On the episode this week: Nate is hungry. Aaron steers us back.

 

Nate and Aaron talk with guest Granger Smith. Granger has a bookshelf with a ladder and throws guitars with his kids. He came from a good home with lots of support and still had bad things happen and made bad choices. Granger shares the loss of his son, his weak faith, and almost ending it all. He shares how he made the decision to move from being a successful musician to a non-paid pastor as he transitioned his purpose in life being his job, getting rid of self hate, and how he couldn’t think and logic himself healthy.

 

Links:

Granger Smith

Book:

Like A River

 

 

NEW Samson Community App (Apple store)

NEW Samson Community App (Google Store)

June 5-7, 2026 Italian/International Samson Retreat

Samson England Walking Retreat June 26 - July 1, 2026

Samson Canoe Adventure July 19-22, 2026

Oct 23-25, 2026 U.S. Samson Summit

 

Send mail to:

Pirate Monk Podcast/Samson House

PO BOX 1656

Columbia, TN 38402

 

If you have thoughts or questions and you'd like the guys to address in upcoming episodes or suggestions for future guests, please drop a note to [email protected].  

 

The music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society, Tune Tank and Feslyian Studios.

 

For more information on this ministry, please visit samsonsociety.com.  Support for the women in our lives who have been impacted by our choices is available at sarahsociety.com.

 

The Pirate Monk Podcast is provided by Samson Society, a ministry of Samson House, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. To enjoy future Pirate Monk podcasts, please consider a contribution to Samson House.

On the episode this week: Nate is home and Aaron went to Helen back. They also give some updates on the Samson app and website.

 

Nate and Aaron talk with guest Nathan Apffel. Nathan (Nate) grew up where faith was a source of both comfort and questioning, raised in a religious community. Nate began “The Religion Business” after over 10 years of investigative work into sacred spiritual, religious, and non-profit organizations. Nate is the creator of the docuseries The Religion Business on Prime, Apple TV, YouTube Movies, and other places. The discussion includes what is a pastor, church, and business or non-profit. There’s an interesting reenactment of circular reasoning used by ChatGPT. They also discuss the transparency of finances in churches and even Samson House.

 

Links:

The Religion of Business

 

 

NEW Samson Community App (Apple store)

NEW Samson Community App (Google Store)

June 5-7, 2026 Italian/International Samson Retreat

Samson England Walking Retreat June 26 - July 1, 2026

Samson Canoe Adventure July 19-22, 2026

Oct 23-25, 2026 U.S. Samson Summit

 

Send mail to:

Pirate Monk Podcast/Samson House

PO BOX 1656

Columbia, TN 38402

 

If you have thoughts or questions and you'd like the guys to address in upcoming episodes or suggestions for future guests, please drop a note to [email protected].  

 

The music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society and https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/.

 

For more information on this ministry, please visit samsonsociety.com.  Support for the women in our lives who have been impacted by our choices is available at sarahsociety.com.

 

The Pirate Monk Podcast is provided by Samson Society, a ministry of Samson House, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. To enjoy future Pirate Monk podcasts, please consider a contribution to Samson House.

On the episode this week: Nate is optimistic and Aaron got a ransom note and may have gotten married.

 

Nate and Aaron talk to returning guest Crystal Renaud Day. Crystal is an author, counselor, coach, podcaster, and also leads intensives. She went to school for street cred! Crystal discusses the stats of surveying 1300 women who watch porn (including students), the findings are unexpected. She shares the five things that drive women to porn (surprise, its the same thing driving men to porn!). Crystal normalizes the discussion about women watching porn and in recovery, especially the shame in churches. She also offers hope and healing to those seeking change. 

 

 

Links:

She Recovery

Virtual She Summit Oct 19-23, 2026

 

Books:

Dirty Girls Come Clean

 

 

NEW Samson Community App (Apple store)

NEW Samson Community App (Google Store)

The Art of Presence, Virtual Weekend Intensive April 24-25, 2026

June 5-7, 2026 Italian/International Samson Retreat

Samson England Walking Retreat June 26 - July 1, 2026

Samson Canoe Adventure July 19-22, 2026

Oct 23-25, 2026 U.S. Samson Summit

 

Send mail to:

Pirate Monk Podcast/Samson House

PO BOX 1656

Columbia, TN 38402

 

If you have thoughts or questions and you'd like the guys to address in upcoming episodes or suggestions for future guests, please drop a note to [email protected].  

 

The music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society.

 

For more information on this ministry, please visit samsonsociety.com.  Support for the women in our lives who have been impacted by our choices is available at sarahsociety.com.

 

The Pirate Monk Podcast is provided by Samson Society, a ministry of Samson House, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. To enjoy future Pirate Monk podcasts, please consider a contribution to Samson House.

On the episode this week: Aaron wears underwear.

 

Aaron talks to guest Todd Eakes. Todd is a fellow pirate monk from Colorado. He shares his journey of getting caught with a prostitute, then to celebrate recovery, SLAA 12-step meetings, and Samson Society. Todd shares how he was adopted as an infant, and has been pursuing love, acceptance, and relationships from the wrong places. They talk about how to decide when to lead in recovery. And Todd has organized a Samson Colorado mini retreat.

 

Samson Colorado Mini Retreat - find it on the samson society app, links below.

 

 

Walk With Me: Staying Human in an Age of Artificial Companions, by: Nate Larkin

 

NEW Samson Community App (Apple store)

NEW Samson Community App (Google Store)

June 5-7, 2026 Italian/International Samson Retreat

Oct 23-25, 2026 U.S. Samson Summit

 

Send mail to:

Pirate Monk Podcast/Samson House

PO BOX 1656

Columbia, TN 38402

 

If you have thoughts or questions and you'd like the guys to address in upcoming episodes or suggestions for future guests, please drop a note to [email protected].  

 

The music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society.

 

For more information on this ministry, please visit samsonsociety.com.  Support for the women in our lives who have been impacted by our choices is available at sarahsociety.com.

 

The Pirate Monk Podcast is provided by Samson Society, a ministry of Samson House, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. To enjoy future Pirate Monk podcasts, please consider a contribution to Samson House.

On the episode this week: Aaron sounds oddly familiar.

 

Aaron talks to guest Dr. Ken Adams. As the expert, Ken answers the age old question: “what is Enmeshment?”. Do you have challenges with control, identity, long term commitment, working too much, affairs, eating disorders, and more? You aren’t alone, 50% of people have similar challenges in enmeshment. Find out possible reasons why and how to overcome them on this episode.

 

Links:

Overcoming Enmeshment

 

Books:

Silently Seduced, by: Ken Adams

When He’s Married to Mom, by: Ken Adams

 

Walk With Me: Staying Human in an Age of Artificial Companions, by: Nate Larkin

 

NEW Samson Community App (Apple store)

NEW Samson Community App (Google Store)

June 5-7, 2026 Italian/International Samson Retreat

Oct 23-25, 2026 U.S. Samson Summit

 

Send mail to:

Pirate Monk Podcast/Samson House

PO BOX 1656

Columbia, TN 38402

 

If you have thoughts or questions and you'd like the guys to address in upcoming episodes or suggestions for future guests, please drop a note to [email protected].  

 

The music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society.

 

For more information on this ministry, please visit samsonsociety.com.  Support for the women in our lives who have been impacted by our choices is available at sarahsociety.com.

 

The Pirate Monk Podcast is provided by Samson Society, a ministry of Samson House, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. To enjoy future Pirate Monk podcasts, please consider a contribution to Samson House.

On the episode this week: Nate and Aaron argue about sportsketball. Aaron plans some OJ trickery. Nate gives Allie updates. And 50 free books, listen until the end.

 

Nate and Aaron talk to returning guest Michael Leahy. Michael brings his expertise to the topic of AI. By listening to this podcast, you will be one of a small minority that is educated on the good and bad of AI. There have been incredible break throughs and harmful dystopias. Michael shares how to reduce unhealthy risks for you and your family and how to become an Apocaloptimist. Listen along as technology advances rapidly.

 

Links:

Brave Hearts

The AI Doc

Top 10 AI Threats List and Mitigation Guide

 

Books:

Porn Nation: Conquering America’s #1 Addiction, by Michael Leahy

Walk With Me: Staying Human in an Age of Artificial Companions, by: Nate Larkin

 

NEW Samson Community App (Apple store)

NEW Samson Community App (Google Store)

June 5-7, 2026 Italian/International Samson Retreat

Oct 23-25, 2026 U.S. Samson Summit

 

Send mail to:

Pirate Monk Podcast/Samson House

PO BOX 1656

Columbia, TN 38402

 

If you have thoughts or questions and you'd like the guys to address in upcoming episodes or suggestions for future guests, please drop a note to [email protected].  

 

The music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society.

 

For more information on this ministry, please visit samsonsociety.com.  Support for the women in our lives who have been impacted by our choices is available at sarahsociety.com.

 

The Pirate Monk Podcast is provided by Samson Society, a ministry of Samson House, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. To enjoy future Pirate Monk podcasts, please consider a contribution to Samson House.

On the episode this week: Nate asks Aaron questions. Aaron reads recipes and annoys people in public.

 

Nate and Aaron talk to returning guest Cat Etherington. Cat is a podcaster, writer, wife, mom, and works for Naked Truth. Naked Truth is focused on opening eyes and freeing lives from the damaging impacts of porn. NT also facilitates discussion and resources in churches, with christian leaders, and in the UK education systems. Cat shares her story of addiction to drugs from the ages of 16 to 26, meeting her husband at an AA meeting, and later learning about porn and sex addiction. Other topics include why former addicts make the best therapists/couches/counselors, the power of empathy and understanding, being sh!t on, and why British people sound smarter than Americans.

 

Links:

Naked Truth Project

NT Church App - Apple

NT Church App - Android

 

 

NEW Samson Community App (Apple store)

NEW Samson Community App (Google Store)

June 5-7, 2026 Italian/International Samson Retreat

Oct 23-25, 2026 U.S. Samson Summit

 

Send mail to:

Pirate Monk Podcast/Samson House

PO BOX 1656

Columbia, TN 38402

 

If you have thoughts or questions and you'd like the guys to address in upcoming episodes or suggestions for future guests, please drop a note to [email protected].  

 

The music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society.

 

For more information on this ministry, please visit samsonsociety.com.  Support for the women in our lives who have been impacted by our choices is available at sarahsociety.com.

 

The Pirate Monk Podcast is provided by Samson Society, a ministry of Samson House, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. To enjoy future Pirate Monk podcasts, please consider a contribution to Samson House.

 

On the episode this week: Aaron might be wearing a woman's sweater, and he’s ok with that.

 

Aaron talks to Jerrad Lopes. Jerrad is former clergy, a podcaster, dad, husband, author, and much more. He likes the weight of a blanket nearly to suffocation. Jerrad talks about his “first crisis” where he was fired from church before an implosion and nearly divorced, and how that set him on the path to healing a stumbling towards Jesus. He confesses that he ministered to avoid his own wounds and learned that God isn’t a business. His journey included a 14-day intensive and lots of counseling to heal and help him be part of a strong family. He now leads retreats, podcasts and walks with other men growing and healing themselves and their families.

 

Links:

Dad Tired

 

 

NEW Samson Community App (Apple store)

NEW Samson Community App (Google Store)

June 5-7, 2026 Italian/International Samson Retreat

Oct 23-25, 2026 U.S. Samson Summit

 

Send mail to:

Pirate Monk Podcast/Samson House

PO BOX 1656

Columbia, TN 38402

 

If you have thoughts or questions and you'd like the guys to address in upcoming episodes or suggestions for future guests, please drop a note to [email protected].  

 

The music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society.

 

For more information on this ministry, please visit samsonsociety.com.  Support for the women in our lives who have been impacted by our choices is available at sarahsociety.com.

 

The Pirate Monk Podcast is provided by Samson Society, a ministry of Samson House, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. To enjoy future Pirate Monk podcasts, please consider a contribution to Samson House.

Chaos to Order with Brandon Syler

 

On the episode this week: Aaron hosts solo and sounds really really similar to last week.

 

Aaron talks to Brandon Syler. Brandon is from Charolette where he has a wife, 3 kids, and 12 inches of snow. He shares how he was a “human doing,” going to school, getting good grades, and being a good boy. Brandon talks about how the human doing produced chaos at work, chaos at home, and chaos inside of himself. His journey of healing and growth includes story work retreats, Coach Steve, Jim Cress, reenactment, Chick-Fil-A, and starting One Bridge Experience. See local Samson Society celeb Justin’s testimony about One Bridge here.

 

Links:

Brandon’s Email

One Bridge Experience

MP parts.com

 

Books:

The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It, By: Michael E. Gerber

Scary Close: Dropping the Act and Finding True Intimacy, By: Donald Miller

 

 

NEW Samson Community App (Apple store)

NEW Samson Community App (Google Store)

June 5-7, 2026 Italian/International Samson Retreat

Oct 23-25, 2026 U.S. Samson Summit

 

Send mail to:

Pirate Monk Podcast/Samson House

PO BOX 1656

Columbia, TN 38402

 

If you have thoughts or questions and you'd like the guys to address in upcoming episodes or suggestions for future guests, please drop a note to [email protected].  

 

The music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society.

 

For more information on this ministry, please visit samsonsociety.com.  Support for the women in our lives who have been impacted by our choices is available at sarahsociety.com.

 

The Pirate Monk Podcast is provided by Samson Society, a ministry of Samson House, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. To enjoy future Pirate Monk podcasts, please consider a contribution to Samson House.

On the episode this week: Aaron hosts solo and speaks of the tongue with his tongue. Aaron also updates on Nates wife’s cancer.

 

Nate and Aaron talk to Sheila Ray Gregoire. Sheila is a therapist, podcaster, author, researcher, and more. This week we discuss orgasms in church, sex drives, gender roles, and even spicier topics. Sheila also talks about faulty sex teaching in the church. We compare noticing, attraction, and lusting. And this controversial topic: who leads in marriage, and why? And finally, this bomb: sex is not connection! All this and way more.

 

Links:

Bare Marriage

Bare Marriage Podcast Spotify

Bare Marriage Podcast Apple

 

Books:

The Marriage You Want

The Great Sex Rescue

The Good Guys Guide to Great Sex

The Good Girls Guide To Great Sex

 

 

NEW Samson Community App (Apple store)

NEW Samson Community App (Google Store)

June 5-7, 2026 Italian/International Samson Retreat

Oct 23-25, 2026 U.S. Samson Summit

 

Send mail to:

Pirate Monk Podcast/Samson House

PO BOX 1656

Columbia, TN 38402

 

If you have thoughts or questions and you'd like the guys to address in upcoming episodes or suggestions for future guests, please drop a note to [email protected].  

 

The music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society.

 

For more information on this ministry, please visit samsonsociety.com.  Support for the women in our lives who have been impacted by our choices is available at sarahsociety.com.

 

The Pirate Monk Podcast is provided by Samson Society, a ministry of Samson House, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. To enjoy future Pirate Monk podcasts, please consider a contribution to Samson House.

Rebuke The Wise and They Will Be Wiser with Ben Bennett

On the episode this week: Aaron doesn’t feel different. Nate leaves late and feels shades of covid.

Nate and Aaron talk to returning guest Ben Bennett. Ben updates on Resolution ministries and how it continues to grow, helping others find the path to healing and freedom with the Bible and Science. He shares how to prevent burnout. Ben questions if you keep people in your life that Jesus would have walked away from. He discusses often misunderstood concepts in scripture. Other topics include forgiveness, boundaries vs. walls, God doesn’t have amnesia, milk toast, and Ned Flanders.

Links:
Ben Bennett
Resolution Movement



NEW Samson Community App (Apple store)
NEW Samson Community App (Google Store)
June 5-7, 2026 Italian/International Samson Retreat
Oct 23-25, 2026 U.S. Samson Summit

Send mail to:
Pirate Monk Podcast/Samson House
PO BOX 1656
Columbia, TN 38402

If you have thoughts or questions and you’d like the guys to address in upcoming episodes or suggestions for future guests, please drop a note to [email protected].

The music on this podcast is contributed by members of the Samson Society.

For more information on this ministry, please visit samsonsociety.com. Support for the women in our lives who have been impacted by our choices is available at sarahsociety.com.

The Pirate Monk Podcast is provided by Samson Society, a ministry of Samson House, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. To enjoy future Pirate Monk podcasts, please consider a contribution to Samson House.   Ben Bennett Ben Bennett | Bestselling Author, Nonprofit Founder, Speaker, Consultant Ben Bennett is an internationally recognized voice helping leaders, organizations, and faith communities prevent burnout, strengthen mental health, and build cultures where people thrive–through a trauma-informed, neuroscience-based approach to transformation. https://benbennett.org/     Resolution Movement Resolution Movement | Resolution Movement There Is A Way Out https://resolutionmovement.org/     App Store Samson Community App - App Store Download Samson Community by Samson House on the App Store. See screenshots, ratings and reviews, user tips, and more apps like Samson Community. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/samson-community/id6749582016     play.google.com Samson Society - Apps on Google Play Brotherhood & recovery hub