Vertical Pursuit - podcast cover

Vertical Pursuit

Mike Barrett and Mike Tatlockverticalpursuit.org
Vertical Pursuit exists to help you gain the elevation between where you are and where God destined you to be. We want to inspire you to create the space to live your best life every day. In today's culture, men are defeated, isolated, beat down, and stereotyped. We also live in a time where men are hunting and hungry for the blueprint of what it means to be a man. Imagine not living a life of shame or failure. A life of defeat, regret, or insignificance. A life of isolation, fear, and loneliness. Instead, we can live a life of power and purpose that will clarify our outlook, overcome our struggles, forge our relationships, and impact our world. Vertical Pursuit podcast is about helping men find a place to be known, belong, and unlock their God-given potential. A place to move from the ordinary to the extraordinary! As we focus on manhood primarily in this podcast, we believe we can empower men to embrace Jesus-formed masculinity in a way that inspires them to be the best husbands, fathers, friends, and leaders to those around them. Mike Barrett, also known as "MB", is a former television play-by-play announcer for the Portland Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association, the Portland Thunder of the Arena Football League, and the Portland Fire of the WNBA. Mike Tatlock, also known as “Tats”, is an author, NBA chaplain for the Portland Trail Blazers, and Lead Pastor of Grace Chapel in Wilsonville, Oregon.
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Episodes

Episode 057: Truth In A World Of Deception And Distortion

No matter the circumstance or subject matter of conversations these days, things usually circle back to the importance of knowing the truth. There are not different versions of the truth, there is just THE truth. While that was never a debate in the past, for some reason it is today. In this episode, we get to the heart of many matters of the day, with the goal of circling back to the one truth we can count on.

Jun 04, 20241 hr 12 min

Episode 058: Misguided Expectations

Healthy expectations can be a good thing. But, expectations can also destroy things in many ways. And, what’s the difference between hope and expectation? What are the ways we can guard against disappointment, frustration, and resentment, which can come as a result of unrealistic expectations- of others, of ourselves, of out circumstances?

Jun 04, 20241 hr 8 min

Episode 056: Man Update

“Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like MEN, be strong.” 1 Corinthians 16:13. This could turn out to be the mission verse for Vertical Pursuit, and in this episode we go through some of the most pressing issues we are hearing from men as of late. It’s not getting easier, for sure, but we also know the adventure in your life will be found in responsibility and sacrifice, and not in comfort.

May 18, 20241 hr 13 min

Episode 054: Living a Life of Boldness

Of course, we want to always be grace-filled and loving, but at what point do our beliefs strengthen our confidence to the point that we’re ready to fight for them? In a shaken world, standing firm and being bold is one way we can walk in obedience.

Apr 19, 20241 hr 5 min

Episode 055: Keeping Fear Under Control

There are many in this world who use fear to control us, and there is a lot to be fearful of right now. But, don’t let fear call all the shots. This takes discipline and great faith. A healthy fear of God is how we defend against fear in the world.

Apr 19, 20241 hr 5 min

Episode 052: Do Not Believe The Lies

We are bombarded every day with lies from the enemy. You are not good enough, strong enough, wise enough, are undeserving, and don’t have what it takes, are examples. Have the strength to fight back with your own truths, and don’t get caught in the crazy cycle. For every lie, God arms us with the power to rebuke them.

Apr 06, 20241 hr 4 min

Episode 053: Moral Compromise

How many examples do we have to see of people we once held in high esteem crashing to the ground because they compromised? We always think of these as being major forks in the road, and they can be. But, they can also be the smallest of decisions that face us every day. Where is your line in the sand? How slippery is the slope?

Apr 06, 20241 hr 12 min

Episode 050: Africa Recap

Pastor Tatlock recently returned from his 4th trip to Rwanda, and was a guest speaker at a big conference put on by Africa New Life. He discusses his experience, and we go into all that is right with that country, and what the United States can learn from the great people who have completely turned that country around following a bloody genocide.

Apr 05, 20241 hr 3 min

Episode 051: What Does It Mean To Rest?

We hear all the time how men chase rest, peace, and refreshment. There is a shortage of all three, in a big way, right now. Yet, the Bible doesn’t just suggest it, it commands that we practice it. How do we put aside our need for constant achievement, practice resistance and reclamation, and reach the rarified air of true rest?

Apr 05, 20241 hr 2 min

Episode 045: The Life Of An NBA Team Chaplain

We have discussed in past episodes the opportunity Pastor Tatlock has had as the team chaplain for the Portland Trail Blazers. But, we’ve never really gotten into details about what it’s all about, and how so many athletes seem to gain their strength from their faith. Why is this? And, why are some so bold in sharing, while others opt for a more private approach?

Feb 26, 202456 min

Episode 049: Guest - Meyers Leonard

He may have played 456 NBA regular season games, along with 30 playoff games, but it took a public fall for Meyers Leonard to find his true identity, joy, and peace. We are so drawn to stories of redemption, and this much is clear - through the fire, Meyers, a devoted husband and father, is now living his best life.

Feb 22, 20241 hr 55 min

Episode 047: Finding Your Value

We’ve all know that the value of something is determined by what someone will pay for it. Are you spending time reminding your soul of its worth, by reminding yourself of the high price that was paid to redeem you? Sounds simple, but how do we do that?

Feb 10, 202456 min

Episode 048: Gratitude’s Connection to Anxiety and Fear

Surely we’re not expected to simply fake it when we’re hard times. But, how exactly do we practice thanksgiving in the face of tragedy or anxiety? How can we turn our eyes from our situation to our Saviour?

Feb 10, 202456 min

Episode 046: Guest - Milo Curtis

Milo Curtis is a chaplain in the United States Navy, and is currently stationed in Virginia. He joined us to discuss the moment he realized he was being called, and what he’s learned since. The job of a chaplain entails more than just one sit down discussion could hold, but the adventures, stories, and duties, are fascinating and inspiring.

Feb 04, 20241 hr 26 min

Episode 044: Politics and Prayer

These are crazy times, indeed. The politics of 2024 will be front and center, and will likely cause a massive amount of worry and anxiety for our country. So, how should we be approaching this in prayer? And, what are some ways we can put what is happening in America in the proper perspective? It’s a complex issue, and we take a swing at it in this episode.

Jan 26, 202454 min

Episode 043: The Sixth Sense

We all know this feeling. We’ve all heard things like “what does your gut tell you?” Or, people will say “I just have a weird feeling about this.” Are we sure that our sixth sense isn’t a link to immortal existence, and perhaps a way for us to perceive the devine? The Bible calls this discernment. Perhaps we should be paying a little more attention to those hairs on the back of our necks.

Jan 19, 202455 min

Episode 042: Get Ready

What are prophetic words, and why does it seem everyone is getting a message exactly like this right now? We know that 2024 will likely be a little crazy, and time seems to be moving faster recently. So, rather than let chalk this up to ‘coincidence’ we thought we’d take a deeper dive into what it could mean.

Jan 19, 202454 min

Episode 041: Guest - Jason A Atkinson

Jason has been a senator, candidate for governor, public leader, author, storyteller, speaker, director of big global projects, and is a massive influencer in the fly fishing world. When facing a time of reinvention, he turned to the idea of serving shepherds. What he’s created is something called Pastor’s Monday. He joined us to discuss that, and much more.

Dec 17, 20231 hr 19 min

Episode 038: Safeguarding Your Marriage

Honesty, communication, and forgiveness need to be the foundation of a healthy marriage, along with love and respect. Start by destroying any thought of an escape plan, and practice 100% commitment. Can we learn to truly be Jesus to our spouse?

Nov 12, 202352 min

Episode 039: Prevent The Drift

Drifting from the life you want to be leading can be aimless and involuntary. But, we’re all susceptible to it. We can wander down a path, and by the time we look up, we’re miles from home, living a life and making choices that are destructive. But, no matter how far we drift, we must know that God is at home, awaiting our return.

Nov 12, 202348 min

Episode 040: The True Meaning Of Freedom

When you don’t know the truth, you settle for the lie. So many things in our lives attempt to steal our freedom. And, we’re not just talking about power-hungry governmental players. We’re talking about the true enemy who hates the idea of us being free. When you seek Jesus, he gives you TRUE freedom.

Nov 12, 202351 min

Episode 037: The Cost Of Faith

If making disciples is a commandment, then we need to look at it as a responsibility and hold ourselves accountable. Do you hesitate to share your faith because you might get a strange look, or be put in a category? Whatever it ‘costs’ you, the gain far exceeds it.

Nov 12, 202351 min

Episode 035: Conflict Context In The Holy Land

Israel has the attention of the world right now. The reaction, following the brutality of attacks by Hamas has the world divided and confused. Since most of this nation now gets its history lessons from biased media outlets, in this episode it was necessary to walk things back from a Biblical perspective.

Nov 08, 202351 min

Episode 036: Ears To Hear

We all have friends in our lives who live in denial, deal with distractions, and cling to the comfort that whispers to them that they don’t need God. It’s not that they don’t believe in something, it’s that they don’t feel the motivation to press past the surface. Are there tools available to us to help them, and ourselves, get unstuck

Nov 08, 202349 min

Episode 031: Open Season On Apathy

In this episode we go all manly, with hunting stories, identity issues, and what men today feel they are lacking. Be it a lack of purpose, drive, or vocational call, a heavy dose of masculinity can sometimes be just what the doctor ordered. Ask God to stir a new war in you.

Sep 14, 202347 min

Episode 032: A Weatherproof Foundation

Where is your home built? What is it built on? Do you practice preventive maintenance on the things that hold up your walls and roof? Life throws storms at us, some worse than others, and it is up to us to make sure we have crafted an internal protection system. But, how do we do that?

Sep 14, 202347 min

Episode 034: The One Truth

What is the truth anymore? Social media has given us too much access to too much, and it’s completely overwhelming. We know our traditional messenger, the media, is completely corrupt, and following a chosen narrative has left us desensitized to seemingly everything. Wash the skeptic away, and re-ground yourself in the one truth we know we can lean on.

Sep 13, 202345 min

Episode 033: The Root of All Evil

The chase of money leads to moral compromise, we all know that. It’s such an evil master. So, who is your master? In this episode we dive into the common question, and have some thoughts on how to shake it. At the end of the day, it’s a heart issue and nothing more.

Sep 13, 202349 min

Episode 029: War Of The Worlds 2.0

What’s with the sudden influx of UFO/UAP content lately in the world? Real? Fake? A campaign of distraction? We take a walk through some of the recent news, and give thoughts on what it all means.

Aug 17, 202341 min

Episode 030: Powered By Ford

There are many different kinds of blessings, and some can come in the form of inanimate objects. The power of these blessings can often be the stories behind them, and then it’s up to us to use them to model friendship and love.

Aug 17, 202346 min
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