Raising Arrows

Connor Sykes & Pastor Scott Stewart
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Raising Arrows is a podcast for the dad who's about to have his whole world flipped upside down — and the one who already has. Hosted by Connor Sykes and Scott Stewart — two young fathers, husbands, and Christ-followers deep in the trenches of early fatherhood. Whether you just found out she's pregnant, you're holding your newborn wondering what the hell you got yourself into, or you're chasing a toddler who has zero regard for your energy levels — this show is for you. We're not parenting experts. We're not talking from the other side of it. We're in it right now, and we're bringing you the raw, real conversations about what it looks like to step up as a husband, lead your home, stay close to God, and actually enjoy the wildest season of your life. The stuff nobody told us. The stuff we wish someone had. That's what this show is. "Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one's youth." — Psalm 127:4 New episodes weekly.

  1. 1d ago

    Resentment Can Quietly Kill Your Marriage

    Send us Fan Mail Last night I asked my wife if she’d ever resented me. She said “Oh, yeah” before I even finished the question. In this episode of Raising Arrows, Connor Sykes and Pastor Scott Stewart get honest about resentment, the quiet thing that can build in a marriage for years before anyone says a word. Connor shares what Hailey finally told him about the season she was pregnant with Beau. He also tells about the morning during her pregnancy with Haven when she said it was “just something about your presence.” Scott opens up about the jealousy he felt watching Shay’s bond with their son in the early days, and how one small feeling can quietly turn into a story you start believing about your spouse. We talk about: What resentment looks like before anyone names it, and why it usually grows out of not feeling seenThe pressure that hits a home when one spouse steps out of work and the other keeps leaving every morningThe difference between “I’m tired” and “I’m tired of you”Three simple things to say when your wife needs spaceWhy your anger is never a justification to sin, and what it means to honor your spouse while still holding healthy boundariesHow to start undoing years of quiet resentment: recognize it, release it to God, and have the hard conversationAs Scott puts it, “Without the hard, you don’t get the heal.” One honest conversation with the Holy Spirit in the room can cut through years of built-up tension. Scripture in this episode: Ephesians 4:26–32, Psalm 119:9–11, John 12:24–26, Luke 6:45, James 5:16 We close the episode by praying for every couple who feels stuck right now. If that’s you, you’re not the only one, and your marriage isn’t beyond repair. Listen with your wife, share it with a dad who needs it, and take one step toward that conversation tonight.

  2. Oct 25

    Things We Got Wrong as New Dads

    Send us Fan Mail Nobody hands you a manual when your first baby arrives. You just figure it out, usually by getting it wrong first. In this episode, Connor Sykes and Pastor Scott Stewart get honest about the mistakes they made as new dads and the advice they wish someone had given them before day one. If a buddy told you he was expecting his first kid, what would you tell him? For Connor and Scott, it starts with admitting you have no idea what you’re doing, and being okay with that. They talk about becoming a “yes man” for your wife through pregnancy and those first few months, not taking it personally when emotions run high, and putting the phone and the work away in the delivery room because you never get that moment back. Scott shares why the little everyday moments matter more than we act like they do, and Connor opens up about a laundry-folding standoff with his wife that taught him the difference between doing it wrong and just doing it differently. Underneath it all is one hard truth: this season isn’t about you. When God is first, everything else in your home flows the way it’s supposed to. And when you fall, you get back up. The only real mistake is the one you refuse to learn from. Anchor Scripture: Proverbs 24:16, “For the righteous falls seven times and rises again.” If you’re a new dad who feels like he’s getting it all wrong, you’re not alone and you’re not failing. Share this episode with a friend who’s about to become a dad, and follow Raising Arrows so you never have to figure this out by yourself. Background Music for Intro Music: Beloved by Roa https://soundcloud.com/roa_music1031 License: Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://links.al/W4K Music promoted by Audio Library: https://links.al/youtube

  3. Oct 18

    For The Dad Who Feels Like Giving Up | Raising Arrows

    Send us Fan Mail I never thought about walking out on my family. But there was a season when I mentally checked out, and I was still sitting at the dinner table every night. In this episode, Connor Sykes and Pastor Scott Stewart sit down with Galatians 6:9: “Do not grow weary in doing good, for in due season you will reap a harvest if you do not give up.” Connor shares the season that almost broke him. His wife was days from giving birth to their son, he had no income, and the business he’d poured everything into was a month from opening with no floor, no equipment, and no answers. He didn’t leave. He just went quiet, carried it alone, and brought every bit of that stress home. Together, Connor and Scott talk about the difference between being home and actually being present, why “I’m fine” is usually the moment we start checking out, and what to do with the weight you can’t control. Scott unpacks what “doing good” really means in the context of Galatians 6, why even David, Moses, and Jesus had a few close friends they could be honest with, and the simple prayer for wisdom that changes how you walk through a hard week. If you’re a dad who’s still showing up but feels like he’s running on empty, this one is for you. You don’t have to carry it alone, and you don’t have to have it all figured out. In due season, you will reap, if you don’t give up. If this episode meant something to you, send it to a dad who’s in a hard season right now. Sometimes the most important thing you can do is let another man know he’s not the only one. Hosted by Connor Sykes and Pastor Scott Stewart. Faith, fatherhood, and the beautiful chaos in between. Background Music for Intro Music: Beloved by Roa https://soundcloud.com/roa_music1031 License: Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://links.al/W4K Music promoted by Audio Library: https://links.al/youtube

  4. Oct 11

    Money Dysmorphia: When Is Enough Actually Enough? | Raising Arrows

    Send us Fan Mail You got the raise. The number went up. So why does it still feel like it’s never enough? In this episode, Connor Sykes and Pastor Scott Stewart get honest about money: what it reveals about our hearts, why lifestyle creep sneaks up on even well-meaning families, and how to tell if you’re chasing more for the right reasons. Connor opens up about his own struggle with impulse spending (yes, the gadgets), and Scott walks through 1 Timothy 6, Matthew 6, and Jesus’ parable of the rich fool to show why God cares less about the size of your paycheck than the posture of your heart. In this episode: Why Paul warns about those who want to be rich, not those who are richThe one question that cuts through every money decision: what’s the more for?Why most money problems are heart problems, not math problemsWhy every spending decision is a spiritual decisionA word for the guy climbing the ladder, and a word for the guy who feels like he’ll never have enoughIf you’ve ever looked at your bank account and felt like you’re losing a race you never signed up for, this one’s for you. You don’t need a bigger barn. You need Jesus at the head of the table. Send this to a dad who’s carrying the weight of providing, and remember, you’re not in this alone. Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6–10 | Matthew 6:21 | Matthew 6:33 | Luke 12:13–21 | Philippians 4:13 Background Music for Intro: Music: Beloved by Roa https://soundcloud.com/roa_music1031 License: Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://links.al/W4K Music promoted by Audio Library: https://links.al/youtube

  5. Oct 11

    What Are You Actually Building | Raising Arrows

    Send us Fan Mail Preschool waitlists. Which sport they'll play. Whether they know their colors yet. As dads, it's easy to get so focused on what our kids will do that we forget to focus on who they're becoming. And honestly, the same thing happens with us. In this episode of Raising Arrows, Connor Sykes and Pastor Scott Stewart dig into Proverbs 22:1: "A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold." They talk about why character has to come before achievement, for our kids and for ourselves. Scott shares how he and his wife are using identity-based language with their son ("that's not what Stewarts do") instead of only correcting behavior, and why our kids are watching us far more closely than we realize. Connor opens up about the pressure to measure his kids by milestones, and a surprisingly wise line from Bluey that stopped him in his tracks. Together they get honest about why admitting we're wrong can feel so hard, what it looks like to "replace the divot" when we mess up in front of our kids, and the difference between godly ambition and worldly ambition when it comes to money and success. You'll also hear a D.L. Moody quote about character and reputation, a fresh spin on "What would Jesus do?", and a reminder that the only perfect example our kids will ever have is Christ, which frees us up to just be real with them. If you're a dad who wants to leave your kids something that outlasts any bank account, this one's for you. Your kids don't need a perfect dad. They need one who's real, who owns his mistakes, and who points them to Jesus. Share this episode with a dad who's building a name worth carrying, and we'll see you next week. Intro Background Music: Music: Beloved by Roa https://soundcloud.com/roa_music1031 License: Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://links.al/W4K Music promoted by Audio Library: https://links.al/youtube

  6. Oct 4

    A Chord of Three Strands | Raising Arrows

    Send us Fan Mail A few years ago, Connor was spending hours at the gym just to avoid going home. His company had just been sold, he didn't know what was next, and his wife Hailey had a peace and joy he couldn't match. She was going to church alone. He was convinced he could figure it out on his own. Then he walked into a service, sat in the back, and everything changed. In this episode of Raising Arrows, Connor Sykes and Pastor Scott Stewart open Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 and talk about what it actually means to have a marriage that is "a cord of three strands," with God as the strand that holds the other two together. Connor shares how adding a simple habit, praying together with Hailey after two kids, quietly ended a lot of the small arguments in their home. Scott explains why so many couples slowly let their kids replace God at the center of the marriage, and why that's usually where the bickering, resentment, and scorekeeping begin. They also talk about why "us against the world" is a losing strategy, how the marriage you build today becomes the legacy your kids carry, and why you don't have to start from zero. Most of the time, you just have to go back to what worked. For any dad who feels awkward praying out loud, like he needs fancy words or a pastor's vocabulary, Scott offers a reframe that changes everything: you're not addressing a drill sergeant or a distant authority figure. You're talking to a perfect Father who already knows what you need. In this episode:  Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 and the cord of three strands  What happens when kids replace God at the center of a marriage  Why praying together changes how you argue  Connor's story of depression, distance, and coming back to church  Building a generational legacy starting today  How to lead spiritually when your wife isn't in the same place yet  Learning to pray to God as your Father, not a formal figure Scripture referenced: Ecclesiastes 4:9–12, James 1:5, Ephesians 5, Luke 11:11–13 Book recommended: The Perfect Parent by Doug Lay. If the cost is a barrier for you, reach out to us and we'll get you a copy. Brother, if your marriage feels more like two tired people surviving than three strands holding strong, you don't need a dramatic overhaul. You need one decision today. Pray with your wife tonight, even if it's short and clumsy. Then send this episode to a dad who needs the reminder that he's not doing this alone. Follow Raising Arrows so you never miss an episode. Background music used for intro: Music: Beloved by Roa https://soundcloud.com/roa_music1031 License: Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://links.al/W4K Music promoted by Audio Library: https://links.al/youtube

  7. Sep 27

    Guard the Gate: Protecting Your Marriage Starts With Your Eyes | Raising Arrows

    Send us Fan Mail An affair doesn't start with a kiss. It starts with a thousand small yeses nobody else sees. In this episode, Connor and Pastor Scott have an honest conversation about one of the most sensitive topics in marriage: guarding your eyes. Anchored in Job 31:1, "I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman," they talk about how temptation has become part of everyday life (even the commercials), why willpower alone won't get you through it, and what it looks like to protect your heart and your marriage. In this episode: Why compromise starts long before any line is crossedPaul's call to flee, and why "I can handle it" is the trapPre-deciding before the moment comes, especially with pornographyThe "first look vs. second look" principleWhy guardrails aren't a lack of trust but an act of loveConnor's story of the guardrails he kept to himself, and why you build them together with your spouse"Simple, not easy": getting honest, getting help, and getting freeWhether you're in a battle right now or want to stay ahead of one, this conversation is for you and your spouse. Who you are when no one's around matters. Scripture: Job 31:1 · Matthew 5:28 · 1 Corinthians 6:18 · James 4:7 · Proverbs 24:16 If this episode helped you, share it with a brother who needs it, and leave us a rating or review so more dads can find the show. Background music used for intro: Music: Beloved by Roa https://soundcloud.com/roa_music1031 License: Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://links.al/W4K Music promoted by Audio Library: https://links.al/youtube

  8. Sep 23

    Ask the Pastor - How Do We Release Control? | Raising Arrows

    Send us Fan Mail Ask the Pastor: How Do We Actually Release Control? Letting go of control, sounds simple until you're the one white-knuckling your way through a situation that feels totally out of your hands. In this episode of Ask the Pastor, we tackle one of the questions every Christian wrestles with at some point: what does "releasing control" actually look like day to day? Pastor Scott breaks it down into two shifts in perspective — first, understanding that your job is obedience and God's job is outcome, and second, learning to focus on the Person in control rather than the problem in front of you. It's a simple but convicting reframe: are you thinking more about how you're going to get there, or about who's already got it? If you've ever prayed for peace and still felt like you were carrying the weight yourself, this one's for you. 🎙️ New episodes of Ask the Pastor every week.

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About

Raising Arrows is a podcast for the dad who's about to have his whole world flipped upside down — and the one who already has. Hosted by Connor Sykes and Scott Stewart — two young fathers, husbands, and Christ-followers deep in the trenches of early fatherhood. Whether you just found out she's pregnant, you're holding your newborn wondering what the hell you got yourself into, or you're chasing a toddler who has zero regard for your energy levels — this show is for you. We're not parenting experts. We're not talking from the other side of it. We're in it right now, and we're bringing you the raw, real conversations about what it looks like to step up as a husband, lead your home, stay close to God, and actually enjoy the wildest season of your life. The stuff nobody told us. The stuff we wish someone had. That's what this show is. "Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one's youth." — Psalm 127:4 New episodes weekly.

Information

  • Creator
    Connor Sykes & Pastor Scott Stewart
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    34
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Raising Arrows
  • Show Website
    Raising Arrows