“I don’t know what I’m doing here.” Eddie whispers as his 13-year-old son sits in a police cell accused of murder. It’s a confession every father feels but rarely admits — standing in the chaos, with no way out and no guarantee you won’t make it better.

In this episode of Men at the Movies, Paul McDonald and Simon (host of the Restoring Authentic Men podcast) unpack Part 1 of Netflix’s Adolescence. We wrestle with the illusion of control, the silence between fathers and sons, the fragility of boyhood, and the courage it takes to stay present when everything is falling apart.

👉 Grab the free study guide here: http://bit.ly/4nCEWhN

📺 Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/JINd6i4Vfso

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• Why “I don’t know what I’m doing here” isn’t failure, but the starting line for every father

• How shame creates a silence gap between dads and sons

• Why presence matters more than performance in our families

• Practical steps for letting go of control and embracing the mess

Listen to Restoring Authentic Men (RAM Podcast) – Listen here

Chris Farley’s Tommy Boy isn’t just comedy gold—it’s a story every man can relate to. Underneath the chaos is a powerful message: how do you move from being the beloved son to stepping into your role as a king? In this episode of Men at the Movies, we explore how Tommy’s failures, friendships, and moments of courage point us to the truth about identity, responsibility, and what it takes to lead.

Download the study guide here.

Watch the episode here.

Paul McDonald sits down with Rory Lawrence from The Dangerous Man Podcast to explore the brutal honesty of Lone Survivor. This isn't just a war movie - it's a powerful metaphor for spiritual training and the brotherhood required to survive life's battles.

From BUDS Hell Week to the mountains of Afghanistan, discover how Marcus Luttrell's story reveals what it takes to become a spiritual warrior. Rory shares his own dark battle with suicidal thoughts and how transparency broke the enemy's power. We dive into themes of identity in Christ, the training required for spiritual reigning, and why being "never out of the fight" is more than military jargon - it's a life philosophy.

Warning: This episode contains mature content including discussion of mental health struggles, domestic violence, and spiritual warfare.

Downoald your free Study Guide here: https://bit.ly/4gjYJjbWatch the full video episode: https://youtu.be/vf7mN-T9Im0

Questions

• When have you wanted to ring the bell, and what kept you from giving up?
• When have you done something God asked you to, and it went sideways?
• When have you gotten isolated when overwhelmed?
• Who do you need to share your struggles with?
• What does it look like to die to your self?
• What does it mean to lean in to the pain?
• How do you enter glory with an empty clip?
• What does it mean to give it all to Jesus?

Subscribe to our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2xo9bvDbN4Z3BEx37AlRqw?sub_confirmation=1) for bonus content.

To dive into this content even more, visit our website: www.menatthemovies.com/podcast. You will find resources mentioned on the podcast, plus quotes and themes discussed.

Find us on the socials:

• YouTube: www.youtube.com/@menatthemovies
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/menatthemovies
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/menatthemovies/
• TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@menatthemovies
• Twitter: twitter.com/_menatthemovies

If you would like to support our work (and get some behind-the-scenes perks), visit buymeacoffee.com/menatthemovies. Getinvites to livestreams, bonus episodes, even free merch.

Logo and episode templates by Ian Johnston (ianhjohnston.com)

Audio quotes performed by Britt Mooney, Paul McDonald, and Tim Willard, taken from Epic (written by John Eldredge) and Song of Albion (written by Stephen Lawhead).

Southerly Change performed by Zane Dickinson, used under license from Shutterstock

Links:

• MATM website: www.menatthemovies.com/podcast
• YouTube: www.youtube.com/@menatthemovies
• Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/50DiGvjrHatOFUfHc0H2wQ
• Apple pods: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/men-at-the-movies-podcast/id1543799477
• Google pods: podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy80ODMwNThjL3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz

When Coach Boone wakes his players at 3 AM for a run to Gettysburg, he's not just building physical endurance - he's forcing a confrontation with the deeper battle they're all fighting.

Paul McDonald sits down with Leo Clark (Texas basketball coach) and Conrad Schottel (Colorado) to explore how this 1971 integration story reveals timeless truths about unity, respect, and the courage to have hard conversations.

Leo shares powerful stories from his own coaching experience about breaking down racial barriers through sports, while Conrad unpacks how good authority figures become spiritual fathers. Together, they examine why unity can only come through truth-telling, not truth-avoiding.

This conversation goes deep into the spiritual warfare underneath cultural division and how sports becomes the great unifier when everything else fails.

Download the study guide at menatthemovies.com

Sign up for the newsletter at menatthemovies.com/subscribe.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2xo9bvDbN4Z3BEx37AlRqw?sub_confirmation=1) for bonus content.

To dive into this content even more, visit our website: www.menatthemovies.com/podcast. You will find resources mentioned on the podcast, plus quotes and themes discussed.

Find us on the socials:

• YouTube:www.youtube.com/@menatthemovies
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/menatthemovies
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/menatthemovies/
• TikTok:www.tiktok.com/@menatthemovies
• Twitter:twitter.com/_menatthemovies

If you would like to support our work (and get some behind-the-scenes perks), visit our Buy Me a Coffee page (buymeacoffee.com/menatthemovies). Getinvites to livestreams, bonus episodes, even free merch.

Logo and episode templates by Ian Johnston (ianhjohnston.com)

Audio quotes performed by Britt Mooney, Paul McDonald, and Tim Willard, taken from Epic (written by John Eldredge) and Song of Albion (written by Stephen Lawhead).

Southerly Change performed by Zane Dickinson, used under license from Shutterstock

Links:

• MATM website: www.menatthemovies.com/podcast
• YouTube: www.youtube.com/@menatthemovies
• Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/50DiGvjrHatOFUfHc0H2wQ
• Apple pods: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/men-at-the-movies-podcast/id1543799477
• Google pods: podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy80ODMwNThjL3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz

Bob Wiley is terrified of everything… and that just might save him. In this episode Paul McDonald and Britt Mooney dive into What About Bob? to explore how baby steps, awkward sailing trips, and even death therapy reveal God’s plan to turn fear into freedom. We cover:

• why desperation can be a gift

• the lie of self-reliance vs the power of community

• divine interruptions that reroute your life

Grab the free study guide, share your biggest fear, and join the conversation as we discover how God meets us—one baby step at a time.

Buddy Young Jr. hears that first roar of laughter and everything changes. In this episode of Men at the Movies, host Paul McDonald sits down with Christian comedian Bob Smiley to break down Mr. Saturday Night (1992) and what it teaches men about courage, identity, and family.

Find the study guide here.

We talk about:

• Why the spotlight can feel safer than your own living room

• “You cannot let the love of the crowd replace the love of your family”

• How laughter is “ten times more powerful than morphine” and why joy heals

• Thick-skin vs. gooey-heart masculinity—being strong without shutting down

• Turning your “first laugh” moment into a lifelong calling

Whether you are a stand-up wannabe, a dad on the sidelines, or a guy wondering if your gifts matter, this conversation will challenge you to step into what you were created to be while staying present for the people who know the real you.

➜ Free one-page study guide, show notes, and merch: https://www.menatthemovies.com
➜ Watch the full clip on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@menatthemovies

Key words: Mr. Saturday Night, Billy Crystal, Bob Smiley, stand-up comedy, Christian podcast, faith and film, fatherhood, identity, courage, healing power of laughter, Men at the Movies, movie Bible study.

Rate and review the show to help more men discover the bigger story in every movie!

Preview ► Camel treks, lit-match stoicism, and why great stories still point us to purpose.

Study Guide

Visit this link to download a one page PDF to serve as a study guide. To join the newsletter to receive updates of new episodes and receive the study guide, visit menatthemovies.com/subscribe.

Show notes
Miles Spencer road-tested Lawrence of Arabia in real life—1,100 miles on camel, horse, and foot. We unpack resilience, purpose-driven adventure, and how epic stories reveal the Author behind ours.

Links & Resources
• Subscribe on YouTube → https://youtube.com/@MenAtTheMovies
•


• Sponsor: Confined Space Coffee: Use code MATM to get 10% off → https://confinedspacecoffee.com⁠https://confinedspacecoffee.com⁠

Connect
Instagram, TikTok, X, Facebook → @MenAtTheMovies
Full archive → https://menatthemovies.com

Questions

• When have you been surprised by someone’s response to your request in a positive way?
• Think of someone that you consider to be different from you. What are the ways in which you are similar?
• When have you had to do something that you knew was going to hurt?
• How can you develop resilience daily? What is something you can do that is uncomfortable that you can choose to do to develop comfort in the discomfort?
• How can your adventures have a purpose?
• How do you prioritize safety and comfort? How does this hurt your development?

Affiliate links may earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2xo9bvDbN4Z3BEx37AlRqw?sub_confirmation=1) for bonus content.

To dive into this content even more, visit our website: www.menatthemovies.com/podcast. You will find resources mentioned on the podcast, plus quotes and themes discussed.

Find us on the socials:

• YouTube: www.youtube.com/@menatthemovies
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/menatthemovies
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/menatthemovies/
• TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@menatthemovies
• Twitter: twitter.com/_menatthemovies

If you would like to support our work (and get some behind-the-scenes perks), visit our Patreon page (www.patreon.com/menatthemovies). Get invites to livestreams, bonus episodes, even free merch. If you’d like to do a one-time contribution (a cameo appearance), visit www.menatthemovies.com/investors.

Logo and episode templates by Ian Johnston (ianhjohnston.com)

Audio quotes performed by Britt Mooney, Paul McDonald, and Tim Willard, taken from Epic (written by John Eldredge) and Song of Albion (written by Stephen Lawhead).

Southerly Change performed by Zane Dickinson, used under license from Shutterstock

Links:

• MATM website: www.menatthemovies.com/podcast
• YouTube: www.youtube.com/@menatthemovies
• Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/50DiGvjrHatOFUfHc0H2wQ
• Apple pods: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/men-at-the-movies-podcast/id1543799477
• Google pods: podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy80ODMwNThjL3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz

Coming up on the Men at the Movies podcast, we discus the movie Ronin. The term ronin refers to a class of samurai who are basically masterless warriors. Action reveals your character, which reveals your master. While you might think you don’t have a master, your choices and your actions reveal who or what that ruler might be. Whenever there is any doubt, there is not doubt. Join us as we discover God’s truth in this movie.

About Christian

Christian Schu is a dedicated filmmaker who sees filmmaking and advertising as storytelling arts. Since starting commercial filmmaking in 2015, he has focused on creating narratives that deeply engage viewers through emotion. His career includes work in virtual studios, sports events like the WTA Mallorca Open, and collaborations with German business speakers. Since 2019, he has been producing visually stunning content for top hi-fi brands including Focal Naim, Bowers & Wilkins, and Bang & Olufsen. Christian's passion for storytelling began with childhood Lego play, now translating into impactful, award-winning cinematic work. For more, visit https://christian-schu.com/.

Questions

• What stories leaves gaps and questions unanswered? 
How does a story with unanswered questions actually engage you more than a story that tells you everything you need to know?
• If God is the storyteller of your life, can you trust him with the unanswered questions and gaps in information? What would that look like?
• When have you made a great “disposable” friend?
• What do the patterns of your life reveal to be your priorities? Based on your actions, who/what is your master?
• What does it mean to “witness the wonder?”

Subscribe to our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2xo9bvDbN4Z3BEx37AlRqw?sub_confirmation=1) for bonus content.

To dive into this content even more, visit our website: www.menatthemovies.com/podcast. You will find resources mentioned on the podcast, plus quotes and themes discussed.

Find us on the socials:

• YouTube: www.youtube.com/@menatthemovies
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/menatthemovies
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/menatthemovies/
• TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@menatthemovies
• Twitter: twitter.com/_menatthemovies

If you would like to support our work (and get some behind-the-scenes perks), visit our Patreon page (www.patreon.com/menatthemovies). Get invites to livestreams, bonus episodes, even free merch. If you’d like to do a one-time contribution (a cameo appearance), visit www.menatthemovies.com/investors.

Edited and mixed by Grayson Foster (graysonfoster.com)

Logo and episode templates by Ian Johnston (ianhjohnston.com)

Audio quotes performed by Britt Mooney, Paul McDonald, and Tim Willard, taken from Epic (written by John Eldredge) and Song of Albion (written by Stephen Lawhead).

Southerly Change performed by Zane Dickinson, used under license from Shutterstock

Links:

• MATM website: www.menatthemovies.com/podcast
• YouTube: www.youtube.com/@menatthemovies
• Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/50DiGvjrHatOFUfHc0H2wQ
• Apple pods: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/men-at-the-movies-podcast/id1543799477
• Google pods: podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy80ODMwNThjL3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz