

Men in the Arena - Christian Men's Podcast
Jim Ramos
The Men in the Arena podcast equips Christian men in the stress bubble of life: married, with kids, building your career and trying to follow God while leading your family well. We'll help you become your best version, equipping you to honor God in your marriage, parenting, work, church and community!
Tuesday's podcast is Equipping Men in Ten - a ten-minute, laser-focused teaching from Jim Ramos to help you become your best version of a man.
Friday's podcast is a high-octane interview with an expert in the realm of masculinity and Christian manhood, with authors like John Eldredge, Gary Chapman, Gene Getz, Patrick Morley, and Emerson Eggerichs. Jim reads their books and boils down their teachings into a powerful interview to help you learn from their expertise.
Your host is bestselling author and speaker Jim Ramos. Jim has authored 9 books, including the bestseller 'Strong Men Dangerous Times: 5 Essentials Every Man Must Possess to Change His World', 'Tell Them: What Great Fathers Tell Their Sons and Daughters', ‘The Field Guide: A Bathroom Book for Men’, and the 5-book Strong Men Study Guide men's small group curriculum. Jim's high-energy storytelling and conviction will call you out, build you up, and motivate you to become the man you've always known you could be.
The Men in the Arena are calling you into the Arena of manhood. We're calling you out of the faceless, nameless bleachers, and calling you UP to be the best version of you. Because when a man gets it, everyone wins.
Tuesday's podcast is Equipping Men in Ten - a ten-minute, laser-focused teaching from Jim Ramos to help you become your best version of a man.
Friday's podcast is a high-octane interview with an expert in the realm of masculinity and Christian manhood, with authors like John Eldredge, Gary Chapman, Gene Getz, Patrick Morley, and Emerson Eggerichs. Jim reads their books and boils down their teachings into a powerful interview to help you learn from their expertise.
Your host is bestselling author and speaker Jim Ramos. Jim has authored 9 books, including the bestseller 'Strong Men Dangerous Times: 5 Essentials Every Man Must Possess to Change His World', 'Tell Them: What Great Fathers Tell Their Sons and Daughters', ‘The Field Guide: A Bathroom Book for Men’, and the 5-book Strong Men Study Guide men's small group curriculum. Jim's high-energy storytelling and conviction will call you out, build you up, and motivate you to become the man you've always known you could be.
The Men in the Arena are calling you into the Arena of manhood. We're calling you out of the faceless, nameless bleachers, and calling you UP to be the best version of you. Because when a man gets it, everyone wins.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 10, 2025 • 30min
What are Guardrails? Boundaries Every Man Should Know - Message at the MAG EP 917
What does it take to build an unbreakable marriage? How can a man set boundaries that protect his integrity, his faith, and his family? In this week’s message, Pastor Jim Ramos shares his journey behind writing his new book, Guardrails: 10 Boundaries for an Unbreakable Marriage — releasing April, 2026. Designed for both married and single men, this book lays out practical, biblical boundaries that prevent moral failure and strengthen relational trust. Today, you’ll walk away with Biblical wisdom for staying faithful and accountable along with a framework for living above reproach in every area of life. This message is from The MAG, The McMinnville Area Gathering for men in McMinnville, Oregon. This episode is sponsored by MTNTOUGH Fitness Lab, a Christian-owned fitness app. Get 6 weeks free with the code ARENA30 at MTNTOUGH.com. Every man needs a locker room. Join a brotherhood of like-minded men in The Locker Room, our bi-monthly live Zoom Q&A call! We meet in the Locker Room twice a month for community, fellowship, laughter, and to help each other find biblical answers to life’s difficult questions. Sharing community with these amazing men is one of the most enjoyable things I do. - Jim Ramos https://patreon.com/themeninthearena Get Jim Ramos' USA TODAY Bestselling book, Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God (https://tinyurl.com/dialedinbook)

Oct 8, 2025 • 9min
Biblical Leadership: How Men Lead Families - Question & Answer from The Locker Room w/ Jim Ramos EP 916
Every man needs a locker room. Join a brotherhood of like-minded men in The Locker Room, our bi-monthly live Zoom Q&A call! We meet in the Locker Room twice a month for community, fellowship, laughter, and to help each other find biblical answers to life’s difficult questions. Sharing community with these amazing men is one of the most enjoyable things I do. - Jim Ramos. You can join here: https://patreon.com/themeninthearena

Oct 7, 2025 • 30min
What NOT to Say to Your Grieving Friend: Supporting Friends Through Grief the Right Way - Average Joe w/ Isaac Kearns EP 915
Have you ever wondered what to say—or not say—to someone who’s grieving? How do you walk with someone through tragedy when there are no words that make it better? In this 'Average Joe' conversation, Pastor Jim Ramos sits down with longtime friend and pastor Isaac Kerns, who opens up about losing his teenage son, Ethan, to cancer—and what it really means to “head into the storm” with faith, courage, and community. You’ll walk away with practical ways to support friends and family walking through grief and gain insight on what not to say when someone is hurting. This episode is sponsored by MTNTOUGH Fitness Lab, a Christian-owned fitness app. Get 6 weeks free with the code ARENA30 at MTNTOUGH.com. Every man needs a locker room. Join a brotherhood of like-minded men in The Locker Room, our bi-monthly live Zoom Q&A call! We meet in the Locker Room twice a month for community, fellowship, laughter, and to help each other find biblical answers to life’s difficult questions. Sharing community with these amazing men is one of the most enjoyable things I do. - Jim Ramos https://patreon.com/themeninthearena Get Jim Ramos' USA TODAY Bestselling book, Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God (https://tinyurl.com/dialedinbook)

Oct 3, 2025 • 1h
FEAR-FREE Faith w/ Dylan Mandell: Faith Secrets from a 4-Time Cancer Warrior EP 914
What do you do when your faith feels fragile? How do you respond when life hits you with something that could take you out physically, mentally, or spiritually? And how do you flip from a victim mentality to living with boldness and strength in Christ? In this week’s expert interview, Jim Ramos has a powerful conversation with Dylan Mandell, a 22-year-old cancer warrior, athlete, and bold follower of Jesus. They dive into his journey through four battles with cancer, the moment he surrendered fully to Christ, and the lessons he’s learned about identity, discipline, and resilience. You’ll walk away with practical ways to shift from a victim mindset to a warrior mindset and how to anchor your identity in Christ when the enemy attacks. This episode is sponsored by MTNTOUGH Fitness Lab, a Christian-owned fitness app. Get 6 weeks free with the code ARENA30 at MTNTOUGH.com. Every man needs a locker room. Join a brotherhood of like-minded men in The Locker Room, our bi-monthly live Zoom Q&A call! We meet in the Locker Room twice a month for community, fellowship, laughter, and to help each other find biblical answers to life’s difficult questions. Sharing community with these amazing men is one of the most enjoyable things I do. - Jim Ramos https://patreon.com/themeninthearena Get Jim Ramos' USA TODAY Bestselling book, Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God (https://tinyurl.com/dialedinbook)

Oct 1, 2025 • 6min
How Christians Should Respond to Great Tragedy - Question & Answer from The Locker Room w/ Jim Ramos EP 913
Every man needs a locker room. Join a brotherhood of like-minded men in The Locker Room, our bi-monthly live Zoom Q&A call! We meet in the Locker Room twice a month for community, fellowship, laughter, and to help each other find biblical answers to life’s difficult questions. Sharing community with these amazing men is one of the most enjoyable things I do. - Jim Ramos. You can join here: https://patreon.com/themeninthearena

Sep 30, 2025 • 16min
7 Sex Lies That Are Destroying Your Marriage (vs. Biblical Truth) - Equipping Men in Ten EP 912
Have you been lied to about sex in marriage? Are those lies quietly sabotaging your relationship with your wife—or your future marriage? In this week’s 10-minute equipping episode, Pastor Jim Ramos tackles seven common lies Christian men believe about sex and marriage and replaces them with biblical truth. Drawing from Dr. Carol Tanksley’s book Sexpectations, Jim exposes the myths that weaken marriages. You’ll walk away with a truth that shatters cultural lies about sex and intimacy and A clear vision of God’s design for marriage and sexual connection. Plus, some practical wisdom to protect your relationship and pursue holiness. Check out Dr. Carol's Book: Sexpectations: Reframing Your Good and Not-So-Good Stories about God, Love, and Relationships (https://tinyurl.com/sexpectations115Using our link to check out the book helps support our ministry - thanks!) This episode is sponsored by MTNTOUGH Fitness Lab, a Christian-owned fitness app. Get 6 weeks free with the code ARENA30 at MTNTOUGH.com. Every man needs a locker room. Join a brotherhood of like-minded men in The Locker Room, our bi-monthly live Zoom Q&A call! We meet in the Locker Room twice a month for community, fellowship, laughter, and to help each other find biblical answers to life’s difficult questions. Sharing community with t hese amazing men is one of the most enjoyable things I do. - Jim Ramos https://patreon.com/themeninthearena Get Jim Ramos' USA TODAY Bestselling book, Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God (https://tinyurl.com/dialedinbook)

Sep 26, 2025 • 59min
Scrolling Yourself to Death w/ Brett McCracken: Conquering Weakness in a Digital Age EP 911
Join Brett McCracken, senior editor at The Gospel Coalition and co-author of 'Scrolling Ourselves to Death', as he dives into the impact of smartphones on spiritual health. He discusses how our digital habits contribute to anxiety and loneliness, likening our culture to a dystopia of amusement. Brett shares practical advice for fathers to model phone discipline, emphasizing the importance of setting boundaries and reclaiming presence in family life. Discover how to break free from digital addiction and protect your kids in a tech-driven world.

Sep 24, 2025 • 6min
Breaking Down the Struggle with Sin - Question & Answer from The Locker Room w/ Jim Ramos EP 910
The conversation dives into the age-old question of why believers still struggle with sin despite being dead to it. Participants explore the idea that growth in faith involves wrestling with temptation. They discuss the significance of struggle as a sign of spiritual life, encouraging repentance and a pursuit of holiness. Emphasis is placed on understanding sanctification as a continuous journey, highlighting hope for ultimate victory over sin.

8 snips
Sep 23, 2025 • 26min
Empty Nest Parenting: The Hardest Phase of Parenting Nobody Talks About - Average Joe Conversation w/ Shaun Strong EP 909
Shaun Strong, a pastor and youth ministry leader, shares his insights on navigating empty-nest parenting with Pastor Jim Ramos. They discuss the critical shift from parent to advisor as kids grow, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing marriage and faith over children. Shaun highlights the joys of establishing peer-like relationships with adult children and the necessity of being present and supportive. They also explore the impact of social media on real relationships and the vital role of persistent prayer in successful parenting.

Sep 19, 2025 • 43min
How to Win at Home w/ John Olinger: Practical Changes You Can Implement Today EP 908
John Olinger, a former Nike marketer and author of Worthy Wins, shares transformative insights on life’s true victories. He reflects on personal loss, urging listeners to prioritize faith and relationships over accolades. Olinger advocates for simple yet powerful habits like date nights and weekly check-ins to strengthen marriages and parenting. He emphasizes the importance of centering Jesus in family life, drawing inspiration from Kobe Bryant’s dedication to mentorship. This conversation offers a wake-up call for men seeking meaningful accomplishments.