Ascension of the Warrior - Master Craftsman’s Design

Day 1065 Defiled or Devoted: What Are You Producing? Episode 98

It’s not what you consume that defines you—it’s what you produce.”Today on the podcast, we’re diving into a hard truth straight from the words of Jesus in Mark 7:18–20. And it might just flip the way you think about your body, your worship, and your walk with God.
For a long time, I thought the battle was in what I was consuming—what I ate, drank, or allowed in. But Jesus makes something crystal clear: what goes into your body isn’t what defiles you. It’s what comes out of you that reveals what’s really going on in your heart.
"This morning in my Bible stack, I heard it loud and clear. My body is the temple of the Lord. It’s not just a shell. It’s not just a vehicle. It’s the gateway to worship. And what I produce through this body—my energy, my actions, my words—either brings glory to God or defiles what He has entrusted to me.
See, we live in a world that obsesses over what goes in. But Jesus flips the script. He says, “Watch what comes out.” Are your actions holy? Are your words building or breaking? Is your work done as a living sacrifice or a lazy excuse?
This is about stewardship. This is about worship. And it starts in the mirror.
Call to Action:So here’s the question I leave you with: Are you defiling or honoring God’s temple?
Look at your life. Look at your fruit. What’s flowing from your heart and your body?
Because the truth is—what comes out of you is the clearest reflection of what you believe.
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Day 1064 From the Grave to the Call: Leading After Loss Episode 97

In this raw and powerful episode of Ascension of the Warrior, Rick shares the darkest chapter of his life—the day he buried his 3-year-old daughter and the decades of silence, shame, and struggle that followed. For 32 years, he believed his leadership died that day too. But God had another plan.
This episode is for every man who has ever felt unworthy, unseen, or stuck in a silent pit of pain. Rick speaks directly to the broken-hearted father, the failing husband, and the man who doesn’t know how to lead himself, let alone his family. He reveals the hard truth about unanswered prayers, the weight of loss, and the long road to becoming a warrior for Christ.
If you’ve ever asked God for answers and heard nothing back—this is your call to rise.
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Day 1063 When the Mission Breaks Your Heart: The Real Cost of a Kingdom Business Episode 96

What happens when your calling collides with your deepest wound? In this raw and emotional episode, Rick shares a powerful story about a cross ordered for a young girl fighting cancer—and how it triggered memories of losing his own daughter 32 years ago.
This isn’t about profit. It’s about purpose. It’s about surrender. And it’s about understanding what a Kingdom business really looks like—not one built for money, but one forged in obedience, sacrifice, and love.
If you’ve ever wrestled with what God is asking you to do—especially when it makes no sense—this episode will speak directly to your soul.
You’ll hear:
The painful truth behind a father’s grief
Why Kingdom business starts with surrender, not strategy
The real meaning behind giving when it hurts
How God uses our deepest pain to fulfill His highest purpose
This is the mission. This is the call. This is the Ascension of the Warrior.
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Day 1062 The Blue Flame and the Book of Daniel: A Father's Calling to Rise Episode 95

In this powerful episode of Ascension of the Warrior, Rick dives into the prophetic message of Daniel 12 and the personal visions God has revealed through grief, divine encounters, and spiritual stacking. After losing his daughter 32 years ago, Rick recounts a chilling blue flame encounter that reconnected him to his calling. You’ll discover how the Book of Daniel mirrors our modern battles and how God still speaks—through mentors, visions, strangers, and Scripture. If you've lost a child or are walking through the pain of unanswered prayers, this is a message you won’t want to miss. God is calling you to rise. This is the moment to stop, submit, and ascend.
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Day 1061 I Did the Thing: Breaking the Plateau and Becoming the Man God Designed Episode 94

In Episode 94 of Ascension of the Warrior, Rick opens up about a critical breakthrough in his journey as a man, a husband, and a leader. After years of struggling with a plateau in his health and confidence, he finally did the one thing he’s been resisting—he hired a coach. This episode dives deep into why men stall in their growth, how pride and fear block progress, and why investing in yourself is the key to unlocking who you were truly designed to be. Rick shares powerful lessons from his own transformation, his book The Ascension of the Warrior, and why now is the time to stop playing small. If you're stuck, plateaued, or hiding from the man you know you're meant to be—this is the wake-up call you've been waiting for.
 
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Day 1060 Embrace the Call: You Are the Kingdom Episode 93

What if your business isn’t the Kingdom… but you are? In this powerful solo episode, Rick unpacks Step 8 from The Ascension of the Warrior: The Master Craftsman's Design—a call to embrace your divine mission even when it feels lonely, misunderstood, or foolish to the world. This isn’t about building a “kingdom business” by name, but becoming the kind of man who walks in true obedience and identity as one with the Father. Learn what it really means to live out your calling, lead your family, and steward your life for God’s glory—from the inside out.
You don’t need a title, platform, or permission. You’ve already been called. The only question is—will you answer?
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Day 1059 Humbled to Rise: The Power of Putting Others First on the Path to Ascension Episode 92

In Episode 92, Rick shares a vulnerable message on the power of humility and what it truly means to ascend as a warrior of God. As men, fathers, and leaders, we often struggle with pride, ego, and unmet desires, failing to see that true strength lies in submission and serving others. Rick unpacks what it looks like to put others’ needs before your own, to humble yourself before God, and to stop lying about where you are. This episode is a battle cry to stop edging God out and start living the truth every day—with your body, your relationships, your purpose, and your spiritual walk.
If you've ever felt unseen, driven by ego, or unsure how to lead your family and life with faith and clarity, this episode is for you. Come discover how the daily act of humility can radically reshape your journey from pit to purpose.

Day1058 Stop Lying to Yourself: The Truth That Sets Men Free Episode 91

In Episode 91 of The Ascension of the Warrior, Rick Kauffman exposes the brutal truth most men avoid, especially those over 50. Drawing from John 8:31-32, Rick reveals what it means to be a true disciple of Christ, and why showing up at church on Sunday isn’t enough. He opens up about the pain of losing his daughter 32 years ago, his personal health struggles, and how men stay stuck in the plateau of life because they refuse to raise their intensity and live by the Warrior’s Code. This episode is a raw, powerful challenge to stop lying to yourself and start ascending in body, being, balance, and business. If you're tired of spinning your wheels and ready to break free from mediocrity, this episode will show you how to rise.
 
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Day 1057 The Cost of a False Balance: Living Fully Aligned in Body, Being, Balance, and Business Episode 90

In today's episode of Ascension of the Warrior, we dive deep into Proverbs 11:1-2 and confront a hard truth—are we living in true alignment or lying to ourselves? Rick exposes the subtle ways we operate with a "false balance," half-showing up in our body, faith, family, and business. This powerful episode challenges men to stop just checking boxes and instead show up with full integrity in every area of life.Discover how false pride keeps us stuck, how excuses keep us trapped, and why God calls us to walk in full truth and humility. If you're tired of partial living and ready to live by the Code, this episode is a must-listen.
 
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Day 1056 Building a Family on the Rock: Choosing God Over the World Episode 89

In this heartfelt episode of The Ascension of the Warrior Podcast, Rick and Lori open up about their journey of trusting God through family challenges, military life, and blended family dynamics. They share the story of their son’s inspiring transformation and how putting God at the center of their lives changed everything—from communication, to parenting, to personal growth. Through struggles, judgments, and trials, they show how building your life on the Rock—Jesus Christ—leads to true peace and success. If you're seeking real conversations about faith, family restoration, and living God's way in a broken world, this episode will inspire you.
Discover how to move from chaos to Kingdom living, and why your foundation matters more than anything else.
 
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