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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: Start Listening Today Latest Podcast Episodes 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 PLAY TEASER 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 #019 32 Years of Marriage and Recovery: The Boozer Story Living on Incline Apr 30, 2026 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. "We're constantly in process and you all have the courage to be able to share that with us." "I just did one taste and it led to... I just felt like I was going to lose my mind." 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. 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 #019 32 Years of Marriage and Recovery: The Boozer Story #018 The 70% Success Rate: A New Blueprint for Teen Sobriety | Leah Wright #017 A Mother's Heartbreak: Losing Sons to Addiction and Murder

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 It's Messy Daily Incline - It's Messy Aug 7, 2025 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 It's Messy Daily Incline - It's Messy 00:00 / 01:42 I was a middle schooler the very first time I tried to “clean” a fish. There was nothing clean about it. It was a mess. The fish had expired some time ago, but when I was done with it, I couldn’t help but feeling sorry for it (or what was left of it!). My dad, who was overseeing my first fumbling attempt, laughed good-naturedly at the gory havoc I had wreaked. I remember getting angry. I remember feeling ashamed. I tossed the knife on to the bloody carving board, and mumbled out a frustrated excuse, “I think the knife is dull.” He didn’t say a thing but simply grabbed the next plump trout on the stringer and, with staggering speed, economy and grace of movement I saw him carve out two perfect boneless filets. He smiled, looked at me and said, “There is nothing wrong with this knife son.” Show More Previous Next "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 #002 From Grammy Stage to Drug Addiction to Redemption Living on Incline Aug 21, 2025 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. 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. Chris was a rising star with Grammy nominations, hit records, and crowds screaming his name. But behind the scenes, he was spiraling into a dangerous world of drugs, broken relationships, and emotional torment. From cocaine runs in the music industry to near-death experiences, Chris lays it all out. What pulled him back? A church that wouldn’t stop knocking, and a moment of surrender in front of a mirror that changed everything. 🎧 This is the kind of redemption story you don’t want to miss. 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 #018 The 70% Success Rate: A New Blueprint for Teen Sobriety | Leah Wright #017 A Mother's Heartbreak: Losing Sons to Addiction and Murder #016 Why Pastors Are Exhausted and Afraid to Admit It + It’s exhausting

< 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 #018 The 70% Success Rate: A New Blueprint for Teen Sobriety | Leah Wright #017 A Mother's Heartbreak: Losing Sons to Addiction and Murder #016 Why Pastors Are Exhausted and Afraid to Admit It + It’s exhausting

< 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 #018 The 70% Success Rate: A New Blueprint for Teen Sobriety | Leah Wright #017 A Mother's Heartbreak: Losing Sons to Addiction and Murder #016 Why Pastors Are Exhausted and Afraid to Admit It + It’s exhausting

< Back Trailer: Welcome to Living on Incline Podcast Living on Incline Aug 1, 2025 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. What are we truly capable of? That’s the question Living on Incline sets out to explore. Hosted by John Eklund, this podcast brings you real conversations with people who have pushed through suffering, setbacks, and challenges — not just to survive, but to grow. From recovery to business, from faith to government, each guest is unlocking their full potential and inviting you to do the same. The name comes from the Manitou Incline — a steep, grueling hike in Colorado that inspired John to lean into discomfort as a path to growth. This show is about that same mindset: choosing to live on incline, on purpose, every day. 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 #018 The 70% Success Rate: A New Blueprint for Teen Sobriety | Leah Wright #017 A Mother's Heartbreak: Losing Sons to Addiction and Murder #016 Why Pastors Are Exhausted and Afraid to Admit It + It’s exhausting

< 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 #018 The 70% Success Rate: A New Blueprint for Teen Sobriety | Leah Wright #017 A Mother's Heartbreak: Losing Sons to Addiction and Murder #016 Why Pastors Are Exhausted and Afraid to Admit It + It’s exhausting

< Back #015 A “Bug Bite” Turned Into Stage 4 Osteosarcoma | Noel 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 Noel 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 Noel 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 #018 The 70% Success Rate: A New Blueprint for Teen Sobriety | Leah Wright #017 A Mother's Heartbreak: Losing Sons to Addiction and Murder #016 Why Pastors Are Exhausted and Afraid to Admit It + It’s exhausting

< Back #001 Why Religion Nearly Broke This Pastor Living on Incline Aug 7, 2025 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. In the premiere episode of Living on Incline, host John Eklund sits down with a pastor who came close to walking away from ministry. Burned out by the pressure of performance and trapped in legalism, he shares the moment he realized his church wasn’t ready for broken people—and how stepping into recovery ministry didn’t just save his faith, but transformed his entire church. This raw and redemptive conversation dives into: 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 #018 The 70% Success Rate: A New Blueprint for Teen Sobriety | Leah Wright #017 A Mother's Heartbreak: Losing Sons to Addiction and Murder #016 Why Pastors Are Exhausted and Afraid to Admit It + It’s exhausting

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? No — Living on Incline is more than a podcast. It’s a space for real stories, practical tools, community, and creative projects like our upcoming documentary series. Everything we create is designed to inspire movement and transformation. 3. Who is John Eklund? John is the founder and host of Living on Incline and Recovery Alive. With a background in recovery, leadership, and spiritual growth, John is passionate about helping people move forward in the middle of their mess — not just after it’s all cleaned up. You can learn more about him Meet John (www.livingonincline.com/johneklund) 4. Where did the name ‘Living on Incline’ come from? The name was inspired by a steep mountain trail in Colorado called the Manitou Incline. John came across an article about it years ago, and it stuck — not as a fitness challenge, but as a metaphor: real growth happens when we stop avoiding discomfort and start walking through it with intention. 5. What kind of topics do you cover on the podcast? We talk about recovery, identity, purpose, grief, faith, trauma, transformation, failure, resilience, and what it looks like to live with depth and honesty. Every conversation is grounded in real experience — not polished performance. 6. How can I listen to the podcast? You can listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or right here on our website. Just head over to the Our Podcast (https://www.livingonincline.com/podcastlists)page to check out the latest episodes. 7. Is this a faith-based podcast? Yes — but not in the traditional, preachy sense. Living on Incline is grounded in spiritual values and shaped by John’s personal faith, but it’s not about religion or theology. It’s about real conversations, personal transformation, and the deeper questions we all face. Whether you’re rooted in faith, wrestling with it, or just curious — you’re welcome here. 8. What is Living on Incline Docs? COMING SOON! It’s our original docuseries — featuring powerful, real-life stories of people who’ve walked through pain, loss, and major life shifts, and found meaning on the other side. It’s raw, inspiring, and will be in production soon. 9. Can I share my story? Yes — if you’ve walked through something hard and found growth, purpose, or healing on the other side, we’d love to hear about it. Visit our Submit Your Story (https://www.livingonincline.com/submitastory)page to tell us more. 10. How do I stay in the loop? Join our email list. We’ll send you weekly encouragement, podcast updates, and early access to retreats, events, and new content. You can subscribe at the top right of the page. 11. Will there be live events or retreats? Yes — we’re currently building out experiences for people who want to unplug, reflect, and reconnect. If you’re looking for something deeper than just content, make sure you’re on our list to hear when retreats launch. 12. Can I support the podcast or donate? We’re building toward that. In the future, there will be ways to support through merch, memberships, or donations. For now, the best way to help is to listen, subscribe, leave a review, and share with someone who needs it. 13. Do you accept guests or collaborations? Absolutely. We’re always open to connecting with people who align with our message. If you or someone you know has a story or idea that fits, head over to our Submit a Story (https://www.livingonincline.com/submitastory)page. 14. I filled out the contact form — when will I hear back? We try to respond within 3–5 business days. If your message is time-sensitive, please make a note of that so we can prioritize it. 15. Is there a private community or membership group? We’re working on it. We want to build a space that feels safe, honest, and real. In the meantime, the best way to stay connected is through our email list and social channels.