Embracing Brokenness

Many of us were taught a gospel that’s true—but incomplete. It became a “ticket to heaven,” divorced from daily life, intimacy, and our purpose in God’s larger story. In this candid conversation, Steve and Colleen unpack how post-Enlightenment thinking, cultural striving, and a transactional faith left them exhausted and spiritually dry—and how Jesus invited them into union, abiding, and the wholeness of Shalom (“nothing missing, n...

What if your struggles aren’t just problems to manage—but invitations from God to heal?

In this episode of the Embracing Brokenness Podcast, Steve and Colleen dive deep into the difference between sin management and true spiritual healing. Through honest stories—including a boat named Revelation that literally went down in flames—they reveal how wounds, lies, and false identities shape our lives.

Too often, we silence the “smoke alar...

So many of us spend our lives hiding our brokenness—pretending everything’s fine while we carry deep wounds that keep us from true freedom. In this honest conversation, Steve and Colleen share their personal journeys of pain, healing, and restoration. They tackle why most people resist admitting they’re broken, what happens if we ignore it, and how Jesus transforms our deepest wounds into places of life and freedom.

From coffee-...

A dark battlefield. Countless dead. One man runs tirelessly, reviving the fallen. The rescued learn to revive others. Hope spreads. But then, someone builds a shelter. Others join. Before long, a castle stands where the battle once raged. From its balcony, people laugh, feast, and celebrate… blind to the dying just beyond the walls.

In this robust conversation, Colleen shares a vivid vision that the Lord impressed on her heart—a...

What do you do when evil shows up—and no one’s talking about it?

In this honest and Spirit-led debrief, Steve and Colleen Adams reflect on their unforgettable interview with former FBI agent Scott Payne. From neo-Nazi cult rituals to the chilling refusal of a Bible to burn in a satanic bonfire, Scott’s story exposed real spiritual darkness. But it also revealed something else—how far the Church has drifted from affirming biblical ma...

Former undercover FBI agent and bestselling author Scott Payne returns in Part 2 of this jaw-dropping conversation with Steve and Colleen. In this episode, Scott recounts the harrowing details of infiltrating neo-Nazi accelerationist groups—including disturbing pagan rituals, foiled murder plots, and spiritual warfare in the darkest places imaginable. But through it all, his faith remained the anchor.

Colleen joins the conversation ...

What happens when an undercover FBI agent faces down hate groups, cartels, and spiritual darkness—and still holds fast to his faith?

In this gripping Part 1 interview, Scott Payne, former FBI agent and New York Times bestselling author of Codename: Pale Horse, joins Steve to share his incredible journey. From growing up in a Christian home to infiltrating America's most violent criminal networks, Scott opens up about the cha...

David Garlock’s journey is one of trauma, transformation, and triumph. After surviving years of horrific abuse, David and his brother took the life of their abuser—an act that led to a 25-year sentence. But in prison, David found something far greater than freedom: he found Jesus.

In this episode of the Embracing Brokenness Podcast, Steve talks with David about:

* His early years of abuse and family dysfunction

* The decision that...

What happens when a 16-year-old is sentenced to life in prison? What if that same person becomes a powerful voice for redemption, hope, and purpose?

In this episode, Steve sits down with Lewis Lee, a man whose life journey will challenge everything you think you know about justice, transformation, and the power of God’s love.

From the streets of West Philadelphia to a life sentence without parole, Lewis’ story is one of unimaginable ...

What if experiencing Jesus wasn’t reserved for spiritual elites—or the past? What if intimacy with God was meant to be the normal human experience, even in a world drowning in distraction?

In this powerful debrief episode, Steve and Colleen reflect on Steve’s recent conversation with John Eldredge about his book Experience Jesus—Really. Together, they unpack what it means to reclaim our union with God in a culture that has condi...

What if your soul has been trained not to experience God?

In this profound and timely conversation, Steve Adams sits down with bestselling author John Eldredge to explore the themes of his new book, Experience Jesus—Really. Together, they confront one of the most overlooked realities of modern spiritual life: we’ve been discipled by distraction, noise, and digital overload—and it’s making it harder to connect with God.

From recla...

What do Mr. Rogers, the founder of LEGO, and a civil rights legend have in common? They were all "mere Christians" doing extraordinary things through ordinary work.

In this episode of the Embracing Brokenness Podcast, Steve welcomes back bestselling author Jordan Raynor to dive into his latest book, 5 Mere Christians—a fresh, binge-worthy collection of biographies showing how everyday believers glorify God in powerful, practical wa...

🔥 You’ve Been Tricked! Are You Living by the World’s Rules Without Even Realizing It? 🔥

Society is more divided than ever—politically, socially, and even within the Church. The world demands that you pick a side, fight to be right, and put yourself first. But what if that’s the exact opposite of how we were designed to live?

In this podcast episode, Steve & Colleen expose the deception behind the world’s system and reveal the K...

Ever feel like you’re wearing a mask—pretending to be someone you’re not just to fit in? In this powerful episode of the Embracing Brokenness Podcast, Steve and Colleen expose the hidden battle for your identity and how the enemy uses lies, fear, and past wounds to keep you stuck in a false self.

🔥 Discover how social media, people-pleasing, and cultural pressures warp your self-image.
📖 Learn why anchoring your identity in God...

Shame is a relentless enemy, but it doesn’t have to define you. In this episode of the Embracing Brokenness Podcast, Steve and Colleen Adams dive deep into the roots of shame—how it takes hold, how it distorts our identity, and how we can finally break free. They share raw personal stories of struggle and redemption, exposing shame as a weapon of the enemy while revealing the overwhelming power of God’s grace to silence it.

Don’t j...

In this episode of the Embracing Brokenness podcast, hosts Steve and Colleen discuss the importance of staying true to the gospel amidst a deception-filled world.

The conversation delves into the challenges of identifying false teachers and the need for believers to contend for their faith.

They explore the characteristics of false teachings, the impact of materialism in the church, and the underlying pride and rebellion that often d...

In this episode of the Embracing Brokenness podcast, hosts Steve and Colleen discuss the theme of intimacy with God, drawing parallels to the Garden of Eden. They explore the significance of the torn veil at Jesus' crucifixion, which symbolizes the restoration of direct access to God.

The conversation delves into the challenges of maintaining intimacy with God in a performance-driven religious culture, the importance of recognizin...

In this episode of the Embracing Brokenness podcast, Steve, Colleen, and Michael discuss the significance of consecrating the new year to the Lord. They explore the importance of daily consecration, understanding its meaning, and the scriptural foundations that support this practice. The conversation also includes practical steps for consecration, the significance of seeking a word or theme for the year, and personal experiences th...