Couple Things with Shawn and Andrew

Special Forces Episode 6 might have been one of the most dangerous yet!! 😅

This week, we're breaking down everything that happened during Episode 6 of Special Forces: World's Toughest Test, from balancing 200 feet above a canyon to taking on one of the most physically intense challenges of the entire experience: Murderball.

We're sharing our reactions, behind-the-scenes stories, what you didn't see on TV, and what was really going through our heads during these challenges.

Every week gets tougher, and this one was no exception.

Let us know in the comments what YOU thought of Episode 6 and which challenge you would've struggled with most!

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and follow along for more Special Forces recaps!

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(00:00) Matt + David’s terrifying night lost in the jungle(02:13) Who was responsible for the failed mission?(03:39) Behind the scenes: what the Special Forces camera crew goes through(08:38) Why the experience is even harder than what we see on TV(14:27) Oliver spirals + Matt struggles with full-body cramps(16:46) Matt is called back out despite being in pain(18:32) Bree quits: how becoming a mom changes your fears(20:23) The pressure to be strong enough to protect your family(28:10) Day six: the underground tunnel challenge(29:09) Fighting panic + controlling your mind in claustrophobic situations(34:00) Crawling 200 yards through dark, tight tunnels(35:02) The mental challenges + Oliver’s breaking point(36:16) Why Oliver decides to quit(40:00) The fighting challenge + what it takes to face an opponent(44:47) Alicia’s interview: family, sacrifice + the cost of being a world-class athlete(48:18) Hannah and Alicia struggle with the physical + emotional demands(49:22) Street fighting vs. boxing + the fear of feeling helpless(54:23) What’s coming in the final days of Special Forces
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John Mark Comer is BACK on the podcast! We're so excited to welcome him back for another conversation, this time diving into his brand-new book, *Into the Quiet: Following Jesus in a World of Noise*.

In a world filled with constant noise, distractions, busy schedules, and endless scrolling, finding moments of stillness can feel nearly impossible. John Mark shares why slowing down matters, how overstimulation impacts our lives, and what it looks like to create more space for peace, silence, and a deeper connection with God.

We talk about the importance of stepping away from the noise, being more intentional with our time, and learning to embrace quiet in a world that never seems to stop.

Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or simply craving a slower pace, we hope this conversation encourages you to find a little more stillness in your everyday life.

Check out John's new book, *Into the Quiet: Following Jesus in a World of Noise*: https://johnmarkcomer.com/into-the-quiet

Thanks for watching! Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations!

(00:00) Introduction + John Mark Comer on Into the Quiet(01:22) AI, the attachment economy + how technology is shaping us(06:38) The danger of AI replacing real relationships(08:10) Why discomfort is essential to growth(09:36) Becoming a person of love, not chasing happiness(14:12) What does it actually mean to find quiet?(17:16) Silence as a presence, not an absence(19:04) A 21-day solitude retreat + learning through subtraction(22:33) Why growth sometimes comes from taking things away(25:18) What we learn when we make room for quiet(27:01) Simple ways to bring more quiet into everyday life(30:32) External noise vs. the noise inside our minds(33:38) Finding God through silence, solitude + stillness(34:27) Christian meditation: emptying your mind or filling it?(41:35) Balancing learning through addition + subtraction
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special forces episode 5 is here, and we're breaking down what might be the most intense season yet!

this week, we're reacting to the high-stakes challenges, unexpected mistakes, and the physical and mental exhaustion the recruits are facing. from the chaos of the hostage rescue mission to a brutal trek through the mud, we're sharing our honest reactions and comparing these moments to our own experience on special forces.

we're also diving into the emotional side of the competition, why failure doesn't always mean you're out, and what it really takes to keep pushing when everything in you wants to quit.

let us know what you thought of episode 5 in the comments!

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(0:00) Episode Introduction

(2:17) Duty Recruit Role

(4:29) Shared Suffering Challenge and Repelling challenge

(7:37) Different Departments of Entertainment

(11:10) Joking in Serious Situations

(16:57) Shawn and Andrew’s Experience With Rules

(21:37) How Winning Works

(24:50) David Charvet interview

(28:50) The Jungle Trek

(33:53) Oliver's leadership struggles

(35:26) Choosing Who Goes Back

(37:49) Conflict with Staff

(44:54) Emergency Rescue

(49:40) Conclusion
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special forces episode 4 is here and we're back with another recap!!

things are only getting more intense, and watching this season after experiencing special forces ourselves brings back SO many memories. from the physical challenges to the mental battles, there's really nothing that can prepare you for what it's like until you're actually there.

this week we're breaking down episode 4, sharing our reactions, giving a little behind-the-scenes perspective from our own experience, and talking about what it really takes to make it through special forces: world's toughest test.

whether you've been following along since episode 1 or you're just joining us, we're so glad you're here! let us know your thoughts on this week's episode in the comments and who you're rooting for!

love you guys!
shawn & andrew

(00:00) Special Forces Episode 4: pushing past your breaking point
(00:17) how the DS uncover your weaknesses
(03:21) character development: Candace Cameron Bure + Colin Gosselin
(05:20) leadership under pressure
(06:15) the water bottle check + mental stress
(08:34) Colin's perfectionism: helpful or overbearing?
(10:49) the difference between being helpful + overbearing
(13:00) the hostage rescue challenge
(16:16) Hannah's leadership struggles + the pressure to make decisions
(18:14) what makes a good leader under pressure?
(20:10) David Charvet's hostage rescue + the red mist
(24:30) Candace steps up as team leader
(27:09) Candace's interview: confidence, leadership + marriage
(29:44) being supported by your partner vs. being overprotected
(34:30) how childhood experiences shape who we become
(37:18) Candace + Colin: two very different childhood experiences
(40:15) chemical warfare + Mauricio's emotional exit
(41:23) interrogations, mind games + the gas chamber
(43:58) Colin's search for family + belonging
(45:00) what's next for the recruits + final thoughts

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#specialforces #specialforcesworldstoughesttest #couplethings #shawnjohnson #andreweast
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alexa and carlos penavega are back on couple things, and this conversation is one we won't forget.

since we last sat down together, life has brought unexpected challenges, heartbreaking loss, and a whole new perspective on love, marriage, and faith.

in this episode, alexa and carlos open up about navigating grief after the loss of their daughter, indy, how their marriage has evolved through difficult seasons, and the importance of leaning on each other when life doesn't go as planned. we also talk about their new book, *joy isn't canceled: what grief taught us about pain, peace, and purpose*, and the lessons they've learned about finding hope and joy even in the midst of heartbreak.

we're so grateful to have these two back for another honest, vulnerable, and encouraging conversation. whether you're navigating loss, walking through a difficult season, or simply looking for a reminder that joy is still possible, we hope this episode encourages you.

preorder *joy isn't canceled* (out november 3, 2026): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/joy-isnt-canceled-carlos-penavega/1149631899

thanks for listening! ❤️

0:00 Introduction
0:50 Life updates and projects
3:33 Choosing Tennessee over Florida
6:49 Balancing life and ambition
9:08 Redefining success and legacy
12:53 The Pareto principle in life
16:35 Overcoming the need for control
19:25 The power of saying no
22:34 Cultivating genuine community
27:52 Discernment and grace
36:57 Walking through loss
47:16 Joy in the midst of grief
55:00 Lessons from the aftermath
1:07:55 Finding lasting perspective
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