Welcome back to the Stand Up Dude Podcast! In this episode, your hosts Tim Bisagno and Stewart White sit down with Nathaniel Blackburn—TV personality, addiction overcomer, founder of True North Retreats, and a man who’s turned real-world brokenness into a mission for true freedom in Christ.If you’re a man dealing with father wounds, secret struggles, loneliness, or just want more than the status quo, this conversation will hit home. Nathaniel gets radically honest about everything—from childhood trauma, addiction and fame, to that life-altering moment in a jail cell where he finally met the relentless grace of Jesus.We go deep into what it means to be a true son of God, break down the real barriers that keep men from intimacy with their Heavenly Father, and offer practical wisdom for breaking free from self-reliance, shame, and the “checklist Christianity” that leaves so many men empty. What You’ll Experience in This Episode: Nathaniel’s raw story—from abandonment and fame (MTV’s Real World) to addiction, suicide, and radical rescue by JesusHow “successful” men silently struggle (and why you’re not alone, no matter how it looks on the outside) • The journey from orphan mindset to knowing God as Father—and why most men never get thereWhy solitude with God changes everything (and why most of us have never truly experienced it) • How to break the cycle of shame, secrecy, and performance-driven faithWhat father wounds do to a man—and how to find true healing and identity as a beloved son Real talk on originality, comparison, and why you don’t have to have it all together to be used by GodNathaniel’s calling to set the table for other men: the story behind True North RetreatsPractical steps for making space for God in the chaos, hearing His voice, and letting Him father youAn invitation to radical grace: why you can finally stop performing and start receiving…and much more! Men, if you’re ready for more depth, more freedom, and more of God’s relentless love—this is your invitation. Don’t settle for distraction, overwhelm, and going through the motions. Join us for real talk that will help you step into sonship and become the man you were created to be. 🌟 EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES: True North Retreats – Encounter God, Rediscover Sonship, Find Your True North https://www.truenorthretreats.org/ Want to start or grow your relationship with Christ? https://www.standupdude.com/standup/ Stand Up Dude Tools & Resources—Level Up, Get Connected: https://standupdude.com/be-more ⚡️ Connect & Take Action: Did this episode impact you? Drop a comment—we want to hear your story.Like, subscribe, and share with a man who needs real hope today.Follow us on social for daily encouragement, wisdom, and upcoming events. —————————— Timestamps: 00:00 – Nathaniel’s Story: From Brokenness, Addiction & MTV to Grace 10:00 – Fame, Success & the Empty Life No One Talks About 17:00 – The Power of Father Wounds and Fatherlessness 25:00 – Sonship: Learning to Let God Love You 37:00 – How Nathaniel Was Called Into Men’s Ministry 44:00 – What Happens on a True North Retreat? 53:00 – Why Solitude Matters & Finding Your Worth in Jesus 1:00:00 – How to Start Over and Receive God’s Grace ABOUT THE GUEST: Nathaniel Blackburn is the founder of True North Retreats—a movement to help men meet Christ father-to-son, step out of shame, and walk in freedom. Once a star on MTV’s Real World, trapped in cycles of addiction and despair, Nathaniel now lives to bring other men into real relationship and radical grace.Thank YOU for being part of the Stand Up Dude community—where together, we step up to become the men God designed us to be. Remember: you are never too broken, too late, or too far gone for God’s love.#MensMinistry #ChristianManhood #FatherWounds #AddictionRecovery #MTVRealWorld #JesusChangesEverything #StandUpDudePodcast #TrueNorthRetreats #MenOfFaith #Sonship #IdentityInChrist #SpiritualBreakthrough Links & Resources: Stand Up: standupdude.com/standupBe More: standupdude.com/be-moreShare the Show: LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/standupdude Socials: Facebook: facebook.com/standupdude Instagram: instagram.com/standupdudeofficial Email Us: podcast@standupdude.comTheme Music: Prodigal – by Arrows in Exile: Listen on Spotify (Used with full permission from Michael Blakley)Mentioned Links: True North Retreats: https://www.truenorthretreats.org/Email: dudes@standupdude.comThank you for listening, sharing, and for being the kind of man willing to step into the grace, freedom, and brotherhood Jesus offers. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-stand-up-dude-podcast--6143975/support.
