What We Really Want: Conversations About Connection

Greg Oliver
  • 5.0 (57)
  • 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. Jul 21

    71 | Cary & Micah Morgan: Running Has a Way of Really Bringing People Together

    "Send us a message! (questions, feedback, etc.)" Let’s just state the obvious. Runners are weird people. We know it and we embrace it. But if running is not your thing, please don’t skip this conversation. There’s something here for you. Cary and Micah Morgan are pillars of the Birmingham AL running community. More than that, they’re wonderful people who genuinely care about others and love well.  Cary is a physical therapist and owner/lead coach of Cadence Run Coaching, a business that helps runners achieve their goals. Micah is a nurse practitioner who also happens to be one of the world’s most elite ultra-runners. For about the last ten years, Micah has been crossing one challenge after another off her list, including the Badwater 135 ultramarathon, which is considered the toughest road race in the world. In fact, on July 27, 2026 Micah will compete in her third Badwater 135. You can track her progress using the link below. In our conversation, we definitely talked about running. But more than that, we talked about the community and connection that comes from a shared passion. No matter what you love to do, when you find others who love it like you do, there’s a special connection available.  Cary and Micah are faithful friends and companions to so many, and more recently have walked through shared grief as well. In December 2025, the Birmingham running community lost a good friend when Christina Chambers’ life was suddenly cut short. We talk about that pain, as well as how many people Christina touched by her friendship. For those of you listening when the episode comes out, please check out the Christina Chambers Twilight 5K, coming August 7th. Link to register or donate is below. Have fun listening to three obsessed runners (Cary, Micah, Greg) and one sane non-runner (Stacey) talk about passion, friendship, and great connection.  #carymorgan #micahmorgan #caryandmicahmorgan #beatsandfeetswithmicah #runhardandcaryon #running #cadenceruncoaching #marathon #ultramarathon #badwater135 #connection #community #vulnerability #grace #gospel #transformation #healing  Cadence Run Coaching website Badwater135 website Christina Chambers Twilight 5K race page (run or donate) Micah on Instagram Support the show Awaken website Roots Retreat Men's Intensive Roots Retreat Women's Workshop Awaken Men & Women's support meeting info (including virtual)

    71 | Cary & Micah Morgan: Running Has a Way of Really Bringing People Together

  2. Jul 7

    70 | Zac Hicks: Why Does Recovery Feel More Like Church Than Church Does?

    "Send us a message! (questions, feedback, etc.)" Why do people often feel more "churched" and cared for in recovery meetings than they do in their actual churches? What is present at those meetings, and/or missing from those churches? And what can we do about it? Zac Hicks thinks these are important questions to consider. Zac is the lead pastor of Church of the Cross, a church plant in Birmingham AL. Over the past 20+ years, his extensive ministry experience has also included worship leading, songwriting, seminary teaching, and authoring books. Zac is a contemplative thinker and it was really fulfilling to have a deep dive conversation that delved into multiple topics, including pastoral vulnerability, empathy, how we scrutinize song lyrics in worship, Family Systems theory, you name it and we talked about it.  Whether you're a pastor/ministry leader, someone in recovery, or just anyone interested in being a safe person for others, there's a lot of helpful stuff here. We hope you enjoy the conversation! #zachicks #zachicksmusic #churchofthecross #pastor #empathy #traumainformed #pain #suffering #connection #vulnerability #recovery #grace #gospel #transformation #healing Zac's personal website Church of the Cross (Birmingham AL) Zac's books (Amazon) Zac on Instagram Support the show Awaken website Roots Retreat Men's Intensive Roots Retreat Women's Workshop Awaken Men & Women's support meeting info (including virtual)

    70 | Zac Hicks: Why Does Recovery Feel More Like Church Than Church Does?

  3. Jun 23

    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)

    69 | Jason Gray: A Conversation Worth Staying For

  4. 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)

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

  5. 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)

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

  6. 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)

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

  7. 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)

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

  8. 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)

    65 | Crystal Renaud Day: Understanding the Drivers
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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.

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