Sermons on the Side
Join two friends, Richard and Brad, each week as they explore the hidden messages in life's everyday moments. From personal stories to tales of family and friends, they uncover the unexpected lessons and sermons that God might be revealing. Tune in for heartfelt conversations, laughter, and meaningful insights that remind us that even in the ordinary, there’s always a deeper purpose waiting to be discovered.
Episodes
What do you do when life backs you into a corner and the odds are stacked against you?
In this episode, Richard shares a powerful conversation he had with a pastor friend whose church was facing a make-or-break moment. The situation reminded him of one of the wildest plays in college football history - Arkansas vs. Ole Miss in 2015 - when, on fourth and twenty-five in overtime, a desperate heave, a wild lateral, and a broken play s...
In this week’s episode, we pause from our usual rhythm and spend time reflecting on the events of the past couple of weeks following the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk. Together, we share how this moment has shaped us personally and spiritually, and why Dr. Ben Carson’s words at Charlie’s memorial - reminding us that a seed must die in order to grow - continue to resonate deeply.
From there, we talk honestly about the challen...
This week we sit down with Michael Warden - author, coach, free spirit, and founder of the men’s recovery ministry Braveheart Men. Richard first met Michael four years ago during a Braveheart Men’s Intensive, and since then Michael has continued to impact the lives of hundreds of men through his work.
Michael joins us to share about the release of the final two books in his four-part mystic Christian fantasy series, The Pearlsong R...
Have you ever noticed how quickly our priorities can shift? One day we’re frustrated about a football game, a job, or the little inconveniences of life, and the next day something happens that reminds us of what truly matters. In this week’s episode of Sermons on the Side, Richard shares a personal story from his years living in New York that started with a Monday Night Football game and ended with a comment from a friend that has ...
What happens when your mind gives up before your body ever does? This 4th of July, Brad took on the grueling CrossFit workout “1776” - 1,776 reps in honor of America’s independence. About halfway through, he caught himself saying, “This is impossible.” That moment of negativity could have sunk the whole workout… until a friend reminded him, “You’re already choosing defeat. Learn to live - and speak - positively over yourself.”
In ...
In this episode, Richard shares how a simple quote from historian and biographer Candice Millard sparked a deeper reflection. Millard is known for uncovering hidden stories behind famous historical figures, reshaping the way we remember them. In an interview, she was asked why she chases these obscure angles, and her response was: “It fascinates me what we remember and what we forget.”
That line opened the door for Richard to think...
After some much-needed catch-up from summer vacations (highs, lows, and all the laughs in between), Brad and Richard dive into a powerful Sermon on the Side moment from Richard’s past. While driving home from church years ago, Richard found himself weighed down by the false names and labels the enemy had spoken over his life - names rooted in shame, failure, and sin.
But in that very moment, God broke through. A friend, sitting in c...
We’re celebrating a big one - Episode 30 of Sermons on the Side!
It’s our 3rd roundtable discussion and our 2nd remote interview, this time with a longtime friend and pastor from New York, Jay Cookingham. Jay has been a friend of Richard’s for decades, and his life and ministry have been marked by a deep passion for seeing men embrace God as their true Father and step fully into their sonship in Him.
In this conversation, Jay share...
🚨 Spoiler Alert: If you’ve never seen the movie 'Saving Private Ryan' and plan to, you may want to hit pause and come back later. 🚨
This week, we reflect on one of the most gut-punching, unforgettable scenes in movie history - from the final act of Saving Private Ryan. Captain John Miller's last words to Private Ryan, “Earn this...earn it,” echo into the life of the man he saved... and maybe into our own.
But what ha...
Radical generosity. Sacrificial love. A toddler’s lesson at Chick-fil-A.
In this heartfelt episode of Sermons on the Side, Brad shares a tender moment from a recent family outing - five seats, two parents, three kids, and one single waffle fry left in the tray. What happened next between two-year-old Shep and four-year-old Bekah caught him completely off guard… and led us into a deep reflection on what radical generosity really look...
Is it possible that what’s falling apart is more alive than what once stood strong?
In this week’s episode of Sermons on the Side, we dive into an unexpected treasure: an ancient poem called The Ruin, discovered through an article sent to Richard by his daughter Carly. Written from the perspective of a translator of old poetry, The Ruin explores the haunting beauty of broken things and of once-mighty structures now crumbled by time.
...
What started as a casual dinner with a visiting friend turned into a sacred moment of reflection - one of those conversations that sticks with you. Between talk of wins, losses, and everything in-between, Brad felt prompted to say, “We need to build more altars in our lives.” That simple phrase launched this week’s episode!
Join us as we explore the biblical examples of building altars and unpacking what it means for us today. Why ...
What do you get when an Oklahoma farm girl ends up at Harvard, then finds herself living in New Zealand with a husband, two kids, and a podcast all about cultivating a life of hopeful expectation? You get Darcie Frost! And you get this special Episode 25!
We first met Darcie through a podcasting support group, and what started as a quick connection turned into real friendship. We've cheered each other on, prayed for each other ...
The merch giveaway was a hit! From the Brad Bundle to the Richard Bundle to surprise bonus prizes, we had a blast sharing the love with you all last week. But today’s episode goes even deeper.
Richard shares a story from a Sunday morning that started with peace, coffee... and an unexpected mental battle whiling driving I-65. What happened next? A quiet moment in a Starbucks, the passage about a man with a withered hand, and a person...
What do kidney stones, giveaways, and the presence of God have in common?
In this episode, Richard shares a raw and real story about one of the most physically painful moments of his life - and how, in the middle of it, he encountered the overwhelming comfort of God’s presence. We reflect on how pain can cloud everything… but when we invite the Lord into it, His presence can shift not just our situation, but our perspective.
Plus — d...
With the Stanley Cup Finals in full swing, Richard laces up a story from the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team - the Miracle on Ice. But before they shocked the world, Coach Herb Brooks delivered a message to his starting goalie that cuts deeper than any pregame speech: “You have a whole other level you’re capable of… but for some reason, you’re not going there.”
That same challenge hits home in our walk with the Lord. What if He’s invi...
On one of the darkest Father’s Day weekends of his life, Richard fell asleep after a long shift flipping burgers at Five Guys. He was burdened and depressed. But that night, something unexpected happened.
In a vivid, Gladiator-style dream set in the heart of the Roman arena, Richard was confronted with a spiritual reality he hadn’t seen before: the battle for his soul wasn’t being lost because of the enemy’s strength… but because of...
This isn’t just another episode – it’s a milestone! Every round-numbered episode, we bring you a roundtable-style chat, and this one is a can’t-miss. We’re joined by local legend Jason Dennis, the award-winning news anchor from Columbus’s #1 station, WTVM.
We dive deep into Jason’s story – from how he landed in Columbus and his rise in the broadcast journalism world to the integrity and faith that guide his work. Jason’s a guy who’s...
What do you get when you mix a Disney roller coaster, a lost stuffed animal, and a very determined dad? That’s right - Richard’s got a story for the ages.
It all started with a family trip to Disney (circa 25 years ago) when Richard’s youngest son’s beloved Stitch (yes, that Stitch from Lilo & Stitch) vanished mid-adventure. The panic! The Disney worker consultations! The heartbreaking realization that Stitch was gone forever!
I...
It started with a cup of ketchup at Five Guys in Poughkeepsie, New York (Yes, really.) A quick moment, a quiet comment from a kid, and suddenly we’re talking about something way bigger: the voices in our heads that tell us we’re not good enough, not strong enough, not whatever enough.
In this episode of Sermons on the Side, we follow that trail all the way to Gideon — a man hiding out in a winepress who gets called “mighty warrior” ...
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