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#123 Dr. Stefani Ruper on Living Slower and Going from Atheism to Openness

Become a Provider- Encouraging Christian men to love and care for their families as they love and care for their bodies.

Release Date: 04/22/2024

#148 Running the Race: Physical and Spiritual Endurance show art #148 Running the Race: Physical and Spiritual Endurance

Become a Provider- Encouraging Christian men to love and care for their families as they love and care for their bodies.

From an ultra marathon to the pulpit, Justin reflects on a weekend of endurance challenges. This episode shares lessons on what we are supposed to live for as a Christian and some big questions around faith such as "why follow Jesus?", "why orient your life around God?", and a case study into how God makes our faith possible.  Justin also shares lessons from his Grandfather and how relationships can often show us a glimpse of God's love in practical ways.  Here is a link to the presentation to see visuals from the episode: Keep exploring faith and the big questions in life. We hope...

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#147 Megan Nilsen on Faith, Resilience, and the Power of a Supportive Marriage show art #147 Megan Nilsen on Faith, Resilience, and the Power of a Supportive Marriage

Become a Provider- Encouraging Christian men to love and care for their families as they love and care for their bodies.

"Motherhood isn’t my highest calling—my connection to God is." Megan Nilsen’s journey as a mother to both biological and adopted children is a testament to the power of faith, resilience, and a marriage built on true partnership.  After an international adoption brought unforeseen challenges, Megan found herself questioning everything. In those moments, her husband recognized her need for deeper support and encouraged her to seek counseling, showing that real strength in marriage means knowing when to lean on others. For Megan, the essence of a strong partnership is seeing each...

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#146 Encouraging Men to Provide Through the Decades show art #146 Encouraging Men to Provide Through the Decades

Become a Provider- Encouraging Christian men to love and care for their families as they love and care for their bodies.

Join Justin Thomas in this solo episode of the 'Become a Provider' podcast as he discusses the state of the show, its direction, and new vision. Justin shares personal insights on being a servant leader and a healthy provider inspired by Jesus. The episode also introduces a refined focus on encouraging Christian men to love and care for their families and bodies, along with upcoming themes and topics.  Be sure to get our weekly Always Provide newsletter at to get encouragement each Wednesday! 

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#145 Mark Collins on Moving Beyond Habit Formation to Real Transformation show art #145 Mark Collins on Moving Beyond Habit Formation to Real Transformation

Become a Provider- Encouraging Christian men to love and care for their families as they love and care for their bodies.

In this week’s episode, Justin welcomes Mark Collins, author of Life Mastery, for a discussion on what it truly means to transform. After reading Mark’s book, Justin realized how society often promotes building habits while overlooking the deeper process of personal transformation. Together, they unpack the difference between habit formation and real, lasting change. Mark blends practical wisdom with biblical truth, emphasizing that transformation is more than checking off tasks—it’s about becoming who you were created to be. “You’re either living for who you are or what the world...

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#144 Become a Better Husband with the G.U.Y.S. Framework show art #144 Become a Better Husband with the G.U.Y.S. Framework

Become a Provider- Encouraging Christian men to love and care for their families as they love and care for their bodies.

Justin reviews Ephesians 5:21-31 and dives into the husband's responsibility to love and care for his wife as he does for his own body. What does it look like to practically care for your body? This episode reviews the G.U.Y.S. framework to help husbands get healthier with the ultimate purpose of loving their families more.  While this episode is a call to husbands to love and care for their bodies, there are some universal health practices that may benefit most listeners. So listen and learn about the GUYS framework: G - Get to Know Your Food Enemies U - Use Your Body to Move Y -...

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#143 Dr. Tanner Moore on Seeking Responsibility and Being a Savage Servant show art #143 Dr. Tanner Moore on Seeking Responsibility and Being a Savage Servant

Become a Provider- Encouraging Christian men to love and care for their families as they love and care for their bodies.

As healthcare costs soar and the system grows more complicated, patients are losing trust, and doctors are burning out. Dr. Tanner, a direct primary care physician, is changing that narrative. In a conversation with Justin, he explains what it means to be a “savage servant” for his patients—challenging the traditional healthcare model to offer something better: care that’s personal, effective, and free from red tape. For Dr. Tanner, the DPC model is more than just a business structure—it’s a lifeline for both doctors and patients. By removing insurance companies from the equation,...

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#142 Grateful Even When You Don’t Achieve Goals show art #142 Grateful Even When You Don’t Achieve Goals

Become a Provider- Encouraging Christian men to love and care for their families as they love and care for their bodies.

In this solo episode, host Justin Thomas shares insights and personal stories focused on the theme of being a healthy provider. He reflects on the five pillars of being a healthy provider: family, exercise, faith, career, and general life goals. Justin recounts his recent experiences preparing for the Yeti 100-mile ultra race, which was unfortunately canceled due to severe weather conditions causing significant damage in the area. He also dives into the importance of gratitude, referencing a devotional by Timothy Keller, and how this perspective helps in facing unexpected challenges. This...

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#141 Gin Burchfield on the Integration of Faith and Wellness show art #141 Gin Burchfield on the Integration of Faith and Wellness

Become a Provider- Encouraging Christian men to love and care for their families as they love and care for their bodies.

Today, Justin welcomes Gin Burchfield, a health and leadership coach, who shares her blend of intuitive bodywork, somatic coaching, and faith-based healing practices. Her approach to wellness goes beyond just physical health—she integrates mindful practices, personal reflection, and spirituality to help others on their health and healing journey.   A key theme in this episode is understanding the deep connection between mind, body, and spirit. Gin emphasizes the importance of knowing yourself—what drives you, what holds you back, and what motivates you to stay on track with your...

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#140 Five Lessons from the Fifth Fellowship: Embracing Servant Leadership show art #140 Five Lessons from the Fifth Fellowship: Embracing Servant Leadership

Become a Provider- Encouraging Christian men to love and care for their families as they love and care for their bodies.

In this episode of 'Become a Provider,' Justin Thomas reflects on key lessons learned from the fifth installment of the CL Thomas Fellowship. Justin shares insights on servant leadership, the importance of family involvement, and experiences that have shaped his journey as a leader and provider. Listen in to discover valuable takeaways that can inspire you in your personal and professional life. Be sure to grow as a provider and a servant leader by subscribing to our free newsletter at Keep blessing and protecting!

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#139 Teresa Smith on Being the Hands and the Feet of the Father show art #139 Teresa Smith on Being the Hands and the Feet of the Father

Become a Provider- Encouraging Christian men to love and care for their families as they love and care for their bodies.

​​What if the greatest legacy you could leave behind was the inspiration for others to live with purpose and passion? Today’s episode is a heartfelt tribute to the lasting influence of those who shape our lives, showcasing how legacies live on through the actions and values we carry forward.  Justin is joined by Theresa Smith to reflect on her father’s remarkable legacy and how it continues to inspire her journey. Theresa shares heartfelt stories about her father, a man whose life exemplified selfless service and genuine care for others. His dedication left a lasting impression on...

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It’s often said that certain people cross our paths for a reason. They bring with them stories, perspectives, and experiences that enrich our own journey, offering us new insights and opportunities for growth. Today, we explore a special meeting that reaffirmed Justin's belief in this idea—an encounter that highlights the power of connections and the impact of being open to others.

 

Recently, Justin had the pleasure of connecting with Stefani, a remarkable individual whose presence in Justin’s life serves as a testament to the profound significance of community and hospitality. Raised in an atheist household, Stefanie's path took an unexpected turn when she found herself drawn to seminary, despite her initial skepticism towards matters of faith. Her honesty about her journey – the doubts, the questions, and the eventual surrender to something greater.

 

During their conversation, Stefani emphasized the importance of openness—to new experiences, different viewpoints, and, most importantly, to other people. She highlighted the transformative power of hospitality, of meeting others where they are, and extending genuine friendship. Stefani’s diverse background in theology, business, and branding underscores her holistic approach to life—a life guided by core values and anchored in faith. 

 

As Justin reflects on his encounter with Stefani, he is reminded that meaningful connections often arise from unexpected encounters. He encourages you to embrace the meaningful encounters in your own life—to be open to new connections, nurture authentic relationships, and trust in the journey



Thanks for listening. Please leave a review if you enjoyed this episode.

 

Connect with Stefani: https://stefaniruper.com/