🎙️ I’m Here For It with Josh Ott and Friends
Real conversations. Real people. Real life.
Life is messy, meaningful, hilarious, and hard—and we’re here for it. Every episode, pastor, coach, strategy specialist, and author Josh Ott sits down with friends, thought leaders, and everyday people to talk about what really matters (and some things that don’t). From the deeply personal to the totally ridiculous, nothing’s off limits.
We laugh. We cry. We ask honest questions. We embrace the awkward. And through it all, we stay rooted in authenticity, purpose, and a whole lot of grace.
If you’re tired of the fake and craving something real—you just found your people.
New episodes weekly. Subscribe and join the conversation.
#RealTalk #FaithAndLife #JoshOtt #ImHereForIt
Ep. 18 – Thank You for the Ride & Jordan Brothers’ Story (with Frank Jordan)
Frank Jordan, of The Jordan Brothers, sits with me for a conversation that spans decades — family, music, grit, and the lessons you don’t always hear about.
We dig into their history, the making of “Thank You for the Ride,” what working with family looks like when things get messy, and how the values of respect, belief in others, and staying real still matter.
9 Sept 2025
Ep. 17 – Baseball Lessons, Better Health & Breaking the Norms (with Dr. Buddy Touchinsky)
In this episode, I talk with Dr. Buddy Touchinsky, founder of PEAK Integrative Medicine.
We share stories from baseball, the coaches who shaped us, and the life lessons that still stick: things like if you have to work through the cold, others do too and always be a student of the game.
Then we connect those lessons to health: small habits, sleep, food, screens, and why the medical system often misses the point. Buddy’s approach at PEAK is simple but powerful: Real answers. A clear plan. Finally feel good again.
This one’s about awareness, breaking unhealthy norms, and refusing to settle for complacency.
26 Aug 2025
Ep. 16 – Seeing a Need & Stepping Up (with Lindsey Gibson & Abby Carr)
In this episode, I talk with Lindsey Gibson and Abby Carr — two young women who started the Hamburg chapter of The Invitation, a ministry connecting young women around community and faith.
We dig into what it means to wait for God’s timing, how to stay faithful when it feels like nothing is happening, and why real relationships require risk and vulnerability.
It’s a conversation about seeing a need, stepping up, and finding hope in community. Whether you’re young, old, churched, or not — there’s something here for you.
19 Aug 2025
Ep. 15 – The Actual Jesus, Honest Pastors & Real Life (with Joe Henseler)
This episode is a real one.I sit down with my friend Joe Henseler, lead pastor of Faith Church in the Lehigh Valley, dad of three grown sons, and a guy who knows how to keep things honest.
We talk about parenting, technology, grief, funerals, and what it’s like to lead when you’re not perfect. Joe opens up about abuse from his father, the moment he realized he wasn’t everything those words said he was, and how following the actual Jesus changes everything.
It’s funny, raw, and deeply encouraging. Whether you’re in church, out of church, or not sure what you think about church — you’ll get something from this conversation.
12 Aug 2025
Life After the Stroke | Gary Gibson’s Story of Love, Grit & Not Giving Up (Ep. 014)
Gary Gibson was living life in the fast lane — a good career, engaged, active, and spending time with friends at the bar every day. But after getting COVID, everything changed. Just as he was about to be discharged from the hospital, he had a stroke on FaceTime with his fiancée, Jen.
The surgery saved his life but left him without movement on his right side, unable to walk or talk. In an instant, he went from planning a wedding to wondering if he’d ever live independently again.
Gary didn’t give up. He fought for every inch — relearning to walk, talk, and drive. He married Jen (I had the honor of officiating — the rehearsal was the day my dad died), and today they’re raising two beautiful daughters.
This conversation is about resilience, relentless love, and finding life on the other side of devastation. It’s proof that even when you think it’s over, good can still come. (It reminds me of the verse in Romans 8:28 — “God works in all things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.”)
In this episode:💪 Life after a massive stroke❤️ The strength of a spouse’s love🚶♂️ Relearning the basics — and the grit it takes to keep going🌅 Why there’s hope on the other side of loss
🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.💬 Drop a comment if Gary’s story inspires you — it helps more people find real conversations like this.
#GaryGibson #NeverGiveUp #StrokeSurvivor #Resilience #LoveStory #LifeAfterStroke #Faith #Romans828 #ImHereForItPodcast
5 Aug 2025
Flip the Switch. Bring the Show. (Ep. 013) | Ken Gibson on Creativity, Leadership & Belief
Ken Gibson is the Music Director at Pine Grove Area High School — and if you’ve ever seen the marching band, drama program, or concert performances there, you’ve seen his creativity in action.
In this episode, we talk about:🎭 Why creativity needs room to breathe🎷 Getting rejected from music school and how it shaped his story🎤 The power of performance — and turning on “the show”🙌 How believing in someone can change everything🧠 Leadership lessons from Disney (yes, really)🎸 His band Rusted Rhythmn and why he keeps creating outside of school too
This one's for the teachers, creatives, performers, encouragers, and anyone who’s ever had to keep going after hearing “you’re not good enough.”
🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, and wherever you get podcasts💬 Subscribe, like, and drop a comment — it helps more people find real conversations like this
#KenGibson #Creativity #Leadership #MarchingBand #MusicEducation #RustedRhythmn #FaithInPeople #ImHereForItPodcast
29 Jul 2025
Faith, Baseball & Coming Back Strong | Ben Kreiger on Priorities, Pressure & Purpose
Ben Kreiger wears a lot of hats — high school baseball coach, safety manager at Hydro Aluminum, guitarist for Houligan and Grace Worship — but this conversation is about way more than his résumé.
In this episode, we dive into:⚾ Coaching through a district championship season and a heartbreaking state playoff loss🙏 What it looks like to come back to faith after drifting🧠 Learning to prioritize what really matters in a world that pulls you everywhere🎸 Living with integrity on the field, on stage, and in everyday life
It’s a story of resilience, leadership, and showing up where it counts. Whether you love baseball, music, or just want to grow your faith and purpose — this one’s for you.
🔔 Don’t forget to follow the show and share it with someone who needs real talk about life, faith, and leadership.
#BenKreiger #BaseballCoach #FaithJourney #Priorities #Leadership #ImHereForItPodcast #ChristianPodcast
15 Jul 2025
I’m Here For It | Ep. 011 – Songs, Struggles & the Studio (with Maddie Zimmerman)
Maddie Zimmerman is a powerhouse vocalist and songwriter—and one of the lead worship leaders at Grace Free Church. But behind the voice is a story full of creativity, mental health battles, ADHD ups and downs, and the sacred way songwriting helps her make sense of it all.
In this warm and honest episode, Maddie talks about the tension between struggle and art, the gift and chaos of ADHD, why medication shouldn’t carry shame, and how her songwriting is less about performance and more about processing real life.
We talk music production, creativity, self-worth, and how God uses all of it—not just the polished stuff.
🎧 Let’s get into it: Songs, Struggles, and the Studio.
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I’m Here For It with Josh Ott and FriendsReal talk. Real life. Real hope.
8 Jul 2025
#010 – Brandon Horan – Faith, Drums & Philly Grit in the Middle of the Fight
This episode hits deep and close to home.
Brandon Horan is a teacher, coach, drummer, girl dad, and my good friend — the kind of guy I can angry text during an Eagles game and then cry with over what really matters.
We talk about what it was like walking through his daughter’s cancer diagnosis and treatment, how it wrecked him and grew him, and how his faith got stronger in the middle of all of it. We also get into why he “hated” my preaching (his words, not mine), and how growth usually shows up in uncomfortable places.
This one’s about friendship, grit, service, sports, faith, and fighting for the people you love — and it’s one of the most real convos we’ve had on the show.
We’re here for all of it.
1 Jul 2025
#009 – Lucas Hahn – Bus Rides, Better Days & Getting 1% Stronger
We grew up riding buses through Cressona, PA—blue-collar roots, small town grind, and a whole lot of lessons that didn’t come from a classroom. In this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend Lucas Hahn—author of Lean Into It—to talk about how the principles behind Lean Six Sigma aren’t just for factories or business nerds.
We’re talking about:
Why working hard matters (but working smart matters more)
How to get 1% better every day
Measuring what actually helps your relationships
Where to even start when life feels stuck
And why the culture around you always beats the tools you try to use
This one’s packed with throwbacks, real-life wisdom, and ideas you can actually use—at work, at home, in whatever chaos you're navigating.
Grab Lucas’s book: Lean Into It on AmazonMore episodes + info at imhereforitpod.com
17 Jun 2025
#008 – Alyssa O’Neill – Limiting Beliefs, Leading Women & Living Beyond the Labels
In this episode, I sit down with my friend Alyssa O’Neill, an independent sales director, leader, mom of four, and one of the most driven, thoughtful people I know.
We talk about:
Pushing past limiting beliefs — including her own
Why her job is about so much more than makeup
Helping others get unstuck by serving and seeing others
Visionary thinking — and why you need other big thinkers at the table
How she keeps everything in harmony (not balance) through rhythms that ground her
And the real challenges of being a woman, a leader, and a mom — without losing yourself in the process
This conversation is vulnerable, motivating, and full of practical wisdom. Whether you're leading a team, raising kids, or rebuilding your confidence — Alyssa’s story will hit home.
🎧 I’m Here For It – Episode 008Now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and wherever you listen.
10 Jun 2025
#007 – Curtis Artz – Refereeing, Heart Attacks & Loving the Life You Get to Live
In this episode, I sit down with my friend Curtis Artz — a top-level soccer official who’s reffed state championship games and built a reputation for excellence on and off the field.
We talk about what it really takes to get better at what you do: staying humble, being a student of the game (and life), and building real relationships along the way. Curtis also shares about surviving two heart attacks and what it’s taught him — not just about health, but about what really matters.
This one’s about more than soccer. It’s about slowing down, paying attention, and learning to love the life you get to live.
🎧 I’m Here For It – Episode 007Now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and wherever you listen.
3 Jun 2025
#006 – Kathy McCaw – Real Talk on Marriage, Therapy, Compatibility & Church Hurt
In this episode, I sit down with licensed marriage and family therapist Kathy McCaw for an honest and eye-opening conversation about relationships, therapy, and what really helps people grow.
We talk about:
What getting stuck — and how to get unstuck
Why compatibility matters
The assumptions people make about therapists
How curiosity can be a secret superpower in relationships
And the real impact of church hurt and healing
It’s thoughtful, funny, and full of real-life wisdom from someone who sits with people in their hardest moments — and helps them move forward.
🎧 I’m Here For It – Episode 006Streaming now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and wherever you listen.
27 May 2025
#005 – Brody Gray – Cool Under Pressure, Imposter Syndrome, and Creating What Connects | I’m Here For It Podcast
In this episode of I’m Here For It, Josh sits down with artist, designer, and guitarist Brody Gray. You’ve seen him play with the Nick Tauer Band and in the Grace Worship Band — but there’s a lot more going on beneath the calm, cool surface.
They dive into what it’s like to create under pressure, the trap of imposter syndrome, and the overlooked importance of designing not just for expression but for reception. They also get into what it means to show up, keep your cool, and grow through it all.
Whether you’re a creative, an anxious achiever, or just someone who’s ever felt like a fraud — this one’s for you.
20 May 2025
#004 – Dr. Shawn Fitzpatrick – Educating Through the Tough Stuff, Rejection, and Leading Past No | I’m Here For It Podcast
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Shawn Fitzpatrick — Superintendent of the Schuylkill Haven Area School District, dirt track racer, former radio guy, and all-around creative thinker.
We talk about leading through rejection, the tough stuff educators are facing, and why asking “What can we do?” is way more powerful than just saying no. We also get into the importance of movement, why kids are more resilient than we think, and how thinking outside the box isn’t just a leadership strategy — it’s a survival skill.
This one is full of insight, energy, and perspective on what it looks like to lead well in hard spaces — with heart, creativity, and grit.
Whether you’re leading a team, raising kids, working in education, or just trying to show up well in your world… this one’s for you.
We’re here for all of it.
13 May 2025
#003 – Scott Chivinski – Surviving the Fall and Showing Up for Others | I’m Here For It Podcast
In this episode, I sit down with my friend Scott Chivinski to talk about the accident that nearly ended his life — and the powerful moments that followed.
We talk about coincidences, how God shows up through people, and why simply being present might be the most important thing we can offer one another.
It’s a story about physical healing, spiritual growth, and how hope often comes in the form of people showing up for people.
If you’ve ever wondered what to do when someone is hurting — or how to keep going when you’re the one in pain — this conversation is for you.
We’re here for all of it.
6 May 2025
#002 – Wayne Herring – Coaching, Loss, and the Power of “This Might Sound Crazy…”
In this episode, I sit down with my friend Wayne Herring — creator of Business Builder Camp, leadership coach, dad, recovering addict, and one of the most intentional people I know.
We talk about coaching business leaders, chasing inspiration, and why the best breakthroughs often begin with, “This might sound crazy, but…”
Wayne opens up about staying grounded in long-term recovery, and grieving the recent loss of his grandfather — the man who raised him. It’s raw, thoughtful, and full of the kind of wisdom that only comes from showing up fully in life.
If you’ve ever felt stuck, or just looking for something deeper — this one’s for you.
We’re here for all of it.
29 Apr 2025
#001 - Emily Gardner - I’m Here For It Podcast
The Beautiful Mess of Anxiety, Grief, and Motherhood
In this episode, Josh sits down with Emily Gardner — communications director, podcast co-host, pastor’s wife, mom of two, and professional juggler of all the things (official title pending).
They dive into the real stuff: navigating anxiety while raising tiny humans, grieving the loss of someone you love deeply, and trying to hold it all together (or not) when life gets overwhelming. It’s funny, it’s honest, and it’s full of those “me too” moments we all need.
From belly laughs to hard-won wisdom, Emily shares how she's learning to show up for her family, her faith, and herself — even when the road gets messy.
If you’ve ever wrestled with mental health, grief, parenting, or just staying human in a crazy world — you’re going to feel right at home here. We’re here for it.
16 Apr 2025
Episode Zero: I’m Here For It
It’s finally happening. After years of producing and editing podcasts for other people, I’m stepping up to the mic with something that’s been on my heart and mind for a long time.
This is I’m Here For It — a space where big feels, bigger laughs, and zero fake vibes are always on the table. Welcome to the beautiful mess of what it means to be human. This podcast might just be the dose of authenticity you’ve been craving.
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