EP 98: What a Man “Should” Be with A.J. Swoboda

In Faith Journey, Podcast, Spiritual Growth by A.J. Swoboda

Why is it so hard for men to ask for help?

Or admit they don’t know something?

Or be open enough to be vulnerable?

Whether through our upbringing, our theological beliefs, or our personal views on masculinity, we all bring preconceived ideas to the table of what a man “should” be.

But as challenging as they might be, what if those avenues of humility, vulnerability, and other people were the exact things God wanted to use to make you a better and more Christlike man?

In this conversation, Dean chats with A.J. Swoboda, a husband, father, professor, and author who has written a new book, A Teachable Spirit: The Virtue of Learning from Strangers, Enemies, and Absolutely Anyone.

Dean and A.J. challenge traditional notions of masculinity, arguing that true manhood is rooted in vulnerability and the recognition of one’s need for support from others, and there is great work that God can do when men are willing to walk that path.

True masculinity is not about having it all together. Join us for this engaging conversation about what this means and how we can live it out.


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About
A.J. Swoboda
A.J. Swoboda (PhD) is an associate professor of Bible and Theology at Bushnell University and lead mentor for the Doctor of Ministry Program on Spiritual Formation and Soul Care at Friends University. He is the author of many books, including The Gift of Thorns, After Doubt, and the award-winning Subversive Sabbath. He hosts the Slow Theology podcast (w/ Dr. Nijay Gupta) and writes the widely read Low-Level Theologian Substack. A.J. lives and works on an urban farm with his wife and son in Eugene, Oregon.
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A.J. Swoboda
A.J. Swoboda (PhD) is an associate professor of Bible and Theology at Bushnell University and lead mentor for the Doctor of Ministry Program on Spiritual Formation and Soul Care at Friends University. He is the author of many books, including The Gift of Thorns, After Doubt, and the award-winning Subversive Sabbath. He hosts the Slow Theology podcast (w/ Dr. Nijay Gupta) and writes the widely read Low-Level Theologian Substack. A.J. lives and works on an urban farm with his wife and son in Eugene, Oregon.