Daily Incline Aug 7, 2025 It's Messy A middle schooler’s messy first attempt at cleaning a fish turns into a powerful life lesson in humility, failure, and growth. What his dad said next stuck for life—and might just challenge how you see your own setbacks Read More

Discover real, redemptive conversations on the Living on Incline podcast. Join host John Eklund each week as he sits down with guests who share powerful stories of recovery, faith, and personal transformation. Keep climbing. #1 FAITH-DRIVEN PLATFORM FOR PERSONAL GROWTH & PURPOSE Not Just a Podcast. A Path Forward. Living on Incline Helps You Move Through What You’re Stuck In One Honest Episode at a Time. Discover real stories of healing, growth, and faith Access tools to help you break cycles and move forward Be the first to know about podcasts, events, and new resources Join a growing movement of people who refuse to settle SUBSCRIBE Sponsored by Recovery Alive Living on Incline means pushing into your full God-given potential! Recovery Alive provides a pathway to healing from the struggles and soul-wounds holding you back from living your life to the fullest. Start your recovery journey today! visit recoveryalive.com Listen on: PLAY TRAILER Start Listening Today Latest Podcast Episodes WATCH ALL This Is More Than a Podcast. It’s a Movement. What We’re About You Weren’t Made to Stay Stuck. Living on Incline was built for people who know there’s more — more to heal, more to discover, more to become. This is a space for real growth, honest stories, and faith that moves you forward. Whether you’re navigating recovery, stepping into your purpose, or just learning how to keep going — you’re not alone. What Living on Incline Offers Podcast Conversations For Inspiration and Overcoming Limitations. Daily Incline For Motivation and Exponential Growth. Recovery Alive For Healing What's Broken. Retreats & Events (coming soon) For Connection and Next-Level Transformation. Why “Incline”? The name “Living on Incline” was inspired by a moment that changed everything for our founder, John Eklund. Years ago, he came across an article about the Manitou Incline — a steep, relentless trail in Colorado that climbs 2,000 vertical feet in under a mile. Something about it stuck. Not just the trail itself, but what it symbolized: the kind of path that’s hard, uncomfortable, and intentional — but ultimately transformative. John saw it as a metaphor for life and faith. Real growth doesn’t happen when we avoid struggle. It happens when we walk through it — with honesty, with purpose, and with God. That’s what Living on Incline is all about. LEARN MORE "You Were Made for the Mountain. No more flat living. No more mediocrity. It’s time to live on incline." - John Eklund Join the Newsletter Ready to Start Living on Incline? Take your first step. Whether it’s listening, sharing your story, or simply signing up — you don’t have to do it all today. Just move. SUBSCRIBE

< Back #020 Why I Couldn't Face This for 10 Years | Lauren Sisler | PART 2 Living on Incline May 21, 2026 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. PART 2 Emmy winning sports reporter Lauren Sisler joins John Eklund on Living on Incline to share the story she hid for a decade. After losing both of her parents to addiction during her freshman year of college, Lauren lived a double life, balancing a high profile career at ESPN and the SEC Network while keeping her family tragedy a secret. In 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. TIMESTAMPS Show More Previous Next comments debug Comments Log In Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. Latest Podcast Episodes #028 11 Years Sober | The Beverly Vance Aikins Story #027 20 Years Behind the Anchor Desk: Trauma, Burnout, & Finding Faith | Greg Funderburg #026 Rebuilding Life After Prison & Addiction | Recovery Alive Homes

< Back #004 They Lost Everything… Then Built a Recovery Movement Living on Incline Sep 11, 2025 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. 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 transformation from addiction, homelessness, suicide attempts, and incarceration—to purpose-driven lives helping others heal. Casey opens up about surviving a suicide attempt and learning to live with depression instead of running from it. Tisha shares her raw story of heroin addiction, sex work, and the spiral of destruction that followed—until she found faith, community, and a second chance. Their honesty will stop you in your tracks. Their mission will inspire you to keep going. Their story proves that no matter how far you fall, you’re never too far gone to rise again. Chapters / Timestamps: Show More Previous Next comments debug Comments Log In Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. Latest Podcast Episodes #028 11 Years Sober | The Beverly Vance Aikins Story #027 20 Years Behind the Anchor Desk: Trauma, Burnout, & Finding Faith | Greg Funderburg #026 Rebuilding Life After Prison & Addiction | Recovery Alive Homes

< Back #015 A “Bug Bite” Turned Into Stage 4 Osteosarcoma | Noelle Strong (Noelle Franklin’s Story) Living on Incline Mar 5, 2026 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. 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. TIMESTAMPS [01:20:48] “he threw out the C word” Show More Previous Next comments debug Comments Log In Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. Latest Podcast Episodes #028 11 Years Sober | The Beverly Vance Aikins Story #027 20 Years Behind the Anchor Desk: Trauma, Burnout, & Finding Faith | Greg Funderburg #026 Rebuilding Life After Prison & Addiction | Recovery Alive Homes

Discover the powerful story of John Eklund—founder of Recovery Alive and host of the Living on Incline podcast. From addiction and depression to faith, healing, and purpose, John’s journey inspires hope and transformation for anyone seeking recovery. Hello As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and ordained minister, John has been serving individuals and families as a social worker, counselor and pastor for nearly two decades. Having worked as a national director for one of the largest faith-based recovery programs in the world, John has helped hundreds of churches throughout the country start and grow recovery ministries. John currently works as a therapist, and serves as the director for Recovery ALIVE!, a Christ-centered 12 step program he founded in 2020. John lives in North Carolina with his wife of 23 years and his four beautiful daughters. My Story From brokenness to bold purpose, John Eklund’s story is living proof that no life is beyond restoration. John grew up in a world marked by instability, rejection, and pain. After his parents’ divorce, he moved from place to place, never staying long enough to feel safe. Abandonment became a familiar theme—at home, in school, and in his heart. As a young boy, he learned to disappear, to shape-shift, to survive. But deep inside, he was losing himself. The pain of his past eventually pulled him into a dark season of depression and alcoholism. Feeling completely alone and convinced his life had no value, John came to the edge—both literally and spiritually. In one final act of desperation, he cried out to God. And God answered. What happened next wasn’t just a moment—it was the beginning of a miracle. That cry for help turned into a journey of recovery, healing, and calling. John began rebuilding his life—one decision, one step, one act of surrender at a time. He became a husband. A father. A pastor. A leader. But more than anything, he became a man on a mission: to create a safe place for others to heal, just like he did. That mission became Recovery Alive—a Christ-centered, 12-step recovery movement that now reaches across the country. Through it, John helps people discover the power of vulnerability, the beauty of community, and the freedom that comes from real, lasting transformation. Today, John continues to walk the recovery journey himself. He’s honest about the struggles, passionate about the process, and full of hope for those still in the fight. He’s not just teaching recovery—he’s living it. Through his work with Recovery Alive and the Living on Incline podcast, John is helping people everywhere know the truth: your pain doesn’t disqualify you. It prepares you. And healing is possible—one step at a time. Contact I'm always looking for new and exciting opportunities. Let's connect. john@recoveryalive.com

< Back 008 This Correctional Facility Is Creating Leaders, Not Just Inmates Living on Incline Nov 13, 2025 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. 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. Join host John Eklund as he sits down with three key leaders who are changing the future of incarceration: • Robert Van Gorder – Facility Warden II • Charles Wooten – Facility Case Manager & Reentry Coordinator Show More Previous Next comments debug Comments Log In Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. Latest Podcast Episodes #028 11 Years Sober | The Beverly Vance Aikins Story #027 20 Years Behind the Anchor Desk: Trauma, Burnout, & Finding Faith | Greg Funderburg #026 Rebuilding Life After Prison & Addiction | Recovery Alive Homes

< Back #016 Why Pastors Are Exhausted and Afraid to Admit It + It’s exhausting Living on Incline Mar 18, 2026 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. 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. TIMESTAMPS [00:00:00] Intro and Daryl Clark’s 25 years of pastoral ministry Show More Previous Next comments debug Comments Log In Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. Latest Podcast Episodes #028 11 Years Sober | The Beverly Vance Aikins Story #027 20 Years Behind the Anchor Desk: Trauma, Burnout, & Finding Faith | Greg Funderburg #026 Rebuilding Life After Prison & Addiction | Recovery Alive Homes

Explore real stories of transformation through Living on Incline Docs. These short documentaries highlight powerful journeys of recovery, resilience, and purpose—capturing what it means to live on incline. Real Stories. Real Struggles. Real Growth. Living on Incline Docs We’re taking the Living on Incline mission even further — off the mic and into real life. Living on Incline Docs is a new documentary series capturing the raw, unfiltered journeys of people who have chosen the hard road, faced adversity, and grown through it. From recovery and redemption to leadership and legacy, these stories will move you, challenge you, and remind you of what’s possible when you live on incline. COMING SOON! Submit Your Story to Living on Incline Docs Have you faced the uphill climb — and kept going? We’re creating a documentary series that tells raw, honest, faith-filled stories of transformation. If you’ve walked through addiction, loss, recovery, breakthrough, or any moment where life demanded more from you — we’d love to hear it. We’re looking for: Stories of overcoming adversity through faith and grit Moments of radical transformation or healing Leaders, parents, workers, dreamers — real people with real journeys Honest accounts of what it means to live on incline Whether it’s something you’ve conquered or something you’re still walking through, your story matters — and it could encourage someone else to keep climbing. Ready to share your journey? SUMBIT YOUR STORY

Learn the story behind the Living on Incline podcast and meet host John Eklund. Discover the mission, values, and heart behind each conversation—helping people rise through recovery, faith, and purpose. About Living on Incline 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. WATCH ABOUT LIVING ON INCLINE ABOUT VIDEO Play Video Meet John Eklund Founder & Host of Living on Incline John Eklund is a recovery advocate, speaker, founder of Recovery Alive and faith-driven leader who’s spent years walking alongside people as they rebuild their lives. With a deep passion for human transformation, John launched Living on Incline to explore a central question: What are we truly capable of when we stop coasting and choose to grow on purpose? Inspired by a story from Runner’s World about the Manitou Incline — a steep trail in Colorado that symbolizes spiritual and personal struggle — John began to see the power of the metaphor: true change happens on the uphill. This platform is for anyone ready to break cycles, grow through difficulty, and pursue the version of themselves God created them to be. LEARN MORE ABOUT JOHN Let’s Keep Moving Forward! Whether you’re listening to an episode, sharing your story, or just looking for hope — you’re not alone in this. Start Listening | Meet the Community | Submit Your Story

< Back #018 The 70% Success Rate: A New Blueprint for Teen Sobriety | Leah Wright Living on Incline Apr 16, 2026 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. 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. In this episode, we discuss: - The Golden Hour of recovery and why it matters. Show More Previous Next comments debug Comments Log In Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. Latest Podcast Episodes #028 11 Years Sober | The Beverly Vance Aikins Story #027 20 Years Behind the Anchor Desk: Trauma, Burnout, & Finding Faith | Greg Funderburg #026 Rebuilding Life After Prison & Addiction | Recovery Alive Homes

< Back #006 Outlaw Biker Saved by Grace with Jeff Stultz Living on Incline Oct 16, 2025 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. 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. In this gripping episode of Living on Incline , Jeff sits down with John Eklund to reveal the truth about his former life in biker clubs, his descent into crack addiction, and how Jesus met him in the middle of absolute ruin. Now the founder of Broken Chains , a motorcycle-based recovery ministry in 15+ countries, and a national ambassador for Recovery Alive , Jeff shares how the darkest parts of his past have become the fuel for his mission. This is more than a testimony—it’s a battle cry for anyone who’s ever felt too far gone. Jeff proves that hope is real and change is possible. Show More Previous Next comments debug Comments Log In Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. Latest Podcast Episodes #028 11 Years Sober | The Beverly Vance Aikins Story #027 20 Years Behind the Anchor Desk: Trauma, Burnout, & Finding Faith | Greg Funderburg #026 Rebuilding Life After Prison & Addiction | Recovery Alive Homes