ASCEND

What does it really mean to "act like a man?" In  Episode 6 of the Ascend Podcast , Justin Graham is joined by  Lane Taylor  for an honest conversation about biblical manhood and what it looks like to lead with courage, conviction, and humility in today's culture. Together, they unpack what Scripture says about being a man, the power of brotherhood, why accountability is essential fo...

God has called you higher — but the enemy will always try to distract you from your assignment. In this episode of Ascend, Pastor Justin and Pastor Carl unpack how distractions are one of the greatest weapons the enemy uses against believers. From Nehemiah rebuilding Jerusalem while facing criticism and opposition, to Peter walking on water until fear shifted his focus, this conversation dives dee...

What happens after you say yes to Jesus? Salvation is the starting line — sanctification is the second lap. In this episode, Pastor Carl and Pastor J unpack one of the most misunderstood “church words” in Christianity: sanctification. It’s not about religion, perfection, or rule-following. It’s the daily pursuit of becoming more like Christ — being set apart for God’s purpose and learning how to s...

On this episode of the  Ascend Podcast , Justin Graham and Melissa Graham bring a powerful conversation on  the next generation—and why how you ascend matters more than you think. From parenting to pastoring, they unpack what it looks like to  call others higher while continuing to grow yourself. Because the truth is—you were never meant to ascend alone. In a culture full of noise, this generation...

“You Were Running So Well — Now What?” Pastor J + Pastor Carl What happens  after  the encounter? After the conference, the altar moment, the decision, the breakthrough…  now what? In this powerful episode, Pastor J and Pastor Carl talk about what it really means to walk out your faith after a life-changing moment with God. An encounter is powerful — but transformation happens in the days that fol...

Season 2 of the Ascend Podcast launches with a powerful and timely conversation around one foundational question:  Who are you following? In Episode 1,  Check Your Circle , Justin Graham and Karl Kincaid unpack what it truly means to follow—not casually, not culturally, but  intentionally and biblically . Following isn’t drifting, doing your own thing, or keeping Jesus as one option among many. Re...

In this episode, Justin unpacks Philippians 3:7–14 and the freedom that comes when we finally stop letting our past define our present. Paul’s words, “forgetting what is behind and pressing on,” aren’t about pretending our past never happened—they’re about refusing to give it control over our future. He dives into the truth about memory, nostalgia, pain, and why some things are worth releasing. Yo...

In this powerful and transparent conversation, Matt Cahoon  opens up about what life looks like when the picture-perfect model of success collides with real questions of identity, grief, and trust. From the outside, Matt’s life seemed ideal—career, family, health. But his journey led him into a season that forced him to ask:  Who am I? Am I a husband, a dad, or something more? Matt vulnerably shar...

In this episode, Justin Graham gets real about the moments in life that knock the breath out of us—times of anxiety, overwhelm, and fear that leave us asking, “What am I going to do?” Through personal stories and a powerful look at the life of Elijah, Justin reminds us that even heroes of the faith faced exhaustion, fear, and moments of wanting to give up. We discover that Elijah—who called down f...

In this episode of  ASCEND , Justin tackles the tension we all feel when it comes to accountability. We say we want to grow—as parents, leaders, and individuals—but when someone challenges us, our instinct is often resistance:  “Don’t tell me what to do.” Through a personal story of being called out in a tough season, Justin shares how honest accountability—paired with the conviction of the Holy S...

We love God because He loved us first. In this episode, Justin gets real about why choosing Jesus daily matters—and how saying no to sin is something we  get  to do. He breaks down how discipline, the Word, and local church community help keep us focused and fired up for what matters most.

Episode 2 of the Ascend Podcast is here — Train Naked. Justin pulls no punches: if you want to ascend, it’s time to strip off what’s weighing you down and get serious about discipline. No shortcuts. No excuses. This is about training your life for the things that last.

Hosted by Justin Graham, the Ascend Podcast is a call to rise to a higher standard of living and pursue God’s intended purpose for our lives. With a passion for integrity and personal growth, Justin—husband, father, and lead pastor of The Avenue Church—challenges listeners to go further in life and faith. Rooted in Psalm 24:3-4, Ascend explores what it means to have clean hands and a pure heart be...

Hosted by Justin Graham, the Ascend Podcast is a call to rise to a higher standard of living and pursue God’s intended purpose for our lives. Mark Your Calendars : Feb 18- LAUNCH DAY! Rooted in Psalm 24:3-4, Ascend explores what it means to have clean hands and a pure heart before God, moving beyond religion into a life of holiness and purpose.