What does it really mean to be a man of God? Why do good people suffer? And how do you keep trusting Jesus when life doesn't make sense?

This week on The Upload, Brooke Taylor sits down with Pastor Joby Martin, founder and lead pastor of The Church of Eleven22 in Jacksonville, Florida, and author of Stand Firm & Act Like Men, for a bold, honest, and thought-provoking conversation about faith, marriage, biblical manhood, and some of Christianity's toughest questions.

Pastor Joby opens up about the inspiration behind his book, Stand Firm & Act Like Men, and why he believes our culture has lost sight of what it truly means to be a man. In a world where masculinity is often defined by money, power, status, or dominance, Joby challenges men to look to Jesus instead.

His message is simple: When men lead and love well, everybody flourishes.

Brooke shares how Joby's book has personally impacted her marriage, explaining how her husband became more intentional about leading, loving, and serving their family after reading it. Together, they unpack what biblical leadership actually looks like, why marriage should be a partnership rather than a competition, and how putting Christ at the center can transform a home.

Joby also shares a deeply personal realization he had while writing the book. After studying what the Bible says about love in 1 Corinthians 13, he recognized that although he loved his wife of more than 26 years, he wasn't always loving her the way Scripture called him to. What followed was an honest conversation with his wife, Gretchen, that challenged him to rethink what true strength and leadership look like.

Because real biblical manhood isn't about demanding respect. It's about having the strength to serve, sacrifice, and love others well.

The conversation then turns to some of the biggest questions people wrestle with in their faith:


Church hurt: What do you say to someone who loves Jesus but has been wounded by the church? 


Suffering and loss: If God is good, why does He allow terrible things to happen? 


Miscarriage and infertility: Joby shares why this is one of the hardest questions he faces as a pastor and offers encouragement for those navigating unanswered prayers.


Faith and politics: How do Christians remain faithful to Scripture without turning Jesus into a political tool?
Breaking generational cycles: Brooke and Joby discuss how childhood experiences, family patterns, and past pain can shape our lives without having to determine our future.


Social media and loneliness: Why are we more connected than ever but often feel more isolated? 

In one of the episode's most moving moments, Joby shares the story of praying for his father's salvation for nearly 30 years. Despite countless conversations about Jesus, his dad never seemed ready to surrender his life to Christ. Then, one day, Joby felt prompted to send a simple text message.

His father's response was just two words: "I'm ready."

Joby reflects on that unforgettable moment and what it taught him about God's timing, persistent prayer, and never giving up on the people we love.

As the conversation comes to a close, Joby shares how he continues to wrestle with suffering, loss, and unanswered questions even after decades in ministry. Through it all, he returns to one unshakable truth: God's goodness isn't determined by our circumstances, but by what Jesus accomplished on the cross.

🎧 Whether you're a husband learning to lead, a wife praying for her marriage, someone healing from church hurt, or a believer struggling to understand why God allows suffering, this episode is a powerful reminder that real strength begins with surrender, love requires sacrifice, and God is still faithful even when we don't understand His plan.

Learn more:

Stand Firm & Act Like Men: https://jobymartin.com/books

The Church of Eleven22: https://coe22.com/

Follow The Upload:
📸 Instagram — @theuploadpodcast
🎥 TikTok — @theuploadpodcast
🔗 Listen on iHeartRadio — The Upload

What does it really mean to be a man of God? Why do good people suffer? And how do you keep trusting Jesus when life doesn't make sense?
This week on The Upload, Brooke Taylor sits down with Pastor Joby Martin, founder and lead pastor of The Church of Eleven22 in Jacksonville, Florida, and author of Stand Firm &amp; Act Like Men, for a bold, honest, and thought-provoking conversation about faith, marriage, biblical manhood, and some of Christianity's toughest questions.
Pastor Joby opens up about the inspiration behind his book, Stand Firm &amp; Act Like Men, and why he believes our culture has lost sight of what it truly means to be a man. In a world where masculinity is often defined by money, power, status, or dominance, Joby challenges men to look to Jesus instead.
His message is simple: When men lead and love well, everybody flourishes.
Brooke shares how Joby's book has personally impacted her marriage, explaining how her husband became more intentional about leading, loving, and serving their family after reading it. Together, they unpack what biblical leadership actually looks like, why marriage should be a partnership rather than a competition, and how putting Christ at the center can transform a home.
Joby also shares a deeply personal realization he had while writing the book. After studying what the Bible says about love in 1 Corinthians 13, he recognized that although he loved his wife of more than 26 years, he wasn't always loving her the way Scripture called him to. What followed was an honest conversation with his wife, Gretchen, that challenged him to rethink what true strength and leadership look like.
Because real biblical manhood isn't about demanding respect. It's about having the strength to serve, sacrifice, and love others well.
The conversation then turns to some of the biggest questions people wrestle with in their faith:
<ul>
<li>
Church hurt:&nbsp;What do you say to someone who loves Jesus but has been wounded by the church?&nbsp;
</li>
<li>
Suffering and loss:&nbsp;If God is good, why does He allow terrible things to happen?&nbsp;
</li>
<li>
Miscarriage and infertility:&nbsp;Joby shares why this is one of the hardest questions he faces as a pastor and offers encouragement for those navigating unanswered prayers.
</li>
<li>
Faith and politics:&nbsp;How do Christians remain faithful to Scripture without turning Jesus into a political tool?
</li>
<li>Breaking generational cycles:&nbsp;Brooke and Joby discuss how childhood experiences, family patterns, and past pain can shape our lives without having to determine our future.</li>
<li>
Social media and loneliness:&nbsp;Why are we more connected than ever but often feel more isolated?&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
In one of the episode's most moving moments, Joby shares the story of praying for his father's salvation for nearly 30 years. Despite countless conversations about Jesus, his dad never seemed ready to surrender his life to Christ. Then, one day, Joby felt prompted to send a simple text message.
His father's response was just two words: "I'm ready."
Joby reflects on that unforgettable moment and what it taught him about God's timing, persistent prayer, and never giving up on the people we love.
As the conversation comes to a close, Joby shares how he continues to wrestle with suffering, loss, and unanswered questions even after decades in ministry. Through it all, he returns to one unshakable truth: God's goodness isn't determined by our circumstances, but by what Jesus accomplished on the cross.
🎧 Whether you're a husband learning to lead, a wife praying for her marriage, someone healing from church hurt, or a believer struggling to understand why God allows suffering, this episode is a powerful reminder that real strength begins with surrender, love requires sacrifice, and God is still faithful even when we don't understand His plan.
Learn more:
Stand Firm &amp; Act Like Men: <a href="https://jobymartin.com/books" data-outlook-id="97e8ab65-804b-446d-b657-ccd392d0d91a">https://jobymartin.com/books</a>
The Church of Eleven22: <a href="https://coe22.com/" data-outlook-id="56fa8d4c-5100-4fd4-b813-945a07b5727b">https://coe22.com/</a>
Follow The Upload: 📸 Instagram &mdash; <a href="https://www.instagram.com/theuploadpodcast/" data-outlook-id="7a42cb7b-b2d8-4eb7-91b8-b0a099c78146">@theuploadpodcast</a> 🎥 TikTok &mdash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@theuploadpodcast" data-outlook-id="086adaa3-b5c5-45a2-ac17-af4f344fe3d0">@theuploadpodcast</a> 🔗 Listen on iHeartRadio &mdash; <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-the-upload-304486499/?cmp=ios_share&amp;sc=ios_social_share&amp;pr=false&amp;autoplay=true" data-outlook-id="b47e8844-1eca-46de-a76f-0187f61f2539">The Upload</a>

Joby Martin: What Makes a Real Man? Biblical Manhood, Marriage & Trusting God Through Suffering

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/3686dbfb-5ffa-48bc-b76a-b4e90161c204/transcript

This week on The Upload, Brooke Taylor sits down with rising country artist Ethan Garner for an honest conversation about faith, temptation, surrender, and what it looks like to follow Jesus while chasing a dream in Nashville.

Growing up in Georgia, Ethan was surrounded by faith. His parents prayed over him as a child, his dad had a background in Southern Gospel music, and church was a regular part of his life. But like so many young people, Ethan admits that knowing about God and truly having a relationship with Him were two very different things.

During his senior year of high school, Ethan experienced what he describes as being "wrecked by the Holy Spirit" at a Christian camp. For the first time, he felt the weight of his choices and realized that the things he'd been chasing couldn't satisfy him the way a relationship with Jesus could.

But his faith journey wasn't a straight line.

When Ethan arrived at Georgia Southern University, he quickly found himself immersed in fraternity life, college parties, and the bar scene, where he was also beginning to perform as a musician. Despite his earlier encounter with God, he admits he spent much of his first two years of college partying and struggling with the same temptations he'd hoped to leave behind.

Everything began to shift when a mentor invited him on a mission trip to Panama. Trading a traditional college spring break for a week of serving others, sharing the Gospel, and worshiping alongside fellow students, Ethan began to experience his faith in a completely new way. That trip eventually led to another mission trip to Thailand, where he spent several weeks sharing Jesus with others and developing a deeper understanding of what it meant to live for something bigger than himself.

Ethan shares how those experiences challenged him to step outside his comfort zone, say yes when God opened a door, and recognize that sometimes the greatest spiritual growth happens when we're willing to leave behind what's familiar.

The conversation also explores the pressures of pursuing a career in country music. After transferring to Belmont University in Nashville, Ethan initially considered pursuing Christian music. But an unexpected series of opportunities led him into the country music industry, including meeting his manager and landing a publishing deal on the very same day.

With his first EP out now and a growing career ahead of him, Ethan is learning that following Jesus doesn't necessarily mean working in Christian music. It means honoring God wherever He's placed you.

Brooke and Ethan discuss the dangers of comparison, the temptation to measure success against other artists, and the importance of staying focused on the path God has prepared for you. Ethan shares advice he's received from industry mentors about working hard, perfecting his craft, and celebrating other people's success rather than becoming consumed by competition.

They also talk about personal convictions, the power of worship, surrounding yourself with godly influences, and why Christians don't have to be perfect before they can experience God's love.

In one particularly personal moment, Ethan opens up about his family's history of miscarriage and shares that he was originally a twin, though his sibling did not survive the pregnancy. He reflects on the hope of heaven and the possibility of one day meeting the family members he never knew.

As the conversation comes to a close, Ethan shares what he's praying for in this new season: the courage to remain bold in his faith, the wisdom to steward his opportunities well, and a heart that stays focused on God rather than fame or success.

🎧 If you've ever felt caught between the life you're living and the life God is calling you toward, Ethan's story is a reminder that your faith journey doesn't have to be perfect, God can meet you right where you are, and sometimes everything begins to change when you're willing to say yes.

Follow The Upload:
📸 Instagram — @theuploadpodcast
🎥 TikTok — @theuploadpodcast
🔗 Listen on iHeartRadio — The Upload

This week on The Upload, Brooke Taylor sits down with rising country artist Ethan Garner for an honest conversation about faith, temptation, surrender, and what it looks like to follow Jesus while chasing a dream in Nashville.
Growing up in Georgia, Ethan was surrounded by faith. His parents prayed over him as a child, his dad had a background in Southern Gospel music, and church was a regular part of his life. But like so many young people, Ethan admits that knowing about God and truly having a relationship with Him were two very different things.
During his senior year of high school, Ethan experienced what he describes as being "wrecked by the Holy Spirit" at a Christian camp. For the first time, he felt the weight of his choices and realized that the things he'd been chasing couldn't satisfy him the way a relationship with Jesus could.
But his faith journey wasn't a straight line.
When Ethan arrived at Georgia Southern University, he quickly found himself immersed in fraternity life, college parties, and the bar scene, where he was also beginning to perform as a musician. Despite his earlier encounter with God, he admits he spent much of his first two years of college partying and struggling with the same temptations he'd hoped to leave behind.
Everything began to shift when a mentor invited him on a mission trip to Panama. Trading a traditional college spring break for a week of serving others, sharing the Gospel, and worshiping alongside fellow students, Ethan began to experience his faith in a completely new way. That trip eventually led to another mission trip to Thailand, where he spent several weeks sharing Jesus with others and developing a deeper understanding of what it meant to live for something bigger than himself.
Ethan shares how those experiences challenged him to step outside his comfort zone, say yes when God opened a door, and recognize that sometimes the greatest spiritual growth happens when we're willing to leave behind what's familiar.
The conversation also explores the pressures of pursuing a career in country music. After transferring to Belmont University in Nashville, Ethan initially considered pursuing Christian music. But an unexpected series of opportunities led him into the country music industry, including meeting his manager and landing a publishing deal on the very same day.
With his first EP out now and a growing career ahead of him, Ethan is learning that following Jesus doesn't necessarily mean working in Christian music. It means honoring God wherever He's placed you.
Brooke and Ethan discuss the dangers of comparison, the temptation to measure success against other artists, and the importance of staying focused on the path God has prepared for you. Ethan shares advice he's received from industry mentors about working hard, perfecting his craft, and celebrating other people's success rather than becoming consumed by competition.
They also talk about personal convictions, the power of worship, surrounding yourself with godly influences, and why Christians don't have to be perfect before they can experience God's love.
In one particularly personal moment, Ethan opens up about his family's history of miscarriage and shares that he was originally a twin, though his sibling did not survive the pregnancy. He reflects on the hope of heaven and the possibility of one day meeting the family members he never knew.
As the conversation comes to a close, Ethan shares what he's praying for in this new season: the courage to remain bold in his faith, the wisdom to steward his opportunities well, and a heart that stays focused on God rather than fame or success.
🎧 If you've ever felt caught between the life you're living and the life God is calling you toward, Ethan's story is a reminder that your faith journey doesn't have to be perfect, God can meet you right where you are, and sometimes everything begins to change when you're willing to say yes.
Follow&nbsp;The Upload: 📸 Instagram &mdash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/theuploadpodcast/">@theuploadpodcast</a> 🎥 TikTok &mdash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@theuploadpodcast">@theuploadpodcast</a> 🔗 Listen on iHeartRadio &mdash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-the-upload-304486499/?cmp=ios_share&amp;sc=ios_social_share&amp;pr=false&amp;autoplay=true">The Upload</a>

Ethan Garner: From College Parties to Mission Trips, Finding Jesus & Following God's Calling

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/7b013c25-9ec6-4849-9ddb-b4e3012d45a7/transcript

This week on The Upload, Brooke Taylor and Pastor Mark Evans sit down with rising country artist Ashley Anne for an honest conversation about faith, identity, family, and what it means to chase a God-sized dream without letting that dream become your god.

At just 22 years old, Ashley Anne has already experienced her share of heartbreak, hardship, and success. The Virginia Beach native moved to Nashville at 18 to pursue country music, turning the difficult experiences of her childhood into deeply personal songs. Her latest project, Generational Heartbreak, explores how our past shapes us, the patterns we inherit, and the possibility of breaking cycles to create something better for the next generation.

Ashley opens up about growing up in a rocky home environment alongside her two sisters and how those early experiences shaped the woman she's become. She shares why songwriting became her outlet at just 11 years old—a way to process emotions, make sense of painful experiences, and eventually recognize how God was working through her story.

The conversation also explores the pressure young women face to fit a certain image, especially in the music industry. Ashley gets candid about the temptation to become the "cool and edgy girl," the constant comparison that comes with pursuing a career in entertainment, and why she's determined not to let fame, success, or other people's opinions determine her worth. For Ashley, her identity isn't found in the numbers, the opportunities, or the recognition—it's rooted in something much bigger.

Ashley also shares how her relationship with Jesus has evolved over the years. Although she grew up around faith, she admits there was a season in high school when she struggled with what she believed. Looking back, she recognizes that those difficult seasons helped strengthen her relationship with God. As she puts it, "The test is part of your testimony."

Brooke, Mark, and Ashley unpack what it means to pursue success without making it an idol. Ashley admits that even after playing incredible shows, meeting influential people, and reaching career milestones, there's always another goal waiting around the corner. She's learning that there may never be a moment when she's finally "made it"—and that real joy and fulfillment can't come from the next achievement.

The conversation takes a powerful turn as Ashley shares her perspective on representing Jesus in country music. Performing for thousands of people, she sometimes wrestles with whether she should speak more openly about her faith from the stage. But having experienced her own season of doubt, she understands that not everyone is ready to hear that message in the same way.

Rather than making people feel excluded, Ashley wants to live a life that makes people curious about Jesus. She believes that showing genuine love, meeting people where they are, and treating everyone with kindness can sometimes speak louder than anything said into a microphone.

They also discuss the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people, guarding your heart, recognizing God-given wisdom, and using your gifts to serve others rather than simply elevate yourself.

As the episode comes to a close, Ashley shares what she's praying for in this season of her life: that God would continue to protect her heart and keep her motivations in the right place as her career grows.

🎧 If you've ever struggled with comparison, questioned your worth, or wondered how to pursue big dreams while keeping God at the center, Ashley's story is a reminder that your past doesn't have to define your future, your success doesn't determine your value, and the greatest impact you can make may be through the way you love others.

Follow The Upload:
📸 Instagram — @theuploadpodcast
🎥 TikTok — @theuploadpodcast
🔗 Listen on iHeartRadio — The Upload

This week on The Upload, Brooke Taylor and Pastor Mark Evans sit down with rising country artist Ashley Anne for an honest conversation about faith, identity, family, and what it means to chase a God-sized dream without letting that dream become your god.
At just 22 years old, Ashley Anne has already experienced her share of heartbreak, hardship, and success. The Virginia Beach native moved to Nashville at 18 to pursue country music, turning the difficult experiences of her childhood into deeply personal songs. Her latest project, Generational Heartbreak, explores how our past shapes us, the patterns we inherit, and the possibility of breaking cycles to create something better for the next generation.
Ashley opens up about growing up in a rocky home environment alongside her two sisters and how those early experiences shaped the woman she's become. She shares why songwriting became her outlet at just 11 years old&mdash;a way to process emotions, make sense of painful experiences, and eventually recognize how God was working through her story.
The conversation also explores the pressure young women face to fit a certain image, especially in the music industry. Ashley gets candid about the temptation to become the "cool and edgy girl," the constant comparison that comes with pursuing a career in entertainment, and why she's determined not to let fame, success, or other people's opinions determine her worth. For Ashley, her identity isn't found in the numbers, the opportunities, or the recognition&mdash;it's rooted in something much bigger.
Ashley also shares how her relationship with Jesus has evolved over the years. Although she grew up around faith, she admits there was a season in high school when she struggled with what she believed. Looking back, she recognizes that those difficult seasons helped strengthen her relationship with God. As she puts it, "The test is part of your testimony."
Brooke, Mark, and Ashley unpack what it means to pursue success without making it an idol. Ashley admits that even after playing incredible shows, meeting influential people, and reaching career milestones, there's always another goal waiting around the corner. She's learning that there may never be a moment when she's finally "made it"&mdash;and that real joy and fulfillment can't come from the next achievement.
The conversation takes a powerful turn as Ashley shares her perspective on representing Jesus in country music. Performing for thousands of people, she sometimes wrestles with whether she should speak more openly about her faith from the stage. But having experienced her own season of doubt, she understands that not everyone is ready to hear that message in the same way.
Rather than making people feel excluded, Ashley wants to live a life that makes people curious about Jesus. She believes that showing genuine love, meeting people where they are, and treating everyone with kindness can sometimes speak louder than anything said into a microphone.
They also discuss the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people, guarding your heart, recognizing God-given wisdom, and using your gifts to serve others rather than simply elevate yourself.
As the episode comes to a close, Ashley shares what she's praying for in this season of her life: that God would continue to protect her heart and keep her motivations in the right place as her career grows.
🎧 If you've ever struggled with comparison, questioned your worth, or wondered how to pursue big dreams while keeping God at the center, Ashley's story is a reminder that your past doesn't have to define your future, your success doesn't determine your value, and the greatest impact you can make may be through the way you love others.
Follow&nbsp;The Upload: 📸 Instagram &mdash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/theuploadpodcast/">@theuploadpodcast</a> 🎥 TikTok &mdash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@theuploadpodcast">@theuploadpodcast</a> 🔗 Listen on iHeartRadio &mdash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-the-upload-304486499/?cmp=ios_share&amp;sc=ios_social_share&amp;pr=false&amp;autoplay=true">The Upload</a>

Ashley Anne: Breaking Generational Cycles, Finding Her Worth in Jesus & Choosing Faith Over Fame

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/3a545c31-9c36-43e4-978b-b4e101157851/transcript

This week on The Upload, Brooke Taylor sits down with Grammy and ACM-nominated country artist David Nail for an incredibly honest conversation about success, family, grief, faith, and learning to appreciate the life that’s right in front of you.

David has spent more than two decades in Nashville, with hits like “Red Light,” “Let It Rain” and “Whatever She’s Got.” Now, he’s releasing Flowers—his first full-length album in more than a decade—and says he’s experiencing his career from a completely different perspective. The nerves are still there, but so is something that wasn’t always as easy for him to find: joy.

David opens up about how much of his life was spent immediately chasing whatever came next. Even after a great show or a career milestone, his mind was already moving toward the next goal. But with age, faith and fatherhood, he’s learning to slow down long enough to actually experience the moment he’s in. Sometimes that looks less like a sold-out show and more like walking his kids to school on a Monday morning and being overwhelmed by the simple thought: “I just can’t believe them kids are mine.”

That shift in perspective runs throughout Flowers. Brooke and David unpack one lyric in particular: “I got everything I wanted without getting what I thought I wanted.” David reflects on the dreams he once believed would define success and the realization that constantly focusing on the next level can blind you to everything God has already put in front of you.

The conversation also gets deeply personal as David talks about fatherhood and the example he hopes to set for his three children. He shares the guilt and second-guessing that come with parenting, why he believes children learn more from watching how their parents live than from being told what to do, and how he and his wife are navigating raising kids in a world filled with comparison and constant noise.

David also opens up about losing his mom, Donna Sue, and the complicated layers of grief that have followed. Seeing so much of himself emotionally in his son has made him think about loss in an entirely new way—not only processing the pain of losing his own mother, but realizing his children will one day experience that kind of grief too. He shares how becoming a father has helped him understand the depth of his own parents’ love in a way he never could before having children himself.

That realization is woven into “Riverbank,” the final song on Flowers. David explains why the deeply personal song changed the way he thinks about legacy and why he now wants to close every show with it. If something ever happened to him, he wants his wife and children to know that the last song he performed was one written about them—a lasting reminder of what ultimately mattered most.

Brooke and David also talk about depression, career uncertainty, comparison, perseverance, rediscovering the excitement he had when he first started touring, and what it looks like to trust that maybe you don’t need the bigger house, bigger career or next accomplishment to know that God has you exactly where you’re supposed to be.

The conversation closes with David sharing what he’s praying for in this season: patience as a father. He gets emotional talking about his mom’s faith, the godly woman he found in his wife, and his desire to make sure grief never prevents him from being the kind of father he wants to be.

🎧 If you’ve ever been so focused on where you thought your life should be that you’ve struggled to see the beauty of where you already are, this conversation is a powerful reminder to slow down, find joy in what God has given you, and stop measuring your life by the things you haven’t accomplished yet.

Follow The Upload:
📸 Instagram — @theuploadpodcast
🎥 TikTok — @theuploadpodcast
🔗 Listen on iHeartRadio — The Upload

This week on The Upload, Brooke Taylor sits down with Grammy and ACM-nominated country artist David Nail for an incredibly honest conversation about success, family, grief, faith, and learning to appreciate the life that&rsquo;s right in front of you.
David has spent more than two decades in Nashville, with hits like &ldquo;Red Light,&rdquo; &ldquo;Let It Rain&rdquo; and &ldquo;Whatever She&rsquo;s Got.&rdquo; Now, he&rsquo;s releasing Flowers&mdash;his first full-length album in more than a decade&mdash;and says he&rsquo;s experiencing his career from a completely different perspective. The nerves are still there, but so is something that wasn&rsquo;t always as easy for him to find: joy.
David opens up about how much of his life was spent immediately chasing whatever came next. Even after a great show or a career milestone, his mind was already moving toward the next goal. But with age, faith and fatherhood, he&rsquo;s learning to slow down long enough to actually experience the moment he&rsquo;s in. Sometimes that looks less like a sold-out show and more like walking his kids to school on a Monday morning and being overwhelmed by the simple thought: &ldquo;I just can&rsquo;t believe them kids are mine.&rdquo;
That shift in perspective runs throughout Flowers. Brooke and David unpack one lyric in particular: &ldquo;I got everything I wanted without getting what I thought I wanted.&rdquo; David reflects on the dreams he once believed would define success and the realization that constantly focusing on the next level can blind you to everything God has already put in front of you.
The conversation also gets deeply personal as David talks about fatherhood and the example he hopes to set for his three children. He shares the guilt and second-guessing that come with parenting, why he believes children learn more from watching how their parents live than from being told what to do, and how he and his wife are navigating raising kids in a world filled with comparison and constant noise.
David also opens up about losing his mom, Donna Sue, and the complicated layers of grief that have followed. Seeing so much of himself emotionally in his son has made him think about loss in an entirely new way&mdash;not only processing the pain of losing his own mother, but realizing his children will one day experience that kind of grief too. He shares how becoming a father has helped him understand the depth of his own parents&rsquo; love in a way he never could before having children himself.
That realization is woven into &ldquo;Riverbank,&rdquo; the final song on Flowers. David explains why the deeply personal song changed the way he thinks about legacy and why he now wants to close every show with it. If something ever happened to him, he wants his wife and children to know that the last song he performed was one written about them&mdash;a lasting reminder of what ultimately mattered most.
Brooke and David also talk about depression, career uncertainty, comparison, perseverance, rediscovering the excitement he had when he first started touring, and what it looks like to trust that maybe you don&rsquo;t need the bigger house, bigger career or next accomplishment to know that God has you exactly where you&rsquo;re supposed to be.
The conversation closes with David sharing what he&rsquo;s praying for in this season: patience as a father. He gets emotional talking about his mom&rsquo;s faith, the godly woman he found in his wife, and his desire to make sure grief never prevents him from being the kind of father he wants to be.
🎧 If you&rsquo;ve ever been so focused on where you thought your life should be that you&rsquo;ve struggled to see the beauty of where you already are, this conversation is a powerful reminder to slow down, find joy in what God has given you, and stop measuring your life by the things you haven&rsquo;t accomplished yet.
Follow&nbsp;The Upload: 📸 Instagram &mdash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/theuploadpodcast/">@theuploadpodcast</a> 🎥 TikTok &mdash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@theuploadpodcast">@theuploadpodcast</a> 🔗 Listen on iHeartRadio &mdash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-the-upload-304486499/?cmp=ios_share&amp;sc=ios_social_share&amp;pr=false&amp;autoplay=true">The Upload</a>

David Nail: Finding Joy After Loss, Letting Go of “What’s Next” & Realizing He Already Has Enough

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/f58bc4aa-b522-4295-bb94-b4db01588b82/transcript

Country artist Drew Baldridge is back on The Upload—making him Brooke Taylor and Pastor Mark Evans’ first-ever returning guest. And a lot has changed since his first conversation with Brooke. After years of navigating the music industry independently, Drew now has a major-label deal, a No. 1 song with “She’s Somebody’s Daughter,” two young boys at home, and a new album that might be his most personal yet: Farm Faith Family.

Drew shares how the three pillars behind the album—farm, faith and family—tell the story of where he came from and who he wants to be. Growing up on a farm in Southern Illinois taught him that a music career isn’t all that different from farming: you plant seeds, endure droughts, weather the storms and trust that something will eventually grow. He gets emotional remembering the season when he was struggling to pay rent in Nashville and his grandfather quietly sold a load of wheat to help keep his dream alive.

The conversation turns to what it means to be a godly man in a culture that often celebrates something very different. Drew shares the story behind “A Man Don’t,” a song inspired by learning that someone he knew had been unfaithful in his marriage. Now raising two boys of his own, Drew says he wants them to grow up knowing what a biblical man looks like: someone who stays, leads, takes responsibility, loves his family and is willing to be called higher when he gets it wrong.

Drew also gets honest about the tension of making message-driven country music in an industry where those songs don’t always fit neatly into the mold. He shares the discouragement of being told by a major country platform that his music didn’t fit its messaging—and the questions that can creep in when choosing songs about faith, commitment and family instead of simply chasing what seems most commercially successful. For Drew, the answer keeps coming back to the same thing: stay rooted in truth and keep using the gift God gave him.

That perspective inspired another song on the album, “Maker’s Mark.” After the success of “She’s Somebody’s Daughter,” Drew found himself wondering what any of the accomplishments would actually mean when he one day stands before God. A No. 1 song, money and career success won't be what matters. The question he wants to be able to answer is: Where did I leave my Maker’s mark?

Brooke, Mark and Drew unpack what it means to steward whatever gift God has given you—whether that gift puts you on a stage or simply allows you to show up for someone who needs help. They talk about surrounding yourself with people who will sharpen you, opening up when you’re struggling, saying no to the things culture tells you are normal, and viewing your everyday work as an act of worship.

And in one of the most personal moments of the episode, Drew talks about the tension he feels between a career he believes is a ministry and the family he desperately wants to be present for. Now that his oldest son understands when Daddy is leaving for the road, those goodbyes hit differently. When Brooke asks what he hopes his boys will one day say mattered most to their dad, Drew’s answer is simple: “He tried to walk like Jesus did.”

🎧 If you’ve ever wrestled with ambition, comparison, family, or how to stay faithful to who God called you to be when the world is pulling you somewhere else, this conversation is a reminder that success isn’t just about what you accomplish—it’s about what you do with what God gave you.

Follow The Upload:
📸 Instagram — @theuploadpodcast
🎥 TikTok — @theuploadpodcast
🔗 Listen on iHeartRadio — The Upload

Country artist Drew Baldridge is back on The Upload&mdash;making him Brooke Taylor and Pastor Mark Evans&rsquo; first-ever returning guest. And a lot has changed since his first conversation with Brooke. After years of navigating the music industry independently, Drew now has a major-label deal, a No. 1 song with &ldquo;She&rsquo;s Somebody&rsquo;s Daughter,&rdquo; two young boys at home, and a new album that might be his most personal yet: Farm Faith Family.
Drew shares how the three pillars behind the album&mdash;farm, faith and family&mdash;tell the story of where he came from and who he wants to be. Growing up on a farm in Southern Illinois taught him that a music career isn&rsquo;t all that different from farming: you plant seeds, endure droughts, weather the storms and trust that something will eventually grow. He gets emotional remembering the season when he was struggling to pay rent in Nashville and his grandfather quietly sold a load of wheat to help keep his dream alive.
The conversation turns to what it means to be a godly man in a culture that often celebrates something very different. Drew shares the story behind &ldquo;A Man Don&rsquo;t,&rdquo; a song inspired by learning that someone he knew had been unfaithful in his marriage. Now raising two boys of his own, Drew says he wants them to grow up knowing what a biblical man looks like: someone who stays, leads, takes responsibility, loves his family and is willing to be called higher when he gets it wrong.
Drew also gets honest about the tension of making message-driven country music in an industry where those songs don&rsquo;t always fit neatly into the mold. He shares the discouragement of being told by a major country platform that his music didn&rsquo;t fit its messaging&mdash;and the questions that can creep in when choosing songs about faith, commitment and family instead of simply chasing what seems most commercially successful. For Drew, the answer keeps coming back to the same thing: stay rooted in truth and keep using the gift God gave him.
That perspective inspired another song on the album, &ldquo;Maker&rsquo;s Mark.&rdquo; After the success of &ldquo;She&rsquo;s Somebody&rsquo;s Daughter,&rdquo; Drew found himself wondering what any of the accomplishments would actually mean when he one day stands before God. A No. 1 song, money and career success won't be what matters. The question he wants to be able to answer is: Where did I leave my Maker&rsquo;s mark?
Brooke, Mark and Drew unpack what it means to steward whatever gift God has given you&mdash;whether that gift puts you on a stage or simply allows you to show up for someone who needs help. They talk about surrounding yourself with people who will sharpen you, opening up when you&rsquo;re struggling, saying no to the things culture tells you are normal, and viewing your everyday work as an act of worship.
And in one of the most personal moments of the episode, Drew talks about the tension he feels between a career he believes is a ministry and the family he desperately wants to be present for. Now that his oldest son understands when Daddy is leaving for the road, those goodbyes hit differently. When Brooke asks what he hopes his boys will one day say mattered most to their dad, Drew&rsquo;s answer is simple: &ldquo;He tried to walk like Jesus did.&rdquo;
🎧 If you&rsquo;ve ever wrestled with ambition, comparison, family, or how to stay faithful to who God called you to be when the world is pulling you somewhere else, this conversation is a reminder that success isn&rsquo;t just about what you accomplish&mdash;it&rsquo;s about what you do with what God gave you.
Follow&nbsp;The Upload: 📸 Instagram &mdash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/theuploadpodcast/">@theuploadpodcast</a> 🎥 TikTok &mdash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@theuploadpodcast">@theuploadpodcast</a> 🔗 Listen on iHeartRadio &mdash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-the-upload-304486499/?cmp=ios_share&amp;sc=ios_social_share&amp;pr=false&amp;autoplay=true">The Upload</a>

Drew Baldridge: Choosing Faith Over Culture, Raising Godly Men & Leaving His Maker's Mark

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/53f1617e-9ca0-4be2-823f-b4cd016b9a8a/transcript

This week on The Upload, Brooke Taylor and Pastor Mark Evans sit down with Macy Page, wife, mom of two and sister-in-law of country artist Thomas Rhett, for a deeply personal conversation about walking through Stage 3 triple-negative breast cancer and discovering a relationship with Jesus that changed everything.

After receiving a diagnosis that turned her family's world upside down, Macy underwent 16 rounds of chemotherapy. Today, she's cancer-free—and while she doesn't minimize how difficult the journey was, she says she looks back with an overwhelming sense that she was carried through it. “I don't know how to explain it other than Jesus,” Macy shares.

Macy grew up in church, attended Christian school and had always considered herself a person of faith. But cancer forced her to confront a difficult realization: knowing about God wasn't the same as truly knowing Him. Faced with fear and uncertainty, Macy found herself surrendering in a way she never had before—and says the diagnosis ultimately led her to experience what it really means to be led by the Holy Spirit.

She also opens up about an incredibly difficult part of her story that she hasn't widely shared. Just days after learning she had cancer, Macy discovered she was pregnant. Suddenly, she was facing questions about how the pregnancy could affect treatment for an aggressive cancer.

Throughout the conversation, Macy gets honest about the fears that don't simply disappear when treatment ends—the next scan, the next doctor's appointment and the desire for more time with her husband and children. She shares why surrender has become a daily practice and how the hope of eternity changed the way she viewed even the worst-case scenario.

Brooke, Mark and Macy also talk about the difference between being around Christianity and actually walking closely with God, the power of prayer, learning to hear and follow the Holy Spirit, and why suffering can radically reshape what matters most. For Macy, cancer stripped away so many distractions and left her with a new urgency: people need to know Jesus.

Macy also shares the practical ways her community carried her family through treatment—from helping with her children and school pickups to providing meals and even having her house cleaned. It's a beautiful reminder that when someone you love is walking through cancer, sometimes the greatest gift is simply finding a way to take something off their plate.

Through it all, Macy says something that might sound impossible after a Stage 3 cancer diagnosis: “I would not change a thing.” She wouldn't choose cancer, but she also wouldn't trade the closeness with God she found through it.

🎧 Whether you're facing a diagnosis, walking alongside someone you love through illness, or simply struggling to trust God with something you can't control, Macy's story is a powerful reminder that surrender doesn't mean the absence of fear—it means knowing Who is carrying you through it.

Follow The Upload:
📸 Instagram — @theuploadpodcast
🎥 TikTok — @theuploadpodcast
🔗 Listen on iHeartRadio — The Upload

This week on&nbsp;The Upload, Brooke Taylor and Pastor Mark Evans sit down with&nbsp;Macy Page, wife, mom of two and sister-in-law of country artist Thomas Rhett, for a deeply personal conversation about walking through Stage 3 triple-negative breast cancer and discovering a relationship with Jesus that changed everything.
After receiving a diagnosis that turned her family's world upside down, Macy underwent&nbsp;16 rounds of chemotherapy. Today, she's cancer-free&mdash;and while she doesn't minimize how difficult the journey was, she says she looks back with an overwhelming sense that she was carried through it. &ldquo;I don't know how to explain it other than Jesus,&rdquo; Macy shares.
Macy grew up in church, attended Christian school and had always considered herself a person of faith. But cancer forced her to confront a difficult realization: knowing about God wasn't the same as truly knowing Him. Faced with fear and uncertainty, Macy found herself surrendering in a way she never had before&mdash;and says the diagnosis ultimately led her to experience what it really means to be led by the Holy Spirit.
She also opens up about an incredibly difficult part of her story that she hasn't widely shared. Just days after learning she had cancer, Macy discovered she was pregnant. Suddenly, she was facing questions about how the pregnancy could affect treatment for an aggressive cancer.
Throughout the conversation, Macy gets honest about the fears that don't simply disappear when treatment ends&mdash;the next scan, the next doctor's appointment and the desire for more time with her husband and children. She shares why surrender has become a daily practice and how the hope of eternity changed the way she viewed even the worst-case scenario.
Brooke, Mark and Macy also talk about the difference between being around Christianity and actually walking closely with God, the power of prayer, learning to hear and follow the Holy Spirit, and why suffering can radically reshape what matters most. For Macy, cancer stripped away so many distractions and left her with a new urgency:&nbsp;people need to know Jesus.
Macy also shares the practical ways her community carried her family through treatment&mdash;from helping with her children and school pickups to providing meals and even having her house cleaned. It's a beautiful reminder that when someone you love is walking through cancer, sometimes the greatest gift is simply finding a way to take something off their plate.
Through it all, Macy says something that might sound impossible after a Stage 3 cancer diagnosis:&nbsp;&ldquo;I would not change a thing.&rdquo;&nbsp;She wouldn't choose cancer, but she also wouldn't trade the closeness with God she found through it.
🎧&nbsp;Whether you're facing a diagnosis, walking alongside someone you love through illness, or simply struggling to trust God with something you can't control, Macy's story is a powerful reminder that surrender doesn't mean the absence of fear&mdash;it means knowing Who is carrying you through it.
Follow&nbsp;The Upload: 📸 Instagram &mdash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/theuploadpodcast/">@theuploadpodcast</a> 🎥 TikTok &mdash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@theuploadpodcast">@theuploadpodcast</a> 🔗 Listen on iHeartRadio &mdash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-the-upload-304486499/?cmp=ios_share&amp;sc=ios_social_share&amp;pr=false&amp;autoplay=true">The Upload</a>

Macy Page: Cancer, Surrender & The Faith That Carried Her

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/ff913ad4-2477-471a-9cfa-b4c6014c12aa/transcript

This week on The Upload, Brooke Taylor and Pastor Mark Evans sit down with Hannah Love Mooney—wife of Dan + Shay’s Shay Mooney, mom of four boys, former Miss Arkansas USA, and host of the Unexpected with Hannah Lovepodcast—for an honest conversation about motherhood, faith, spiritual warfare, and raising children to know Jesus for themselves. 

Hannah opens up about the responsibility she feels raising four boys in a world dominated by screens, comparison, fear, and competing messages. She shares the prayers she has spoken over her sons since they were born, why she prays for their future wives already, and the philosophy she and Shay try to live by: “Our ceiling is their floor.” The more healing, growth, and spiritual work they do now, the stronger the foundation their children have to build upon. 

The conversation goes deeper into spiritual warfare and discernment as Hannah shares how her understanding of the Holy Spirit changed after marrying Shay and how experiences with prayer, dreams, and discernment made her faith more personal. She explains why she sees herself as the “gatekeeper” of her home and why she believes parents need to equip their children spiritually rather than simply trying to shield them from everything difficult in the world.

Hannah also gets vulnerable about walking through painful and frightening seasons with faith. She recalls a terrifying accident involving one of their sons that required him to be flown to the hospital, as well as losing a pregnancy last December. In the midst of that loss, Hannah says her response wasn't to ask God, “How could You do this to me?” but to thank Him—something she says only makes sense through the supernatural grace of God. 

Brooke, Mark, and Hannah also unpack what it means to walk in the authority believers have through Jesus, choose faith instead of fear, put God's Word before the countless other demands of life, and speak truth even when the world may not understand it.

Hannah closes by sharing the very real mental load she's carrying in her current season: homeschooling, raising four boys, building their forever home near family in Arkansas, preparing for Shay to head back on tour, and trying to trust that God has already gone before them in every transition. 

It's a candid conversation about imperfect parenting, bold faith, surrender, and trusting that we don't have to control everything when we know Who does.

Follow The Upload:
📸 Instagram — @theuploadpodcast
🎥 TikTok — @theuploadpodcast
🔗 Listen on iHeartRadio — The Upload

This week on&nbsp;The Upload, Brooke Taylor and Pastor Mark Evans sit down with&nbsp;Hannah Love Mooney&mdash;wife of Dan + Shay&rsquo;s Shay Mooney, mom of four boys, former Miss Arkansas USA, and host of the&nbsp;Unexpected with Hannah Lovepodcast&mdash;for an honest conversation about motherhood, faith, spiritual warfare, and raising children to know Jesus for themselves.&nbsp;
Hannah opens up about the responsibility she feels raising four boys in a world dominated by screens, comparison, fear, and competing messages. She shares the prayers she has spoken over her sons since they were born, why she prays for their future wives already, and the philosophy she and Shay try to live by:&nbsp;&ldquo;Our ceiling is their floor.&rdquo;&nbsp;The more healing, growth, and spiritual work they do now, the stronger the foundation their children have to build upon.&nbsp;
The conversation goes deeper into&nbsp;spiritual warfare and discernment&nbsp;as Hannah shares how her understanding of the Holy Spirit changed after marrying Shay and how experiences with prayer, dreams, and discernment made her faith more personal. She explains why she sees herself as the &ldquo;gatekeeper&rdquo; of her home and why she believes parents need to equip their children spiritually rather than simply trying to shield them from everything difficult in the world.
Hannah also gets vulnerable about walking through painful and frightening seasons with faith. She recalls a terrifying accident involving one of their sons that required him to be flown to the hospital, as well as losing a pregnancy last December. In the midst of that loss, Hannah says her response wasn't to ask God,&nbsp;&ldquo;How could You do this to me?&rdquo;&nbsp;but to thank Him&mdash;something she says only makes sense through the supernatural grace of God.&nbsp;
Brooke, Mark, and Hannah also unpack what it means to&nbsp;walk in the authority believers have through Jesus, choose faith instead of fear, put God's Word before the countless other demands of life, and speak truth even when the world may not understand it.
Hannah closes by sharing the very real mental load she's carrying in her current season: homeschooling, raising four boys, building their forever home near family in Arkansas, preparing for Shay to head back on tour, and trying to trust that God has already gone before them in every transition.&nbsp;
It's a candid conversation about imperfect parenting, bold faith, surrender, and trusting that&nbsp;we don't have to control everything when we know Who does.
Follow&nbsp;The Upload: 📸 Instagram &mdash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/theuploadpodcast/">@theuploadpodcast</a> 🎥 TikTok &mdash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@theuploadpodcast">@theuploadpodcast</a> 🔗 Listen on iHeartRadio &mdash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-the-upload-304486499/?cmp=ios_share&amp;sc=ios_social_share&amp;pr=false&amp;autoplay=true">The Upload</a>

Hannah Love Mooney: Raising Kids with Bold Faith, Spiritual Warfare & “Our Ceiling Is Their Floor”

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/bc0b6d5e-0f01-4698-97b5-b4bf014fe613/transcript

This week on The Upload, Brooke Taylor and Pastor Mark Evans sit down with musician Madison Watkins for one of the most vulnerable conversations yet about ambition, compromise, trauma, shame, surrender, and what happens when God asks you to lay down the very dream you thought He gave you.

Madison grew up singing in church in small-town Arkansas and says she knew from childhood that God had called her to music. At 20, that dream took her to Los Angeles, where doors began opening and the success she'd spent years chasing finally started arriving. But somewhere along the way, Madison says she began to lose herself. The pressure to fit into the industry slowly changed how she presented herself, what she was willing to compromise, and even how boldly she talked about Jesus.

Eventually, Madison had everything she thought she wanted: viral music, money, sold-out shows and major opportunities. But on the morning of a sold-out show in L.A., she woke up covered in shingles and feeling completely empty. Looking in the mirror, she says she barely recognized the woman staring back at her. The next day, Madison felt God tell her clearly: “You forgot your first love. I need you to come back to Me and quit everything.” So she did. She laid down her career, stepped away from social media and spent eight months doing virtually nothing but resting, reconnecting with family and friends, and rebuilding her relationship with Jesus.

Madison also opens up about just how dark her years in Los Angeles became. She shares experiences of betrayal in a relationship, being held at gunpoint, sexual assault, and constantly being told she wasn't good enough. Looking back, Madison describes her drift from God not as one dramatic decision, but as a series of “micro decisions”—small compromises made while she was exhausted, seeking affirmation and slowly taking her eyes off Jesus.

The conversation turns deeply personal as Brooke shares parts of her own Hollywood story and the ways she searched for love and acceptance during a season when she had drifted from her faith. Together, Brooke, Madison and Mark unpack the shame that can keep Christians hiding, why vulnerability is actually a strength, and what it looks like to believe that no failure puts you beyond the reach of God's grace.

Madison shares why she now refuses to hide the messier parts of her testimony. She believes Christians should be willing to talk honestly about addiction, sexuality, temptation, failure and the things we're often afraid to admit out loud. As she puts it, “Everyone is secretly waiting for someone to be vulnerable so they can be vulnerable.”

After surrendering the career she'd worked so hard to build, Madison says God gave her a new vision for her music: to bring hope into places that feel hopeless and reach people who believe they're too far gone. Her message now is simple—you don't have to clean yourself up before coming back to Jesus. You're seen, you're loved, and your story isn't over.

This is a raw conversation about what happens when success costs you yourself, why drifting from God often happens slowly, and the freedom that comes when you finally stop hiding and surrender everything back to Him.

🎧 If you've ever looked at your life and wondered, “How did I get here?” or believed you've gone too far for God to use your story, this episode is a reminder that you are never too far gone—and coming home can change everything.

Follow The Upload:
📸 Instagram — @theuploadpodcast
🎥 TikTok — @theuploadpodcast
🔗 Listen on iHeartRadio — The Upload

This week on The Upload, Brooke Taylor and Pastor Mark Evans sit down with musician Madison Watkins for one of the most vulnerable conversations yet about ambition, compromise, trauma, shame, surrender, and what happens when God asks you to lay down the very dream you thought He gave you.
Madison grew up singing in church in small-town Arkansas and says she knew from childhood that God had called her to music. At 20, that dream took her to Los Angeles, where doors began opening and the success she'd spent years chasing finally started arriving. But somewhere along the way, Madison says she began to lose herself. The pressure to fit into the industry slowly changed how she presented herself, what she was willing to compromise, and even how boldly she talked about Jesus.
Eventually, Madison had everything she thought she wanted: viral music, money, sold-out shows and major opportunities. But on the morning of a sold-out show in L.A., she woke up covered in shingles and feeling completely empty. Looking in the mirror, she says she barely recognized the woman staring back at her. The next day, Madison felt God tell her clearly: &ldquo;You forgot your first love. I need you to come back to Me and quit everything.&rdquo; So she did. She laid down her career, stepped away from social media and spent eight months doing virtually nothing but resting, reconnecting with family and friends, and rebuilding her relationship with Jesus.
Madison also opens up about just how dark her years in Los Angeles became. She shares experiences of betrayal in a relationship, being held at gunpoint, sexual assault, and constantly being told she wasn't good enough. Looking back, Madison describes her drift from God not as one dramatic decision, but as a series of &ldquo;micro decisions&rdquo;&mdash;small compromises made while she was exhausted, seeking affirmation and slowly taking her eyes off Jesus.
The conversation turns deeply personal as Brooke shares parts of her own Hollywood story and the ways she searched for love and acceptance during a season when she had drifted from her faith. Together, Brooke, Madison and Mark unpack the shame that can keep Christians hiding, why vulnerability is actually a strength, and what it looks like to believe that no failure puts you beyond the reach of God's grace.
Madison shares why she now refuses to hide the messier parts of her testimony. She believes Christians should be willing to talk honestly about addiction, sexuality, temptation, failure and the things we're often afraid to admit out loud. As she puts it, &ldquo;Everyone is secretly waiting for someone to be vulnerable so they can be vulnerable.&rdquo;
After surrendering the career she'd worked so hard to build, Madison says God gave her a new vision for her music: to bring hope into places that feel hopeless and reach people who believe they're too far gone. Her message now is simple&mdash;you don't have to clean yourself up before coming back to Jesus. You're seen, you're loved, and your story isn't over.
This is a raw conversation about what happens when success costs you yourself, why drifting from God often happens slowly, and the freedom that comes when you finally stop hiding and surrender everything back to Him.
🎧 If you've ever looked at your life and wondered, &ldquo;How did I get here?&rdquo; or believed you've gone too far for God to use your story, this episode is a reminder that you are never too far gone&mdash;and coming home can change everything.
Follow&nbsp;The Upload: 📸 Instagram &mdash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/theuploadpodcast/">@theuploadpodcast</a> 🎥 TikTok &mdash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@theuploadpodcast">@theuploadpodcast</a> 🔗 Listen on iHeartRadio &mdash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-the-upload-304486499/?cmp=ios_share&amp;sc=ios_social_share&amp;pr=false&amp;autoplay=true">The Upload</a>

Madison Watkins: Walking Away from Hollywood, Losing Herself & Finding Her Way Back to Jesus

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/ce7d92ac-3331-464f-a87e-b4bf00ffa047/transcript

This week on The Upload, Brooke Taylor sits down with rising country trio DEK of Hearts—Dylan John, Emily Clapp, and Colin Bailey—for a conversation about faith, friendship, music, and following God's calling even when it doesn't fit neatly into the box others expect.

The three met while studying music at Trevecca Nazarene University, where their individual backgrounds in worship, country, pop, and bluegrass eventually came together. What started with singing on worship teams and grinding through shows in Nashville bars has quickly turned into a whirlwind journey that includes a four-chair turn on The Voice, touring with Carly Pearce, and stepping into the Grand Ole Opry circle for the first time. Through it all, they say they've seen God entrust them with “a little bit, and then a little bit more”—teaching them to be faithful with every season along the way.

DEK of Hearts also opens up about an early industry meeting where they were told they didn't quite fit the mold and were encouraged to consider becoming a Christian or worship group. But the trio felt strongly that wasn't where God was calling them. Instead, they believe their ministry is happening right where they are—in country music, bars, festivals, and rooms filled with people who may never walk through the doors of a church. As Emily puts it, sometimes people encounter the Holy Spirit through a song that doesn't even mention Jesus' name.

The trio also gets vulnerable about the stories behind their music. Colin shares how his mother's struggle with alcoholism inspired their song “Dear Old Whiskey”—written not to condemn the person battling addiction, but from the perspective of a little boy wishing he could speak directly to the substance hurting his family. It's an example of the difficult, honest stories they hope to tell through their music, from addiction and divorce to grief and loss.

And while their career is moving quickly, DEK of Hearts is intentional about keeping each other grounded. They share why they went to counseling together before The Voice, how they call each other out when pride creeps in, and why being a trio has become less like simply being bandmates and more like doing life together. For them, the relationships—and the spiritual growth that comes from knowing each other's flaws and choosing to walk alongside one another anyway—have become an even greater blessing than the music itself.

From playing for quesadillas and traveling in a disastrous RV to standing on the Opry stage, this conversation is a reminder not to become so focused on the destination that you miss what God is doing along the way. DEK of Hearts may have big dreams for what's next, but their goal is simple: steward what's in front of them, stay faithful to their calling, and let Jesus shine through wherever the music takes them.

🎧 If you've ever felt like your calling didn't fit the expected mold, this episode is an encouragement to trust where God has placed you—and remember that ministry can happen anywhere.

Follow The Upload:
📸 Instagram — @theuploadpodcast
🎥 TikTok — @theuploadpodcast
🔗 Listen on iHeartRadio — The Upload

This week on The Upload, Brooke Taylor sits down with rising country trio DEK of Hearts&mdash;Dylan John, Emily Clapp, and Colin Bailey&mdash;for a conversation about faith, friendship, music, and following God's calling even when it doesn't fit neatly into the box others expect.
The three met while studying music at Trevecca Nazarene University, where their individual backgrounds in worship, country, pop, and bluegrass eventually came together. What started with singing on worship teams and grinding through shows in Nashville bars has quickly turned into a whirlwind journey that includes a four-chair turn on The Voice, touring with Carly Pearce, and stepping into the Grand Ole Opry circle for the first time. Through it all, they say they've seen God entrust them with &ldquo;a little bit, and then a little bit more&rdquo;&mdash;teaching them to be faithful with every season along the way.
DEK of Hearts also opens up about an early industry meeting where they were told they didn't quite fit the mold and were encouraged to consider becoming a Christian or worship group. But the trio felt strongly that wasn't where God was calling them. Instead, they believe their ministry is happening right where they are&mdash;in country music, bars, festivals, and rooms filled with people who may never walk through the doors of a church. As Emily puts it, sometimes people encounter the Holy Spirit through a song that doesn't even mention Jesus' name.
The trio also gets vulnerable about the stories behind their music. Colin shares how his mother's struggle with alcoholism inspired their song &ldquo;Dear Old Whiskey&rdquo;&mdash;written not to condemn the person battling addiction, but from the perspective of a little boy wishing he could speak directly to the substance hurting his family. It's an example of the difficult, honest stories they hope to tell through their music, from addiction and divorce to grief and loss.
And while their career is moving quickly, DEK of Hearts is intentional about keeping each other grounded. They share why they went to counseling together before The Voice, how they call each other out when pride creeps in, and why being a trio has become less like simply being bandmates and more like doing life together. For them, the relationships&mdash;and the spiritual growth that comes from knowing each other's flaws and choosing to walk alongside one another anyway&mdash;have become an even greater blessing than the music itself.
From playing for quesadillas and traveling in a disastrous RV to standing on the Opry stage, this conversation is a reminder not to become so focused on the destination that you miss what God is doing along the way. DEK of Hearts may have big dreams for what's next, but their goal is simple: steward what's in front of them, stay faithful to their calling, and let Jesus shine through wherever the music takes them.
🎧 If you've ever felt like your calling didn't fit the expected mold, this episode is an encouragement to trust where God has placed you&mdash;and remember that ministry can happen anywhere.
Follow&nbsp;The Upload: 📸 Instagram &mdash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/theuploadpodcast/">@theuploadpodcast</a> 🎥 TikTok &mdash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@theuploadpodcast">@theuploadpodcast</a> 🔗 Listen on iHeartRadio &mdash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-the-upload-304486499/?cmp=ios_share&amp;sc=ios_social_share&amp;pr=false&amp;autoplay=true">The Upload</a>

DEK of Hearts: Faith Outside the Church, Finding Purpose & Letting God Lead the Dream

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/515e411f-cb3a-4e07-ac82-b4b200f2f89d/transcript

This week on The Upload, Brooke Taylor and Pastor Mark Evans sit down with singer-songwriter Jenna Raine for an honest conversation about faith, relationships, discernment, and boldly living for Christ in the music industry. Fresh off the release of her debut album Jeans, Boys and Jesus and celebrating her recent engagement, Jenna shares why following God's plan has always mattered more than following the world's expectations.

Jenna opens up about growing up with a deep love for Jesus, developing strong discernment from a young age, and how trusting the Holy Spirit shaped every relationship that led her to her fiancé. She shares why becoming friends first laid the foundation for a healthy relationship, how she discovered the biblical concept of courting, and why she's passionate about pursuing marriage God's way rather than simply following modern dating culture.

Together, they discuss:
Why friendship is the foundation of a lasting marriage
Courting vs. modern dating
Learning to trust God's timing over your own plans
Putting "Jesus" in the title of a mainstream album
Living boldly for Christ without being confined by labels
Why community is essential to a thriving faith
Navigating church hurt with grace instead of bitterness
The importance of confession, repentance, and personal conviction

One of the most compelling moments of the episode comes as Jenna explains why she chose to include Jesus in the title of her debut album. While some assumed it meant she was releasing a worship album, Jenna shares that Jeans, Boys and Jesus simply reflects her life—a young woman pursuing relationships, chasing her calling, and keeping Christ at the center of it all.

For Jenna, following Jesus isn't a genre—it's her identity. Brooke, Mark, and Jenna also dive into why so many people struggle with church hurt, how Christians should view imperfect leaders, and why genuine faith is built through a personal relationship with Jesus—not borrowed belief. Whether you're single, dating, engaged, or simply seeking to grow in your walk with Christ, this episode is a refreshing reminder that God's plans are always worth trusting. 

🎧 If you've ever wrestled with dating, purpose, church hurt, or boldly living out your faith, this conversation will encourage you to pursue Jesus with confidence and conviction.

Follow The Upload:
📸 Instagram — @theuploadpodcast
🎥 TikTok — @theuploadpodcast
🔗 Listen on iHeartRadio — The Upload

This week on The Upload, Brooke Taylor and Pastor Mark Evans sit down with singer-songwriter Jenna Raine for an honest conversation about faith, relationships, discernment, and boldly living for Christ in the music industry. Fresh off the release of her debut album Jeans, Boys and Jesus and celebrating her recent engagement, Jenna shares why following God's plan has always mattered more than following the world's expectations.
Jenna opens up about growing up with a deep love for Jesus, developing strong discernment from a young age, and how trusting the Holy Spirit shaped every relationship that led her to her fianc&eacute;. She shares why becoming friends first laid the foundation for a healthy relationship, how she discovered the biblical concept of courting, and why she's passionate about pursuing marriage God's way rather than simply following modern dating culture.
Together, they discuss:
<ul>
<li>Why friendship is the foundation of a lasting marriage</li>
<li>Courting vs. modern dating</li>
<li>Learning to trust God's timing over your own plans</li>
<li>Putting "Jesus" in the title of a mainstream album</li>
<li>Living boldly for Christ without being confined by labels</li>
<li>Why community is essential to a thriving faith</li>
<li>Navigating church hurt with grace instead of bitterness</li>
<li>The importance of confession, repentance, and personal conviction</li>
</ul>
One of the most compelling moments of the episode comes as Jenna explains why she chose to include Jesus in the title of her debut album. While some assumed it meant she was releasing a worship album, Jenna shares that Jeans, Boys and Jesus simply reflects her life&mdash;a young woman pursuing relationships, chasing her calling, and keeping Christ at the center of it all.
For Jenna, following Jesus isn't a genre&mdash;it's her identity. Brooke, Mark, and Jenna also dive into why so many people struggle with church hurt, how Christians should view imperfect leaders, and why genuine faith is built through a personal relationship with Jesus&mdash;not borrowed belief. Whether you're single, dating, engaged, or simply seeking to grow in your walk with Christ, this episode is a refreshing reminder that God's plans are always worth trusting.&nbsp;
🎧 If you've ever wrestled with dating, purpose, church hurt, or boldly living out your faith, this conversation will encourage you to pursue Jesus with confidence and conviction.
Follow&nbsp;The Upload: 📸 Instagram &mdash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/theuploadpodcast/">@theuploadpodcast</a> 🎥 TikTok &mdash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@theuploadpodcast">@theuploadpodcast</a> 🔗 Listen on iHeartRadio &mdash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-the-upload-304486499/?cmp=ios_share&amp;sc=ios_social_share&amp;pr=false&amp;autoplay=true">The Upload</a>

Jenna Raine: Courting, Conviction & Putting Jesus at the Center 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/c4c9bc6c-b1d9-4d9b-b24f-b4aa0122aa95/transcript

Faith-Fueled Conversations for Life. Hosted by radio personality Brooke Taylor alongside her co-host, Pastor Mark Evans, The Upload dives into real and honest conversations about faith, purpose, and life. Each week, Brooke and Mark sit down with musicians, authors, athletes, and influencers to explore what faith means to them... and how it shapes the way they navigate their unique callings, careers, and family lives. Rooted in authenticity, The Upload goes deeper than surface-level chats. Guests share personal stories, defining moments, and the spiritual lessons that sustain them through both triumphs and challenges. Whether you’re looking for encouragement, inspiration, or just a meaningful conversation to lift your week, this podcast is designed to uplift your soul and strengthen your walk.

Follow The Upload:
📸 Instagram — @theuploadpodcast
🎥 TikTok — @theuploadpodcast
🔗 Listen on iHeartRadio — The Upload

Faith-Fueled Conversations for Life. Hosted by radio personality Brooke Taylor alongside her co-host, Pastor Mark Evans, The Upload dives into real and honest conversations about faith, purpose, and life. Each week, Brooke and Mark sit down with musicians, authors, athletes, and influencers to explore what faith means to them... and how it shapes the way they navigate their unique callings, careers, and family lives. Rooted in authenticity, The Upload goes deeper than surface-level chats. Guests share personal stories, defining moments, and the spiritual lessons that sustain them through both triumphs and challenges. Whether you&rsquo;re looking for encouragement, inspiration, or just a meaningful conversation to lift your week, this podcast is designed to uplift your soul and strengthen your walk.
Follow The Upload: 📸 Instagram &mdash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/theuploadpodcast/">@theuploadpodcast</a> 🎥 TikTok &mdash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@theuploadpodcast">@theuploadpodcast</a> 🔗 Listen on iHeartRadio &mdash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-the-upload-304486499/?cmp=ios_share&amp;sc=ios_social_share&amp;pr=false&amp;autoplay=true">The Upload</a>

The Upload with Brooke Taylor

Hosted by radio personality Brooke Taylor alongside her co-host, Pastor Mark Evans, The Upload dives into real and honest conversations about faith, purpose, and life. Each week, Brooke and Mark sit down with musicians, authors, athletes, and influencers to explore what faith means to them, and how it shapes the way they navigate their unique callings, careers, and family lives.

Rooted in authenticity, The Upload goes deeper than surface-level chats. Guests share personal stories, defining moments, and the spiritual lessons that sustain them through both triumphs and challenges. Whether you’re looking for encouragement, inspiration, or just a meaningful conversation to lift your week, this podcast is designed to uplift your soul and strengthen your walk.

Hosted by radio personality Brooke Taylor alongside her co-host, Pastor Mark Evans, The Upload dives into real and honest conversations about faith, purpose, and life. Each week, Brooke and Mark sit down with musicians, authors, athletes, and influencers to explore what faith means to them, and how it shapes the way they navigate their unique callings, careers, and family lives.
Rooted in authenticity, The Upload goes deeper than surface-level chats. Guests share personal stories, defining moments, and the spiritual lessons that sustain them through both triumphs and challenges. Whether you&rsquo;re looking for encouragement, inspiration, or just a meaningful conversation to lift your week, this podcast is designed to uplift your soul and strengthen your walk.

The Upload

Social links:

Follow the podcast:

53 clip(s)