Made New

Five-time NFL Pro Bowler, Hall of Famer and Pittsburgh Steelers legend Mel Blount stops by the studio to share the kind of wisdom that can only be gained from lived experience. The 73 year old is often described as one of the best to ever play the sport of football, but rarely does he share the details of how his story began. Growing up as a black man in the segregated South, Blount faced what seemed like insurmountable odds on his path to success.  Once he made it to the NFL, he thought his experience with racism would be over, but it was just beginning. Join us for his never-before-heard account of life as black football star, why he believes racism in America will never truly be over, and why he still has faith in spite of it all.

Join host Hutch Eckerson as he confronts the difficult and often underreported topic of human trafficking.  More specifically, sex crimes against children.  Our guest, Glenn (last name omitted for security reasons) spent 11 years in the U.S. Army with a background in Human Intelligence and Counterintelligence, and has been deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan.  Following his military career, Glenn joined H.E.R.O. or the Human Exploitation Rescue Operative, designed to enlist special operations veterans in the fight against child exploitation and human trafficking.    He has since started his own company and spent the past several years supporting governments around the world to target human trafficking networks through undercover operations.     Glenn shares what it’s like to confront evil face to face, and how witnessing some of the most heinous acts is actually what led him to faith.  Then a question that challenges even the most firm in their faith walk: Could you forgive your enemy?  

Psychotherapist Lynn Lyon walks us through anxiety: what it is, what it does to our minds and bodies, and how a compassionate approach to our mental and spiritual health is what we all need right now.

 Nick Brandt shares his passion for helping people learn to enjoy God by better understanding Him and healing whatever baggage is getting in the way.  He also talks about his work with #YearOfTheBible, a collective of 70 different organizations aimed at getting people back into the word of God.   Nick shares insight and practical resources to help you dig deeper into the Bible and learn more about who God is.

Dr. Matt Lyon’s teachings combine faith-based spirituality with neuroscience, psychology, nutrition and movement to offer mind-body practices that regulate the nervous system and promote overall health. On this episode, Dr. Matt uses his nearly 30 years of experience, combined with his faith in Jesus to bring us a meditative breathing exercise designed to help us quiet our minds and tune into Jesus at a time when we all need more of His presence.  Be sure to listen to the end for a chance to practice the exercises for yourself.  You definitely won’t regret it.   #BeMadeNew

When our scheduled guest didn't show up, podcast producer (and my beautiful wife) Erika Eckerson stepped in and saved the day.  Erika has a background in broadcast and worked as a local news anchor and reporter for seven years before leaving her career to have babies and pursue her love of creating art. Listen as she talks about bringing God into the creative process, what He's doing in our lives today, and where we believe He wants to take this ministry in 2020.

In 2003, former Rent-Way president and COO Jeffrey Conway found himself at the center of a $60 million accounting scandal that landed him with a 13 month prison sentence.  Conway shares about the experience that brought him to his knees, how God transformed his heart, and why he now believes even the hardest of criminals are deserving of redemption.   

Five time Pro-Bowler and four time Super Bowl champion Donnie Shell talks about his life and legacy and putting God first above all else.

Elevation Church Campus Pastor Jonathan Josephs offers profound insight on the power of obedience.  It's a conversation that will shift your perspective of obedience from an obligation to your heart's biggest desire, starting with small every day steps.