September 27, 2020, divided my life into two worlds: the one where my best friend Armani was alive and the one where he wasn’t.

In this raw solo dolo episode, I share the heart behind Me, Armani, & Jesus, why I buried parts of my grief for three years, and what happened when I returned to the cabin and river connected to Armani’s final days. We talk about the friendships we keep putting on the back burner, facing the places we would rather avoid, and learning how to wrestle with God without walking away from Him.

This story is for anyone grieving someone they lost, searching for hope, or needing permission to admit that their heart still hurts.

Support the book, share this episode, and reach out to your best friend while you still can. Help us do it for the One!

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What happens when you stop shrinking, stop striving, and finally believe what God says about you?17-year-old author and entrepreneur Macy Jules shares how she overcame identity struggles, anxiety, perfectionism, unhealthy friendships, and an eating disorder by learning to abide in Christ instead of trying to control everything.Macy also reveals how she graduated two years early, turned her private journal entries into the book *Revealing Your Greatness*, and grew from 96 to more than 8,000 followers by boldly sharing biblical truth online.You’ll discover:* How to replace lies about your identity with God’s truth* Why your waiting season may actually be preparation* The difference between exhausting striving and powerful abiding* How healthy boundaries protect your purpose and peace* Why God never called you to stay smallYou are not buried—you are planted. You are not behind—you are being trained. And you do not have to earn the love of God.📖 *Revealing Your Greatness*: https://a.co/d/0bYZ7pmu📲 Follow Macy Jules: https://www.instagram.com/macie.jules/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

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📘 21 Days in Africa

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Preston Woody is setting a new standard and letting us know just how suffocating perfectionism is. Zach Rippey is partnering with Preston Woody to get his message out to the world, impact people, and lead them toward a new standard in their lives. This is a segment we recorded LIVE at the cheers for 6 years show!Check out the new show "The Standard with Preston Woody" on our channel: HERE

In 2020, I lost my best friend, Armani. It was brutal, sudden, tragic, and heartbreaking. I spent the first 3 years burying emotions, wrestling with grief, asking God tough questions, and living in a constant desperation for healing. God invited me to go to the same cabin, mountains, and river Armani spent his last days to seek healing and face the dragon of grief. What happened on that trip to Tellico Plains, Tennessee, will forever be with me and this story is one that will lead you closer to the cross and even closer to the Jesus who sits on the throne at the right hand of the Father in eternity. This book will be life-changing for many. If you want to support it and be a part of it launching to the world, you can back it up here: Me, Armani, & Jesus... The Human Experience of Losing a Best FriendThe final project will be out on Amazon and ilikebirdsministry.com

What if the safest path isn't God's path?Pastor Micah Berteau had a thriving ministry, a clear future, and every reason to stay put, including his dad's expectations. Instead, he walked away from it all to plant a church from the ground up in Fort Worth, Texas. In this honest conversation, Micah shares the hidden realities of church planting, pastoral leadership, church hurt, criticism, faith, and trusting God when the outcome isn't guaranteed.You'll also hear:* Why he chose planting over inheriting a ministry* How to leave a church the right way* The truth about church hurt and betrayal* Why hardship often shapes your calling* Building a church with nothing but faith* The Thief on the cross taught us so much * Youtubers chose to end their baby's life because of Down syndrome, Zach and Micah unpack it unapologetically. Micah Berteau is the pastor of The House Church and is a husband and father of 4 boys! Enjoy this great conversation

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Has joy gone missing from the Church?

Some Christians act like if you laugh too hard, the Holy Spirit leaves the room. But what if joy isn't the enemy of our faith—what if it's actually one of the greatest evidences of it?

In this episode, I sit down with comedian Michael Pasvar for an honest conversation about Christian joy, church culture, comedy, faith, and why so many believers seem afraid to laugh.

We talk about:
• Why joy feels like it's disappearing from the modern Church
• The difference between holiness and seriousness
• Why comedy is rooted in truth
• How laughter breaks down walls and opens hearts
• Why humor can be a powerful tool for sharing the Gospel
• Michael's new comedy special, Blended Feathers
• Church culture, worship trends, and the tension many Christians feel today

One of my favorite moments from this conversation is the idea that if joy were a person, we'd have to put her on a milk carton:

"Missing: Joy. Last seen moving powerfully through the early church. Known for bringing life, freedom, laughter, and strength. If found, please return immediately. Things are not working well without her."

Scripture tells us in Nehemiah 8:10 that "the joy of the Lord is your strength." If that's true, then maybe one of the enemy's greatest strategies isn't stealing our salvation—it's stealing our joy.

🎤 See Michael Pasvar's new comedy special here: Blended Feathers

Book Zach Rippey to Speak or Perform Comedy here: ⁠https://ilikebirdsministry.com/comedybooking⁠

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This viral story of a YouTuber and his wife terminating their baby's life due to a potential Down syndrome diagnosis has sent the internet on fire with discussion... Here is the perspective of two Jesus Followers who have close ties to this story.

Pastor Micah Berteau of The House Church joins Zach in the studio to unpack it all.Whatcha think? Is this just the world being the world, or does society as a whole have to shift its mindset on LIFE!

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What if the biggest danger of technology isn't what it can do—but what it slowly stops us from doing? We discuss AI, social media, GPS, and how modern tools may be affecting our ability to think, create, and hear God's voice. This conversation is a wake-up call for anyone seeking wisdom in a digital world.

Enjoy this clip and check out the full episode on I Like Birds Podcast YouTube Channel!

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