A storm with towering waves has a way of stripping life down to what’s real. When Dr. Arnie Cole found himself staring up at water he was sure would kill him, every confident system he’d built collapsed in seconds and a raw, honest prayer rose in its place. That night didn’t just save his life. It rerouted it, launching a late-in-life faith story that still shapes how he thinks about purpose, behavior change, and what it means to finish well.
We talk with Arnie from Lincoln, Nebraska about his unlikely path: from a Christian upbringing to walking away at 19, to building a high-impact career in behavior modification and human-centered design, then retiring early and discovering that comfort can quietly become a cage. He shares how he and his wife, both former Christian skeptics, stepped into church again, learned ministry through Mission Aviation Fellowship and YWAM, and eventually helped transform Back to the Bible from a traditional radio model into a digital discipleship ministry focused on daily spiritual fitness. We also dig into the practical side of personalized Bible engagement, including tools like BTTB.ai designed to meet people where they actually are.
Then we get to the heart of his new book, The Over 50 Advantage, and the research that sparked it: many Christians over 50 report worry and criticizing others as top struggles, and many admit they rarely share their faith despite deep Bible knowledge. Arnie argues that retirement culture can sideline the most equipped generation, and he offers a better framework: define what “a win” is now, become your own advocate, and choose daily steps that move you closer to Jesus than yesterday. If you’re rethinking retirement, craving renewed purpose, or wondering why spiritual growth feels stalled, this conversation will challenge you in the best way.
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"Amazing Greats" is a library of interviews with highly successful people who have amazing career and life stories and who share how God has impacted their journey. Hosted by broadcaster Ric Hansen & produced by Klem Daniels. Available on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, Google and our YouTube Channel.
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