Pirate Monk Podcast

"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 

Nate and Aaron speak with Randy Turner, author of Rescuing the Rogue, about mentoring, learning intimacy the hard way, what intimacy truly is and how to root out the false beliefs we have about intimacy. If you'd like to explore this topic further, you can reach Randy at rturner@transformingfamilies.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 Noah Filipiak, author of Beyond the Battle.  Noah is a pastor who talks openly about his struggle with porn, the journey from entitlement to contentment through recognizing the true needs beneath the behavior, and the real definition of love.  Noah also facilitates Beyond the Battle online 7-week zoom groups which focus on your identity in Christ in an oversexualized world.  For more information, visit beyondthebattle.net or noahfilipiak.com.   Nate and Aaron also discuss the importance of Gratitude for our overall physical and mental health.   The music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society. For more information on this ministry, please visit samsonsociety.com.

Clinton and Charity Munoz of the Restored 2 More podcast share their winding path of addiction, discovery, missteps in finding help, and finally to the true redemptive help that they needed. They are now helping couples move from infidelity to intimacy.  Learn more at restored2more.com.   The music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society and also features the new song When You're Lying by Kristin Larkin.  You can find her music at kristinlarkin.bandcamp.com.  For more information on this ministry, please visit samsonsociety.com.

In this follow-up to episode 280, Nate and Aaron talk with Brian Tholstrup, a fellow pirate monk whose primary drug of choice was alcohol.  The guys discuss how recovery is not "one-size-fits-all" and how each of us has to assess what is helpful in our own journey while avoiding the lure of the "easier, softer way".   Nate and Aaron also discuss how easy it is to get distracted by seemingly harmless pursuits, such as gaming.   The music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society. For more information on this ministry, please visit samsonsociety.com.    

Today Nate interviews Chad and Angela Anderson as they share the story of Chad's pornography addiction, D-Day and their continuing redemption. Chad is now a certified recovery coach sharing what he has learned with other men.  Chad's contact info is: 727integratedlife.com; phone 615-405-6152; email chad@727integratedlife.com Angela can be reached at angela@727integratedlife.com   The music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society. For more information on this ministry, please visit samsonsociety.com.

Our guest today is Jack Eason, author of The Loneliness Connection, which explores the power of community and togetherness, finding similarities instead of differences in the midst of a divisive world.  Find out more about Jack and his work at https://www.jackeason.org/     Music on the podcast   Little Jam by Stefan Kartenberg (c) copyright 2020 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial  (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/JeffSpeed68/61299 Ft: Javolenus   Chronically Deranged (Autopsy Mix) by Whitewolf (c) copyright 2019 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial Share-Alike  (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/Whitewolf225/60658 Ft: bangcorrupt   The Vendetta by Stefan Kartenberg (c) copyright 2018 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/JeffSpeed68/58628 Ft: Apoxode

Tullian shares his history as both the prodigal and the older brother, and now as someone who simply recognizes his desperate need for Jesus!  To learn more about Tullian's work, please visit: www.tullian.net Music on this podcast: That Kind of Love, PFR Sirens, ATTALUS 78 Eatonwood Green, Rich Mullins