Living on Incline

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.

Guest Links (Jeff Stultz):

• Broken Chains JC: https://brokenchainsjc.com
• Jeff on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeffstultz_recovery
• Jeff on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeffstultzspeaker

Chapters / Timestamps

0:00 – Jeff’s introduction and wild past

2:00 – What is Broken Chains?

4:30 – Motorcycle clubs vs. Jesus communities

6:00 – Life in a 1% outlaw biker gang

9:30 – From abuse to addiction to power

13:00 – Crack addiction and homelessness

16:00 – Losing everything: houses, boats, identity

20:00 – How codependency nearly ruined his parents

23:00 – What life is really like as a homeless addict

26:00 – How to help the homeless the right way

29:00 – Why recovery is really discipleship

32:00 – 18 years sober—how he still stays accountable

35:00 – Cancer, pain, and trusting God

38:00 – Facing a life-altering surgery

40:00 – Why Jeff won’t stop preaching the gospel

43:00 – Launching The Hope Spot church

45:00 – How YOU can support his mission

47:00 – Final message: Slide in sideways, used up for Jesus

Listen & Subscribe:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/living-on-incline/id1828304603

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/78HwNrRWZHGAHL8Zv90nO0?si=e4b5d032e9214deb

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZdyfS2K4OE4WFJRWSuAgsQ

RSS Feed: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2521959.rss

Website: https://www.livingonincline.com

Sponsored by Recovery Alive

Living on Incline is proudly sponsored by Recovery Alive, a Christ-centered recovery movement helping people rebuild their lives, restore relationships, and renew their faith.

Website: https://www.recoveryalive.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/recoveryaliveinc/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/recoveryaliveinc

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@recoveryalive

#JeffStultz #LivingOnIncline #RecoveryAlive #BrokenChains #ChristianTestimony #BikerToBeliever #AddictionRecovery #Home

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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.

Jessica’s story begins with trauma, fear, and chaos—witnessing violence as a child, slipping into addiction as a teen, and enduring multiple arrests and overdoses. But it’s not a story about staying broken. It’s about finding a way forward through faith, hard work, and radical grace.

Today, Jessica is on a mission to help others climb out of the pit she once lived in. Whether you’re in recovery, supporting someone who is, or just need a reminder of what’s possible—this episode will stay with you.

Chapters / Timestamps:

0:00 – Meet Jessica Hicks

1:30 – Struggles from childhood

3:00 – Life in constant fear as a kid

5:00 – Living a double life

7:00 – Early use of drugs and downward spiral

10:00 – Arrests, rehabs, and hitting bottom

13:00 – Detoxing from benzos and hospitalization

16:00 – A miracle moment in court

20:00 – Starting over with Healing Transitions

24:00 – Living amends and building confidence

28:00 – Mentorship, real estate, and recovery

32:00 – First big land deal and building homes

38:00 – Meeting Tisha Temple and a shared vision

42:00 – Taking bold steps in faith

46:00 – Parenting, spiritual growth, and giving back

51:00 – Why she wouldn’t change a thing

Listen & Subscribe:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/living-on-incline/id1828304603

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/78HwNrRWZHGAHL8Zv90nO0?si=e4b5d032e9214deb

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZdyfS2K4OE4WFJRWSuAgsQ

RSS Feed: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2521959.rss

Website: https://www.livingonincline.com

Sponsored by Recovery Alive

Living on Incline is proudly sponsored by Recovery Alive, a Christ-centered recovery movement helping people rebuild their lives, restore relationships, and renew their faith.

Learn more: https://www.recoveryalive.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/recoveryaliveinc/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/recoveryaliveinc

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@recoveryalive

#JessicaHicks #LivingOnIncline #RecoveryAlive #AddictionRecovery #FromAddictionToEntrepreneur #ChristianTestimony #RealEstateRecovery #FaithAndHealing #WomenInRecovery #HealingTransitions #OvercomingAddiction

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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:

0:00 – Introduction: How do people actually change?

2:00 – Casey’s suicide attempt and battle with depression

4:30 – Tisha’s heroin addiction and survival on the streets

6:00 – Withdrawals, jail, and the turning point

8:00 – Finding faith and safe community through Recovery Alive

10:00 – The pain behind addiction and numbing

13:00 – “You don’t want to die. You want the pain to stop.”

15:00 – Learning how to suffer well and not escape

17:00 – The tools that make long-term recovery possible

19:00 – How much sobriety they’ve each maintained

21:00 – Why Casey still lives with depression—and is grateful for it

24:00 – Embracing the pain instead of running from it

26:00 – Would they go through it all again?

29:00 – From brokenness to building recovery homes

33:00 – What it really takes to turn a dream into reality

36:00 – The power of support, structure, and purpose

40:00 – How they help each other through discouragement

43:00 – Giving grace when others relapse

45:00 – Living on Incline: Growth is the goal

47:00 – Final encouragement: Do the next right thing

Listen & Subscribe:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/living-on-incline/id1828304603

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/78HwNrRWZHGAHL8Zv90nO0?si=e4b5d032e9214deb

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZdyfS2K4OE4WFJRWSuAgsQ

RSS Feed: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2521959.rss

Website: https://www.livingonincline.com

Sponsored by Recovery Alive

Living on Incline is proudly sponsored by Recovery Alive, a Christ-centered recovery movement helping people rebuild their lives, restore relationships, and renew their faith.

Learn more: https://www.recoveryalive.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/recoveryaliveinc/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/recoveryaliveinc

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@recoveryalive

#LivingOnIncline #RecoveryAlive #CaseyTemple #TishaTemple #FromAddictionToRecovery #ChristianTestimony #MentalHealthMatters #SuicideSurvivor #HeroinRecovery #FaithAndHealing #RecoveryPodcast #ChristCenteredRecovery #CouplesInRecovery #AddictionAwareness #DepressionRecovery

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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.

Chapters / Timestamps:

0:00 – Grayson’s opening message about The Hope Project

1:00 – Her sister Kinsley’s battle with addiction

3:00 – The moment that changed everything

5:00 – Creating The Hope Project at age 14

7:00 – Growing up in silence and shame

9:00 – The stigma surrounding addiction

12:00 – The family trauma no one talked about

15:00 – What pageants taught her about advocacy

18:00 – Losing her father to incarceration

22:00 – The moment she almost gave up

25:00 – Kinsley’s miraculous recovery—and relapse

30:00 – What grief taught her about herself

33:00 – Why structure and service saved her

37:00 – The power of showing up vulnerable

41:00 – Living on a mission, not for applause

45:00 – What’s next: Law school and legislative change

49:00 – How sharing her story helps others heal

52:00 – Final encouragement to anyone grieving addiction

Listen and Follow Living on Incline

Listen on your favorite platform:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/living-on-incline/id1828304603

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/78HwNrRWZHGAHL8Zv90nO0?si=e4b5d032e9214deb

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZdyfS2K4OE4WFJRWSuAgsQ

RSS Feed: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2521959.rss

Website: https://www.livingonincline.com

Sponsored by Recovery Alive

Living on Incline is proudly sponsored by Recovery Alive, a Christ-centered recovery program helping people find hope, healing, and purpose through authentic community and biblical transformation.

Learn more: https://www.recoveryalive.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/recoveryaliveinc/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/recoveryaliveinc

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@recoveryalive

#LivingOnIncline #RecoveryAlive #GraysonJohnson #TheHopeProject #AddictionRecovery #OverdoseAwareness #EndTheStigma #MissJohnstonCounty #FromGriefToPurpose #OpioidCrisis #FaithAndHealing #ChristianPodcast #VulnerabilityIsPower #FightForHope

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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.

Chapters / Timestamps:

0:00 – Intro to Chris McDaniel and his story

1:30 – Life before the fall: Fame, bands, and the road

4:00 – The first encounter with drugs

6:30 – Pressure, peer influence, and wanting to fit in

9:00 – From innocent to addict: The rapid decline

12:00 – Trauma, father wounds, and chasing affirmation

14:30 – Using music to prove his worth

17:00 – Drug dealing and running with outlaws

20:00 – Losing everything—money, relationships, identity

24:00 – Near death, isolation, and total breakdown

27:00 – The moment on the floor that changed everything

29:30 – Walking into church for the first time in years

31:00 – Worship, conviction, and the prodigal son moment

36:00 – Getting real with God after years of shame

39:00 – The little old lady who helped him find Jesus

43:00 – Living with purpose after addiction

46:00 – From shame to speaking life in prisons and schools

50:00 – The power of sharing your testimony

54:00 – Holding fast through the storms of life

57:00 – Encouragement for those struggling post-salvation

1:00:00 – Final message: Stay connected to the Vine

#LivingOnIncline #RecoveryAlive #ChrisMcDaniel #ChristianTestimony #FromAddictionToRedemption #GrammyToGrace #FaithOverFame #ProdigalSon #ChristianPodcast #OvercomingAddiction #JesusSaves #ChurchRecovery #MusicMinistry #WorshipThroughPain

Listen and Follow Living on Incline

🎧 Listen on your favorite platform:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/living-on-incline/id1828304603

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/78HwNrRWZHGAHL8Zv90nO0?si=e4b5d032e9214deb

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZdyfS2K4OE4WFJRWSuAgsQ

RSS Feed: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2521959.rss

🌐 Website: https://www.livingonincline.com

Sponsored by Recovery Alive

Living on Incline is proudly sponsored by Recovery Alive, a Christ-centered recovery program helping people find hope, healing, and purpose through authentic community and biblical transformation.

🌐 Learn more: https://www.recoveryalive.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/recoveryaliveinc/

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/recoveryaliveinc

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@recoveryalive

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Episode 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 who nearly walked away from ministry after facing the weight of religion, performance, and legalism.

He opens up about his early struggles with leading through legalistic traditions, the moment he realized his church wasn’t ready for broken people, and how stepping into recovery ministry changed his life and the life of his church forever.

If you’ve ever felt burned out, disillusioned, or like the church was more about image than impact, this episode is for you. It’s raw, redemptive, and a clear call to lead with love.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction
02:24 (Skip intro)Welcome to Living on Incline
03:10 First Episode Kickoff
03:24 Interview with Pastor Rodney Pierce
06:15 Rodney's P ath to Ministry
10:44 Challenges and Growth in Ministry
12:42 Breaking Away from Legalism
19:40 The Start of Recovery Ministry
23:16 Defining Moments and Outreach
30:58 Recovery Ministry and the Journey Begins
31:51 Facing Adversity and Pushback
33:01 Challenges of Creating a New Culture
37:34 The Importance of Perseverance
39:47 Navigating Through Personal and Church Struggles
41:19 The Role of Suffering in Growth
54:49 Support Systems and Vulnerability
57:59 Motivation and Love for People
01:02:02 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Follow Rodney and Temple City Church

Temple City Church Website: https://www.templecity.church/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyfGMfEuFi9QOVwkCBOT7Kw

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/templecitychurch

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TempleCityChurch

Listen and Follow Living on Incline

🎧 Listen on your favorite platform:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/living-on-incline/id1828304603

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/78HwNrRWZHGAHL8Zv90nO0?si=e4b5d032e9214deb

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZdyfS2K4OE4WFJRWSuAgsQ

RSS Feed: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2521959.rss

🌐 Website: https://www.livingonincline.com

Sponsored by Recovery Alive

Living on Incline is proudly sponsored by Recovery Alive, a Christ-centered recovery program helping people find hope, healing, and purpose through authentic community and biblical transformation.

🌐 Learn more: https://www.recoveryalive.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/recoveryaliveinc/

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/recoveryaliveinc

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@recoveryalive

#LivingOnIncline #RecoveryAlive #ChristianLeadership #FaithAndRecovery #LegalismToLove #ChurchHurt #SpiritualHealing #RecoveryMinistry #AuthenticChurch #ChristianPodcast #GraceNotPerformance #MinistryBurnout #ChurchGrowth #HonestFaith

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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.

If you’re curious about what you’re capable of — physically, spiritually, emotionally — you’re in the right place.

Listen and Follow Living on Incline

🎧 Listen on your favorite platform:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/living-on-incline/id1828304603

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/78HwNrRWZHGAHL8Zv90nO0?si=e4b5d032e9214deb

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZdyfS2K4OE4WFJRWSuAgsQ

RSS Feed: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2521959.rss

Sponsored by Recovery Alive

Living on Incline is proudly sponsored by Recovery Alive, a Christ-centered recovery program helping people find hope, healing, and purpose through authentic community and biblical transformation.

🌐 Learn more: https://www.recoveryalive.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/recoveryaliveinc/

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/recoveryaliveinc

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@recoveryalive

Send us Fan Mail