Pirate Monk Podcast

In this special episode, Nate and Aaron remember Father Thomas McKenzie,  an early member of the Samson Society in the Nashville area, who was killed along with his older daughter in a car accident a few days ago (Aug 23, 2021).  They share some of their memories of Thomas, and then we hear from Fr. McKenzie himself in two homilies - first, his final message from this past Sunday, and then a 2014 message on grieving.  

"He was never put on this earth to heal me -- the only one who was put on this earth to heal me is Jesus." Nate speaks with Lyschel Burket of hoperedefined.org., a ministry supporting women impacted by sexual betrayal through coaching, groups, intensive retreats and safe online community.  Her contact email is support@hoperedefined.org. Then, a group of ladies from the Sarah Society join Nate to discuss what they gleaned from the interview.  We hear from Erin, Heather, Brandy, Linda and Julie.  For more information about the Sarah Society, please visit sarahsociety.com. The music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society. For more information on this ministry, please visit samsonsociety.com.

Aaron is back - and this time, he's pissed!  OK, not really, but it's great to have the compadres back together again for a discussion of the journey into manhood.  Nate interviews Aaron's buddy, Jim Ramos, author of Strong Men, Dangerous Times and host of the Men in the Arena podcast (meninthearena.org).  They break down the Five Essentials Every Man Must Possess to Change His World. The music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society. For more information on this ministry, please visit samsonsociety.com.

Mini-meeting on the topic of "Surrender". Nate interviews Jasper Hall, president of Pure Hope about equipping believers to serve out of their brokenness in a sexually broken world and leading their families and communities to flourish.  You can find more information at purehope.net.   The music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society. For more information on this ministry, please visit samsonsociety.com.

Mini-meeting on the topic of "Habits". Nate interviews psychologist and therapist Bill and Kristi Gaultiere about the six phases of spiritual growth and development.  You can find more information at soulshepherding.org and journeyofthesoul.org.   The music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society. For more information on this ministry, please visit samsonsociety.com.

Aaron has a fascinating conversation with John Alarid (johnalarid.com), a heroin addict who became a missionary, then imprisoned for attempted murder, and now a pastor ministering in Springfield MO at Freedom City Church (freedomcitychurch.org).  To hear more of John's story, you can get his ebook (currently free) at myprisonbecameapalace.com. The music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society. For more information on this ministry, please visit samsonsociety.com.

"Dignity believes, and respect believes, and unconditional positive regard believes that being fully human is a beautiful thing, and that the essence of a person agrees with all of the things that God says about them that's true." The Mini-Meeting returns on the topic of Abandonment. Then Aaron interviews Teresa McBean, who pastors Northstar Community, which blends recovery and faith in Richmond VA.  Northstar was founded in 1999 to provide faith-based recovery and now offers adult education classes, support groups, individual and group counseling experiences, Enneagram training and coaching, and individual and group coaching to family members who have loved ones in recovery. northstarcommunity.com The music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society. For more information on this ministry, please visit samsonsociety.com.  

"I honestly cannot tell you which decade was worse...Brokenness doesn't just end the second [the abuse] stops...The ramifications of that act ripple into decades later." Nate sits down to speak with Tim Rountree - a child abuse detective, a pastor, and a victim himself of childhood sexual abuse.  He explores how hope emerges even in the wake of unspeakable evil.  (outcryconcepts.com) Resources for online safety: bark.us covenanteyes.com x3watch.com leadmenot.org   The music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society. For more information on this ministry, please visit samsonsociety.com.

Nate interviews Gary Wilkerson of World Challenge (an outgrowth of Teen Challenge), a ministry dedicated to helping the needy of the world in many different ways, including those caught in addiction and poverty. Topics include the pitfalls of performance-based religion, family history, parenting, and the importance of community.  https://worldchallenge.org/ https://teenchallengeusa.org/ https://www.globaltc.org/   The music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society. For more information on this ministry, please visit samsonsociety.com.

To celebrate 300 episodes, we get to know Nate and Aaron a little bit better.  The host for this special episode is our good friend, Tom Ryan (known to some of you as T. C. Ryan) author of Ashamed No More: A Pastor's Journey Through Sex Addiction.    Tom has just released two free recovery resource packages on his website: livingintegrated.org. Both packages have pdf content and homework with a companion video.   The first package, "Four Tasks for Getting Your Life Back", is for folks who are beginning to realize they may have a problem with sex or porn and don't know what to do. Six pdfs and companion videos.   The second package, "Fifteen Practices For Living The Life You Want", is for those who need to do something more to really get going in recovery. It's also a good re-starter if we've plateaued in recovery. Seventeen pdfs and companion videos.   Additionally, Tom is working with the leadership of "Boulder Recovery" which we covered in-depth in episode 299.  More information can be found at boulderrecov

"I don't think that God's goal in the universe is to lessen the amount of sin.  I think His primary goal is to increase the amount of connection between Him and His people." Today's guest is therapist Matt Wenger, who works with guys dealing with porn and sex addiction.  In the course of that work, he recognized that Christian men have unique challenges in their journey to healing from this addiction.  The result of that was the development of Boulder Recovery, which offers a new 14-Day Men's Intensive for Christian guys struggling with porn and sex addiction.  Dr. Michael Barta's Trauma-Induced Sex Addiction (TINSA) Model of therapy is integrated with healthy spiritual teaching and practices to promote genuine healing from the attachment wounds and intimacy disorders that drive sexual addiction. The first intensive will be June 19-July 3, 2021. Information can be found at boulderrecovery.com. The music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society. For more information on this ministry,

Nate gives Aaron a PSA about severe weather before they are joined by Nate's long-time friend, Steve Zehr, who shares how he was shaped by his 35-year marriage to Susan, who struggled with mental illness. Steve's book is titled In Sickness and in Health and he can be reached at sd.zehr@gmail.com.    The music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society. For more information on this ministry, please visit samsonsociety.com.      

Nate has an inspiring conversation with his brother, Dan.  After a series of strokes, Dan was left unable to speak and was told by doctors that he would never speak again.  But Dan didn't accept that prognosis.  Through hard work and sheer determination, he discovered his own path for healing, proving the incredible resilience of the human brain.  The parallels with the recovery journey are evident.    The music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society. For more information on this ministry, please visit samsonsociety.com.

First, a discussion of Nate's blog about Ravi Zacharias (https://natelarkin.net/ravi-and-me/) and some feedback he has received.  Then, an interview with Bonny Burns - podcaster, coach and member of the leadership team for the Sarah Society - the sister organization which has grown out of a group of women impacted by the choices of Samson Society guys.  Topics include healthy sexual intimacy, Bonny's experience as a betrayed spouse going through D-Day, the continuing quest toward community and intimacy, building trust and empathy. "Sex is neither the cause of this addiction or the cure." "Sexual intimacy is for me too and I have just as much voice in the bedroom as he does." "Boundaries are to keep me safe, not to punish him." To connect with Bonny: bonny@strongwives.com www.strongwives.com (coaching support/resources) www.forchristianwives.com (Sex Chat for Christian Wives podcast) www.oysterbed7.com (blog)   The music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society. For more informat

How do we deal with the inevitable pain that comes into our life?  Nate gives an update on recent struggles with Allie's health before having a discussion with Seth Haines, who shares his own season of severe anxiety related to the health of his infant son, the even deeper pain of a seemingly absent God, and his subsequent slide into alcoholism in an attempt to numb the pain.  The music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society. For more information on this ministry, please visit samsonsociety.com.

The guys respond to a couple of notes from the mailbag before having a great discussion with Morgan Snyder (becomegoodsoil.com) about discovering the heart of Father as we discover our true sonship. Can we answer the questions - Where do I feel uncomfortable in the realm of masculinity? How do I recover ALL of what God wants for me?  The music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society. For more information on this ministry, please visit samsonsociety.com.

This is a refreshing discussion with theologian, author and professor  Brad Jersak that spans a myriad of subjects - from interactions with people of diverse viewpoints, love addiction vs. sex addiction, the purpose of confession and repentance, and what "the God of our understanding" and "progress not perfection" really mean. www.bradjersak.com   Featured song: "If Old is Grey" by Chad Land; used by permission (https://soundcloud.com/chad-land)  Other music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society. For more information on this ministry, please visit samsonsociety.com.

Have you ever made a promise to yourself to create a new habit but gave it up after only a few weeks?  How are those new year's resolutions holding up after a month?  Drew Dyck noticed this pattern in his own life and decided to do some study into both the scientific and biblical principles related to self-control.  Nate and Aaron have a great discussion with Drew about partnering with God and your community even in the small areas of our life.  You can find even more details in his book, Your Future Self Will Thank You.  (drewdyck.com) Also, Nate opens the mailbag and shares a few recent notes.   The music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society. For more information on this ministry, please visit samsonsociety.com.

In part two of our series on domestic abuse, we talk with "Becky", an abuse survivor.  Her story is one of pain, fear and redemption, but does point out how the Christian community can sometimes fall into the trap of excusing abusive behavior in the name of avoiding divorce.    Can every marriage be saved?  Should every marriage be saved?  Abuse should never be tolerated in the name of statistics.  The guys tackle this tough subject in light of the gospel in compassion, grace and love.   The music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society. For more information on this ministry, please visit samsonsociety.com.

Before you immediately dismiss your need to listen to this episode, we'd challenge you to have an open mind. When we hear the words "domestic abuse", we often think of videos of athletes in elevators, but can we recognize more subtle forms of abuse? Use of Power to Control others through Fear or Intimidation is Abusive even if there are never any bruises or broken bones. Join us as we begin a two-part series on this important topic.  We talk today with Chris Moles (chrismoles.org), a pastor and Biblical counselor who helps churches and families confront the evil of domestic violence. If this discussion sparked any questions in you, check out Chris's article - Am I Abusive?   We also get to hear a couple of songs from Aaron's new album, The End of the Fall.  You can listen and download the entire album at https://soundcloud.com/aaron-porter-778791650/sets/the-end-of-the-fall.   The music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society. For more information on this ministry, please visit