Average Joe Episodes

Do your words carry more weight than you think? Are you unintentionally creating emotional connections you never meant to start? In this special series of 'Average Joe' conversations, Jim Ramos sits down with dear friend and Pastor John Palacios as they tackle an often overlooked truth: your words have power over the opposite sex. The way you notice, affirm, and make someone feel can open doors whether you intend to or not. Too many men speak carelessly, not realizing how their words can spark e...

Are you getting a little too personal with someone who isn’t your wife? Emotional affairs don’t explode overnight—they bleed out slowly, one conversation at a time. In this special series of 'Average Joe' conversations, Jim Ramos sits down with friend Paco Arenas for an extremely practical conversation about building guardrails that protect both your character and your marriage. Drawing from Jim’s upcoming book, Guardrails: 10 Boundaries for an Unbreakable Marriage , they unpack real-life storie...

What does it really mean to live above reproach in a culture that constantly tests your integrity? In this special series of 'Average Joe' conversations, Jim Ramos sits down with long-time friend Kent Mahelona for an extremely practical conversation about building guardrails that protect both your character and your marriage. Drawing from Jim’s upcoming book, Guardrails: 10 Boundaries for an Unbreakable Marriage , they unpack real-life stories and wisdom from decades of marriage to set clear bou...

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 Michael Rilee 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 ...

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 Ramo...

. This episode is sponsored by . 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 , you'll receive a free copy of Jim's book, Dialed...

How do you lead others when you feel completely drained yourself? What happens when the stress bubble, ministry pressure, and family life all collide—and your tank hits empty? In this 'Average Joe' conversation, Pastor Jim Ramos sits down with Nathan Lawler, a mid-30s pastor, husband, and father. Together they discuss the question so many men are afraid to voice: “How can someone lead when they’re on empty?” You’ll hear practical wisdom about prioritizing God outside your ministry work, reconnec...

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 oldest son, James Ramos, for a candid, behind-the-scenes look at life growing up in the Ramo...

What does true contentment look like for a man of faith? How do you find lasting joy when life changes — from the stress bubble to retirement and beyond? In this 'Average Joe' conversation, Pastor Jim Ramos sits down with longtime friend and Men in the Arena board member Jeff Dyck to talk about joy, purpose, and the secret to lasting contentment. Together, they unpack what it means to know who you are, embrace your calling, and serve others with the gifts God’s given you — no matter your season ...

How do you raise kids to become strong, humble, and faithful adults? Would you be nervous to sit down with your grown children to talk about what you got right—and where you missed the mark? In this 'Average Joe' conversation, Pastor Jim Ramos talks to his youngest son, Colton for a rare, behind-the-scenes look at faith, parenting, and the lessons learned along the way. Together they unpack what it means to model humility, own mistakes, and show up for your kids—even when life gets messy. You'l...

Have you ever wondered what to say—or not say—to someone who’s grieving? How do you walk with someone through tragedy when there are no words that make it better? In this 'Average Joe' conversation, Pastor Jim Ramos sits down with longtime friend and pastor Isaac Kerns, who opens up about losing his teenage son, Ethan, to cancer—and what it really means to “head into the storm” with faith, courage, and community. You’ll walk away with practical ways to support friends and family walking through ...

Are you raising kids who will choose you when they leave your home? Are you building a marriage strong enough to thrive after the nest is empty? In this 'Average Joe' conversation, Pastor Jim Ramos sits down with pastor and longtime friend Shaun Strong. They dive into the raw realities of parenting through the “second half of life.” They tackle the struggles of letting go, the danger of making your kids the center of your world, and the call to keep Jesus and your marriage first. You’ll walk awa...

Are you tired of taking shortcuts that leave you stuck? Do you have the guts to wait on God’s timing, lead your family with strength, and rise to the next level? In this 'Average Joe' conversation, Pastor Jim Ramos sits down with longtime friend Chris Hancock—a man who’s battled addiction, built a thriving business, and learned what it means to love his wife and lead with courage. Chris proves that “average” men, when surrendered to God, can live anything but average lives. Whether you’re battli...

Have you bought into the lie that being a good dad means putting your kids before your wife? What if that “noble” choice is actually sabotaging your family? In this 'Average Joe' conversation, Pastor Jim Ramos sits down with his friend Matt Johnson to challenge one of the most common and destructive mistakes husbands make: reversing God’s hierarchy. Matt describes what happened when he shifted from a kids-first to wife-first mentality. This episode is sponsored by MTNTOUGH Fitness Lab , a Christ...

Is your calendar full but your soul empty? Are you sacrificing your family on the altar of busyness? In this ‘Average Joe’ conversation on The Men in the Arena Podcast, Pastor Jim Ramos brings in Jacob Duke, a local leader at The McMinnville Area Gathering for men in McMinnville, Oregon. Jacob asks a loaded question: What do you do if you are carrying too much mental weight? Jim dives deep into what it means for men to lead under pressure, avoid burnout, and stay rooted in their most important c...

Are you living as the man God called you to be—or the one culture expects you to be? In this ‘Average Joe’ conversation on The Men in the Arena Podcast, Pastor Jim Ramos brings in David Everson, a local leader at The McMinnville Area Gathering for men in McMinnville, Oregon. Jim and David unpack the meaning of true masculinity. Together, they dive deep into the contrast between cultural expectations of manhood and biblical standards for being a man. If you're tired of the confusion and want clar...

What does it really take to build a deep, lasting bond with your kids, especially during the teen years? How do you discipline your kids in a way that doesn't drive them away? In this ‘Average Joe’ conversation on The Men in the Arena Podcast, Pastor Jim Ramos is joined by his friend Sam Gipson. Sam, a high school teacher and men's ministry leader, shares insights into the challenges and rewards of parenting teens. This is a practical, honest conversation for men who want to avoid alienating the...

Are you stepping up as a father and mentor in today's world? In this ‘Average Joe’ conversation on The Men in the Arena Podcast, Pastor Jim Ramos brings back Dale Collver, Men in the Arena’s original podcast producer! Dale is a seasoned youth ministry leader and Discipleship Director at The Gate Community Youth Center. Dale shares his journey, the 3 types of dads he sees as he works with teenagers, and how men like you can shape the next generation. It’s time to step up—because men, you have wha...