Summer can feel like a juggling act, between work, kids, house projects, and the pressure to make every moment Instagram-worthy. In this episode, Chris and Jesse reflect on how they’re navigating two very different family rhythms during the summer months. They explore the myth of summer being a “slower” season for adults and challenge the idea that it has to be filled with big plans to be meaningful. Instead, they highlight the power of small moments, five-minute connections that carry more weight than any epic vacation. With honesty and humor, they remind us that sometimes aiming lower might actually help us connect more deeply.

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Feeling stuck or just craving something more? Join us for The Journey — a weekend for men to step away, reconnect, and remember who they really are, happening September 16-20, 2025. It’s not about fixing yourself; it’s about finding your true self alongside brothers on the same path. Spots are limited, so check it out and sign up here: restorationproject.net/mens-experiences/the-journey!

A quick drive to a summer basketball camp turns into an unexpected heart-stirring moment for Jesse when he runs into the coaches who once shaped his teenage years. In this episode, he and Chris unpack how affirmation, especially from people who matter, can echo across decades and still touch something deep inside. They talk about the difference between being affirmed for your performance versus being affirmed for simply who you are. Along the way, they explore how remembered goodness can be just as powerful as present affirmation. If you've ever longed to hear “you matter” from someone important, this conversation will meet you right there.

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• Website: www.restorationproject.net
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Feeling stuck or just craving something more? Join us for The Journey — a weekend for men to step away, reconnect, and remember who they really are, happening September 16-20, 2025. It’s not about fixing yourself; it’s about finding your true self alongside brothers on the same path. Spots are limited, so check it out and sign up here: restorationproject.net/mens-experiences/the-journey!

What do fish and chips, flying french fries, and a rowdy Scottish pub have to do with becoming a Sage? In this episode, Chris and Jesse reflect on their recent trip to Scotland with a group of men exploring what it means to step into midlife with intention. From the tremors of transition to questions of identity, legacy, and regret, they share the kinds of conversations that shape a man’s decades ahead. If this kind of journey sounds like something your soul is craving, consider joining one of our upcoming Sage Experiences. Spots are open now for:

Sage Experience: Scotland 2026 - https://www.restorationproject.net/mens-experiences/sagescotland
Sage Experience: Ireland 2026 - https://www.restorationproject.net/mens-experiences/sageireland

Access the Restoration Project Community and join the Grove Collective!

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To know more about Restoration Project, visit us here:

• Website: www.restorationproject.net
• Instagram: @restorationprojectco
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• LinkedIn: Restoration Project

Feeling stuck or just craving something more? Join us for The Journey — a weekend for men to step away, reconnect, and remember who they really are, happening September 16-20, 2025. It’s not about fixing yourself; it’s about finding your true self alongside brothers on the same path. Spots are limited, so check it out and sign up here: restorationproject.net/mens-experiences/the-journey!

What does it really mean to launch your kids well? In this episode, Chris and Jesse unpack the transition from fathering children to walking alongside them as young adults—with all the joy, grief, and humility it requires. They share powerful moments from Trek: Kenya, a father-teen expedition that invites dads into raw conversations and real growth. From the weight of past mistakes to the wonder of seeing your child’s glory up close, this is about launching hearts, not just moving boxes. And somewhere between wildebeest stampedes and safari trucks, a deeper kind of beauty emerges: the honor of being a dad.

Access the Restoration Project Community and join the Grove Collective!

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To know more about Restoration Project, visit us here:

• Website: www.restorationproject.net
• Instagram: @restorationprojectco
• Facebook: Restoration Project
• LinkedIn: Restoration Project

Feeling stuck or just craving something more? Join us for The Journey — a weekend for men to step away, reconnect, and remember who they really are, happening September 16-20, 2025. It’s not about fixing yourself; it’s about finding your true self alongside brothers on the same path. Spots are limited, so check it out and sign up here: restorationproject.net/mens-experiences/the-journey!

Jesse sits down in person with longtime friend and retired firefighter Kevin Lyon for a raw, thoughtful conversation about vocation, transition, and identity. From the unexpected pivot out of pastoral ministry to crawling through tight fire academy pipes (literally)Kevin shares how his journey has been shaped by fear, purpose, and presence. He reflects on what it meant to be an “undercover pastor” in the firehouse, navigating trauma while trying not to lose himself or his family in the process. They also explore what it takes to re-enter home life after high-stakes calls and why retirement isn’t the finish line, but a shift into deeper availability. Together, they talk about daily bread, dark humor, sonship, and the power of people who are unimpressed with your résumé.

Access the Restoration Project Community and join the Grove Collective!

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To know more about Restoration Project, visit us here:

• Website: www.restorationproject.net
• Instagram: @restorationprojectco
• Facebook: Restoration Project
• LinkedIn: Restoration Project

Feeling stuck or just craving something more? Join us for The Journey — a weekend for men to step away, reconnect, and remember who they really are, happening September 16-20, 2025. It’s not about fixing yourself; it’s about finding your true self alongside brothers on the same path. Spots are limited, so check it out and sign up here: restorationproject.net/mens-experiences/the-journey!

Chris is back from a three-month sabbatical, and in this episode, he and Jesse dive into what that time really held. Hint: it wasn’t just naps and novels on the beach. They explore the difference between being tired and being truly weary, and why the latter can’t be fixed with just a vacation. Chris opens up about the hard and beautiful work of processing grief, naming loss, and discovering what genuine rest looks like. Together, they unpack how sabbatical is less about stepping away and more about stepping into deeper restoration. Whether or not a three-month break is in your future, this episode invites you to consider how rest might look different and more honest this season.

Access the Restoration Project Community and join the Grove Collective!

Subscribe here: https://rp-grove.circle.so/

To know more about Restoration Project, visit us here:

• Website: www.restorationproject.net
• Instagram: @restorationprojectco
• Facebook: Restoration Project
• LinkedIn: Restoration Project

Feeling stuck or just craving something more? Join us for The Journey — a weekend for men to step away, reconnect, and remember who they really are, happening September 16-20, 2025. It’s not about fixing yourself; it’s about finding your true self alongside brothers on the same path. Spots are limited, so check it out and sign up here: restorationproject.net/mens-experiences/the-journey!

Whether you’re a die-hard fan or someone who’s never cared about sports, this episode has something for you. Jesse and Michael Krommendyk explore how sports can be both a bonding force and a barrier for men trying to connect meaningfully. They reflect on childhood memories, emotional investments in games, and the pressure to find belonging through shared interests. But they also make space for men who’ve felt left out of that world. Could sports be more than just entertainment—maybe even a clue to where we truly belong?

Access the Restoration Project Community and join the Grove Collective!

Subscribe here: https://rp-grove.circle.so/

To know more about Restoration Project, visit us here:

• Website: www.restorationproject.net
• Instagram: @restorationprojectco
• Facebook: Restoration Project
• LinkedIn: Restoration Project

Feeling stuck or just craving something more? Join us for The Journey — a weekend for men to step away, reconnect, and remember who they really are, happening September 16-20, 2025. It’s not about fixing yourself; it’s about finding your true self alongside brothers on the same path. Spots are limited, so check it out and sign up here: restorationproject.net/mens-experiences/the-journey!

Sometimes the most defining moments in our lives don’t come with clarity—they come with exhaustion, heartbreak, and longing. In Part 2 of his story, Ike Dolby shares what it meant to be in the thick of disappointment and disconnection, craving his father’s presence and learning to reach for community. He tells of how light broke through in the form of phone calls, honest friends, and even laughter. And ultimately, how God met him with the release he didn’t know he needed.

If you or someone you know is walking through the pain of infidelity, AffairRecovery.com is a resource Ike found deeply helpful.

Access the Restoration Project Community and join the Grove Collective!

Subscribe here: https://rp-grove.circle.so/

To know more about Restoration Project, visit us here:

• Website: www.restorationproject.net
• Instagram: @restorationprojectco
• Facebook: Restoration Project
• LinkedIn: Restoration Project

Feeling stuck or just craving something more? Join us for The Journey — a weekend for men to step away, reconnect, and remember who they really are, happening September 16-20, 2025. It’s not about fixing yourself; it’s about finding your true self alongside brothers on the same path. Spots are limited, so check it out and sign up here: restorationproject.net/mens-experiences/the-journey!