Hello!
Welcome to the handlebar podcast page. We're so glad you are here! Hopefully, you have listened to one of our episodes and enjoyed it. And if so, we're assuming that since listening to that one episode it eventually led you here. Below is a little more about us, our story, and why the handlebar podcast.
OUR STORY
It was on a road trip in 2020 when Aaron and Raffi had their first (unrecorded) podcast episode. For three hours they vulnerably and authentically discussed ministry, money, politics, and relationships. By the end of the drive, they both were more in love with Jesus. Asking the honest and hard questions and diving into deep discussion together with another believer fired them up, and they began dreaming.
What would it look like to have more raw, authentic conversations around faith and how to follow Jesus while practically tackling real-life questions? They pitched the idea to Elyssa and Sarahbeth and within a couple of months Season One launched.
The idea has always been to spark faith and a deeper desire to love God with all our heart, mind, and soul while equipping the listener with practicals on how to follow our King Jesus wholeheartedly amidst life’s hard questions. We call these practicals "Handlebars."
HOSTS OF THE PODCAST
Aaron Smith
Aaron is the founder of the Handlebar Podcast and has been in full-time ministry for over 10+ years. Aaron has two bachelor’s degrees in theology and church leadership and currently oversees the UPPERROOM School of Ministry second-year students. He regularly ministers to the global church body, traveling with his family all over the world to speak to young people about the beauty and bigness of Jesus. He resides in Dallas with his wife Sarahbeth, their daughters Rosie and River, and son Shepard King. They have a burden to equip young people to zealously follow Jesus and give their lives to the place of prayer.
Sarahbeth Smith
Sarahbeth Smith is a born and raised Texas girl. She loves music, traveling, and most importantly her family. She is known by her friends as SB, and is a daughter, wife, mama and friend that has been leading worship since she was 8 years old. Most known for being a part of the UPPERROOM collective of songwriters and worship leaders, Sarahbeth has written songs like ‘No One Like You’, ‘Fear Of God’, and ‘Maranatha’! She desires to see people encounter the Holy Spirit, fall in love with the Word of God, and wholeheartedly follow Jesus.
Raffi Greco
Rafael (Raffi) is the Handlebar Podcast’s official Gen Z representative! He has been in ministry for nearly a decade and currently serves as a full-time Levite at his church, where he helps steward worship and prayer. He also oversees the Prayer Room at UPPERROOM Frisco and carries a deep passion for seeing people encounter Jesus. Originally from New York, Rafael comes from a big family and carries that same heart for family in every space he steps into. His desire is to see the body of Christ function more like a family than an organization, creating spaces where people can behold Jesus and be transformed by His beauty. He now lives in Dallas with his wife, Courtney.
Elyssa Figueroa
Elyssa is a singer-songwriter who is best known for writing ‘Surrounded (Fight My Battles)’ and has been a part of the UPPERROOM as a writer, worship leader, and artist since 2013. Elyssa loves hiking, camping, and all things outdoors as well as spending time playing games and laughing with her closest friends. Elyssa has a desire to see musicians and singers encounter Jesus and live a life of worship totally devoted to Him.