What We Really Want: Conversations About Connection
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.
Episodes
35 episodes
34 | Chad & Melissa Barrett: Don't Edit This Out
We've known our guests Chad & Melissa Barrett for over 30 years. From days in Bible college to early church ministry, the Barretts and their families have been special people to us. So it was wonderful to be able to catch up with them and a...
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Episode 34
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1:18:44
33 | Joanna & Matthew Raabsmith: Taking the Small Wins
Our guests this week understand the tough path to be navigated by couples recovering from sexual betrayal. Joanna and Matthew Raabsmith walked through this themselves when, three years into marriage, Matthew confessed his sexual addictio...
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Episode 33
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54:51
32 | Blake Roberts: It's the Three Percent
It can be terrifying to give another person full access to what we're thinking, feeling, believing, and struggling with. That's why almost no one does it. Even at our most vulnerable, most of us still withhold maybe 3% of what we really need to...
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Episode 32
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52:21
29 | Ian Morgan Cron: Desperate for a Fix
Walking through a life where so many things go wrong (often so early), it’s no wonder many people struggle to understand what they need or even who they really are. That’s why I was so excited to talk with Ian Morgan Cron.Ian is ...
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Episode 29
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42:20
31 | Barnabas Piper: Why Is This Worth It?
People say, "Pain has a purpose." While we all know that's true, statements like that are often pretty unhelpful for the person in pain. Physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual pain takes a toll and can push people to doubt or even walk ...
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Episode 31
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51:55
30 | Sheila Wray Gregoire & Keith Gregoire: First Do No Harm
Greg & Stacey got to meet and talk with a couple we've wanted to know for a long time... a couple offering hope for men and women harmed by toxic messages.Sheila Wray Gregoire has been a writer and blogger for many years. But ...
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Episode 30
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57:14
28 | Greg & Stacey Oliver: Happy Anniversaries
For our first episode of 2025, Greg & Stacey talk about the first week of January, in which they have TWO significant anniversaries. The first is their wedding anniversary, but just two days later is the anniversary of Greg's "Fan Day," whe...
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Episode 28
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54:26
27 | David Graves: Windows of Hope
We're closing out 2024 with a conversation with a long-time friend of mine. David Graves is - among many other interests - a photographer who uses his camera to capture images that connect us with faith. This year he released a book, Al...
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Episode 27
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35:01
26 | Mike Foster: Begging the Question
Known as the "Mr. Rogers of personal development," Mike Foster is a best-selling author, speaker, and executive coach empowering people to build strong lives by turning their setbacks into superpowers.Mike is the creator of the <...
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Episode 26
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52:25
25 | Will Mooney: I Won't Try to Fix You
The best therapists are the ones who have done their own work. That's what I love about my guest Will Mooney. Will has his own story of unwanted sexual behavior, and also of serving in pastoral ministry. After finding his own help and recovery,...
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Episode 25
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53:06
24 | Mike Donehey: Feel It Before You Fix It
Over the past 25 years in Christian music, few other bands have been as influential or have a sound as instantly recognizable as Tenth Avenue North. They have released multiple records with hope-filled songs for people who live with crippling s...
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Episode 24
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53:02
A Little Extra Helping with Greg & Stacey (Holiday Bonus)
After what we hope was a great Thanksgiving, please enjoy this "Little Extra Helping" of the podcast. While recording the intro to Episode 23 with Carol Sheets, Stacey and I talked for quite a long time. Too long to include it all ...
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19:37
23 | Carol Sheets (aka "Carol the Coach"): The Gift of Empathy
People being introduced to today's wealth of resources for sexual addiction and sexual betrayal trauma recovery owe a lot to our guest. Carol Sheets, also known to her radio, podcast, and YouTube audiences as "Carol the Coach," was among the fi...
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Episode 23
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46:54
22 | John Lynch: Actively & Uniquely Loved
Have you ever gotten lost in a conversation, unaware of how much time has passed, or even exactly what you were talking about? That's kind of how I felt talking with my John Lynch. It's easy to get pulled into John's warmth and sincerity, but h...
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Episode 22
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56:16
21 | Kristen Miele: Sex-Ed Reclaimed (Bonus Episode)
One of the best ways parents can prepare their kids to live healthy, connected lives is to be honest and open with them about important topics. Few topics are more important for parents to bravely engage than teaching their kids about sex. And ...
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Episode 21
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49:19
20 | Sam Jolman: Sexuality Always Lives in a Story
There are times when you know you're hearing/reading/experiencing something very important. That's how I felt as I read through Sam Jolman's book The Sex Talk You Never Got: Reclaiming the Heart of Masculine Sexuality.
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Episode 20
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55:45
19 | Shawn Bonneteau: A Healthy Skeptic of Life Being Good
When I think of Shawn, I sometimes have to remind myself we've never actually met in person. Shawn is the kind of person who's easy to get to know quickly. He is kind & curious, and also open & vulnerable.Shawn has a compelli...
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Episode 19
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45:31
18 | Ashley Chesnut: Sending Up a Test Balloon
Ashley Chesnut moved to Birmingham with a certain future in mind. Graduate from seminary, then get a job as a professor and/or Old Testament commentary writer. But you know what they say about "the best laid plans..."During her t...
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Episode 18
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49:24
17 | Betrayal Trauma Workshops (Bonus Episode)
What is a sexual betrayal trauma workshop? And why - if you are a woman going through the pain of having been betrayed by your husband/partner - should you consider attending one? In this BONUS episode, Greg & Stacey are joined by Pa...
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Episode 17
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47:33
16 | Tullian Tchividjian: Best Parts of God, Worst Parts of Me
Tullian Tchividjian is a name that elicits strong reactions from people, some positive and some negative. As the grandson of Billy Graham, he grew up in a family that was very familiar with public ministry. For years he has been a provoc...
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Episode 16
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1:10:07
15 | Gordon Bals: I Don't Think Those Tears Are Just Mine
Gordon Bals has a bit of a reputation around Birmingham Alabama. Many people have referred to him as "that counselor who cries with you." I can't think of too many higher compliments a person could receive.Gordon founded Daymark Pastora...
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Episode 15
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50:46
14 | You Just Might Find You Get What You Need (Bonus Recap Episode)
Whether you're just discovering the podcast now, or have been listening since the very beginning, this episode is for you! We're giving you a bonus that recaps the first 13 episodes we've released so far. Covering experiences like recovery, hon...
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Episode 14
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31:45
13 | Nate Larkin: Special But Not Unique
When people tell stories of early recovery, and talk about special individuals whose help and presence was indispensable, there may be no name that comes up more often than Nate Larkin. Literally thousands of men can say they've sat acro...
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Episode 13
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55:37
12 | Sharon Hersh: Change is Seldom Spectacular
We're really excited to welcome a guest who has been really helpful and influential in our lives, even though we'd never met before the podcast interview. Sharon Hersh is a therapist and author, whose book The Last Addiction: Why Self-Help ...
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Episode 12
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57:09
11 | Michael John Cusick: The Light is Brighter Than it Seems
For men and women seeking recovery from unwanted sexual behavior, few people have been as influential or helpful as Michael John Cusick. Greg, Stacey, and Bobby all share some of our experiences with how Michael's book and podcast have been inv...
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Episode 11
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49:38
