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.

What happens when you fully surrender your life to God?

In this powerful episode of the Always Rising Podcast, we sit down with Tate Ledford to unpack a real, raw testimony of faith, obedience, and transformation. From a career in law enforcement to walking through fear, pride, loss, and ultimately surrender, Tate shares how God radically changed his life and began using something unexpected… a dog… to open doors for ministry, healing, and the Gospel.

This conversation dives deep into:

What it truly means to die to yourself

How God uses pain to draw us closer to Him

The power of obedience and stepping out in faith

Real-life discipleship in everyday moments

Why your personal relationship with Jesus matters more than knowledge

Lee Hyde found Christ at a summer camp as a kid and chased his dreams on the baseball field—playing at Georgia Tech, meeting his future wife, and being drafted in 2006 in the fourth round by the Atlanta Braves. Eight years, four teams, and multiple big league camps later, he never made it to the majors and walked away in 2014—feeling like a failure. But God wasn’t done. He joined a men’s group that same year, igniting a deeper faith journey. He returned to school, graduated in 2015, and started a new path in financial planning—launching Shepherd Financial in 2020. This is a story about rising again. About purpose beyond the game. And about trusting God's plan even when yours falls apart.

Shepherd Finical: https://www.shepherdfin.com/

The Always Rising Podcast, is a show where faith, family, freedom, and business converge. Hosted by Andrew Rosen, this Christian faith-based business podcast explores the intersections of spiritual beliefs and professional endeavors. Each week, Andrew and his guests share inspiring stories, practical insights, and thought-provoking conversations, showcasing how to rise above challenges and thrive in all aspects of life. Whether you're an entrepreneur, business professional, or seeking to align work with values, this podcast is your source for inspiration and guidance. Follow us to stay up to date with all of the latest news & announcements: Submit your ideas or question suggestions and topics you'd like to hear on the podcast to: suggestions@always-rising.com

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