What happens when the life you planned for yourself looks nothing like the life you're called to live? In Episode 68 of The Middle Child Podcast, Royal Boles sits down with Pastor John Cobb for an honest conversation about transformation, grace, family, faith, business, and learning to stop running from what you're meant to do. John opens up about growing up in Pratt City, the choices he made when he was younger, the anger he carried, and the experiences that helped shape the man he is today. He reflects on the influence of his family, the importance of breaking generational cycles, and how going through difficult seasons changed the way he sees and treats other people. But becoming who he is today wasn't an overnight process. John shares how he resisted the idea of becoming a pastor, what it was like to feel called before he was ready, and why the journey toward his purpose took patience, obedience, and personal growth. He also discusses the importance of compassion, leading people well, and understanding that ministry comes with real responsibility. And there's more to his story than the pulpit. John talks about leaving a job at Honda, building his own floor-coating business, learning some hard lessons as an entrepreneur, and discovering what it takes to keep a business moving forward. He also opens up about writing books, prayer, fasting, marriage, fatherhood, and the role faith plays in his everyday life. This conversation is a reminder that your past doesn't have to define your future, your journey doesn't have to look like anyone else's, and sometimes the road to becoming who you are meant to be takes longer than you expected. CHAPTERS 00:00 — The Realities of Ministry01:18 — Meet Pastor John Cobb02:47 — From His Past to a Life of Grace05:00 — Family, Fatherhood & the Men Who Shaped Him10:40 — Learning Compassion Through Life's Hard Lessons13:30 — Love, Marriage & Discernment15:30 — Running From the Call to Ministry18:00 — Why Answering Your Calling Took Time20:00 — Pastors, Church Finances & Leadership22:00 — Leaving Honda to Build a Business24:00 — Lessons From Building Floor Candy Coatings28:00 — What He'd Tell His Younger Self29:30 — Writing Books, Prayer & Fasting36:30 — Marriage, Fatherhood & a Life of Grace39:00 — Being a Middle Child & Breaking Generational Cycles ABOUT JOHN COBB John Cobb is a pastor, author, husband, father, and entrepreneur. He leads in ministry while also running Floor Candy Coatings, a business focused on transforming concrete floors into durable, decorative surfaces. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/john.cobb.188 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastorjcobb2 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@floorkandycoatings Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johncobbii/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/floorkandycoatingsanddesign ABOUT THE MIDDLE CHILD PODCAST The Middle Child Podcast with Royal Boles is the show where you are seen, loved, and appreciated. Subscribe for more conversations about life, identity, growth, relationships, faith, and everything in between. Website: https://underconstruxtion.com/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theroyalboles Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theroyalboles/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theofficialmiddlechildpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theroyalboles #TheMiddleChildPodcast #JohnCobb #LifeTransformation #GraceAndRedemption #ChristianLeadership #Entrepreneurship #PersonalGrowth #FaithAndBusiness #RoyalBoles