Forge Podcast: Conversations for the Journey

Have you ever realized that God was with you long before you ever knew how to name it?
Joe asks Joby to tell a few specific stories—moments that reveal both the danger of his former world and the quiet ways discernment and grace kept showing up. Joby recounts how he began to suspect something was off with “J Bird” and the story surrounding a supposed hit, and how a single detail—the smell—helped expose a staged deception that led to a raid.
We talk about a different kind of “buckle story,” too: Joby’s unexpected bull ride at the Four Corners Iron Horse Motorcycle Rally, the confidence and chaos of that season, and how those highs were still part of a bigger pursuit. And we end in the mountains, where Joby tells a hunting story that turns into a near-death moment—darkness, a mine shaft, a rattlesnake, and a prayer: “Lord, don’t give up on me now.”
God doesn’t only meet us in churches. If you’ve been running hard, He can still interrupt the story—sometimes with discernment, sometimes with rescue, always with grace.

Have you ever realized that God was with you long before you ever knew how to name it?
Joe asks Joby to tell a few specific stories—moments that reveal both the danger of his former world and the quiet ways discernment and grace kept showing up. Joby recounts how he began to suspect something was off with “J Bird” and the story surrounding a supposed hit, and how a single detail—the smell—helped expose a staged deception that led to a raid.
We talk about a different kind of “buckle story,” too: Joby’s unexpected bull ride at the Four Corners Iron Horse Motorcycle Rally, the confidence and chaos of that season, and how those highs were still part of a bigger pursuit. And we end in the mountains, where Joby tells a hunting story that turns into a near-death moment—darkness, a mine shaft, a rattlesnake, and a prayer: “Lord, don’t give up on me now.”
God doesn’t only meet us in churches. If you’ve been running hard, He can still interrupt the story—sometimes with discernment, sometimes with rescue, always with grace.

Joe continues the conversation with Joby as he describes the moment the adrenaline stopped working—the night he saw fear in other people’s eyes and realized the life he once fed on had turned hollow. What used to feel like power now felt like darkness, and Joby knew something had to change.
We talk about what it’s like when false “brotherhood” abandons you, when identity built on image gets ripped away, and how God used isolation, a box of sermons and books, and even the ride into arrest to bring Joby to real peace. Joby shares where he surrendered to Jesus, how the Word reshaped his mind, and how God used him to pray, lead, and call hardened men toward Christ—even in prison.
Freedom isn’t found in chasing the next high or proving yourself—it’s found on your knees. If you’ve been idolizing anything, there’s still time. Jesus died on the cross for you too.

Joe continues the conversation with Joby as he describes the moment the adrenaline stopped working—the night he saw fear in other people’s eyes and realized the life he once fed on had turned hollow. What used to feel like power now felt like darkness, and Joby knew something had to change.
We talk about what it’s like when false “brotherhood” abandons you, when identity built on image gets ripped away, and how God used isolation, a box of sermons and books, and even the ride into arrest to bring Joby to real peace. Joby shares where he surrendered to Jesus, how the Word reshaped his mind, and how God used him to pray, lead, and call hardened men toward Christ—even in prison.
Freedom isn’t found in chasing the next high or proving yourself—it’s found on your knees. If you’ve been idolizing anything, there’s still time. Jesus died on the cross for you too.

Have you ever had a moment where you realized the thing you trusted most couldn’t hold the weight of your life?
Joe invites Joby to go back to a high school memory—when a student teacher handed him a Christian book and later prayed over him. Joby describes a powerful encounter with the Holy Spirit that filled him, frightened him, and—without anyone to guide him—led him to tell God to “leave me alone.”
We talk about how identity can form around adrenaline, rebellion, and belonging, and how the enemy can twist even a “seed” into a counterfeit brotherhood. Joby also shares how a longtime friend’s prayers and warnings stayed with him, and how the illusion of loyalty inside the club began to crack when he saw selfish ambition and betrayal up close.
God doesn’t stop pursuing. If you’ve been running, numb, or building your life on a badge that can’t save, Jesus is still calling—patiently, personally, and with a better kind of brotherhood.

Have you ever had a moment where you realized the thing you trusted most couldn’t hold the weight of your life?
Joe invites Joby to go back to a high school memory—when a student teacher handed him a Christian book and later prayed over him. Joby describes a powerful encounter with the Holy Spirit that filled him, frightened him, and—without anyone to guide him—led him to tell God to “leave me alone.”
We talk about how identity can form around adrenaline, rebellion, and belonging, and how the enemy can twist even a “seed” into a counterfeit brotherhood. Joby also shares how a longtime friend’s prayers and warnings stayed with him, and how the illusion of loyalty inside the club began to crack when he saw selfish ambition and betrayal up close.
God doesn’t stop pursuing. If you’ve been running, numb, or building your life on a badge that can’t save, Jesus is still calling—patiently, personally, and with a better kind of brotherhood.

Have you ever wondered what happens when the thing you built your identity around stops holding up under the weight of real life?
Joe sits down with Joby, who introduces himself with humor and honesty, then opens the door to a story marked by hard roads, brotherhood, prison time, and a long search for something that could actually satisfy.
We talk about what drew Joby into the Hells Angels world, what “brotherhood” promised versus what it delivered, and the turning points that pulled him away from drugs, alcohol, and an idolized life. Joby also reflects on evil, suffering, and the questions that keep people from believing—along with the quiet, persistent invitation of Jesus.
Jesus isn’t a last resort—He’s the true refuge. If you’ve been chasing identity, belonging, or control, you’re not stuck. There’s a way back: a surrendered life, an honest look at what’s real, and a Savior who still calls people by name.

Have you ever wondered what happens when the thing you built your identity around stops holding up under the weight of real life?
Joe sits down with Joby, who introduces himself with humor and honesty, then opens the door to a story marked by hard roads, brotherhood, prison time, and a long search for something that could actually satisfy.
We talk about what drew Joby into the Hells Angels world, what “brotherhood” promised versus what it delivered, and the turning points that pulled him away from drugs, alcohol, and an idolized life. Joby also reflects on evil, suffering, and the questions that keep people from believing—along with the quiet, persistent invitation of Jesus.
Jesus isn’t a last resort—He’s the true refuge. If you’ve been chasing identity, belonging, or control, you’re not stuck. There’s a way back: a surrendered life, an honest look at what’s real, and a Savior who still calls people by name.

What if the thing you’ve been missing isn’t more effort—but a place where you can finally stop pretending you’re fine?
In this Men’s Retreat conversation, Joe sits down with Ty, a long-time Scottsdale Bible Church member who works on church security and is attending his first retreat. Ty shares how refreshing it feels to be in a setting where men can be real—no performance, no shame, no fear of condemnation—just brothers walking together and carrying what’s heavy.
We talk about Jonah and the way the story pulls us into our own wilderness seasons. Ty reflects on what he calls thirteen years in the “wilderness” of alcoholism, the quiet weight that built over time, and the unexpected moment God used—his grandmother’s hand on his shoulder and a simple invitation—to bring him back to church and to a clear, no-hesitation surrender.
Ty also shares how the retreat’s “belly of the fish” moment brought him to tears, because alcohol once was his darkness. And he names what he’s taking home: mercy first, love first—hugging his boys, apologizing, and leading with grace. If you’ve been carrying your load alone, this episode is an invitation to step into community and let God meet you where you are.

What if the thing you’ve been missing isn’t more effort—but a place where you can finally stop pretending you’re fine?
In this Men’s Retreat conversation, Joe sits down with Ty, a long-time Scottsdale Bible Church member who works on church security and is attending his first retreat. Ty shares how refreshing it feels to be in a setting where men can be real—no performance, no shame, no fear of condemnation—just brothers walking together and carrying what’s heavy.
We talk about Jonah and the way the story pulls us into our own wilderness seasons. Ty reflects on what he calls thirteen years in the “wilderness” of alcoholism, the quiet weight that built over time, and the unexpected moment God used—his grandmother’s hand on his shoulder and a simple invitation—to bring him back to church and to a clear, no-hesitation surrender.
Ty also shares how the retreat’s “belly of the fish” moment brought him to tears, because alcohol once was his darkness. And he names what he’s taking home: mercy first, love first—hugging his boys, apologizing, and leading with grace. If you’ve been carrying your load alone, this episode is an invitation to step into community and let God meet you where you are.