If you love someone struggling with addiction, you may feel stuck trying to fix, control, or carry what was never yours to hold. In this episode of Honest Christian Conversations, I talk with Steve Rotermund about codependency and addiction—and how it can quietly destroy families. Steve shares his story of walking through his wife’s addiction, 13 years of codependency, and the impact on his marriage, children, and faith. This conversation looks at addiction from a different angle, not just the person struggling, but those living in the middle of it. We discuss what codependency really is, how it shows up in everyday life, and why trying to “fix” someone else can lead to deeper brokenness. If you’ve ever felt responsible for someone else’s emotions or choices, this episode will help you. –––––––––––––– If something in this episode encouraged you, challenged you, or helped you take a step forward in your faith, I’d love to hear from you. 👉 Write a quick review (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/honest-christian-conversations/id1733709345) It helps this podcast reach others who are looking for honest, thoughtful conversations rooted in Scripture and real life. –––––––––––––– Looking for more support? 👉 Continue the conversation (https://honestchristianconversations.com/) Visit my website to listen on your favorite platform, read more, and stay connected. 👉 Go deeper with the "Retrain Your Brain" Series (https://honestchristianconversations.kit.com/fadeefcb94) If you're walking through struggles with habits, addiction, or spiritual strongholds, this private podcast offers focused encouragement for recovery, healing, and freedom in Christ. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this minisode of Honest Christian Conversations, I’m talking about something most people never think to call addiction: the hidden patterns that don't seem that harmful on the outside. From control and perfectionism to people-pleasing and the pursuit of validation, some of the habits we excuse can quietly take hold of our hearts. In this episode, I open up about my own struggle with control, how hidden patterns can form without us realizing it, and why addiction is often more subtle than we think. You’ll also hear practical self-reflection questions to help you uncover what may be driving your habits, along with encouragement for how to begin walking in freedom without shame. If you’ve ever felt stuck in people-pleasing, emotional dependence, perfectionism, or hidden habits you can’t quite explain, this episode is for you. In this episode: • Hidden addiction signs most people miss • The connection between control, validation, and emotional dependency • Why people-pleasing can become addictive • Practical questions to help you identify unhealthy patterns • How to begin breaking free through honesty, repentance, and truth Want to go deeper? Check out my conversation with Steve Ward of STEPS Ministries (https://podcast.ausha.co/honest-christian-conversations-10/are-you-addicted-to-something-high-functioning-addiction-compulsive-habits-spiritual-freedom), where we unpack subtle addictions and why uncovering your “why” matters. Need extra support? 👉 "Retrain Your Brain" Series (https://honestchristianconversations.kit.com/fadeefcb94) If you're walking through struggles with habits, addiction, or spiritual strongholds, I also host a private podcast focused on recovery, healing, and freedom in Christ. –––––––––––––– If something in this episode encouraged you, challenged you, or helped you take a step forward in your faith, I’d love to hear from you. 👉 Write a quick review (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/honest-christian-conversations/id1733709345) It helps this podcast reach others who are looking for honest, thoughtful conversations rooted in Scripture and real life. –––––––––––––– 👉 Continue the conversation (https://honestchristianconversations.com/) Visit my website to listen on your favorite platform, read more, and stay connected. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Binge-watching, sugar cravings, people-pleasing, control, work—when does a habit become an addiction? In this episode of Honest Christian Conversations, I talk with Steve Ward, founder of Steps Ministries (https://lifeimprovementsteps.com), about high-functioning addiction, compulsive habits, and the hidden “chains” that can quietly shape our lives. From alcohol and porn addiction to everyday coping patterns, we explore how addiction forms in both the brain and the heart, how to recognize the true cost of unhealthy habits, and how to begin the journey of addiction recovery without shame. You’ll walk away with practical insight, encouragement, and clear next steps toward healing, community, and freedom in Christ. –––––––––––––– If something in this episode encouraged you, challenged you, or helped you take a step forward in your faith, I’d love to hear from you. 👉 Write a quick review (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/honest-christian-conversations/id1733709345) It helps this podcast reach others who are looking for honest, thoughtful conversations rooted in Scripture and real life. –––––––––––––– Looking for more support? 👉 Continue the conversation (https://honestchristianconversations.com/) Visit my website to listen on your favorite platform, read more, and stay connected. 👉 Go deeper with the "Retrain Your Brain" Series (https://honestchristianconversations.kit.com/fadeefcb94) If you're walking through struggles with habits, addiction, or spiritual strongholds, this private podcast offers focused encouragement for recovery, healing, and freedom in Christ. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Why am I changing Honest Christian Conversations? In this episode, I’m sharing the heart behind some important shifts happening to the podcast and how God has been reshaping my understanding of Christian discernment, leadership, and direction over the past season. Season 6 stretched me in ways I didn’t expect. Stepping outside my comfort zone, hosting conversations with people who think differently, and navigating uncomfortable topics didn’t just challenge listeners; it changed me. What began as an experiment in dialogue became a deeper lesson in humility, critical thinking, and trusting God with the outcome. –––––––––––––– If something in this episode encouraged you, challenged you, or helped you take a step forward in your faith, I’d love to hear from you. 👉 Write a quick review (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/honest-christian-conversations/id1733709345) It helps this podcast reach others who are looking for honest, thoughtful conversations rooted in Scripture and real life. –––––––––––––– Looking for more support? 👉 Continue the conversation (https://honestchristianconversations.com/) Visit my website to listen on your favorite platform, read more, and stay connected. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

What does it really mean to be the hands and feet of Jesus? Many Christians want to share the gospel but feel unsure where to start. In this minisode of Honest Christian Conversations, we talk about what it looks like to live out our faith in everyday life—through simple acts of love, courage, and obedience to Christ. Sharing the good news isn’t always about having the perfect words or a dramatic moment. Often, it begins with being willing to show compassion, speak truth with gentleness, and allow God to use ordinary moments to point people toward Jesus. In this short reflection, we explore how believers can step forward in faith and represent Christ in their daily interactions with others. If you’ve ever wondered how to share your faith in a natural and authentic way, this conversation is for you. Listen to How To Share the Gospel Without Fear: Practical Tips for Christians (https://podcast.ausha.co/honest-christian-conversations-10/how-to-share-the-gospel-without-fear-practical-tips-for-christians) –––––––––––––– If something in this episode encouraged you, challenged you, or helped you take a step forward in your faith, I’d love to hear from you. 👉 Write a quick review (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/honest-christian-conversations/id1733709345) It helps this podcast reach others who are looking for honest, thoughtful conversations rooted in Scripture and real life. –––––––––––––– Looking for more support? 👉 Continue the conversation (https://honestchristianconversations.com/) Visit my website to listen on your favorite platform, read more, and stay connected. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Do you want to share your faith but feel nervous, awkward, or afraid of being rejected? You’re not alone—and you’re not failing God because of it. In this episode of Honest Christian Conversations, I’m joined by James Moffitt, who became a Christian at seventeen and spent over ten years doing street witnessing. Through real-life conversations, mistakes, and growth, James learned what actually helps Christians share the gospel in a way that’s loving, natural, and grounded in trust—not pressure or performance. This conversation is for anyone who has ever thought: “I don’t know enough.” “I’m too shy.” “What if they reject me?” Together, we explore how to move past fear and step into faith with humility and confidence. In this episode, you’ll hear about: How to share the gospel without fear Why feeling unprepared doesn’t disqualify you from sharing your faith What street evangelism taught James about real human connection Practical tips for Christians who want to talk about Jesus naturally How to handle rejection with grace Why obedience doesn’t mean perfection If you’ve ever wanted to talk about your faith but felt intimidated, unsure what to say, or afraid of how people might respond, this episode will encourage you and give you practical next steps to begin sharing the gospel with confidence and compassion. Visit James' YouTube Channel: @jamesmoffitt Listen to his podcast: https://www.parentingadultchildren.org –––––––––––––– If something in this episode encouraged you, challenged you, or helped you take a step forward in your faith, I’d love to hear from you. 👉 Write a quick review (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/honest-christian-conversations/id1733709345) It helps this podcast reach others who are looking for honest, thoughtful conversations rooted in Scripture and real life. –––––––––––––– Looking for more support? 👉 Continue the conversation (https://honestchristianconversations.com/) Visit my website to listen on your favorite platform, read more, and stay connected. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Pride can close us off to correction and differing opinions. This minisode explores judging people by their past and beliefs, the role of our own biases, and how humility opens the door to growth. Listen to the whole episode with (Anne) A.M. Geever (https://podcast.ausha.co/honest-christian-conversations-10/judging-others-faith-questions-and-meaningful-conversations) –––––––––––––– If something in this episode encouraged you, challenged you, or helped you take a step forward in your faith, I’d love to hear from you. 👉 Write a quick review (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/honest-christian-conversations/id1733709345) It helps this podcast reach others who are looking for honest, thoughtful conversations rooted in Scripture and real life. –––––––––––––– Looking for more support? 👉 Continue the conversation (https://honestchristianconversations.com/) Visit my website to listen on your favorite platform, read more, and stay connected. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Have you ever judged someone based on how they look, what they believe, or the assumptions you made about them—only to realize later that you were wrong? In this episode of Honest Christian Conversations, I step outside my comfort zone and sit down for a thoughtful, honest conversation with a writer whose beliefs and background differ from my own. What begins as a discussion about storytelling, imagination, and post-apocalyptic fiction slowly opens into deeper territory—faith journeys, doubt, theology, and what it really looks like to listen to someone you don’t fully agree with. We talk about how easy it is to label people, how assumptions can block connection, and why meaningful conversations require humility, curiosity, and a willingness to be uncomfortable. This episode isn’t about winning an argument or changing someone’s mind. It’s about learning how to engage with people as people—without compromising your convictions, but also without shutting down dialogue. We explore what it means to wrestle with faith questions, how personal experiences shape belief, and why honest conversations can lead to greater understanding, even when agreement isn’t the outcome. If you’ve ever struggled with judgment, felt uneasy talking with people who see faith differently, or wondered how to have respectful conversations across differences, this episode is for you. My hope is that this conversation encourages you to listen more deeply, ask better questions, and step outside your comfort zone with grace and courage. Check out Anne's literary works: https://www.amgeever.com –––––––––––––– If something in this episode encouraged you, challenged you, or helped you take a step forward in your faith, I’d love to hear from you. 👉 Write a quick review (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/honest-christian-conversations/id1733709345) It helps this podcast reach others who are looking for honest, thoughtful conversations rooted in Scripture and real life. –––––––––––––– Looking for more support? 👉 Continue the conversation (https://honestchristianconversations.com/) Visit my website to listen on your favorite platform, read more, and stay connected. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Do you avoid confrontation? Do you shrink back when you know someone disagrees with you—especially about faith, politics, or truth? In this minisode of Honest Christian Conversations, I reflect on how stepping into uncomfortable conversations can grow your confidence, deepen your faith, and stretch you spiritually. After a powerful and unexpected conversation with former CNN journalist John DeDakis, I share how God used discomfort to challenge my biases, expand my perspective, and remind me that we don’t have to “win” every conversation to walk in truth. This episode is an encouragement for Christians who feel nervous about engaging with people who hold different views but sense God nudging them to step out of their comfort zone with grace and courage. 👉 Want to go deeper? Listen to the full conversation that inspired this minisode: Faith, Politics, and Truth: A Conversation with a Former CNN Journalist (https://podcast.ausha.co/honest-christian-conversations-10/faith-politics-and-truth-a-christian-conversation-with-a-former-cnn-journalist) –––––––––––––– If something in this episode encouraged you, challenged you, or helped you take a step forward in your faith, I’d love to hear from you. 👉 Write a quick review (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/honest-christian-conversations/id1733709345) It helps this podcast reach others who are looking for honest, thoughtful conversations rooted in Scripture and real life. –––––––––––––– Looking for more support? 👉 Continue the conversation (https://honestchristianconversations.com/) Visit my website to listen on your favorite platform, read more, and stay connected. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In today’s episode of Honest Christian Conversations, I sit down with John Dedakis, a former journalist who spent decades in the media world, including time working at CNN and as a White House correspondent for Christian Broadcasting Network. This conversation goes beyond political talking points and into something deeper: truth, discernment, and Christian responsibility in an increasingly polarized culture. We discuss the difference between journalism that informs versus media that persuades, the dangers of placing political loyalty above faith, and how Christians can seek facts without sacrificing biblical values. John shares insights from his years in journalism, explaining how media bias develops, why trusted news sources matter, and how fear and power can distort both politics and faith. We also wrestle honestly with uncomfortable questions many believers face today: Can Christians disagree politically and still honor Christ? What happens when political leaders are treated like saviors? How do we stay grounded in Scripture while navigating modern media? This episode is not about telling you how to vote — it’s about encouraging you to think critically, seek truth faithfully, and place your hope in Christ above all else. Take a look at John's novels: https://johndedakis.com/ (https://johndedakis.com/) –––––––––––––– If something in this episode encouraged you, challenged you, or helped you take a step forward in your faith, I’d love to hear from you. 👉 Write a quick review (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/honest-christian-conversations/id1733709345) It helps this podcast reach others who are looking for honest, thoughtful conversations rooted in Scripture and real life. –––––––––––––– Looking for more support? 👉 Continue the conversation (https://honestchristianconversations.com/) Visit my website to listen on your favorite platform, read more, and stay connected. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.