Pirate Monk Podcast

John Lynch, a Christian speaker, author, and ministry leader, shares his journey from performance-driven religion to grace. He recounts a harrowing bike adventure in Spain, discusses childhood abuse and the difference between guilt and shame, and explores what it means to be fully known, safely supported, and loved by God. The conversation also previews his upcoming Samson Summit sessions.

Mike Snapp, a pilot, Christian recovery advocate, and Samson Society leader, shares a candid story of addiction, affairs, faith, and healing. He explores childhood pain, military life, story work, and Internal Family Systems. The conversation also covers disclosure, betrayal trauma, repairing marriage, and learning to support a wounded wife with honesty and compassion.

Dr. Mariel Buqué, psychologist, trauma specialist, and author of Break the Cycle, explores how family history, biology, and nervous-system patterns shape our lives. They discuss cultural identity, epigenetics, cellular memory, triggers, historical trauma, inherited resilience, and the challenge of becoming a cycle breaker. The conversation also examines which family patterns to release and which healing traditions to carry forward.

Josh Bales, an Episcopal priest, counselor, songwriter, and worship leader from Florida, explores authentic community and the difference between performing and truly connecting. He and Aaron Porter discuss music as a doorway to vulnerability, the importance of being fully present, and the courage it takes to enter honest brotherhood. They also look ahead to an unscripted gathering where men can show up as themselves.

Elizabeth Stanley, a military veteran, scholar, and creator of Mindfulness-Based Mind Fitness Training, explores trauma, stress, and nervous-system regulation. She discusses the window of tolerance, childhood trauma and hyperachievement, why willpower and intellectual insight have limits, and how dysregulation spreads through families and organizations. She also shares a body-based mindfulness practice for recognizing safety.

  Brannon and Tyler Patrick   On this episode: Nate goes straight to the interview because Aaron has the food poisoning.   Nate talks to Brannon and Tyler Patrick. Brannon and Tyler are brothers who are therapists, hosts of a call-in podcast called Therapy Brothers, and lead community retreats to help men become trustworthy. The brothers support both spouses, specializing in sexual addiction and betrayal therapy. They give first steps, if you are fresh, or maybe returning. Brannon and Tyler share how spouses can become blind to one another, not being able to see past their own hurts, and ways to see the other. They also discuss not killing sex to be a good man, curiosity about what’s driving the appetite, shame, and how both persons in a marriage are loved. Listen in to hear more.    Therapy Brothers Rising Son   Canadian Samson Summit Sept 18-20 Oct 23-25, 2026 U.S. Samson Summit   NEW Samson Community App (Apple store) NEW Samson Community App (Google Store)   Send mail to: Pirate Monk Podcast/Samson House PO BOX 1656 Columbia, TN 38402   If you have thoughts or questions and you'd like the guys to address in upcoming episodes or suggestions for future guests, please drop a note to [email protected].     The music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society.   For more information on this ministry, please visit samsonsociety.com.  Support for the women in our lives who have been impacted by our choices is available at sarahsociety.com. The Pirate Monk Podcast is provided by Samson Society, a ministry of Samson House, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. To enjoy future Pirate Monk podcasts, please consider a contribution to Samson House.

On this episode: Nate updates on Allie. Aaron is glad to have a co-host. And they reflect on the importance of a listening ear over preaching.   This week A.I. makes the notes and sucks at punctuation and conversational language. (Also, the normal notes guy gets sassy, see below.) How do you like it? Send feedback to [email protected]   Steve Cuss joins Nate Larkin and Aaron Porter for a wide-ranging conversation about trauma care, leadership anxiety, and the unseen emotional patterns that shape families, teams, and ministries. Cuss draws on his years as a hospital chaplain and his work with Capable Life to show why naming anxiety matters, why reactivity spreads, and how judgment-free curiosity can lead to real change.In this episode, the hosts and Steve Cuss discuss: How Cuss went from Perth, Australia to hospital chaplaincy in Knoxville and eventually to leadership coaching in Colorado. What trauma and death taught him that Bible college and seminary could not. Why chaplaincy stripped away pithy theology and exposed the gap between head knowledge and lived faith. The difference between acute anxiety and chronic anxiety, and why chronic anxiety is often invisible. How reactivity functions like a contagious emotional field in families, teams, and institutions. Why childhood vows and hidden assumptions often live in the body, not just the mind. The role of nonjudgmental regard in helping people change without becoming defensive. Practical first steps for breaking reactivity patterns by noticing, naming, and tracing the recurring cycle. How leaders can stop offloading anxiety onto others and start taking responsibility for the tone they generate. Why curiosity, repentance, and respectful confrontation can change a relational system. Key Frameworks: Acute anxiety vs. chronic anxiety - Acute anxiety is a real-time response to actual danger. Chronic anxiety is a false-threat response that becomes automated and hidden. Reactivity - Cuss’s practical name for chronic anxiety, especially when it spreads through relationships and teams. Emotional fields / hula hoops - A metaphor for how anxiety moves between people and becomes contagious in close contact. Childhood vows - Subconscious agreements formed early in life to avoid pain, which later become limiting beliefs. Notice, then name - The first move toward change is to identify what is happening instead of explaining it away. Notable Quotes: Copy (AI calling from CB) “The great gift of chaplaincy is it forces you to survive by being a human being.” Copy (10-4 good buddy) “Reactivity plus power is catalytic.” Copy (Breaker Breaker) “I need a somatic solution.” Action Items (business meeting jargon): Notice one recurring reactive pattern in your home, staff, or marriage this week. Ask whether your response is for the other person or for self-soothing. Name the pattern out loud instead of treating it as “just the way things are” Before advising, pause and ask what curiosity or compassion would look likeReduce the emotional “hula hoop” you bring home from work or conflict     Canadian Samson Summit Sept 18-20 Oct 23-25, 2026 U.S. Samson Summit   NEW Samson Community App (Apple store) NEW Samson Community App (Google Store)   Send mail to: Pirate Monk Podcast/Samson House PO BOX 1656 Columbia, TN 38402   If you have thoughts or questions and you'd like the guys to address in upcoming episodes or suggestions for future guests, please drop a note to [email protected].     The Introduction and Closing music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society. Transitional music from https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/   For more information on this ministry, please visit samsonsociety.com.  Support for the women in our lives who have been impacted by our choices is available at sarahsociety.com. The Pirate Monk Podcast is provided by Samson Society, a ministry of Samson House, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. To enjoy future Pirate Monk podcasts, please consider a contribution to Samson House.

On this episode: Nate does promotions. Aaron flies solo.    This week: Aaron has a wonderful conversation with Pesa Shayo. Pesa and his wife Whitney Shayo help couples find unity in the most tested areas of marriage. Pesa shares how both members in a couple can be right and also work together. He discusses how in-laws aren’t the problem, but they find weaknesses and wedge their way in. Pesa gives lots of guidance on boundaries when other factors are at play. And Aaron suggest you figure out the cost of free money before taking it.   Links and Books: Live Your Best Marriage     Canadian Samson Summit Sept 18-20 Oct 23-25, 2026 U.S. Samson Summit   NEW Samson Community App (Apple store) NEW Samson Community App (Google Store)   Send mail to: Pirate Monk Podcast/Samson House PO BOX 1656 Columbia, TN 38402   If you have thoughts or questions and you'd like the guys to address in upcoming episodes or suggestions for future guests, please drop a note to [email protected].     The music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society.   For more information on this ministry, please visit samsonsociety.com.  Support for the women in our lives who have been impacted by our choices is available at sarahsociety.com. The Pirate Monk Podcast is provided by Samson Society, a ministry of Samson House, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. To enjoy future Pirate Monk podcasts, please consider a contribution to Samson House.

Dr. Arielle Schwartz is a clinical psychologist, author, and trauma-recovery teacher specializing in resilience-informed therapy. She shares her experience with childhood complex PTSD and explores trauma’s connection to risk-taking, shame, attachment, and nervous-system responses. The conversation covers somatic psychology, yoga, movement, polyvagal theory, functional freeze, and the role of community in healing.

The Foundation of Marriage with Casey Caston   This week: Nate and Aaron talk Ireland. Aaron is 50! And, if you’ve read it, share your thoughts on the Silas book here.   Nate and Aaron talk to Casey Caston. Casey talks about how he slept on the couch the night he got married. This began his studies into what makes a healthy marriage. He shares that you don’t need more marriage therapy but processes and tools to heal and grow a marriage. Casey gives 4-steps to a really good apology. He gives guidance to the offended and the offender. He also shares that you shouldn’t be trying to change your partner, you should be changing yourself, for yourself. Other topics include: forgiveness and boundaries, men’s reset track, boredom in marriage, intentional time for your spouse, and more.   Links and Books: Marriage 365 The Marriage Habit: 10 Simple Practices to Build a More Intentional, Thriving Relationship     NEW Samson Community App (Apple store) NEW Samson Community App (Google Store) Canadian Samson Summit Sept 18-20 Oct 23-25, 2026 U.S. Samson Summit   Send mail to: Pirate Monk Podcast/Samson House PO BOX 1656 Columbia, TN 38402   If you have thoughts or questions and you'd like the guys to address in upcoming episodes or suggestions for future guests, please drop a note to [email protected].     The opening and closing music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society. Transitional music from https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/   For more information on this ministry, please visit samsonsociety.com.  Support for the women in our lives who have been impacted by our choices is available at sarahsociety.com. The Pirate Monk Podcast is provided by Samson Society, a ministry of Samson House, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. To enjoy future Pirate Monk podcasts, please consider a contribution to Samson House.