We sit down for a powerful conversation on faith, parenting, surrender, relationships, grace, and what it means to truly trust God through life’s hardest moments.

From raising children and dealing with prodigal seasons to struggling with doubt, anxiety, and the weight of wanting loved ones to know Christ, this episode dives deep into the reality of walking with Jesus in a broken world.

This conversation explores how God uses relationships, suffering, tests, and trials to transform our hearts and draw us closer to Him.

⏱ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Relationships, Parenting & Faith

05:43 Rebuilding a Relationship After Years Apart

12:54 Surrendering Your Children to God

16:05 “The Burden Is Not On You”

20:35 Wanting Loved Ones to Know Jesus

25:04 Being Born Again & Spiritual Transformation

31:16 Doubt, Faith & Trusting God

42:14 Why Does God Allow Suffering?

49:18 Why God Tests Us

55:05 Grace, Forgiveness & Eternal Life

1:00:02 Asking God “Why?”

1:04:43 Why Relationships Matter Most

1:07:27 Closing Prayer

If this episode encouraged you, share it with someone who needs hope today and subscribe for more Christ-centered conversations seeking truth through Scripture.

What happens when you stop chasing your own plans… and finally let God lead?

In this episode of the Always Rising Podcast, AJ Alfonso Hicks shares how his life changed when he stopped living by timelines, goals, and personal ambition, and started waking up each day asking God what He wanted instead.

This is a real conversation about surrender, obedience, faith, and learning to follow the Holy Spirit daily.

If you’ve ever struggled with control, purpose, or trusting God’s direction, this episode is for you.

⏱ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Opening Prayer

00:51 Welcome + Introducing AJ Alfonso Hicks

02:00 AJ’s Story Begins

06:40 From Goals & Hustle to Surrender

12:15 Learning to Follow God Daily

18:45 Obedience Over Personal Ambition

25:10 Community, Brotherhood & Faith

33:30 Identity Through Christ

41:20 Final Thoughts + Encouragement

What does it actually mean to speak the truth, and why does it sometimes hurt? In this episode, Andrew and Nathan dig into one of the most foundational and challenging topics in the Christian walk: truth. Not your truth, not my truth, but the Truth that was, is, and always will be. They talk about what it looks like to share the gospel without judgment, how to hold fast to your faith when the people around you aren't living it out, and why fellowship and community are essential, not optional. They also get honest about what happens when you stumble in front of the people you're trying to reach, the tension between planting seeds and needing to see results, and what it really means that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. If you've ever struggled with how to share your faith, felt like your mistakes disqualify you, or wondered why a loving God allows the consequences He does, this one's for you.