On this week's episode, I answer a listener question on how to identify a principle and overcome the doubt of making it work. A principle is something that works every time. It’s the foundational truth. It’s not just true. It is the truth. Principles work whether you know of them or not. You don’t have to understand or even agree with it, but ignorance of principle is no protection from the consequences of violating that principle. If you took a blind person who didn’t have any idea what an elep...
Dec 26, 2015•27 min
On this week’s episode, we’re celebrating the Christmas season by talking about some of my favorite (and not-so-favorite) traditions. Tune in this week to hear about… Where the Andrews family will be for Christmas Jesus’s birthday party Austin’s and Adam’s letter to Santa Claus My favorite and least favorite Christmas foods Movies that I love (and some I’ve grown tired of) And last but not least, my favorite Christmas books and albums I also wanted to share one of my favorite Christmas songs thi...
Dec 19, 2015•24 min
On this week’s episode, I answer a listener question about online resources that can help awaken the outdoorsman in you and your kids. I am not a fly fisherman, but Adam has really become interested in it. He’ll go on YouTube and search for different fly fishing topics and show me what he’s learning. My favorite channel on YouTube is called GrowingDeer.tv If you’re a deer hunter, or really just an outdoorsman, it covers a lot of topics like feeding, nutrition, what to do with your land, predator...
Dec 12, 2015•25 min
On this week’s episode, I talk about our family’s Thanksgiving traditions, and why it pays to express your gratefulness. We almost always have Thanksgiving at our house. We’ve maybe only spent Thanksgiving away once or twice since the boys were born. The parade is always on. We don’t really sit and watch it, but we’re in and out of the room with the cooking and playing outside. I will smoke the turkey on the Kamado Joe and make “Cranberry Whomp.” Polly makes “Green” (which is a Jell-O salad), dr...
Dec 05, 2015•24 min
On this week’s episode, I answer a listener question on overcoming faulty thinking, and taking action when someone close to you has pulled you down. This is one of those things where the first step is clearing the negativity out of your mind and heart. Forgiveness is the reset button you’ve been given to take care of this. I cannot find any book or expert who says that for one person to forgive another person, the person being forgiven has to ask for it, deserve it, or even be aware that it’s ha...
Nov 28, 2015•20 min
On this week’s episode, I discuss my family mission statement and how to come up with your own for your family or business. I think it’s very necessary to have a mission statement for your family and business. A mission statement creates boundaries that allow you to play freely, create freely, and deal freely within those boundaries. You can learn where those boundaries are because all your activities and everything you do should fit within the boundaries of the mission statement. Questions to a...
Nov 21, 2015•28 min
On this week’s episode, I answer a listener question on how parenting principles translate to respectfully dealing with the negative people in your business or personal life. I don’t think distancing yourself from negative people is disrespectful. You can remain respectful and honoring of people by telling them the truth. People react negatively to us when we put them off or try to get away from them. I think it’s much more respectful to say, “Thank you so much for the opportunity, but I’m not g...
Nov 14, 2015•16 min
On this week’s episode, I answer a listener question about how Polly and I determined the names of our boys; we also discuss how incorrect writing can become your style. We all have seen names where we think, “What in the world? Did you not think this through for a second?” I love names, but there are some that should no longer be in use (you don’t see any little Attilas running around anymore). You don’t want to name your kids: Something someone is going to make fun of. A name that has a weird ...
Nov 07, 2015•26 min
On this week’s episode, I talk about how to cast a vision for your marriage, family, and finances. Casting a vision is critical. This is a very powerful tool, and if you’re not doing this with your family, you’re missing out. You don’t just stumble your way into greatness and awesome results. I sat down with Austin when he was 13 and asked, “Have you ever noticed how many kids are alike in what they do after graduating school?” There are variations on the theme, but people pretty much do the sam...
Oct 31, 2015•31 min
On this week’s episode, I answer a listener question on how I’ve chosen not to focus on being a victim and how you, too, can keep away from this mentality. There are challenging things happening in all our lives that give us the opportunity to “check out.” However, you can choose what mentality you focus on. There isn’t really a how. You either choose your mentality or you do not. Society continues to believe that choice is the foundation of everything we do. That is like flipping a coin if you ...
Oct 24, 2015•23 min
On this week’s episode, I answer a listener question on what to do when someone asks for a letter of recommendation when you wouldn’t recommend them. How authentic are we going to be in our lives? This dials down into who we are as much as who they are. There is pain and confrontation that could be avoided, but should it? There is the opportunity for retreat or deceit. This is an odd situation that many of us have found ourselves in. When we are asked to write a letter of recommendation for some...
Oct 21, 2015•27 min
On this week’s episode, I talk about a football player who impacted my life, and a new movie about his life that you should see with your family this fall. When I was in high school, we were across town from another high school named Woodlawn. We had heard about racially motivated riots there and how some of the kids had to be bussed into school. During the football season, I became aware of a student on Woodlawn’s team named Tony Nathan. He was unbelievable—a running back no one could stop. In ...
Oct 10, 2015•21 min
On this week’s episode, I answer a listener question about the “treasure chest” that Polly and I have for our boys. The boys know that we have treasure chests for them, and it’s something we will probably give them when they are around 21. The treasure chest has things that they will need to know or want to have. They don’t get to go in these chests, but I’ll occasionally show them something that’s going inside, or tease that something has been added. When you have some kind of awesome family mo...
Oct 03, 2015•23 min
On this week’s episode, I talk about why it’s important to let your kids make mistakes, and how “treading water” in life means you’re not only failing to get ahead but actually losing ground. Not too long ago the boys had a movie they brought to me and asked if they could watch it. I looked at it and kind of paused before saying, “yes, you can watch it.” As they walked away I said, “You can watch it if you want to .” They stopped and of course wondered why I said it like that. I told them that w...
Sep 26, 2015•24 min
On this week’s episode, I answer two listener questions on how fear shapes your life and how to balance belief in yourself against pride. I find many instances indicating that God can use tragedy and bad choices to fulfill His purposes, but I don’t find any evidence that God decides to make you scared. The times that I have been scared have usually been instances that I’ve kind of brought on myself. I can’t imagine God would say “Fear not” so many times but still try to instill fear in us anyway...
Sep 19, 2015•27 min
On this week’s episode, I discuss some of my favorite speakers and the methods that help me stay organized. I don’t get to see many speakers because I’m usually by myself when speaking at an event, but I listen to them online. I shift and change who I’m listening to, but Patsy Clairmont is first and foremost my favorite speaker. There are very few people who can deliver serious topics with humor, and Patsy is one of the best. Ken Davis is also up there for the same reasons. He is so funny to me....
Sep 12, 2015•26 min
On this week’s episode, we’re finishing up our series on discussing my office and the items that bring me a spirit of gratefulness, belief, opportunity, and achievement. Tune in to this week’s episode to hear about: The book that I’ve read in its entirety every month for over 30 years. (I’m shocked that I still get new understanding from some of these things…) The award from the Center for Healthy Families that reminds me to be obedient, seek wisdom, and that I make a difference. The gift Adam m...
Sep 05, 2015•24 min
This week, we’re celebrating our 200th episode with a deeper look at the items in my office, and more specifically, what I keep within arm’s reach at my desk. You might look at my desk and not know why some of these things are here—and you might also not know what these things are! Tune in to this week’s full episode to hear which of these objects remind me of: The fact I can choose my thinking, and if I’m scared, that isn’t from God. Ingenuity. The history of our country and that there are thin...
Aug 29, 2015•28 min
On this week’s episode, we’re continuing our visit inside my office and discussing why it looks the way it does. People have made excuses for themselves and other people based on environment. • As an adult, you have control over y our environment. • You are never trapped, although you may choose to think you’re trapped. • If you understand that your thinking is the foundation of everything, that gives you control. You want to achieve “the best.” • The objects in my office spur a specific thought...
Aug 22, 2015•43 min
On this week’s episode, we’re recording from my office in Orange Beach, Alabama, and talking about the “wall of influence” that sits across from my desk. I have been around people successful in entertainment, business, and politics, and have seen them hit a point in their career where they turned kind of monstrous. It’s an odd world to live in where people say, “You’re great. You changed my life.” If you’re not prepared to deal with that, I see how you could turn into an idiot! I have an “influe...
Aug 15, 2015•40 min
On this week’s episode, I’m answering more random questions—this time from listeners—for our second episode of Getting to Know Andy Andrews. What was your first thought when you woke up today? What question do you hate to answer? Is there something you constantly lose at your house? Have you ever been pulled over by a cop? What is your favorite knock-knock joke? If you had to be trapped in a TV show for a month, which would it be? What is your favorite movie and movie quote? What’s the best meal...
Aug 08, 2015•21 min
On this week’s episode, I answer a listener question about people who have a different style of communication than yours. When you get down to the way people communicate, there are so many differences. I will never forget the time a friend and his wife were over at our house, and Polly called the boys twice to come greet the guests. I lean my head in the room and let them know their mother has called them twice and they need to get up. They both look at each other and they’re going, “Dad, she di...
Aug 01, 2015•18 min
On this week’s episode, I answer a listener question on how you can confidently pursue a deeply satisfying career path. I have gone through several career phases as an adult, and I wonder if I’m still narrowing down my career path. There are some guiding factors for pursuing the right career. What would you do every day if money were no object? Once you figure that out, the next question is what value does that have for other people? It is important to like what you do, but if you’re the only on...
Jul 25, 2015•20 min
On this week’s episode, I answer a listener question about creativity and when you should go with your instincts or take others’ advice. We all have people who we lay our stuff out for. There are a handful of people in my life who I will read something to occa I thought it was odd to read it out loud, but I’ve started hearing about a lot of authors who have a couple people they read to. It’s easier for an author just to read it himself, but when I read it out loud to someone, it lets me read in ...
Jul 18, 2015•17 min
On this week’s episode, I answer a followup listener question on how Polly and I taught the boys to communicate to adults. It was a very intentional process. Polly and I wanted to raise a boy who would turn into a 15-year-old young man; we wanted people in passing to be blown away by his maturity. Some people say “Yes, ma’am” and “Yes, sir” is just a regional thing, but don’t we know people in California who are from Georgia? After years of thinking this through, the reason to go through the ext...
Jul 11, 2015•25 min
On this week’s show, we’re switching things up a bit and presenting an episode of random questions that will hopefully help us get to know Andy a bit more. Andy talks a lot about how important laughter should be in people’s lives, so this week we asked him some random questions designed to be fun and funny—but also to really make him think: Who is your favorite songwriter right now? Who is your favorite author right now? What’s the best voice impression that you do? If you could have personally ...
Jul 04, 2015•26 min
On this week’s episode, I answer a listener question on how the boys and I go out of our way to make sure Polly feels respected. Before we get into some of the specific ways we honor Polly, let me tell you why we think these things are important in the first place. We want to provide an advantage for our children when they are adults. The way you act in your home and when you let your guard down is the way you will act in critical moments. We want to do the same positive things over and over aga...
Jun 27, 2015•24 min
On this week’s episode, I answer a very emotional listener question from the friend of a football coach who has lost his son. Everybody has a worst time in his or her life. I can’t imagine that it gets any worse than losing a son or daughter. I have some understanding of the shock and grief; my parents both passed away at a young age. My mom’s passing was long and drawn out, and my dad’s was a call in the middle of the night. While your memories and longing will never go away, the awful grief th...
Jun 20, 2015•29 min
On this week’s episode, I answer a listener question on how to guide your thinking when beginning with the very best end result in mind. I really believe that “the best” is an ever-expanding target. As your understanding of what is possible expands, your determination of what the best is will also expand. When people talk about best practices and industry standards, they’re talking about the way everybody has thought and operated for years. Don’t let your methods determine your Determine the des...
Jun 12, 2015•23 min
On this week’s episode, we have renowned author Jerry Jenkins back with us for more laughs, and to compare notes with Andy on public speaking and how to deal with editors. He also gives us a preview of his latest book. Andy is at the top of the public speaking game, but Jerry is also a sought-after public speaker. Jerry had always heard he should ask for an introduction that sets up what he’d be covering, and that mentioned he would be funny. Andy, in contrast, has learned that too big of an int...
Jun 06, 2015•30 min
