The Upload with Brooke Taylor

iHeartPodcasts

Hosted by radio personality Brooke Taylor alongside her co-host, Pastor Mark Evans, The Upload dives into real and honest conversations about faith, purpose, and life. Each week, Brooke and Mark sit down with musicians, authors, athletes, and influencers to explore what faith means to them, and how it shapes the way they navigate their unique callings, careers, and family lives. Rooted in authenticity, The Upload goes deeper than surface-level chats. Guests share personal stories, defining moments, and the spiritual lessons that sustain them through both triumphs and challenges. Whether you’re looking for encouragement, inspiration, or just a meaningful conversation to lift your week, this podcast is designed to uplift your soul and strengthen your walk.

  1. Ben Johnson: Can Faith & Doubt Co-Exist?

    2D AGO

    Ben Johnson: Can Faith & Doubt Co-Exist?

    This week on The Upload, Brooke Taylor and Pastor Mark Evans sit down with hit songwriter and producer Ben Johnson for a deeply thoughtful conversation about faith, doubt, creativity, and learning to trust God in the middle of unanswered questions. Ben has written songs for some of the biggest names in music—including Morgan Wallen, Jelly Roll, HARDY, Justin Timberlake, Charlie Puth, and Lee Brice—and recently appeared on Netflix’s Hitmakers, a first-of-its-kind series that pulls back the curtain on the songwriting process. But this conversation goes far beyond the music. Ben opens up about growing up in church while wrestling with skepticism, why the prayer “Lord, I believe—help my unbelief” has become so personal to him, and how his faith has been shaped more by honest questions than easy answers. He also shares the incredible story of meeting his wife over and over again throughout his life, the vulnerability of creating under pressure, and why consistency matters more than inspiration. Plus, Ben talks about the deeper purpose behind creativity, the importance of being honest with God, and the mission behind MHI (Mental Health Initiative)—a nonprofit helping fund long-term residential treatment for people recovering from repeated suicide attempts. This episode is for anyone asking hard questions, wrestling with trust, or wondering whether God can still meet them in the middle of doubt. Follow The Upload:📸 Instagram — @theuploadlife🎥 TikTok — @theuploadlife🔗 Listen on iHeartRadio — The Upload See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    58 min
  2. Maddox Batson: Staying Grounded in Faith as a Famous Teenager

    FEB 25

    Maddox Batson: Staying Grounded in Faith as a Famous Teenager

    This week on The Upload, Brooke Taylor and Mark Evans sit down with rising country artist Maddox Batson for a powerful, multi-generational conversation about faith, fame, and the family fighting to keep both grounded in truth. At just 15 years old, Maddox is navigating sold-out shows, viral moments, and the pressure of an industry that moves fast, but he’s choosing to build his life on something slower and steadier. He shares what it’s like to walk into church when everyone knows your name, resist the noise of social media, and boldly talk about Jesus on stage even when it’s not the “popular” thing to do. Midway through the episode, his father Dan joins the conversation, offering raw insight into what it really means to steward a calling. From turning down shiny opportunities to thinking long-term instead of viral, Dan opens up about guarding his son against “gold, glory, and girls,” signing every contract, and carrying the unseen weight of protecting both character and career. He shares a powerful story from when Maddox was just seven years old — when a stranger noticed “a light” in him — and reflects on how faith, youth ministry, and a deeply rooted family foundation prepared them for a path they never planned but believe God ordained. Together, they talk about discernment, humility, making mistakes, and why the goal isn’t short-term success — it’s longevity with integrity. This episode is a reminder that influence without foundation won’t last. And that sometimes the greatest testimony isn’t just the artist on stage — it’s the father praying in the background.  Listen for an honest, hope-filled conversation about raising the next generation with wisdom, courage, and Christ at the center. Follow The Upload:📸 Instagram — @theuploadlife🎥 TikTok — @theuploadlife🔗 Listen on iHeartRadio — The Upload See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 3m
  3. Shawn Johnson & Andrew East: Faith, Marriage & Why Success Feels Empty

    FEB 4

    Shawn Johnson & Andrew East: Faith, Marriage & Why Success Feels Empty

    This week on The Upload, host Brooke Taylor and co-host Pastor Mark Evans sit down with Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson East and former NFL player Andrew East for a candid, faith-filled conversation about success, surrender, marriage, and building a life that lasts. Shawn and Andrew open up about their individual journeys to faith, the pressures that come with public success, and the surprising realization that achievement alone could never bring lasting fulfillment. Shawn reflects on life after the Olympic podium — a season that should have felt victorious, yet left her wrestling with anxiety, identity, and emptiness. She shares how her faith deepened in the aftermath of success, teaching her that worth is not earned through medals or performance, but rooted in being known and loved by God. Andrew brings his own perspective, describing what he calls “delusional confidence” — the bold, childlike trust in God that shaped his decisions, his career, and ultimately his relationship with Shawn. Together, they speak honestly about marriage, learning to let go of control, and the daily choice to love one another well. The conversation touches on parenting, anxiety, ambition, and the challenge of trusting God not just with dreams, but with family, future, and identity. Shawn and Andrew emphasize the importance of building a strong spiritual foundation before success arrives — and how faith became the anchor that holds them steady in every season. This episode is for anyone who has achieved what they hoped for and still felt empty, struggled with control or comparison, or is learning to trust God beyond the win. Shawn Johnson East and Andrew East remind us that true fulfillment isn’t found in success, but in surrender — and that the foundation matters far more than the spotlight. 🎧 Listen in for an honest conversation about faith after achievement, marriage rooted in Christ, and learning to trust God with every part of life. Follow The Upload:📸 Instagram — @theuploadlife🎥 TikTok — @theuploadlife🔗 Listen on iHeartRadio — The Upload See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    58 min
  4. George Birge: Trusting God When Nothing Works

    JAN 28

    George Birge: Trusting God When Nothing Works

    This week on The Upload, host Brooke Taylor and co-host Pastor Mark Evans sit down with country artist George Birge for a powerful, honest conversation about faith, surrender, and what it really looks like to trust God’s timing in an industry driven by pressure, comparison, and success. George opens up about his journey from playing small shows and grinding it out in a country duo to questioning whether he had made the right decision chasing music at all. With vulnerability and clarity, he shares how seasons of waiting, disappointment, and nearly walking away became the very foundation God used to shape his character, strengthen his marriage, and prepare him for success he wasn’t ready to handle at the start. Throughout the conversation, George reflects on the tension between ambition and surrender, learning to “give up pretending” while staying faithful to the mission. He talks about the refining process that happens below the surface, the unseen work God does in private long before anything rises above the water and why integrity, family, and faith must come before fame. The episode dives deep into trusting God’s plan, navigating comparison, understanding real versus transactional relationships, and wrestling with temptation in the spotlight. George also shares how building a Christ-centered culture on the road; from praying with his band to prioritizing his role as a husband and father, has given him freedom, peace, and clarity in a demanding season of life. For anyone struggling with control, anxiety, delayed dreams, or wondering if God is listening, George offers wisdom on praying boldly for the desires of your heart while releasing the outcome to God. His story is a reminder that success will never fill the void, but surrender will and that God’s kindness often shows up in the delays we don’t understand at the time. 🎧 This episode is for anyone in a season of waiting, refining, or learning how to trust God without pretending and discovering peace on the other side of surrender. Follow The Upload:📸 Instagram — @theuploadlife🎥 TikTok — @theuploadlife🔗 Listen on iHeartRadio — The Upload See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    51 min
5
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

Hosted by radio personality Brooke Taylor alongside her co-host, Pastor Mark Evans, The Upload dives into real and honest conversations about faith, purpose, and life. Each week, Brooke and Mark sit down with musicians, authors, athletes, and influencers to explore what faith means to them, and how it shapes the way they navigate their unique callings, careers, and family lives. Rooted in authenticity, The Upload goes deeper than surface-level chats. Guests share personal stories, defining moments, and the spiritual lessons that sustain them through both triumphs and challenges. Whether you’re looking for encouragement, inspiration, or just a meaningful conversation to lift your week, this podcast is designed to uplift your soul and strengthen your walk.

You Might Also Like