Aaron Darling: A Faith That Finally Felt Real - Part 1
Published: Sep 26, 2026
Listen to the episode
Aaron grew up as a pastor's kid, surrounded by church, Christian education, and the expectations that came with being part of a pastor's family. From the outside, he knew how to play the part. On the inside, however, he struggled to reconcile the faith he had been taught with what he was actually experiencing.
In Part 1 of Aaron's story, he talks openly about growing up in a large family, the pressures and challenges of being a pastor's kid, difficult experiences within the church, and the ways he learned to cope by staying busy and keeping his distance. He shares how a summer mission experience and a few authentic relationships began to change the way he understood his relationship with God.
Aaron's story also takes us through college, marriage, fatherhood, and a series of career changes. From corporate America to the craft beer industry, he repeatedly pursued what he thought might be the next thing, only to find that God seemed to be leading him somewhere else.
Along the way, Aaron wrestles with a growing cynicism toward both work and the church. Eventually, the things he had worked so hard to build begin to fall apart, leaving him in a difficult and deeply uncertain season of faith.
This is the first half of Aaron's story. Next week, we continue with the loss that changed him deeply, the story behind Infusco Coffee, and the process of finding his way back to an authentic faith.