Ruck the Way

Gabe Smith and Chris Furr
  • 5.0 (13)
  • Self-Improvement

Ruck the Way is a podcast about the sacred work that happens when you put one foot in front of the other. Hosts Gabe (a former Army infantry officer turned coach) and Chris (a Scotland-based guide, coach, and ministry leader) have spent the last decade walking ancient paths together across continents—discovering that pilgrimage is a physical journey for a spiritual purpose, and that something real gets unlocked “on the way.” Each episode feels like the kind of honest conversation you only have while walking beside someone: stories, faith, healing, and the weight we all carry—what’s in your rucksack. We’ll explore “thin spaces” and “moments of reckoning,” talk about the brain science behind why walking helps us process (yes, really), and share guest stories of struggle, joy, and transformation. Our tagline says it best: Let the walk do the work. So slow down to the “three-miles-an-hour life,” and come ruck with us.

  1. 4d ago

    #46: Ready, Break: Fred Hagberg on the Huddle, the Mirror, and Whose You Are

    UPCOMING PILGRIMAGE: https://www.rucktheway.com/pilgrimage ON THE TRAIL THIS EPISODE Gabe met Fred Hagberg behind the coffee counter at a Thursday morning Christian business breakfast in Charlotte, right as Fred bear hugged a grown man clean off the ground. Turns out Fred had practice. He played defensive end on Steve Spurrier's 1996 University of Florida national championship team, spent time on NFL practice squads, played arena football, and laid the hits on Keanu Reeves's stunt double in The Replacements. After football he ran engineering companies, built subdivisions, and led the North American operations of a German engineering firm. Today he wins drag races with Bible verses on the car. The story Fred came to tell sits underneath all of that. Two questions changed the direction of his life. The first came from a concussed teammate in a South Florida locker room: "Fred, you're a pretty smart guy. What are you doing here?" It ended his football career with two games left in the season. The second question Fred asked God from behind his desk on a Friday evening: "Is this what you want me to do?" By Monday morning he was in an emergency room hearing a cardiologist tell him to change his life or lose it. What came next was a long look in the mirror, a Bible, and three months that left his doctor asking, "What did you do?" Gabe, Chris, and Fred talk about the power of the huddle and why you eventually have to break it, why men are drawn to danger and mission, the difference between nice and kind, and why the better question to ask a man is not "What do you do?" but "Whose are you?" Fred says this was only first gear. We believe him. Part two is coming.

  2. Oct 19

    #45: Breaking the Chain: Ancestral Legacy, Biblical Blessing, and Human Choice

    UPCOMING PILGRIMAGE:https://www.rucktheway.com/pilgrimage In this episode, we explore how the stories and experiences of our ancestors ripple through generations to impact who we are today. From discussing professional story work to delving into the science of epigenetics, we examine how inherited family traits, historical trauma, and environmental influences leave their mark on us. We look through both cultural and biblical lenses—weighing the British class system against the American dream, alongside scripture from Exodus and Ezekiel—to unpack how generational blessing and curses play out. Ultimately, we discover how God’s grace continuously breaks into our lives, offering us the freedom to make conscious choices, heal past wounds, and pass forward a legacy of hope, beauty, and blessing to future generations. Know more about our cause:https://www.rucktheway.com/ Subscribe to our Podcast:https://www.youtube.com/@RucktheWay Meet the founders:https://www.rucktheway.com/about

  3. Oct 13

    #44: You Can't Win the Camino, with Rich Kidd

    "You don't have to win life. Just walk where the Lord wants you to walk." -Rich Kidd On the Trail This Episode Chris has known Rich Kidd for almost 26 years. That's long enough for Rich to think twice before agreeing to come on the podcast. He said yes anyway, and he showed up dressed for the trail: hat, scallop shell, trail runners, the whole kit. Buen Camino. Rich and his wife Bridget recently walked 116 miles of the Portuguese Camino to Santiago de Compostela alongside a band of friends who called themselves the "Bilgrims." Rich went in wanting to win. Best pace. Least gait asymmetry on the iPhone health app. The Camino had other plans. A 95-degree European heat wave, a stack of blisters, a lost toenail, and a string of hills his buddy Bill swore weren't on the route brought Rich to the end of himself, down to one out-of-breath prayer. Rich tells the story of Mikael, a Polish Jesuit priest who fell in step beside him on the steepest climb of the route and talked him all the way up the mountain. (Mikael was later spotted enjoying a beer, which settles the question of whether angels drink.) He shares the vision that came to Bridget on the final day, his own very human reaction to it, and the moment at the Pilgrim's Mass in Santiago when a limping old pilgrim kneeling for communion showed him what the whole journey had been about. Then we back up into the rub of midlife. Rich wrote his doctoral dissertation on pilgrimage years before he ever walked one. He talks honestly about church planting, hard seasons, the emptiness of suburban striving, and a forgotten intramural basketball game that taught him a thing or two about Ecclesiastes. He brings it home with two simple questions that can turn an ordinary Tuesday into a pilgrimage: Who's in front of me? Where's Jesus? About Our Guest Rich Kidd has spent his career helping people and organizations find their way. He has served as a campus minister at Regent University, planted a church, led Paramount Builders as president, and today works in executive search, helping large nonprofits and ministries find just the right leader. Rich is a graduate of the College of William & Mary, holds a Master of Divinity from Trinity International University, and earned a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Fuller Theological Seminary, with a dissertation on pilgrimage as a picture of conversion, discipleship, and leadership. Rich and Bridget have been married 32 years and live in Virginia Beach, where Rich is busy making Kempsville a walkable town one conversation at a time. They have three kids in their twenties. He plays a mean clarinet, insists on calling it Twitter, and goes by Rich. (Just not Dick.) Connect with Rich: Read Rich's writing at the Global Leadership Network: globalleadership.org/author/rich-kidd Find Rich Kidd on LinkedIn

  4. Oct 5

    #43: Embodied Brotherhood: Walking and Talking in the Colorado Wilderness | Ruck The Way Podcasts

    Welcome to a special episode of Ruck the Way Podcast, recorded live from the Red Rocks Trail near Woodland Park, Colorado, the host connects with returning guest Brendan Reese. Moving far beyond disembodied digital interactions, phone calls, and text threads, the conversation unpacks the vital importance of embodied brotherhood and physical presence among men. Set against a stunning backdrop of towering pine trees and shifting autumn aspens, the discussion explores why men so often isolate themselves, how shared physical hardships on the trail foster true vulnerability, and the life-giving metaphorical oxygen that brotherhood provides. Tune in for an inspiring walk through the wilderness that champions real connection over digital filters. Timestamps: 00:00:00 - 00:03:10: Introduction to the trip and reflection on embodied friendship00:03:10 - 00:03:49: Meeting on the Red Rocks Trail in Colorado with Brendan Reese00:03:49 - 00:08:48: Transitioning from disembodied digital communication to physical presence00:08:48 - 00:09:25: Adjusting to high altitude and discussing the local landscape00:09:25 - 00:14:36: Reminiscing about the 70-mile Saint Cuthbert Way pilgrimage00:14:36 - 00:17:30: What true brotherhood means in the 21st century00:17:30 - 00:19:14: Breaking through male isolation and the weight of hidden shame00:19:14 - 00:23:16: The oxygen bottle metaphor: how men offer life to each other on the trail00:23:16 - 01:13:00: The antidote to the fake: authenticity in an age of Instagram filters and AI01:13:00 - 01:14:17: Closing thoughts on shared journeys, filmmaking, and human connection Know more about our cause: https://www.rucktheway.com/ Subscribe to our Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@RucktheWay  Meet the founders: https://www.rucktheway.com/about

  5. Sep 28

    #42: A Father-Son Journey Along the Saint Cuthbert Way | Ruck The Way Special Episode

    In this deeply reflective episode of Ruck the Way, the host takes his 15-year-old son, Carlson, on his very first pilgrimage along the historic Saint Cuthbert Way in Northumberland. Recorded on the solemn 25th anniversary of September 11, the journey unfolds as a unique multi-generational exploration. As father and son tackle rugged trails, cross treacherous railway lines, and navigate the stunning expanses of the pilgrim sands leading to Holy Island, they bridge the gap between midlife and adolescence. Blending biblical history—from the Viking raids and the monks carrying Saint Cuthbert’s body to the book of Daniel—with raw conversations about modern teenage life, this episode is a moving testament to faith, family, and the sacred duty of fathers and sons walking together in the way. Know more about our cause:https://www.rucktheway.com/Subscribe to our Podcast:https://www.youtube.com/@RucktheWayMeet the founders:https://www.rucktheway.com/about Summary: A father and son embark on a transformative two-day pilgrimage along the Saint Cuthbert Way, exploring generational tensions, biblical history, and the spiritual parallels between adolescence, midlife, and walking alone with God.

  6. Sep 21

    #41: Disembodied Christianity

    UPCOMING PILGRIMAGE: https://www.rucktheway.com/pilgrimage In this raw and unfiltered "Trail Talk" episode, hosts Chris and Gabe tackle the concept of "disembodied Christianity"—a faith that exists primarily from the neck up, driven by heady knowledge rather than actual physical engagement. Drawing on the profound truth of the Incarnation, they explore how modern Christian subculture and digital devices function as portals of disconnection, pulling us away from the earthy, physical reality of daily life. From the everyday rhythms of walking and sharing meals to practicing gratitude and the evening examine prayer, Chris and Gabe discuss how to reclaim an authentic, grounded spirituality where all of human life is sacred. Join us on the trail as we learn to step out of our heads, embrace physical presence, and let the walk do the work! Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction to "Trail Talk" and today's topic: disembodied Christianity 02:46 - Defining disembodied Christianity as faith from the neck up 04:12 - The Incarnation: God revealed in physical flesh 06:45 - Historical Gnosticism and its modern influence on Christian thought 08:59 - The limitations of overemphasizing isolated "quiet times" 14:13 - Chris’s mini-pilgrimage experience in Scotland: walking, weather, and physical presence 18:09 - Smartphones and screens as portals to a disembodied world 24:00 - Looking at the Gospels: Jesus walked, ate meals, and lived an earthy life 33:42 - Practical ways to encounter God in ordinary physical routines and gratitude 39:00 - The spiritual practice of the examine before bedtime Summary: Chris and Gabe explore the trap of "disembodied Christianity," examining how gnostic tendencies, over-intellectualized quiet times, and digital screen portals disconnect believers from the physical reality of daily life. They discuss the deep earthiness of the Gospel, the Incarnation, and how practicing gratitude and the evening examine can help ground our spiritual walk in everyday moments. Guest Bio and Links: Chris and Gabe are the co-founders of Ruck the Way, leading transformative pilgrimages and conversations for men on scenic trails. Know more about our cause: https://www.rucktheway.com/ Subscribe to our Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@RucktheWay Meet the founders: https://www.rucktheway.com/about

  7. Sep 14

    #40: Who Really Knows You?

    UPCOMING PILGRIMAGE: https://www.rucktheway.com/pilgrimage In this raw and unfiltered "Trail Talk" episode, hosts Chris and Gabe dive deep into a profound question that shapes our everyday lives: Who really knows you? Exploring the layers of human isolation, self-awareness, and the biblical perspective of being created in the image of a relational God, they unpack why wearing masks is often a protective necessity against a broken world. Drawing unexpected parallels from superhero storytelling like Spider-Man to the unique loneliness of leadership and pastoral ministry, the discussion highlights why true personal growth cannot happen in isolation. Discover how stepping into redemptive risk and finding brotherhood on the trail can help you unmask, embrace your story, and experience the transformative power of being genuinely seen and known. Know more about our cause: https://www.rucktheway.com/ Subscribe to our Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@RucktheWay Meet the founders: https://www.rucktheway.com/about

  8. Sep 7

    #39: Every Shepherd Needs a Shepherd

    UPCOMING PILGRIMAGE: https://www.rucktheway.com/pilgrimage On the Trail This Episode Some friendships are for a reason. Some are for a season. A rare few are for life. This week Gabe sits down with one of his: Chris Payne, senior pastor of New City Church in Charlotte, Air Force chaplain, and a friend of thirty-eight years. Chris Furr, who has walked with Chris Payne for a quarter century himself, joins from Edinburgh. Gabe joins from a Chick-fil-A somewhere in the middle of Georgia. It is that kind of episode. What starts as a conversation about chicken sandwiches becomes something much deeper. Chris Payne tells the story of how his family came to faith through a neighbor's living room, why twenty-eight years of pastoral ministry have taught him that the road to empathy runs through suffering, and how the four words on the back of his sweatshirt (belonging, truth, identity, purpose) name what an anxious world is actually longing for. Along the way, he offers a picture of friendship that will stick with you: running your finger around the rim of a wine glass, waiting to feel the chip. That is how you find the place in another person's heart where the gospel needs to be applied. And that is how you become the friend most men are waiting to find. Keep Walking With Us Ruck the Way is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit walking alongside men on the road to becoming who God made them to be. If this episode met you somewhere on the trail, here is how to keep going: Walk with us in person. Learn about upcoming pilgrimages at rucktheway.com. Get Trail Notes. Our newsletter brings the conversation to your inbox between episodes. Sign up at rucktheway.com. Share this one. Chris said it plainly: do not assume your pastor has friends. Send this episode to a pastor, or to the friend who has known you longest. Help us keep walking. Ruck the Way is its own 501(c)(3). Your tax-deductible gift at rucktheway.com funds the podcast and the pilgrimages.

See All (46)

5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

Ruck the Way is a podcast about the sacred work that happens when you put one foot in front of the other. Hosts Gabe (a former Army infantry officer turned coach) and Chris (a Scotland-based guide, coach, and ministry leader) have spent the last decade walking ancient paths together across continents—discovering that pilgrimage is a physical journey for a spiritual purpose, and that something real gets unlocked “on the way.” Each episode feels like the kind of honest conversation you only have while walking beside someone: stories, faith, healing, and the weight we all carry—what’s in your rucksack. We’ll explore “thin spaces” and “moments of reckoning,” talk about the brain science behind why walking helps us process (yes, really), and share guest stories of struggle, joy, and transformation. Our tagline says it best: Let the walk do the work. So slow down to the “three-miles-an-hour life,” and come ruck with us.

Information

  • Creator
    Gabe Smith and Chris Furr
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    46
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Gabe Smith and Chris Furr

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