In this deeply raw and gripping testimony, host Kelly Sanchez sits down with TJ Sloan to explore a life defined by childhood fatherlessness, survival, near-death experiences, and ultimate redemption. TJ opens up about growing up without a dad, navigating deep anger and childhood trauma, and how a devastating medical emergency in January 2020 changed everything.

TJ recounts the terrifying moment he physically dropped dead, his vivid encounter beyond death—which he experienced as a profound spiritual warning and judgment—and the long journey of anger, brain injury recovery, and eventual surrender that led him to get baptized as an adult and finally stop running from God.

Key Topics Covered:

• Growing up fatherless, childhood instability, and managing deep-seated anger through sports
• The pain of broken promises, family fracture, and an early suicide attempt
• Dropping dead in January 2020, medical emergency response, and living with a defibrillator
• A vivid post-death spiritual encounter: experiencing the reality of spiritual judgment and mercy
• Navigating brain injury recovery, medical anomaly status, and wrestling with God after survival
• Finding true brotherhood, getting baptized, and surrendering to his calling

Timestamps:

01:30 - Childhood instability, fatherlessness, & early church exposure 08:11 - Facing family fracture and early childhood pain

16:43 - Broken fatherly promises & the anger behind the attitude

22:50 - JUCO football, track, & using athletics as an outlet

33:33 - Dropping dead in Jan 2020 & the medical crisis that followed 41:38 - The void, the beach, & the post-death spiritual encounter

51:02 - Processing the experience as spiritual judgment & mercy

59:03 - Brain injury rehab, hearing loss, & medical recovery

72:48 - Moving to Philadelphia and pulled to the altar

78:38 - Choosing adult baptism, community, & stopping the run

93:04 - Navigating a "Job season" & finally surrendering in prayer

Notable Quotes:

• "The first experience was judgment, but mercy sent me back."
• "I had to stop running from the call on my life."

Key Takeaways:

• God’s call on your life remains active, even through seasons of rebellion and running.
• Unaddressed father wounds can fuel anger, but healing comes through heavenly Fatherhood.
• Miracles and near-death encounters don't always mean instant faith—true transformation requires daily surrender.

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In this powerful testimony episode, host Kelly Sanchez sits down with Clint Hepner to discuss his journey from severe addiction, self-destruction, and spiritual numbness to total surrender, transformation, and miraculous physical and spiritual renewal.

Clint opens up about growing up in a Christian home, how high school and college drinking turned into a destructive addiction, and how the loss of his family life led him to rock bottom. He shares the pivotal moment he finally surrendered to God in prayer, followed by a life-altering medical emergency where he flatlined, experienced supernatural peace, and came back with a burning desire to share the gospel.

Key Topics Covered:

• Growing up with religion vs. developing a true, intimate relationship with Jesus
• How alcohol became an idol, leading to shame, broken relationships, and rock bottom
• God’s continuous pursuit through loving relationships and a life-changing church invitation
• The moment of true surrender and losing the desire to drink
• Flatlining during a massive heart attack and experiencing the undeniable reality of eternity
• Stepping into church participation, speaking, and pointing others toward hope in Christ

Timestamps:

00:54 - Opening prayer & setting the stage for Clint's testimony

04:46 - Knowing about Jesus as a child vs. having a real relationship 15:06 - How alcohol entered high school/college and became an idol 27:17 - The loneliness, shame, and crumbling relationships behind addiction

38:46 - Hitting rock bottom: separation, chaos, and spiritual numbness 45:40 - A church invitation that changed the direction of his life

50:18 - Surrendering to God in prayer & losing the grip of alcohol

57:19 - The heart attack: flatlining, experiencing perfect peace, and coming back

61:52 - Returning with a renewed hunger for Scripture and eternity

72:34 - Why every believer is called to step up and share their story 82:53 - Closing prayer for those at rock bottom

Notable Quotes:

• "The relationship we're supposed to have versus the relationship we do have."
• "Dead is not dead."
• "He took everything awful that I did and turned it on its head."

Key Takeaways:

• Religion and box-checking cannot substitute for a personal relationship with God.
• No addiction, shame, or past mistake is too far gone for Jesus to transform.
• Eternity is real, and God can turn life's worst moments into a powerful witness for others.

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In this foundational episode, host Kelly Sanchez sits down with pastor, chaplain, and Air Force veteran Phil Speicher to trace his journey from a painful childhood into faith, marriage, military service, and pastoral ministry. Phil shares how early trauma, loneliness, and a lack of relational discipleship shaped his early years—and why heart healing, spiritual growth, and biblical formation matter so deeply to him now.

Together, they discuss childhood wounds, spiritual oppression, breaking generational patterns, deliverance, and why the church must become a safe, relational space for broken people.

Key Topics Covered:

• Growing up as the youngest of six with frequent moves, family trauma, and emotional isolation
• Accepting Christ at age seven—and why salvation wasn't followed by true discipleship
• Navigating teenage depression, suicidal thoughts, and rigid rules without relationship
• Meeting Gracie and learning to break destructive cycles in marriage and family
• Teaching on spiritual oppression vs. possession and breaking generational curses
• Moving into military service, mentorship, chaplaincy, and crisis/trauma ministry

Timestamps:

00:54 - Opening prayer & introduction to Phil’s story

03:50 - Faith background & early childhood moves

07:38 - Feeling emotionally disconnected & unseen

13:27 - Salvation at age 7 & the lack of discipleship

19:29 - Teen depression, loneliness, and despair

27:18 - Teaching on spiritual oppression vs. possession

34:27 - Why boundaries matter, but relationship matters more

45:50 - Meeting Gracie & finding healing through companionship

53:30 - Military path, marriage, and breaking family cycles

56:46 - Understanding generational curses & open doors

61:29 - Why churches must be safe spaces for broken people

68:03 - How to pray through family sin & spiritual history

72:10 - Deliverance, freedom ministry, and trauma healing

84:58 - The Bible as the primary source for soul care

103:34 - Chaplaincy, crisis response, and trauma ministry

Notable Quotes:

• "The greatest need I had was a relationship with them."
• "You cannot depend on the pastor to give you the verses every Sunday and that’s it. That is not enough."

Key Takeaways:

• Prioritize true discipleship and personal Bible study after salvation.
• Address heart trauma directly instead of hiding behind outward rules.
• Pray specifically over family patterns and spiritual strongholds.
• Build church cultures focused on safety, love, and healing.

CONNECT & SUBSCRIBE:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UnlockingtheBlessingRealRaw
• Subscribe to Unlocking the Blessing on Apple & Spotify!