There are some stories that make the word redemption tangible.
Robert Borelli’s is one of them.
His journey travels through worlds that could hardly seem farther apart: the streets of Brooklyn, organized crime, the allure of the Mafia, cocaine addiction, homelessness and prison—and ultimately to a life transformed by the love and grace of Jesus Christ.
When Robert joined me on The UPside Conversations, what struck me was not simply the drama of where he had been.
It was the man he had become.

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Pastor Ed Grifenhagen's extraordinary journey from a deeply observant Jewish upbringing to a life devoted to Jesus Christ is a powerful reminder that truth has the power to transform hearts, families, and destinies.

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Most people know Dr. Ming Wang as the internationally acclaimed eye surgeon whose pioneering discoveries have helped restore sight to millions of people around the world. But behind the medical achievements is an even more remarkable story—a man driven not by recognition, but by gratitude. In part 2 of The UPside Conversations' riveting interview hosted by Marion MacKenzie, Dr. Wang explains how having survived the oppression of China's Cultural Revolution before arriving in America with only $50 and an English dictionary, never allowed him to forget the opportunities that living in a free country made possible for him.

Ideas have consequences. The ideas a culture embraces don't just shape classrooms and universities—they shape how we understand ourselves, our purpose, and even our future. Science educator and founder of the Wonder Center and Science Museum, David Rives addresses the question, "Where did we come from?"

Examine the evidence for intelligent design, the assumptions behind evolutionary theory, and why our view of origins profoundly influences how we answer life's greatest questions. Whether you're convinced, curious, or somewhere in between, you'll find this conversation thought-provoking and full of wonder.

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Most women will face a season — through loss or through a marriage that ends — when the finances suddenly become theirs to carry alone. Deborah Smith Pegues, author of The One-Minute Money Mentor for Women, brings a warm, honest, and deeply practical conversation about facing financial independence —whether it comes by choice or by surprise.

Marriage in America is in freefall — fewer than half of U.S. households now include a married couple, and just 23% of women and 20% of men have walked down the aisle by age 25, the lowest numbers ever recorded. On this episode of The UPside Conversations, host Marion MacKenzie sits down with bestselling author and media leader Ryan Dobson to unpack what's really behind what he calls the "romantic recession" — and why he believes the answer isn't as complicated as culture makes it seem.

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Beloved children’s ministry pioneer Jean Thomason—known to generations as Miss PattyCake—shares why the earliest years matter so deeply in a child’s faith journey.

Discover how music, joy, Scripture, and the faithful influence of parents and grandparents can plant seeds of faith that last a lifetime.

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One night, Angel, a busy homeschooling mom, fitness instructor, and woman of vibrant faith — woke up in the middle of the night to a crunching sound in her ear. Then silence. What an MRI revealed would change her life forever: a massive meningioma, a brain tumor that had been growing for nearly a decade, wrapped around the nerves that control hearing, facial movement, and the very functions that keep the human heart beating.

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What if America’s biggest spiritual crisis isn’t unbelief—but disconnected belief?

Troy Miller, President and CEO of National Religious Broadcasters, unpacks a startling gap: nearly 60% of Americans affirm core Christian beliefs, yet only 13% allow those beliefs to shape their daily decisions, worldview, and hope.

This sobering insight helps explain much of the confusion, anxiety, loneliness, and spiritual hunger we see around us today.

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With UFO and UAP headlines fueling curiosity, fear, and endless speculation, where can thoughtful Christians turn for clarity?

Astrophysicist and Christian apologist Dr. Hugh Ross brings decades of research, scientific insight, and biblical wisdom to one of the most mysterious—and misunderstood—conversations of our time.

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What would make a man leave comfort behind, buy a one-way ticket to Northern Nigeria, and never look back?

Brad Brandon shares the extraordinary story of Across Nigeria—serving persecuted believers, displaced families, widows, orphans, and underground congregations in a region where following Christ can carry deadly consequences under Sharia law and extremist persecution.

Steve Hemphill breaks down Scripture's surprising details about eternal life — from tangible resurrection bodies to divine assignments, heavenly rewards, and why getting excited about heaven changes how you live today.

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The Covenant is coming — a multi-season prestige television epic bringing the full sweep of the Old Testament to life on screen. it carries with it the weight of something that doesn't happen often: the right story, the right team, the right moment in history. In a world starving for truth and beauty, this is a project built to feed both.

Jeanne Roberson's story begins with a dysfunctional home she escaped as a young teenager. Then, at 17, lured by false promises of stardom and stability, she was trafficked into the adult entertainment industry —exotic dancing and club culture — by someone she trusted. What followed was more than two decades of exploitation, addiction, shattered dreams, and failed attempts to break free.

He was crushed beneath a semi-truck… and should not have survived.

But what he says he saw in those moments may change how you think about Heaven, angels, and the unseen realm.

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What happens when God interrupts your life with a calling you never expected?

From supernatural encounters to uncovering hidden truths about Israel and antisemitism, this conversation will challenge what you see—and awaken what you may have missed.

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He changed everything about his life… and it still didn’t bring him peace.

What followed was a journey through confusion, regret—and ultimately, profound restoration.

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You’ve been praying… but what if something is blocking the answer?

This conversation reveals why prayer alone may not always be enough—and what Scripture says to do about it.

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This is a story marked by pain, perseverance, and profound healing. It reminds us that no wound is wasted and no life is beyond redemption. God does His deepest work in our hardest places. If you’ve ever wondered whether your pain has purpose, this conversation is for you.