The Course

Sam VerMeer

The Course is a podcast about men in the making. Each episode, we’ll sit down with a man and do one thing: draw out his story. The faith that's shaped him. The battles he's fought. The family he's building. The calling he's trying to finish. Rooted in the gospel of grace.

Episodes

  1. Sep 17

    E7 - J. SCHOTT

    Takeaways Two things can be true at the same time - a recurring theme in the conversation.Deep dish pizza is a special occasion type of food, while tavern style pizza is the speaker's true favorite.The speaker's last name 'Shut' has an interesting pronunciation and family history.The speaker's upbringing in Zion, Illinois, and his love for Chicago are significant aspects of his personal background. Nostalgia can influence personal favorites, even if they may not be objectively the best.The speaker's spiritual transformation led to a commitment to intentional living and a shift in perspective.The speaker's childhood memories, family relationships, and connections with childhood friends have had a significant impact on his life. Maturity in faith is reflected in the ability to repent quickly.The speaker's journey from college to becoming a teacher was influenced by significant relationships and moments of spiritual guidance. Career transitions and experiences in teaching, coaching, and corporate roles.The impact of faith, prayer, and trust in decision-making. Enneagram Personality TypesParenting ChallengesTrauma and FaithPrioritizing Relationship with God Chapters 00:00 The Last Name 'Shut'00:00 Enneagram Personality Types03:10 Parenting Challenges05:55 Trauma and Faith08:55 Prioritizing Relationship with God16:18 Growing Up in Zion, Illinois25:22 Pizza Preferences and College Anecdote31:59 Pizza Preferences and Nostalgia33:50 Childhood Memories and Family Dynamics34:49 Connections with Childhood Friends37:06 Spiritual Transformation and Intentional Living01:04:26 Journey to Becoming a Teacher01:06:12 Influence of Significant Relationships01:08:59 Discipleship and Spiritual Growth01:11:24 Personal Habits and Preferences01:32:04 Transitioning to Teaching Career01:37:12 Career Transitions and Teaching Experience01:38:11 Transition from Teaching to Corporate01:39:08 Reflections on Faith and Decision-Making01:42:06 Passion for Teaching and Coaching01:48:19 Relationship Journey and Marriage02:06:23 Parenting and Decision-Making

  2. Aug 25

    E6 - BRADY G.

    Takeaways Family dynamics and faith journeys are deeply intertwined.The impact of divorce on family relationships and individual faith journeys is complex and multifaceted. Impact of family dynamics on faith journeyImportance of discipleship and vulnerabilityThe need for real conversations and church cultureManaging anger and coaching experience Transitioning to college life can be challenging, especially during the COVID pandemic.Meeting new friends and building a community is an important part of the college experience.Marriage brings both joy and challenges, and communication is key to navigating these challenges. Marriage experiences and sleep habitsTheological conversations and denominationsChallenges of mega churchesChurch structure and discipleshipFinishing the course in ministry Chapters 00:00 Family and Faith13:28 The Insecurities of Divorce21:00 Finding Faith and Baptism33:04 The Dynamics of Divorce40:01 Family and Faith41:43 Athletic Journey43:38 Cross Country and Track45:06 High School Experiences49:48 Discipleship and Vulnerability55:23 Church Culture and Real Conversations01:14:16 Anger Issues and Sports01:21:32 Coaching and Championship01:22:02 Transition to College Life01:22:30 Living on Campus and COVID01:23:28 Starting School and Quarantine01:24:37 Meeting New Friends01:25:07 Injury and Recovery01:26:05 Meeting Grace01:28:05 Spiritual Journey01:31:00 Marriage and Proposal01:32:27 Cooking and Food Preferences01:33:21 Health and Dietary Preferences01:46:23 Education and Career Path01:53:16 Overseas Experience01:58:25 Community and Faith02:02:47 Marriage Challenges02:03:48 Marriage and Sleepwalking02:07:16 Bed Sizes and Sleep Habits02:09:22 Theological Conversations and Denominations02:11:13 Church Structure and Discipleship02:34:01 Challenges of Mega Churches02:42:22 Finishing the Course

  3. Aug 20

    E5 - GARRETT C.

    Takeaways Discipline breeds disciplineThe impact of disconnecting from social mediaThe role of faith and relationships in shaping one's journey Faith and family play a central role in Garrett's lifeThe loss of his father had a profound impact on Garrett's spiritual journey Grief and loss shape the speaker's perspective on life and eternity.The speaker's encounters with death have deepened his understanding of faith and the transient nature of life. Eternal mindsetLiving in the presentImpacting others through faith and loveFamily and personal growthPurposeful living Chapters 00:00 Disconnecting from Social Media03:03 Early Life and Faith14:20 College Experiences and Key Influences42:54 Early Years and Church Life43:18 College and Church Involvement44:06 Transition to Ridgecrest Baptist Church45:38 Exploring Christian Ministry46:19 College Years and Academic Challenges46:48 Faith and Career Choices47:36 Work and Learn Experience50:21 Transition to Lindenwood University50:47 Relationships and Personal Challenges51:13 Tragic Accident and Spiritual Growth59:00 Meeting Allie and Relationship Challenges01:00:46 Marriage and Career Transition01:11:26 Father's Illness and Passing01:25:38 The Impact of Loss and Grief01:36:47 The Spiritual Significance of Death01:44:08 Watching Loved Ones Pass Away02:04:06 Living with the Reality of Eternity02:07:50 Living with an Eternal Mindset02:09:23 Embracing the Present02:11:39 Impacting Others through Faith and Love02:13:30 Family, Personal Growth, and Purposeful Living

  4. Aug 8

    E4 - MATTHEW J. (P2)

    Takeaways Business decisions can be challenging and require careful consideration.Casual conversations and dress codes can vary based on individual preferences and work environments. Sovereignty of GodChallenges of Starting a BusinessPersonal Growth and Reflections on Past Choices Navigating relationships and choices is influenced by faith and brotherhood.Communication, parenting, and career identity play a significant role in personal growth and family dynamics.The challenges of entrepreneurship and the weight of responsibility impact work-life balance and the pursuit of purpose. Identity and intimacy are central to navigating life's challenges.Living to glorify the Lord and finishing the race well are key aspirations.Community and support play a vital role in the journey of faith. Chapters 00:00 Business Ventures and Decision Making04:06 Casual Conversations and Dress Codes08:12 Testimony and Life Transitions10:33 Navigating Relationships and Online Dating32:23 Reflections on Past Friendships39:33 Life in St. Louis44:36 Moving Back to St. Louis47:30 Sovereignty of God50:16 Starting Work for RNA01:06:08 Pots and Pans Story01:17:41 Firmus 2.0 and Pregnancy01:20:35 Navigating Relationships and Choices01:23:01 The Importance of Brotherhood and Faith01:25:12 Communication and Parenting01:27:10 Early Marriage and Family Life01:30:42 Career, Identity, and Purpose01:36:02 Challenges of Entrepreneurship01:40:26 Stewardship of Opportunities01:47:02 Reflections on Work and Life Balance01:55:05 The Weight of Responsibility02:06:00 Identity and Intimacy02:08:36 Alignment with God's Mission02:10:54 Entrepreneurial Identity and Growth02:12:46 Season of Hardship and Lamenting02:16:06 Rhythms of Intimacy with God02:47:15 Finishing the Race Well02:50:36 Closing Remarks and Gratitude

  5. Jul 4

    E3 - MATTHEW J. (P1)

    Takeaways: Community EngagementFamily Dynamics Childhood memories and experiencesTransition from homeschooling to public schoolInvolvement in hockey and church activitiesConstruction and carpentry experiencesSpiritual reflections and insights Transformation through faithNavigating personal strugglesEncountering the Holy Spirit Journey of faithTransformation Chapters: 00:00 Community Engagement and Charity Work36:06 Homeschooling and Family Living Situation46:54 Childhood Memories and Experiences01:14:20 Construction and Carpentry Experiences01:27:37 Encountering the Holy Spirit02:13:40 Journey of Brokenness02:19:30 Spiraling Downward02:25:56 Transition to New Jersey02:40:06 Encounter with the Lord02:51:12 Gratitude and Transformation

  6. Jun 17

    E2 - BRYANT W.

    Takeaways Family and upbringingTransition to college and spiritual journeyThe impact of social media on hobbies and creativity.Discipleship and its impactThe transformative power of marriage Importance ofCommunity and BrotherhoodObedience and Submission to God Chapters 00:00 Family and Upbringing09:03 Transition to College13:47 College Experience21:00 Spiritual Awakening43:36 The Influence of Social Media on Hobbies and Creativity01:20:48 The Impact of Discipleship and Transformation01:26:37 College Experience and Friendship01:34:31 Reflections on Career and Faith02:05:25 Prioritizing Solitude and Rest

  7. Jun 2

    E1 - LINCOLN V.

    Takeaways Grace and mercy are challenging concepts, and the struggle to fully grasp their depth and significance is ongoing.The pursuit of Jesus and the kingdom of God is contrasted with the pursuit of the American dream, highlighting the tension between worldly success and spiritual growth.We emphasize the importance of spiritual salmon, individuals who are willing to go against the flow and fight for their faith, even in a world that encourages conformity and complacency. Tension between American dream and following JesusImportance of brotherhood and urgency of living a meaningful lifeSignificance of intentional meditation and prayer in deepening one's relationship with GodFocus on finishing the race well and testifying to the gospel of the grace of God Chapters 00:00 Experiencing the Gospel Differently48:15 Tension Between American Dream and Following Jesus57:02 Shift from Selling to Serving in the Workplace01:25:27 Significance of Intentional Meditation and Prayer01:31:15 Focus on Finishing the Race Well and Testifying to the Gospel of the Grace of God

  8. May 21

    E0 - PILOT

    Takeaways: Podcast origin storyLife reflections and goalsIsolation and technologyLiving a purposeful life Chapters: 00:00 The Birth of a Podcast16:31 Life Changes and Financial Crisis21:54 Connections and Conversations27:03 The Value of Meaningful Conversations32:10 The Value of Community37:16 Reflections on Life Expectancy44:36 Living a Purposeful Life

  • 8 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The Course is a podcast about men in the making. Each episode, we’ll sit down with a man and do one thing: draw out his story. The faith that's shaped him. The battles he's fought. The family he's building. The calling he's trying to finish. Rooted in the gospel of grace.

Information

  • Creator
    Sam VerMeer
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    8
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Sam VerMeer
  • Show Website
    The Course