EPISODE · Apr 1, 2026 · 34 MIN
#40 When Life Doesn’t Go to Plan (Part 1): Erik Ellefsen on Faith, Identity and Long-Term Illness
from Resilient Souls · host Stewart Bogle
When Erik Ellefsen was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer at just 33, he was told he may only have a couple of years to live. Seventeen years later, he’s still here.But this isn’t a story about everything working out neatly. It’s a story about learning to live in the tension between hope and uncertainty… between deep pain and unexpected purpose.In this first part of our two-part conversation, Erik takes us back to the moment everything changed. The diagnosis, what followed, and the long journey of treatment that has impacted every part of his life.We talk about what it’s like to live with ongoing illness that others can’t always see. The impact it’s had on his identity, his energy, his marriage, and the future they once imagined.More than that, we explore how Erik has wrestled with faith in the middle of it all. Not in a polished or formulaic way, but in a deeply honest and lived way.This is a conversation about resilience, faith, and learning to reimagine life when it doesn’t go the way you thought it would.In Part 2, we shift the focus outward. We explore what truly helps when someone is walking through crisis, and how we can better support them. But before we head there, this is a very personal story worth sitting with.In this episode, you’ll discover:What it’s really like to receive a life-altering diagnosis and the shock that followsHow long-term illness impacts identity, energy, and everyday lifeThe hidden tension of 'looking fine' on the outside while struggling internallyThe grief of lost expectations, including career, family, and future plansHow Erik has navigated anger, disappointment, and uncertainty over timeA deeply honest perspective on faith, suffering, and the goodness of GodWhat it means to reimagine life when your original plans are no longer possible..... and much moreAbout our Guest:Erik Ellefsen is an educator, leadership consultant, and trusted voice in Christian education across the United StatesCurrently serving as Director of Networks and Improvement at Baylor UniversityHost of the Digical Education podcast Explore More from Resilient Souls: Resilient Souls WebsiteResilient Souls Podcast or search ‘Resilient Souls’ wherever you get your podcastsResilient Souls Blog on Substack Stewart’s BookFollow Resilient Souls on: Facebook / Instagram / LinkedInGet Involved or Reach Out: Join the CommunityBook Stewart to SpeakSupport the WorkContact UsNeed Help? In Australia or for Overseas
What this episode covers
When Erik Ellefsen was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer at just 33, he was told he may only have a couple of years to live. Seventeen years later, he’s still here.But this isn’t a story about everything working out neatly. It’s a story about learning to live in the tension between hope and uncertainty… between deep pain and unexpected purpose.In this first part of our two-part conversation, Erik takes us back to the moment everything changed. The diagnosis, what followed, and the long journey of treatment that has impacted every part of his life.We talk about what it’s like to live with ongoing illness that others can’t always see. The impact it’s had on his identity, his energy, his marriage, and the future they once imagined.More than that, we explore how Erik has wrestled with faith in the middle of it all. Not in a polished or formulaic way, but in a deeply honest and lived way.This is a conversation about resilience, faith, and learning to reimagine life when it doesn’t go the way you thought it would.In Part 2, we shift the focus outward. We explore what truly helps when someone is walking through crisis, and how we can better support them. But before we head there, this is a very personal story worth sitting with.In this episode, you’ll discover:What it’s really like to receive a life-altering diagnosis and the shock that followsHow long-term illness impacts identity, energy, and everyday lifeThe hidden tension of 'looking fine' on the outside while struggling internallyThe grief of lost expectations, including career, family, and future plansHow Erik has navigated anger, disappointment, and uncertainty over timeA deeply honest perspective on faith, suffering, and the goodness of GodWhat it means to reimagine life when your original plans are no longer possible..... and much moreAbout our Guest:Erik Ellefsen is an educator, leadership consultant, and trusted voice in Christian education across the United StatesCurrently serving as Director of Networks and Improvement at Baylor UniversityHost of the Digical Education podcast Explore More from Resilient Souls: Resilient Souls WebsiteResilient Souls Podcast or search ‘Resilient Souls’ wherever you get your podcastsResilient Souls Blog on Substack Stewart’s BookFollow Resilient Souls on: Facebook / Instagram / LinkedInGet Involved or Reach Out: Join the CommunityBook Stewart to SpeakSupport the WorkContact UsNeed Help? In Australia or for Overseas
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#40 When Life Doesn’t Go to Plan (Part 1): Erik Ellefsen on Faith, Identity and Long-Term Illness
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