BraveCo Podcast

I’ll never forget the first time I heard Nate Larkin’s story. His honesty, his pain, and his redemption hit me in a way that few testimonies ever have. As men, so many of us live with secret battles—porn, addiction, shame—that we think we can fight alone. But Nate’s story proves that isolation only leads to destruction, while brotherhood and authenticity lead to freedom.In this week’s BraveCo Podcast, I sit down with Nate Larkin, founder of the Samson Society and author of Samson and the Pirate Monks. Nate opens up about his hidden struggle with pornography and sex addiction, the devastating impact it had on his marriage, ministry, and faith, and the powerful way God restored his life. This isn’t just theory—it’s lived experience, raw and unfiltered.If you’re a man wrestling with addiction, shame, or feeling like you can’t measure up, this episode is for you. Nate’s story will challenge you, encourage you, and show you that freedom is possible—but only when we stop hiding and start walking in brotherhood. Don’t miss this conversation.Timestamps:00:00 – Why masculinity is under attack today01:22 – Meet Nate Larkin: From ministry to addiction04:02 – The first encounter with pornography06:31 – Marriage, ministry, and the hidden battle10:29 – Planting a church while struggling in secret12:15 – The moment Nate hit rock bottom13:17 – The words from his wife that saved his life15:23 – Rebuilding trust in marriage after betrayal20:07 – Understanding addiction, trauma, and shame26:02 – Why recovery only happens in brotherhoodABOUT BRAVECOWe live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

When I hit 290 pounds and 33% body fat, I knew something had to change. I was stressed, overworked, and living in a constant state of anxiety. My health was failing, I’d just had my gallbladder removed, and the reality hit me — if I didn’t make a shift now, my future would be full of medication, surgeries, and limitations. But instead of diving into a brutal all-or-nothing plan that would burn me out, I decided to start small. Really small.I committed to just one workout a week and tracking 2,500 calories a day, eating whatever I wanted as long as I stayed within that limit. Slowly, I built momentum. One day became two, then three. I stopped obsessing over the scale and started focusing on body fat percentage, strength, and how I felt. This wasn’t about punishing myself — it was about being kind to myself and building habits I could actually sustain.Over the next year, I lost 65 pounds, cut my body fat in half, and gained more confidence and mental health than I’d ever had before. In this episode, we dive into the mindset shifts, the practical strategies, and the identity changes that made it possible. If you’ve been stuck in the cycle of starting strong and burning out, this conversation is your roadmap to long-term change.Chapters:00:00 - Why Most Men Fail to Step Into Their Calling  02:00 - Meet Ahab: From Overweight & Stressed to Fit & Focused  03:16 - The Simplest Definition of Addiction  04:50 - Ahab’s Breaking Point & Health Scare  07:42 - The First Small Steps Toward Change  10:38 - Avoiding the All-or-Nothing Trap  14:46 - The Science of Stress & Cortisol  18:33 - Why Shame Doesn’t Work for Long-Term Change  22:44 - Learning to Stop Punishing Yourself  27:04 - Setting Realistic Goals & Tracking the Right Metrics  ABOUT BRAVECOWe live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

12 week : P*rn Recovery // Online Small Group, Starting late August Lead by Aaron Zint w/ 10+ years of experience walking men into Wholeness Sign up here: https://pillar.io/thezints/checkout/002cb6d0-5d07-11f0-a37f-93965abef48bIn this Episode Part 2 of our addiction series, Aaron Zint and I dive deep into the inner workings of addiction: not just the behavior, but the brain wiring behind it. Together we unpack dopamine, shame, neuroplasticity, and how porn becomes a super-normal stimulus that rewires a man’s reward system.I speak from experience: I’ve walked this road. In sharing my own story of relapse and recovery, I walk you through the addictive cycle—from preoccupation and ritualization to despair and false resolution. You’ll gain tools on building self-awareness, identifying triggers, disrupting the ritual before it hits, and avoiding shame-driven shame spirals. I’ll show you how I used journaling, alarms, emotional vocabulary, and accountability with friends to break free.Finally, I guide you into rebuilding a healthy ecosystem: daily rhythms, purposeful goals, deep connection, and sustainable fulfillment that doesn’t rely on fleeting highs. This episode isn’t about quick fixes or shame-heavy guilt-trips—it’s about understanding what’s going on inside your brain, owning your emotional world, restoring relationship, and crafting a life that doesn’t depend on addictive stimuli. Stay brave.Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction: Why Masculinity Feels Shamed Today  00:27 – Why We’re Doing Part 2: Addiction Is the Solution to Pain  01:36 – The Addiction Beast: How Common It Is for Men  03:07 – Addiction and the Brain: Neuroplasticity & Wiring  05:02 – P*rn as a Super‑Normal Stimulus: How It Spikes Dopamine  11:01 – The Cool‑down Effect: Numbness, ED & Boredom  19:28 – Addiction Cycle Explained: Preoccupation, Ritual, Despair  21:05 – My Personal Ritual: From Benign Scrolling to Relapse  28:45 – Growing Self‑Awareness: How to Build the Muscle  37:52 – Building a New Ecosystem: Daily Rhythm, Connection & Purpose  ABOUT BRAVECOWe live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

12 week : P*rn Recovery // Online Small Group, Starting late August Lead by Aaron Zint w/ 10+ years of experience walking men into Wholeness Sign up here: https://pillar.io/thezints/checkout/002cb6d0-5d07-11f0-a37f-93965abef48bI’m Jason Vallotton, and in this second episode of our Brave Co addiction series, I dive deep with my friend Aaron Zint—one of the most resilient men I’ve ever known. We trace his journey from childhood s*xual trauma and early exposure to p*rnography, all the way through marriage, relapse, and ultimately, healing. Together, we unpack how addictive patterns form not out of weakness or sin, but out of unresolved pain, disconnection, and a lack of agency.Aaron shares how addiction became his “solution” when life’s weight exceeded his capacity to carry it. We talk vulnerability, passivity, and the hard work it takes to confront the pain beneath the behavior. You’ll hear how learning to take responsibility, to embrace uncomfortable conversations, and to connect deeply with a community transformed his life—and continues to guide hundreds of men through recovery.This isn’t a quick‑fix approach. Instead, it’s about lasting transformation: addressing shame, building inner structure, and living within intentional, accountable relationships. Whether you’re dealing with p*rnography, alcohol, or another addiction, this episode gives clear tools to identify your real obstacles—and begin building capacity, connection, and courage.Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction & Free Brave Co Courses  02:00 – Why This Series Matters (Addiction Series Overview)  05:00 – What Addiction Really Is: Point A to Point B  06:45 – Aaron’s Early Exposure: Abuse & Childhood P*rn  09:00 – Signs You’re Addicted Even When You Don’t Feel “Addicted”  11:10 – A Spiritual Turning Point & Temporary Sobriety  13:00 – How Passivity Leads to Powerlessness and Addiction  16:00 – P*rn Is Not the Problem—it’s How We Cope  18:30 – Building Capacity with Courage, Connection & Community  23:00 – Invitation to “Numb to Known” 12‑Week Group Starting Aug 2025  ABOUT BRAVECOWe live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

I’ve spent my life as a pastor and counselor, helping men find strength, clarity, and purpose. In this episode, I kick off a game-changing series focused on addiction—whether it’s alcohol, porn, overeating, or prescription meds. I get raw about my own 14-year struggle with masturbation, porn, and medications like clonazepam—and how I learned that real freedom isn’t about willpower, it’s about rewiring our lives around connection.We dive into pivotal research, like the Rat Park experiment, which shows addiction thrives in isolation—not substance. When rats are connected and nurtured, addiction evaporates. That truth hits hard because most of us men were raised without proper emotional connection. We were wired for chaos, trauma, and triggers—so we medicate. But medication without connection falls short.I unpack the 4 pillars of deep relationship—courage, authenticity, compassion, vulnerability—borrowing from Brené Brown and my own journey. These aren’t personality traits, they’re strategies. A life rebuilt on these principles isn’t just free from addiction—it’s alive, present, wired for purpose. Stick around—I’ll show how to reclaim your story, feel worthy of love, and build bonds that empower real healing.00:00 - Intro & Purpose: Why this addiction series matters00:35 - Personal Stakes: My lifelong struggle with addiction01:59 - My Story: From masturbation and porn to medication dependency04:14 - Defining Addiction: “Giving up what you want for what you don’t want”06:12 - Signs We Are All Addicts: Driven, desperate, but often unaware07:36 - Addiction is a Symptom: Trading one compulsion for another09:36 - Rat Park Experiment: Community vs. isolation12:07 - The Real Opposite of Addiction: Connection over sobriety15:07 - Childhood Wiring: Why we feel unsafe, unseen, unheard22:04 - Two Essential Connections: Deep bonds and tribe belonging25:21 - The 4 Pillars of Connection39:05 - The Path to Crushing AddictionABOUT BRAVECOWe live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

Dive into the dynamics of marriage where becoming an emotional anchor is key. Discover why emotional safety is often the missing link in relationships. Explore how men can foster deeper connections and effective conflict management to avoid chaos. Learn about the traps of modern masculinity and the importance of leadership in the home. This enlightening discussion encourages men to lead with courage and compassion, shifting the focus from fleeting successes to creating a stable, loving environment.

In this powerful episode of the BraveCo Podcast, Jason Vallotton sits down with his father, Kris Vallotton, to discuss what it really takes to prepare sons for marriage and build strong, lasting relationships. The conversation explores how most men enter marriage unprepared, largely because they were never taught key values like covenant, ownership, emotional responsibility, and flexibility.Kris shares profound insights into the difference between cohabitation and covenant marriage, explaining how true commitment is rooted in sacrificial love and lifelong dedication. They emphasize the importance of teaching young men emotional regulation, spiritual leadership, and practical habits—long before they enter a romantic relationship.The episode also dives into the role of a woman as a “catalyst” in a man’s life, and why many men will never fully step into their purpose without that relational sharpening. They unpack the danger of coddling kids, the necessity of emotional flexibility in marriage, and how confidence is built through consistent ownership and challenge—not comfort.Jason and Kris weave together stories from their lives, including powerful examples of parenting, failure, resilience, and the redemptive grace of God. Whether you're a young man preparing for marriage, a father raising sons, or a man trying to rebuild after a breakdown, this episode offers deep wisdom, practical guidance, and raw encouragement to grow into the man God designed you to be.Chapters:00:00 – Do You Have a Plan to Become the Man God Called You to Be?  01:24 – Why We’re Failing to Prepare Our Sons for Marriage  04:54 – The Power of Intentional Fatherhood: Raising Sons Into Men  06:02 – Marriage Is a Covenant, Not a Contract  09:10 – What Every Man Must Know Before He Marries  12:36 – Teaching Emotional Safety and Responsibility in the Home  15:21 – You’re Not Supposed to Be Complete Before Marriage  18:00 – How a Wife Catalyzes a Man’s Purpose  24:54 – Real Manhood Is Built Through Pain, Ownership, and Grit  33:48 – The Secret to Strong Marriages: Emotional Flexibility and Covenant Leadership ABOUT BRAVECOWe live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

This week on the Brave Co Podcast, I’m joined by one of my dearest friends, Ben Armstrong to dive deep into what it really means to own your mess. Ben was deep in full-time ministry when he disconnected from his wife, and in that void, made one of the gravest mistakes of his life. He walked away with an affair that could have destroyed everything—his marriage, his kids, his ministry, and his identity.But in admitting the truth and choosing to live in the light, Ben began the toughest journey of his life. Together, they navigated confrontation, shame, weekly counseling, rebuilding trust with their kids, and transparency with their community. Ben’s radical ownership—not excuses—became the foundation for a transformed marriage, and a renewed sense of masculinity grounded in strength, accountability, and faith.In this episode, we unpack how to own your mess, when to bring others into the healing process, how to navigate the shame cycle, and how real healing happens one consistent step at a time. Whether you’re looking for preventative tools or healing after a betrayal, this is your guide. Press play and lean in—it’s time to become the man your family deserves.Chapters:00:00 - Introducing the Brave Co marriage series with Ben & Heather  01:06 - Ben shares the messy truth behind disconnection  04:06 - How a hidden emotional affair turned physical  05:00 - The moment of conviction: living in the light vs. darkness  06:14 - Heather’s reaction: ring thrown, love still present  08:00 - Facing the aftermath: “I thought this was it”  11:11 - The pivotal request: “Give it three months”  14:04 - a son’s devastation: “I feel like I don’t have a dad”  18:09 - Owning the mess with church leadership  24:06 - The long haul: building trust through discipline  30:06 - Breaking shame: owning your story without guilt  35:06 - The healing tool: validating pain without defensiveness  42:03 - Olympic-level communication: practicing curiosity  ABOUT BRAVECOWe live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.

In this discussion, Danny Silk, a spiritual father and expert in marriage and communication, dives into the critical concept of emotional safety. He shares insights on why many men fear emotional vulnerability more than physical danger, emphasizing that true power comes from self-control rather than trying to control partners. Danny advocates for honest emotional expression as a path to deeper connections, showcasing that effective dialogue can transform conflict into growth opportunities. His practical strategies aim to cultivate trust and mutual understanding in relationships.

In this episode of the BraveCo Podcast, I sit down with my favorite guest — my wife, Lauren, to dive deep into emotional connection in marriage. We’ve spent years leading marriage intensives, learning through trial and error what it really means to build a relationship that lasts. This week’s conversation is all about the “emotional bank account” — what it is, how it works, and why it’s the foundation of a thriving marriage.We talk about what it looks like to turn toward one another on a daily basis — not just when it’s convenient or easy, but especially when you don’t feel like it. From creating healthy routines to responding to emotional bids, we unpack practical strategies you can use right now to strengthen your relationship. Whether you're newly married or deep into the trenches of family life, this episode offers timeless tools for connection.Our hope is that you don’t just survive your marriage—you thrive in it. It doesn’t take massive changes; it takes daily intention. So, whether you’re listening alone or with your spouse, we challenge you this week: Set an alarm, make that small deposit, and choose to turn toward each other. You’ll be surprised how quickly those little actions add up.Chapters:00:00 - Why Most Men Feel Lost in Marriage Today00:34 - Meet My Favorite Guest: My Wife Lauren Valatin02:01 - What Is an Emotional Bank Account?04:08 - How Disconnection Makes Marriage Feel Brittle06:43 - Investing Emotionally: It’s Free but Costly if Ignored12:09 - Why Small Daily Acts Create a Strong Marriage14:22 - Turning Toward Each Other: What It Really Looks Like21:09 - The Power of Alarms and Daily Emotional Deposits23:12 - Understanding Bids for Connection and How to Respond36:12 - Why Predictable Routines Build Secure RelationshipsABOUT BRAVECOWe live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.