The Valiant Forge

Mark Osborne
  • 5.0 (20)
  • Christianity
  • Weekly

A podcast for men who refuse to stay stuck.   The Valiant Forge is where Christian men come to be shaped — not by the patterns of this world, but by the renewing work of God. Hosted by Mark Osborne — husband, father, grandfather, and servant‑leader — this podcast speaks to men who are tired of drifting and ready to live with clarity, conviction, and purpose. Every episode is a steady, honest conversation about faith, fatherhood, failure, and the formation God works in the fire. No hype. No perfection. No pretending. Just real stories, biblical truth, and the kind of wisdom that sharpens iron. If you’re a man who wants to think differently, live differently, and lead differently — this is your forge. Step in. Be renewed. Walk away transformed! 

  1. 3d ago

    Finding God at 50: It’s Not Too Late to Start Again | Eli Brackenbury

    Have you ever sat in your driveway for 20 minutes before going inside because you weren’t ready to face everything waiting for you? Eli Brackenbury has. After his second divorce and years of trying to control the direction of his life, he was tired of swimming upstream and getting nowhere. Learning to surrender to Jesus became the beginning of a different kind of life. In this episode of The Valiant Forge, Mark Osborne talks with Eli about the story behind Finding God at 50, rebuilding an identity rooted in Christ, and discovering purpose in the second half of life. They explore the pressure men feel to perform, the courage it takes to be vulnerable, and what faith looks like in everyday work and relationships. Eli also shares how an unexpected relationship with his wife’s ex-husband became an opportunity for discipleship and family change. In this conversation: Starting over after divorce and releasing controlMoving from spiritual dryness toward a relationship with JesusLearning to be still while continuing to move forwardBringing faith into work, accountability, and relationshipsWhy vulnerability and masculinity can belong togetherSharing your testimony to encourage other people Connect with Eli and explore his books: https://elibrackenbury.com/ Book discussed: Finding God at 50 Follow The Valiant Forge for honest conversations that help men overcome life’s battles and become the men God has called them to be. Share this episode with a man who needs encouragement to start again. Want to be a guest on The Valiant Forge Podcast? Send Mark Osborne a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17432638464878159623a121d

  2. 6d ago

    How to Become Unshakable When Life Falls Apart | Jim Burgoon

    How do you become unshakable when life falls apart? Jim Burgoon knows what it means to walk through the fire. Childhood abuse, bullying, and loss led him away from God and into atheism and witchcraft. His wife's decision to follow Jesus became a turning point, leading Jim toward an honest prayer and a new direction for his life. His faith did not make the difficult seasons disappear. Jim went on to serve in ministry, step away from pastoring to care for his wife, face financial hardship, and grieve the loss of his mother and sister. In this episode of The Valiant Forge Podcast, Jim joins Mark Osborne to share what those seasons taught him about trusting God, facing unresolved pain, and accepting support. He also opens up about his own ongoing healing journey and the struggle to feel connected to a community. IN THIS EPISODE How his wife's courage challenged his unbeliefThe damaging words he believed for yearsSelf-sabotage, passivity, and living from convictionFacing hurt instead of burying itFaith, therapy, accountability, and accepting helpTrusting God through family crises and griefFinding your identity in ChristEncouragement for anyone living through a painful season CONNECT WITH JIM Find Jim's coaching, podcast, and resources: https://leadwithjim.com/ THE VALIANT FORGE PODCAST Hosted by Mark Osborne Where God shapes ordinary men into faithful men. Follow the show wherever you listen to podcasts, and share this conversation with someone who needs encouragement to keep going. Interested in sharing your story on The Valiant Forge? https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17432638464878159623a121d

  3. Oct 24

    Witchcraft Nearly Cost Him His Family—Then God Intervened | Jonathan Guerrero

    He thought he was devoted to God. But his involvement in New Age and witchcraft nearly cost him his marriage and his relationship with his children. Jonathan Guerrero, host of The Fatherhood Challenge, joins Mark Osborne to share the testimony behind his mission to help fathers. He describes his wife’s prayers, the encounter that exposed his deception, and the forgiveness he struggled to believe could be his. But coming out of that darkness wasn’t the end of the struggle. Jonathan still had to confront shame, loneliness, and the fear that he had destroyed too much to go home. We also discuss feeling unqualified for God’s calling, rebuilding relationships, and why becoming a faithful father doesn’t mean becoming a perfect one. If you’ve ever wondered whether your failures disqualify you from being used by God, this conversation is for you. Connect with Jonathan and The Fatherhood Challenge: https://www.thefatherhoodchallenge.com/ Subscribe to The Valiant Forge for honest conversations about faith, fatherhood, and becoming the man God has called you to be. Want to be a guest on The Valiant Forge Podcast? Send Mark Osborne a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17432638464878159623a121d

  4. Oct 21

    Finding Soul Rest When You Can't Switch Off with Bret Kolman

    You can stop working and still struggle to rest. Former hospital CEO Bret Kolman joins Mark Osborne to explore the pressure to keep achieving, the difference between distraction and soul rest, and learning to surrender control to God. Bret shares the cost of stepping away from his career, what years of mini-sabbaticals taught him, and why he encourages people to start with the time and circumstances they actually have. The conversation also explores fear, gratitude, community, and a personal regret that reminds us not to postpone the things that matter. If you're balancing work, family, and ministry while feeling stretched thin, this conversation offers a place to reflect on what real rest could look like in your life. Connect with Bret: https://sabbaticaltaker.com/ Book and resources — Wisdom That Leads to Soul Rest: https://sabbaticaltaker.com/wisdom_that_leads_to_soul_rest/ Share this episode with a friend, follow The Valiant Forge Podcast, and leave a review if the conversation encourages you. Want to be a guest on The Valiant Forge Podcast? Send Mark Osborne a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17432638464878159623a121d

  5. Oct 16

    When Life Falls Apart, How Do You Keep Your Faith? with Michael Wright

    How do you keep trusting God when life gives you reasons to question everything? Michael Wright joins Mark Osborne for an honest conversation about grief, addiction, spiritual growth, and becoming a better husband and father. Michael shares the loss of his daughter to a heroin overdose, a house fire shortly after his ordination, and a near-fatal accident he believes he should never have survived. He also opens up about twenty years of alcoholism and the moment he finally admitted, “I need to be a better dad. I need to be a better husband”—and asked for help. Together, Mark and Michael explore what it means to move beyond going through the motions and build a faith that shapes everyday life. In this episode: • Trusting God through grief and unanswered questions • Recognizing spiritual stagnation • Why men struggle to ask for help • Leading your family through your example • The difference between practicing what you preach and preaching what you practice • Finding encouragement and support when life feels overwhelming Connect with Michael Wright: Books, speaking, and Kingdom Conversations: https://www.drmwright.com/ Want to be a guest on The Valiant Forge Podcast? Send Mark Osborne a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17432638464878159623a121d Episode chapters: 00:00 A life tested by loss and addiction 01:38 Welcome to The Valiant Forge 02:05 Meet Michael Wright 04:23 From the rodeo to the pulpit 07:21 When the church closed 11:40 Losing his daughter and trusting God through grief 14:25 A house fire and faith through trials 18:03 Breaking out of spiritual stagnation 21:09 “I should have died” 23:44 Following God into an unexpected opportunity 27:01 Church, hypocrisy, and living your faith 32:18 Welcoming a man who didn’t believe 33:42 Why men struggle to ask for help 35:49 Becoming a better leader at home 38:37 “I need to be a better dad” 40:16 Encouragement for discouraged men 42:02 Twenty years of alcoholism—and a new beginning 43:55 Final encouragement and connecting with Michael Follow The Valiant Forge for honest conversations that help men become who God has called them to be.

  6. Oct 14

    Behind the Spotlight: Finding Faith and Purpose | Albert Bramante

    How do you stay grounded in faith while pursuing a demanding career? Talent agent and author Dr. Albert Bramante joins Mark Osborne for a conversation about faith, the struggles behind public success, and finding purpose through serving others. Albert shares his experiences of childhood illness, isolation, depression, and surviving suicide attempts, along with the unexpected path that brought him into the entertainment industry. Together, they discuss prayer, shame, forgiveness, gratitude, community, and learning to surrender control. They also explore questions about psychology, hypnosis, and Christian faith. For the man who feels stuck, the conversation closes with encouragement to take one small step toward becoming the man God has called him to be. Connect with Albert: Website: https://albertbramante.com/ Book: https://albertbramante.com/book.html Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dralbramante/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/albertbramante/ Want to be a guest on The Valiant Forge Podcast? Send Mark Osborne a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17432638464878159623a121d

  7. Oct 9

    “I Thought I Was God” — Living With Bipolar Disorder & Finding Faith

    At one point, Chris LaFreniere lost touch with reality and believed he was God. Today, he’s a husband, a father, a Christian, and the author of Bipolar Is Who I Am. Chris joins Mark Osborne on The Valiant Forge to share his experience of bipolar I disorder, substance abuse, hospitalization, and the long process of rebuilding his life. An arrest led to community service. Community service led to a church invitation. That invitation opened a door he hadn’t expected. Together, they discuss the warning signs Chris missed, finding medication that worked for him, growing in faith, and the everyday work of marriage and fatherhood. Chris also explains why his story is about managing his condition and continuing to grow. In this conversation: What psychosis and paranoia felt like for ChrisWhy the people around him began urging him to get helpHow he came to church and began following JesusWhat he learned about becoming a husband, father, and spiritual leaderWhy there is hope and a meaningful life after diagnosis Connect with Chris and explore his memoir, Bipolar Is Who I Am: https://www.bipolariswhoiam.com/ If this conversation encourages you, follow The Valiant Forge and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Want to be a guest on The Valiant Forge Podcast? Send Mark Osborne a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17432638464878159623a121d

  8. Oct 7

    The Occult Didn’t Disappear. It Got Better Marketing. — Tom Snow

    Has modern spirituality given old ideas a new identity? Author Tom Snow returns to The Valiant Forge to discuss manifestation, spiritual deception, the prosperity gospel, and the difference between trusting God and trying to control outcomes. Mark shares personal experiences with insecurity, the desire for approval, and a psychic reading. Tom offers his interpretations of psychic knowledge, spirit guides, mentalists, and other spiritual phenomena, and discusses Set the Captives Free Too: Evil’s Great Masquerade: Divine Light or Deceptive Woo? This episode includes Tom’s personal interpretations. Listeners are encouraged to weigh the conversation against Scripture. Connect with Tom and find his books: https://just2beclear.com/ Substack: https://just2beclear1.substack.com/ The Valiant Forge helps men become who God has called them to be through honest conversations about faith, testimony, and following Jesus.

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5
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

A podcast for men who refuse to stay stuck.   The Valiant Forge is where Christian men come to be shaped — not by the patterns of this world, but by the renewing work of God. Hosted by Mark Osborne — husband, father, grandfather, and servant‑leader — this podcast speaks to men who are tired of drifting and ready to live with clarity, conviction, and purpose. Every episode is a steady, honest conversation about faith, fatherhood, failure, and the formation God works in the fire. No hype. No perfection. No pretending. Just real stories, biblical truth, and the kind of wisdom that sharpens iron. If you’re a man who wants to think differently, live differently, and lead differently — this is your forge. Step in. Be renewed. Walk away transformed! 

Information

  • Creator
    Mark Osborne
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    144
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Valiant Forge
  • Show Website
    The Valiant Forge

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