The Upload with Brooke Taylor

Kara Lewis: Leaving the Influencer World, Finding Identity in Christ & Using Social Media for Good

This week on The Upload, Brooke Taylor and Pastor Mark Evans sit down with digital creator Kara Lewis for an honest conversation about walking away from the emptiness of influencer culture, rediscovering her faith, and using social media to bring light into dark places. Kara shares how she grew up in a Christian household, but at 18 years old rebelled against her faith and moved to Los Angeles, where she quickly found herself immersed in influencer houses, partying, celebrity culture, and eventually working behind the scenes shooting content for OnlyFans creators. While her life looked glamorous online, she reveals the deep loneliness, anxiety, and lack of fulfillment she experienced behind closed doors. Everything changed during a photoshoot in Florida when Kara had a conviction-filled moment that made her realize: “This is not who I am.” She walked away from the lifestyle, moved back home, rededicated her life to Christ, and was baptized again as a public declaration of her renewed faith. Now, Kara uses her platform to tell meaningful stories that point people back to hope, kindness, and ultimately Jesus. She opens up about wanting her content to feel different in a world full of noise and negativity—creating videos that leave people feeling lighter instead of emptier. The conversation also dives into: * The hidden darkness behind influencer culture * The dangers of seeking validation online * Raising kids in a digital world * Learning to trust God’s timing and practice patience * Why social media can either drain you—or become a tool for good * Following the Holy Spirit’s prompting in everyday life Plus, Kara shares a powerful story about meeting a homeless man living in his car with his mother for eight years—and how a simple act of obedience led to thousands of dollars being raised to help change their lives. This episode is a reminder that no one is too far gone, no testimony is wasted, and God can redeem every season for His purpose. 🎧 If you’ve ever struggled with identity, comparison, temptation, or feeling lost in the noise of social media, this conversation will encourage you to keep your eyes fixed on what truly matters. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Brad Warren: Staying Faithful After The Loss of a Child

This week on The Upload, Brooke Taylor and Pastor Mark Evans sit down with singer-songwriter Brad Warren for a deeply honest conversation about faith, addiction, grief, and the grace of God. Brad opens up about growing up in a fear-based church environment, battling alcoholism and addiction, and how recovery introduced him to a God who wasn’t waiting to punish him—but love him. He shares how his faith evolved from “I hope it’s true” to “I know it’s true,” and why his relationship with Jesus has become a daily necessity. The conversation takes a powerful turn as Brad vulnerably shares the heartbreaking loss of his 21-year-old son to fentanyl and how that tragedy transformed his life, deepened his faith, and led him to create spaces for grieving fathers to heal together. Together, they dive into some of life’s hardest questions: What happens when your faith is tested by tragedy? Can grace exist without fear? How do you keep trusting God when life doesn’t make sense? And what does it really mean to have a relationship with Jesus right where you are? Brad also shares why he believes testimony is one of the greatest weapons we have, how grief can strengthen rather than destroy us, and why God wants relationship—not perfection. This episode is raw, emotional, hope-filled, and a reminder that even in the middle of pain, addiction, loss, and doubt… God still meets us with grace. If you’ve ever wrestled with faith, questioned God in suffering, or needed hope in the middle of grief… this conversation is for you. Follow The Upload: 📸 Instagram — @theuploadlife [https://instagram.com/theuploadlife] 🎥 TikTok — @theuploadlife [https://www.tiktok.com/@theuploadlife] 🔗 Listen on iHeartRadio — The Upload [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-the-upload-304486499/?cmp=ios_share&sc=ios_social_share&pr=false&autoplay=true] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Lauren Alaina: Walking Through Grief, Becoming a Mother & Getting a Glimpse of Heaven

This week on The Upload, Brooke Taylor sits down with Lauren Alaina for one of her most raw and vulnerable conversations yet. From growing up in church to walking through devastating loss, Laurenopens up about the moments that tested—and ultimately transformed—her faith. She shares the heartbreak of losing her stepfather and father, and a powerful, firsthand experience in her stepfather’s final moments that gave her a glimpse of heaven and changed everything. They dive into the questions so many people wrestle with: What happens when God doesn’t answer your prayers? Can you be angry with God and still have faith? And how do you hold onto hope in the middle of grief? Lauren also shares how becoming a mother has deepened her understanding of God’s love and the kind of faith she hopes to pass down to her daughter. This episode is honest, emotional, and a reminder that faith isn’t perfect—it’s personal. If you’ve ever struggled to understand God in the middle of pain… this conversation is for you. Follow The Upload: 📸 Instagram — @theuploadlife [https://instagram.com/theuploadlife] 🎥 TikTok — @theuploadlife [https://www.tiktok.com/@theuploadlife] 🔗 Listen on iHeartRadio — The Upload [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-the-upload-304486499/?cmp=ios_share&sc=ios_social_share&pr=false&autoplay=true] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Jackie Lee: I Lost My Mom, Fought Cancer and Found God in It

This week on The Upload, host Brooke Taylor and Pastor Mark Evans sit down with country artist and songwriter Jackie Lee for one of the most raw, honest conversations yet.What starts as a lighthearted catch-up quickly turns into a powerful discussion about faith, loss, and what it really looks like to trust God when life doesn’t go the way you planned. Jackie opens up about walking through unimaginable hardship — from losing his mom to battling cancer — and how those seasons reshaped his perspective on purpose, pain, and what truly matters.They dive into the tension between ambition and surrender, the struggle of navigating broken relationships without bitterness, and the fine line between judgment and discernment. Jackie shares what he’s learning in real time about letting go of control, trusting God’s timing, and believing that even the hardest seasons might be working for you, not against you. From chasing dreams in a “10-year town” like Nashville to wrestling with identity, calling, and success, this episode is a reminder that faith isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about staying open, moldable, and willing to say, “not my will, but Yours.”If you’ve ever felt stuck, overlooked, or in the middle of a story that doesn’t make sense yet… this conversation is for you. Follow The Upload: 📸 Instagram — @theuploadlife [https://instagram.com/theuploadlife] 🎥 TikTok — @theuploadlife [https://www.tiktok.com/@theuploadlife] 🔗 Listen on iHeartRadio — The Upload [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-the-upload-304486499/?cmp=ios_share&sc=ios_social_share&pr=false&autoplay=true] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Thunderstorm Artis: Church Hurt, A Father's Wisdom & Leading With Grace

This week on The Upload, Brooke Taylor and Pastor Mark Evans sit down with singer-songwriter Thunderstorm Artis for a raw and deeply reflective conversation about faith, identity, and what really matters when the spotlight fades. Known for his breakout run on The Voice and his “magical” tone, Thunderstorm shares how growing up in a family of 11 on the North Shore of Oahu shaped his foundation of faith—and how losing his father as a teenager forced that faith to become his own. As he puts it, “God doesn’t have any grandchildren”—a realization that sparked his lifelong pursuit of understanding who God is personally, not just generationally. Thunderstorm opens up about the emotional walls he built after loss—how what once protected him eventually became a prison—and the ongoing process of learning to be vulnerable again in marriage, fatherhood, and friendships. He shares how his wife helped him realize that hiding pain doesn’t protect the people you love—it actually creates distance. The conversation also takes a powerful turn as Thunderstorm recalls a moment from his childhood when his father intentionally brought him to a church service to teach discernment. During the service, a pastor—wearing a Rolex and snakeskin boots—claimed God told him the congregation would buy him a car, locked the doors, and continued collecting offerings until the goal was met. That experience became a defining lesson on “wolves in sheep’s clothing,” and the difference between genuine faith and manipulation within the church. From there, they unpack: Why perfection isn’t the goal in faith—pursuit is The difference between real freedom and coping mechanisms Navigating grief that resurfaces years later Building a faith that’s personal—not inherited Leading your family spiritually with authenticity Why character matters more than charisma Honest, vulnerable, and full of wisdom—this episode is a powerful reminder that your identity isn’t found in your success, but in who God created you to be—and that true faith requires both discernment and grace. 🎧 If you’ve ever wrestled with identity, church hurt, or learning to separate truth from noise—this conversation will meet you right where you are. Follow The Upload: 📸 Instagram — @theuploadlife [https://instagram.com/theuploadlife] 🎥 TikTok — @theuploadlife [https://www.tiktok.com/@theuploadlife] 🔗 Listen on iHeartRadio — The Upload [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-the-upload-304486499/?cmp=ios_share&sc=ios_social_share&pr=false&autoplay=true] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.