Jay Cookingham Bio:

I'm Jay Cookingham—an author, speaker, pastor, men’s ministry leader, and podcaster passionate about helping men discover their identity and purpose. I founded Strategic Fathering Ministries, a ministry dedicated to connecting men with a deeper relationship with Father God.

Through Strategic Fathering Ministries, my goal is to encourage, equip, and inspire men by sharing the insights of Scripture and my personal journey with Christ.

I wrote a 31-day devotional called Sonship: Restoring a Man's Identity and Purpose, a guide to understanding the Father-heart of God and embracing our identity as sons of God. In my book Uncaged: Living a Life of Freedom, I explore the transformative power of forgiveness and the importance of releasing past hurts and bitterness. Through personal stories and practical insights, I provide tools for breaking free from the cages of unforgiveness and living a life of true freedom. I'm also the author of End of Year & New Beginnings: A 4-Week Reflection Guide and ROAR: Rise – Overcome – Advance – Rejoice, a daily journal for personal reflection. And just for fun, Bad Sheep: The Adventures of Lambo and Chop, a pun filled comic book.

My two-minute podcast, ManUp Moment, offers a quick dose of inspiration and encouragement for men who are looking to grow in their faith and walk in their identity as sons of God. Covering topics like relationships, purpose, and forgiveness, I share practical insights and biblical wisdom that men can apply to their daily lives. I also host The Next Podcast: Moving Forward with Grief and Loss, providing conversations and encouragement for men processing grief.

Since January 2013, I’ve served as a pastor for the wonderful hearts of Bridge Builders Community Church in Hyde Park, NY.

I was born and raised in Poughkeepsie, New York, about 80 miles north of New York City, and I now live in Hyde Park, the former home of Franklin Roosevelt.

My late wife Christine and I were happily married for 37 years until she passed away in 2019. We have seven (yes, seven) children and one grandson (so far!).

My heart beats to see men grow spiritually and find true restoration, and I’m honored to share resources through my books and podcast to support men seeking to live fully and freely in their God-given identity and purpose.

Contact Guest:

• ⁠LinkedIn⁠
• ⁠Instagram⁠
• ⁠X⁠
• Email - jcdude56@gmail.com
• ⁠Website⁠

Contact Host:

• ⁠Rob Stein

Steve Norman Bio:

Steve Norman is a pastor, award-winning author, speaker, and coach who loves to encourage and challenge individuals, couples and families to take the next step on their spiritual journey with insights from scripture.Steve is a gifted speaker who spent the 22 years serving local churches in the Detroit and Grand Rapids areas as a church planter, teaching pastor and lead pastor. He also created and hosted the Bad Soccer Dad Podcast, a resource he designed to help parents and kids explore the intersection of faith, character and the wild world of youth sports. He currently hosts The New Norm with Steve Norman, a weekly podcast with short reflections from scripture on faith, family, leadership, and culture.Steve uses humor, storytelling, practical illustrations and his own experiences in his messages. Audiences will walk away with specific concepts and ideas that they can apply to help them grow in their faith, their calling, and their key relationships.As an award-winning author, Steve has written for Christianity Today, Preaching Today and the Covenant Companion. He is also the author of The Preacher as Sermon: How Who You Are Shapes What They Hear. He holds a Doctorate of Missiology from Fuller Seminary and is passionate about helping individuals, families, churches and businesses take the next step in their growth and development. Steve and his wife, Kelly, have been married for twenty-three years and reside in West Michigan with their son, three daughters, and their Bernedoodle, Chewie.

Contact Steve Norman:

• ⁠LinkedIn⁠
• ⁠Facebook⁠
• Email - steve@winningathome.com
• ⁠Website⁠

Summary:

In this episode of the Fathers in Christ podcast, Rob interviews Steve Norman, a seasoned pastor and leader at Winning at Home. They discuss the profound impact of fatherhood on spiritual growth, the challenges of fatherlessness, and the importance of community support for single parents. Steve shares personal stories and insights on navigating fatherhood, embracing vulnerability, and the significance of mentorship. The conversation emphasizes the need for fathers to be present, model healthy emotions, and actively engage in their children's lives to break the cycle of fatherlessness and build a legacy of love and support.

Takeaways:

• Dads play a crucial role in their children's spiritual growth.
• Fatherlessness can have significant emotional and social impacts.
• Community support is essential for single parents.
• Vulnerability in fathers can strengthen family relationships.
• Modeling gratitude and healthy emotions is vital for children.
• Anger is often a secondary emotion that needs to be addressed.
• Mentorship can provide valuable guidance for fathers.
• It's never too late to improve as a father.
• Leadership in the home is about influence and presence.
• Breaking the cycle of fatherlessness requires intentional action.

Contact Host:

• ⁠Rob Stein

Mikel Martin Bio:

Mikel is father of a 16 year old daughter and devoted husband for 25 years.

His life journey has taken him from High Schools drop-out and laid off factory worked to Distinguished Experience Design Architect at Autodesk inc, a fortune 500 company.

Mikel, is seen a vision leader and mentor to many in the Autodesk community and beyond.

When asked how he tackles problems, Mikel answered:

Know the problem, embrace the complexity, find the simplicity.

I believe that the best solutions emerge when you fully understand the problem, embrace its complexities, and then distill it down to its simplest form. This philosophy guides my approach to most problem solving, for work and in life.

Guest Contact Information:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikelmartin/

Host Contact Information:

• Rob Stein

Summary:

In this episode of the Forged Fathers podcast, host Rob Stein interviews Michael Martin, a long-time friend and mentor. They discuss Michael's journey from a high school dropout to a distinguished architect at a Fortune 500 company, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, resilience, and daily habits for personal growth. The conversation explores the six pillars of the Forged Fathers framework, the significance of open communication in relationships, and the balance between authority and friendship in parenting. Michael shares insights on navigating life's challenges and the necessity of leading through influence rather than force.

Takeaways:

• Mentorship plays a crucial role in personal and professional growth.
• Daily habits like meditation and exercise help maintain balance and effectiveness.
• It's important to recognize the difference between what we can control and what we cannot.
• Open communication is essential in relationships, especially in parenting.
• Resilience is built through acknowledging challenges and taking proactive steps to address them.
• Leading through influence fosters better relationships than leading through authority.
• Teaching children to make decisions empowers them for the future.
• Life's challenges are universal; how we respond defines our character.
• Gratitude practices can significantly improve mental well-being.
• Understanding one's identity beyond job roles is vital for personal fulfillment.

Sponsors:

• ChiroThin from Back To Health Wellness Center
• Elevate YOUniversity Coaching, Consulting, CRM