Podcast Episodes

Sep 1, 2026

#028 11 Years Sober | The Beverly Vance Aikins Story

Long before she became a central figure in Vice President JD Vance's bestselling memoir and Netflix film Hillbilly Elegy, Beverly Vance Aikins was a registered nurse trapped in a 15-year battle with prescription opioid addiction, heroin, and devastating rock bottoms.

In this unvarnished long-form interview, Beverly Vance confronts her darkest chapters—from stealing painkillers as a hospital healthcare worker to the harrowing night she prayed not to wake up—and reveals the turning point that ultimately saved her life.

Now 11 years sober, Beverly reflects on overcoming substance abuse, repairing broken family relationships with her children—including her son JD Vance—earning her college degree at age 65, and devoting her career to addiction recovery counseling and mental health advocacy.

Watch as Beverly Vance shares her complete, untold journey of opiate addiction recovery, family reconciliation, hope, and lasting faith.

Aug 25, 2026

#027 20 Years Behind the Anchor Desk: Trauma, Burnout, & Finding Faith | Greg Funderburg

The camera turns off. The real story begins.

Get a first look at our upcoming episode of Living on Incline featuring CBS 17 News Anchor & Journalist Greg Funderburg.

For 20 years, viewers have watched Greg report on top national news and interview U.S. presidents—but behind the scenes, he was carrying the invisible weight of newsroom trauma, severe burnout, and personal depression.

In this powerful, unfiltered interview with host John Eklund, Greg opens up about the toll of covering tragedy every day, processing grief away from the anchor desk, and how stepping out in faith led him to launch his own podcast, Rated G.

Jul 28, 2026

#026 Rebuilding Life After Prison & Addiction | Recovery Alive Homes

How do you rebuild a broken life after decades of prison, addiction, and lost time? In this deeply moving episode of Living on Incline, Anthony McGee (21 years incarcerated), Ryan Ellis (30+ year struggle with addiction), Amy Lewis, and Morgan Barfield share their raw, unfiltered stories of overcoming trauma, finding faith, and stepping into true freedom through peer-governed recovery homes.

From the terrifying reality of re-entering society to the daily work of repairing relationships with their children, these four individuals reveal what actual, long-term restoration looks like beyond the initial detox.

If you or a loved one are navigating addiction, sober living, or life after incarceration, this episode is a powerful reminder that no one is ever too far gone to find hope, community, and purpose.

Jul 27, 2026

#025 Ex-Crime Reporter Exposes Cartels, Big Pharma, and the Unexpected Antidote to Addiction

In this episode of *Living on Incline*, host John Eklund sits down with award-winning investigative journalist and author **Sam Quinones** (*Dreamland*, *The Least of Us*, *The Perfect Tuba*) for an unfiltered look into America’s addiction crisis.

Sam spent decades covering over 200 murders as a crime reporter, tracking Mexican heroin cartels, and documenting the deadly rise of OxyContin, fentanyl, and synthetic methamphetamine.

Jul 14, 2026

#024 Why the Modern Shelter System is Built to Let Addicts Fail

What happens to the people who are too broken for a standard homeless shelter?

In this high-stakes interview, recovery expert Chris Budnick pulls back the curtain on a brutal systemic paradox: standard institutional shelters automatically disqualify the exact individuals trapped under the influence, forcing a volatile cycle between first responders and emergency rooms. From his raw personal battle with "baseline pain" as a teenager to managing one of the most successful peer-led recovery ecosystems in North Carolina, Chris exposes why society's approach to addiction fails—and reveals the radical blueprint required to help people truly flourish.

Jul 2, 2026

#023 How to Fix a Broken Prison System | Kurtis Taylor & Lateisha Thrash

Why is life after prison so incredibly difficult, and why do 83% of formerly incarcerated individuals end up back in the system? In this powerful episode, we dive deep into the raw realities of prison reentry, recidivism statistics, and what it actually takes to rebuild a life from scratch.

We are joined by executive leaders Kurtis Taylor and Lateisha Thrash, who share their deeply personal stories of transformation, faith, and humility. From overcoming the stigma of incarceration to fighting for systemic criminal justice reform, this conversation exposes the flaws in the current system and highlights the "organic reentry" models that are dropping recidivism rates to 10% or less.

If you want to understand the true meaning of redemption, surrender, and what it takes to change prison culture, this is an episode you cannot afford to miss.

Jun 18, 2026

#022 Betrayed at 14, Gangs, and Turning Total Devastation Into a Mission | Kelley Jean Blas

At just 14 years old, Kelley Jean Blas faced ultimate betrayal, ran away to join a gang, and survived being left for dead. In this raw episode of Living on Incline, host John Eklund sits down with Kelley to discuss her powerful story of overcoming severe childhood trauma, fighting addiction, navigating profound grief, and turning total devastation into a front-line rescue mission.

If you are looking for an inspiring story of hope, resilience, and finding purpose in the pain, Kelley’s testimony of faith and survival is an absolute must-watch.

Decades after overcoming a methamphetamine addiction and surviving the streets, Kelley experienced the unthinkable heartbreak of losing a child. Instead of letting the grief break her, she chose to push upward, choosing to live on an incline. Today, she is the founder of JoCo Angels—a powerful non-profit organization dedicated to fighting the front lines of the overdose crisis, supporting grieving families, and raising critical awareness about the modern drug epidemic.

In this unfiltered conversation, John and Kelley also sound the alarm on the hidden threat of synthetic drugs, fentanyl poisoning, and the terrifying rise of highly addictive, over-the-counter opioid derivatives like kratom extracts being legally sold to minors in everyday vape shops and gas stations.

This interview is a masterclass in mental health recovery, trauma healing, and finding a spiritual anchor after absolute devastation.

Jun 4, 2026

#021 Navigating Burnout, Social Media Diagnoses, and the Struggle to Ask for Help

This episode of Living On Incline featuring Dr. Mercy Conners, Senior Director at the American Association of Christian Counselors. In this raw, behind-the-scenes look at the mental health field, we strip away the clinical perfection to talk about the heavy psychological toll of therapy, the danger of TikTok diagnoses, and the painful reality of carrying client trauma home to your family.

May 21, 2026

#020 Why I Couldn't Face This for 10 Years | Lauren Sisler | PART 2

Part 2 of this deep and moving conversation, Lauren discusses the "sugar coated story" she told herself to survive and why she eventually decided to look at the toxicology reports she feared for years. She explores the power of labels, the reality of addiction in "good families," and how she found freedom by falling in love with her broken story. Her new book, Shatterproof, serves as a guide for others to turn the page and write their own next chapter.

May 14, 2026

#020 Why I Couldn't Face This for 10 Years | Lauren Sisler | PART 1

Part 1 of this deep and moving conversation, Lauren discusses the "sugar coated story" she told herself to survive and why she eventually decided to look at the toxicology reports she feared for years. She explores the power of labels, the reality of addiction in "good families," and how she found freedom by falling in love with her broken story. Her new book, Shatterproof, serves as a guide for others to turn the page and write their own next chapter.

Apr 30, 2026

#019 32 Years of Marriage and Recovery: The Boozer Story

In this episode of Living on Incline, John Eklund sits down with Leslie and Tracy Boozer, leaders of the Recovery Alive ministry in Deatsville, Alabama. They share their powerful journey of 32 years of marriage, the challenges of military family life, and the raw reality of addiction and recovery.

The Boozers open up about a season of deep struggle where the pressures of work and ministry led to a relapse. They discuss the importance of honesty, the support of leadership, and why recovery is a constant process rather than a final destination.

Apr 16, 2026

#018 The 70% Success Rate: A New Blueprint for Teen Sobriety | Leah Wright

In this powerful episode of Living On Incline, Leah Wright, founder of Wake Monarch Academy, shares her harrowing journey through her son’s addiction to heroin. From the devastating moment of seeing her child in handcuffs to the infuriating battle with insurance companies that claimed his addiction was not bad enough, Leah’s story is a testament to a mother’s relentless love and the power of surrender.

Leah explains the staggering statistics of teen relapse and why traditional high schools often set students up for failure. Now, as the founder of the first recovery high school in the Triangle, she is providing a lifeline for families trapped in the cycle of substance abuse.

Apr 2, 2026

#017 A Mother's Heartbreak: Losing Sons to Addiction and Murder

In this powerful and raw episode of Living on Incline, host John Eklund sits down with Freida MacDonald for an unfiltered look at the devastating reality of the American opioid crisis.

Freida MacDonald spent 30 years as a high-level banking executive while raising her two sons as a single mother. They were the "Three Musketeers" - until a prescription for ADHD medication in kindergarten opened a door that could never be closed.

Freida tracks the "perfect storm" that led her son from prescription stimulants to the street, eventually resulting in his homicide. But the tragedy didn't stop there. She details the harrowing fallout of the Sackler family’s legacy and the subsequent loss of her second son, Michael, to the crushing weight of grief and the fentanyl epidemic.

This is a masterclass in resilience and a stark warning to every parent about the ADHD-to-Opioid pipeline and the predatory nature of Big Pharma.

Mar 18, 2026

#016 Why Pastors Are Exhausted and Afraid to Admit It + It’s exhausting

In this episode of Living on Incline, John Eklund sits down with Pastor Daryl Clark for a raw conversation about church leadership, burnout, recovery, mental health, race, culture, and what it really means for the church to be the church. Daryl opens up about 25 years of ministry, the pressure pastors carry, why preaching is only a small part of the job, and how loving people has to matter more than image, ego, or performance.

They also get into hard but necessary topics: church nationalism, the tension between black church and white church, pastoral insecurity, sabbaticals, therapy, trauma, vulnerability in the pulpit, and why recovery ministries often fail when church leadership has not done its own healing work. This is an honest, gospel-centered episode for pastors, church leaders, and anyone wrestling with faith, healing, and the future of the church.

Mar 5, 2026

#015 A “Bug Bite” Turned Into Stage 4 Osteosarcoma | Noelle Strong (Noelle Franklin’s Story)

In this episode of Living on Incline, John Eklund sits down with Noelle Franklin’s parents (Dylan and Toni Franklin) to share the real timeline from a “bug bite” to a childhood cancer diagnosis, and the gut-punch updates that followed, including “stage four” and confirmation it was “in both lungs.”

This conversation is for parents, families, and anyone walking through pediatric cancer, osteosarcoma, sarcoma related cancers, grief, hospice, and the reality of holding your family together when “your whole world shattered.” You will also hear why they built Noelle Strong to help other families in the fight right now, and how you can support the mission.

Feb 19, 2026

#014 From Mr. North Carolina to Losing His Son | Mike Wolbert

Mike Wolbert is a law enforcement leader, former competitive bodybuilder, and devoted father whose life has been shaped by discipline, service, and deep personal loss. From winning Mr. North Carolina to mentoring troubled students and serving his community, Mike’s story is one of strength forged through suffering.

But his greatest battle was not on a stage or in uniform.
After years of addiction and recovery struggles, Mike’s son became critically ill, suffered a massive stroke, and passed away—changing Mike’s life forever. What followed is a raw, honest conversation about grief, guilt, faith, and the hope that remains even in the darkest moments.

Feb 5, 2026

#013 Preaching While in Pain: The Side of Ministry Nobody Talks About

In this powerful and deeply honest episode of Living on Incline, host John Eklund sits down with Pastor Brandon Teachey, lead pastor of Overflow Church, for a raw conversation about leadership, mental health, burnout, therapy, and healing childhood wounds while serving in ministry.

Pastor Brandon opens up about the unseen pressures pastors face, the emotional toll of leadership, and why vulnerability, boundaries, and emotional discipleship are essential for long-term health. From people-pleasing and codependency to therapy, recovery, and finding self-worth rooted in God’s affirmation, this episode speaks to anyone navigating faith, leadership, or personal healing.

Jan 22, 2026

#012 An Extraordinary Journey: From Egyptian Orphan to Compassionate Pastor

In this inspiring episode of Living on Incline, host John Eklund welcomes Pastor Abraham Michael. Abraham shares his remarkable life story, growing up in poverty in Egypt, facing traumatic experiences, and finding solace in faith. From being placed in an orphanage at a young age to encountering various life-threatening situations, Abraham's journey demonstrates the power of faith and resilience. John and Abraham discuss his current ministry work, including his role as a pastor, hospital chaplain, and mental health coach. Abraham’s mission, Missions of Compassion, aims to help those in need, providing both spiritual and mental health support. Tune in to hear how his incredible experiences have led him to live a life dedicated to service and compassion.

Jan 8, 2026

#011 The Entrepreneurial Itch: Building a Multi-Location Therapy Empire | Sarah Coates

In this episode of Living on Incline, host John Eklund sits down with Sarah Coates, the visionary founder of One-Eighty Counseling. While many see her as a gifted clinician, this conversation peels back the curtain on the "entrepreneurial itch" that drove her to leave the security of a school counseling career to build a mental health empire.

Dec 11, 2025

#010 From War Zones to Healing: A Pilot’s Battle with Anxiety & Recovery

Jonathan Harless, Army Reserve pilot and veteran, as he shares his incredible journey from military deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan to battling anxiety and finding hope through recovery. Jonathan opens up about the realities of combat, the toll of high-stress missions, the challenges of returning home, and the power of community, faith, and therapy in healing.

Dec 4, 2025

#009 One Man’s Story of War Trauma, Addiction, and God’s Rescue | John Williamson

In this jaw-dropping episode of Living on Incline, host John Eklund sits down with Army veteran John Williamson, whose story of resilience, trauma, and redemption will leave you speechless. From surviving a devastating tank accident in Iraq to wrestling with addiction and mental health back home, John’s journey proves that even when life breaks your body—your soul can still rise.

Nov 27, 2025

We Walked Through a Facility That’s Changing Lives Every Day | Sampson Correctional Facility

In Part 2 of our powerful visit to Sampson Correctional Institution, Living on Incline host John Eklund walks the halls with Warden Robert VanGorder, going beyond interviews into real, raw moments inside a correctional facility that’s redefining redemption.

Nov 13, 2025

008 This Correctional Facility Is Creating Leaders, Not Just Inmates

In this extraordinary episode of Living on Incline, we go behind bars at Sampson Correctional Institution, a prison that’s turning incarceration into transformation. From college degrees and reentry coaching to emotional healing and leadership development, this facility is doing something few others are: believing in the people inside.

Oct 30, 2025

#007 From 911 Calls to Saving Lives: This Paramedic Is Rebuilding Communities

Tara Tucker is not your average paramedic. She’s on a mission to revolutionize how first responders handle mental health, addiction, and crisis care—because for her, it’s personal.

In this powerful episode of Living on Incline, host John Eklund sits down with Tara, a behavioral health community paramedic, to talk about her boots-on-the-ground work bridging emergency response and long-term recovery. From opioid overdose calls to faith-based outreach events, Tara is meeting people where they are—and helping entire communities heal.

Oct 16, 2025

#006 Outlaw Biker Saved by Grace with Jeff Stultz

Jeff Stultz should be dead. Shot, stabbed, addicted, and homeless—his story reads like a movie. But this isn’t fiction. It’s a raw, redemptive journey from the violent world of outlaw biker gangs to leading a global Christian recovery movement.

Oct 2, 2025

#005 She Faced Prison, Addiction, and Homelessness… Now She Builds Recovery Homes

In this powerful episode of Living on Incline, John Eklund sits down with Jessica Hicks—a woman who once lived in a homeless shelter, faced prison time, and battled addiction, but is now a successful real estate developer building recovery homes that change lives.

Sep 11, 2025

#004 They Lost Everything… Then Built a Recovery Movement

In this gripping and deeply personal episode of Living on Incline, host John Eklund sits down with Casey and Tisha Temple, a married couple and the CEO/COO of Recovery Alive, to explore their radical transformation from addiction, homelessness, suicide attempts, and incarceration—to purpose-driven lives helping others heal.

Sep 4, 2025

#003 I Lost My Sister to Addiction and Chose to Fight Back

In this powerful episode of Living on Incline, host John Eklund sits down with Grayson Johnson, Miss Johnston County and founder of The Hope Project, to talk about the heartbreaking loss of her sister to opioid addiction—and the healing mission she’s carried ever since.

Aug 21, 2025

#002 From Grammy Stage to Drug Addiction to Redemption

In this jaw-dropping episode of Living on Incline, host John Eklund sits down with former country music star Chris McDaniel, who opens up about his wild journey from fame to addiction—and the grace that saved him.

Aug 7, 2025

#001 Why Religion Nearly Broke This Pastor

In the premiere episode of Living on Incline, host John Eklund sits down for a powerful and honest conversation with a pastor Rodney Pearce who nearly walked away from ministry after facing the weight of religion, performance, and legalism.

Aug 1, 2025

Trailer: Welcome to Living on Incline Podcast

Living on Incline is a Christ-centered growth platform created to help people push past their spiritual, emotional, and physical limitations and unlock their full potential. Whether through stories of transformation, mindset tools, or soul-renewing retreats, our mission is to guide you up the hill — toward purpose, freedom, and fullness of life.