Embracing Brokenness

What if addiction isn't the real problem?In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, Steve Adams sits down with author, speaker, and storyteller Jon Seidl to discuss his new book, Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic. Jon shares his journey through anxiety, trauma, addiction, recovery, and ultimately deeper intimacy with Christ.Together they explore why addiction often begins long before substance abuse, how unresolved wounds shape our behaviors, the danger of hidden struggles in the Church, and why true freedom comes not from behavior modification but from healing the deeper places of the heart.Whether your struggle is alcohol, work, pornography, approval, control, comfort, food, success, or something else entirely, this conversation is for you. As Jon says:"We're all addicted to something."Topics include:• Trauma and addiction• The role of shame in keeping people stuck• Why Christians often hide their struggles• Radical vulnerability and authentic community• Identity in Christ• Abiding in Jesus as the path to freedom• The concept of "messy sanctification"• Finding healing beneath the habitGuest:Jon Seidl: Author of Confessions of a Christian AlcoholicLearn more:https://www.jonseidl.com/confessions-of-a-christian-alcoholic-bookhttps://www.veritasrecovery.org/For more resources from Embracing Brokenness Ministries:https://embracingbrokenness.org/Chapter Markers00:00 Introduction: We're All Addicted to Something01:23 Meet Jon Seidl05:50 From Journalist to Storyteller09:30 Finding Rest and Mental Health13:40 Success Didn't Fix the Problem16:00 When Alcohol Became an Escape19:00 The Slow Fade into Addiction23:00 The Miami Trip That Changed Everything27:00 "Get to the Root of Why You're Drinking"29:00 Childhood Trauma and Hidden Wounds32:00 Letting Jesus Into Every Part of Your Story35:00 Why Jon Wrote This Book37:15 Four Steps Toward Freedom37:30 Abiding in Christ40:15 Finding Your True Identity43:00 Radical Vulnerability47:00 The Power of Obedience50:00 Escapism, Sobriety and Freedom52:00 Embracing Messy Sanctification56:00 The Healing Power of Community58:00 Veritas Recovery and Next Steps1:01:00 Final Encouragement

What does true freedom look like?At age 15, Warner Batty was sentenced to life without parole for taking a life. Fifty years later, he walked out of a Pennsylvania prison—free not just in body, but in spirit.In this raw and redemptive conversation, Steve sits down with Warner to talk about his journey from hopelessness and self-hatred to forgiveness and freedom in Christ. Hear how one man—“the hound from heaven”—persisted in sharing Jesus behind bars until the Holy Spirit broke through.Warner shares the pivotal moment of his salvation, his decades-long walk with Christ while incarcerated, and his eventual release under the Miller v. Alabama Supreme Court ruling. This episode is a powerful reminder that no one is beyond redemption, and that freedom begins within.Topics include:Growing up in poverty and racism in the 1960sLife without parole as a 15-year-oldA divine encounter with “the hound from heaven”Meeting the family of his victim to offer forgivenessRevival and ministry behind prison wallsFinding peace and purpose after 50 years“Without Jesus Christ, you are missing something. Without Him, you are lost.” – Warner BattyChapters:00:00 – Warner’s Early Life & Identity Struggles02:16 – Introduction to Warner’s Story04:01 – Who Warner Is Today05:49 – Life Before the Crime09:46 – The Crime & Life Sentence at 1513:51 – The “Hound From Heaven” Appears18:26 – The Holy Spirit Begins to Move22:56 – Warner Surrenders to Christ27:35 – A New Fire for the Gospel30:20 – Growing, Maturing & Learning Love39:13 – Reconciliation With His Mother41:07 – Meeting the Victim’s Family44:38 – Wrestling With Justice & Mercy46:47 – Supreme Court Cases That Changed His Fate53:22 – Release After 50 Years54:04 – Experiencing Freedom on the Outside56:34 – God’s Perfect Timing59:19 – Trauma, Accountability & Healing1:04:45 – Warner’s Powerful Closing Prayer

Steve and Colleen talk with Tom and Karen Friedrichs of Broom Tree Landing, a ministry that offers no-cost retreat, coaching, and spiritual direction to pastors and ministry leaders who are tired, hurting, or on the edge of burnout. They share their own story of pastoral exhaustion, how God accelerated their “retirement dream” into a right now calling, and several powerful provision stories — including God funding someone’s retreat from another country.You’ll hear:Why healthy churches need healthy leadersSigns of burnout pastors often ignoreWhy availability is the real ministryHow God provides when you finally say “yes”Connect with Broom Tree Landing: https://www.broomtreelanding.org/Chapters00:00 Introduction and Welcome06:58 The Importance of Healthy Ministries13:52 Personal Journeys and Call to Ministry20:56 Provision and Trust in God27:37 Creating a Safe Space for Leaders29:19 Understanding Burnout in Ministry33:43 The Importance of Rest and Retreat38:33 Provision Stories: Miracles in Ministry43:23 The Power of Availability and Presence48:07 Encouragement for Those Struggling51:17 Establishing Healthy Rhythms in Life

“Helper” in Genesis 2:18 isn’t a downgrade—it’s ezer kenegdo: a powerful ally corresponding to. Steve & Colleen explore God’s original design, how sin distorted it, and how Jesus restores mutuality (Gal 3:28). Practical for marriage, ministry, friendships, and singles—plus a Zechariah 2:5 prayer of protection and presence.Here's the link to prayer of protection: https://embracingbrokenness.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/A-Wall-of-Fire-Around-Us-Crafted-Prayer-Zechariah-2-5.pdfChapters0:00 – Opening: generational context & show intro1:42 – Welcome back; why Genesis; episode title set-up3:52 – Prayer of protection (Zechariah 2:5)5:19 – Why pray aloud; prison context; PDF mention7:26 – Genesis 2:18 read; intro to ezer kenegdo9:45 – “Helper” and identity: Colleen’s story12:03 – God as ezer (rescuer/ally)13:07 – Psalm 33:20 (ESV) — “he is our help and our shield”14:30 – Kenegdo = corresponding/face-to-face; headship/submission clarified15:17 – Misuse of “submission”; weight of responsibility on the head17:11 – The Fall’s fracture (Genesis 3:16)18:44 – Consequences vs “curse” explained22:28 – Passivity & cultural misuse (lighthearted “15:1 words” moment)23:55 – Missing female leadership; global harms (trafficking/war)28:13 – Restoration in Christ (Galatians 3:28)30:13 – Jesus’ model: children, Samaritan woman, bleeding woman; Deborah34:45 – Personal stories: upbringing & marriage dynamics36:38 – Complementary gifts in ministry (“professor” bit)38:38 – Serving posture & witness; mission snapshots42:35 – Partnership anecdotes & outside observations44:53 – For singles & spiritual companionship (Ecclesiastes 4:9–10)46:53 – Abiding in Christ & finding community47:29 – “Tapestry” metaphor & New Jerusalem vision51:16 – Closing reflections51:36 – Outro / blessings

What if your struggles aren’t just problems to manage—but invitations from God to heal?In this episode of the Embracing Brokenness Podcast, Steve and Colleen dive deep into the difference between sin management and true spiritual healing. Through honest stories—including a boat named Revelation that literally went down in flames—they reveal how wounds, lies, and false identities shape our lives.Too often, we silence the “smoke alarm” of sin without dealing with the fire beneath it. Addiction, workaholism, or even seemingly harmless obsessions are symptoms of unhealed wounds. Real transformation comes not from filters, checklists, or self-help, but from surrender—allowing Jesus to meet us in our stories and replace the lies we believe with His truth.This conversation will challenge you to go beyond surface fixes and embrace the deeper healing God longs to bring.👉 Explore more resources, videos, and the Tree of Brokenness model at https://embracingbrokenness.org/Here's a link to the Tree of Brokenness artwork. https://embracingbrokenness.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/8.5x11-Brokenness-TEXT-scaled.jpgChapters00:00 The Revelation of Brokenness03:07 Understanding Healing and Trauma05:51 The False Self and Addiction09:01 Sin Management vs. True Healing12:06 The Role of Accountability in Healing15:01 Exploring Core Longings and Identity18:01 The Tree of Brokenness20:52 The Journey of Spiritual Formation23:47 The Process of Reformation27:00 Conclusion and Resources

A dark battlefield. Countless dead. One man runs tirelessly, reviving the fallen. The rescued learn to revive others. Hope spreads. But then, someone builds a shelter. Others join. Before long, a castle stands where the battle once raged. From its balcony, people laugh, feast, and celebrate… blind to the dying just beyond the walls.In this robust conversation, Colleen shares a vivid vision that the Lord impressed on her heart—an image for the Church to ponder today. Steve and Michael join her to unpack what it means for discipleship, spiritual formation, and our tendency to trade mission for comfort.We’ll explore:Why revival must lead to discipleship, not complacencyHow “castles” in our lives pull us away from God’s callWarning signs that we’ve drifted from the battlefieldThe difference between cultural Christianity and kingdom livingHow to return to our first love and re-engage in the mission of JesusWhether you’re new to faith or decades in, this episode will challenge you to examine your heart, your focus, and your calling.📖 Revelation 3:17 – “You do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.”🎧Ask yourself: Where have I left the battlefield?Chapters:00:00 - Introduction: Castles on the Battlefield 03:30 - Personal Reflections and Summer Highlights 07:45 - Vision of the Battlefield 12:45 - The Call to Revive Others 17:30 - Building Castles of Comfort 22:15 - Spiritual Complacency and Comfort 27:00 - Importance of Discipleship 32:40 - Reflections on the American Church 37:55 - Returning to Our First Love 43:20 - Practical Steps for Spiritual Alignment 48:45 - The Role of Community and Accountability 54:10 - Overcoming Distractions in Faith 59:35 - Closing Thoughts and Call to Action 1:05:00 - Final Reflections and Farewell

Former undercover FBI agent and bestselling author Scott Payne returns in Part 2 of this jaw-dropping conversation with Steve and Colleen. In this episode, Scott recounts the harrowing details of infiltrating neo-Nazi accelerationist groups—including disturbing pagan rituals, foiled murder plots, and spiritual warfare in the darkest places imaginable. But through it all, his faith remained the anchor.Colleen joins the conversation with powerful reflections on biblical masculinity, the battle between good and evil, and the call to be both lion and lamb in today’s culture.💥 This is a raw, redemptive look at what it means to stand in the gap as a Christ follower in a broken world.📚 Codename: Pale Horse – Available now on Audible, Amazon, and everywhere books are sold. https://a.co/d/86MsDlgChapters00:00 The Wild Hunt and Pagan Rituals11:56 Infiltrating Extremist Groups23:38 The Dark Side of Accelerationism35:41 Spiritual Warfare and Redemption47:22 Masculinity and the Church