The Built Different Podcast with Dr. Zach Clinton

Life isn’t easy. We all know that. And to be honest with you, praise doesn’t always come out naturally when it feels like everything in your life is working against you and the wheels are coming off your bus. However, I’ve heard it said that the greatest gift you can give the Lord, others, and yourself is that of thanksgiving. Why? Because when we focus on gratitude, the tide of disappointment washes away and the tide of love rushes in. Joining us on the podcast today to share a little about his testimony and how the act of gratitude has transformed his life is Coach Adam Donyes. Adam is a man who has impacted countless lives as he serves in many different roles including: the K-Equip Director at K-2 (Kanakuk Kamps) and also directing Kanakuk’s Worldview Kamp; serving on the teaching team at Woodland Hills Family Church; Founder and President of Link Academy in Branson, MO which exists to provide students with a year of purpose for a lifetime of pursuit as their goal is to empower future leaders to impact the world for Christ; and so much more! What I love about Adam is his humility and the grateful heart that he possesses. He truly has a hunger and desire to know God and to make God’s name known! Our prayer is that after listening to today’s episode you would leave feeling more equipped and encouraged to live a life of gratitude and develop a grateful heart no matter your circumstance. Remember, even if God doesn’t do anything else, because of what He did by sending His One and Only Son to die, be buried, and rise again 3 days later for you and me, He has already done enough! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Have you ever asked yourself the question, “What’s my purpose?” or maybe even “Do I have a purpose?” So many people desparately seek answers to those very common questions. But to the person listening who has maybe asked those questions, I have a good news for you, because in and throughout today’s episode, our Built Different Guest takes us on a journey as to how we can find, identify, and develop the purpose that God has called us to. Joining us today on the podcast is world renowned life coach, best-selling author, positive psychology expert, motivational speaker, and founder of the Coaching and Positive Psychology Institue, Valorie Burton! Valorie has devoted her life to helping others become happier, healthier, and more resilient. Her goal is to help you close the gap between where you are and where you REALLY want to be. In doing so, one of the first steps is identifying your purpose or calling in this life. Friedrich Nietzsche once said, “He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.” Thankfully, in today’s episode Valorie gives us very practical tools such as reshaping our perspective, practicing the act of gratitude, and reframing our self-talk or questions we may be asking ourselves. Ultimately, this episode will help remind you that when it comes to resilience and purpose, not only do you have these traits, but you also have the ability to build them! Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” My friends, let's identify your purpose today! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Have you ever felt frustrated or even discouraged in thinking that your story doesn’t matter? Well let me assure you of one thing, your story and testimony matter more than you could possibly ever know or imagine! And the good news is that there is nothing that you could possibly do that could separate you from the love of God! You’re not too far gone, you’re not too far down the wayward path, you haven’t made too many mistakes - you are always in His reach! Joining us today on the Built Different Podcast to share his story and to talk about the faithfulness of God, the author of all of our stories, is my dear friend and coworker, Garrett Hedrick! Garrett, like all of us has experienced great pain and adversity in and throughout his life, but thankfully due to his willingness to surrender his life over to Christ and through the power of relationships that God has intentionally placed along his path, he’s been able to find purpose in the midst of his pain. I’m reminded of Philippians 1:6 which reads “I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” My friends, you may be walking through a tough chapter of your life, but keep turning the page. The end hasn’t come until God says it’s done. Trust in the author! God’s not done writing your story! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

I’ve heard it said that, “If serving is below you, then leadership is beyond you.” Remember the words of Mark 10:45 which remind us that the greatest leader to ever walk the face of the earth, being Jesus, “did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Our Built Different Guest today is truly a man after God’s own heart who has a love and devotion for sacrificing his life for the service of others. General William Boykin is a true American Hero having accumulated one of the most decorated military careers spending 36 years in the army, 13 of which were spent in the Delta Force, and the last 4 years having served as the Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence. General Boykin truly has a heart for shaping strong leaders and warriors both on and off the battlefield. Yes, he’s been a part of and lead several high-profile missions such as the Iran Hostage Rescue attempt and even the Black Hawk Down incident in Mogadishu, Somalia, but this man has a heart for building champions for Christ. Spiritually speaking, we are in a fight every single day, but the question we must ask ourselves is, “How are we preparing or training for our trials?” In and throughout this episode I’m reminded of the words of John Maxwell which say, “True Leadership must be for the benefit of the followers, not the enrichment of the leader.” Don’t live this life chasing success as success will only leave a fingerprint on creation… Instead choose to live this life consistently pursuing significance which will leave a footprint on the soul. Just ask yourself every day, who have I served? Who have I encouraged? and who I have empowered today? Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap. Judge each day by the seeds you have planted. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Do you feel an immense pressure to preform at work, school, in relationships, or in sports? Katie Hollern, a newly emerging professional golfer who recently qualified for the LPGA tour, can empathize with these feelings of pressure, fear, and performance specficially in the realm of professional sports. Shifting from a collegiate lacrosse career to a professional golf career late in the game, Katie shares about how to alleviate pressure with gratitude, how to trust the “Spirit of Power” (Holy Spirit) that is within us, and how the Lord doesn’t “call the equipped, but equips the called”. Through her testimony, Katie encourages us today to choose the pain of failure instead of the pain of regret and reminds us that God loves to prove us right when we place our trust in Him. Let us be encouraged by this interview today and be reminded that God sees us exactly where we are at and he is ready and eager to do “immeasurably more than  Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

One of my favorite quotes out there reads, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” additionally, Galatians 6:9 reminds us to “not grow weary in doing what is right, for in due time, you will reap a harvest if you do not give up.” Both of these incredible reminders indicate the power and significance of one word: PERSEVERANCE. Joining us today on the Built Different Podcast to discuss how we can continually grow and develop a mindset to persevere is 2x Olympic medalist and renowned Life Coach, Dr. Mark Crear. Having endured a difficult childhood which included being a victim of physical and emotional abuse to using that pain and becoming the #1 110-meter hurdler in the world, Dr. Crear clearly understands perseverance and how to overcome some of life’s biggest hurdles. Our prayer is that you would be encouraged and motivated to stay the course consistently pursuing your best each and every day! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

We’ve all heard of resilience, but do we really know what it means and how to develop it within our own lives? Although there is no concrete definition for resilience, a common theme that seems to exist includes positive adaptation in the presence or face of adversity – or in simpler terms – the capacity to recover quickly from one’s difficulties. Some have even defined it as the ability to ‘bounce back’, but we must acknowledge the fact that coming back from challenge or adversity is a process and is not necessarily an immediate occurrence. Thankfully, today’s Built Different Guest, Jim Cress, is a renowned speaker, author, and Licensed Professional Counselor who has a deep interest and passion built around the topic of resilience himself. Having overcome some significant challenges in and throughout his own personal life and testimony, Jim loves reminding people that resilience is at the core of the Christian life. Jim reminds us in this week’s episode that the ultimate form of resilience is that of the ressurection - Because of what Christ did on the Cross defeating sin, and then through the power of His ressurection defeating death, we all have the opportunity of living with resurrection power… So when experiencing adversity, challenge, and difficulty, we no longer have to scratch and claw and fight for Victory, rather we now get the opportunity of fighting FROM a place of VICTORY. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Have you ever just been frustrated with life? Maybe upset with the way life has gone, the pain you’ve had to endure, and the adversity that keeps stacking up which just seems unfair? Today’s Built Different Guest, is no stranger to that very feeling! Our guest today is world renowned speaker, author, and podcast host, who at the age of 15 was diagnosed with a rare, degenerative eye disease that would eventually steal her sight. When I hear Jennifer‘s story, my worldly perspective immediately makes me think that she is someone that has every right to be mad, frustrated, bitter, and disappointed with the life she has been given, but as you hear in and throughout the episode today Jennifer experiences and displays such joy, peace, and a deep love and adoration for the Lord! How you may ask? Well in and throughout this episode what Jennifer helps us understand is that God‘s power is truly made perfect in the midst of our weakness. What we see as obstacles, God sees as opportunities to truly reveal Himself to us! Jennifer reminds us that when asking the questions such as “Why pain? Why blindness? or Why adversity?” We must also ask the questions, “Why grace? Why forgiveness? Why death on the cross for me?” When we understand that God has our best interest in mind and that He is with us and He is for us and if He is for us then who could stand against us, that is when we can truly proclaim and live out the words, “It is well with my soul!” We pray that this episode leaves you encouraged today! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

We’ve all heard the words of James 1:2 which remind us to, “Consider it pure joy my brothers and sisters when you face trials of many kinds.” But let’s be honest there are moments where life is just flat out painful, and as the infamous movie character, Rocky Balboa, once taught us, “life will beat you to your knees and keep you there if you let it.” There are moments where it seems like no one hits as hard as life does. But then Rocky’s words shift to encouraging us that, “it’s not about how hard you can hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward… how much you can take and keep moving forward.” Sometimes all it takes is a shift in perspective to realize that we’re never out of the fight. You see happiness is external, but joy is internal. Joy is a fruit of the spirit, and as our guest today reminds us, although there are moments that may seem difficult and challenging, we get the opportunity to surrender our burdens to the Lord and give control over to the Holy Spirit allowing His joy to then invade and flow through us. Today’s guest is a man who, like all of us, is no stranger to challenge or adversity having endured plenty of painful and waiting seasons along his journey thus far. Our Built Different Guest today is Manager of the Texas Rangers, Coach Tony Beasley!! To know Coach Beasley is to love him. This man is an incredible leader and truly possesses an unwavering and contagious joy that is a direct reflection of the Lord dwelling within him. In and throughout this episode Coach Beasley discusses how we can TRAIN for our TRIALS, the importance of prioritizing rest and solitude with the Lord in the midst of the fast paced culture and society we find ourselves in, sport psychology nuggets to help you separate yourself from the rest of the pack, and how we can find confidence in knowing that our worth, value, and identity are not attached to our performance. Trust us, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Have you ever taken a second to realize how much we have here in the U.S.? We are so blessed and fortunate to have so much. However, several sources have revealed heartbreaking statistics stating that nearly 10% of the world population lives in extreme poverty, meaning they live on less than $2 a day. Thankfully, our guests today on the Built Different Podcast have incredible hearts to extend the love of Christ through the gift of giving and helping those in need! Our Built Different Guests today will include world renowned authors, speakers, and Splash Podcast hosts, Shelene Bryan and Barbara Cameron!! This powerful conversation will be a reairing from their Splash Podcast talking all about an incredible cause and mission we all can give to in order to HELP and SUPPORT those in need. After seeing some of the statistics already mentioned, Shelene Bryan realized that the truth is, we’d all be okay if we skipped one or two or 500 things a year. Just think about how much money we spend on THINGS. On stuff we'll never use, or use once and give away, or never use again. This isn't an attempt to make you feel guilty, it's to get you to think about one or two things in your life that you could skip. Therefore, Shelene and her husband Brian decided to begin a nonprofit organization titled, Skip1.org,  with the idea that whether it's skipping $4 at a fast food restaurant or $50,000 on that new car, by skipping the extra unneeded THING, we have the opportunity of helping someone else in need. You'll never miss the thing you skipped, but a child could live because of it. Skip1.org exists to help solve world hunger, one Skip at a time, by building and renovating kitchens within orphanages and schools in impoverished areas. They also support food distribution and feeding programs in places where kitchens can't be built, and help with clean water and sustainable agricultural initiatives. It’s amazing what can happen when people Skip. Will you join us? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.