Addiction, Sanctification, and the God Who Heals: Wider Lens with Jonathon M. Seidl
Release Date: 09/12/2025
Worth Repeating: How to Make Romance Realistic in Your Marriage
Awesome Marriage Podcast
How’s the romance in your marriage? How does it compare to when you were dating? (… and does that matter?) Romance can fall by the wayside in marriage because it seems like an “extra” that you’ll get around to when you have extra time or money, or if you feel inspired to make a grand gesture. But today Dr. Kim shares several reasons NOT to let that be the case in your marriage. Listen to learn why you need to bring the romance back and HOW to realistically make that happen. We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage. Episode highlights...
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Worth Repeating: Deepen the Emotional Intimacy in Your Marriage
Awesome Marriage Podcast
Want better connection with your spouse? One thing we hear a lot from couples is that they don’t feel close to each other or that their relationship feels like it’s missing some depth. That’s why today we’re re-airing this episode from Dr. Kim and Christina that talks all about emotional intimacy and gives you ideas of practical ways to deepen the emotional intimacy in your marriage. We pray this episode is helpful to you and your marriage. Episode highlights include: What is emotional intimacy, and why does it matter? Warning signs you need to grow in...
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Worth Repeating: How To NOT Fight With Your Spouse About Money with Julie Baumgardner
Awesome Marriage Podcast
The Awesome Marriage Podcast is on winter break, and over the next four weeks we’ll be sharing some of our favorite past episodes with you. First up: Finances! No one loves talking finances, but we do think you’ll love today’s conversation with Julie Baumgardner! Julie shares how to get curious about what money means to your spouse, how two spouses’ separate financial backgrounds and “money stories” can stop being a source of tension, and start becoming a shared value. Listen to this episode if you’re ready to get on the same page with your spouse about finances this season...
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More Than Mistletoe: Staying Spiritually Rooted and Emotionally Connected in Your Marriage This Christmas Ep. 707
Awesome Marriage Podcast
The holidays promise joy and togetherness but for many couples, they also bring stress, busyness, and mismatched expectations. In this episode, we’re helping you slow down, reconnect, and approach the season with intention. We talk honestly about why couples often drift spiritually and emotionally in December and offer simple, realistic ways to stay grounded in Christ and connected to each other. From aligning holiday expectations to creating meaningful traditions, you’ll walk away with practical tools to cultivate peace, gratitude, and unity in your marriage. Whether this season feels...
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‘I Do’ Today and Tomorrow and Forever: Staying Intentional with Chelsea Smith Ep. 706
Awesome Marriage Podcast
No matter what season of marriage you’re in, intentionality is essential. It’s what keeps the spark alive, rekindles romance, and helps you withstand the temptations and pressures of everyday life. Chelsea Smith joins me to talk about her new book, “I Do” Today: A 52-Week Guide to the Marriage You’ve Been Waiting For. This conversation will encourage you, inspire you, and challenge you to pursue a marriage marked by purpose, growth, and joy because you were never meant to settle for anything less than an awesome marriage. Episode Takeaways: A healthy sex life is vital for a...
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When Gratitude is Hard Ep. 705
Awesome Marriage Podcast
Gratitude can feel effortless when life and marriage are smooth—but what about when it’s hard? In this episode, we explore how to practice honest gratitude even in seasons of struggle, disappointment, or unmet expectations. From grief and loss to conflict and emotional distance in marriage, we discuss ways couples can rebuild appreciation for each other, lean on God in difficult times, and use gratitude as a tool for hope, healing, and unity. Be encouraged to find thankfulness rooted in faith, not just feelings, even when your heart is hurting. Main Takeaways: Gratitude is challenging in...
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Spiritual Warfare in the Calm: Staying Alert in the Good Seasons of Marriage Ep. 704
Awesome Marriage Podcast
When life feels peaceful and marriage is running smoothly, it’s easy to let your guard down—but what if those “good seasons” are actually when spiritual warfare works most subtly? In this episode, Dr. Kim and Mrs. Nancy talk about how the enemy can creep in through comfort and complacency, why couples should stay spiritually alert even when things feel calm, and how to build rhythms that keep you rooted in God and each other. From prayer and gratitude practices to regular marriage check-ins, we’ll explore how to protect your marriage from drifting and use the good seasons as...
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Spiritual Warfare in the Calm: Staying Alert in the Good Seasons of Marriage Ep. 704
Awesome Marriage Podcast
When life feels peaceful and marriage is running smoothly, it’s easy to let your guard down—but what if those “good seasons” are actually when spiritual warfare works most subtly? In this episode, Dr. Kim and Mrs. Nancy talk about how the enemy can creep in through comfort and complacency, why couples should stay spiritually alert even when things feel calm, and how to build rhythms that keep you rooted in God and each other. From prayer and gratitude practices to regular marriage check-ins, we’ll explore how to protect your marriage from drifting and use the good seasons as...
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Gradually, Then Suddenly with Mark Batterson Ep. 703
Awesome Marriage Podcast
What if the biggest breakthroughs in your life and marriage don’t happen overnight—but gradually, then suddenly? In this episode, we sit down with bestselling author and pastor Mark Batterson to talk about his new book Gradually, Then Suddenly and how God’s long-game approach shapes everything from our dreams to our relationships. Mark unpacks what it means to play the long game in faith, how to take every thought captive to Christ, and why success—whether in ministry or marriage—always grows at the “speed of a seed.” We’ll also explore how small, intentional choices today can...
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5 Things That Aren't Really Communication Ep. 702
Awesome Marriage Podcast
We all know communication is key to a healthy marriage—but what if what you think is communication… really isn’t? In this solo episode, Dr. Kim unpacks five common habits couples mistake for communication and how these patterns can quietly erode connection over time. Learn how to create safety in your conversations, break unhealthy rhythms from your past, and build new habits that foster real understanding. Because clarity is kind, connection takes intention, and communication is about more than just words—it’s about being truly heard. Episode Highlights: Communication is the...
info_outlineIt's week two of Wider Lens. This week, Jonathon shares his story of recognizing his addiction, confronting the root causes beneath it, and finding freedom through Christ. From misordered priorities to the hidden struggles many Christians face, this conversation explores recovery, sanctification, and the hope that healing is possible. We are praying that this episode encourages you to reflect, reprioritize and hold tightly to the hope of Jesus!
Episode Highlights:
Understanding addiction as a spectrum allows for earlier intervention and support.
Acknowledging one's addiction is the first step towards healing and transformation.
True recovery requires deep honesty and accountability beyond surface-level admissions.
Embracing those with messy sanctification stories fosters healing and growth.
Identifying and correcting disordered priorities is crucial for recovery.
Quotes from Today’s Episode:
Part of what kept me in a disordered relationship with alcohol is what the devil uses “I don’t look or act like what I think an alcoholic looks like.” - J. Seidl
Radical vulnerability, when you start practicing it, it's contagious and the devil hates it. -J. Seidl
Anything that is misordered is disordered.-J. Seidl
The mommy wine juice culture, mommy needs this to be mommy, right? It's become accepted.-J. Seidl
I finally was able to stop drinking when I stopped trying to stop drinking. When I shot for Jesus, I got sobriety thrown in.-J. Seidl
If you don’t get to the root of those, it’s just going to be something else. -J. Seidl
Jesus is always going to meet us there. He's not going to let us down.- Dr. Kim
I was ultimately addicted to escapism. -J. Seidl
The muscle memory was forged and formed at a very young age. -J. Seidl
A Wider Lens: Questions for Self Reflection
What habits or priorities in my life might be “good things” that I’ve elevated above God, and how are they shaping my heart?
Where might I be numbing pain or avoiding deeper heart work instead of bringing it honestly before the Lord?
What step of accountability, surrender, or fellowship could I take this week to move closer to freedom and wholeness in Christ?
Mentioned in this Episode:
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Find Jonathon on Instagram
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Check out his other books.
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