Live Faith First Podcast

What if Easter isn’t just about what happened—but about how we live it? In this powerful episode, Elliot Sands and Abby Olcese explore the historical and spiritual impact of Easter, unpacking the tension between love and fear—and how it all connects to the beloved filmThe Iron Giant.

⚡What’s Inside:

💡 The heart of Easter—why resurrection still changes everything

🤖The Iron Giant as an unexpected Easter analogy

🔥 Love vs. fear—how bot...

What does Good Friday have in common with Rogue One: A Star Wars Story? More than you think. In this powerful episode, Elliot Sands and Abby Olcese unpack the emotional weight of Good Friday, exploring themes of sacrifice, community, and hope—both in the Christian tradition and incinema.

🔥What’s Inside:

⚔️Rogue One and the power of laying it all on the line

💔 The raw, emotional depth of Good Friday—why it still resonates

🌅 Finding h...

In this insightful and dynamic conversation, Elliot Sands sits down with Mark Glanville, a theologian, pastor, and jazz musician, to explore how cultural shifts are reshaping the way we communicate biblical truth. From the decline of Christian cultural dominance to the rise of post-Christian spirituality, they dive deep into how the church can remain faithful in today's rapidly evolving world.

Mark shares practical insights from...

In a world filled with stress, anxiety, and distractions, could gratitude be the game-changer we all need? In this uplifting episode, Elliot Sands and Dr. Neal Plantinga dive deep into the life-changing power of gratitude, exploring how it transforms our mind, body, and soul.

🔥 What’s Inside:💡 How gratitude fights anxiety & depression—backed by science & faith❤️ The emotional & physical benefits of a grateful mindset🚀...

Is the Jesus we follow the real deal—or just a reflection of American culture? In this thought-provoking conversation,Elliot Sands andSteve Bezner dive deep into the intersection offaith and culture, challenging the ways we’ve shaped Jesus to fit our own narratives.

🚀What’s Inside:🔥 Has Christianity in America lost its radical edge?🌍 Lessons from the diverse, struggling early church🤝 Building bridges across cultural and religiou...

What ifLent isn’t just about giving something up—but aboutfacing ourselves? In this thought-provoking episode,Elliot Sands andAbby Olcese dive into the powerful themes ofAsh Wednesday, Lent, fear, grace, and mortality, uncovering how these sacred traditions challenge us to confront our deepest truths.

🎭What’s Inside:🕊️ The raw introspection of Lent—why it matters more than ever⚖️ The tension betweengrace and sin—and why we need bo...

In a world that feels morepolarized than ever, how do we move fromdivision to connection? In this powerful episode,Elliot Sands andjohn a. powell dive into thereal work of bridging, belonging, and overcoming othering—one small step at a time.

🔥What’s Inside:🔑 Whatbridging, belonging, and othering really mean—and why they matter💡 Howfear fuels division—and how to break the cycle📖 Thepower of storytelling in reshaping narratives a...

Get ready to level up your emotional game in this dynamic conversation with Dr. Kevin Chapman, psychologist, author, and emotional wellness expert. We dive deep into the purpose of emotions, the art of navigating intense feelings, and the secret power of empathy to transform relationships.

Discover how your thoughts shape your emotions, practical tools for managing emotional responses, and why facing discomfort is the key to buildi...

This conversation delves into the historical context of hate groups, focusing on the Holocaust and the rise of Nazi Germany with author Michael Gutter. The discussion highlights the psychological aspects of indoctrination, the role of ordinary citizens during the Holocaust, and the implications of othering in modern society. Mike and Elliot emphasize the importance of learning from history to prevent future atrocities and the signi...

In this conversation, Amy Williams, known as the 'Hope Dealer', shares her journey from a biracial upbringing in Maine to working with gang-involved youth in Chicago. She discusses the challenges faced by these young people, the importance of hope, and the need for understanding and compassion in addressing their circumstances. Amy emphasizes that youth involved in gangs are not just statistics or projects, but individuals with the...

In this conversation, Elliot Sands and Abby Olcese explore the themes of Christmas, focusing on the nativity story of Jesus and its implications in today's world. They discuss the chaotic environment into which Jesus was born, the vulnerability of his early life, and draw parallels with the film 'Children of Men,' highlighting the importance of community and the sacrifices made by those surrounding Jesus. The conversation emphasize...

In this conversation, Elliot Sands and Abby Olcese explore the theme of peace, particularly in the context of the Christmas season and the historical film 'Joyeux Noël'. They discuss the significance of the Christmas Truce during World War I, emphasizing the importance of human connection and understanding in overcoming conflict. The conversation reflects on biblical teachings about peace and the challenges of maintaining it in a c...

In this conversation, Elliot Sands and Abby Olcese delve into the concept of joy, exploring its deeper significance beyond mere happiness. They discuss the role of joy in the context of faith and hope, using the character of Paddington from the beloved children's movies as a metaphor for joy in community. The discussion also touches on the Magnificat, highlighting the joy found in expectation and social change, and emphasizes joy a...

In this conversation, Elliot Sands and Abby Olcese discuss the theme of faith during the Advent season, emphasizing its importance over material preparations for Christmas. They explore the film 'The Bishop's Wife' and its relevant messages about relationships, presence, and the true meaning of the holiday. The discussion also touches on the significance of rebuilding relationships, the power of kindness, and reflections for the ne...

In this episode of the Live Faith First podcast, host Elliot Sands and guest Abby Olcese embark on a journey through Advent, focusing on the theme of hope. They explore the significance of hope in the Christian tradition, the structure of the church calendar, and how these themes connect with the film 'The Last Jedi.' The conversation delves into the nature of hope, the expectations surrounding it, and its relevance in today's worl...

We love them, we hate them, we dread them, we anticipate the worst–holiday parties.  We anticipate the worst, sometimes we get it, sometimes it was actually a joy.  This holiday season, let’s thrive at our holiday parties.  Navigating tough conversations with people that you may have tried to avoid since last Thanksgiving can be challenging.  There are things you can do to make it better and maybe even learn something new or gain i...

In this episode of the Live Faith First podcast, host Elliot Sands interviews Jim Sonefeld, the drummer of Hootie and the Blowfish. They discuss Jim's journey from a curious child in Illinois to a successful musician, touching on themes of addiction, recovery, and the importance of generosity. Jim shares his experiences with fame, the challenges of maintaining relationships, and how faith has played a crucial role in his life. The ...

For the last eight months the team has been working on election polarization.  We have built websites, social media accounts, video-driven curriculum, pledges, gratitude journals, given trainings, spoken to groups, sent emails… you get it, we’ve been working hard on LRK–Love, Respect and Kindness.  The last three months of podcasts have been about political polarization and how we respond.  We’ve had experts tell us how to navigate...

Faith and politics can get so intertwined.  The history of Christianity in the U.S., the churches response to political agendas, and Christian Nationalism all play a part in today’s cultural milieu.  Christians seeking diligently to get it right, can come to different conclusions.  In this episode we discuss seeking a nonpartisan, Jesus centered approach to politics.

Miranda Zapor Cruz, author of “Faithful Politics:  Ten Approaches...