Recommended Reading

 Resist the Voyeuristic Spirit of the Age

Want To Improve Uptake Within The Virtual Samson Community? Provide An Incubator / Immersive Experience Vs Dedicated Newcomer Meetings

I've been hosting a Samson Society Saturday newcomers meeting for almost two years now.  It's been demanding but in a very good way.  I took this particular spot from the man himself, Mr. Nate Larkin.  The highlight of hosting this meeting is it kickstarts my weekend with fresh, masculine personas.  And I love this!  Not knowing who's going to show up, it feels whimsical and a bit surreal, in manner ways.  The stories, via the 2-10 newbies that show, shared are rich and deeply impactful.  It's just overall, a grand experience.

But what's disappointing, after the fact, is the true uptake (long-term engagement) of these newbies towards Samson Society itself.  

How do I know this?  I call to check in on my newbies one week following the meeting they attend.  The vast majority either don't respond to my follow-up or admit freely to not having taken the initiative to attend even one online meeting.

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What exactly happens within a newcomers meeting?

Every meeting (there're standalone newcomers meeting available most days of the week) is hosted by its own, uniquely qualified, Samson brother.  As such, their persona / agenda flows forth.  And that's to be expected.  

My hero, Nate, provided a one-time walkthrough for Rob prior to me taking the reins of the Saturday meeting years ago.  I've certainly worked to optimize my approach to leading, and frankly, I believe I do a damn good job providing an overview of the Samson Society whilst drawing out / establishing the proper tone that points towards the community as a whole.

But even my best attempts to clinically (sprinkled with some therapy) describe Samson Society falls flat compared to a true therapeutic Samson meeting immersion.  For as we call know, that's where the true magic happens.

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Within the in-person paradigm (Samson Society meeting), there's no newcomers' meeting "screening process".  Instead, newbies simply (after typically being referred in) walk into a meeting and follow along.  It's not rocket science, and it doesn't make room for skittishness / the timid - to any degree.  

Think of it like stepping into a church service for the first time or perhaps a gym.  As an adult with zero experience.  From there, it's either sink or swim.  As such, it's the motivator (most often shame) that's in control.

And I like that approach, but why not instead establish some similar incubator / immersion Samson meetings that are specifically designed for these men?  In other words, put newcomers together with some seasoned Samson brothers, thereby allowing them to learn / experience Samson Society sans the training wheels of a newcomers meeting.

As such, this would be an exact facsimile of the in-person experience (which works beautifully)! 

Only TWO Days Left to Register for the Virtual Samson Summit!

 

TWO DAYS LEFT! Don't miss your chance to experience the 2026 Samson Summit!

Can't join us in Michigan? That doesn't mean you have to miss out on the conversations, encouragement, and connection that make the Samson Summit such a meaningful experience. Thanks to our friends at Covenant Eyes, this year's Summit will be available through a sponsored virtual livestream, bringing the experience directly to you! Join keynote speaker John Lynch, along with an incredible lineup of speakers, as we explore the painful chapters of our stories, the patterns that keep us stuck, and the freedom that comes from embracing grace rather than shame. Whether you're watching from home or gathering with a few Samson brothers, you won't want to miss these conversations. Registration closes October 21 at midnight! Don't wait until it's too late to be part of this year's Summit.

Register today

A Samson Brother's Poem

Yesterday, last week, a year ago this morning
I was sitting, still thinkin about where I'm going 
I'm tired, worn down and out but when did that happen? 

It's hard to point, grab or hold, behold the past that flashes fast out of my sight right when I fight for clarity this part of me was never free yet how do I see what wasn't me? 

The mad dash, sudden crash and hopeful snatch of something finally real inside my hopeful cry full of the gift of desperation. Take a step, no thats the wrong one, back to square one, forgotten floor God's in it with me and just for a second, I see something. 

My wornout life, half my strife has hurt my wife and though its trite my flight was striking hard at hearts like firey darts of doubt pain shame and blame it scarred my name and mades me want to fake my fame so I could be the same as people who did not seem to not be seen like I was or to be unseen like I was by Mom or Dad, who both forgot me, teachers friends, I had nobody, noone there to talk about the darkness or deep desires of heart, sure there was God, but he was a way to please my Mom so she would feel like I was good not hurt, smart not falling short of expectations, yet I failed so much in her eyes it formed my eyes to see what she saw just a failed, broken, beaten boy who never was or will be enough to bouy above it all, but sink. 

Deep and down down drown in all the pain shame, let's do this again...

Patterns repeat and repeat and re preach all the lies to my heart that you can not get far and you just should give up, no point to go on, there is freedom from needs in oblivion. 

How do I flip the coin, reroll the dice, make the next move that will bring me new life? My deep suspicion is that this kind of mission is one that I cannot hope to do without Him. 

So what do I say I don't know how to speak it. Christianese isn't the dialect that feels good. So what other words can I use to describe someone who would could has changed me? Who I spat on and cursed at, drowned out and shut down, hated, ignored, I chose dirt over gold. 

It's especially hard when the steps are all ragged, I look back and can't see past the ravage. The dust is still settling, the print sets still tumbling to ditch after ditch after ditch after ditch. 

Yet above it all, in the dust, in the ditch, there is a still current, a gentle pull forward, a quiet, silent, knowing, a seekable presence. 

An answer.

A promise. 

Keep going.

Can't Make It to Michigan? The Summit Is Coming to You!

 

The 2026 Samson Summit is almost here—and you don't have to be in Michigan to be part of it! This year's Summit theme, Written in Grace, invites us to see our stories through a different lens—not one of shame, regret, or failure, but through the transforming power of God's grace. And sometimes, that means learning to sit with the painful parts of our stories rather than trying to fix, solve, or move past them. In the sneak peek from the virtual Samson Summit below, Eddie Capparucci explores how men often approach grief as a problem to be solved rather than an experience to be acknowledged and felt. What might change if, instead of trying to fix our pain, we allowed ourselves to sit with it and make room for grace? Take a moment to hear what Eddie has to say: Thanks to our friends at Covenant Eyes, you can experience conversations like this and more through the 2026 Samson Summit virtual livestream! Join Eddie, keynote speaker John Lynch, and our incredible lineup of speakers as we explore what it means to embrace our stories, experience grace, and continue the journey of recovery together. Whether you're joining from your living room, gathering with a few Samson brothers, or tuning in from across the country, there's a place for you at this year's Summit. Registration closes October 21! Don't miss your opportunity to be part of this year's Samson Summit. Register Today Schedule of Events Please note: All times denoted are Eastern Time Zone Friday, October 23 6:00 - 6:30 PM - Virtual Space Opens 6:30 - 7:15 PM - Welcome 7:30 - 8:15 PM - Session 1 with John Lynch 8:30 - 9:15 PM - Matt Wenger Workshop (Pre-Recorded) Saturday, October 24 7:30 - 8:00 AM - Virtual Space Opens 8:00 - 8:40 AM - Jim Cress Workshop (Pre-Recorded) 8:50 - 9:45 AM - Session 2 with John Lynch 10:00 - 10:45 AM - Jeff Schulte Workshop (Pre-Recorded) 11:00 AM - Noon - Session 3 with John Lynch Noon - 1:00 PM - Lunch Break 1:00 - 2:00 PM - Sam Black Live Session 2:15 - 3:00 PM - Nick Stumbo Workshop (Pre-Recorded) 3:15-4:00 PM - Virtual Break Outs 4:15 - 5:00 PM - Session 4 with John Lynch 5:00 - 6:15 PM - Dinner Break 6:15 - 7:15 PM - Q&A with Sam Black, Aaron Porter, & Nate Larkin 7:30 - 8:45 PM - Josh Bales Concert 9:00 - 10:00 PM - Virtual Samson Meeting Sunday, October 25 8:00 -8:30 AM - Virtual Space Opens 8:30 - 9:30 AM - Eddie Capparucchi Workshop (Pre-Recorded) 9:45 - 11:15 AM - Final Session with John Lynch, Josh Bales, and Aaron Porter

Recommended Reading

 Trapped in a Meaningless Life | Desiring God

Last Call: Summit Registration Closes TODAY!

 

This is it—today is the LAST DAY to register for the 2026 Samson Summit in Michigan! If you’ve been thinking about coming, waiting to make the decision, or telling yourself you’ll register later, later has arrived. Join us October 23–25 for a weekend of authentic brotherhood, meaningful conversations, and an invitation to see your story through the lens of grace rather than shame. Registration closes tonight. Don’t miss your chance to be in the room.   REGISTER FOR THE 2026 SAMSON SUMMIT Can't join us in person? Register for the virtual Summit, sponsored by Covenant Eyes, and receive five bonus sessions as a free gift! Register for the Virtual Summit Registration closes October 21 for the livestream