In this raw and deeply personal episode of The Unshakable Life, Jim shares his talk from The Mountain Summit, where he opened up about grief, trauma, and the cost of running from pain. Through faith-filled storytelling and practical truth, Jim reveals how avoidance keeps us stuck, how grief really works, and how healing becomes the foundation of the legacy God wants to build through us.

If you’ve been numbing out, overworking, or pretending you’re okay when you’re not — this message is for you. It’s an invitation to stop running, start feeling, and finally begin rebuilding your Unshakable Life.

• Why running from pain only multiplies it over time
• The difference between being healed and being healing
• How grief, trauma, and faith intersect in the rebuilding process
• Why boundaries are sacred acts of stewardship, not selfishness
• How to shift from chasing motivation to building meaning
• What it really means to leave a legacy that outlives you

Jim reminds us that healing begins when we stop striving and start surrendering. Real strength isn’t found in pushing harder—it’s found in allowing Christ to meet us in our weakness. As Jim says:

1. Avoidance steals legacy. You can’t outrun what you haven’t healed.
2. You don’t need to be healed to help—just healing.
3. Time doesn’t heal wounds—truth and presence do.
4. Boundaries are sacred. Every “no” to something unhealthy makes room for God’s “yes.”
5. You are the cycle breaker. Your courage to face pain changes the generations after you.

1. What pain have I been running from that God is calling me to face?
2. How have I used productivity or service to avoid dealing with my emotions?
3. What would it look like for me to say “no” to something that drains my peace this week?
4. How can I invite Jesus into my healing process—today, not someday?

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• Using GPT for deeper Bible Study: https://youtu.be/VflG29Hx_Xw
• Youtube Video of Jason Upton Singing: In The Silence

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What do you do when life throat-punches you for the 50th time and you feel like staying down? In this episode of The Unshakeable Life, Jim Burgoon gets brutally honest about exhaustion, burnout, and failure—and the one thing that keeps us standing when everything else crumbles.

Drawing from personal stories of ministry wounds, entrepreneurial failures, and even the grief of losing his mom, Jim shares why falling doesn’t disqualify you from God’s calling. Instead, Scripture reminds us we may be struck down, but not destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:9). With raw honesty and practical tools, Jim helps you reframe resilience, stop pretending you’re fine, and discover the courage to take your next small step with God.

If you’ve been wrestling with the question, “What’s the point of getting back up again?”—this episode was made for you.

• Why failure and falling don’t remove you from God’s plan.
• The danger of “I’m fine” platitudes and how to be real before God.
• How to anchor yourself in God’s presence when you feel abandoned.
• Why resilience isn’t instant—it’s small, courageous steps forward.
• How silence, prayer, and Scripture renew your strength in dark times.

• 2 Corinthians 4:9 — “Persecuted, not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”
• Isaiah 40:31 — “Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength.”
• Psalm 46:10 — “Be still, and know that I am God.”
• Ephesians 6 — “After you’ve done everything, stand.”

God has never expected perfection—He has always promised presence. The Bible doesn’t say we won’t be knocked down; it says we won’t be destroyed. The difference between despair and hope is whether we believe that truth in the middle of the struggle. Jesus Himself fell under the weight of the cross, yet He got back up to finish the work set before Him. That same Spirit now strengthens us to rise when life feels unbearable.

• What’s one area in your life where you’ve been pretending you’re “fine”?
• What’s a small, courageous step you could take this week to move forward?
• Who in your circle needs to hear your honesty so you don’t walk alone?

You may be knocked down, but you are never abandoned. Stop pretending you’re fine, anchor yourself in God’s presence, and take one courageous step at a time. God doesn’t need you to sprint—He just calls you to keep standing.

Breath Prayer: “Lord, I am weak, but You are strong. Help me rise again.”

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• Using GPT for deeper Bible Study: https://youtu.be/VflG29Hx_Xw
• Youtube Video of Jason Upton Singing: In The Silence

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In this kickoff manifesto episode, Jim shares the story behind The Unshakable Life, why burnout and people-pleasing are crushing leaders, and the five pillars to build a life that cannot be shaken.

Everything isn’t falling apart—it’s falling into place.

In this manifesto episode, Jim Burgoon unpacks the journey behind The Unshakable Life podcast and why he felt called to rebrand and refocus. From pastoral ministry to marketplace missions, from failures in business to building resilience through crisis, Jim shares his scars, his lessons, and his vision for helping Christian leaders and creators step into health instead of hustle.

You’ll hear about the three core realities of the Unshakable Life (our pain, our promise, our mission) and the five pillars that will guide every episode moving forward:

• Build Your Foundation (Resilience & Soul Care)
• Reclaim Your Peace (Boundaries & Burnout)
• Know Your Design (Identity & Calling)
• Find Your Voice (Communication & Courage)
• Lead with Heart (Relational Leadership)

This is not a podcast about perfection—it’s about wholeness, courage, and living rooted in Christ. If you’ve been exhausted by people-pleasing, burned out from hustle culture, or quietly wondering if your calling still matters, this episode is for you.

• The story behind Jim’s rebrand from Grace in the Grind to The Unshakable Life
• Why interviews alone weren’t enough and why solo episodes matter
• How resilience has been forged through ministry, business, health struggles, and family challenges
• The three core truths behind the Unshakable Life model
• The five pillars that will shape this podcast moving forward

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” — Matthew 7:24

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Never miss an episode of Online Business for Christian Creators. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app—and if this resonated, share it with a friend who needs to hear the truth about influence.

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Setbacks don’t just drain your bank account or momentum—they hit your identity. In this raw and practical episode, Jim unpacks the hidden weight of setbacks, the emotional and psychological toll they take, and how faith reframes the entire story.

From surviving trauma to navigating chronic illness and failed business attempts, Jim shares how resilience isn’t about pretending you’re unshakable—it’s about learning to wrestle with shame, cut loose the anchors of the past, and step into the identity God speaks over you.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, like you’re white-knuckling your way through life while people call you “strong,” this conversation will reframe resilience in a way that is both faith-driven and deeply practical.

• Why setbacks often feel like a physical gut-punch—and the psychology behind it.
• How masking, perfectionism, and imposter syndrome keep us trapped in survival mode.
• Why resilience isn’t about being bulletproof but about grace, authenticity, and vulnerability.
• Biblical examples of leaders who failed, wrestled with God, and were transformed.
• Practical strategies to bounce back: naming the loss, finding lessons not labels, stacking micro-wins, leaning into community, and building faith practices.
• How to reframe setbacks as setups for what God is building in your life and business.

• “Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.” (Proverbs 24:16)
• Elijah’s cave, Jacob’s wrestling, Moses’ lack of confidence—all reminders that God uses failure as a pathway to transformation.
• Radical acceptance + lament as biblical resilience: acknowledging the pain while moving forward in faith.

Entrepreneurship and leadership come with constant risks, pivots, and challenges. Without resilience, setbacks can anchor you in shame and fear. With resilience, setbacks become data, feedback, and opportunities for God to reshape your future.

This episode will encourage you to stop chasing “the best version of yourself” and start pursuing the healthiest version of yourself—because health leads to wholeness, and wholeness leads to impact.

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• Full Episode Show Notes & Transcript: www.leadwithjim.com/podcast
• Using GPT for deeper Bible Study: https://youtu.be/VflG29Hx_Xw

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What’s the #1 tactic the enemy uses when he can’t defeat you? Distraction. In this episode, Jim explores why distractions are more than just lost time—they rob you of clarity, creativity, and calling. From the “rocking chair effect” of busyness that feels like progress but goes nowhere, to perfectionism and the fear of being seen, Jim unpacks both the psychological and spiritual sides of distraction. Anchored in Hebrews 12 and Ephesians 5, this conversation will challenge you to refocus, lay down your shiny objects, and take one step closer to your God-given mission.

[01:00] Why distraction spirals so quickly for creators.

[02:00] The spiritual component: distraction as a weapon of the enemy.

[03:00] The hidden costs of distraction—time and creativity.

[05:00] The story of Peter on the water (Hebrews 12) and how quickly focus slips.

[06:00] How trauma and avoidance fuel distraction, and the “rocking chair effect.”

[09:00] Shiny object syndrome and why unfinished callings drain us.

[14:00] Safe zones vs courage zones: busy but not brave.

[15:00] The enemy’s tactic of distraction (Ephesians 5).

[16:00] A challenge to name your shiny objects, lay them down, and refocus on your true calling.

• “If the devil can’t defeat you, he’ll distract you.”
• “Busy doesn’t always mean brave.”
• “Movement without mission is just noise. But focus anchored in Christ? That’s power.”
• Hebrews 12:1–2 reminds us to fix our eyes on Jesus, the ultimate source of focus.
• Ephesians 5:15–16 calls us to make the most of every opportunity because the days are evil.

Identify your shiny objects—the distractions that keep you from doing the things God has called you to. Write them down, lay them down in prayer, and replace them with one small act of obedience toward your mission.

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• Book Mentioned: Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport

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How to set healthy boundaries without guilt, protect your peace, and create with freedom as a faith-driven leader.

What is something every creator needs, many talk about, but few actually enforce? Boundaries.

In this episode, Jim unpacks why boundaries are essential for your mental, emotional, and spiritual health—and why defining them isn’t enough. You’ll discover what it looks like to actually enforce your non-negotiables, how to handle resistance (especially from family), and how saying “no” without guilt frees you to say “yes” to God’s calling.

• A faith-based perspective on why boundaries matter for creators and leaders
• The three principles of healthy boundaries you can apply right away
• Practical ways to communicate your boundaries with kindness and confidence
• A new way to think about “no” that removes guilt and anchors you in your mission

Proverbs 4:23 calls us to guard our hearts with all diligence. Boundaries are how we do this. Even Jesus modeled them—choosing when to minister, when to rest, and when to withdraw. For Christian creators, boundaries aren’t selfish; they’re stewardship.

As a creator, if you don’t set your boundaries, algorithms, audiences, and even family members will set them for you. Boundaries give you the clarity, peace, and focus to create consistently without burning out.

Pick one boundary you’ve been avoiding. Define it. Communicate it. Enforce it. Then watch how protecting your peace changes your creativity.

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Never miss an episode of Online Business for Christian Creators. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app—and if this resonated, share it with a friend who needs to hear the truth about influence.

Influence looks shiny on Instagram—but what you don’t see are the hidden costs. In this episode of Online Business for Christian Creators, Jim exposes 7 dark realities of chasing influence—from applause addiction to curated vulnerability, clout-chasing, burnout, and brand silencing.

But this isn’t just a takedown of influencers. You’ll also hear the flipside: how to build influence that actually lasts, rooted in relational leadership, Kingdom purpose, and integrity.

If you’ve ever wondered “Am I chasing influence the wrong way?”—this episode will give you the clarity and courage to lead differently.

• Why applause and vanity metrics can rob you of purpose.
• How curated vulnerability is often a trap—and what true vulnerability looks like.
• Why clout-chasing erodes your identity (and how to root yourself in Christ).
• The connection between success and isolation—and how to fight it.
• How monetizing morality can corrupt your cause.
• The reality of performance burnout (and why rest is a Kingdom principle).
• How sponsorships can silence your convictions—and what freedom looks like.
• 4 practical flipside practices for building influence God’s way.

• Proverbs 29:25 – “The fear of man lays a snare.”
• Romans 12:2 – “Do not conform to the pattern of this world.”
• Matthew 6:1 – “Do not practice your righteousness before men to be seen by them.”
• John 8:32 – “The truth will set you free.”

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Influence isn’t evil—it’s powerful. But if you chase it without integrity, it will eat you alive. The good news? You can build influence that heals, restores, and points people to something greater than yourself.

That’s relational leadership. That’s Kingdom purpose.

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If you’ve ever felt like life was unbearably heavy—so heavy you wanted to quit—you’re not alone. In this raw and practical episode, Jim Burgoon opens up about depression, burnout, and what Scripture and psychology both reveal about navigating soul-tired seasons.

Through biblical truth, psychological research, and lived experience, Jim shares why heaviness doesn’t disqualify you from your calling—and the surprising truth nobody tells you about depression and burnout.

This isn’t a pep talk. This is a roadmap to rise again.

• Why depression and heaviness are human responses, not weakness.
• The connection between chronic stress, burnout, and your nervous system.
• What Scripture shows us through David, Elijah, and Jesus about soul-heaviness.
• The R.I.S.E. framework: 4 steps to remember when you want to give up.
• A simple Mind–Heart–Body check-in to reset your life.
• Why hobbies, novelty, and creativity can actually rewire your brain with hope.

1. Heaviness ≠ brokenness. It’s a human response to prolonged stress.
2. You are still called—even when you feel soul-tired.
3. Small steps stack into momentum. Don’t underestimate the power of one action.
4. Healing comes through community, faith, and radical acceptance.
5. Your mind, heart, and body all need regular check-ins.

• Psalm 42:5 – “Why, my soul, are you downcast? … Put your hope in God.”
• Hebrews 12:2 – “For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross.”
• Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 – “Two are better than one…”
• Philippians 4:8 – “Whatever is true, noble, right, pure…think on these things.”
• Matthew 11:28 – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened…”

If you’re walking through a heavy season right now, you’re not broken—and you’re not disqualified. God’s call on your life has not changed. Take one small step today, invite God and others into it, and remember: you are still called.

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