What We Really Want: Conversations About Connection

Greg Oliver
  • 5.0 (55)
  • Relationships
  • Updated Biweekly

FOLLOW/SUBSCRIBE to download new episodes as they release! If it's true that "...the opposite of addiction is not sobriety...the opposite of addiction is connection," there are lots of people who need to discover what true, healthy connection looks like. Whether the struggle is with addiction, toxic relationship dynamics, or something else, we've all tried to meet our needs in  unhealthy ways. Way too often, the things we run to for comfort leave us feeling even more disconnected and alone than before.Through conversations about the many ways we can connect, we offer an invitation to discover and move toward what we really want, so we can live the lives we were created for. Awaken (awakenrecovery.com) helps men and women whose lives have been wrecked by unwanted/addictive sexual behaviors and sexual betrayal trauma. We hope the podcast will help not only those struggling sexually, but anyone who seeks healthier ways of finding connection.

  1. 69 | Jason Gray: A Conversation Worth Staying For

    2d ago

    69 | Jason Gray: A Conversation Worth Staying For

    "Send us a message! (questions, feedback, etc.)" Conversations that don't feel rushed can feel pretty rare, but they're special when they happen. That's what it was like talking to our new friend, singer/songwriter Jason Gray.  Jason has been around Christian music for a long time, writing and releasing music that connects deeply with the heart. He's a man who has been through a lot of pain in his life, including parental abandonment, divorce, a speech handicap, and an adult child with a life-threatening illness. Throughout all that, Jason has channeled his pain, his anger, his curiosity, and his hope into his music (you'll hear clips of several songs as you listen). This is, for sure, a conversation worth staying for...all the way to the end. Song clips in this episode: (2:44) Death Without a Funeral (11:52) Remind Me Who I Am (13:26) Why You Brought Me Here (29:07) Worth Staying For (43:23) Honesty #jasongray #jasongraymusic #singer #songwriter #singersongwriter #pain #suffering #connection #vulnerability #recovery #grace #gospel #transformation #healing Jason's website Jason on Instagram Jason on Facebook Jason's music on Spotify Jason's music on Apple Music Jacob Gray's GoFundMe page Support the show Awaken website Roots Retreat Men's Intensive Roots Retreat Women's Workshop Awaken Men & Women's support meeting info (including virtual)

    1h 8m
  2. 68 | Troy & Melissa Haas: We Just Want to Walk With People

    Jun 9

    68 | Troy & Melissa Haas: We Just Want to Walk With People

    "Send us a message! (questions, feedback, etc.)" One of the greatest gifts that can be given a person in recovery is presence. Company. Someone to walk with you. Someone to make sure you aren't doing recovery alone. For 25 years, Troy and Melissa Haas have been walking with men and women impacted by addiction and betrayal trauma. Out of their own experience - with Troy's multiple addictions and incarceration and Melissa's discovery of Troy's infidelity & sexual addiction - came a process of healing, recovery, and wholeness.  Their experience hasn't been wasted. In 2001 they founded The HopeQuest Group, an organization offering help and resources for addiction treatment. Based out of the Atlanta GA area, they offer inpatient treatment, intense outpatient treatment, individual and couples' counseling, and recovery communities for men in sexual addiction recovery (Walking Free) and women healing from betrayal trauma (The Journey). #troyhaas #melissahaas #troyandmelissahaas #hopequestgroup #walkingfree #thejourney #recovery #healing #treatment #sexaddiction #sexualaddiction #pornaddiction #betrayaltrauma #grace #gospel #healing #awaken #awakenrecovery HopeQuest Group website Walking Free men's sex addiction recovery community The Journey women's betrayal trauma support community Support the show Awaken website Roots Retreat Men's Intensive Roots Retreat Women's Workshop Awaken Men & Women's support meeting info (including virtual)

    51 min
  3. 67 | Kristen Jenson: The Ability to Make a Good Choice

    May 26

    67 | Kristen Jenson: The Ability to Make a Good Choice

    "Send us a message! (questions, feedback, etc.)" Parents raising kids today face challenges different from any other generation before. Technology is expanding and changing more rapidly than ever, and dangerous and harmful content hunts for young eyes.  Kristen Jenson has a mission: to help equip parents to prepare their kids. When kids know what is out there, how it is harmful, and what to do when they're exposed, they'll be safer, healthier, and more resilient. No one can fully prevent their kids from seeing porn or other harmful content, but they can make sure their kids know what to do when they see it. Kristen is the author of the book series Good Pictures, Bad Pictures, which just released a Girl's Guide edition. She is also the founder of Defend Young Minds, an organization providing training and resources to help parents and caregivers more effectively teach and prepare their kids. #kristenjenson #goodpicturesbadpictures #defendyoungminds #parents #parenting #pornography #connection #vulnerability #recovery #grace #gospel #transformation Kristen's Good Pictures, Bad Pictures books (Amazon) Defend Young Minds website "My Kid Saw Porn...Now What?" SMART Plan guide Books (Defend Young Minds website) DYM on Facebook DYM on Instagram DYM on X (formerly Twitter) DYM on LinkedIn Support the show Awaken website Roots Retreat Men's Intensive Roots Retreat Women's Workshop Awaken Men & Women's support meeting info (including virtual)

    50 min
  4. 66 | Andy Gullahorn: Bowling League, Bonfire, or Badminton

    May 12

    66 | Andy Gullahorn: Bowling League, Bonfire, or Badminton

    "Send us a message! (questions, feedback, etc.)" There's a song lyric that reminds us of something important: "If beauty’s what you’re after, just look close to see... Knowing small things matter is really no small thing." That's from one of our friend Andy Gullahorn's songs. What a treat to have Andy back for another conversation. Talking with someone who's been a friend for a long time means you don't have to have much planned...the conversation will happen naturally. And this one defintely did. From friendship rituals to turning 50 to signing up for the Senior Olympics, Andy looks for meaning in everything. And the people who are around can sense there's something special about finding connection everywhere. Which, not coincidentally, actually gives us What We Really Want. That's not just the title of this show, it's also the title of one of Andy's newest songs, which he performs for us during the conversation! Here's to you finding beauty and meaning, whether in bowling leagues, bonfires, badminton, or anything else around you. Thanks for the reminder, Andy. #andygullahorn #winningstreak #highfive #songwriting #connection #relationships #spirituality #vulnerability #recovery #grace #gospel #transformation Andy's website Andy's Patreon page Support the show Awaken website Roots Retreat Men's Intensive Roots Retreat Women's Workshop Awaken Men & Women's support meeting info (including virtual)

    48 min
  5. A Little Extra Helping with Crystal Renaud Day (Bonus Episode)

    May 5 ·  Bonus

    A Little Extra Helping with Crystal Renaud Day (Bonus Episode)

    "Send us a message! (questions, feedback, etc.)" Sometimes there's just too much good stuff to fit it all into an episode! This is what it felt like when Stacey and I - with our friend Stevi - talked with Crystal Renaud Day about her work with women who struggle with unwanted sexual behavior. One part of the conversation we didn't want to get lost was when Crystal talked about the work she does with teenage and pre-teen girls and their parents. What a refreshing thought...to address threats to safety and sexuality before they get out of control! For parents who desire to protect your kids while you prepare your kids to be on their own, this is a great part of the conversation you'll want to listen to. Be sure to also listen to our other episodes focusing on how you can protect and disciple your kids' innocence and sexuality. Please keep listening in...we'll be giving you new conversations every other Tuesday. Also, please support us by writing  a positive review and giving us 5 stars where you get your podcasts. #crystalrenaudday #crystalday #sherecovery #livingonpurpse #sexualwholeness #pornaddiction #pornrecovery #therapy #gospel #sexualaddiction #sexaddiction #women #awaken #awakenrecovery #awakenpodcast #whatwereallywant #wwrw #grace #connection #conversation SheRecovery website SheSummit website - free virtual summit, with options to purchase lifetime access (use promo code AWAKEN for 10% off upgrades passes) Support the show Awaken website Roots Retreat Men's Intensive Roots Retreat Women's Workshop Awaken Men & Women's support meeting info (including virtual)

    13 min
  6. 65 | Crystal Renaud Day: Understanding the Drivers

    Apr 28

    65 | Crystal Renaud Day: Understanding the Drivers

    "Send us a message! (questions, feedback, etc.)" Ever hear the same lie we have? The lie that says, "Only men watch porn." What do you do if you're a female who struggles with something you're told is just a "guy's problem?" Growing up, Crystal Renaud Day hear that message. Although she was exposed to porn at age 10, and it eventually became an addiction, she could not find people talking about it, or offering help. Thankfully, she did something about it.  For almost 20 years, Crystal has been helping other women find a place to speak about, understand, and find healing & recovery from unwanted sexual struggles. She created an online recovery community, SheRecovery, that offers groups for women every day of the week. She is an author of several books, including an new book called What Drives Women to Porn, which explores the multiple drivers that contribute to unwanted sexual behavior; the book releases in September 2026. She also offers an annual online FREE summit for women called the SheSummit.  Crystal also founded an organization called Living on Purpose, which provides coaching and counseling to women and to parents who desire to raise their kids to be sexually healthy and aware. Crystal lives with her husband Tim in Kansas City. #crystalrenaudday #crystalday #sherecovery #livingonpurpse #sexualwholeness #pornaddiction #pornrecovery #therapy #gospel #sexualaddiction #sexaddiction #women #awaken #awakenrecovery #awakenpodcast #whatwereallywant #wwrw #grace #connection #conversation SheRecovery website SheSummit website - free virtual summit, with options to purchase lifetime access (use promo code AWAKEN for 10% off upgrades passes) Support the show Awaken website Roots Retreat Men's Intensive Roots Retreat Women's Workshop Awaken Men & Women's support meeting info (including virtual)

    45 min
  7. 64 | Dane Ortlund: Everything Is Going To Be Alright

    Apr 14

    64 | Dane Ortlund: Everything Is Going To Be Alright

    "Send us a message! (questions, feedback, etc.)" It's What We Really Want's second anniversary episode! 🎂 🎉🎈 With gratitude for two years of great Conversations About Connection, we get to have another one with pastor and best-selling author Dane Ortlund. Dane comes from a family with generations of ministry service, including his grandparents (Ray Ortlund Sr. and Anne Ortlund) and his father (Dane Ortlund Jr., author and founding pastor of Immanuel Church Nashville). Dane was the Chief Publishing Officer for Crossway Books for ten years, and in 2020 he released Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers, which presented the heart of Jesus in a deeply loving way; the book has had worldwide impact and has sold well over one million copies.  With his writing, and in this conversation, Dane presents a perspective on how Jesus wants to relate to his people in a kind, refreshing, life-giving way many people don't hear enough. Dane has also written Deeper: Real Change for Real Sinners, and has an upcoming book (due October 2026) called Finally Home: The Christian Hope of Heaven. Dane pastors Naperville Presbyterian Church in Naperville, Illinois, where he lives with his wife Stacey and their children. #daneortlund #gentleandlowly #deeper #finallyhome #heartofjesus #gospel #grace #awaken #awakenrecovery #awakenpodcast #whatwereallywant #wwrw #recovery #connection #conversation Dane's books on Amazon Dane's website Sing! Daily devo Support the show Awaken website Roots Retreat Men's Intensive Roots Retreat Women's Workshop Awaken Men & Women's support meeting info (including virtual)

    54 min
  8. 63 | Bridgett Blood: Hot And Holy

    Mar 31

    63 | Bridgett Blood: Hot And Holy

    "Send us a message! (questions, feedback, etc.)" For too many people of faith, the only message about sex growing up was "Don't do it!" So many people had genuine curiosity about their sexuality, but nowhere to bring their questions and no one helping them steward it. As a result, many learned to either ignore an important part of them, resulting in a lack of ability to show up healthy in relationships; or to indulge it, substituting sex or porn for real connection.  That's why we're so excited to have Bridgett Blood as our guest. Bridgett is a storywork coach who "helps Christian adults navigate sexual desire, dating, and boundaries with clarity, confidence, and deep connection to their values. With a background in ministry and emotional health," Bridgett finds "deep joy walking with people through the messy, beautiful intersection of faith and desire." (from her website) While it's sad and often surprising how many Christian younger adults struggle to bless their sexual selves, it's super encouraging that many voices (like Bridgett, Jay Stringer, Sam Jolman and other) are rising today to help them see what they've been missing, and how to engage their sexuality without indulging it in ways that compromise their beliefs.  In addition to her coaching, Bridgett is the host of the Dating and Desire podcast. She lives in Nashville TN. #bridgettblood #desire #storywork #sexuality #hotandholy #coaching #gospel #sexualdesire #awaken #awakenrecovery #awakenpodcast #whatwereallywant #wwrw #grace #connection #conversation Bridgett's website Dating and Desire podcast (Spotify) Dating and Desire podcast (Apple) Support the show Awaken website Roots Retreat Men's Intensive Roots Retreat Women's Workshop Awaken Men & Women's support meeting info (including virtual)

    53 min
See All (76)

5
out of 5
55 Ratings

About

FOLLOW/SUBSCRIBE to download new episodes as they release! If it's true that "...the opposite of addiction is not sobriety...the opposite of addiction is connection," there are lots of people who need to discover what true, healthy connection looks like. Whether the struggle is with addiction, toxic relationship dynamics, or something else, we've all tried to meet our needs in  unhealthy ways. Way too often, the things we run to for comfort leave us feeling even more disconnected and alone than before.Through conversations about the many ways we can connect, we offer an invitation to discover and move toward what we really want, so we can live the lives we were created for. Awaken (awakenrecovery.com) helps men and women whose lives have been wrecked by unwanted/addictive sexual behaviors and sexual betrayal trauma. We hope the podcast will help not only those struggling sexually, but anyone who seeks healthier ways of finding connection.

Information

You Might Also Like