Send a text to suggest topics you’d like to hear!

Former athlete turned pastor Sam Gonzalez unpacks what it really means to surrender your life to God. From growing up in a broken household to placing identity in sports, Sam shares how faith became real — not just a routine.

✝️ Topics We Cover:

Finding identity beyond sports and statistics

The difference between belief and surrender

Healing father wounds through Christ

Wrestling with God (Genesis 32)

What 1 Corinthians 9 says about discipline and faith

Being forgiven even when you feel unworthy

Chapters:
00:00 – Meet Sam Gonzales
01:00 – Childhood, Faith, and a Divided Household
03:00 – Belief vs. Surrender to God
06:00 – First Encounter with the Holy Spirit
10:00 – Identity Crisis After Injury
13:00 – The Church Conference That Changed Everything
16:00 – Wrestling with Past, Forgiveness, and Identity
21:00 – Finding Peace Beyond Performance
24:00 – The High School Hockey Game That Changed Everything
30:00 – Dealing with Anger and Healing from Family Wounds
34:00 – The Power of Forgiveness in Christ
38:00 – Hebrews 10:14 and the Weight of Grace
41:00 – Why Church Isn't a Building — It’s the Relationship
45:00 – Genesis 32 & 1 Corinthians 9 Explained
48:00 – The Purpose Behind Kingdom Athletes Podcast
52:00 – Final Message to Anyone Struggling with Identity

🔗 Follow Sam Gonzales / Kingdom Athletes:
📺 YouTube — @TheKingdomAthletes
📸 Instagram — @thekingdomathletes
🎵 TikTok — @thekingdomathletes


🎙️ Follow Me:
TikTok: @paullymtv @theopenexchangepodcast
Instagram: @paullyym @theopenexchangepodcast
Email: Theopenexchangepodcast@gmail.com
Subscribe: / @paullyymm

🎙️ Other ways to listen:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-open-exchange-with-paul-martinez/id1733876904

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Qh1HPG7IF9vlI1Sy21gST


Podcast

#Conversations #PersonalDevelopment #Faith #Inspiration #StoryTelling #Podcast

Support the show

'Virtual Tip Jar' - Donate to my show to keep me going! Thank you!

Paypal: https://paypal.me/PaulMartinez89?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US (PaulMartinez89)
Venmo: https://venmo.com/u/Paullyymm (Paullyymm)

Send a text to suggest topics you’d like to hear!

In this episode, filmmaker and business owner Brian Kuenn joins Paul Martinez for an open exchange about faith, fatherhood, and finding purpose in chaos. From Best Buy coworkers to family men and creators, the two reconnect to explore questions many men are silently asking:

Why do we drift from faith?
Can success and spirituality coexist?
How do we lead our families when we feel lost ourselves?

Brian shares how he balances business, belief, and burnout as a new father while running Kuenn Productions with his wife. Paul opens up about spiritual doubt, judgment, and his journey back to clarity.

🎧 Topics Include:

The “drifter” mindset from Outwitting the Devil

The role of distractions in spiritual life

How men lead (or get lost) in fatherhood and business

Breaking down storytelling and film structure

Daily habits that keep you spiritually and mentally grounded

0:00 - Reconnecting & Old Best Buy Days
3:05 - Why So Many People Drift from Faith
7:30 - Idolatry, Distractions & The Phone in Our Pocket
13:50 - Paul’s Dream of Walking on Water
18:00 - The Tension Between Obedience & Enjoyment
21:10 - Hypocrisy in Modern Christianity
26:20 - David’s Story & Grace in the Bible
30:00 - Faith, Chaos, and Fatherhood
35:00 - Study Bibles, YouTube Sermons & The Bible Project
38:30 - Building a Business with Your Spouse
43:00 - Turning Hobby into Career: Short Films & Cinematics
46:30 - Storytelling 101: Conflict, Action, Resolution
49:00 - Final Reflections on Faith, Creativity & Growth

Follow Brian:
🎥 Instagram: @KuennProductions
Website: https://www.kuennphotovideo.com/


🎙️ Follow Me:
TikTok: @paullymtv @theopenexchangepodcast
Instagram: @paullyym @theopenexchangepodcast
Email: Theopenexchangepodcast@gmail.com
YouTube: / @paullyymm

🎙️ Other ways to listen:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-open-exchange-with-paul-martinez/id1733876904

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Qh1HPG7IF9vlI1Sy21gST


Podcast

#Conversations #PersonalDevelopment #Faith #Inspiration #StoryTelling #Podcast

Support the show

'Virtual Tip Jar' - Donate to my show to keep me going! Thank you!

Paypal: https://paypal.me/PaulMartinez89?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US (PaulMartinez89)
Venmo: https://venmo.com/u/Paullyymm (Paullyymm)

Send a text to suggest topics you’d like to hear!

In this episode of The Open Exchange with Paul Martinez, Tyler Gonzales returns to share the raw truth behind his transformation from a struggling young business owner to a community leader balancing faith, family, sobriety, and success.

We dive deep into Tyler's personal manifesto — a self-written guide that helps him stay grounded through the chaos of fatherhood, business ownership, and past trauma. Tyler opens up about facing alcohol abuse, burnout, and criticism, while building TMG Disaster Services into one of the most trusted names in emergency plumbing and mitigation services.

We discuss:

How to lead others by first leading yourself

The danger of chasing dopamine through money or substances

What it means to be a present father while working 20-hour days

Using faith and mindset shifts to rebuild from setbacks

The power of daily habits, mentors, and self-discipline

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, father, or someone on a journey of self-discovery, this episode will challenge you to go deeper, stay consistent, and redefine what success truly means.

0:00 – Writing a Personal Manifesto
2:00 – Struggling with Faith & Alignment
4:45 – Detaching Success from Money
7:00 – The Importance of Mental Health in Leadership
10:00 – What Tyler’s Daily Routine Looks Like Now
12:30 – Building a Team That Can Operate Without You
14:00 – Balancing Family, Fatherhood & Business
17:00 – Getting Honest About Mistakes & Alcohol Abuse
21:00 – Facing Yourself: The Power of Reflection
25:00 – Kids, Legacy & the Myth of Work-Life Balance
30:00 – Why Tyler’s Still Pushing Himself Hard
34:30 – Mentors, Systems & Staying Grounded
38:00 – The Role of Faith & Spiritual Health
41:00 – Final Thoughts on Growth, Branding & Impact



🎙️ Follow Me:
TikTok: @paullymtv @theopenexchangepodcast
Instagram: @paullyym @theopenexchangepodcast
Email: Theopenexchangepodcast@gmail.com
Subscribe: / @paullyymm

🎙️ Other ways to listen:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Paullyymm

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-open-exchange-with-paul-martinez/id1733876904

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Qh1HPG7IF9vlI1Sy21gST


Podcast

#Conversations #PersonalDevelopment #Faith #Inspiration #StoryTelling #Podcast

Support the show

'Virtual Tip Jar' - Donate to my show to keep me going! Thank you!

Paypal: https://paypal.me/PaulMartinez89?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US (PaulMartinez89)
Venmo: https://venmo.com/u/Paullyymm (Paullyymm)