Shows
Ordinary Discipleship PodcastMessiness in the Design: From Conflict to CommunityWhat if conflict isn't something to avoid—but something God actually designed for our growth? In this episode, Jessie, Chris and Jacob dive into the messiness of relationships, discipleship, and community. With stories ranging from roller derby and MMA training to awkward church staff meetings and theological tension, this conversation explores how conflict, when embraced and handled well, can become a catalyst for transformation. Whether you're navigating hard conversations in your church, your marriage, or your leadership team, this episode offers wisdom, laughter, and practical insight into how messiness might just be part of God's good and perfect design....2025-04-2125 min
The Dr. Virga PodcastSpecial Guest: US Army Combat Medic (Ret.) & CEO of Tactics 2 ToysSend us a textFrom the front lines to figurines — in this episode of the Dr. Virga Podcast, I sit down with retired Army combat medic and owner of Tactics 2 Toys, Anthony Ciotti. We dive into his 30+ years of military service, how he turned a love for pop culture into a thriving collectibles business, and the ups and downs of veteran entrepreneurship. If you're a fan of horror, hip hop, D&D, or just a good underdog story — this one’s for you.🎧 Available on: YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeartRadio🛒 Check out Ant...2025-04-211h 03
The Dr. Virga PodcastComing Soon... Tactics 2 Toys CEO Anthony Ciotti (US ARMY Ret.)Send us a textSpecial Guest: Anthony Ciotti, US ARMY Combat Medic, RetiredSupport the showWelcome to Jessie Virga’s channel, where she shares insights on her wide array of interests. Jessie also hosts an audio podcast (link below). Jessie Virga hails from the Bronx and has an extensive background in security and defense, having spent 10 years in the military in various security roles. Following her military service, she pursued a degree in Cognitive Behavioral Neuroscience from UCSD and briefly pursued medical school. Realizing her true passion lay elsewhere, she tr...2025-04-181h 03
The Dr. Virga PodcastSpecial Guest: No More 9 to 5 Club CEO Jason McNamaraSend us a textIn this episode, I sit down with Navy veteran and entrepreneur Jason McNamara, founder of the No More 9 to 5 Club & Foundation. From Guantanamo Bay to top-tier sales to building a life of purpose and peace, Jason shares powerful lessons on trusting your gut, building generational wealth, and creating businesses that serve people—not just profits. Whether you’re a veteran, aspiring entrepreneur, or just tired of the 9 to 5 grind, this episode will leave you inspired to take control of your life.🎧 Tune in now and take the first step toward your own 9 t...2025-04-1443 minOrdinary Discipleship PodcastGrowing Faith in Safe Places: A Guide to Trauma-Informed DiscipleshipWhat does it mean to disciple people who carry unseen wounds? In this episode, Jessie Cruickshank explores trauma-informed discipleship—what it is, why it matters, and how it can transform the way we help others grow in Christ. Jessie shares how neuroscience and spiritual formation intersect, the importance of psychological safety in Christian community, and how leaders can create spaces where people can heal and be formed into the likeness of Jesus. Whether you're a pastor, small group leader, or someone walking alongside others, this conversation offers practical insight and deep encouragement.
ORDER Jessie’s newest book...2025-04-0828 min
The Dr. Virga PodcastSpecial Guest: US Navy Vet & Twin Screws Foundation Owner - Jesse CookSend us a textIn this episode, I sit down with Jesse Cook, founder of Twin Screws Foundation, to talk about hunting as therapy, the veteran mental health crisis, and why doing hard things in nature might be the key to healing. From submarines to elk hunts, Jesse's story is raw, powerful, and deeply inspiring.Links:Website: https://www.jessievirga.com/episode29Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drvirga Podcast equipment: https://amzn.to/3BxWVTfBook list: https://amzn.to/3zYwYMoSupport the showWelcome to Jessie Virga’s c...2025-03-311h 51
The Dr. Virga PodcastComing Soon... US Navy Vet & Twin Screws Foundation Owner - Jesse CookSend us a textSpecial Guest Jesse Cook 🎙️🔔 LIKE, SUBSCRIBE & TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS to stay updated on new episodes!Support the showWelcome to Jessie Virga’s channel, where she shares insights on her wide array of interests. Jessie also hosts an audio podcast (link below). Jessie Virga hails from the Bronx and has an extensive background in security and defense, having spent 10 years in the military in various security roles. Following her military service, she pursued a degree in Cognitive Behavioral Neuroscience from UCSD and briefly pursued me...2025-03-2700 minOrdinary Discipleship PodcastEnding Well: How to Navigate the Closing Chapters of DiscipleshipIn this episode of the Ordinary Discipleship Podcast, Chris, Jacob, and Jessie dive into a topic many avoid—how to navigate the endings of discipleship relationships. While the beginning of a mentoring journey is often exciting, knowing when and how to conclude a season of discipleship can be challenging.Together, they explore these key questions:How do you discern when a discipleship relationship should change or end?What does a healthy, fruitful ending look like?How can you redefine the relationship without losing the good work God has done?With personal stories and practical wisdom, Je...2025-03-2422 min
The Dr. Virga PodcastSpecial Guest: US Navy Vet, Real Estate Investor & Entrepreneur - Trevor MethenaSend us a textWith a real estate portfolio of over 20 properties, Navy veteran Trevor Methena now runs a successful HomeSmiles franchise in Austin, Texas—all while balancing a full-time job and family life. In this episode, we dive into his journey from military service to entrepreneurship, how he built his rental empire, and why he chose franchising as his next big move.Support the showWelcome to Jessie Virga’s channel, where she shares insights on her wide array of interests. Jessie also hosts an audio podcast (link below). Jessie Virg...2025-03-171h 03
The Dr. Virga PodcastComing Soon... US Navy Vet, Real Estate Investor & Entrepreneur - Trevor MethenaSend us a textSpecial Guest Trevor Methena 🎙️🔔 LIKE, SUBSCRIBE & TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS to stay updated on new episodes!Support the showWelcome to Jessie Virga’s channel, where she shares insights on her wide array of interests. Jessie also hosts an audio podcast (link below). Jessie Virga hails from the Bronx and has an extensive background in security and defense, having spent 10 years in the military in various security roles. Following her military service, she pursued a degree in Cognitive Behavioral Neuroscience from UCSD and briefly pursued medical school. Re...2025-03-1300 minOrdinary Discipleship PodcastSpiritual Maturity in Youth Ministry: Finding the Right BalanceIn this episode of Ordinary Discipleship, Chris Johnson, Jacob, and Jessie Cruickshank dive into the critical balance between fun and faith in youth ministry. Are we simply entertaining young people, or are we truly discipling them? The discussion explores the power of mentorship, the need for spiritually mature leaders, and why young adults crave authentic relationships over flashy programs. Drawing from real-life experiences and brain science, the hosts challenge traditional youth ministry models and offer a fresh perspective on guiding the next generation toward spiritual maturity. Listen in as they share insights on what it takes to create meaningful...2025-03-1020 min
The Dr. Virga PodcastComing Soon... US Navy Vet & Crossfit Never Broken Gym Owner - Cody HajekSend us a textSpecial Guest Cody Hajek 🎙️🔔 LIKE, SUBSCRIBE & TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS to stay updated on new episodes!Support the showWelcome to Jessie Virga’s channel, where she shares insights on her wide array of interests. Jessie also hosts an audio podcast (link below). Jessie Virga hails from the Bronx and has an extensive background in security and defense, having spent 10 years in the military in various security roles. Following her military service, she pursued a degree in Cognitive Behavioral Neuroscience from UCSD and briefly pursued me...2025-03-0800 min
The Dr. Virga PodcastSpecial Guest: Army Ranger Veteran & Financial Services Expert - Nathan WheelerSend us a textNathan Wheeler’s journey is one of resilience, transformation, and purpose. Growing up in a challenging environment, he never imagined himself in the military—let alone becoming an Army Ranger. After years of service and overcoming personal and professional obstacles, he transitioned into financial services, where he now helps people across the country build financial security and generational wealth. In this episode of The Dr. Virga Podcast, Nathan shares his powerful story, the lessons he learned along the way, and how he is empowering others to take control of their financial future.Su...2025-03-031h 06
The Dr. Virga PodcastComing Soon... Army Ranger Vet & Financial Services Expert - Nathan U WheelerSend us a textSpecial Guest Nathan Wheeler 🎙️🔔 LIKE, SUBSCRIBE & TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS to stay updated on new episodes!Links:Website: https://www.jessievirga.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drvirga Podcast equipment: https://amzn.to/3BxWVTfBook list: https://amzn.to/3zYwYMoSupport the showWelcome to Jessie Virga’s channel, where she shares insights on her wide array of interests. Jessie also hosts an audio podcast (link below). Jessie Virga hails from the Bronx and has an extensive background in security and defense...2025-02-2801 minOrdinary Discipleship PodcastThe Mentorship Gap: Why Young Adults Struggle to Find DiscipleshipIn this episode of The Ordinary Discipleship Podcast, we sit down with Reyna Martinez to discuss the challenges of finding mentorship and discipleship as a young adult. Reyna shares her deeply personal journey—growing up in youth group, experiencing the impact of intentional leadership, and then struggling to find discipleship after aging out of traditional church programs. She speaks candidly about the obstacles Gen Z faces in seeking authentic relationships within the church and the importance of persistence, vulnerability, and real connection. Hosts Chris Johnson and Jessie Cruickshank dive into leaders' fears and insecurities when mentoring others, while Reyna pr...2025-02-2440 min
The Dr. Virga PodcastSpecial Guest: John Davis - Veterans Living AbroadSend us a textFrom serving in Afghanistan with the 101st Airborne to advocating for student veterans at Harvard, John Davis is a man of many talents—and now, he’s helping veterans build better lives abroad. In this episode, we discuss his journey, his move to the Dominican Republic, and how veterans can find purpose beyond service.Support the showWelcome to Jessie Virga’s channel, where she shares insights on her wide array of interests. Jessie also hosts an audio podcast (link below). Jessie Virga hails from the Bronx and ha...2025-02-241h 01Ordinary Discipleship PodcastThe Art of Discipleship: Friendship, Faith, and IntentionalityIn this episode of the Ordinary Discipleship Podcast, Chris Johnson, Jessie Cruickshank, and Jacob Hoyer discuss the complexities of relationships and the intentionality required in discipleship. They explore how friendships can serve as a foundation for discipleship, the importance of being open to relationships with those who are different from us, and the necessity of creating space and time for meaningful connections. The conversation emphasizes that discipleship is not a project but a relational journey that requires effort, understanding, and a focus on others.
ORDER Jessie’s newest book, Ordinary Discipleship: How God Wires Us for th...2025-02-1024 min
The Dr. Virga PodcastExploring Ethical Non-Monogamy with Victoria and Ryan from Birds of a Feather Match MakingSend us a textIn this episode, I sit down with Victoria and Ryan, two military veterans turned entrepreneurs, to dive into their journeys—from serving in the armed forces to launching Birds of a Feather Matchmaking, the first boutique matchmaking firm specializing in ethical non-monogamous (E.N.M.) relationships.What do you think about ethical non-monogamy? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!🔔 LIKE, SUBSCRIBE & TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS to stay updated on new episodes!Support the showWelcome to Jessie Virga’s channel, where she shares insights on her wid...2025-02-101h 07
The Dr. Virga PodcastSpecial Guest: Roger and Dan from Tracer Burnout PodcastSend us a textIn this episode of the Dr. Virga Podcast, I sit down with Dan and Roger, the hosts of the Tracer Burnout Podcast, a platform dedicated to telling the real, unfiltered stories of military veterans. We discuss their backgrounds, their time in service, and what led them to create a podcast that gives veterans a voice beyond the Hollywood stereotypes.From their lifelong friendship as military brats to their decades-long careers in the Army, Dan and Roger share insights on service, transition, and the importance of preserving veteran stories. They talk about...2025-02-061h 26
We Know ThingsS1 E2 Behind the Mic: JessieMeet Jessie: Love, Laughter, and Living Out Loud🎙️
In this episode, we dive into the colorful life of Jessie Smith, one-third of We Know Things! 🌈 From her journey as a proud queer woman to her obsession with her wife Breea and their adorable son Colter, Jessie shares her story with humor and heart. Learn how her degree in Recreational Therapy (Go Utes! 🏔️) shaped her passion for joy, connection, and living authentically. Get ready to laugh, cry, and fall in love with Jessie’s infectious energy! ❤️✨2025-01-2957 min
The Dr. Virga PodcastSpecial Guest: Army Vet, Cancer Survivor, Combat Athlete, Realtor & Finance Pro - Joseph McNealSend us a textIn this episode, I talk with Joe McNeal, a former Army soldier turned real estate and financial expert. Joe shares his journey from growing up in Chilton County, Alabama, to serving 11 years in the Army as a combat instructor and fitness trainer, before transitioning into real estate and financial services.Joe discusses how he started investing in real estate while on active duty, the challenges of buying a property management franchise, and how he built a successful business helping people grow wealth through real estate and financial planning. He also dives...2025-01-2937 min
The Dr. Virga PodcastSpecial Guest: Janeen Baggette from K9s for FreedomSend us a textThis week, I’m joined by Janeen Baggette, a Gulf War combat veteran, retired federal law enforcement officer, and founder of K9s for Freedom.These aren’t ordinary therapy dogs—they’re highly trained canines certified to assist in critical incident response, search and rescue, and even combating child trafficking. Janine shares her journey, the science behind these exceptional dogs, and how they’re transforming the mental health and lives of first responders.📍 Resources & Contact Info:🌐 Learn more at K9s for Freedom...2025-01-221h 17