The Ardent Pursuit

Ep. 6 - Who Should be Involved in Your Decision to Begin a Relationship

In this episode, we explore the crucial question: Who should be involved in your decision to begin dating? In contrast to the simplistic approach of merely asking someone out, we delve into the process of seeking out good counsel before initiating a relationship. Drawing from biblical wisdom, we explore the importance of authority figures and counselors in guiding this journey—from parents to friends and mentors. Fostering supportive community is essential to beginning a relationship in a healthy way and can have a significant impact on your dating relationship, marriage, and future.

Ep. 5 - How to Determine If You Are Ready for a Relationship

Wanting to be in a romantic relationship is no guarantee that you're ready for one. In this episode, we explore red flags in men that may indicate pursuing romance is premature. We look at four areas of health and maturity—emotional, spiritual, financial, and relational—to identify key indicators that suggest whether or not there is readiness for a committed relationship. Men need to cultivate a vision beyond personal gratification, recognizing that maturity and intentionality bring health and stability to a relationship.

Ep. 4 - The Purpose of a Romantic Relationship

Every dating relationship should lead to a decisive outcome—either marriage or separation. Otherwise, what is the purpose of dating? While many look to a dating relationship to meet physical or emotional needs, find companionship, or bond over common interests, a relationship that focuses solely on personal satisfaction is a relationship destined to fail. Men must consider a more profound purpose beyond their own short-term desires.

Ep. 3 - The Dating Landscape

The modern dating landscape is complex. Algorithms are now shaping unrealistic expectations of what men should be looking for in a woman and, at the same time, diminishing the importance of values in a contemporary dating relationship. Technology gives the illusion of an ever expanding pool of potential partners, all the while leaving men with narrowed criteria for evaluating meaningful relationships. We explore how a deeper understanding of personal values helps men to pursue lasting connections.

Ep. 2 - Men Need Vision

Men need vision. A lack of vision, or a self-centered vision, is a major contributor to issues like toxic masculinity. A healthy vision provides direction, purpose, and boundaries, all of which are essential for a meaningful, others-focused life. It is important that men craft visions that benefit others, align with their values, and positively impact the world around them.

Ep. 1 - A Crisis of Purpose

In the pilot episode of the Ardent Pursuit podcast we discuss the prevalent sense of purposelessness men face in today's American culture. We examine several alarming statistics, from incarceration rates to homelessness, that all point to a deeper problem: a lack of purpose.