You can stop working and still struggle to rest. Former hospital CEO Bret Kolman joins Mark Osborne to explore the pressure to keep achieving, the difference between distraction and soul rest, and learning to surrender control to God.

Bret shares the cost of stepping away from his career, what years of mini-sabbaticals taught him, and why he encourages people to start with the time and circumstances they actually have. The conversation also explores fear, gratitude, community, and a personal regret that reminds us not to postpone the things that matter.

If you're balancing work, family, and ministry while feeling stretched thin, this conversation offers a place to reflect on what real rest could look like in your life.

Connect with Bret: https://sabbaticaltaker.com/

Book and resources — Wisdom That Leads to Soul Rest: https://sabbaticaltaker.com/wisdom_that_leads_to_soul_rest/

Share this episode with a friend, follow The Valiant Forge Podcast, and leave a review if the conversation encourages you.

Want to be a guest on The Valiant Forge Podcast? Send Mark Osborne a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17432638464878159623a121d

How do you keep trusting God when life gives you reasons to question everything?

Michael Wright joins Mark Osborne for an honest conversation about grief, addiction, spiritual growth, and becoming a better husband and father.

Michael shares the loss of his daughter to a heroin overdose, a house fire shortly after his ordination, and a near-fatal accident he believes he should never have survived. He also opens up about twenty years of alcoholism and the moment he finally admitted, “I need to be a better dad. I need to be a better husband”—and asked for help.

Together, Mark and Michael explore what it means to move beyond going through the motions and build a faith that shapes everyday life.

In this episode:

• Trusting God through grief and unanswered questions

• Recognizing spiritual stagnation

• Why men struggle to ask for help

• Leading your family through your example

• The difference between practicing what you preach and preaching what you practice

• Finding encouragement and support when life feels overwhelming

Connect with Michael Wright:

Books, speaking, and Kingdom Conversations:

https://www.drmwright.com/

Want to be a guest on The Valiant Forge Podcast? Send Mark Osborne a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17432638464878159623a121d

Episode chapters:

00:00 A life tested by loss and addiction

01:38 Welcome to The Valiant Forge

02:05 Meet Michael Wright

04:23 From the rodeo to the pulpit

07:21 When the church closed

11:40 Losing his daughter and trusting God through grief

14:25 A house fire and faith through trials

18:03 Breaking out of spiritual stagnation

21:09 “I should have died”

23:44 Following God into an unexpected opportunity

27:01 Church, hypocrisy, and living your faith

32:18 Welcoming a man who didn’t believe

33:42 Why men struggle to ask for help

35:49 Becoming a better leader at home

38:37 “I need to be a better dad”

40:16 Encouragement for discouraged men

42:02 Twenty years of alcoholism—and a new beginning

43:55 Final encouragement and connecting with Michael

Follow The Valiant Forge for honest conversations that help men become who God has called them to be.

How do you stay grounded in faith while pursuing a demanding career?

Talent agent and author Dr. Albert Bramante joins Mark Osborne for a conversation about faith, the struggles behind public success, and finding purpose through serving others. Albert shares his experiences of childhood illness, isolation, depression, and surviving suicide attempts, along with the unexpected path that brought him into the entertainment industry.

Together, they discuss prayer, shame, forgiveness, gratitude, community, and learning to surrender control. They also explore questions about psychology, hypnosis, and Christian faith.

For the man who feels stuck, the conversation closes with encouragement to take one small step toward becoming the man God has called him to be.

Connect with Albert:

Website: https://albertbramante.com/

Book: https://albertbramante.com/book.html

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dralbramante/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/albertbramante/

Want to be a guest on The Valiant Forge Podcast? Send Mark Osborne a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17432638464878159623a121d