What happens when the life you planned for yourself looks nothing like the life you're called to live?
In Episode 68 of The Middle Child Podcast, Royal Boles sits down with Pastor John Cobb for an honest conversation about transformation, grace, family, faith, business, and learning to stop running from what you're meant to do.
John opens up about growing up in Pratt City, the choices he made when he was younger, the anger he carried, and the experiences that helped shape the man he is today. He reflects on the influence of his family, the importance of breaking generational cycles, and how going through difficult seasons changed the way he sees and treats other people.
But becoming who he is today wasn't an overnight process.
John shares how he resisted the idea of becoming a pastor, what it was like to feel called before he was ready, and why the journey toward his purpose took patience, obedience, and personal growth. He also discusses the importance of compassion, leading people well, and understanding that ministry comes with real responsibility.
And there's more to his story than the pulpit.
John talks about leaving a job at Honda, building his own floor-coating business, learning some hard lessons as an entrepreneur, and discovering what it takes to keep a business moving forward. He also opens up about writing books, prayer, fasting, marriage, fatherhood, and the role faith plays in his everyday life.
This conversation is a reminder that your past doesn't have to define your future, your journey doesn't have to look like anyone else's, and sometimes the road to becoming who you are meant to be takes longer than you expected.
CHAPTERS
00:00 — The Realities of Ministry
01:18 — Meet Pastor John Cobb
02:47 — From His Past to a Life of Grace
05:00 — Family, Fatherhood & the Men Who Shaped Him
10:40 — Learning Compassion Through Life's Hard Lessons
13:30 — Love, Marriage & Discernment
15:30 — Running From the Call to Ministry
18:00 — Why Answering Your Calling Took Time
20:00 — Pastors, Church Finances & Leadership
22:00 — Leaving Honda to Build a Business
24:00 — Lessons From Building Floor Candy Coatings
28:00 — What He'd Tell His Younger Self
29:30 — Writing Books, Prayer & Fasting
36:30 — Marriage, Fatherhood & a Life of Grace
39:00 — Being a Middle Child & Breaking Generational Cycles
ABOUT JOHN COBB
John Cobb is a pastor, author, husband, father, and entrepreneur. He leads in ministry while also running Floor Candy Coatings, a business focused on transforming concrete floors into durable, decorative surfaces.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/john.cobb.188
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastorjcobb2
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@floorkandycoatings
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johncobbii/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/floorkandycoatingsanddesign
ABOUT THE MIDDLE CHILD PODCAST
The Middle Child Podcast with Royal Boles is the show where you are seen, loved, and appreciated.
Subscribe for more conversations about life, identity, growth, relationships, faith, and everything in between.
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