The New Adam Podcast w/ Man in the Mirror

Ep. 15 | My Dad Left, But He Saved Me: Overcoming Fatherlessness with Zach Garza

In this moving episode of The New Adam Podcast, hosts Ryan and Scott sit down with Zach Garza, founder of You Can Mentor and author of Tell Me About Your Father. Zach opens up about the pivotal moment in eighth grade when his father left, sparking a downward spiral of seeking affirmation in all the wrong places. He shares how a man named Bob eventually broke through his defensive walls—not with programmed advice, but by "earning the right to be heard" through years of consistent, low-pressure friendship.
The conversation dives deep into the "orphan spirit" versus the security of sonship, exploring how men who grew up without a stable father figure often struggle with a constant, "low-grade fever" of fear and the temptation to choose comfort over engagement. Zach provides practical advice for younger men seeking mentors and encourages older men to realize they have more to offer than they think. From weeping in a college Bible study to learning how to parent his own children without passing on his childhood trauma, Zach’s story is a powerful testament to how God uses "dorks," slow sanctification, and intentional brotherhood to heal the wounds of the past.

Ep. 14 | The Power of Humility in Fatherhood with Kent Evans

In this episode of the New Adam podcast, host Ryan Reeves and guest Kent Evans (Manhood Journey) reflect on the vital role of humility and intentionality in marriage and fatherhood. Kent shares the joyous news of his son's recent wedding, a high school sweetheart romance, and the subsequent realization that he was "not ready" for marriage in his early twenties, admitting to struggles with immaturity, financial irresponsibility, and truthfulness. This leads to a discussion on the adulting crisis facing young men today, as well as the importance of older men modeling an exemplary, humble faith, an example too often missing. They challenge the "bad theology" that convinces men they have nothing to offer, urging them to embrace their experiences and gifts. Ryan and Kent conclude by highlighting a key marriage priority that has kept Kent's 30-year relationship strong: the shared, consistent study of scripture.

Ep.13 | New Ideas to Reach Men in 2026 with Todd McIntyre

In this vital episode of The New Adam Podcast, host Ryan welcomes Todd McIntyre, Senior Executive Pastor at Victory Church in Norcross, GA, to discuss fresh, unconventional strategies for engaging men in faith and community in the coming year. Todd shares the powerful and surprising insights gained from initiatives that successfully re-engaged men who had previously drifted from the church. The conversation moves beyond traditional approaches, focusing on the remarkable impact of creating authentic, experience-driven connections—like the catalytic effect of Harley-Davidson partnerships and community meals—that resonated deeply with a broader male audience. Listeners will gain valuable, practical takeaways and an inspired, non-traditional framework for building a vibrant, Christ-centered men's ministry that focuses on the experience over the expected.

Ep.12 | Gandalf Isn't Coming (Why Mentors Fail Us)

We all long for the "Swiss Army knife" mentor, a perfect, all-knowing sage like Gandalf, Dumbledore, or Obi-Wan Kenobi. But Episode 12 of the New Adam podcast, featuring Ryan Reeves and Brett Clemmer (celebrating his 25th anniversary at Man in the Mirror), argues that this pursuit leads to disappointment. Instead of looking for a single, flawless figure with "secret knowledge" to guide every aspect of your life, the key is to adopt a "tool-for-the-job" approach to mentorship. After assessing specific deficiencies in areas like career, marriage, and finances, men should seek out multiple, imperfect mentors-the hands, ears, and feet of the body of Christ-each gifted in a particular area to offer targeted wisdom, even if that means consulting a book or simply avoiding the mistakes of a counter-example.

Ep.11 | What Midlife Feels Like

Midlife hits every man differently, sometimes suddenly, sometimes slowly, and often in ways we don’t expect. In this episode, Ryan and Brett have an honest conversation about what it actually feels like to realize you’re not a kid anymore. From the moment your body stops keeping up, to the shifting expectations of work, marriage, identity, and spiritual growth, they unpack the subtle transitions, the disappointments, the dangers, and the surprising gifts of this stage of life. Together they explore how midlife reveals cracks we’ve ignored, exposes where we’ve placed our identity, and invites us into deeper humility, wisdom, and dependence on God. If you’ve ever felt the strange, surreal tension of getting older, physically, vocationally, or spiritually, this episode will meet you right where you are.

Ep.10 | The Benefits and Challenges of Homeschooling

Continuing their deep dive into the world of non-traditional education, Ryan and Brett explore the fundamental "benefits and challenges" of homeschooling. Building on Ryan's family's experience, the hosts offer a balanced look at the core advantages, such as providing a truly personalized education, fostering deeper family bonds, and navigating the increasingly complex social issues of modern schooling. They also tackle the common obstacles, including managing the significant time commitment, the potential for parental burnout, and addressing the persistent myth of "socialization." Ryan details how his family overcame these hurdles by utilizing co-ops and support networks, providing actionable insight for parents considering or currently engaged in the journey of raising and teaching their children outside of a traditional classroom.

Ep.9 | Why You Might Homeschool

In this episode of the New Adam podcast, Ryan and Brett dive into Ryan's personal story and rationale behind his decision to homeschool his children. Prompted by early negative experiences in public kindergarten, including a lack of parental involvement and exposure to inappropriate language, Ryan and his wife made the pivot to a flexible, hybrid homeschooling approach. They discuss the advantages of having a customized schedule, the challenges faced by the primary caregiver, the critical role of the father as a disciplinary figure and subject-matter resource, and the vital support gained from a strong homeschool community. Ultimately, they reflect on how homeschooling provided a more holistic, personalized, and engaged educational environment that prepared their kids for life and fostered stronger family relationships, offering a compelling alternative to increasingly difficult public school systems.

Ep.8 | Update from Man in the Mirror Asia

In this episode of "The New Adam Podcast with Man in the Mirror", Brett and Ryan discuss Brett's recent whirlwind trip visiting Man in the Mirror Asia. Brett shares stories and observations from five countries, highlighting the growth and impact of the ministry in diverse cultural and religious settings. In Malaysia, the ministry is thriving with over 50 groups using the "My Journey" curriculum. Indonesia showcases a powerful multi-generational partnership to disciple Christian men, where local translation of materials is key. The trip to China reveals the great cost and quiet joy of Christianity in a restrictive environment, contrasting the faith's deeply personal value there with its ease in the West. Finally, the visit to Nepal underscores the vast needs and impactful, cost-effective nature of ministry, where local Christians, including the head of Evangelism Explosion Nepal, are joyfully strengthening men's faith despite economic hardship and social pressure. Throughout the conversation, they emphasize that men's core issues and desire for authentic Christian community are universal, regardless of culture or country.

Ep.7 | The Generational Gap between Men Today is Wild

On this New Adam Podcast episode, host Ryan Reeves sits down with Kent Evans (Manhood Journey) and Scott Mawdesley (Man in the Mirror’s Spiritual Fathers and Dads on Tap) to talk about raising kids and what shaped their vision of manhood. From high school days in ’88, ’91, and ’96 to parenting teens and twenty-somethings today, they reflect on mentors, church life, and the shift from occasional news to always-on social feeds. They ask what young men really need now, why many crave straight talk and wise counsel, and how fathers and mentors can step in with presence, clarity, and faith-anchored guidance. It is a candid, practical conversation for dads and leaders who want to invest in the next generation.

Ep.6 | Setting Your Family Culture as a Dad

In this episode of the New Adam podcast, "Setting Your Family Culture as a Dad," hosts Ryan, Scott, and Brett discuss the challenges of fatherhood. They explore the idea that many dads feel more like "chaos managers" than "culture builders". The conversation covers topics such as creating a "safe" and predictable home environment, navigating the challenges of raising children in the modern world, and the importance of allowing kids to face and overcome struggles. The hosts share personal stories and insights on teaching kids to cope with a "broken world," take on new challenges, and develop a healthy respect for authority figures. They also touch on the delicate balance of giving kids a voice while maintaining parental authority, and the long-term goal of raising adults, not just children.