcome to the Strong By Design podcast!01:07 - Join host Chris Wilson for today’s exciting episode, where he introduces the Top 10 episodes of the year04:08 - Divine Institution: How Marriage mirrors the process of becoming a better spouse05:04 - Marriage Masterclass: The goal and mission of parents08:25 - Dan shares insights on how to learn from your failures09:24 - Billionaires vs Millionaires: What is the difference?12:05 - Pastor Daryl Black shares the TV effect and how transgender representation shapes society15:43 - The Guiding Principles: Why we should read and follow practitioners21:20 - Discover the two main passages of Spiritual Leadership with Pastor Anthony McDaniel24:30- Jeff shares the two highest callings in life28:22- Correcting the misconception and understanding of what is love and discipline31:39 - Nutrition is Key: How did Jennifer get started in fitness and wellness35:13 - Zach highlights the significance of sleep35:58 - Find out why people's brains can't shut off38:58 - John shares insights on building a relationship with God and responding to His calling44:44 - Fixed mindset vs Growth mindset: Ways to keep mentally fit46:52 - Dan discusses what it takes to be a great leader51:11 - Why do we need God's grace in our eating54:13  - How to align body image with God's word57:12 - Brandice shares that 'God is the weight loss plan'1:01:12 - Please share, and leave ratings & reviews for the SBD podcast!Support the showConnect w/ CriticalBench: Youtube Facebook Instagram CriticalBench.com StrongByDesignPodcast.com

Send us a textWe are not meant to live a life of solitude but of community.Most of us long for connection with others. To be included, to be part of something bigger than ourselves. And there is no time of the year where this feeling of togetherness and relationship is stronger than Christmas time.As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, hosts Jared Haley and Chris Wilson have a conversation about the importance of finding your people in life.The two greatest commandments in the bible, to love God and to love others. Both require community.Remember, Jesus is not just the reason for the season, Jesus is the reason period. It is only through Jesus that we are able to enter into a space of eternal acceptance and community. It is only through Jesus we can uphold the most important commandments.  Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” - Genesis 1:26  The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Genesis 2:18And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. - Revelation 21:3  "The reality is that we need people and connection, even if it's just with a few."    — Jared Haley  Time Stamps00:37 - Welcome to the Strong By Design podcast! 01:00 - Join Hosts Chris Wilson and Jared Haley for today’s exciting Christmas special episode 03:24 - Why community matters and its true importance 10:12 - How single and married folks connect differently 13:54 - Unwrapping the true meaning of Christmas 21:21 - The power of getting kids into the Bible 27:52 - How to courageously stand for Jesus in public 31:42 - How to show that we are strong by design 39:07 - From gangster to grace: A life changed by a small group 43:30 - What is the missing piece in life's puzzle? 45:30 - What is the true meaning behind the season? 47:03 - Please share, and leave ratings & reviews for the SBD podcast!Support the showConnect w/ CriticalBench: Youtube Facebook Instagram CriticalBench.com StrongByDesignPodcast.com

Send us a textAs the global population ages, brain health is becoming a critical focus.What we must all realize is the role that exercise plays in our ability to maintain and improve cognitive function as we age. Our ability to move and play might just be the number one factor in slowing down the brain’s age.The latest research continues to show that various exercise strategies positively impact brain health and overall cognitive function.Today on Strong By Design, we welcome Dr. Cody Sipe from the Functional Aging Institute (FAI). Cody is the co-founder of FAI along with Dan Ritchie. Their mission is to educate health and fitness professionals about the aging population and how exercise is key in the longevity of their client base. FAI, established in 2013, also provides these health experts with an online platform and live events for continuous learning and growth opportunities.Host of this week’s episode is coach Chris Wilson, who is very familiar with FAI, having both a Brain Health Trainer and Mastering Movement Disorders certification through FAI. Discover how to unlock your brain’s full power by enhancing cognitive function through exercise!Cody Sipe has an extensive background in the fitness industry with 20 years of experience as a personal trainer, fitness instructor, program director, exercise physiologist and club owner. He is currently an Associate Professor and Director of Clinical Research in the physical therapy program at Harding University.  “More and more people are realizing how important power training for older adults is.” -Dr. Cody Sipe  Time Stamps00:47 - Welcome to the Strong By Design podcast! 01:10 - Meet today’s special guest, Dr. Cody Sipe co-founder of Functional Aging Institute (FAI) 04:31 - Discover the factors that contribute to improving our cognitive function 08:09 - Dr. Cody shares the story of how FAI was founded 10:12 - Discussing the significant impact you can have on a person's life and well-being 17:30 - Strategies for attracting people with strong expertise 20:16 - What is power training? 24:54 - Why is it crucial to build healthy exercise habits early in life 31:58 - Physical job vs Desk job: Which one wins? 35:48 - Dr. Cody highlights success stories from his program 38:17 - What challenges does physical therapy face with older adults 40:00 - Why should we treat exercise like kids do as we age 44:20 - How to combine technology with brain and body training 48:23 - Older adults’ greatest fear revealed 51:26 - Follow Dr. Cody to learn more about his work and FAI 52:31 - Please share and leave ratings & reviews for the SBD podcast Resources:·         FunctionalAgingInstitute.com Connect with Dr. Cody:·         Instagram·         Facebook·         YouTubeSupport the showConnect w/ CriticalBench: Youtube Facebook Instagram CriticalBench.com StrongByDesignPodcast.com

Send us a textMr. Super Human Life himself is back at the Critical Bench Compound!We welcome back our old friend Frank Rich to the Strong By Design podcast for his 4th time behind the mic.In the past few years since his last visit, Frank has grown his platform Rebuilt Recovery which continues to help men struggling with their porn addiction. Today we discuss how the gut plays a huge role in our brain function, mental clarity and decision making when it comes to pornography.Frank also talks about how our nervous system is negatively affected by this impulse and some of the best natural ways we can begin to positively improve our overall health and lifestyle. Ultimately if you think porn isn’t a bad thing, are not sure ‘if’ you are addicted, or know ‘why’ porn is bad to begin with, you should go back and listen to Frank in The Truth About Porn - Part 1 and Part 2 – which are Episode 109 and Episode 213 respectively.  "When you get healthier and clean up your gut, you think differently and see the world more efficiently. Not only will you see porn for what it really is, but you'll also see it as a damaging thing." — Frank Rich  Time Stamps00:33 - Welcome to the Strong By Design podcast! 00:57 - Meet today’s special guest, Frank Rich of ‘The Super Human Life’ podcast 04:00 - Frank’s podcast journey with us: How it all began 07:39 - Frank’s incredible transformation story 10:16 - Surfing for God: Discovering the Divine Desire Beneath Sexual Struggle 11:56 - Trials that shaped Frank’s mission to help others 15:28 - The hidden struggles and shortcomings of broken people 23:06 - How gut health connects to brain function and porn addiction 26:50 - Unlocking the healing power of fasting 35:10 - Does healing your gut change how you see porn? 40:58 - What role does the nervous system play in all this? 45:16 - Dive into the effects of ice baths 54:26 - Frank’s toughest challenge in helping others 58:08 - How to become the best version of yourself 01:07:12 - Addressing pornography and becoming a better parent 01:15:30 - Connect with Coach Frank Rich on social media and learn more about his work 01:17:43 - Please share and leave ratings & reviews for the SBD podcast  Resources:·         Rebuilt Recovery·         The Super Human Life Podcast Connect with Frank:·         Instagram·         Facebook·         YouTubeSupport the showConnect w/ CriticalBench: Youtube Facebook Instagram CriticalBench.com StrongByDesignPodcast.com

Send us a textIn this empowering episode, we sit down with Dr. Beth Westie – bestselling author of The Female Fat Solution and The Female Menopause Solution, creator of the 12 Week Female Hormone Solution Program, and host of The Female Health Solution Podcast. Dr. Beth has dedicated her career to revolutionizing women’s health by helping them understand and work with their bodies, rather than against them.Dr. Beth dives into her unique approach to health and wellness, focusing on eating for your hormone cycle. She explains how cycle syncing can lead to more effective, long-lasting results, whether your goal is weight loss, energy improvement, or overall wellness. Dr. Beth shares why traditional dieting doesn’t work for most women and offers powerful insights on aligning nutrition with hormonal phases to maximize health benefits.In this episode, you’ll learn how to embrace a sustainable, science-backed approach to wellness, customized for each phase of your cycle. Dr. Beth shares practical tips for understanding and working with hormonal shifts rather than resisting them. We discuss what foods can fuel specific parts of your cycle and how hormone-aligned eating can help you shed weight, increase energy, and reclaim your health – all without restrictive dieting.If you’re ready to ditch the one-size-fits-all approach and harness the natural rhythm of your body for real results, tune in to this must-listen conversation with Dr. Beth Westie! "Having that time to dedicate to yourself is what your system needs."  — Dr. Beth Westie Time Stamps00:50 - Welcome to the Strong By Design podcast! 1:14 - Meet today’s special guest, Dr. Beth Westie 02:55 - Hormone Cycle & Cycle Syncing: The key to unlocking your potential      05:42 - Cycle Syncing: Where do we start? 09:49 - Unlocking strategies to optimize your health 16:45 - Simple and empowering first steps for women 19:27 - Recognizing signs of change in your body 23:10 - Menopause: Not an end, but a new beginning 30:30 - Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Quick fixes vs. Long-term solutions 35:42 - Why menopause can begin sooner than you think 39:29 - Honoring your body through every stage 41:41 - Find Dr. Beth Westie on social media and learn more about her work 42:20 - Please share and leave ratings & reviews for the SBD podcast!Resources:·         DrBethWestie.com Connect with Dr Beth:·         Instagram·         Facebook·         TikTok·         YouTubeSupport the showConnect w/ CriticalBench: Youtube Facebook Instagram CriticalBench.com StrongByDesignPodcast.com

Send us a textGood food, good meat, good God, let’s eat!God is good, God is great, put that turkey on my plate!!Rub-A-Dub-Dub, Thanks for the Grub!Who doesn’t love a good ole Thanksgiving Day blessing!?It is a wonderful time of year to spend time with loved ones and to gather around the table to eat our favorite holiday meal.Thanksgiving Day is a special day for us to connect with friends and family members we do not see throughout the year. It is also the most traveled day of the holiday season which has its own frustrations and drawbacks.Today on Strong By Design, hosts Jared Haley and Chris Wilson recall their favorite Thanksgiving Day foods, most cherished Thanksgiving memories and what it means to live in gratitude, what matters most and to be truly thankful for our many blessings.Happy Thanksgiving everyone, we are SO GRATEFUL for you!  "We might not have everything that we think we want, but in reality, we actually do have everything." — Jared Haley  Time Stamps00:30 - Welcome to the Strong By Design podcast 00:54 - Join Hosts Chris Wilson and Jared Haley for today’s exciting special episode 02:28 - Discover the Thanksgiving table essentials you simply can't miss 09:35 - The Thanksgiving favorite that Chris and Jared avoid! 15:23 - The most memorable highlights of Thanksgiving 21:00 - Thanksgiving: What’s the first thing that comes to mind? 24:46 - Why practicing gratitude changes everything 28:18 - Rewards vs. Responsibility: Are you avoiding the hard part? 31:15 - The power of praising Jesus in times of suffering 34:20 - How to live your life to the fullest 40:46 - Chris' challenge to listeners this Thanksgiving 42:37 - Please share, and leave ratings & reviews for the SBD podcastSupport the showConnect w/ CriticalBench: Youtube Facebook Instagram CriticalBench.com StrongByDesignPodcast.com

Send us a textAfter two and a half years, our friend, host and fitness phenom Jo Ann Miller is back!In early 2022, Jo was a regular guest and host on the podcast for several months but after a series of life changing events, she unfortunately had to step away from the SBD show.If you believe in miracles or are in need of hearing one, strap in and get ready for the one and only Jo ‘Animal’ Miller as she and her superman husband Matt open up about the birth of their daughter, her scary diagnosis, her healing process and how she has learned to finally love herself.The old saying, ‘God certainly broke the mold after He made Jo’ seems especially appropriate for this amazing human being. She is truly one of a kind!  "I'm going to heal you of cancer, but even more than that, I'm going to heal you of the lack of love you show for yourself." — Jo Miller  Time Stamps00:58 - Welcome to the Strong By Design podcast!01:22 - Meet today’s special guests, Matt and Jo 'Animal' Miller05:33 - Where has Jo been over the past 2.5 years?08:56 - Jo's shocking discovery: Finding light in the midst of darkness14:01 - What her cancer treatment was like16:36 - Matt discusses life with a newborn and his wife’s health revelations22:37 - Jo reveals her ultimate health secret28:14 - Jo, Matt, and Chris discuss life with their kids33:18 - How to build Self-Love and Self-Compassion43:42 - Can love truly heal wounds faster?46:13 - Love, Medicine and Miracles51:26 - How you can grow your capacity for love55:13 - A look back at Jo’s appearances on the SBD podcast56:39 - A peek into Jo’s weekly fitness schedule59:21 - Understanding Qigong and its benefits1:01:56 - Jo shares her healing puzzle and life’s non-negotiables1:09:17 - Follow Jo and Matt’s journey on social media1:14:38 - Please share and leave ratings & reviews for the SBD podcast Resources:·       BelieveBig.orgSupport the showConnect w/ CriticalBench: Youtube Facebook Instagram CriticalBench.com StrongByDesignPodcast.com

Send us a textHe is a 3x All-American Georgia Bulldog, Lombardi and Bednarik Award recipient, former first-round pick by the Cincinnati Bengals, was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame and featured on ESPN’s College GameDay as a football analyst for 13 years…Yeah, I would say that qualifies our guest as a ‘football great.’ But what makes him truly great has more to do with his heart for God and people.Today’s special guest on SBD is David Pollack, husband, father, and Kingdom man.David is using his gift of speaking and passion for his Christian faith to go beyond the football field and into the home, helping parents teach their children life’s most important values through sports.Partnering up with Brave, his new children's book, The Won’t Quit Kid, is designed to help kids understand the value of perseverance, teamwork, and hard work.  "There's so many lessons that I learned that God showed me through my journey... Not the way I wanted to end, but (I'm) very thankful." — David Pollack Time Stamps01:00 - Welcome to the Strong By Design podcast!01:26 - Meet today’s special guest, David Pollack: 3x All-American, former NFL first-round pick, College football Hall of Famer, author, and former ESPN College GameDay Analyst04:00 - David reveals the roots of his passion for coaching and sports09:42 - Was David good at football in high school?14:31 - Redefining goals: Path to creating a new purpose19:27 - Unforgettable GameDay moments highlighted23:47 - What inspires David's speaking engagements with parents and coaches28:15 - Why modeling failure and our response is crucial for kids 32:20 - Introducing the 'Won't Quit Kid' Brave book and its inspiring message39:23 - What is the Family Goals Podcast all about?42:49 - The Pollack Family Foundation: Origins and Mission48:35 - Support David: the Pollack Family Foundation & The Won’t Quit Kid  50:13 - Please share and leave ratings & reviews for the SBD podcast   Resources:·         DavidPollack.com·         The Won’t Quit Kid [BRAVE BOOKS]·         The Pollack Family Foundation·         Family Goals Podcast Connect with David:·         InstagramSupport the showConnect w/ CriticalBench: Youtube Facebook Instagram CriticalBench.com StrongByDesignPodcast.com

Send us a textThe 2024 Presidential Election is here…And it ‘feels’ as if our country is as divided as ever between our two candidates, former President, Donald J. Trump (R) and current Vice President, Kamala Harris (D).Much of the news coverage and social media posts are largely ‘Anti’ one candidate over another rather than each side promoting what they stand for and why we should consider giving them our vote.Today, four members of the Critical Bench team discuss the political climate we are living in. A huge thank you to Tim Nixon, Samantha Harrison, and David Sautter for participating.One thing we MUST remember as our friend Dr. Frank Turek says routinely on his podcast, Cross Examined: ‘We are not voting in one person to office. We are voting for a platform and policies. Our vote brings in an administration of 5,000 people to influence change in our country.’  We must also remember that both candidates are flawed, broken people and we need to look beyond their character issues, which they both have many, to see what they stand for and how will they influence law, policy, and the American way of life for the next 4 years.Your vote matters!  "Whoever wins needs to have a diversification of thought, constituents and people voting for them.” -Tim Nixon  Time Stamps00:51 - Welcome to the Strong By Design podcast! 01:15 - Join us today as the Critical Bench Team hosts a special episode 04:04 - What would our forefathers think of us today? 08:25 - The CB team shares thoughts on the two-party system 19:54 - Are political views driving us apart? 27:45 - How do social media and the media shape our votes? 34:45 - How to remain united with different political views 39:19 - Sam shares powerful lessons from Adam Grant’s book 42:22 - Popular Vote vs. Electoral College: What’s the difference? 46:00 - Voting with due diligence: What you need to know 52:50 - Life's priorities: What really matters? 1:00:09 - What’s the real definition of tolerance? 1:05:50 - Please share and leave ratings & reviews for the SBD podcast Resources:·       The Constitution of the United States of AmericaSupport the showConnect w/ CriticalBench: Youtube Facebook Instagram CriticalBench.com StrongByDesignPodcast.com

Send us a textJack-O-Lanterns, ghosts, goblins, skulls, spiders, cobwebs and horror movies remind most of us of Halloween along with fun costumes, bags of candy and spooky scary decorations.But what are we really celebrating?While many of us ‘celebrate’ and observe this holiday annually by dressing up in costumes, carving pumpkins, decorating our houses, and handing out candy to kids in our neighborhoods, most of us don’t reflect very much on what exactly we are honoring.We are in fact just going with the flow of culture.On today’s episode, members of the Critical Bench team discuss the dilemma of Christians celebrating a day with convoluted spiritual significance, death, and darkness. Does this day go against the teachings of the Bible or the Words of Jesus or is the American celebration of Halloween just about having some fun, wearing costumes, and eating some candy?  "Death and darkness are encapsulated around this holiday, and it made me step back." — Cairistiona Haley  Time Stamps00:44 - Welcome to the Strong By Design podcast!01:07 - Join us today as the Critical Bench Team hosts a special episode02:47 - First thoughts on Halloween11:24 - Halloween origins: What are we really celebrating?17:38 - Coach Chris reveals his upcoming Halloween costume!20:03 - Halloween’s meaning for Cairistiona, Jared, and Steve29:00 - Halloween 101: What are you supposed to do?38:25 - What it really means to grow up45:00 - A new perspective on Halloween50:00 - Seeing things the way Jesus did56:58 - Please share and leave ratings & reviews for the SBD podcast  Resources:·         Billy Graham Evangelistic Association – Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?·         Focus on the Family – Should Christians Celebrate Halloween? Support the showConnect w/ CriticalBench: Youtube Facebook Instagram CriticalBench.com StrongByDesignPodcast.com