Live Faith First: Groundswell Podcast

About Live Faith First: Groundswell Podcast

There’s a way to live that focuses on what brings us together. Let's honestly look at the things that divide us so we can find practical solutions to bridging those divides. https://linktr.ee/livefaithfirst

Publisher

Live Faith First Podcast w/ Elliot Sands

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

30 Jan 2023

Latest episode

14 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

103 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   14 Oct 2026

   Peace in the Middle of the Chaos — with Jay Kim

   Join us at The Bright Side for your daily dose of positive news and inspiration: https://livethebrightside.com/ (https://livethebrightside.com/) What if peace isn't something we find after life finally slows down? What if it's possible to experience God's peace right in the middle of our busy, distracted, and sometimes overwhelming lives? Pastor and author Jay Y. Kim returns to the Live Faith First podcast to explore a different way of living, inspired by his new book, The Pace of Peace. Drawing from the ancient Christian prayer practice known as the Ignatian Examen, Jay introduces five movements that help us become more aware of God's presence in everyday life: presence, gratitude, reflection, confession, and surrender. Elliot and Jay explore why multitasking can keep us from living deeply, how gratitude frees us from the endless pursuit of more, and why a moment of reflection can transform our relationships. They also revisit one of the Bible's most beautiful stories of restoration—Jesus meeting Peter on the seashore after Peter's denial—and discuss how confession can help us move beyond both pride and shame. The conversation ultimately turns to our desire for control. Jay explains why peace isn't found in managing every outcome but in trusting God enough to surrender our plans and pursue deeper communion with him. You don't need an empty calendar, a perfect life, or a tropical vacation to begin experiencing peace. You can begin right where you are. In this episode: Why peace is more than peace and quiet The five movements of the Ignatian Examen How multitasking and distraction undermine a deeper life Finding God's presence in the middle of a busy day Why gratitude is an antidote to striving and envy The power of pausing before reacting How Jesus restored Peter instead of retaliating Rethinking confession as a return to our true identity Breaking free from the lies of pride and shame Moving from control to communion with God What Jesus teaches us about surrender in Gethsemane Jay Y. Kim is the lead pastor of WestGate Church, a multicongregational church in Silicon Valley, California. He has served in local church ministry for more than two decades as a pastor, teacher, and church planter. Jay is the author of several books, including Analog Church, Analog Christian, Listen, Listen, Speak, and his newest release, The Pace of Peace: Distraction, Attention, and the Gifts of an Examined Life. His writing explores how Christians can cultivate meaningful relationships, spiritual depth, and faithful discipleship in an increasingly distracted world. He also hosts InterVarsity Press's Digital Examen podcast and serves on the board of Practicing the Way. Born in South Korea and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Jay lives in Silicon Valley with his wife, Jenny, and their two children. Elliot Sands is the host of the Live Faith First podcast—a dynamic space where faith meets real-world challenges. With a rich background as a pastor, school principal, health-tech co-founder, and now Operations Director of Churches Addressing Poverty-Silicon Valley, Elliot brings deep wisdom and practical insight to every conversation.  As a husband, father, and grandfather, he weaves personal experience with thoughtful discussion, tackling tough topics with clarity and compassion. Live Faith First is all about bridging divides—whether in society or the church—encouraging listeners to step beyond echo chambers and build real, meaningful relationships across the aisle, the street, or the table. Connect with Jay Kim Website (https://jaykimthinks.com/) The Pace of Peace (https://www.ivpress.com/the-pace-of-peace) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/jaykimthinks/) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/jaykimthinks) Connect with Live Faith First Website: livethebrightside.com (http://livethebrightside.com) Instagram: @LiveFaithFirst (https://www.instagram.com/livefaithfirst) TikTok: @livefaithfirst (http://tiktok.com/@livefaithfirst) Facebook: facebook.com/LiveFaithFirst (https://www.facebook.com/LiveFaithFirst/) YouTube: youtube.com/@livefaithfirst (https://www.youtube.com/@livefaithfirst)

2. 

   6 Oct 2026

   The Bright Side Roundup, Episode 6

   On this week's episode of The Bright Side Roundup, Cy takes us on a field trip to her backyard to discuss some of the current stories on the website.This week's theme: Small random acts of kindness. Starting the episode, Cy talks about a personal experience she had in the parking lot of her local Kroger. We then learn about a little girl with a big heart for kids in need in her Dubson, N.C. community.What are some small random acts of kindness that you've experienced or witnessed in the past week? Tell us all about it in the comments, and send us a note at livethebrightside.com (http://livethebrightside.com/).

3. 

   30 Sept 2026

   There’s No Finish Line to Grief

   Content Note: This episode contains candid discussion of suicide, the death of a child, grief, depression, and suicidal thoughts. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or is in crisis, in the United States call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Join us at The Bright Side for your daily dose of positive news and inspiration: https://livethebrightside.com/ (https://livethebrightside.com/) Grief doesn’t follow a timeline. It doesn’t look the same for everyone. And it isn’t something we simply “get over.” In this deeply personal conversation, Elliot sits down with author Laura Busse to talk about the unimaginable loss of her 23-year-old son, Evan, who died by suicide in 2021. Laura shares who Evan was—a brilliant young man with a huge heart for people on the margins—and what happened when her family suddenly found themselves navigating grief, trauma, guilt, and questions they never expected to face. Laura describes herself as once being “grief illiterate.” After Evan’s death, she discovered that grief reaches far beyond sadness, affecting our bodies, identities, relationships, families, and even our relationship with God. She also talks candidly about her anger with God—and why wrestling with Him ultimately drew her closer rather than driving her away. Elliot and Laura also explore how differently members of the same family can grieve, the guilt that often follows suicide loss, and why people who are hurting need our presence more than our explanations. Laura offers practical guidance for walking alongside someone in grief: keep showing up, remember the difficult dates, resist the urge to fix their pain, and give them permission to grieve in their own way. And perhaps most importantly, Laura reminds us that healing doesn't require leaving the person we love behind. As she puts it, “There’s no finish line to grief. I am healing.” Laura Busse is an author, speaker, certified grief coach, and founder of Grief and Hope, a ministry devoted to helping people navigate profound loss and rediscover hope and healing. After her 23-year-old son, Evan, died by suicide in 2021, Laura began combining her lived experience of traumatic loss with grief education and more than 20 years of experience as a Bible study author and teacher. Laura is the author of The Unimaginable: God, Grief, and the Questions That Won’t Go Away. Elliot Sands is the host of the Live Faith First podcast—a dynamic space where faith meets real-world challenges. With a rich background as a pastor, school principal, health-tech co-founder, and now Operations Director of Churches Addressing Poverty-Silicon Valley, Elliot brings deep wisdom and practical insight to every conversation.  As a husband, father, and grandfather, he weaves personal experience with thoughtful discussion, tackling tough topics with clarity and compassion. Live Faith First is all about bridging divides—whether in society or the church—encouraging listeners to step beyond echo chambers and build real, meaningful relationships across the aisle, the street, or the table. Connect with Laura Busse Website (https://www.griefandhope.org/) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/laurabusse.griefandhope/) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/laura.busse.96) Connect with Live Faith First Website: livethebrightside.com (http://livethebrightside.com) Instagram: @LiveFaithFirst (https://www.instagram.com/livefaithfirst) TikTok: @livefaithfirst (http://tiktok.com/@livefaithfirst) Facebook: facebook.com/LiveFaithFirst (https://www.facebook.com/LiveFaithFirst/) YouTube: youtube.com/@livefaithfirst (https://www.youtube.com/@livefaithfirst)

Who has been a guest on Live Faith First: Groundswell Podcast

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Nicholas McDonald
• Monica Guzmán
• Jason Lomelino
• Amy Julia Becker

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

337,817

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

8 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 84 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

89

Social presence

100

YouTube

86

Engagement

60

Contact Live Faith First: Groundswell Podcast

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about Live Faith First: Groundswell Podcast