Podcast Episodes

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.