Patrick Lonergan is a tax strategist and founder of Vital Strategies who knows the difference between a "check-the-box" faith and the violent pursuit of the Kingdom. Patrick opens up about the "firefighter" mindset—the willingness to run into the heat of uncomfortable truths, even when it means telling a friend that culture is lying to them about their marriage.

The conversation pivots to the refining fire of 2008, where Patrick watched a multi-million dollar net worth vanish and found himself paying $15k a month on assets he no longer owned. He shares the counterintuitive "test of the tithe" during his darkest financial hour and the five-point decision model he uses to discern God’s voice over the noise of his own ego.

If you are a high-capacity leader struggling to shorten the timeframe between "grinding it out" and total surrender, Patrick’s perspective on the "REACH" framework and the ruthless elimination of hurry will recalibrate your definition of an optimized life.

Uncomfortable Truths, Constant Surrender | Patrick Lonergan

Mark Appel was once baseball’s brightest star—the phenom everyone was watching, the future of the game. In college, he had it all: talent, leadership, team respect, and opportunity. But things didn’t go as planned. On-field disappointment, surgeries, and an early exit from the sport could have defined him.

In this episode, Mark opens up about the highs and lows of his career, the deep grief of unmet expectations, and how his faith in God was his anchor. Through pain and uncertainty, he discovered that true security isn’t performance—it’s daily dependence on Jesus. Mark reflects on what real success looks like: relationships, integrity, and loving people well. He shares how his journey has reshaped his understanding of success and failure, and how his faith sustains him through life’s unknowns. This conversation is an inspiring reminder that even in loss and struggle, God’s presence and purpose remain.

From Disappointment to Destiny: The Journey of a Lifetime | Mark Appel

Jeff Spadafora, writer and leader shaped by the Halftime journey and the author of The Joy Model, explores what it looks like to move from success to significance.

Raised in the Catholic tradition, Jeff walked away from church as a teenager and spent two decades chasing the American Dream: education, career, marriage, family. On paper, it worked. Internally, it didn’t. By his mid-30s, he found himself in an existential crisis, realizing that everything he believed would bring joy… wasn’t. Jeff shares how a deep sense of purposelessness became his greatest pain. From self-studying world religions, to reluctantly returning to church for his kids, to encountering the Gospel in a way that finally clicked, Jeff’s story is an honest look at hunger for meaning and hunger for God. Now, Jeff helps others discover their calling through The Way because he knows firsthand what it feels like to wake up without one.

The Way [https://www.theway2life.org/]

Success to Significance: Discovering The Way | Jeff Spadafora

In this episode of Unstuck and Alive, Steven Neuner and Todd Pinkston sit down with Ryan Henry—Expert EOS Implementer®, Visionary of Entrepreneurial Leap, and Co-Founder of The Entrepreneurial Media Company—to talk about the hidden traps that keep high-capacity leaders stuck.

Ryan opens up about the lies he carried for years (“something’s wrong with me”), the freedom found in accepting your God-designed uniqueness, and why most entrepreneurs don’t actually need another tactic—they need a deeper reset.

Then the conversation takes a powerful turn as Ryan shares the moment he nearly died—a forced interruption that became a fulcrum for clarity, surrender, and a new way of living: “hard easy” (love + flow, not fear + control).

If you’re building a business but don’t want to lose your life in the process, this one will recalibrate you.

Freedom, Purpose, Life Mastery | Ryan Henry

In this episode, Edwin shares a vulnerable and powerful story of how the Lord gently unraveled a lie that shaped more than two decades of his life. For 25 years, Edwin was driven by the belief that true security meant never living paycheck to paycheck. He pushed hard, built wealth, and achieved the dream he thought would finally bring him peace. But with success came the constant stress and fear of losing everything he had worked for.  Edwin opens up about the long, painful, and ultimately freeing journey that led him to lay down an idol that had shaped his decisions, his identity, and his suffering for 20 years. In surrendering the thing he thought would give him life, he found something far better—a heart no longer divided, a joy he had never known, and a renewed, unshakable joy in the Lord.

The Journey to an Undivided Heart | Edwin Brown

Brandon Lee is the founder of a youth-focused nonprofit that serves local teens through the world of BMX. Brandon opens up about the quiet faith that carried him through deep hardships, the season when pain pulled him away from the Lord, and the slow, honest rebuilding of his relationship with Him—even while life was far from “figured out.” Brandon lives with a steady joy—serving the Lord, loving his family, and using BMX as an avenue for hope and connection in his community.

Quiet Faith, Loud Impact | Brandon Lee

Terry Pham is founder of Fat Straws, longtime friend, and a foundational part of WayForward’s story. Terry joins us for a conversation about growth, clarity, and transformation. Terry is always experimenting, building new habits, and pursuing growth in his personal, spiritual, and professional life. His curiosity drives him to try new things, but his deepest desire is to be transformed from the inside out by the Lord. This year, Terry is leaning into surrender, identity, and the work happening “below the line.” Though he’s a bold and accomplished entrepreneur, he’s choosing to slow down, pay attention, and let God shape the parts of his life that matter most.

We encountered some unexpected technical issues that required us to wrap this episode a bit early. We’ll be back soon to continue the conversation with Terry and dive even deeper into his story.

Built in the Valley | Terry Pham

Tom is a father, husband, and a discipler of men. One of Todd's dearest friends, they discuss all that Tom is learning with the Lord right now; the importance of forgiveness, grace, and God's truth. Todd and Tom talk about WayForward trip #1, the impact of a community of men, how God can truly transform someones life, and that there is freedom in being fully known and fully loved. 

Turning a Past into a Purpose | Tom Bohannan

Shawn is a retired pitcher for the Texas Rangers and now serves as Co-Owner, Chief Visionary Officer, and Master-Level Pitching Instructor at POP Athletics. Known for his perseverance, purpose-driven leadership, and relentless pursuit of excellence, Shawn brings the same discipline he had on the mound into developing the next generation of athletes.

His mission goes far beyond mechanics and performance. Shawn is dedicated to helping young athletes and their families understand their God-given gifts—and to pursue those gifts with intention, humility, and heart. He teaches not only how to train at an elite level, but how to stay grounded in purpose so that talent becomes a blessing, not a burden.



Learn more: 

popathletics.com [https://popathletics.com/]

Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/pop.athletics/]

More Than A Game: A Pitcher's Second Calling | Shawn Tolleson

Bill Strahan is a co-founder of WayForward, serial entrepreneur, has started multiple companies, has been in the tech industry and fitness industry, and is one of the most influential people in Todd's life. We talk about shifting perspective, asking hard questions for the sake of growth, friendships, and his first WayForward trip.

The Turning Point That Built a Mission | Bill Strahan

Fear gives way to faith.
Isolation melts into belonging.
The stuck places break open... and life begins to flow again.
On this show, we sit around the fire — so to speak — and listen to the real stories of everyday heroes: men and women who have found freedom and stepped into the unforced purpose they were made for.
If you’re tired of striving... if you’re longing to breathe deep, break free, and come alive — you’re in the right place.

Todd Pinkston

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