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