Upside Down Influencer

Upside Down Influencer

By Jessica JohnsonReligion & SpiritualityChristianity
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Upside Down Influencer episodes

  • Cuffing Season and the Christian: Navigating Dating Apps and Singleness with Kelly Saxton

    In this episode, Jessica chats with Kelly Saxton about what it really looks like to navigate dating apps, long-term singleness, and faith in modern culture. What does it look like to stay faithful in your singleness in a world of swipes, situationships, and seasonal dating pressure?


    Kelly shares her honest experiences with online dating, how she sets boundaries that honor God, and what it means to keep hope alive when waiting feels long. Together, they unpack the tension between putting yourself out there and trusting God’s timing, how to handle “cuffing season” without compromising your values, and how to walk through comparison when everyone around you seems to be getting engaged.

    This episode is for the person who needs the reminder of 1. Your life isn’t over just because you’re single. And 2. Living set apart includes your online dating life.

    Connect with Kelly

    Instagram: @Kellysaxsellsjax
    Her podcast Instagram: @the.morning.pour


    To get connected with other upside down influencers and follow along with us, you can find us on:

     

    Instagram: @upsidedowninfluencer

    TikTok: @upsidedowninfluencer
    Facebook
    To reach out to us: [email protected]

    47 min
  • When Camo meets the Cross with Audrey Wikan

    Audrey may wear camo, but she is learning what it means to live anything but blended in. In this episode, Jessica sits down with Audrey Wikan - hunter, content creator, and spokeswoman for Drake Waterfowl. Together, they talk about navigating social media in the outdoor industry, Audrey’s walk with Christ, finding purpose beyond performance, and living with integrity in a world driven by image. So whether you’ve ever stepped foot in a duck blind or not, you’ll walk away challenged to stand out for Christ wherever God has placed you.

     

    Connect with Audrey:

    Instagram: @audrey_wikan
    TikTok: @audrey.wikan
    Youtube: @audreywikan

    To get connected with other upside down influencers and follow along with us, you can find us on:

    Instagram: @upsidedowninfluencer

    TikTok: @upsidedowninfluencer
    Facebook
    To reach out to us: [email protected]

    39 min
  • Why Christians Should Make the Best Content on the Internet with Trey Curry

    What happens when a pastor becomes a food influencer? Jessica talks with Trey Curry (@treylovesfood) about why Christians should make the best content on the internet.


    As Christ followers, it’s easy to see social media as dangerous or “worldly”, but Trey reminds us, it’s a tool! The question is, who’s using it? Will we let the enemy dominate these spaces, or will we step in and create with excellence for God’s glory? Together, Jessica and Trey unpack what it means to make great content without looking like the world and how to point people to Jesus even if you’re not explicitly preaching. Can you be the best chef on the internet for God’s glory? Trey thinks, yes!

    They also talk about guarding your heart not judging others’ motives in the process, and the surprising ways God has used something as simple as food videos to open doors for deeper conversations. Whether you’re a creator or someone just trying to honor God online, this conversation will challenge and encourage you to bring excellence, creativity and authenticity into every space you post.

     

    Connect with Trey:

    Youtube: @Treylovesfood
    TikTok: @Treylovesfood

    To get connected with other upside down influencers and follow along with us, you can find us on:
    Youtube: @upsidedowninfluencer
    Instagram: @upsidedowninfluencer
    TikTok: @upsidedowninfluencer
    Facebook
    To reach out to us: [email protected]

    1 hr
  • Practical Ways to Live Differently (First Solo Episode!)

    Post Charlie Kirk assassination, a lot of Christians are asking themselves how they can live differently. In this first solo episode, I’m sharing what God has been teaching me about living set apart in a world that constantly tells us to conform. From embracing the season you’re in, to pursuing  friendships, showing hospitality, and staying obedient in your walk with God, I’m unpacking the ways He is shaping the way I show up online and in life.


    I talk about the challenges and joys of motherhood, the importance of obedience over instant gratification, navigating convictions without judgment, and finding your unique voice in a sea of comparison. I also share practical ways to cultivate influence in your own life first, before trying to impact others online.

     

    Let me know what you thought of my first solo episode!


    Book I mentioned: The Gospel Comes with a House Key
    Program I mentioned: VidAngel

    Connect with my personal pages

    Instagram: @mrsjessica_johson
    TikTok: @mrsjessicajohnson

     

    To get connected with other upside down influencers and follow along with us, you can find us on:

     

    Instagram: @upsidedowninfluencer

    TikTok: @upsidedowninfluencer
    Facebook
    To reach out to us: [email protected]

    29 min
  • “Lifting” His Name with 18 Year Old Olympic Weightlifter, Emma Heck

    What does it look like to chase excellence in your sport while keeping your identity rooted in Christ? In this episode of Upside Down Influencer, I’m joined by 18-year-old Emma Heck, a rising star in the weightlifting world who uses her platform to point people to Jesus.


    Emma shares her journey into weightlifting, the highs and lows of competition, and what it’s like to have influence in her sport at such a young age. We dive into the pressures of social media, the temptation to compare, and how she guards her heart and keeps her worth anchored in Christ rather than performance or likes.

    Emma also opens up about how she displays her faith online, the kind of role models she looks up to, and the practices that help her stay grounded outside of training. Her perspective is full of wisdom for other young athletes and anyone wanting to use their social media to glorify God.

    It’s so encouraging to see someone so young and passionate about her faith. And if you've ever wondered if God is in the younger generations, He IS!

    Connect with Emma:
    Instagram: @emmaheckoly
    TikTok: @emmaheckoly

    To get connected with other upside down influencers and follow along with us, you can find us on:
    Instagram: @upsidedowninfluencer
    TikTok: @upsidedowninfluencer
    Facebook

    To reach out to us: [email protected]

    30 min
  • There’s Nothing at the Top with Former NFL Player Josh Wells

    What happens when you reach the dream everyone else is chasing…only to realize it still leaves you empty? In this episode of Upside Down Influencer, Jessica sits down with former NFL player and Super Bowl Champion, Josh Wells to talk about his journey from small-town football to the big stage of the National Football League. Josh shares the highs of making it to the top, but also the surprising emptiness that came with money, “success”, and influence.

    Together, we unpack:

    • The illusion social media creates about success, wealth, and influence
    • The moment Josh realized that even the NFL couldn’t satisfy the deepest longings of his soul
    • His personal struggles with social media
    • How faith in Jesus redefined his identity and purpose both on and off the field
    • The challenges of leaving professional football and finding purpose beyond a career
    • How he now uses his platform to encourage others to pursue Christ over cultural “success”

      • If you’ve ever believed the lie that life will finally feel complete once you “make it,” Josh’s story is a powerful reminder that there’s nothing at the top, apart from Jesus.

       

      Connect with Josh:

      Instagram: @j_wells72
      Instagram: @ undraftedcoaching

      To get connected with other upside down influencers and follow along with us, you can find us on:

      Instagram: @upsidedowninfluencer

      TikTok: @upsidedowninfluencer
      Facebook
      To reach out to us: [email protected]

      45 min
    • Making Money Online while Staying True to Christ with Chelsea Shull

      How do you make a living on social media and still follow Christ faithfully? In this episode of Upside-Down Influencer, I sit down with Chelsea Shull, a content creator who works in both the influencer and UGC (user-generated content) world. 


      Chelsea shares her journey into influencer marketing, what success looks like to her, and what real influence is vs just a viral video. She also opens up about how she navigates brand partnerships, stays anchored in her faith and discerns which opportunities align or don’t align with her values as a Christ Follower.

      We also dive into what it looks like to stay rooted in your identity in Christ instead of followers or likes, set healthy boundaries online, and use your platform to point people back to Jesus. Whether you’re curious about building income through influencer or UGC work, or you just want practical wisdom on living faithfully in the digital world, this episode will encourage you to pursue influence that lasts!


       

      Connect with Chelsea:
      IG: @chelseacepedashull 
      TikTok: @chelscepedashull

      To get connected with other upside down influencers and follow along with us, you can find us on:
      Instagram: @upsidedowninfluencer
      TikTok: @upsidedowninfluencer
      Facebook
      To reach out to us: [email protected]
      47 min
    • The Questions Nobody Is Asking Out Loud

      In this episode, we’re diving into the questions most Christ followers on social media aren’t asking out loud, but are probably thinking about! Should we be posting pictures of our Bible and coffee on Instagram? Is it okay to ask God for followers? Can we record our quiet time with the Lord and still call it authentic?

      Should we expect worldly success when we share about Jesus online? 

      These are the kinds of questions that come up when Christianity meets social media, and while I don’t claim to have all the answers, I believe it’s worth wrestling with them honestly. So I brought back my friend, Pastor John Barringer, for a raw Q&A around these tricky (and often unspoken) tensions. I invited John on because I trust his opinion, admire his walk with the Lord, and deeply respect how thoughtfully he engages with hard questions.

      Whether you're a content creator, a casual scroller, or just someone trying to navigate faith online with integrity, this one’s for you.

       

      Connect with Pastor John:

      @thereadthinkpraypodcast on IG.  

       

      To get connected with other upside down influencers and follow along with us, you can find us on:


      Instagram: @upsidedowninfluencer
      TikTok: @upsidedowninfluencer
      Facebook

       

      To reach out to us: [email protected]

      1 hr 3 min
    • Self Obsession and Vanity with Pastor John Barringer

      Are we being vain? How do we know? In today’s culture, many things get so “normalized” that we almost get desensitized to how self obsession can actually look. Listen, I am not trying to be over the top and say you can never post a photo of yourself or that we can’t celebrate wins. However, I DO think there needs to be more conversations around this topic because as Christ followers, our social media SHOULD look different from the world’s. Pastor John Barringer joins me on this episode to unpack some of the questions I had about self obsession and vanity and to my surprise, HE had some questions to ask me too.


      Connect with Pastor John:
      @thereadthinkpraypodcast on IG. 

      To get connected with other upside down influencers and follow along with us,

      you can find us on:

      Instagram: @upsidedowninfluencer
      TikTok: @upsidedowninfluencer
      Facebook

       

      To reach out to us: [email protected]

       

      59 min
    • Killing Distraction and the War for Our Attention

      Constant notifications, endless scrolling and nonstop multimedia... distraction isn’t just a nuisance… it’s a battle for our attention and affection. How can we guard our hearts and minds against the things that pull us away from Christ?


      In this episode, I’m joined by Caitlin Armstrong from The Church of Eleven22 to unpack this important topic. We talk about the difference between what is sinful and what’s simply not beneficial, how to recognize distraction in our lives, and what it looks like to practically pursue focus, God's presence, and spiritual discipline in a world trying to steal it.

       

      Caitlin’s Talk on How to Read Your Bible: Here


      To get connected with other upside down influencers and follow along with us, you can find us on:
      Instagram: @upsidedowninfluencer
      TikTok: @upsidedowninfluencer
      Facebook

       

      To reach out to us: [email protected]

      57 min

    About Upside Down Influencer

    From the publisher's feed

    How do we navigate social media as a Christ follower? How should we approach trends, present ourselves, comment on cultural moments, or even view cancel culture through a biblical lens? These are…