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What We Really Want: Conversations About Connection

What We Really Want: Conversations About Connection

Written by: Greg Oliver
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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.

© 2026 What We Really Want: Conversations About Connection
Christianity Hygiene & Healthy Living Ministry & Evangelism Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Relationships Social Sciences Spirituality
Episodes
  • 57 | Juli Slattery: Longing To Be Known
    Jan 20 2026

    "Send us a message! (questions, feedback, etc.)"

    Our guest for Episode 57 is a recognized expert in biblical sexuality. Dr. Juli Slattery has decades of experience as a therapist, author, and founder of the organization Authentic Intimacy. For years she has been helping women and men move toward healing from painful experiences with sexual brokenness, and developing a healthy view of their sexuality.

    Her podcast Java With Juli offers great, thought-provoking perspectives on sex and relationships, and her new book Surrendered Sexuality helps people better understand the significance and design of our God-given sexuality. In it she writes about how Jesus gave His life not primarily to change behavior, but to renew our identity—which is rooted in our union with Christ, not our wounds, feelings, desires, past or present sins, or purity. Embracing this will help us experience sexuality in the way God intended.

    #julislattery #drjulislattery #javawithjuli #surrenderedsexuality #connection #counseling #spirituality #growth #change #therapy #healing #trauma #sexuality #sexualaddiction #betrayaltrauma #recovery #grace #gospel #transformation

    Authentic Intimacy website

    Java With Juli podcast

    Surrendered Sexuality on Amazon


    Support the show

    Awaken website
    Roots Retreat Men's Intensive
    Roots Retreat Women's Workshop
    Awaken Men & Women's support meeting info (including virtual)

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    51 mins
  • 56 | Kristian Stanfill: A Long Walk With God
    Jan 6 2026

    "Send us a message! (questions, feedback, etc.)"

    Since the late '90's / early 2000's, Passion Music has been blessing the Church with song after song to sing together. And one of its primary worship leaders is our guest Kristian Stanfill.

    Kristian is the voice you've heard on songs like "One Thing Remains," "Death Was Arrested," "Glorious Day," and "Come to Jesus." He is a passionate, enthusiastic worshipper and worship leader who leads at Passion conferences and at his home church, Passion City Church in Atlanta.

    There's another part of Kristian's life that became known over the past few years. In November 2020, a few of his closest friends confronted Kristian about his alcoholism. What had started as a crutch/escape from stress and difficult emotions had developed into an addiction and was out of control. What happened next is an amazing story of grace, healing, and recovery.

    After stepping out of the spotlight for a couple years, Kristian released Make It Out Alive, an album of songs written in his time with God in recovery. More recently he released Come to Jesus, a new collection of worship songs and real-life encouragements.

    Kristian lives in Atlanta with his wife Kerri and their kids.

    #kristianstanfill #passionmusic #cometojesus #makeitoutalive #worship #passion #gospel #grace #awaken #awakenrecovery #awakenpodcast #whatwereallywant #wwrw #connection #conversation

    Kristian's website
    Passion Music website
    Kristian 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)

    Show More Show Less
    55 mins
  • RE-RELEASE | Michael John Cusick: The Light is Brighter Than it Seems
    Dec 30 2025

    "Send us a message! (questions, feedback, etc.)"

    RE-RELEASE. This episode originally released July 22, 2024.

    For men and women seeking recovery from unwanted sexual behavior, few people have been as influential or helpful as Michael John Cusick. Michael is a therapist, author, and Founder/CEO of Restoring the Soul, a counseling practice that provides opportunities for life-changing breakthrough with licensed and experienced therapists. Their holistic approach creates an atmosphere of safety and grace where people can explore their relationships, identity, emotions, and spirituality.

    In 2012 Michael released the book Surfing For God: Discovering the Divine Desire Beneath Sexual Struggles. It, along with Jay Stringer's book Unwanted, has been extraordinarily powerful in helping people discover what needs they are actually trying to meet when pursuing broken behavior. The book contains a story (that Greg and Michael talk about) that's part of the reason for our podcast's name!

    In early 2025 Michael released his second book, Sacred Attachment: Escaping Spiritual Exhaustion and Trusting in Divine Love. This book explores how an understanding of attachment theory can help tired and wounded Christians get "unstuck" in our relationship with God and experience the closeness he intended us to have with him.

    Restoring the Soul offers individual and group intensive therapy experiences, as well as a blog, podcast, and other resources.

    Check out Michael's links below, and PLEASE give us 5-stars and write a positive review wherever you get your podcasts!

    Restoring the Soul website
    Restoring the Soul podcast
    Surfing For God and Sacred Attachment (on Amazon)
    Training Session at Beeson Divinity School (2014)

    #MichaelJohnCusick #RestoringTheSoul #SurfingForGod #SacredAttachment #attachmenttheory #counseling #therapy #gospel #recove

    Support the show

    Awaken website
    Roots Retreat Men's Intensive
    Roots Retreat Women's Workshop
    Awaken Men & Women's support meeting info (including virtual)

    Show More Show Less
    45 mins
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