Faith and Flamez

Faith and Flamez

Real life. Real heat. Real food. (And never trust a skinny chef!) Welcome to Faith and Flamez, the podcast where life’s toughest challenges get cooked into your greatest strengths. Join hosts Neum and Frank—two "Big Boys" with big hearts—as we turn the backyard BBQ into a masterclass on resilience. We don't do preachy lectures. We serve up: The Meal Prep: Honest talk about the "raw" struggles of life. Cook It Up: Deep dives into faith, family, and the grind. Grind Time: Practical wisdom you can actually use. Pull up a chair. The fire is lit, the steaks are sizzling, and you are not alone

Episodes

  1. Apr 6

    Ep 11: The Rock vs. The Sponge, Stubbornness & Qualifying the Information | Faith and Flamez

    What up Fam? The grill is hot and the mic is on! Welcome to episode 11 of Faith and Flamez—the backyard BBQ where we break down the walls of our own stubbornness. Join hosts Neum and Frank—two "Big Boys" who are too big to fake it—as they get real about the danger of having a hard head, the power of dropping your ego, and why sometimes you need to let your "my way is the best way" mentality melt away. 🍞 ON THE MENU: Hot cross buns served two ways: toasted like a brick, and microwaved soft and gooey. Plus, half a block of butter to soften things up. We’re using the different textures to talk about the difference between being a rock that repels everything and a sponge that actually absorbs the good stuff. 🔥 THE MEAL PREP (07:33): We dive into the pop-culture icons of stubbornness. From Michael Jordan's early "win at all costs" mentality in The Last Dance to Tony Stark's billionaire ego in the MCU, we break down how being a one-man show ultimately fails until you learn to soften your heart, trust the team, and let other people in. 🔥 COOK IT UP (11:12): Neum shares how his car breaking down forced him to drop his stubborn "only the gym works" fitness mentality and discover the massive benefits of simply going for a walk. Frank turns the heat up on his own stubbornness with the 75 Hard challenge, admitting how his "my way is best" ego blocks out great advice. We drop the ultimate mic-drop moment for personal growth: Qualify the information before you qualify the person. 🔥 GRIND TIME (20:48): The plate-up. We talk about running good advice through the "Doctor Strange" method to foresee the positive outcomes, and why letting go of ego is the only way to truly absorb the lessons you need. Plus, a challenge to the fam: identify where you're being a rock in your life, and take the steps to become a sponge. ⏱️ CHAPTER MARKERS:  ⏱️ 0:00 - Fire Up: Welcome to the Fam  ⏱️ 00:59 - Last Week's Homework: Receiving Acts of Kindness  ⏱️ 02:47 - The Prep: Hot Cross Buns & The Butter  ⏱️ 04:58 - The Metaphor: The Rock vs. The Sponge  ⏱️ 07:33 - The Deep Dive: Ego, Michael Jordan & Tony Stark  ⏱️ 11:12 - Neum's Stubbornness: The Gym vs. Walking  ⏱️ 12:56 - Frank's Stubbornness: 75 Hard & Carnivore vs. Calorie Deficit  ⏱️ 15:17 - The Gem: Qualify the Information Before the Person  ⏱️ 17:42 - The Aha Moment: Doing the "Doctor Strange"  ⏱️ 20:48 - Grind Time: Plating Up the Buns & Final Thoughts Pull up a chair, fam. There's always a seat at our table. CONNECT WITH US: TikTok: @faithandflamez Instagram: @faithandflamez YouTube: Faith and Flamez Keep the Faith. Stoke the Flamez.

    23 min
  2. Mar 29

    Ep 10: Pure Lamb Chops, Everyday Heroes & The Accidental $20 | Faith and Flamez

    What up Fam? The grill is hot and the mic is on! Welcome to episode 10 of Faith and Flamez—the backyard BBQ where we strip back the extras and talk about the pure power of giving. Join hosts Neum and Frank—two "Big Boys" who are too big to fake it—as they fire up some lamb chops and get real about everyday heroes, random acts of kindness, and learning how to actually accept help without turning it into a competition. 🍖 ON THE MENU: Plain lamb chops. Cooked directly over the coals with just a little wood for flavor. No marinades, no heavy seasonings, and no salt (even if it makes everything taste nice). We're keeping the meat pure to match today's theme: service and kindness with zero hidden agendas. 🔥 THE MEAL PREP (04:37): We reflect on last week's homework of squashing beef, what happens when your peace offering gets left on "read," and why you can't control how people respond to you reaching out. Then, we dive into the meat of the episode: what does a truly pure act of kindness look like? 🔥 COOK IT UP (08:41): Frank shares a powerful story about his father-in-law, the ultimate "everyday hero," chopping and delivering winter wood for the community without ever asking for a dime. We break down the massive difference between being able to help and being willing to help. Plus, a funny confession about the pain of accidentally dropping a $20 note for a busker when you meant to drop $5. 🔥 GRIND TIME (16:07): The plate-up. We talk about one of the hardest parts of service for our culture: actually receiving it. Why do we always feel the need to instantly pay someone back? We break down why true gratitude sometimes means dropping the "I see your act of kindness and I raise you this act of kindness" mentality, and just letting someone bless you without keeping score. ⏱️ CHAPTER MARKERS:  ⏱️ 0:00 - Fire Up: Welcome to the Fam & Leftover Butter Chicken  ⏱️ 01:11 - Last Week's Homework: Getting Left on "Read"  ⏱️ 03:03 - The Prep: Pure Wood-Fired Lamb Chops  ⏱️ 05:19 - The Theme: Random Acts of Kindness  ⏱️ 08:41 - The Deep Dive: The Father-in-Law's Firewood  ⏱️ 11:00 - The Gem: Supermarket Smiles & Hospital Chaplains  ⏱️ 14:46 - The Funny Story: The Accidental $20 Busker Donation  ⏱️ 16:07 - Grind Time: Plating Up the Lamb & Pure Intent  ⏱️ 17:14 - The Aha Moment: Learning to Receive Gracefully  ⏱️ 18:30 - The Challenge: Tell Us Who to Serve Pull up a chair, fam. There's always a seat at our table. CONNECT WITH US: TikTok: @faithandflamez Instagram: @faithandflamez YouTube: Faith and Flamez Keep the Faith. Stoke the Flamez.

    19 min
  3. Mar 22

    Ep 9: Butter Chicken, The Lone Wolf & Why It's Not Weak to Speak | Faith and Flamez

    What up Fam? The grill is hot and the mic is on! Welcome to episode 9 of Faith and Flamez—the backyard BBQ where we drop the masks and talk about the heavy stuff we usually try to carry all by ourselves. Join hosts Neum and Frank—two "Big Boys" who are too big to fake it—as they hit the supermarket for a meal kit and get incredibly raw about health battles, helplessness, and the absolute courage it takes to finally ask for help. 🥘 ON THE MENU: A New World "Simply Dinner" Butter Chicken meal kit. We’re stepping away from the smoker, following the instructions to a tee, and trusting the recipe. Because sometimes, the best results come from actually following the steps instead of stubbornly trying to do it your own way. 🔥 THE MEAL PREP (07:34): Neum opens up about a devastating blow to his inner circle—one of his childhood brothers battling cancer. We discuss the suffocating feeling of helplessness and how a late-night phone call with the group chat revealed that everyone was hurting in silence. It’s a powerful reminder that sometimes you have to take a few steps in the darkness to find the light switch. 🔥 COOK IT UP (14:46): Frank gets incredibly vulnerable about his current health and weight loss journey. After previously crushing the 75 Hard challenge and building an identity around his success, he shares the heavy reality of falling off the wagon—like hitting the longest snake in "Snakes and Ladders" and sliding all the way back to square two. We break down the "lone wolf" mentality, the fear of burdening your family, and why it's so incredibly hard to humble yourself and ask your support system to help you start over. 🔥 GRIND TIME (21:50): The plate-up. We talk about the freedom of finally dropping the "I got this" mask and letting your loved ones actually support you. Plus, a challenge to the fam: if you don't have a group chat or a crew cheering you on, you have one now. ⏱️ CHAPTER MARKERS:  ⏱️ 0:00 - Fire Up: Welcome to the Fam & Sausage Sizzle Reflections  ⏱️ 03:03 - The Prep: The Supermarket Meal Kit Run  ⏱️ 07:34 - The Deep Dive: Frank's Heartbreak & The Group Chat  ⏱️ 10:22 - The Aha Moment: It's Not Weak to Speak  ⏱️ 11:34 - The Gem: Finding the Light Switch in the Dark  ⏱️ 14:46 - Neum’s Battle: Health, Weight Loss & The Lone Wolf  ⏱️ 19:07 - The Reality of Snakes & Ladders  ⏱️ 21:50 - Grind Time: Plating Up the Butter Chicken  ⏱️ 23:43 - The Challenge: Share Some Light (Our DMs are Open) Pull up a chair, fam. There's always a seat at our table. CONNECT WITH US: TikTok: @faithandflamez Instagram: @faithandflamez YouTube: Faith and Flamez Keep the Faith. Stoke the Flamez.

    24 min
  4. Mar 15

    Ep 8: Sausage Sizzles, Squashing Beef & The Art of Letting Go | Faith and Flamez

    What up Fam? The grill is hot and the mic is on! Welcome to episode 8 of Faith and Flamez—the backyard BBQ where we tackle the heavy lifting of forgiveness and making room for peace. Join hosts Neum and Frank—two "Big Boys" who are too big to fake it—as they fire up a Kiwi classic and get real about the toxic weight of holding grudges and the freedom of finally dropping them. 🌭 ON THE MENU:The Kiwi Classic Sausage Sizzle. Beef sausages, crispy onions, and a debate over tomato sauce versus aioli. We're specifically throwing beef on the hot plate today because it's time to talk about squashing it. 🔥 THE MEAL PREP (09:54):Frank opens up about the ultimate test of pride: being asked to be a best man, only to be entirely sidelined at the actual wedding. We talk about the agonising choice between throwing a fit out of ego or swallowing your pride, stepping back, and letting someone else's special day be about them. 🔥 COOK IT UP (15:22):Neum turns up the heat with a raw admission about holding onto a 20-year grudge. We dive into how holding onto anger literally makes the lights go dim in your life, why being a "loose head prop" doesn't work for emotional healing, and the mic-drop realisation that forced his perspective to change: "It's not about who's right, it's about what's right." 🔥 GRIND TIME (21:05):The plate-up. Taking that first bite of freedom after releasing the things that weigh you down. We challenge the fam to look at their own contact lists, practice the art of letting go, and take that first step to actually squash the beef and make the call. ⏱️ CHAPTER MARKERS: ⏱️ 0:00 - Fire Up: Welcome to the Fam & The Buldak Noodle Aftermath⏱️ 03:37 - The Prep: The $3 Kiwi Classic Sausage Sizzle⏱️ 06:32 - The Theme: Squashing Beef⏱️ 09:54 - The Deep Dive: Neum’s Best Man Test⏱️ 13:00 - The Gem: Seeing the Bigger Picture holistically⏱️ 15:22 - Neum’s Story: The 20-Year Grudge⏱️ 16:50 - The Aha Moment: "It's not about who's right, it's about what's right."⏱️ 21:05 - Grind Time: Plating Up the Sausages & Aioli⏱️ 23:33 - The Challenge: Reaching Out & Next Week Tease (It's Not Weak to Speak) Pull up a chair, fam. There's always a seat at our table. CONNECT WITH US:TikTok: @faithandflamezInstagram: @faithandflamezYouTube: Faith and Flamez Keep the Faith. Stoke the Flamez.

    25 min
  5. Mar 8

    Ep 7: Buldak Noodles & The Sacrifice for the Greater Good | Faith and Flamez

    What up Fam? The grill is hot and the mic is on! Welcome to episode 7 of Faith and Flamez—the backyard BBQ where we sacrifice our comfort and our pride to make room for the bigger picture. Join hosts Neum and Frank—two "Big Boys" who are too big to fake it—as they test their spice tolerance with a lethal noodle challenge and get real about the heavy reality of giving up what you want right now for what matters most. 🍜 ON THE MENU:Black packet Buldak Noodles. Pure fire. We're stepping away from the smoker and risking our taste buds for the glory of the challenge. Because sometimes you have to willingly walk into the flames to be part of something greater. 🔥 THE MEAL PREP (07:18):Frank gets real about the struggle of letting go of the "hunter-gatherer" mindset. He opens up about sacrificing his fast-tracked career as a Deputy Principal to step back and support his wife’s studies. We talk about why taking a back seat and letting go of the breadwinner ego was the hardest—but most necessary—move for his family's future, and how to have difficult conversations from a place of love. 🔥 COOK IT UP (16:11):Neum turns up the heat with a story about being deep in Afterpay debt and getting offered tens of thousands of dollars for a single sponsorship. The catch? It was for a gambling agency. We dive into what it really costs to stand on your principles when your bank account is empty, why he deleted that "I'm keen" text, and the reality of practicing what you preach to your kids. 🔥 GRIND TIME (21:06):The plate-up. We talk about how sacrificing the need to be the hero, or sacrificing immediate financial relief, always pays off in the long game. Plus, we shout out the community comments and get ready to bless these lethal noodles twice before the sweat starts pouring. ⏱️ CHAPTER MARKERS:⏱️ 0:00 - Fire Up: Welcome to the Fam & Last Week's Reflections⏱️ 02:44 - The Meal Prep: Unleashing the Buldak Noodles⏱️ 05:20 - The Deep Dive: What is the Greater Good?⏱️ 07:39 - Frank's Sacrifice: Retiring the Hunter-Gatherer⏱️ 12:44 - The Gem: Having Difficult Conversations from a Place of Love⏱️ 16:11 - Neum's Test: Turning Down Tens of Thousands⏱️ 21:06 - The Payoff: Blessings Beyond the Bag⏱️ 23:16 - Grind Time: Plating Up the Fire & Community Comments Pull up a chair, fam. There's always a seat at our table. CONNECT WITH US:TikTok: @faithandflamezInstagram: @faithandflamezYouTube: Faith and Flamez Keep the Faith. Stoke the Flamez.

    25 min
  6. Mar 1

    Ep 6: Pruning the Old You, Pita Pit & The Faith to Walk Away | Faith and Flamez

    What up Fam? The grill is hot and the mic is on!Welcome to episode 6 of Faith and Flamez—the backyard BBQ where we chop off what no longer serves us to make room for what matters. Join hosts Neum and Frank—two "Big Boys" who are too big to fake it—as they step outside the kitchen for the first time, hit up Pita Pit, and get real about the painful art of letting go. 🥗 ON THE MENU:We're switching it up with a field trip to Pita Pit. Chicken Caesar bowl. Kumara and lentil bowl. Steak salad bowl for the ancestors. Because growth sometimes means leaving the smoker behind and trying something that makes you uncomfortable. 🔥 THE MEAL PREP (04:14):Frank opens up about his days as "Bob the Build-Ups"—the guy who always said yes but never showed up. How his wife held up the mirror, why it took a year to rebuild trust, and what it cost to cut off the old version of himself that everybody already knew. 🔥 COOK IT UP (15:21):Neum turns up the heat on his own story—working triple shifts on Christmas, chasing the bag while his family slipped away. The day he handed in his resignation and his boss handed him the promotion he'd always wanted. Why he said "thanks bro, but no thank you" and cried in the bathroom. Sometimes pruning hurts because the branches grow back when you're not looking.🔥 GRIND TIME (21:20):The plate-up. What it really means to align your values with your actual life. Why cutting things off doesn't mean they grow back overnight. And how having faith to jump into the flames of uncertainty beats staying comfortable in the wrong season.⏱️ CHAPTER MARKERS:⏱️ 0:00 - Fire Up: Welcome to the Fam⏱️ 0:28 - Last Week's Storms: Sua Fa'i Reflections⏱️ 03:11 - The Prep: First Field Trip to Pita Pit⏱️ 05:22 - Cook It Up: Identifying What Needs to Go⏱️ 08:31 - The Deep Dive: Frank the "Build-Up" Man⏱️ 15:21 - The Gem: Neum Quits the Bag⏱️ 18:18 - The Aha Moment: Pruning vs. Regrowth⏱️ 21:20 - Grind Time: Plating Up the Greens⏱️ 23:45 - The Challenge: Sacrifice for the Greater Cause (Next Week Tease)Pull up a chair, fam. There's always a seat at our table. CONNECT WITH US:TikTok: @faithandflamezInstagram: @faithandflamezYouTube: Faith and FlamezKeep the Faith. Stoke the Flamez.

    24 min
  7. Feb 22

    Ep 5: Prepping for the Storm | Faith and Flamez

    What up Fam? The grill is hot and the mic is on! Welcome to episode 5 of Faith and Flamez. Join hosts Neum and Frank—two "Big Boys" who are too big to fake it—as they skip the butcher, raid their own pantries, and cook up a hard lesson on preparation and weathering life's storms. On the Menu Today:We’re serving up a "Pantry Surprise" featuring Neum’s classic Sua Fa'i and Frank’s 3-can Corned Beef, spaghetti, and rice masterpiece. When you don't prep the ingredients ahead of time, you have to survive on whatever is left in the cupboard. Cooking Up the Topic: Prepping for the StormWe’re talking about building your roof before the rain starts. Neum and Frank get real about the incoming storms they can foresee—from Frank's battle to outrun diabetes, to Neum securing the financial and physical future for his son with a disability. We discuss the difference between living like the prepared Ant versus chilling like the Grasshopper, and how to find the eye of the storm when your bank account hits $6. In this episode, we discuss: How to prepare financially and physically for the storms you know are coming. Neum’s emotional reflection on living above a bakery to survive. Why ignoring your health today is a guaranteed storm tomorrow. Neum's tragic COVID lockdown story: getting caught with zero groceries and begging the neighbors for flour. Chapters: 0:00 - Intro: Welcome back to the Fam 03:25 - The Prep: The Pantry Challenge (No Uber Eats allowed) 07:00 - Cook It Up: Preparing for the Storms of Life 12:05 - The Gem: Neum preparing for his son's future 14:13 - The Deep Dive: The $6 Bank Account & The Bakery blessing 17:14 - The Funny Story: Antz and the Grasshopper & The 2020 Lockdown 21:18 - Grind Time: Plating up the Corned Beef "Rainbow" 22:36 - The Challenge: Acknowledging your resiliency and building your roof Pull up a chair, fam. There's always a seat at our table. Connect with the Crew:TikTok: @faithandflamezInstagram: @faithandflamez Keep the Faith. Stoke the Flamez.

    24 min
  8. Feb 15

    Ep 4: Microwaves vs. Smokers, The Art of the Wait & Why Frank Can’t Wear Medium | Faith and Flamez

    What up Fam? The grill is hot and the mic is on! Welcome to episode 4 of Faith and Flamez. Join hosts Neum and Frank—two "Big Boys" who are too big to fake it—as they stare down a pig named Steve and talk about the heavy reality of feeling unqualified in a world that demands instant perfection. On the Menu Today: We’re going bold with Pig Head, cooked low and slow on the Weber. It’s an underrated cut that requires patience, respect, and a lot of salt. We’re massaging the process and giving "Steve" the send-off he deserves. Cooking Up the Topic: The Imposter on the Grill We live in a world of filters and instant wins, but real growth is messy. Neum opens up about the fear of stepping into a Deputy Principal role with only 4 years of experience—leading teachers who taught him. We’re discussing the difference between "faking it" and having the courage to build your wings on the way down. In this episode, we discuss: Why we want the prize without the process (The Microwave Mindset).Neum’s battle with feeling like a fraud and the courage to stay in the fight."Be at the table, not on the menu" – Why you need to show up even when you're scared.Frank’s rigorous "fitness regime" (spoiler: it involves more walking than running). Chapters: 0:00 - Intro: Welcome back to the Fam  02:50 - The Prep: Prepping "Steve" the Pig Head (Massage & Salt)  06:06 - Cook It Up: Instant Gratification vs. The Slow Burn  08:28 - The Deep Dive: Neum’s Story (From Teacher to Deputy Principal)  14:04 - The Gem: Frank on "Humble Steak" & Learning from the Bottom  15:40 - The Funny Story: Why Big Boys Don't Climb Ladders  16:10 - The Aha Moment: "Be at the table, not on the menu"  19:38 - Grind Time: Plating up the Pig & Final Thoughts  23:25 - The Challenge: Preparation before the Crisis Pull up a chair, fam. There's always a seat at our table. Connect with the Crew:  TikTok: @faithandflamez  Instagram: @faithandflamez Keep the Faith. Stoke the Flamez.

    24 min
  9. Feb 8

    Ep 3: Lamb Chops & Life Lessons: From Street Hustle to Real Purpose

    What up Fam? The grill is hot and the mic is on! Welcome to episode 3 of Faith and Flamez—the backyard BBQ where life's toughest cuts get seasoned into your greatest flavor. Join Neum and Frank, two Big Boys from New Zealand who are too big to fake it, as we cook up real talk about resilience, identity, and the grind that actually matters. 🥩 ON THE MENU: Lamb Chops. Rosemary. Garlic. That holy trinity of salt, pepper, and olive oil. Cooked low, finished hot, rested proper. Because great flavor takes patience—and respect for the process. 🔥 THE MEAL PREP (0:35): Frank opens the cooler on his early years—street life, chasing paper, running with the wrong recipe. We get into the moment he realized the hustle was cooking him alive, and why walking away from "success" was the only way to find it. 🔥 COOK IT UP (5:06): The heat gets turned up. We dig into why your gift makes room for you (but your grind just makes you tired). The difference between a job that pays and work that feeds your soul. Plus: why fatherhood hits different when you're trying to break cycles, not just bread. 🔥 GRIND TIME (12:12): The plate-up. Practical wisdom on knowing when you're cooked versus when you're still raw. How to tell the difference between your people and your crowd. And why resting the meat is just as important as cooking it—knowing when to step back and let the juices settle. ⏱️ CHAPTER MARKERS: 0:00 - Fire Up 0:15 - Welcome In 0:35 - The Meal Prep 2:02 - The Breaking Point 4:03 - Technique Check 5:06 - Gift vs. Grind 7:57 - Building the Crust 9:32 - Your People vs. Your Crowd 12:12 - Calling vs. Career 15:08 - Fatherhood Unfiltered 18:22 - The Rest Period 20:05 - The Plate Up 22:30 - See You Next Time Pull up a chair. The fire is warm. The conversation is real. And you are not alone. Never trust a skinny chef. CONNECT WITH US: @faithandflamez everywhere YouTube: Faith and Flamez

    25 min
  10. Feb 1

    The Paved Way, Standing on Shoulders & Why We Don't Eat Alone | Faith and Flamez

    What up Fam? The grill is hot and the mic is on! Welcome to episode 2 of Faith and Flamez. Join hosts Neum and Frank—two "Big Boys" who are too big to fake it—as they honor the giants whose shoulders we stand on. On the Menu Today:We're firing up Rump Steak on the coals, hitting it with the classic salt and pepper, but adding a secret "Old Head" ingredient: Garlic Powder. We break bread on why the meal tastes better when you acknowledge the hands that helped prepare it. Cooking Up the Topic: The Paved WayWe are not self-made; we are family-made. In this deep dive, we explore the heat, pressure, and sacrifice our ancestors endured to pave the road we walk on today. We discuss how to move from "Point A to Point Yum" and why we never eat alone—because we bring our history to the table. In this episode, we discuss: The "Point A to Point Yum" philosophy: Respecting the process. Neum’s tribute to his mother’s extreme forgiveness (and the time he left her stranded). The concept of "Standing on Shoulders" vs. thinking you're self-made. Frank’s dad: The ultimate giver (and why Frank had to eat on the floor). The hilarious story of the missing swimming pool: "Sorry, are you a genie?" Chapters:0:00 - Intro: Welcome back to the Fam02:40 - The Prep: Rump Steak & The Garlic Powder Hack04:50 - Cook It Up: The Paved Way (Honoring Our Roots)06:50 - The Gem: Neum’s Mom & The Power of Forgiveness12:40 - Funny Story: "Where did the pool go, Dad?"15:00 - Grind Time: Standing on Shoulders & Building Legacy21:00 - The Challenge: Who Paved Your Way? Pull up a chair, fam. There's always a seat at our table. Connect with the Crew:TikTok: @faithandflamezInstagram: @faithandflamez Keep the Faith. Stoke the Flamez.

    28 min

About

Real life. Real heat. Real food. (And never trust a skinny chef!) Welcome to Faith and Flamez, the podcast where life’s toughest challenges get cooked into your greatest strengths. Join hosts Neum and Frank—two "Big Boys" with big hearts—as we turn the backyard BBQ into a masterclass on resilience. We don't do preachy lectures. We serve up: The Meal Prep: Honest talk about the "raw" struggles of life. Cook It Up: Deep dives into faith, family, and the grind. Grind Time: Practical wisdom you can actually use. Pull up a chair. The fire is lit, the steaks are sizzling, and you are not alone