Embracing Brokenness

Steve and Colleen Adams
  • 4.4 (7)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Semimonthly

Welcome to the Embracing Brokenness Podcast. Our focus is to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to a hurting world. To live authentically and without pretense. To encourage others toward a greater understanding of who they are and who God is. To teach the blessed HOPE that the Bible calls the “Anchor of the Soul”. That is Jesus Christ and His healing presence – not only available in this life – but in eternity to come.

  1. 1d ago

    🎙️EP176. Who Told You Who You Are? | Caitlin Hawk’s Journey from Addiction to Freedom

    What if the addiction isn't really the deepest problem? For Caitlin Hawk, drugs, alcohol, destructive relationships, and years of shame were symptoms of something much deeper: she didn't know who she was. A gifted young athlete, Caitlin learned early to measure her worth through performance. When that foundation began to crumble, alcohol, drugs, relationships, and rebellion became ways to numb the pain. By nineteen, she was pregnant with twins, battling addiction and suicidal thoughts, and wondering whether her own life was worth fighting for. Then, sitting drunk and high in a parking lot, Caitlin cried out to God for mercy. What happened next changed everything. In this deeply vulnerable conversation with Steve Adams, Caitlin shares how Jesus met her in brokenness, how Mercy Multiplied helped her begin replacing lies with biblical truth, and why learning her identity as a new creation in Christ became foundational to lasting freedom. Steve and Caitlin also explore: Why destructive behaviors often point to deeper woundsPerformance-based identity and the pressure to prove ourselvesShame, addiction, and the need to numb emotional painWhat people in crisis really need from the ChurchCaitlin's unexpected pregnancy and decision to choose lifeThe remarkable story of how a bed opened at Mercy MultipliedReplacing deeply rooted lies with God's truthSpiritual warfare and the battle over identityWhy recovery is a process, not an instantaneous transformationThe importance of discipleship and safe relationshipsTurning our pain into purposeWhy sometimes we need to become comfortable with being uncomfortableCaitlin is the author of Overcomer, Overcome: Finding Freedom from Addiction, Shame, and False Identity. This isn't simply a story about overcoming addiction. It's a story about discovering that what you've done is not who you are—and what God says about you gets the final word. Connect with Caitlin: https://caitlinhawk.com/ Buy on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Overcomer-Overcome-Finding-Addiction-Identity/dp/B0GJQQ4RF9/ref=monarch_sidesheet_title 00:00 Addiction, Shame & the Lies We Believe01:16 Welcome & Caitlin Hawk05:45 Fast Five12:08 Who Am I?16:09 Church, Religion & Missing Identity20:29 Shame, Anger & Numbing the Pain24:24 Spiritual Warfare & What Lies Beneath Behavior26:56 Pregnant at 19 & Living in Bondage29:31 What Women in Crisis Really Need33:52 The Night Caitlin Cried Out for Mercy36:50 A Miraculous Door Opens37:26 Replacing Lies with Truth44:41 Learning How to Live Free49:09 Why Discipleship Matters53:35 Turning Pain Into Purpose57:20 Taking Territory59:20 What Caitlin Would Tell Her 19-Year-Old Self1:03:04 Hard Is Good1:04:15 Closing Thoughts & Caitlin's Book

  2. Aug 24

    🎙️EP175. Leap Before You Look, But God: The Grace That Kept Pursuing Chuck Mobley

    Chuck Mobley has spent much of his life leaping before he looked—jumping from airplanes and bridges, surviving near disasters, starting a business with little preparation, traveling the world, and repeatedly finding himself in situations that could have gone very differently. But beneath the adventures is another story. Chuck spent years chasing attention, affirmation, achievement, and the feeling that he was finally enough. He had known Jesus since childhood, yet his Christian journey was anything but neat. Looking back now, he sees something he often missed in the moment: the persistent grace and providence of God. In this candid conversation, Chuck talks with Steve about growing up as the youngest of eight children, the need to be noticed, running to the Cayman Islands partly to escape his Christian identity, meeting the woman who would become his wife, failure and redemption, learning to surrender his need for approval, and developing a more intimate friendship with Jesus. Chuck also explains why the phrase “But God…” became the real title and meaning of his story: God intervened. God redirected. God protected. God remained faithful. And maybe the most encouraging truth of all: God did not erase Chuck’s personality. He began redeeming it. If you have ever wondered whether your mistakes, wandering, brokenness, or years of trying to prove yourself have somehow disqualified you, Chuck’s story offers another possibility—God may have been pursuing you through more of your story than you realize. Leap Before You Look, But God is available in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook, narrated by Chuck himself. Proceeds from the book help support mission work, including family-style homes for vulnerable children in Tanzania and Uganda. Visit his site: https://www.chuckmobley.com/ Buy Chuck's book: https://a.co/d/09v9puAh Chapters 00:00 — Trying to Be Enough 01:26 — Meet Chuck Mobley 08:02 — The Fast Five 14:45 — Why Chuck Became “The Crazy One” 25:24 — God’s Faithfulness Through a Messy Life 35:06 — Running From God to the Cayman Islands 39:18 — The Woman God Put in His Path 42:30 — The Lifelong Search for Approval 45:33 — Learning Intimacy With Jesus 48:28 — Looking Back at an Extraordinary Life 55:27 — Faith, Risk, and Taking the First Step 1:01:11 — Becoming Who God Created You to Be 1:03:59 — What “But God” Really Means 1:08:53 — Turning the Book Into Mission

  3. Aug 10

    🎙️EP174. From Restored Hearts to Redemptive Communities | Rob Loughery

    What if the renewal of our communities does not begin with politics, programs or institutions—but with the transformation of the human heart? In this episode of the Embracing Brokenness Podcast, Steve talks with Rob Loughery, author of Building Redemptive Community: What Christians Can Do to Make Community Great Again. Rob has spent more than thirty years working at the intersection of business, real estate development, public service and community revitalization. But his deeper journey began when God showed him that restoring buildings and neighborhoods could never be separated from restoring people. Rob shares how a phrase he heard more than twenty years ago—“redemptive community”—captured his heart and eventually became both a calling and a way of life. He also opens up about growing up as a pastor’s kid, mistaking salvation for a spiritual “get-out-of-jail-free card,” and discovering that Jesus wanted to heal and transform the heart he had spent years protecting through performance and success. Together, Steve and Rob explore: • Why transformed communities require transformed hearts • What the Church may be getting wrong about discipleship • Why Christians must do more than attend, give and leave the work to others • How our gifts, passions and stories reveal our unique Kingdom assignments • What Nehemiah teaches us about prayer, courage and rebuilding • How ordinary believers can participate in God’s work of redeeming all things God is already at work restoring people and places. The question is not whether He will accomplish His purposes. The question is whether we will recognize and embrace the role He has invited us to play. CONNECT WITH ROB LOUGHERY Learn more about Rob’s work and Building Redemptive Community: Building Redemptive Community: https://www.buildingredemptivecommunity.com/ Nehemiah Development Company: https://www.nehemiahdevco.com/ The book is available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble. 00:00 Guarding the Heart 01:05 What Transforms a Community? 03:05 Fast Five 05:35 Rob’s Story and Calling 11:54 The Birth of Redemptive Community 16:21 Physical, Relational and Spiritual Renewal 19:33 More Than a Ticket to Heaven 23:05 Losing the Life He Was Trying to Save 26:28 What It Means to Guard Your Heart 29:25 It Is Never Too Late 32:12 What Is Wrong with Discipleship? 34:58 Has the Church Outsourced Its Mission? 40:58 Giving Is Not Enough 45:22 Pay Attention to Your Heart 47:29 Nehemiah’s Roadmap 51:56 What Can You Help Redeem? 53:12 If Jesus Gave You One Square Mile 57:25 Redemptive Community Starts Within 59:33 Find Your Role in God’s Story 01:01:30 Where to Find Rob’s Book

  4. Jul 27

    🎙️EP173. Anxiety Is a Signal—Not Your Identity | Gabriel Andreson

    Anxiety is not always our identity. Sometimes it is a signal pointing toward something deeper. Gabriel Andreson joins Steve Adams for an honest conversation about panic attacks, hidden pressure, trauma, performance-based identity, control, therapy, and healing. Gabe shares how his first panic attack at 30,000 feet became the beginning of a much deeper journey. Along the way, he discovered that lasting peace is not found by controlling every circumstance, but by learning to live with greater trust, presence, honesty, and steadiness in Christ. In this episode, you’ll hear: • Why anxiety may be revealing deeper wounds• How control and performance can intensify fear• The role of therapy, medication, exercise, and community• A practical way to identify lies and receive God’s truth• Why stillness, Scripture, and journaling can help restore peace• What it means to believe that God genuinely likes you Gabe is the author of UnAnxious: A Practical Guide to Calm Your Mind and Reclaim Your Peace in an Anxiety-Filled World. Learn more at:https://gabeandreson.com/ Visit Embracing Brokenness Ministries:https://embracingbrokenness.orgBuy Unanxious on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0eiAttcO CHAPTERS 00:00 God Doesn’t Just Love You—He Likes You 00:57 Anxiety May Be Pointing to Something Deeper 02:45 Welcome, Gabriel Andreson 04:20 Faith, Family, Business, and Marketplace Ministry 11:41 A Panic Attack at 30,000 Feet 16:00 When Anxiety Returned After Writing the Book 18:29 Anxiety as a Signal—and What May Be Beneath It 24:27 Turning Personal Pain Into Help for Others 26:23 Performance, a Father’s Approval, and Our View of God 29:28 Therapy and the Safety That Unlocked Healing 31:54 “God Talks”: Identifying Lies and Receiving Truth 35:15 “Isn’t It Great to Be Reminded Who You’re Not?” 39:03 Leadership, Burnout, Delegation, and Control 42:26 God Loves You—and He Actually Likes You 44:35 Silence, Scripture, Journaling, and Honest Venting 47:59 The First Step Out of Survival Mode 49:18 Where to Find Gabe and UnAnxious 50:24 Closing

  5. Jul 13

    🎙️EP172. David Pollack: Why Success Isn't Enough | Making Every Day Count

    What happens when the dream you've chased your entire life suddenly disappears?David Pollack knows.From becoming a three-time All-American at Georgia to playing in the NFL, working on ESPN's College GameDay, suffering a career-ending neck injury, losing his broadcasting job, and walking alongside his wife during her battle with brain cancer, David has learned that our identity cannot rest in what we do—it must rest in who God says we are.In this honest conversation, David shares what resilience really looks like, why broken seasons often become God's greatest classrooms, how daily disciplines shape lasting character, and why legacy isn't what you leave behind—it's what you leave in others.If you've ever struggled with disappointment, unexpected change, fear, or wondering what's next, this conversation will encourage you to trust that God is still writing your story.📖 Get Every Day Countshttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FG6Z4N9L?ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_N5F0PNTF15C59X1KNQCK&bestFormat=trueConnect with David:https://davidpollack.com/See Ball Get Ball Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPollackCFBFamily Goals Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/family-goals-with-david-pollack-and-pastor-j/id1585214791Subscribe for more conversations that help you embrace your brokenness and discover the life you were made for. 00:00 Why David Pollack's Story Matters 03:28 Welcome & Fast Five 10:36 The One Thing Most People Don't Know About David 16:28 The Broken Neck That Changed Everything 22:27 Building Resilience Through Adversity 28:14 Start Where You Are 30:45 Why So Many People Feel Stuck 35:45 Daily Habits That Change Your Life 40:48 Reading Scripture for Transformation 43:21 Walking Through Lindsey's Brain Cancer 47:11 Marriage, Parenting & Legacy 50:23 What Legacy Really Means 52:29 How to Make Every Day Count 55:02 Where to Connect with David 56:46 Closing

  6. Jun 29

    🎙️EP171. The Life You Were Reborn to Live | Gary Thomas

    Many believers know they're saved but still struggle to experience the peace, joy, and freedom Jesus promised. In this episode, Steve Adams sits down with bestselling author Gary Thomas to discuss The Life You Were Reborn to Live. Together they unpack the subtle spiritual lies that keep Christians trapped in fear, striving, isolation, entitlement, and performance-driven faith. If you've ever sensed there must be more to following Jesus than simply "getting to heaven," this conversation offers a compelling invitation to rediscover the life you were truly reborn to live. Get Gary's new book: https://a.co/d/03OmXHwg Learn more about Gary Thomas: https://garythomas.com Connect with Embracing Brokenness Ministries: https://embracingbrokenness.org CHAPTERS 00:00 Why the Church Still Gives Gary Thomas Hope (Cold Open) 01:12 Introduction & Meet Gary Thomas 02:20 Why Gary Wrote The Life You Were Reborn to Live 08:45 The Spiritual Lies That Keep Christians Stuck 13:05 Consumer Christianity vs. Following Jesus 19:10 The Church Isn't Here to Serve You 27:35 Why Isolation Is So Spiritually Dangerous 33:45 Entitlement vs. Astonishment 40:15 The Life You Were Reborn to Live 45:05 Final Encouragement & Where to Find Gary Thomas

  7. Jun 15

    🎙️EP170. We're All Addicted to Something | Jon Seidl on Trauma, Freedom & Following Jesus

    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 habit Guest: Jon Seidl: Author of Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic Learn more: https://www.jonseidl.com/confessions-of-a-christian-alcoholic-book https://www.veritasrecovery.org/ For more resources from Embracing Brokenness Ministries: https://embracingbrokenness.org/ Chapter Markers 00:00 Introduction: We're All Addicted to Something 01:23 Meet Jon Seidl 05:50 From Journalist to Storyteller 09:30 Finding Rest and Mental Health 13:40 Success Didn't Fix the Problem 16:00 When Alcohol Became an Escape 19:00 The Slow Fade into Addiction 23:00 The Miami Trip That Changed Everything 27:00 "Get to the Root of Why You're Drinking" 29:00 Childhood Trauma and Hidden Wounds 32:00 Letting Jesus Into Every Part of Your Story 35:00 Why Jon Wrote This Book 37:15 Four Steps Toward Freedom 37:30 Abiding in Christ 40:15 Finding Your True Identity 43:00 Radical Vulnerability 47:00 The Power of Obedience 50:00 Escapism, Sobriety and Freedom 52:00 Embracing Messy Sanctification 56:00 The Healing Power of Community 58:00 Veritas Recovery and Next Steps 1:01:00 Final Encouragement

  8. Jun 1

    🎙️EP169. Experiencing God in Everyday Life | Richard Blackaby on Spiritual Maturity & Daily Rhythms

    Richard Blackaby joins Steve Adams for a powerful conversation about spiritual maturity, daily rhythms with God, and what it really means to experience God in everyday life—not just in the extraordinary moments. Drawing from the legacy of the bestselling study Experiencing God and the new release Experiencing God in Everyday Life, Richard shares deeply personal stories about his father, Henry Blackaby, spiritual formation, abiding in Christ, and how ordinary believers can learn to recognize God’s presence in the middle of everyday life. Together, Steve and Richard discuss: Why many Christians feel disconnected from God in daily life The danger of reducing faith to activity instead of relationship The role of spiritual rhythms and habits in transformation The importance of spiritual companionship How suffering and disruption shape maturity The next generation’s hunger for authentic faith Why most of life is lived in the “valleys,” not the mountaintops This conversation is filled with wisdom, encouragement, and practical insight for anyone longing to walk more closely with Jesus in the ordinary rhythms of life. 🎥 Video opening courtesy of Lifeway. 📘 Get Experiencing God in Everyday Life by Richard Blackaby and sons: https://www.lifeway.com/en/product/experiencing-god-in-everyday-life-bible-study-book-with-video-access-P005853831 Buy on Amazon: https://a.co/d/066sB40o 🌐 Learn more about Richard Blackaby and Blackaby Ministries International: https://blackaby.org/ 🌿 Learn more about Embracing Brokenness Ministries: https://embracingbrokenness.org/ ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 — Opening Video (Courtesy of Lifeway) 01:24 — Welcome & Why This Conversation Matters 04:06 — Richard Blackaby on Family, Ministry & Legacy 10:54 — Grandchildren, Prayer Journals & Spiritual Heritage 14:12 — Writing Prayers & Hearing God More Deeply 15:28 — Leadership Trivia Begins 17:38 — Why Experiencing God in Everyday Life Matters Now 20:20 — Religion vs. Relationship with God 24:18 — “The Bible Is the Only Book Where You Can Know the Author” 25:18 — The Seven Realities of Experiencing God 26:15 — George Barna’s 10-Stop Spiritual Formation Journey 29:10 — Activity vs. Intimacy with God 31:30 — Humility, Abiding & the Presence of God 35:29 — Spiritual Legacy Across Generations 40:46 — Why Richard Wrote This Book with His Sons 45:19 — The Spiritual Hunger of Younger Generations 47:23 — God in the Ordinary Moments of Life 50:00 — Spiritual Maturity & Daily Rhythms 53:12 — Habit Stacking & Walking with God Daily 56:58 — Spiritual Companionship & Community 01:00:49 — Ministry, Prison Work & Walking Together 01:01:30 — Richard’s Message to the Younger Generation 01:03:05 — Leadership Trivia Answer Revealed 01:05:28 — Why This Book Is an Invitation Into a Way of Life 01:07:11 — Final Encouragement from Richard Blackaby

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About

Welcome to the Embracing Brokenness Podcast. Our focus is to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to a hurting world. To live authentically and without pretense. To encourage others toward a greater understanding of who they are and who God is. To teach the blessed HOPE that the Bible calls the “Anchor of the Soul”. That is Jesus Christ and His healing presence – not only available in this life – but in eternity to come.

Information

  • Creator
    Steve and Colleen Adams
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    177
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Steve and Colleen Adams
  • Show Website
    Embracing Brokenness

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