Summer Highlights; M.A.D. Season 1 Retrospective; Season 2 Preview

Jesse:
Welcome to the season finale of Go Mad. Today we take a look back at season one, share some of our favorite moments. Plus, if you've ever wondered who's the best Galaga player among us, well, you'll wonder no more.

The good news is you don't have to wait very long for season two of Go Mad. We'll be starting up in late September with more madness. Until then, leave a rating or leave a review to help us get the word out.

Ready? Let's go mad.

Brad:
Welcome everyone to a brand new episode of Go Mad with Doug and Brad. I am so glad to be back in the studio because we have recorded in an RV. We've been bouncing all over the place travel with the On Eagles Wings team.

It has been an amazing summer, but here we are with Doug and Jesse and Brad back here in the studio. This does feel good. It does, doesn't it?

It's still great, man. I want you guys to know if you could see, I I think I mentioned it on that episode, but if you could have seen The way we rigged this rental RV to be able to record, it was it was pretty amazing. But uh so if you're wondering, hey, what are they talking about today?

Here's the deal. We are going to take a look back. We have done twenty episodes of Go Mad.

This is number twenty one. How is that possible?

Doug:
It goes it goes fast. We're finishing our first season. Is that what you're telling me?

We are. Have we been renewed? Have we been renewed?

Is there gonna be a season two? Have you signed your contract yet? I still haven't seen one

Brad:
What does it take to get your podcast cancelled? I don't know.

Doug:
I still have scene mine. I think I'm still being offered zero dollars to Jesse, you're produced outright.

Brad:
Producer Jesse, uh have we been renewed

Jesse:
Are we um Um uh you know what? We'll get back I'll get back to you on that.

Doug:
Your people can your people get what my people is?

Jesse:
My people is Me.

Doug:
My people is my ten year old Sam. So he he answers my cell phone sometimes, just let him know, and I'm sure he'll get me the message.

Brad:
But I would say stick with us today because this is going to be a you know just kind of a look back a little bit today and we're going to uh really still focus in, you know, we're all about trying to help each other here. and our listeners make a difference. So our prayers that what we talk about today will be just that, that you will be encouraged once again. to make a difference where you're at. It's all about the ambassadorship.

Doug:
You know, uh I it's one of my favorite scriptures in the word. I talk about it with my sons all the time. that we are Christ's ambassador as if God is making his appeal through you There's a plan A for getting the gospel, for getting the hope of Jesus out to the people you love.

You are the plan A. There is no plan B When we read The Great Commission, we know that we're supposed to be sharing the hope that we have, but we're so excited about How can we help the people that we spend some time with here on this podcast just in things we've learned and we love hearing back from you? Uh we've gotten ideas for what we're going to to talk about from you guys. Uh what are practical steps that we can take Regardless of what group of people you're talking about, whether you're uh thirteen years old or thirty-eight years old or a hundred and three years old What can you do with your classmate, with your the person you work with, your brother, your sister, your mom, your dad?

And we try to cover all of that. And I'll tell you, I've loved these 20 episodes. It's gone fast, but I'm excited to do a you ready for this?

Four syllables this early in the day. Retrospective. I looked it up.

It's a real word.

Brad:
It's a real word. But I have a question for you guys first. I do I I don't know why, but the first thing that went through my head was a hundred three year old and you said class.

And I was just like, wow, that is someone that has committed. They are they are some people get held back, Brad. You're making them feel bad.

So all right. Here we go. Uh before we dive into a little look back, let's look at just a couple weeks ago.

You guys, I don't know if you remember, but elementary school, high school, a lot of times the first thing the teacher would have you do is Write an essay on your favorite thing. What did you do with your summer? I'm just curious, what's one highlight for you guys from the summer?

Whether it's personal, something that you're involved with ministry-wise, whatever it is. One highlight from the summer

Doug:
Cheering. Cheering, huh? Not just regular cheering.

I you asked me this a little earlier. You maybe think about some highlights from your summer. I tried to think of something really deep.

Um, you know, my mind didn't really go there, um, at least initially. So, uh, but I I thought about, you know what's really ringing in my ears from this year? is the cheering of my children for me.

Let me tell you what I mean by that. So we went to this arcade uh that's kind of an old school arcade. You know the video games these days.

If you've ever tried to play any of these, I don't know how they figure them out. They've got 84 buttons. You've gotta know a thousand different combinations to even just jump or something.

My children love playing these with me. They laugh hysterically because I stink so bad. They love seeing my Mario fall into pits of lava and everything.

I'm not sure what that says about me. But boy did they get a kick out of that. But we went to this this arcade uh down actually at the Jersey Shore.

Oh yeah. And it had all the old school games, the Pac-Mans, the Donkey Kongs And they had up on a huge screen, this is one of the new Fangled things they do, this game called Galaga. And they're like, Daddy, this looks like a cool game.

We uh you know how to play this right. So we put the quarter in it. I mean I got the high score times like fifty and I still remembered it's like I had all the that those moments of the the grease from the pizza and and it just all of a sudden I was right back there And they started like cheering.

We're like, Daddy, that's awesome. We didn't know you could play a video game and I'm like, That's right, children.

Brad:
You spent six six hours playing that once in the eighties. I re no, I don't know, but you were masterful at that in a carried off. I mean And he it wasn't that long, but he knew some secrets, some cheats on it. I've heard of these. And he would this was before he could look them up on the interwebs.

Jesse:
He had to bribe someone's cousin's brother

Brad:
All right, I love that. So Jesse, how about you? What's a memory from the summer? I like that cheering. That's good.

Jesse:
Huh. Uh we got to go to the Florida shore. You can't say Florida Shore. It's only Jersey Shore, right? I think so.

Jesse:
I think Florida Beach.

Jesse:
And uh my sister had recently purchased an Airbnb and she let us have a week for free. Wow. And it was the kind of beach that we would probably not normally be able to go to on in regular circumstances.

It was like a private beach, kind of really nice and uh like Von Ritzington. Uh yeah, m well, sort of. It was also on the Gulf But it was on it was on the Gulf side, so it was a little bit more like secluded and almost like country.

Yeah. But um it was my youngest daughter's first time to experience the beach and I was like, wow This is such a great spot for you to see what the ocean is. Wow.

Doug:
That is way different than Jersey Shore, my brother. But that is awesome. That is a wonderful memory, man. Especially if it can be uh your your uh youngster's first experience. First time that's awesome.

Brad:
For me, uh it was I I had some great family memories this summer. Uh I think for all of us as a family, we uh as were Helping lead the on Eagles Wings team for the first time. Uh for no, we've led them a lot of times.

We're leading the on Eagles Wings team. We all got COVID for the first time. We're in this rental RV.

Oh. We're managing being outside. Now COVID is about to say what summer did you have if that's your best memory?

I don't want to hear your worst. No. Now here's the thing. It was what that meant was, and we were dealing with uh some cases with you on the Eagles Wings team and everything, and we made our way through that time, but what we saw was how God provides.

We were in situations where because of hard-hit native communities, we couldn't go in there yet and do our on Eagles Wings event. We got to them later in the month. But the reality is every step of the way, we saw that God had gone before us.

And even though we were tired, we were frustrated by it and everything else, we were just like Oh wait, God did have a plan in this. And so He used us even in that weakened state to help make a difference in the lives of the On Eagles Wings team members and then still give the On Eagles Wings team a chance to make a difference in the community. So I would say it's not my most fun memory.

There was a lot of frustration along the way, but it's what sticks out to me because of How God moved and then just getting some first time experiences with my kids after the summer in a really cool part of the country was awesome too.

Doug:
And some amazing memories. I got to see some of that. I think most people listening know what on Eagle's Wings is If there's one or two of you who don't it is just uh it's a Native American group of uh young people that go to other Native American communities and share Jesus and it's an awesome thing and I I still I remember thirty years ago just for the first time seeing uh uh so many young people come to the middle of a basketball court and say I want Jesus in my life.

And then seeing it again this year so many times. What awesome memories. We've got great memories from just these twenty episodes.

Uh one of my favorite episodes was when we had like kind of a uh a news celebrity on. His name's Ethan Forehex. He's got all these big YouTube videos and everything because he su he was such a great uh broadcaster, Springfield, Missouri.

And we had this amazing episode that was called uh From News Anchor to Ambassador, How to Know You're Hearing God's Voice. And it was an amazing story, man. Anytime I hear about somebody that kind of leaves behind recognition and more money and things like that because they're hearing God's voice and they say, I have to go and obey because I know God is calling me to do this.

And in this case, uh the Lord was calling Ethan and his wife to uh go into uh full-time ministry. It was amazing hearing how Ethan

Jesse:
knew he was hearing God's voice. Yeah, here's a quick clip of Ethan from that episode.

Ethan:
So we talked with our pastor and his wife about it. We sat down with them. and just told them what we were thinking uh and and and got their thoughts on it because it's always wise to seek instruction uh from those above you in the Lord.

Uh so we wanted their blessing on it and and to know that that They wouldn't have said, What are you doing? That's a huge mistake. You know what I mean?

You don't want to do that. Uh so we got that. And then and then We are huge believers in in fasting and praying.

Uh so we did that over a weekend, a three-day fast and prayer, and uh I can tell you that you don't get answers. uh to things like you get answers whenever you fast and pray about it. Uh there are some things that only come with fasting and pray praying, Jesus said.

So uh that's a big part of our lives. Whenever we have a big decision to make Or we're going through a big crisis or struggle, fasting and praying, quickens the answer. It brings it about at a much quicker pace, we have found.

So after that and after talking with our pastor, we just felt the peace about it. Uh and that's what you look for. That's that's what you ask the Lord for.

And when the Lord gives you peace in such a major upheaval of your lives, that's when you know it's the right thing.

Brad:
Yeah, that was a pretty amazing episode. I think we we all were a little we all weren't expecting everything that he shared and everything and for it to just even impact us. The way it did. I I'm wondering, Jesse, what's one that sticks out to you a moment or an episode that really connected with you?

Jesse:
Wow, there's so many. Um I I probably have to say Uh the interview that y'all did with Huntley Brown. Oh yeah. Uh it was called Making a Big Impact for Jesus with your talents.

Brad:
It's the mushrooms part, wasn't it?

Jesse:
Oh well see that we're talking about only one of Uh Doug Brad or Huntley that appreciated mushrooms mushrooms took a beating in that episode for sure.

Doug:
People are like, how do you make a difference with mushrooms? What are you talking about?

Jesse:
You really don't know. No, I and he did a better Louis Armstrong than Louis Armstrong, that's for sure.

Doug:
That was so good.

Jesse:
But anytime I get to see someone who has genuine joy and who actually seems so much to put into action what they believe, it seems to have almost a transformative effect on me where I go, I want to be like that. He didn't he didn't say at all, copy me, do what I do There was something about the way he talked about Jesus and the way he was thankful and humble and so happy to be serving Jesus that made me go, oh, I want to be like that. So much joy. Same thing happened to me.

Brad:
We were impacted by these guests and by just when we didn't have a guest, the topics we were talking about. Because when we prepare for these and everything else and we're listening to our guests what they share, we're impacted by it. And one of those to me, I I love the international side of things too, where we had someone a little more local in Ethan.

We had Huntley who's from Jamaica originally, and then we talked to Samaritan's purse. Yeah. And that Ukraine episode really Got to me.

I remember still choking up during it because of what they were sharing about how Operation Christmas Child how Things from there were impacting children now who were dealing with the crisis in Ukraine and the difference that Samaritan's purse was making and that we each can have a part in doing things for these even if we can't go to Ukraine, if we can't travel internationally or whatever, that we can play a part. So I that conversation to me really impacted me and I think upped my prayer game. for Ukraine and international uh need as well.

Doug:
That's what I loved about that episode and those guests were that it wasn't just great to hear about what they were doing in Ukraine But you are hearing what you could do personally w regardless of what's if where like you said, Brad, wherever you go, whatever's going on in your life. I heard a few things during that episode where I went, man, I can put that to work in this relationship, in this part of my life. I love that episode.

Brad:
Can I give uh one other that one other thing that sticks out to me, this actually isn't just a specific episode. It ties into several. I love that you mentioned joy, Jesse.

I love that as we're Talking around the table together, having dad on, whether it was Ted Cunningham talking about uh a make-a-difference marriage, when we had our wives on Doug, as far as being able to have Anna and Sarah on and be able to have some fun around Christmas and everything. I love that we have had a lot of joy and laughter while also talking about serious things. Jesus models joy for us.

He models being able to live life to the full. And so to be able to look at even serious things And still have the joy of the Lord present. That's been something that I have loved being consistent in so many of the episodes this year.

Doug:
And Jesse and I still have something we have to work out because he never did end up editing out the secrets that Anna was telling about me on that show. Um thankfully I haven't gotten any blackmail. uh messages from it.

Yeah. But uh yeah. You know, I loved our light year and beyond episode.

Uh we call it Steps to Guarding Our Children's Hearts in Today's World. And, you know, you remember that that you know something came out in the Buzz Lightyear movie where we went, oh man, as a believer, should my child watch this? And if So how and what can I do about it?

And if not, how do I explain that? But I appreciated how we were able to go beyond that one episode. and talk about man, we are living in a culture where so much garbage is out there and it doesn't matter how young your child is, all they have to do is look around a little bit and unless they're living in a bubble or you keep 'em in locked in their room, they're gonna see this kind of stuff.

They're gonna experience it. So how as a father, how as a mother Or just someone that maybe you uh an uncle or an aunt, but you've got some impact, um, some influence with young people and you know But man, this stuff can't be good for them. So how do I handle it?

What do we do? Just practical steps to know how we can make a difference in our children's lives. And I I like how we were able to go there some this this first season where Uh we're not just talking about in our peers' life, how can we make a difference there, but how can we make a difference in young people's lives?

We've talked about teenagers and younger people. And because as adults, as believers, we've got a responsibility to make an impact, make a difference with each of them.

Jesse:
Here's a quick clip from Lightyear and Beyond.

Doug:
I'm going back to her dear old awesome mom on this. She would say, Doug, don't always trust the rating. She said sometimes rated G, the G can stand for garbage.

Oh my god. And the PG can stand for pure garbage. I was like, oh my goodness.

It's so true.

Brad:
So because there can even if there's not a lot of swear words, there can be some ideas in there that are really sketchy. So you're saying we should, as we're doing our research, use wisdom and good judgment. That is not just, hey, G means good But I like that that we need to use wisdom and good judgment rooted in prayer and God's word, that you are using wisdom to say, This is okay for my children and this is not. Here's another one.

Doug:
If you're gonna say no to something Try to replace it with the yes. There are so many good alternatives out there, and it doesn't have to even be something that's labeled a Christian movie. Uh maybe there's a movie you've seen in your past that your kids aren't aware of or a TV show and and you know that it has some wonderful things to talk about. Wonderful things to jump off of to talk about scripturally. So make a suggestion where you replace it with something rather than just taking something away

Brad:
Lightyear is one of our most downloaded episodes too, and I think it's because it is something that people are trying to figure out how do I navigate. this kind of entertainment world we live in.

Jesse:
On that note of helping your kids with practical steps, the last episode we did with Ron Hutchcraft, back to school, equipping your young person to MAD or to make a difference That was really helpful for me because Ron is able to take a big topic like making a difference at school. and individualize it for each of your kids because my kids are so different. He really helped me see like not everyone will make a difference in the same way. My older daughter, my middle daughter, my younger daughter, they're all different they will all have different ways that they can make a difference in the lives of their peers.

Brad:
I think that's so good because uh I I even watch the the different personalities in our And uh there are three children that, you know, the way they make a difference, yes, it's different from each other, but they do they do that.

Jesse:
Yeah, and here's Ron from the episode Back to School.

Jesse:
It's not just about about praying with people. That's not the only option. If there's something you like about a friend, tell them.

Just tell them that I really like the way you listen to people. I really like the way you're so generous You know, you don't just keep your stuff, but you like to give things to people. I like the way that you are kind to people.

Tell them. People are starved to find out what's right with them because they get everybody tells you what's wrong with you. Your nose, your shoes, your hair, your something is wrong with you.

You're too tall, you're too skinny, you're too fat, you're too whatever So if you are the one who tells them nice things about themselves, listens to them when they are sad and when they're hurting, I don't think we understand the gift we give people when we just listen. And the Bible says, be quick to listen. How many people obey that?

And slow to speak.

Brad:
And that's what we want to do here. We want to make sure that as we wrap up season one and get ready in just a few short weeks to launch season two at the end of September. Well, it is, and I want what we want to do is we want to bring with us that same mentality of we want to help give you practical steps.

That's one of the reasons I loved having Wes and Nick on different episodes. These Native American young men who are leading the way and who are so open sharing their story. That's one thing we hope has come across this year is We all have a story to tell.

I learned that this year again, that there are parts of my story that I kind of have held back on that I needed to share, even within my household that I need to share different parts of it because we all have these stories that can help others. And to have Nick and Wes share their stories and then say, and you can do it too. We all can do that starting in our homes, starting with our spouses, with our children, and then to take that out to the world around us.

Because again, people they may want to argue with who they think God is, who they think Jesus is, all these different things. They can't argue with your story and the difference that Jesus has made in your life.

Doug:
Can't argue with your story, can't argue with you loving them unconditionally. That's right. Uh as we talk uh in retrospect.

I feel like the more I say that word, the smarter I sound. Riff, just retrospect. Retrospect.

Okay, I'm gonna look it up later on. Our editors look into that. Please do Um, we're getting excited about season two.

Some guests that we're gonna have coming on. We got some surprises, few changes here and there. So as you're getting excited for season two, we hope you'll take a listen if you missed any of these episodes.

We talked about y people's pasts and uh social media. and moms and Gen Z and uh if you've got a college student in your life, how to respond when there's uh a tragedy uh going on around you. Man, we covered a lot of ground and just Twenty episodes.

That's right. And and so we hope you'll take a listen to those. We hope you'll join us as we're gonna relaunch things, what, at the end of uh September?

Brad:
End of September, and now's also a great stretch. To seriously share this with your friends. There's a lot that they could catch up on, listen to, and everything else.

I just saw someone ask the other day. They're like, I'm going on a road trip. What's a good podcast I could listen to?

Oh yeah. You can recommend this to friends and share this with them so that they can make a difference as well. So yeah, that we are excited to see what God has in store next.

But yes, we will be back full strength, ready to go for season two of Go Mad with Doug and Brad. And we'll be back right at the end of September. So don't miss out.

Tune in and between now and then make sure you subscribe if you haven't. Go drop us a review. That'd be awesome to hear from you. Big difference.

Shoot us an email. But until then, from all of us to all of you, good man