Episodios

  • Man Church - Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart

    Man Church - Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart
    Jan 10 2026
    Thank you Colleen, Carol, Heinz Lycklama, and many others for tuning into my live video! Follow me Dr. John A. King (Th.D.) or on Social Security@drjohnaking.Stop Asking Jesus Into Your HeartBusiness for TodayI encourage you all to register at manchurch.online for monthly reminders.Follow on social media and Substack @drjohnaking.Phoenix Collective Free Master Class on Redefining Normal:https://rise.phoenixcollective.app/event-pageMy StoryI remember when I first responded to an altar call to give my life to Christ. I was probably 11 and had just spent the afternoon smoking cigarettes I’d stolen from a local store before Bible study at the Friday Club at our local church, Calvinistic Methodist.It was a real encounter.I mean, the world stood still.My soul came alive.They gave me a little Gideons Bible.For me back then, life was rough. Abusive at home, physically and sexually. I was made to do a lot of things I never wanted to do. I assumed I was the bad person because I was doing these things. I assumed I needed to get saved again, because obviously I wasn’t saved, or bad things wouldn’t happen to me.So I went to a Presbyterian church. They had a youth program, and I prayed again. I was 13. I went back home and life was still shitty.A couple of years later I went to an Anglican church. They took communion every week. I went back the following week and the minister told me I couldn’t take communion again because I wasn’t confirmed. I went home and read the whole New Testament and came back, excited to tell him that I’d discovered I didn’t need to be an Anglican to take communion. I just needed to have asked Jesus and be trying to be a real Christian, and I’d done the “into my heart” thing a couple of years before.He said I was wrong. I told him to go f**k himself. I got kicked out of church. I was 16.When I turned 18, and I could drive, my moron mate Ray Fuggle and I would hop in his orange Kombi van and every Sunday we’d look up churches in the Australian equivalent of a Mapsco and randomly pick one. We’d take neckties with us and a packet of biscuits (cookies, in your vernacular) and go looking for pretty girls, a free feed, and Jesus.I got saved again in a Spanish-speaking church, sitting at the back, not knowing what was going on, but I knew I needed something. My heart ached for my life to be different, so I walked the aisle.I spent the next six years fighting and shagging my way through college. Every night I would read my little Gideons Bible and slur-pray, asking for forgiveness, before I went to sleep. I ended up on another altar call at a new starter church called Hillsong and wondered if this time it would take.In my early 20s I ended up in ministry at Hillsong Church, and my compulsory altar-call-attending didn’t stop. I went to the altar most Sundays because I didn’t feel good enough. I didn’t think God loved me. I didn’t think I was good enough to make the grade. I look back at my last week and thought, If I died tonight, I’m screwed.At some point, probably late 30s, early 40s, I realized this wasn’t about me needing to be saved. It was about me understanding what salvation meant.And I am sure many of you here today have faced, or are facing, the same dilemma. So I want to give you some basic theology, explain one scripture, ask you three questions, then have a chat.Theology Without the Eye-RollNow, when it comes to theology, I will not treat you like morons if you don’t pretend to be idiots. We are all grown-ups, and we can understand big words and new terms if someone takes the time to explain them.There is nothing hard about theology. What is hard is accepting the truth of its simplicity.Humans always want to screw things up, particularly when it comes to the nature and character of God, by making it more complicated than it is so they look smarter than you. They are not.So when I say theology, don’t roll your eyes. That’s why we keep the cameras on.Theology is simple, beautiful, and obtainable. It is the study of who God is, what He has said about us, and what He has done for us.Let me read you a statement, then I’ll break it down:Salvation is God’s free, sovereign grace rescuing sinners by uniting them to Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit’s work, so that they are justified (forgiven and counted righteous), then sanctified (changed), preserved (kept), and finally glorified (made whole), all received by faith alone, not earned.Break It Into Two PartsPart OneSalvation is God’s free, sovereign grace rescuing sinners by uniting them to Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit’s work, so that they are justified (forgiven and counted righteous).Salvation is God’s free and gracious gift of rescuing sinners (you and me) from the consequences of life choices and actions that He does not approve of.Jesus rescued and saved us by what He did on the cross when He died for us.How do we earn salvation? We don’t. It is a gift of grace. That means it...
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    27 m
  • This Saturday. Manchurch. 8AM CST: “Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart.”

    This Saturday. Manchurch. 8AM CST: “Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart.”
    Jan 10 2026

    Men,

    This Saturday at 8:00 AM CST, Man Church is live.

    Sermon title: Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart.Byline: How to know for sure you are saved.

    If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I actually saved… or am I just repeating church lines?”—this one is for you. No fluff. No games. Straight Bible and straight talk.

    When: Saturday, Jan 10 • 8AM CSTWhere: www.manchurch.online

    or live on substack MannaLife and Dr. John A. King (Th.D.)

    Bring a mate with you. Forward this email, text the link, or call him out and tell him to show up.

    See you Saturday,Dr. John A. King



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drturner.substack.com/subscribe
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    Menos de 1 minuto
  • Peace & Ease in 2026: The 1% Year with Dr. John A. King (Th.D.)

    Peace & Ease in 2026: The 1% Year with Dr. John A. King (Th.D.)
    Jan 3 2026
    My name is Dr. John King. I’m one of the partners at Manna Life. I’m a writer, an author, and I work in the area of mental health. And if you’re on Substack, you can find me Dr. John A. King (Th.D.) and DrJohnAKing.com.Coming into a new year, I want to talk about something most people say they want—but rarely build on purpose:Peace and ease.Because here’s what tends to happen at the end of the year: we look forward… but the fuel underneath that “motivation” is often regret.* Regret about what we didn’t achieve.* Regret about what we did and wish we hadn’t.* Regret about how stressful it all felt.* Regret that we “got some wins,” but still feel behind.So before you start stacking goals like a madman, I want to give you permission—and a practical framework—to walk into 2026 with less pressure and more momentum.The Problem With Big GoalsI’m not a big fan of big goals. Not because ambition is wrong—but because a lot of people use big goals as a way to punish themselves.They decide:“This year I’m changing everything.”They make bold declarations. They try to flip their life 100% overnight. And then… life happens.They miss a few days. They fall off. They get discouraged. And what started as “new year, new me” turns into new year, same shame.Here’s what I’ve learned:Huge goals can quietly steal your peace.Not because growth is bad—but because unrealistic expectations create constant internal pressure.And pressure always has a cost.The Bodybuilder Lesson: 500 PoundsI’m an old bodybuilder. Years ago, I decided I was going to push toward a personal record on the bench. The target? 500 pounds.Now imagine if I walked into the gym and said,“Right. Today’s the day. I’m pushing 500.”I would’ve failed miserably. I would’ve ripped everything up. I would’ve thrown the plan out. And I would’ve walked away frustrated.So what did we do instead?We went small.We went incremental.We went consistent.Day after day. Week after week.Sometimes it was as simple as showing up two or three times a week and putting one pound on the bar. I had to get those tiny half-pound plates. Later I “graduated” to the two-pound plates.And eventually? I got to 495. I didn’t break 500—but I got close enough to call it a win. It was sustainable. It was maintainable. It didn’t destroy my body or my mind in the process.That’s the mindset I want you to carry into 2026.The One-Degree RuleI also had the privilege of getting my private pilot’s license. And here’s something people don’t think about:If you’re one degree off in an airplane, over time you can end up a hundred miles from where you intended to land.Recovery works like that.Personal growth works like that.A performance mindset works like that.You don’t usually “crash” your life in one dramatic moment.You drift.And the way back isn’t usually one dramatic moment either.It’s small course corrections, repeated.The 1% FrameworkNow let’s talk numbers, because this is where people get their heads twisted.If you did 1% a day, that’s 365% in a year. That sounds impressive—but it’s not realistic to transform your entire self three times over in twelve months.If you did 1% a week, that’s 52% in a year. Better—but even that can feel like a lot depending on what you’re carrying.So here’s the target I want you to aim for:1% a month.Because if you improve 1% each month, in eight years you’ve completely revolutionized your life.And it’s sustainable.It’s maintainable.It doesn’t rob you of peace and ease.This is how real change actually sticks.Try Less (Yes, I Said It)For the folks who ended 2025 feeling like they didn’t hit their benchmarks, I’m going to say something you might not expect:Try less.Not in the sense of “care less” or “be lazy.”Try less in the sense of:* Stop taking on so much.* Stop setting goals that require you to become a different human being by next Tuesday.* Stop stacking expectations so high you live under a constant sense of failure.Here’s the truth:Disappointment comes from unmet expectations.I’m not saying don’t have expectations. I’m saying set them realistically.Some people set 50%, 60%, 100% life changes—and when they can’t maintain that pace, they don’t just fail…They quit.And then the narrative becomes: “See? I knew I couldn’t do it.”That’s not peace. That’s a trap.What’s Your 1% Goal?So what does 1% look like in real life?ReadingMaybe your 1% goal is five pages a day.Maybe it’s one page a day.Every day.ExerciseMaybe it’s a five-minute walk.Maybe it’s ten.Maybe the first step isn’t even a walk—maybe the first step is buying the shoes, putting them on, and walking to the letterbox.And before you dismiss that as “nothing,” let me be blunt:If you’ve been doing nothing for the last 18 months, walking to the letterbox is not nothing.It’s a start.And starting is the hardest part.Don’t Decry the SmallA lot of ...
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    8 m
  • Live with Dr. John A. King (Th.D.) - Holiday Guardrails

    Live with Dr. John A. King (Th.D.) - Holiday Guardrails
    Dec 12 2025


    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drturner.substack.com/subscribe
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    8 m
  • Live with Dr. John A. King (Th.D.) - Creativity and mental health

    Live with Dr. John A. King (Th.D.) - Creativity and mental health
    Dec 8 2025


    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drturner.substack.com/subscribe
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    5 m
  • Scars to Medals: Stop Anchoring to the Worst Thing That Happened

    Scars to Medals: Stop Anchoring to the Worst Thing That Happened
    Oct 22 2025

    This week I sat down with Men’s Therapy Online to talk about a hard truth: trauma will either refine you or define you. Too many of us—good men, tough men—end up anchoring our identity to the worst thing that happened to us, instead of building on what we choose to do with it.

    We’re generous with grace for everyone else and stingy with ourselves. I learned the cost of that the hard way. If I let a victim mindset take the driver’s seat, it would have been the death of me.

    The trap of the victim narrative

    There’s real relief in being seen and believed. But if we start basking in the attention that comes with the victim narrative, healing stalls. That’s true whether your trauma was childhood sexual abuse, combat, a line-of-duty incident, violence, or divorce. Pain is pain. But a narrative that keeps you powerless keeps you stuck.

    Scars to medals

    Scars aren’t decorations of shame. They’re proof you survived. At some point, we have to turn scars of shame into medals of honor—not by pretending it didn’t happen, but by taking responsibility for who we are now.

    Deal with the tree, not just the fruit

    Trauma grows strange fruit—anger, numbness, panic, isolation, addictions. You can prune fruit all day and it keeps coming back. Until you deal with the tree (the nervous system, the beliefs, the habits), the fruit returns.

    Practical shifts that work

    * Name it plainly. Write three sentences: what happened, how it shows up now, what you’re choosing next.

    * Stop renting attention. Share for healing, not applause. Tell one trusted person; build a plan.

    * Tend the body. Sleep, hydration, protein, movement, breathwork. Your nervous system is the soil.

    * Retrain the mind. Replace “This is who I am” with “This is what happened—and here’s what I do today.”

    * Build brotherhood. Two or three solid mates, counselor, pastor—people who hold you to your standards.

    * Serve. Purpose shrinks pain. Mentor one man coming behind you.

    If this hits home, watch for my Men’s Therapy Online episode—link coming in the notes. I go deeper on each of these and share the routines I use to keep my head and heart straight.

    Question: What’s one shift you can make today that moves you from victim narrative to warrior discipline?

    Continue the conversation on Dr. John A. King (Th.D.) or on social media @drjohnaking.

    If you’re in immediate crisis (U.S.), call or text 988.



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drturner.substack.com/subscribe
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    1 m
  • Core Strength, Resilience, and Redefining Aging

    Core Strength, Resilience, and Redefining Aging
    Oct 20 2025
    In this inspiring episode of Manna Life, Dr. Turner is joined by Dr. Ryan Nordell and Dr. John King for a deep dive into one of the most overlooked foundations of lifelong health—core strength. Together, they unpack why your spine, posture, and stability determine so much of your vitality as you age, and how to train smarter, not harder, for lasting mobility, strength, and resilience.Whether you’re recovering from an injury or simply looking to “age well,” this episode will challenge what you believe about getting older and empower you to take ownership of your health span—not just your lifespan.Rethinking Back Pain and “Getting Older”* Low back pain is one of the most common physical ailments—but it’s not an inevitable part of aging.* Dr. Nordell challenges the myth that pain and stiffness are “just getting older,” emphasizing that core stability is trainable at any age.* Most back issues stem from muscle imbalance and inactivity, not irreversible structural damage.The Foundation of True Core Strength* The transverse abdominis and multifidus muscles act as a corset, stabilizing the spine from the front and back.* Most people never train these deeper muscles; instead, they overemphasize the “six-pack” rectus abdominis and obliques.* Without activating your stabilizers, traditional core workouts can actually make your back weaker over time.Dr. Turner’s Personal Journey: From Injury to Resilience* Dr. Turner recounts his experience suffering a severe gym injury—a ruptured lumbar disc from heavy deadlifts—that led to surgery and forced him to rebuild from the ground up.* Recovery became a test of humility, patience, and self-applied functional medicine, rebuilding with swimming, light resistance, and consistent movement.* His story illustrates how the right rehab approach—anchored in mindset and consistency—can restore full function, even after surgery.Health Span vs. Life Span: The Longevity Connection* As Dr. Nordell explains, “I care less about living to 110 if the last 40 years are decrepit.”* Longevity isn’t just about time—it’s about quality: mobility, independence, and balance.* Prioritize flexibility, stability, and endurance training over maximal strength to extend your health span.Practical Core Training You Can Do Anywhere* You don’t need a gym membership to train effectively—bodyweight exercises and a few simple tools can maintain your fitness for life.* Key activation drill:* Find your hip bones and move your fingers slightly inward.* Draw your belly button gently toward your spine.* Hold for three seconds, release, and repeat 20–30 times.* Focus on isometric contractions and endurance-based reps to build stability that lasts all day.The Mindset of Proactive Health* America’s healthcare model is reactive, not proactive.* Instead of waiting for pain or illness, train your body and mind to stay strong, adaptable, and balanced.* Build resilience through movement you enjoy—play spike ball, lift with friends, or go for walks with your kids.Quick Tips for Building a Resilient Body* Train your transverse abdominis and multifidus before doing heavy lifts.* Incorporate balance and flexibility training as you age.* Listen to your body—know when to push and when to rest.* Consult a professional before starting a new program, especially if you already have back pain or injury.About Dr. Nordell:Dr. Ryan Nordell, DPT, LPC, is a globally recognized concierge doctor and longevity strategist with over 20 years of experience helping the world’s top performers—CEOs, athletes, celebrities, and UHNW families—optimize their energy, extend their lifespan, and live with purpose. He has been featured on Fox News and other leading media outlets for his expertise in functional medicine, non-surgical pain management, and high-performance health, positioning him as a trusted authority in today’s evolving health landscape.As co-founder of Elite Care Concierge (ECC). Dr. Nordell helped establish one of the most advanced concierge healthcare platforms in existence—delivering highly personalized, white-glove medical care built around advanced diagnostics, functional medicine, and precision performance strategies.Dr. Nordell is also founder and CEO of Orthopedic & Fitness Solutions, a concierge rehabilitation and pain optimization practice. His background in treating complex injuries has shaped his distinctive approach—fusing biomechanics, regenerative medicine, biohacking, and performance protocols into a customized path to healing and vitality.Beyond clinical practice, Dr. Nordell has been a behind-the-scenes advisor and growth architect for multiple high-growth wellness ventures, from 8- to 10-figure scale. His leadership blends clinical innovation, business strategy, and financial acumen—helping organizations clarify vision, elevate offerings, and thrive in competitive luxury markets.A sought-after speaker and thought leader, Dr. Nordell regularly ...
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    23 m
  • Biohacking Trauma: The 20% That Saved My Life

    Biohacking Trauma: The 20% That Saved My Life
    Oct 12 2025

    Years ago, I sat at my kitchen table and drew a rough Venn diagram. In one circle I listed everything that set me off—foods, sounds, places, people, smells. In the other, I listed what kept me steady—sleep, movement, clean meals, quiet mornings, safe faces. I asked one question:

    What’s the 20% that, if I get it right, will improve 80% of my life?

    Then I went after it. I read a couple hundred books. I ran experiments. I paid attention. Back then we didn’t have a cool word for it. Today they call it “biohacking.” For me, it was a lifeline.

    What I discovered (the hard way)

    * Certain foods wrecked me. Not just “too many calories,” but artificial dyes and junk ingredients. A small hit could spiral my mood for days.

    * Sugar was gasoline on the fire. Anxiety up. Sleep down. Fuse shortened.

    * Inputs matter. Music, clothing textures, the wrong crowd, cluttered rooms, fluorescent lights, certain smells—tiny things that pushed me into the red.

    * Environment is medicine. A quiet space, natural light, tidy desk, a walk outside—these weren’t “nice to have.” They were non-negotiable.

    * Boundaries beat willpower. I stopped trying to “tough it out.” I changed my inputs.

    None of this made me perfect. It just made me functional—more present for my wife, my work, my people.

    The 20% that moved 80% of the needle

    You don’t have to fix everything. You have to fix the right things.

    * Food audit. Whole foods first. Protein early. Ditch the artificial stuff. Track how you feel 2–24 hours after you eat.

    * Sugar ceiling. Set a daily cap (or cut it for 30 days). Watch your sleep and mood stabilize.

    * Sleep protection. Same bedtime, cool dark room, no doom-scroll the last hour.

    * Morning anchors. Water, movement (10–20 min), 3 deep breaths, sunlight. Start on purpose, not by accident.

    * Noise & input hygiene. Curate your music, news, and conversations. Some songs heal. Some don’t. Same with people.

    * Clothing & sensory comfort. Wear what your nervous system likes. Texture, fit, temperature. It’s not vanity—it’s regulation.

    * Environment reset. Clear surfaces. Open a window. Step outside at lunch. Set the stage for the life you want to live.

    * Company you keep. Choose people who calm your nervous system, not people your nervous system has to recover from.

    Start with one or two. Win small. Repeat.

    How to run your own “Venn Diagram” experiment (7 days)

    Day 1: Map it.Two lists: “Fuels me” and “Flares me.” Be brutally honest.

    Day 2–3: Remove one red-flag input.Sugar at night? A certain podcast that spikes you? The cluttered office? Pull one thing out and note your sleep, mood, and patience the next day.

    Day 4–5: Add one stabilizer.Protein-heavy breakfast, a 20-minute walk, phone on Do Not Disturb until 9 a.m., five minutes of breathing. Track results.

    Day 6: Environmental upgrade.Fix your light, clear your desk, set clothes out for tomorrow, open the blinds. Small wins, big gains.

    Day 7: Review and lock it in.What moved the needle most? Keep that 20%. The rest can wait.

    My rules, written in ink

    * If an input repeatedly costs me my peace, it’s out.

    * If a habit repeatedly gives me my life back, it’s in.

    * If I have to white-knuckle it every day, I need a different plan.

    Simple. Not easy. Worth it.

    You’re not broken. You’re sensitive to inputs.

    That sensitivity is intelligence. Point it at what heals you.

    If you try this, tell me your 20%—the one small change that delivered the biggest return. I read every comment. And if this helped, share it with a friend who’s living in the red and needs a way back to steady.

    Stay steady and lets connect on substack and social!John (@drjohnaking)

    Quick note

    If you’re in a dark place or feel unsafe right now, please reach out to local emergency services or a trusted professional in your area. You’re not alone, and help is available.



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drturner.substack.com/subscribe
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    1 m
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