Elevate Life Podcast

What does following Jesus look like in everyday life? Eric Spaulding introduces Faith That Shows, a four-part series shared at Westbrook Park Church and on the Elevate Life Podcast. Get acquainted with James, the people his letter addresses, and its practical teaching on wisdom, words, relationships, and putting faith into action. This opening Bible study welcomes listeners who are new to Scriptur...

What if the most important thing God wants to rebuild in a church is the faith of its people? In “God Is Not Finished Here,” Eric presents a message to the congregation of Westbrook Park Church rooted in Nehemiah 2:11–20. As the church considers its building’s future, Eric explores how its spaces could serve the community—and how every believer has a part in that work. “The building is not the cen...

What happens when God calls you forward—but the water hasn't moved yet? In “Both Feet In,” the Elevate Life Network Podcast explores Joshua 3 and Israel's crossing of the Jordan River to uncover what biblical faith, courage, obedience, perseverance, and wholehearted commitment actually look like when the outcome is uncertain. The Israelites had finally reached the edge of the Promised Land. But be...

What do you do when the future of your church is uncertain, the resources are running low, and the way you've always done ministry may no longer be sustainable? You build again. In this episode of the Elevate Life Network Podcast, recorded as a message for Westbrook Park Church in Canton, Ohio, we explore the story of Nehemiah rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem and what it can teach Christians, chu...

Building a Career Without Losing Your Convictions | Biblical Principles for Everyday Work How do you build—or rebuild—a career while staying faithful to Jesus? What does Christian faith look like when you’re facing financial pressure, pursuing a better opportunity, or being asked to compromise your integrity? In this episode of the Elevate Life Network Podcast, we explore how to apply biblical pri...

What do you do when you know where you want to go—but suddenly there's a wall standing in your way? Inspired by Randy Pausch's famous The Last Lecture and his lesson about life's "brick walls," this episode of the Elevate Life Network Podcast explores what obstacles can teach us about perseverance, purpose, faith, responsibility, and the things we truly value. Pausch famously challenged people to...

Preparing Our Kids for the Road: Faith, Resilience, Responsibility, and Back-to-School Parenting As a new school year begins, parents are focused on backpacks, schedules, teachers, homework, sports, and making sure their kids are ready for class. But there is a bigger question we should be asking: Are we preparing our kids for what they will encounter when they get there? In this episode of the El...

The Years Between the Verses: When You're Doing Everything Right and Life Is Still Falling Apart What do you do when you're trying to do everything right, follow God, provide for your family, make responsible choices, and build a better life—but everything still seems to be falling apart? In this episode of the Elevate Life Podcast, Eric Spaulding explores that difficult question through the bibli...

Celebrate the Elevate Life Network Class of 2026 and the graduation of ELN’s fourth graduating class in Canton, Ohio. In this special episode, we share the full audio from the 2026 Elevate Life Network Graduation Ceremony, celebrating 11 Leaders who completed the Elevate Life Network Leader Program and reached an important milestone in their personal, professional, and career development. Elevate...

What happens when the difficult season you’ve prayed to escape finally comes to an end—and stepping into something better still feels scary? In this episode of the Elevate Life Podcast, Eric Spaulding explores how to navigate change, fear, uncertainty, new beginnings, and major life transitions through Christian faith. Using the biblical story of Joshua and the Israelites crossing the Jordan River...

What does success really look like? Is it earning more money, climbing the career ladder, or checking every task off your to-do list? Or is it building a life centered on the people and values that matter most? In this powerful Family Gathering session, Elevate Life Network Executive Director Diana Spaulding challenges Leaders who are preparing to graduate from the program and begin their new care...

In this heartfelt episode of the Elevate Life Podcast, host Eric Spaulding reflects on an unexpected moment during Elevate Life Network’s weekly Family Gathering that became a powerful reminder of what true community looks like. When a Leader experienced a medical emergency, fellow Leaders, staff, and volunteers instinctively came together—each playing a different role to provide care, comfort, an...

What does it really mean to be housing insecure? For many families, it doesn’t start with homelessness—it begins with impossible choices. Choosing between paying rent or buying groceries. Living paycheck to paycheck, wondering if one unexpected expense could mean losing the place you call home. Housing insecurity affects millions of families and creates ripple effects that impact physical health,...

In a world filled with notifications, busy schedules, constant stress, and endless distractions, one of the greatest gifts we can give another person is our presence. In this episode of the Elevate Life Podcast, Diana Spaulding shares a powerful message from a recent Elevate Life Network Family Gathering on the transformative impact of being fully present with the people around us. Originally plan...

We all need a plan. Plans give us direction. They give us purpose. They help us take the next step toward the life we’re trying to build. But what happens when the plan falls apart? What do you do when the money doesn’t come in? When your child gets sick? When you lose your job? When legal issues, family challenges, or unexpected setbacks suddenly force you off the path you thought you were on? In...

Growth sounds exciting… until it starts costing you something. In this powerful episode of the Elevate Life Podcast, Eric Spaulding shares a challenging and deeply personal message recorded live from a recent Elevate Life Network Family Gathering. In “Built Through Change,” Eric unpacks the uncomfortable reality of transformation—how real growth often comes through pressure, discipline, consistenc...

Life transformation is about more than finding a job—it’s about finding a path forward. In this honest and deeply personal episode of the Elevate Life Podcast, Eric Spaulding shares a raw “brain dump” conversation inspired by real challenges faced by several Leaders at Elevate Life Network this week. Through stories, reflection, and practical insight, Eric explores what it means to help people not...

How you see yourself shapes everything. In this powerful episode of the Elevate Life Podcast, we feature a transformational message from guest speaker Vera Thomas, recorded live at an Elevate Life Network Family Gathering. In her talk, “See Your Windows, See Your World,” Vera challenges us to examine the lens through which we view our lives—and how that perspective impacts our confidence, decision...

What if something as simple as kindness could transform your life—and the lives of those around you? In this episode of the Elevate Life Podcast, Eric Spaulding shares a powerful message from a recent Elevate Life Network Family Gathering on the impact of acts of kindness. Blending biblical teaching with modern scientific research, Eric explores how kindness is not just a moral value—but a practic...

What do you do when relationships get hard?   Whether it’s family, coworkers, friendships, or community—differences are inevitable. Different backgrounds. Different perspectives. Different expectations. The question isn’t if we’ll face conflict… it’s how we respond when we do.   In this episode of the Elevate Life Podcast, Diana Spaulding shares a powerful message from a recent Elevate Life Networ...

On this powerful Palm Sunday message, we explore one of the most pivotal moments in Scripture—Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem—and the tension that still challenges us today.   The crowd welcomed Jesus as King… but for the wrong reasons.   They wanted a Savior who would fix their circumstances. Jesus came as the Savior who would transform their hearts.   In this message, we unpack the differe...

What is love… really?   In this special episode of the Elevate Life Podcast, we revisit a powerful message originally shared at Elevate Life Network’s Family Gathering just before Valentine’s Day. In a world where culture, music, and media constantly define love for us—often in conflicting ways—it’s time to take a step back and ask a deeper question: What is love meant to be?    Through real-life...

The Courage to Change | Stepping Into a New Season Episode Description: Change is never easy—even when it’s the change we’ve been praying for. In this episode of the Elevate Life Podcast, Eric Spaulding explores the challenges and opportunities that come with major life transitions. As one cohort of Elevate Life Network Leaders graduates and steps into the workforce, a new group begins their journ...

In this powerful episode of the Elevate Life Podcast , the Mayor of Canton, Bill Sherer II , sits down with our Leaders to share a hopeful, practical vision for the future of Canton .   Mayor Sherer outlines key priorities shaping Canton’s momentum—citywide revitalization, paving all roads and alleys, expanding job opportunities, and even how the city is managing extreme cold weather right now. Be...

In this episode of Elevate Life Podcast , we talk honestly about one thing every person faces—but few feel prepared for: change.   Whether you’re navigating a job search, career transition, financial pressure, or an unexpected life shift, change has a way of showing up without asking permission. The question isn’t if change is coming—it’s how you respond when it does.   Recorded live at an Elevate...