What does your life look like when you're truly living out your identity in Christ? Are you becoming who you were created to be—or just living in the shadows of that calling?

In this 'Average Joe' conversation, Pastor Jim Ramos sits down with longtime friend and fellow ministry leader Mike Riley to unpack what your identity in Christ really means. Not what you do. Not who you know. But who you are at your core—and how God actually sees you.

Discover how fully understanding and embracing that identity can set you free, allowing the people around you to feel both the weight and the blessing of who God made you to be. Don't let the enemy strip you of your true identity. It's time to step off the bleachers, out of the shadows, and shine the way God designed you to.

This episode is sponsored by Compassion International. Our goal is for the Men in the Arena tribe to sponsor 1,000 boys over the coming year! Help us reach that goal and make a difference in a child's life today. When you sponsor a child using our link, you'll receive a free copy of Jim's book, Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God!

I Can Only Imagine 2 hits theaters February 20th, 2026! Watch the trailer and get tickets aticanonlyimagine.com.

Every man needs a locker room. Apply to join an exclusive brotherhood of like-minded men in The Locker Room, our monthly live Zoom Q&A call! We meet in the Locker Room once a month for community, fellowship, laughter, and to help each other find biblical answers to life's difficult questions. Locker Room members also get access to monthly exclusive leadership trainings, historically only available to the staff team at Men in the Arena. Membership is by application only. Go here to apply: https://patreon.com/themeninthearena

Get Jim Ramos' USA TODAY Bestselling book, Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God (https://tinyurl.com/dialedinbook)

What happens when your faith is tested in real time?
How do you stay obedient to God when the pressure is high and the path forward isn't clear?

In this Expert Interview, Jim Ramos talks with Shawn Johnson for a candid conversation about leadership, faith under pressure, and making hard decisions when following Jesus costs something. Shawn shares lessons learned through real-world challenges—and how trusting God shaped both his character and calling. You'll walk away with practical insight on leading when the outcome is uncertain and why obedience matters more than comfort or approval.

im's newest book, Guardrails: Ten Boundaries for an Unbreakable Marriage will be releasing in April 2026. Sign up to be notified when it's available at https://meninthearena.org/guardrails.

This episode is sponsored by Compassion International. Our goal is for the Men in the Arena tribe to sponsor 1,000 boys over the coming year! Help us reach that goal and make a difference in a child's life today. When you sponsor a child using our link, you'll receive a free copy of Jim's book, Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God!

I Can Only Imagine 2 hits theaters February 20th, 2026! Watch the trailer and get tickets aticanonlyimagine.com.

Every man needs a locker room. Apply to join an exclusive brotherhood of like-minded men in The Locker Room, our monthly live Zoom Q&A call! We meet in the Locker Room once a month for community, fellowship, laughter, and to help each other find biblical answers to life's difficult questions. Locker Room members also get access to monthly exclusive leadership trainings, historically only available to the staff team at Men in the Arena. Membership is by application only. Go here to apply: https://patreon.com/themeninthearena

Get Jim Ramos' USA TODAY Bestselling book, Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God (https://tinyurl.com/dialedinbook)

This is a Men in the Arena podcast highlight from EP 926, Preparing for Your Overnight Success: Cultivating Grit During Building Years w/ Mark Batterson. Check it out!

Jim's newest book, Guardrails: Ten Boundaries for an Unbreakable Marriage will be releasing in April 2026. Sign up to be notified when it's available at https://meninthearena.org/guardrails.

This episode is sponsored by Compassion International. Our goal is for the Men in the Arena tribe to sponsor 1,000 boys over the coming year! Help us reach that goal and make a difference in a child's life today. When you sponsor a child using our link, you'll receive a free copy of Jim's book, Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God!

I Can Only Imagine 2 hits theaters February 20th, 2026! Watch the trailer and get tickets aticanonlyimagine.com.

Every man needs a locker room. Apply to join an exclusive brotherhood of like-minded men in The Locker Room, our monthly live Zoom Q&A call! We meet in the Locker Room once a month for community, fellowship, laughter, and to help each other find biblical answers to life's difficult questions. Locker Room members also get access to monthly exclusive leadership trainings, historically only available to the staff team at Men in the Arena. Membership is by application only. Go here to apply: https://patreon.com/themeninthearena

Get Jim Ramos' USA TODAY Bestselling book, Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God (https://tinyurl.com/dialedinbook)

How should a man respond when a child walks into the room?
Are you intentional—or distracted—in moments that could shape a life forever?

In this Equipping Men in 10 episode, Jim Ramos challenges men to rethink how they engage with children—from toddlers to teenagers. Looking at how Jesus welcomed, valued, and blessed children, Jim unpacks why every interaction matters and how one moment of intentionality can create lifelong impact. You'll learn why children should be treated as whole people, not interruptions and four practical rules every man can live by when engaging kids.

Jim's newest book, Guardrails: Ten Boundaries for an Unbreakable Marriage will be releasing in April 2026. Sign up to be notified when it's available at https://meninthearena.org/guardrails.

This episode is sponsored by Compassion International. Our goal is for the Men in the Arena tribe to sponsor 1,000 boys over the coming year! Help us reach that goal and make a difference in a child's life today. When you sponsor a child using our link, you'll receive a free copy of Jim's book, Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God!

I Can Only Imagine 2 hits theaters February 20th, 2026! Watch the trailer and get tickets aticanonlyimagine.com.

Every man needs a locker room. Apply to join an exclusive brotherhood of like-minded men in The Locker Room, our monthly live Zoom Q&A call! We meet in the Locker Room once a month for community, fellowship, laughter, and to help each other find biblical answers to life's difficult questions. Locker Room members also get access to monthly exclusive leadership trainings, historically only available to the staff team at Men in the Arena. Membership is by application only. Go here to apply: https://patreon.com/themeninthearena

Get Jim Ramos' USA TODAY Bestselling book, Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God (https://tinyurl.com/dialedinbook)

Are you respected at work—but ignored at home?
Do the people who know you best actually respect you?

In this weeks message, Jim Ramos unpacks what Scripture says about being a respected man—not a compartmentalized one. Drawing from Job 29 and real-life experience, he challenges men to stop "waffling" between roles and start living as integrated, whole men whose lives are worth imitating. You'll see why respect must be earned, not demanded and how one practical step can identify where you're "waffling" and grow stronger.

Jim's newest book, Guardrails: Ten Boundaries for an Unbreakable Marriage will be releasing in April 2026. Sign up to be notified when it's available at https://meninthearena.org/guardrails.

This episode is sponsored by Compassion International. Our goal is for the Men in the Arena tribe to sponsor 1,000 boys over the coming year! Help us reach that goal and make a difference in a child's life today. When you sponsor a child using our link, you'll receive a free copy of Jim's book, Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God!

I Can Only Imagine 2 hits theaters February 20th, 2026! Watch the trailer and get tickets aticanonlyimagine.com.

Every man needs a locker room. Apply to join an exclusive brotherhood of like-minded men in The Locker Room, our monthly live Zoom Q&A call! We meet in the Locker Room once a month for community, fellowship, laughter, and to help each other find biblical answers to life's difficult questions. Locker Room members also get access to monthly exclusive leadership trainings, historically only available to the staff team at Men in the Arena. Membership is by application only. Go here to apply: https://patreon.com/themeninthearena

Get Jim Ramos' USA TODAY Bestselling book, Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God (https://tinyurl.com/dialedinbook)

This is a question from the brotherhood in The Locker Room.

Every man needs a locker room. Apply to join an exclusive brotherhood of like-minded men in The Locker Room, our monthly live Zoom Q&A call! We meet in the Locker Room once a month for community, fellowship, laughter, and to help each other find biblical answers to life's difficult questions. Locker Room members also get access to monthly exclusive leadership trainings, historically only available to the staff team at Men in the Arena. Membership is by application only. Go here to apply: https://patreon.com/themeninthearena

Jim's newest book, Guardrails: Ten Boundaries for an Unbreakable Marriage will be releasing in April 2026. Sign up to be notified when it's available at https://meninthearena.org/guardrails.

This episode is sponsored by Compassion International. Our goal is for the Men in the Arena tribe to sponsor 1,000 boys over the coming year! Help us reach that goal and make a difference in a child's life today. When you sponsor a child using our link, you'll receive a free copy of Jim's book, Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God!

I Can Only Imagine 2 hits theaters February 20th, 2026! Watch the trailer and get tickets aticanonlyimagine.com.

Get Jim Ramos' USA TODAY Bestselling book, Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God (https://tinyurl.com/dialedinbook)

Would you be nervous to sit down with your grown child and ask what you got right—and where you blew it as a dad? Jim Ramos has shared openly about what he believes he did wrong as a father… but this time, you get to hear it straight from the son who lived it.

In this unique series, Jim is bringing in each of his three sons to analyze the good, bad and ugly of his parenting. Today, Jim sits down with his Middle son, Darby Ramos, for a candid, behind-the-scenes look at life growing up in the Ramos home. Together, they dig into the moments that shaped Darby's character, the parenting moves Jim nailed, and the areas where he fell short.

Jim's newest book, Guardrails: Ten Boundaries for an Unbreakable Marriage will be releasing in April 2026. Sign up to be notified when it's available at https://meninthearena.org/guardrails.

This episode is sponsored by Compassion International. Our goal is for the Men in the Arena tribe to sponsor 1,000 boys over the coming year! Help us reach that goal and make a difference in a child's life today. When you sponsor a child using our link, you'll receive a free copy of Jim's book, Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God!

I Can Only Imagine 2 hits theaters February 20th, 2026! Watch the trailer and get tickets aticanonlyimagine.com.

Every man needs a locker room. Apply to join an exclusive brotherhood of like-minded men in The Locker Room, our monthly live Zoom Q&A call! We meet in the Locker Room once a month for community, fellowship, laughter, and to help each other find biblical answers to life's difficult questions. Locker Room members also get access to monthly exclusive leadership trainings, historically only available to the staff team at Men in the Arena. Membership is by application only. Go here to apply: https://patreon.com/themeninthearena

Get Jim Ramos' USA TODAY Bestselling book, Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God (https://tinyurl.com/dialedinbook)

Men, this episode contains a big curveball and one of the most incredible God moments we've ever experienced in almost 1,000 episodes of the Men in the Arena podcast! Not a dry eye in the house! Don't miss this one.

Can one simple "yes" really change the course of someone's entire life?

In this powerful episode, Jim Ramos sits down with Richmond, a former Compassion International sponsor child whose story of loss, hopelessness, and redemption will leave you stunned. As a young boy facing unimaginable hardship, Richmond's life was transformed when one person chose to invest in him. That single "yes" didn't just change his childhood—it launched a life of influence that now impacts pastors, leaders, and entire communities around the world.

Richmond's testimony shows what God can do when we choose to shine our light and trust Him with the results. By the end of this episode, you'll learn how one act of obedience can multiply far beyond your lifetime and what it looks like to invest in the Kingdom in simple, practical ways.

This episode is sponsored by Compassion International. Our goal is for the Men in the Arena tribe to sponsor 1,000 boys over the coming year! Help us reach that goal and make a difference in a child's life today. When you sponsor a child using our link, you'll receive a free copy of Jim's book, Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God!

I Can Only Imagine 2 hits theaters February 20th, 2026! Watch the trailer and get tickets aticanonlyimagine.com.

Every man needs a locker room. Apply to join an exclusive brotherhood of like-minded men in The Locker Room, our monthly live Zoom Q&A call! We meet in the Locker Room once a month for community, fellowship, laughter, and to help each other find biblical answers to life's difficult questions. Locker Room members also get access to monthly exclusive leadership trainings, historically only available to the staff team at Men in the Arena. Membership is by application only. Go here to apply: https://patreon.com/themeninthearena

Get Jim Ramos' USA TODAY Bestselling book, Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God (https://tinyurl.com/dialedinbook)