The Built Different Podcast with Dr. Zach Clinton

Is addiction a disease, a decision, or something far more complicated? What often begins as an attempt to escape pain can become a deeply ingrained pattern of behavior, fundamentally changing the way our brains respond to stress, reward, and dependency. In this powerful episode of the Built Different Podcast, Dr. Tim Clinton and Dr. Zach Clinton sit down with Rodney Holmstrom, Global Field Director of Celebrate Recovery, to unpack the neuroscience of addiction, the connection between childhood trauma and chemical dependency, and why overcoming addiction requires far more than simply telling someone to stop. Drawing from his own remarkable...

What if the answer to America's growing addiction crisis isn't just found in treatment, but also in faith, community, and a renewed sense of PURPOSE? In this powerful episode of the Built Different Podcast, Drs. Zach & Tim Clinton sit down with Dr. Monty Burks, a leader within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Great American Recovery Initiative, to discuss the devastating impact of the opioid epidemic and the urgent need to move America from a pill culture to a purpose culture. Drawing from his own remarkable journey through addiction, homelessness, and ultimately redemption, Dr...

What if meekness isn’t weakness, but strength fully surrendered to God? In this powerful conversation, Drs. Zach and Tim Clinton, sit down with Christian influencer, filmmaker, evangelist, and author, Ryan Miller, to unpack the message behind his new book, Meek as a Mustang: Finding the Strength to Surrender Your Wild Heart to Jesus. Ryan shares why following Jesus calls us out of comfortable Christianity and into a costly faith: one marked by surrender, courage, intimacy, and radical obedience. From stories of the persecuted church to his own journey through failure, influence, and the wilderness, Ryan reminds us that th...

What happens when the people who were supposed to point you toward Christ become the very people who wounded you along the way? In this deeply vulnerable conversation, Skillet frontman John Cooper opens up about one of the darkest seasons of his life which has included church hurt, betrayal, counseling, the pull of deconstruction, and learning to depend on God’s grace one hour at a time. John shares why suffering has given him greater compassion for those wounded by the Church while offering a powerful plea: don’t give up on Christ because people have failed you. Through it a...

What happens when the person leading others in worship is quietly fighting to stay alive? In this deeply vulnerable conversation, Drs. Zach and Tim Clinton sit down with singer, songwriter, worship leader, and producer Baily Hager as she shares her journey through family brokenness, loss, suicidal thoughts, mental health treatment, and ultimately, healing. Baily opens up about the shame that once kept her suffering in silence, the courage it took to ask for help, and how God used faith, therapy, medication, community, and worship throughout her recovery. Her story is a powerful reminder that healing doesn’t always happen in...

In a world increasingly marked by division, distraction, and loneliness, what if one of the most powerful ways to reclaim meaningful connection is something as simple as pulling up a chair? In this episode, Drs. Zach & Tim Clinton sit down with pastor and author Ian Simkins to unpack the heart behind his new book, Every Table an Altar, and rediscover the sacred power of presence, hospitality, and embodied friendship. Ian shares why being recognized is not the same as being truly known, how our constant distractions may be stealing the relationships right in front of us, and what the...

What if failure isn’t something to fear, but one of the greatest gifts you’ve ever been given? In this episode, Dr. Zach and Joshua Broome sit down with renowned quarterback coach and cohost of the Built 4 More Podcast, Denny Thompson, to unpack the privilege of failure, the danger of playing it safe, and why the biggest risk in life may be never taking one at all. Denny shares powerful lessons from coaching elite athletes, navigating unexpected adversity, walking alongside his wife through cancer, and learning to surrender the outcomes he simply couldn’t control. Together, they explore how fa...

In this powerful conversation, bestselling author and beloved speaker Sheila Walsh opens up about the hidden cost of pretending you’re okay. Sheila shares her deeply personal journey from appearing on The 700 Club to checking herself into a psychiatric hospital, revealing what happened when years of buried emotions, pain, and depression finally became impossible to ignore. She and Zach explore why what we refuse to feel can eventually overwhelm us, why vulnerability is not weakness, and how healing often begins when we finally tell the truth about what’s happening inside. Sheila also shares how faith, counseling, community, and lear...

It’s game week for Liberty Football, but Mike Jarvis’ journey to this moment is a powerful reminder that some of the most important work happens long before the lights come on. In this conversation, Mike shares what feels different about this year’s team, why their word “STANDARD” has to become more than a slogan and instead shape the way you show up every single day, and what it means to write your own story rather than be defined by the past. We also go beyond football to talk about perseverance, identity, faith, vulnerability, and the setbacks and waiting se...

What does it really take to become stronger, not just physically, but mentally, relationally, and spiritually? In this episode, we sit down with Liberty University Director of Athletic Performance for Football, Coach Chad Scott, for a conversation that goes far beyond the weight room. Coach Scott shares what he’s seeing inside Liberty Football as a new season approaches, why their word “Standard” has to become more than a slogan, and what separates talented people from those who actually maximize their potential. We unpack the power of discipline, shared suffering, player-led leadership, and why mastering the fundamentals of sleep, nutrit...

In this powerful conversation, singer and songwriter Rhett Walker shares the story of a defining season in his life when everything seemed to be falling apart and how an unexpected encounter with grace changed the trajectory of his future. We talk about the difference between religion and the gospel, judgment and mercy, and what can happen when people choose to step into someone’s mess rather than stand at a distance and condemn it. Rhett’s story is a reminder that grace isn’t reserved for people who have it all together…it meets us in the places we’d rather h...

In this powerful and vulnerable conversation, renowned singer, songwriter, worship artist, and author, Christine D’Clario, opens up about her battle with postpartum depression, suicidal thoughts, and the stigma surrounding mental health, particularly within Latin American culture and the Church. Christine shares what her darkest seasons taught her about faith, asking for help, and finding hope when God feels distant. We also dive into her newest book, Healing in the Desert: Finding Your Voice on the Journey from Brokenness to Freedom, and the powerful reminder that our deserts don’t have to be the end of our story…they can be...

Leadership isn't built in moments of comfort…it's forged through belief, commitment, adversity, and the daily habits that shape who we become. In this powerful conversation, bestselling author and leadership expert Jon Gordon shares timeless wisdom on leadership, mental toughness, resilience, faith, purpose, mindset, personal growth, emotional healing, discipline, forgiveness, and peak performance. Together, Dr. Zach and Jon explore why your beliefs determine your future, why commitment matters more than motivation, how unhealed wounds influence leadership, why adversity is often God's greatest classroom, and how the practices you repeat ultimately define the person you become. Whether you're a leader, coa...

As America recently marked its 250th anniversary, Dr. Zach Clinton sits down with Lt. Gen. (Ret.) William "Jerry" Boykin, a 36-year Army veteran, original member of Delta Force, former commander of both Delta Force and Army Special Forces, and former Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence, for a conversation on what freedom truly costs and who's responsible to carry it forward. General Boykin reflects on his calling into military service, leadership lessons forged in some of the most high-stakes special operations in modern U.S. history, and the invisible wounds such PTSD, survivor's guilt, hopelessness, and moral injury that...

In this episode of The Built Different Podcast, Dr. Zach Clinton is joined by his father, Dr. Tim Clinton, president of the American Association of Christian Counselors, for a conversation with actor, author, and outspoken advocate for faith and family, Kirk Cameron. Together they unpack the cultural battle underway for the hearts and minds of the next generation, from the messaging embedded in children's entertainment and education, to Kirk's own national library book tour and the pushback he encountered along the way. Kirk shares why he decided the church can't just complain about culture but must create something better...

The question isn't whether adversity will come. The question is: Who will you become when it does? In this week’s powerful conversation, Dr. Zach Clinton sits down with retired Navy SEAL Lieutenant, Jason Redman, to explore what it truly means to overcome adversity. After surviving a devastating ambush in Iraq that left him shot eight times, Jason discovered that his greatest battle wasn't on the battlefield…it was the one that followed during recovery. Together, they discuss the "Overcome Mindset," resilience, leadership, discipline, marriage, faith, and why every person will eventually face a "life ambush." From the lessons of N...

What do you do when your world falls apart… but life keeps moving forward anyway? In this deeply personal and hope-filled conversation, Dr. Zach Clinton sits down with Grammy-nominated and Dove Award–winning artist Danny Gokey to talk about grief, resilience, faith, redemption, and the healing power of hope. From navigating the heartbreaking loss of his first wife just weeks before appearing on American Idol, to becoming one of Christian music’s most impactful voices, Danny shares how God met him in the middle of pain and slowly rebuilt his heart, purpose, and future. Together, they unpack what it looks...

In this powerful Fourth of July special celebrating America's 250th anniversary, Dr. Zach Clinton sits down with former Marine, Navy SEAL, and SEAL Team 6 Tier One Operator Eddie Penney for one of the most raw and unforgettable conversations ever featured on Built Different. After serving twenty years on the front lines of America's fight against terrorism, Eddie witnessed unimaginable evil, carried the weight of life-and-death decisions, lost brothers in combat, and returned home searching for peace in all the wrong places. Together, Zach and Eddie explore the psychology of combat, moral injury, PTSD, identity beyond performance, biblical masculinity, spiritual...

In one of the most honest and heartfelt conversations yet on the Built Different podcast, Hall of Fame wide receiver and three-time Super Bowl champion Michael Irvin opens up about the highs of fame, the lows of addiction and brokenness, and the grace of God that changed everything. Behind the spotlight and success was a man wrestling with identity, poor decisions, emptiness, and pain, but in 2001, Michael surrendered his life to Jesus Christ and began a journey of true transformation. In this episode, Michael shares powerful lessons on redemption, responsibility, purpose, and the importance of surrounding yourself with people...

What happens when you achieve everything the world says should satisfy you… and you still feel empty inside? In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, former NFL punter, Super Bowl champion, and 2x NFL’s ‘Fittest Man’, Steve Weatherford joins Dr. Zach Clinton to unpack the hidden emptiness behind fame, performance, achievement, and external success while revealing how true fulfillment can only be found in Christ. Together, they discuss identity, purpose, biblical masculinity, personal responsibility, breaking generational cycles, high performance, leadership in the home, and what it means to steward your mind, body, and spirit God’s way. Steve vulnerably...

In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, Dr. Zach Clinton sits down with renowned neurosurgeon, Iraq War veteran, and bestselling author Dr. Lee Warren to explore the life-changing connection between our thoughts, our brain, and our spiritual health. After enduring PTSD, personal trauma, and the unimaginable loss of his son, Dr. Warren discovered that healing doesn’t begin by changing your circumstances…it begins by changing the way you think. Blending cutting-edge neuroscience with timeless biblical truth, this conversation unpacks how neuroplasticity, gratitude, suffering, resilience, and the renewing of the mind all work together to shape our lives. From Roma...

What do you do when the pain gets heavy, your mind gets loud, and quitting feels easier than continuing forward? In this deeply honest and inspiring conversation, Dr. Zach Clinton sits down with endurance runner and mental health advocate Edwin Martin to talk about resilience, suicide awareness, faith, mental toughness, and the hope that can still be found in the middle of suffering. From running 24 straight hours in honor of the 70 suicides in Charleston County last year to completing a 194-mile run across the state of South Carolina to support mental health initiatives, Edwin shares how choosing hard things...

What does it look like to follow God… when everything in your life is falling apart? In this powerful Memorial Day episode and tribute, Dr. Zach Clinton sits down backstage at the most recent Ignite Men’s Impact Weekend with Green Beret veteran, Purple Heart recipient, Silver & Bronze Star Medalist, and warrior, John Wayne Walding, a man whose life is a living testimony of faith, courage, and resilience under fire. John Wayne served 12 years in the U.S. Army, including 7 years in the elite 3rd Special Forces Group. During the Battle of Shok Valley on April 6, 2008, he was struck by s...

Join us today for a special holiday weekend edition of “Built Different”! 

What defines a life well lived? On this episode of the podcast, Dr. Zach Clinton welcomes Tim Tebow for a powerful conversation on identity, intimacy with Christ, and living a life marked by lasting impact. Known to many first for his achievements on the field: Heisman Trophy winner, national champion, NFL quarterback…Tim’s deeper impact has always extended far beyond football. From serving the “Most Vulnerable People” through the Tim Tebow Foundation to stepping into fatherhood with his wife Demi-Leigh and their daughter Daphne, Tim shares ho...

What if the very battles you’re trying to avoid the most… are the ones God wants to use to build you the most? In this powerful backstage conversation from the Ignite Men’s Impact Weekend, Drs. Zach and Tim Clinton sit down with former Force Recon Marine, best-selling author, MMA champion, and renowned leader, Chad Robichaux, to talk about resilience, courage, and the kind of strength that is forged through adversity. Chad’s story is marked by intense trials, hard seasons, and moments that could have broken him, but instead became the foundation for purpose. Together, we unpack what it...

What if the confidence you’ve been chasing… actually starts with one simple truth? God chose you. In this powerful conversation, Dr. Zach Clinton sits down with Pastor Charles Metcalf of Transformation Church to unpack the message behind his most recent book, God Chose Me: Untouchable Confidence for the Unstoppable Christian. In a world filled with fear, comparison, and constant pressure to measure up, many people are quietly battling thoughts of “I’m not enough, I’m behind, or what if I’m found out?” But Charles challenges that narrative at its core, reminding us that true confidence isn’t built on perfo...

What does it take to become an uncommon man? In this powerful live conversation from the Ignite Men’s Impact Weekend, Dr. Zach Clinton and Tanner Morgan sit down with Super Bowl-winning and Hall of Fame NFL Football Coach, Tony Dungy, to talk about leadership, faith, adversity, and the kind of character that is forged through life’s hardest moments. Coach Dungy’s story is one of discipline, humility, and perseverance. Raised in a home grounded in faith, education, and integrity, his journey took him from playing quarterback at the University of Minnesota to navigating position changes in the NFL, a...

God likes to call us out of our comfort zone, but often we hesitate out of fear—we like the comfort and safety of the life we have known. But stepping out in faith is where true growth happens. Edward Graham, Chief Operating Officer at Samaritan’s Purse, shares what God has taught him in leadership, both in the military but also in ministry. Hear how you, too, can step out in faith and obedience to the Lord, in whatever He has for you.

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    •    Learn more about how you can get involved with Samaritan’s Purse dome...

What if the very thing that broke your heart… became the place where God revealed your calling? In this powerful and deeply moving conversation, Drs. Zach and Tim Clinton sit down with rising Christian music artist, Anne Wilson, to talk about faith, grief, identity, and purpose. Anne’s journey began in the midst of unimaginable loss. After the unexpected death of her brother in 2017, she found herself navigating deep sorrow, but also encountering God in a profound way. What started as a way to process her pain through worship became a calling that has now impacted millions around the worl...

What if the biggest thing holding you back… is something you don’t even realize you believe? In this powerful conversation, Drs. Zach & Tim Clinton are joined by renowned speaker, Bible teacher, and bestselling author Jennie Allen, to talk about her newest book, The Lie You Don’t Know You Believe. Jennie challenges a reality most of us don’t often stop to consider: many of the struggles we face: fear, shame, insecurity, anxiety, etc. are rooted in lies we’ve unknowingly accepted as truth. And until those lies are exposed, we’ll keep circling the same patterns, the same frustra...

In this powerful and personal conversation recorded live at the 2026 Ignite Men’s Impact Weekend, Dr. Zach Clinton and Ben Allison (CEO of the AACC) sit down with Washington Commanders wide receiver, Terry McLaurin, to talk about the journey behind the success which has been one marked by discipline, perseverance, faith, and identity. From growing up in Indianapolis to becoming “Mr. Football” in the state of Indiana, Terry’s path looked like one of early success. But what many don’t see is the season of waiting, humility, and development he walked through at Ohio State, where nothing was handed to...

In this powerful and deeply insightful conversation, Drs. Zach & Tim Clinton sit down with Bradley Geary - former Tactical Troop Commander for SEAL Team 6 and Commanding Officer of BUD/S - to unpack what it truly means to lead, endure, and find your identity beyond performance. Brad shares hard-earned lessons from the battlefield and the training ground, offering a rare look into the mindset required to operate at the highest level of discipline, resilience, and sacrifice. But more than that, this conversation goes beyond elite performance as it gets to the heart of who we are. They talk about...

In this special Easter episode, Dr. Zach Clinton sits down with Pastor Travis Johnson to discuss his powerful new book (Un)Embarrassed of Jesus: Follow From a Distance and Lose Your Faith; Follow Closely and Change the World. Travis challenges the quiet tension many Christians feel today where we are close enough to say we believe in Jesus, yet distant enough to avoid the cultural backlash that can come with truly following Him. Through the powerful story of Peter’s journey from denial to bold proclamation, we explore how spiritual distance slowly erodes faith while nearness to Christ produces co...

In this conversation, Dr. Zach Clinton sits down with Bishop Kelvin Cobaris to talk about what it means to lead with courage and hope in a time when our culture feels increasingly divided, angry, and uncertain. Bishop Cobaris reflects on why choosing to be a light in dark times often comes with a cost and how courageous leadership has a way of inspiring and strengthening others to stand as well. Together, we explore the power of forgiveness, the importance of pursuing unity in the midst of division, and how spiritual transformation begins when God changes us from the inside...

In this episode, Dr. Zach Clinton sits down with renowned psychiatrist and brain health expert Dr. Daniel Amen to discuss his Amen Whole 4 Plan, a powerful framework designed to address some of the most pressing challenges facing our nation today. Dr. Amen explains how true healing requires a holistic approach, focusing on four key areas of life: biological, psychological, social, and spiritual health. Rather than treating symptoms in isolation, this model emphasizes caring for the whole person to bring lasting help, hope, and healing to individuals, families, and communities. Together, we explore how improving brain health can transform our...

In this powerful conversation, Dr. Zach Clinton sits down with Pastor Russell Johnson of Pursuit Church in the Pacific Northwest to talk about the courage required to lead with conviction in a culture that often pressures pastors to stay quiet. Russell shares the personal and pastoral cost of boldly standing for biblical truth…from facing threats and criticism to navigating the weight of public leadership…while remaining anchored in the calling God placed on his life. Together we explore what it means to offer costly praise, declaring that God is good even when life is difficult, and why clarity from...

On this episode of the Built Different Podcast, Dr. Zach Clinton sits down with licensed therapist and educator Matthias Barker for a thoughtful and deeply practical conversation about estrangement, relational rupture, and the courage it takes to repair what’s broken. With more than four million followers across social platforms, Matthias has become a trusted voice in trauma-informed healing, helping people navigate romantic relationships, family disconnection, and the lingering impact of unresolved pain. Together, they unpack how ruptures happen in the first place, why distance often carries more complexity than blame, and how emotional maturity requires us to examine ou...

What defines a life well lived? On this episode of the Built Different Podcast, Dr. Zach Clinton welcomes Tim Tebow for a powerful conversation on identity, intimacy with Christ, and living a life marked by lasting impact. Known to many first for his achievements on the field: Heisman Trophy winner, national champion, NFL quarterback…Tim’s deeper impact has always extended far beyond football. From serving the “Most Vulnerable People” through the Tim Tebow Foundation to stepping into fatherhood with his wife Demi-Leigh and their daughter Daphne, Tim shares how identity, royalty, and calling have taken on even greater meaning...

What if your work isn’t just about making money, but making meaning? On this episode of the Built Different Podcast, Dr. Zach Clinton sits down with bestselling author and Ramsey Solutions personality Ken Coleman for a conversation about calling, clarity, and the courage to pursue the work you were wired to do. Drawing from Proverbs 12:27, they explore why meaningful work requires diligence, surrender, and alignment. Ken shares about walking away from a future in politics, battling imposter syndrome, and why so many capable people quietly settle long before they ever leave a job. From discovering purpose at the in...

Resilience isn’t just the ability to survive hardship…it’s the courage to believe that God is still good, purposeful, and present in the middle of it. Today’s guest embodies that truth in a powerful way. Daniel Ritchie was born without arms, something that, by the world’s standards, could have defined his limitations. But instead of allowing his circumstances to dictate his identity or future, Daniel has chosen a life marked by faith, joy, perseverance, and purpose.
This conversation goes far beyond overcoming adversity. It’s about how emotional wounds can run deeper than physical ones, the po...