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Most Christians believe we are saved by grace—but many quietly live as though grace stops there. In this thought-provoking conversation, Elliot sits down with Dr. Kyle DiRoberts, professor, author, and theologian, to unpack his book Grace Beyond Salvation. Together, they explore how God’s grace shapes our daily lives, relationships, and even our theology after conversion.
Kyle unpacks how striving, rule-following, and theological overthinking can quietly replace genuine dependence on God’s grace—even in the most devout lives. With clarity and pastoral insight, he challenges performance-driven Christianity and invites us to experience grace not just as a doctrine, but as a sustaining power for everyday life. Together, they confront the traps of legalism, explore the nature of spiritual maturity, and reframe disciplines like prayer and Scripture as responses to love—not attempts to earn it.
If you’ve ever felt burned out from trying to be good enough, this episode will speak to your soul.
Dr. Kyle DiRoberts is the Department Chair and Associate Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies at Arizona Christian University. He also teaches at Phoenix Seminary and serves as a pastor at Scottsdale Bible Church. Kyle regularly writes and speaks on spiritual formation, humility, and the grace of God.
Elliot Sands is the host of the Live Faith First podcast—a dynamic space where faith meets real-world challenges. With a rich background as a pastor, school principal, health-tech co-founder, and now Executive Director of Faith First, Elliot brings deep wisdom and practical insight to every conversation. As a husband, father, and grandfather, he weaves personal experience with thoughtful discussion, tackling tough topics with clarity and compassion. Live Faith First is all about bridging divides—whether in society or the church—encouraging listeners to step beyond echo chambers and build real, meaningful relationships across the aisle, the street, or the table.
Connect with Kyle DiRoberts
Website: https://kylediroberts.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kylediroberts/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kyle.diroberts
Book: https://www.moodypublishers.com/grace-beyond-salvation/
Connect with Live Faith First
Website: LiveFaithFirst.com
Instagram: @LiveFaithFirst
TikTok: @livefaithfirst
Facebook: facebook.com/LiveFaithFirst
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In this heartfelt and deeply reflective conversation, Elliot Sands sits down with Jenn Suen Chen, spiritual director, leadership coach, and author of Dim Sum and Faith. They explore the power of tables to create belonging, what it’s like to grow up between cultures, how long-term suffering shapes faith, and the lifelong challenge of asking for help. Jenn shares her family’s story of faith, resilience, and hospitality—and how her husband’s ongoing cancer journey revealed God’s presence in silence and need. They also talk parenting, adult children, people-pleasing vs. servant-heartedness, and what it really means to listen well.
This is a rich, vulnerable, and hope-filled episode with laughter, wisdom, and stories that will linger.
Jenn Suen Chen is a spiritual director, leadership coach, and the author of Dim Sum and Faith: How Our Stories Form Our Souls. A first-generation daughter of Chinese immigrants, Jenn served overseas for more than 20 years and is now companioning leaders, families, and individuals as they navigate the intersection of faith, identity, and resilience. She is passionate about hospitality, silence, the ministry of listening, and reclaiming wholeness in an emotionally scattered world.
Elliot Sands is the host of the Live Faith First podcast—a dynamic space where faith meets real-world challenges. With a rich background as a pastor, school principal, health-tech co-founder, and now Executive Director of Faith First, Elliot brings deep wisdom and practical insight to every conversation. As a husband, father, and grandfather, he weaves personal experience with thoughtful discussion, tackling tough topics with clarity and compassion. Live Faith First is all about bridging divides—whether in society or the church—encouraging listeners to step beyond echo chambers and build real, meaningful relationships across the aisle, the street, or the table.
Connect with Jenn Suen Chen
Website: https://www.jennsuenchen.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennsuenchen/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennsuenchen
Book: https://www.ivpress.com/dim-sum-and-faith
Connect with Faith First
Website:LiveFaithFirst.com
Instagram: @LiveFaithFirst
TikTok: @livefaithfirst
Facebook: facebook.com/LiveFaithFirst
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We live in an age of unlimited information—but do we have wisdom? In this powerful and personal conversation, author and pastor Mark Moore joins Elliot to talk about his new book Wisdom 52, a year-long journey into biblical wisdom that’s meant to be lived, not just learned.
Mark shares why he left academia to join the local church, how he wrestled with gossip in his younger years, and why mentoring is his deepest joy. From truth in an AI age to dealing with enemies, from economic disparity to contentment in a culture of comparison, this conversation is filled with truth, humor, and spiritual insight.
“Wisdom is skill in living. It’s not just knowing—it’s knowing what to do with what you know.” — Mark Moore
They also dive into some of the most pressing issues facing the Church today: tribalism, economic injustice, and the epidemic of loneliness. Don’t miss this episode—it’s a practical, gospel-centered roadmap for those who want to live wisely and love well.
Dr. Mark Moore is a teaching pastor at Christ’s Church of the Valley in Peoria, Arizona, where he helps lead one of the fastest-growing churches in the country. He served for over 20 years as a professor of New Testament at Ozark Christian College before transitioning to full-time pastoral ministry.
Mark is the author of multiple books including Core 52, a bestselling Bible guide that empowers everyday people to understand and apply Scripture. His latest book, Wisdom 52, takes readers on a year-long journey through biblical wisdom, integrating themes from Proverbs with the whole counsel of Scripture and practical life application. Mark speaks widely on discipleship, mentoring, and biblical truth in the modern age. He’s passionate about the local church, spiritual formation, and helping people live out their faith with purpose and integrity.
Elliot Sands is the host of the Live Faith First podcast—a dynamic space where faith meets real-world challenges. With a rich background as a pastor, school principal, health-tech co-founder, and now Executive Director of Faith First, Elliot brings deep wisdom and practical insight to every conversation. As a husband, father, and grandfather, he weaves personal experience with thoughtful discussion, tackling tough topics with clarity and compassion. Live Faith First is all about bridging divides—whether in society or the church—encouraging listeners to step beyond echo chambers and build real, meaningful relationships across the aisle, the street, or the table.
Connect with Mark Moore
Website: https://www.markmoore.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markmoore330/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.e.moore.31
Book: https://www.markmoore.org/wisdom52
Connect with Live Faith First
Website: LiveFaithFirst.com
Instagram: @LiveFaithFirst
TikTok: @livefaithfirst
Facebook: facebook.com/LiveFaithFirst
YouTube: youtube.com/@livefaithfirst
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We all carry invisible burdens—pain, shame, anxiety, fear—but what if the first step toward healing is simply naming what hurts? Licensed therapist and author Monica DiCristina joins Elliot to explore the transformative power of naming our pain. They discuss gaslighting, anxiety, shame, spiritual bypassing, boundaries, and practical ways to regulate your nervous system when life gets overwhelming.
This episode is a grounded and hopeful conversation about what happens when we stop minimizing, start naming, and take back the story pain tried to write for us.
Topics Covered
Gaslighting and emotional manipulation
Minimizing pain vs. honoring pain
How to set (and receive) boundaries
Why childhood wounds still show up in adulthood
Naming pain and regaining agency
Anxiety as a signal—not the whole problem
Soothing practices: breathing, walking, music, gratitude
Shame resilience and identity
Grace, faith, and the emotional life of believers
Monica DiCristina is a licensed professional counselor, podcast host, and author of Your Pain Has a Name. Through her therapy practice, writing, and speaking, she helps people identify and name emotional pain so they can heal and thrive. Known for her compassionate, clear voice, Monica equips others with the language and tools to navigate anxiety, shame, grief, and relationships with grace. She's a trusted guide for those longing to feel seen and whole.
Elliot Sands is the host of the Live Faith First podcast—a dynamic space where faith meets real-world challenges. With a rich background as a pastor, school principal, health-tech co-founder, and now Executive Director of Faith First, Elliot brings deep wisdom and practical insight to every conversation. As a husband, father, and grandfather, he weaves personal experience with thoughtful discussion, tackling tough topics with clarity and compassion. Live Faith First is all about bridging divides—whether in society or the church—encouraging listeners to step beyond echo chambers and build real, meaningful relationships across the aisle, the street, or the table.
Connect with Monica DiCristina
Website: monicadicristina.com
Instagram: @monicadicristina
Substack: monicadicristina.substack.com
Book: Your Pain Has a Name
Connect with Live Faith First
Instagram: @LiveFaithFirst
TikTok: @livefaithfirst
Stay Connected-signup for our newsletter- https://www.livefaithfirst.org/contact
We live in a time when violence, polarization, and dehumanization dominate our cultural moment. From character assassination on social media to literal assassination attempts, our nation feels fractured and fragile. In this conversation, Elliot sits down with pastor, author, and peacemaker Mike Chong Perkinson to explore how followers of Jesus can respond differently.
Together, Elliot and Mike wrestle with what it means to see others as image bearers of God, how to resist turning people into ideologies, and how prayer for our enemies reshapes our own hearts. This timely and challenging episode calls us to reclaim the ministry of reconciliation, to clean out the “fear and apathy” that pollute our inner lives, and to step forward as peacemakers in a fractured world.
Mike Chong Perkinson is a church planter, pastor, and leader passionate about renewing Christian leaders and churches through relational, faithful ministry. He is co-founder and Senior Developer of The Praxis Center for Church Development, President of The Trivium Institute, and currently serves as Network Lead & Superintendent of the Pacific Coast Japanese Conference in the Free Methodist Church.
Elliot Sands is the host of the Live Faith First podcast—a dynamic space where faith meets real-world challenges. With a rich background as a pastor, school principal, health-tech co-founder, and now Executive Director of Faith First, Elliot brings deep wisdom and practical insight to every conversation. As a husband, father, and grandfather, he weaves personal experience with thoughtful discussion, tackling tough topics with clarity and compassion. Live Faith First is all about bridging divides—whether in society or the church—encouraging listeners to step beyond echo chambers and build real, meaningful relationships across the aisle, the street, or the table.
Connect with Mike Chong Perkinson:
Website: The Praxis Center
Website: PCJC Free Methodist
Instagram: @mikechongperkinson
Facebook: Mike C. Perkinson
LinkedIn: Mike Chong Perkinson
Connect with Live Faith First
Instagram: @LiveFaithFirst
TikTok: @livefaithfirst
Facebook: facebook.com/LiveFaithFirst
YouTube: youtube.com/@livefaithfirst
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What if your greatest weakness was actually your greatest strength? Kevan Chandler lives with spinal muscular atrophy and has spent his life inviting others into his place of need—not just to survive, but to build rich, reciprocal relationships. In this deeply personal and profound conversation, Kevan shares how asking for help has created community, revealed God's design for mutual care, and sparked global adventures fueled by trust, humility, and joy.
We talk about how our limitations can invite connection, what the Bible says about mutual need, why Jesus chose to rely on others, and how Kevan’s book The Hospitality of Need offers a radically countercultural invitation to both give and receive help in a lonely world. From band tours to China, couch-surfers to communal living, this episode will challenge how you view strength, independence, and God’s plan for friendship.
Kevan Chandler is a storyteller, speaker, and the author of several books including The Hospitality of Need and We Carry Kevan. Born with spinal muscular atrophy, Kevan’s life has been shaped by radical dependence and the joy of community. He is the founder of We Carry Kevan, a nonprofit that challenges cultural perceptions of disability and mobilizes people to carry one another—sometimes literally.
Elliot Sands is the host of the Live Faith First podcast—a dynamic space where faith meets real-world challenges. With a rich background as a pastor, school principal, health-tech co-founder, and now Executive Director of Faith First, Elliot brings deep wisdom and practical insight to every conversation. As a husband, father, and grandfather, he weaves personal experience with thoughtful discussion, tackling tough topics with clarity and compassion. Live Faith First is all about bridging divides—whether in society or the church—encouraging listeners to step beyond echo chambers and build real, meaningful relationships across the aisle, the street, or the table.
Connect with Kevan:
https://wecarrykevan.com
Instagram: @wecarrykevan
Facebook: facebook.com/wecarrykevan
Connect with Live Faith First:
Instagram: @LiveFaithFirst
TikTok: @livefaithfirst
Facebook: facebook.com/LiveFaithFirst
YouTube: youtube.com/@livefaithfirst
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We live in a world that celebrates hustle, busyness, and burnout—but what if rest wasn’t a weakness, but a form of wisdom? In this episode of Live Faith First, Elliot sits down with nurse, holistic wellness educator, and author Tracie Braylock to explore Radical Relaxation—a framework for physical, emotional, and spiritual restoration. From nutrition and sleep to movement, meditation, and self-compassion, Tracie invites listeners to slow down and discover a better way to live, grounded in grace and the rhythms God designed for our healing.
You’ll hear about:
How stress underlies so many chronic health conditions
Sleep as divine restoration
Practical ways to relax every day
Redefining Christian meditation
Raising children with grace and presence
What happened during her unexpected home birth (!)
Tracie Braylock, MSN, BSN, RN is a nurse, writer, educator, and holistic wellness expert. She’s passionate about helping people break free from burnout, stress, and cultural overextension by embracing sacred rest and healing rhythms. With over two decades of experience in nursing and wellness education, Tracie guides people toward healthier, more peaceful lives through her writing, courses, and now her book, Radical Relaxation. She’s also a mom of four and a strong advocate for grace-filled parenting and self-care rooted in faith.
Elliot Sands is the host of the Live Faith First podcast—a dynamic space where faith meets real-world challenges. With a rich background as a pastor, school principal, health-tech co-founder, and now Executive Director of Faith First, Elliot brings deep wisdom and practical insight to every conversation. As a husband, father, and grandfather, he weaves personal experience with thoughtful discussion, tackling tough topics with clarity and compassion. Live Faith First is all about bridging divides—whether in society or the church—encouraging listeners to step beyond echo chambers and build real, meaningful relationships across the aisle, the street, or the table.
Connect with Tracie Braylock
🔗 Website: traciebraylock.com
📘 Book: Radical Relaxation
📸 Instagram: @traciebraylock
Connect with Live Faith First
📷 Instagram: @LiveFaithFirst
🎵 TikTok: @livefaithfirst
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/LiveFaithFirst
Stay Connected-signup for our newsletter-https://www.livefaithfirst.org/contact
We all hit low points in life—heartbreaks, failures, and tragedies that leave us wondering if we’ll ever get back up. But what if your lowest point wasn’t your final destination, but a divine launching pad for a better future? In this episode, Brad Scot Johnson joins us to share his journey through public failure, deep personal pain, and the powerful grace that helped him bounce back—and bounce better.
Brad opens up about his pastoral fall, healing journey, and how God’s grace isn’t a second-best life—it’s often the better life on the other side of brokenness. We discuss forgiveness, fear, scarcity mindsets, identity, grace, manifesting your future with God, and what it looks like to really start over.
This episode is for anyone who has ever thought, “I’ve gone too far,” or “I’ve messed up too much.” Brad’s story will remind you: there’s always a way forward.
Brad Johnson is a pastor, author, speaker, and the founder of Fresh Start, an online community helping people rediscover purpose, faith, and identity. After a very public fall from ministry, Brad has rebuilt his life on a foundation of radical grace and redemption. His book Bounce Back, Bounce Better is a deeply honest look at failure, growth, and second chances.
Elliot Sands is the host of the Live Faith First podcast—a dynamic space where faith meets real-world challenges. With a rich background as a pastor, school principal, health-tech co-founder, and now Executive Director of Faith First, Elliot brings deep wisdom and practical insight to every conversation. As a husband, father, and grandfather, he weaves personal experience with thoughtful discussion, tackling tough topics with clarity and compassion. Live Faith First is all about bridging divides—whether in society or the church—encouraging listeners to step beyond echo chambers and build real, meaningful relationships across the aisle, the street, or the table.
Connect with Brad Johnson
📘 Book: Bounce Back, Bounce Better
Connect with Live Faith First
📷 Instagram: @LiveFaithFirst
🎵 TikTok: @livefaithfirst
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/LiveFaithFirst
Fear is a constant undercurrent in our world—shaped by headlines, trauma, uncertainty, and internal battles. In this refreshing and hope-filled conversation, Elliot sits down with Tomorrow Needs You author and Mosaic Church pastor Naeem Fazal. Together, they explore how to walk with God through trauma, find growth after hardship, and uncover beauty and strength on the other side of fear. Naeem shares his powerful conversion story from Islam to Christianity, his journey as a church planter, and practical insights on moving forward with faith when life feels overwhelming.
Naeem Fazal is the founding pastor of Mosaic Church in Charlotte, North Carolina—a vibrant, multiethnic, multigenerational church. Born and raised in Kuwait in a Muslim home, Naeem experienced a powerful supernatural conversion to Christianity shortly after moving to the United States. He’s the author of Ex-Muslim and his newest book Tomorrow Needs You, a compelling invitation to move from fear to faith. Naeem speaks globally on topics of hope, healing, and cultural connection.
Elliot Sands is the host of the Live Faith First podcast—a dynamic space where faith meets real-world challenges. With a rich background as a pastor, school principal, health-tech co-founder, and now Executive Director of Faith First, Elliot brings deep wisdom and practical insight to every conversation. As a husband, father, and grandfather, he weaves personal experience with thoughtful discussion, tackling tough topics with clarity and compassion. Live Faith First is all about bridging divides—whether in society or the church—encouraging listeners to step beyond echo chambers and build real, meaningful relationships across the aisle, the street, or the table.
Connect with Naeem Fazal
Connect with Live Faith First
📷 Instagram: @LiveFaithFirst
🎵 TikTok: @livefaithfirst
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/LiveFaithFirst
What do youth group dirt bikes, awkward pizza parties, and Ecclesiastes have in common? According to pastor and author Nicholas McDonald—everything.
In this honest and hopeful conversation, Elliot Sands and Nicholas talk about his new book The Light In Our Eyes and the hunger so many people feel for a faith that’s honest, embodied, and full of beauty. They explore what deconstruction really is (and isn’t), why so many have left the Church but not Jesus, and how the Church’s calling is not escape but restoration. Along the way, they laugh at awkward ministry moments, challenge escapist theology, and paint a picture of hope that makes Christians peculiar.
This episode is for anyone who's questioning, carrying someone else’s questions, or ready to rebuild their faith story with Jesus at the center.
What deconstruction actually means
Why many leave the church, but not Jesus
American evangelicalism vs. the historic global church
Escapist theology and the problem with “just get saved”
Confession, communion, and authentic grace
Hope as a spiritual act of resistance
Restorying faith through Scripture, beauty, and belonging
Nicholas McDonald is a pastor, writer, speaker, and the author of The Light In Our Eyes: Seeing the Church Again for the First Time. A graduate of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and the University of St. Andrews, Nicholas has worked in both campus ministry with university students and pastoral roles. His writing explores themes of beauty, belonging, and belief in a disenchanted world. He currently serves at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis and publishes a Substack newsletter called The Bard Owl.
Elliot Sands is the host of the Live Faith First podcast—a dynamic space where faith meets real-world challenges. With a rich background as a pastor, school principal, health-tech co-founder, and now Executive Director of Faith First, Elliot brings deep wisdom and practical insight to every conversation. As a husband, father, and grandfather, he weaves personal experience with thoughtful discussion, tackling tough topics with clarity and compassion. Live Faith First is all about bridging divides—whether in society or the church—encouraging listeners to step beyond echo chambers and build real, meaningful relationships across the aisle, the street, or the table.
Connect with Nicholas McDonald
📘 Book: The Light In Our Eyes
📰 Newsletter: The Bard Owl on Substack
🎤 X: nicholasmcd
🌐 Church: Redeemer Presbyterian Church, Indianapolis
Connect with Live Faith First
📷 Instagram: @LiveFaithFirst
🎵 TikTok: @livefaithfirst
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/LiveFaithFirst
Can we really bridge political, cultural, and relational divides with curiosity? Journalist and bridge-builder Monica Guzmán thinks so. In this episode of Live Faith First, Elliot and Monica explore how to disagree without dehumanizing, why curiosity is a superpower in divided times, and how grace, humility, and honest conversation can reshape our relationships—even with family members who vote very differently. They also share real stories, practical tools, and laugh-through-the-awkward wisdom for navigating today’s polarized culture.
Monica Guzmán is a senior fellow for public practice at Braver Angels, host of the podcast A Braver Way, and author of I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times. A proud Mexican-American immigrant, Monica has spent her career in journalism, storytelling, and community building. She was named one of the 50 most influential women in Seattle and is a frequent speaker and commentator on depolarization, bridge-building, and curiosity.
Elliot Sands is the host of the Live Faith First podcast—a dynamic space where faith meets real-world challenges. With a rich background as a pastor, school principal, health-tech co-founder, and now Executive Director of Faith First, Elliot brings deep wisdom and practical insight to every conversation. As a husband, father, and grandfather, he weaves personal experience with thoughtful discussion, tackling tough topics with clarity and compassion. Live Faith First is all about bridging divides—whether in society or the church—encouraging listeners to step beyond echo chambers and build real, meaningful relationships across the aisle, the street, or the table.
Connect with Monica Guzmán
📘 I Never Thought of It That Way Book
Connect with Live Faith First
📷 Instagram: @LiveFaithFirst
🎵 TikTok: @livefaithfirst
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/LiveFaithFirst
What if the first thing someone needs from you isn’t a sermon—but a hamburger?
In this episode, Elliot sits down with Jason Lomelino, pastor of Isla Vista Church and founder of Jesus Burgers, a grassroots ministry in the heart of one of America’s wildest college towns. From handing out burgers on Del Playa to offering spiritual blessing and prayer to anyone who stops by, Jason’s life is a testament to presence before persuasion, and love before judgment.
Together, they explore:
Why relational ministry is more powerful than religious performance
How Jesus Burgers went from a backyard grill to a global movement
The role of hospitality in healing spiritual wounds
What discipleship looks like when it’s life-on-life, not top-down
How to hear God’s voice and practice a non-anxious presence in a chaotic world
Why Gen Z might be more open to Jesus than we think
This episode is real, inspiring, and full of stories that remind us that God shows up where people show up with love.
Jason Lomelino is the Lead Pastor of Isla Vista Church in Isla Vista, CA, and the founder of Jesus Burgers, a ministry that’s been serving love—and free hamburgers—to college students every weekend for over 20 years. He’s passionate about presence-based discipleship, community living, and helping people walk in the fullness of who God created them to be.
Jason is also the founder of Mission Isla Vista and co-leads the creative collective Isla Vista Worship, which has impacted listeners across the globe. He and his wife Holly have seven kids and are deeply rooted in their local neighborhood.
Elliot Sands is the host of the Live Faith First podcast—a dynamic space where faith meets real-world challenges. With a rich background as a pastor, school principal, health-tech co-founder, and now Executive Director of Live Faith First, Elliot brings deep wisdom and practical insight to every conversation.
As a husband, father, and grandfather, he weaves personal experience with thoughtful discussion, tackling tough topics with clarity and compassion. Live Faith First is all about bridging divides—whether in society or the church—encouraging listeners to step beyond echo chambers and build real, meaningful relationships across the aisle, the street, or the table.
This conversation is raw, hopeful, and incredibly practical for anyone who’s tired of faking it and ready for a more honest walk with Jesus.
Let’s All Live Faith First!!!
🔗 Connect with Jason Lomelino
🌐 Website: jasonlomelino.com
📘 Books: Books by Jason Lomelino
🎧 Worship: Isla Vista Worship
📷 Instagram: @jasonlomelino
📘 Church: islavistachurch.org
📽️ Ministry: Mission Isla Vista
Connect with Live Faith First
📷 Instagram: @LiveFaithFirst
🎵 TikTok: @livefaithfirst
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/LiveFaithFirst
What if healing isn’t just about feeling better—but about finally knowing you belong?
In this powerful episode, Elliot Sands sits down with author and speaker Amy Julia Becker to explore the intersection of disability, grace, identity, and healing. Drawing from her books To Be Made Well, White Picket Fences, and A Good and Perfect Gift, Amy Julia opens up about her daughter Penny’s Down syndrome diagnosis, how it reshaped her understanding of wholeness, and what it means to truly belong in a world that often values perfection over presence.
They explore:
The power of showing up for someone instead of trying to fix them
The difference between brokenness and limitation
How psychosomatic pain can reveal emotional imbalance
What it means to practice grace as a daily rhythm, not just a doctrine
And why acknowledging unearned privilege can become a doorway to healing and reconciliation
This episode is tender, honest, and beautifully anchored in the belief that we are all deeply loved—just as we are.
Wholeness through community
Parenting a child with special needs
Privilege as invitation, not shame
Psychosomatic healing
Grace for ourselves and others
Belonging beyond performance
Amy Julia Becker is an award-winning writer, speaker, and disability advocate who speaks widely on faith, family, and social healing. A graduate of Princeton University and Princeton Theological Seminary, she brings theological insight and personal vulnerability to themes like belonging, privilege, healing, and grace.
She’s the author of several books, including To Be Made Well, White Picket Fences, and A Good and Perfect Gift. Amy Julia’s work has been featured by The New York Times, TIME, Christianity Today, and NPR.
Elliot Sands is the host of the Live Faith First podcast—a dynamic space where faith meets real-world challenges. With a rich background as a pastor, school principal, health-tech co-founder, and now Executive Director of Live Faith First, Elliot brings deep wisdom and practical insight to every conversation.
As a husband, father, and grandfather, he weaves personal experience with thoughtful discussion, tackling tough topics with clarity and compassion. Live Faith First is all about bridging divides—whether in society or the church—encouraging listeners to step beyond echo chambers and build real, meaningful relationships across the aisle, the street, or the table.
This conversation is raw, hopeful, and incredibly practical for anyone who’s tired of faking it and ready for a more honest walk with Jesus.
Let’s All Live Faith First!!!
Connect with Amy Julia Becker
🌐 Website: amyjuliabecker.com
📘 Books: To Be Made Well; White Picket Fences; A Good and Perfect Gift
🎙️ Podcast: Reimagining the Good Life
📷 Instagram: @amyjuliabecker
📘 Facebook: @amyjuliabeckerwriter
Connect with Live Faith First
📷 Instagram: @LiveFaithFirst
🎵 TikTok: @livefaithfirst
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/LiveFaithFirst
What if the key to spiritual growth isn’t trying harder—but admitting you can’t do it alone?
In this powerful episode of the Live Faith First podcast, Elliot Sands sits down with John Ortberg to unpack his newest book, Steps—a transformative journey that fuses the honesty of the 12-step recovery model with the heart of Christian discipleship.
They dive headfirst into the messiness of real life—addictions, control issues, emotional baggage—and talk about why surrender is actually the starting line for spiritual growth. Together, they explore how the 12 steps offer a radical framework for transformation through grace, not grit.
You’ll hear wisdom on:
Why admitting powerlessness might be the most powerful thing you do
How to do a fearless moral inventory (and why you'd want to)
The connection between forgiveness, humility, and healing
And how self-forgiveness is not weakness—but a pathway to freedom
John Ortberg is a pastor, speaker, and bestselling author passionate about spiritual formation and helping people grow in their walk with Jesus. His latest book, Steps, blends ancient spiritual wisdom with the transformational principles of the 12-step model, offering readers a clear and honest path toward emotional and spiritual wholeness. John also leads Become New, a daily video devotional designed to help people grow spiritually—one step at a time.
Elliot Sands is the host of the Live Faith First podcast—a dynamic space where faith meets real-world challenges. With a rich background as a pastor, school principal, health-tech co-founder, and now Executive Director of Live Faith First, Elliot brings deep wisdom and practical insight to every conversation. As a husband, father, and grandfather, he weaves personal experience with thoughtful discussion, tackling tough topics with clarity and compassion. Live Faith First is all about bridging divides—whether in society or the church—encouraging listeners to step beyond echo chambers and build real, meaningful relationships across the aisle, the street, or the table.
This conversation is raw, hopeful, and incredibly practical for anyone who’s tired of faking it and ready for a more honest walk with Jesus.
Let’s All Live Faith First!!!
John Ortberg Resources
📘 Steps by John Ortberg Buy the book
🎧 Become New – John Ortberg’s daily devotional podcast & spiritual growth platform
Connect with Live Faith First
📷 Instagram: @LiveFaithFirst
🎵 TikTok: @livefaithfirst
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/LiveFaithFirst
What if humility wasn’t weakness—but one of the most powerful forces for connection, leadership, and spiritual growth?
In this episode of Live Faith First, Elliot Sands sits down with psychologist, author, and humility researcher Dr. Daryl Van Tongeren to unpack what it really means to be right-sized in a world obsessed with being the best.
They explore why humility is often misunderstood, how it helps us become better friends, leaders, and bridge-builders—and why it just might be the key to thriving in today’s divided world. Daryl also shares four distinct types of humility (spoiler: you probably need more than one), how to cultivate self-awareness without spiraling into shame, and why the most humble people are often the most emotionally free.
You’ll also hear:
The “above average effect” and why you’re probably not as humble as you think
What swim lessons taught Daryl about ego, grace, and being terrible at something
How humility helps us forgive and stop tying our worth to our wins
Why asking “How might I be wrong?” might be the most spiritual question you ask today
This episode is honest, funny, deeply insightful—and just the humility check we all need.
Guest: Dr. Daryl Van Tongeren is a social psychologist, author, and professor at Hope College, specializing in the science of meaning, humility, and forgiveness. His latest book, Humble: Free Yourself from the Traps of a Narcissistic World, explores how humility unlocks joy, emotional health, and deeper human connection.
📘 Humble: Free Yourself from the Traps of a Narcissistic World – Get it on Amazon
📷 Instagram: @darylvantongeren
🧠 TEDx Talk: "The Unexpected Power of Humility"
🙋♂️Host: Elliot Sands
Elliot Sands is the host of the Live Faith First podcast—a dynamic space where faith meets real-world challenges. With a rich background as a pastor, school principal, health-tech co-founder, and now Executive Director of Live Faith First, Elliot brings deep wisdom and practical insight to every conversation. As a husband, father, and grandfather, he weaves personal experience with thoughtful discussion, tackling tough topics with clarity and compassion. Live Faith First is all about bridging divides—whether in society or the church—encouraging listeners to step beyond echo chambers and build real, meaningful relationships across the aisle, the street, or the table.
🌐 Website: elliotsands.me
📷 Instagram: @fool.4.grace
Connect with Live Faith First
📷 Instagram: @LiveFaithFirst
🎵 TikTok: @livefaithfirst
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/LiveFaithFirst
What if Easter isn’t just about what happened—but about how we live it? In this powerful episode, Elliot Sands and Abby Olcese explore the historical and spiritual impact of Easter, unpacking the tension between love and fear—and how it all connects to the beloved filmThe Iron Giant.
⚡What’s Inside:
💡 The heart of Easter—why resurrection still changes everything
🤖The Iron Giant as an unexpected Easter analogy
🔥 Love vs. fear—how both shape our choices and our faith
❤️ Jesus’ grace, self-sacrifice, and what it means for us
🌎 Sharing resurrection hope in a world that needs it.
Like the Giant’s ultimate act of selflessness, Easter is a story of redemption, transformation, and love that conquers fear. Tune in for a deep, heartfelt conversation on how this ancient story still speaks today.
Abby Olcese is a film critic, writer, and cultural commentator who explores the intersection of faith, film, and pop culture. Her work has been featured in Think Christian, Sojourners, RogerEbert.com, and more, where she dissects the deeper spiritual and societal themes in movies and media. With a keen eye for storytelling and a passion for meaningful conversation, Abby brings a fresh perspective to the Live Faith First podcast. She challenges listeners to think critically about the narratives shaping our culture and how they intersect with faith, justice, and human connection.
Elliot Sands (MBA, M.Div.) is the host of the Live Faith First podcast—a dynamic space where faith meets real-world challenges. With a rich background as a pastor, school principal, health-tech co-founder, and now Executive Director of Live Faith First, Elliot brings deep wisdom and practical insight to every conversation. As a husband, father, and grandfather, he weaves personal experience with thoughtful discussion, tackling tough topics with clarity and compassion.
Live Faith First is all about bridging divides—whether in society or the church—encouraging listeners to step beyond echo chambers and build real, meaningful relationships across the aisle, the street, or the table.
🎙️✨Watch now & join the conversation! #Easter #Faith #Resurrection #LoveOverFear #LiveFaithFirst
Let’s All Live Faith First!!!
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What does Good Friday have in common with Rogue One: A Star Wars Story? More than you think. In this powerful episode, Elliot Sands and Abby Olcese unpack the emotional weight of Good Friday, exploring themes of sacrifice, community, and hope—both in the Christian tradition and incinema.
🔥What’s Inside:
⚔️Rogue One and the power of laying it all on the line
💔 The raw, emotional depth of Good Friday—why it still resonates
🌅 Finding hope in sacrifice—what the disciples (and rebels) teach us
🤝 The role of community and shared faith in overcoming darkness
🎭Character deep dives—what Jyn Erso & Jesus’ followers have in common
Good Friday is more than just sorrow—it’s about the hope that rises from the ashes. Tune in for an epic, faith-filled deep dive into storytelling, sacrifice, and the light that shines in the darkest moments.
Abby Olcese is a film critic, writer, and cultural commentator who explores the intersection of faith, film, and pop culture. Her work has been featured in Think Christian, Sojourners, RogerEbert.com, and more, where she dissects the deeper spiritual and societal themes in movies and media. With a keen eye for storytelling and a passion for meaningful conversation, Abby brings a fresh perspective to the Live Faith First podcast. She challenges listeners to think critically about the narratives shaping our culture and how they intersect with faith, justice, and human connection.
Elliot Sands (MBA, M.Div.) is the host of the Live Faith First podcast—a dynamic space where faith meets real-world challenges. With a rich background as a pastor, school principal, health-tech co-founder, and now Executive Director of Live Faith First, Elliot brings deep wisdom and practical insight to every conversation. As a husband, father, and grandfather, he weaves personal experience with thoughtful discussion, tackling tough topics with clarity and compassion.
Live Faith First is all about bridging divides—whether in society or the church—encouraging listeners to step beyond echo chambers and build real, meaningful relationships across the aisle, the street, or the table.
🚀✨Watch now & be part of the conversation! #GoodFriday #Faith #StarWars #Sacrifice #Hope
Let’s All Live Faith First!!!
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In this insightful and dynamic conversation, Elliot Sands sits down with Mark Glanville, a theologian, pastor, and jazz musician, to explore how cultural shifts are reshaping the way we communicate biblical truth. From the decline of Christian cultural dominance to the rise of post-Christian spirituality, they dive deep into how the church can remain faithful in today's rapidly evolving world.
Mark shares practical insights from his latest book, Preaching in a New Key, including a surprising lesson about discarded chicken bones, a street sweeper, and Jesus' impact on the world. Plus, he brings music into the conversation, playing the piano to illustrate the richness of biblical storytelling and the power of the blues in reflecting both lament and hope.
🔥 Key Topics Covered:
How Christianity has shifted from cultural center to the margins
Why fear drives othering and how bridge-building transforms faith conversations
The power of storytelling—how Jesus' parables connect with today's audiences
Why apologetics has moved beyond rational arguments to embodied faith
The role of music, art, and creativity in sharing the gospel
Mark’s backyard soul music gatherings as a form of evangelism
Mark Glanville is a pastor, theologian, jazz musician, and author who brings a unique blend of music, culture, and biblical wisdom to every conversation. As a seminary professor and church leader, Mark has dedicated his life to exploring how faith intersects with culture, justice, and storytelling in a rapidly changing world.
A classically trained jazz pianist, Mark weaves music and theology together, offering fresh perspectives on preaching, worship, and the role of the church in a post-Christian society. He is the author of several books, including Preaching in a New Key, where he challenges leaders to rethink how they communicate the gospel in today’s cultural landscape.
Elliot Sands (MBA, M.Div.) is the host of the Live Faith First podcast—a dynamic space where faith meets real-world challenges. With a rich background as a pastor, school principal, health-tech co-founder, and now Executive Director of Live Faith First, Elliot brings deep wisdom and practical insight to every conversation. As a husband, father, and grandfather, he weaves personal experience with thoughtful discussion, tackling tough topics with clarity and compassion. Live Faith First is all about bridging divides—whether in society or the church—encouraging listeners to step beyond echo chambers and build real, meaningful relationships across the aisle, the street, or the table.
🎶✨ Theology with soul. Jazz with purpose. Faith that moves. ✨🎶
#Theology #Jazz #FaithInCulture #LiveFaithFirst #BlueNoteTheology
Let’s All Live Faith First!!!
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In a world filled with stress, anxiety, and distractions, could gratitude be the game-changer we all need? In this uplifting episode, Elliot Sands and Dr. Neal Plantinga dive deep into the life-changing power of gratitude, exploring how it transforms our mind, body, and soul.
🔥 What’s Inside:💡 How gratitude fights anxiety & depression—backed by science & faith❤️ The emotional & physical benefits of a grateful mindset🚀 Practical ways to cultivate gratitude in your daily life⛪ Why gratitude is at the heart of Christian faith⚠️ The biggest obstacles to gratitude—and how to overcome them🍃 The power of savoring life’s moments & finding joy in the present
This isn’t just another self-help trend—it’s a transformational shift in how we experience life. Ready to unlock deeper joy, peace, and purpose?
🎙️✨ Watch now & start living with gratitude! #Gratitude #Faith #MentalHealth #LiveFaithFirst
Dr. Neal Plantinga is a renowned theologian, author, and speaker known for his profound insights on faith, gratitude, and spiritual formation. A former seminary president and respected scholar, he has spent decades helping people deepen their understanding of God, grace, and the good life. As the author of several influential books, including Not the Way It’s Supposed to Be and Engaging God’s World, Dr. Plantinga brings wisdom, warmth, and clarity to every conversation. His passion lies in exploring how gratitude, joy, and faith shape our daily lives, offering both deep theology and practical guidance.
Elliot Sands (MBA, M.Div.) is the host of the Live Faith First podcast—a dynamic space where faith meets real-world challenges. With a rich background as a pastor, school principal, health-tech co-founder, and now Executive Director of Live Faith First, Elliot brings deep wisdom and practical insight to every conversation. As a husband, father, and grandfather, he weaves personal experience with thoughtful discussion, tackling tough topics with clarity and compassion. Live Faith First is all about bridging divides—whether in society or the church—encouraging listeners to step beyond echo chambers and build real, meaningful relationships across the aisle, the street, or the table.
Join the conversation and discover how faith can be a unifying force in an increasingly fractured world. 🎙️🔥 #LiveFaithFirst #BridgeTheDivide #FaithInAction
Let’s All Live Faith First!!!
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Is the Jesus we follow the real deal—or just a reflection of American culture? In this thought-provoking conversation,Elliot Sands andSteve Bezner dive deep into the intersection offaith and culture, challenging the ways we’ve shaped Jesus to fit our own narratives.
🚀What’s Inside:🔥 Has Christianity in America lost its radical edge?🌍 Lessons from the diverse, struggling early church🤝 Building bridges across cultural and religious divides💔 The role of suffering in faith—are we missing something?💡 Radical generosity as the key to addressing poverty
Bezner shares eye-opening experiences fosteringauthentic relationships with the local Muslim community and unpacks the church’smandate for racial reconciliation and social engagement. This episode willchallenge, inspire, and ignite a fresh perspective on what it really means to follow Jesus.
👉Don’t just watch—engage, question, and be part of the conversation! 🔥 #Faith #Culture #Jesus #BridgeBuilding #RadicalLove
Steve Bezner is a pastor, speaker, author, and thought leader passionate about faith, culture, and reconciliation. As thesenior pastor of Houston Northwest Church, Steve has dedicated his life to fostering meaningful conversations about Jesus, justice, and the church’s role in healing a divided world. With years of ministry experience, he brings deep theological insight and real-world wisdom to every discussion. Steve is a strong advocate forracial reconciliation, interfaith engagement, and community transformation, often sharing personal stories of bridge-building with diverse communities.
Elliot Sands (MBA, M.Div.) is the host of theLive Faith First podcast—a dynamic space where faith meets real-world challenges. With a rich background as apastor, school principal, health-tech co-founder, and nowExecutive Director of Live Faith First, Elliot brings deep wisdom and practical insight to every conversation. As ahusband, father, and grandfather, he weaves personal experience with thoughtful discussion, tackling tough topics with clarity and compassion.
Live Faith First is all aboutbridging divides—whether in society or the church—encouraging listeners to step beyond echo chambers and build real, meaningful relationshipsacross the aisle, the street, or the table.
Join the conversation and discover how faith can be a unifying force in an increasingly fractured world. 🎙️🔥 #LiveFaithFirst #BridgeTheDivide #FaithInAction
Let’s All Live Faith First!!!
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