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 some really 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, this podcast offers an invitation to discover and start getting 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.
What We Really Want: Conversations About Connection
18 | Ashley Chesnut: Sending Up a Test Balloon
"Send us a message! (questions, feedback, etc.)"
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 time in seminary, Ashley led a small group at her church, for single women. During that time, some of these women began to share about secret struggles with unwanted sexual behavior: things they'd never been able to share with anyone before.
Ashley began to discover both a gifting and a desire to walk alongside these women and support them toward healing and freedom. She has followed up that desire by getting additional degrees and certifications around trauma and counseling. In 2021 Ashley published a book, It's Not Just You: Freeing Women to Talk About Sexual Sin and Fight It Well. We talked about the way many people "send up test balloons" to see if we're going to be safe, and about the privilege and opportunity it is to be trusted with another person's story.
We have a great conversation with Ashley about how her path to where she is today, the joy of helping hurting people learn to connect with authenticity, her love for her "second home," Birmingham AL, and a lot more. Ashley is also the author of Down in the 'Ham (a children's book about Birmingham), and accompanying coloring books.
Check out Ashley's author link below, and PLEASE give us 5-stars and write a positive review wherever you get your podcasts!
Ashley's books on Amazon
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