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 #017 A Mother's Heartbreak: Losing Sons to Addiction and Murder Living on Incline Apr 2, 2026 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. 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. 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 #026 Rebuilding Life After Prison & Addiction | Recovery Alive Homes #025 Ex-Crime Reporter Exposes Cartels, Big Pharma, and the Unexpected Antidote to Addiction #024 Why the Modern Shelter System is Built to Let Addicts Fail

< 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 #026 Rebuilding Life After Prison & Addiction | Recovery Alive Homes #025 Ex-Crime Reporter Exposes Cartels, Big Pharma, and the Unexpected Antidote to Addiction #024 Why the Modern Shelter System is Built to Let Addicts Fail

< Back #010 From War Zones to Healing: A Pilot’s Battle with Anxiety & Recovery Living on Incline Dec 11, 2025 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. Join us for an inspiring and raw conversation with 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. Whether you’re a veteran, a family member, or someone seeking hope in tough times, Jonathan’s story is a testament to resilience, vulnerability, and the importance of reaching out for help. 👇 Check out the chapters below for easy navigation! Timestamps/Chapters: 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 #026 Rebuilding Life After Prison & Addiction | Recovery Alive Homes #025 Ex-Crime Reporter Exposes Cartels, Big Pharma, and the Unexpected Antidote to Addiction #024 Why the Modern Shelter System is Built to Let Addicts Fail

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

< Back #003 I Lost My Sister to Addiction and Chose to Fight Back Living on Incline Sep 4, 2025 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. 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. From competing in pageants as a teenager to launching a statewide initiative focused on ending stigma, Grayson shares the raw story behind her smile. She opens up about childhood trauma, family struggles, and the burden of silence in small-town culture—and how she’s now using her voice to advocate for change, recovery, and reform. Whether you’ve been touched by addiction or just need a reminder that pain can lead to purpose, this one will stick with you. 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 #026 Rebuilding Life After Prison & Addiction | Recovery Alive Homes #025 Ex-Crime Reporter Exposes Cartels, Big Pharma, and the Unexpected Antidote to Addiction #024 Why the Modern Shelter System is Built to Let Addicts Fail

< Back #013 Preaching While in Pain: The Side of Ministry Nobody Talks About Living on Incline Feb 5, 2026 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. 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. This is an honest conversation about preaching through pain, leading while healing, and learning the difference between ministering from a wound versus a scar. If you’ve ever struggled with burnout, anxiety, codependency, church hurt, or feeling unseen, this episode is for you. 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 #026 Rebuilding Life After Prison & Addiction | Recovery Alive Homes #025 Ex-Crime Reporter Exposes Cartels, Big Pharma, and the Unexpected Antidote to Addiction #024 Why the Modern Shelter System is Built to Let Addicts Fail

< Back #009 One Man’s Story of War Trauma, Addiction, and God’s Rescue | John Williamson Living on Incline Dec 4, 2025 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. He flatlined in combat. Battled addiction. Survived a stroke. And planned his suicide—until God intervened. 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. You’ll hear about his near-death experience, years of opioid dependency, the tragic loss of his fiancée, and the powerful moment in a church lobby when a simple trash can became a turning point for his life. Now paralyzed on his left side but fully alive in purpose, John is helping others through Recovery Alive—and his story is a testament that God’s not done with you, even when you’ve given up on yourself. ⸻ 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 #026 Rebuilding Life After Prison & Addiction | Recovery Alive Homes #025 Ex-Crime Reporter Exposes Cartels, Big Pharma, and the Unexpected Antidote to Addiction #024 Why the Modern Shelter System is Built to Let Addicts Fail

< Back #007 From 911 Calls to Saving Lives: This Paramedic Is Rebuilding Communities Living on Incline Oct 30, 2025 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. 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. What started as a career in EMS turned into a life calling after losing someone close to her to overdose—and nearly losing her own son to addiction. Tara’s story is raw, inspiring, and a masterclass in what it means to live on mission. If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like when faith, community, and action collide—this is it. 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 #026 Rebuilding Life After Prison & Addiction | Recovery Alive Homes #025 Ex-Crime Reporter Exposes Cartels, Big Pharma, and the Unexpected Antidote to Addiction #024 Why the Modern Shelter System is Built to Let Addicts Fail

< Back #026 Rebuilding Life After Prison & Addiction | Recovery Alive Homes Living on Incline | Recovery Alive Homes Jul 28, 2026 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. 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. 👇 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 #026 Rebuilding Life After Prison & Addiction | Recovery Alive Homes #025 Ex-Crime Reporter Exposes Cartels, Big Pharma, and the Unexpected Antidote to Addiction #024 Why the Modern Shelter System is Built to Let Addicts Fail

Find quick answers to common questions about the Living on Incline podcast. Learn how to listen, watch, subscribe, contact the team, and get involved in the movement. Frequently asked questions 1. What is Living on Incline? Living on Incline is a podcast and platform created by John Eklund that helps people grow through what they’re going through — emotionally, spiritually, and personally. It’s built for anyone tired of surface-level answers and ready to step into deeper, more honest growth. 2. Is this just a podcast? 3. Who is John Eklund? 4. Where did the name ‘Living on Incline’ come from? 5. What kind of topics do you cover on the podcast? 6. How can I listen to the podcast? 7. Is this a faith-based podcast? 8. What is Living on Incline Docs? 9. Can I share my story? 10. How do I stay in the loop? 11. Will there be live events or retreats? 12. Can I support the podcast or donate? 13. Do you accept guests or collaborations? 14. I filled out the contact form — when will I hear back? 15. Is there a private community or membership group?

< Back #022 Betrayed at 14, Gangs, and Turning Total Devastation Into a Mission | Kelley Jean Blas Living on Incline Jun 18, 2026 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. 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. 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 #026 Rebuilding Life After Prison & Addiction | Recovery Alive Homes #025 Ex-Crime Reporter Exposes Cartels, Big Pharma, and the Unexpected Antidote to Addiction #024 Why the Modern Shelter System is Built to Let Addicts Fail