Episode Summary: 

Welcome to Your Hope-Filled Perspective with Dr. Michelle Bengtson for Part 2 of my conversation with Jonathan M. Seidl, author of Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic. If you missed Part 1, I encourage you to listen to that episode first, where Jon vulnerably shared how, as a Christian leader, he found himself entangled in the grip of alcoholism.

In today's episode, we pick up where we left off, diving deeper into Jon's road to recovery, what breaking free actually looked like, and how others can find lasting hope from their own battles with addiction, shame, and secrecy. Jon doesn't just tell a story of struggle. He gives us a roadmap for surrender, accountability, and freedom through Christ. Whether you're facing your own entanglement or walking alongside someone who is, this episode is packed with truth, grace, and the kind of hope that transforms lives.

If you or someone you love has ever struggled with hidden pain, addiction, or the pressure to keep up appearances, this conversation is for you. Jon's story is a testimony to the power of grace, truth, and the freedom found in Christ.

Quotables from the episode:
I’m the Christian that became an alcoholic, not the other way around.
The church is usually okay with and knows how to handle the other way around. The alcoholics who become Christians. But what do you do with the Christians who become alcoholics or the Christians who become adulterers, or the Christians who become addicts, the Christians who become bulimics… what do you do with those people?
Salvation is a lifeline, but sanctification is a lifetime process.
Healing is like an onion. God helps heal the outside layer and lets us live in that healing for a little bit. And then at a later time, it's time to peel back the next layer. And then it's time to peel back the next layer. God is gentle and gracious that way. Healing is for a lifetime.
I don't want you to just be sober. I want you to be here, especially if your drinking is so destructive, it's killing you. I want you to be here. So please get sober. But don't stop there. Because there's something better for you. There's something better waiting for you than just sobriety.
Healing starts with abiding in Christ. I think for a lot of my life having grown up in the church, it's like, you know, you get these kind of trite phrases and whatnot. And what I can tell you is that when I get to the end of my rope, you realize how precious Jesus is when he's all you have to cling on to. This is the only step that must be done first. But it has to start with step one: you have to spend time with Jesus.
The third step is radical vulnerability. That adjective there is really important. We're okay with talking about the vulnerability. I think it's become kind of in vogue lately. I'm talking about being radically vulnerable—a whole new level of vulnerability.
The four steps of healing include abiding with Christ, finding your true identity, practicing radical vulnerability, and being obedient to God.
I can tell you by following those four steps, I kicked alcohol, I found sobriety, but most importantly, I found more of Jesus, and I can't overstate what that has done in my life.

Recommended Resources: 


Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic: A Candid Conversation on Drinking, Addiction, and How to Break Free by Jonathon M. Seidl 


Finding Rest: A Survivor’s Guide to Navigating the Valleys of Anxiety, Faith, and Life by Jonathon Seidl and Kirk Cameron
Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson
The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson
Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson
Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson
Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide
Free PDF Resource: How to Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win
Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson
Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson
Free Webinar: Help for When You’re Feeling Blue

 

Social Media Links for Host and Guest:

Connect with Jon Seidl:

Website / Instagram / Facebook / X

Connect with Dr. Bengtson:

Order Book Sacred Scars / Order Book The Hem of His Garment / Order Book Today is Going to be a Good Day / Order Book  Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails  /  Website  /   Blog  /  Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson)  /  LinkedIn  /  Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube / Podcast on Apple

Guest:

Jonathon M. Seidl has been telling stories his whole life. In fact, he’s written over 10,000 of them, first after helping start a successful news website and then as the editor in chief of the popular nonprofit I Am Second. He’s the author of the new book Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic, a radically vulnerable story of being the Christian who became an alcoholic and his climb out of addiction and how others can break free from life’s entanglements. He currently runs the popular daily devotional website The Veritas Daily (theveritasdaily.com), where he writes on faith, culture, and addiction while also completing his master’s in theological studies from Southwestern Seminary.  Originally from Wisconsin, he lives in Frisco, Texas, with his wife, Brett, and their children, Annie and Jack.

 

Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson

Audio Technical Support: Ashton Bengtson

Episode Summary: 
Welcome to Your Hope-Filled Perspective with Dr. Michelle Bengtson for Part 2 of my conversation with Jonathan M. Seidl, author of Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic.&nbsp;If you missed Part 1, I encourage you to listen to that episode first, where Jon vulnerably shared how, as a Christian leader, he found himself entangled in the grip of alcoholism.
In today's episode, we pick up where we left off, diving deeper into Jon's road to recovery, what breaking free actually looked like, and how others can find lasting hope from their own battles with addiction, shame, and secrecy. Jon doesn't just tell a story of struggle. He gives us a roadmap for surrender, accountability, and freedom through Christ. Whether you're facing your own entanglement or walking alongside someone who is, this episode is packed with truth, grace, and the kind of hope that transforms lives.
If you or someone you love has ever struggled with hidden pain, addiction, or the pressure to keep up appearances, this conversation is for you. Jon's story is a testimony to the power of grace, truth, and the freedom found in Christ.
Quotables from the episode:
<ul>
<li>I&rsquo;m the Christian that became an alcoholic, not the other way around.</li>
<li>The church is usually okay with and knows how to handle the other way around. The alcoholics who become Christians. But what do you do with the Christians who become alcoholics or the Christians who become adulterers, or the Christians who become addicts, the Christians who become bulimics&hellip; what do you do with those people?</li>
<li>Salvation is a lifeline, but sanctification is a lifetime process.</li>
<li>Healing is like an onion. God helps heal the outside layer and lets us live in that healing for a little bit. And then at a later time, it's time to peel back the next layer. And then it's time to peel back the next layer. God is gentle and gracious that way. Healing is for a lifetime.</li>
<li>I don't want you to just be sober. I want you to be here, especially if your drinking is so destructive, it's killing you. I want you to be here. So please get sober. But don't stop there. Because there's something better for you. There's something better waiting for you than just sobriety.</li>
<li>Healing starts with abiding in Christ. I think for a lot of my life having grown up in the church, it's like, you know, you get these kind of trite phrases and whatnot. And what I can tell you is that when I get to the end of my rope, you realize how precious Jesus is when he's all you have to cling on to. This is the only step that must be done first. But it has to start with step one: you have to spend time with Jesus.</li>
<li>The third step is radical vulnerability. That adjective there is really important. We're okay with talking about the vulnerability. I think it's become kind of in vogue lately. I'm talking about being radically vulnerable&mdash;a whole new level of vulnerability.</li>
<li>The four steps of healing include abiding with Christ, finding your true identity, practicing radical vulnerability, and being obedient to God.</li>
<li>I can tell you by following those four steps, I kicked alcohol, I found sobriety, but most importantly, I found more of Jesus, and I can't overstate what that has done in my life.</li>
</ul>
Recommended Resources: 
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://amzn.to/3TpKH81">Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic: A Candid Conversation on Drinking, Addiction, and How to Break Free</a> by Jonathon M. Seidl&nbsp;
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://amzn.to/4aJPGXj">Finding Rest: A Survivor&rsquo;s Guide to Navigating the Valleys of Anxiety, Faith, and Life</a> by Jonathon Seidl and Kirk Cameron
</li>
<li><a href="https://amzn.to/3OpAZgQ">Sacred Scars: Resting in God&rsquo;s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted</a>&nbsp;by Dr. Michelle Bengtson</li>
<li><a href="https://amzn.to/3sCoqqm">The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms</a> by Dr. Michelle Bengtson</li>
<li><a href="https://amzn.to/3twWnXp">Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right</a> by Dr. Michelle Bengtson</li>
<li><a href="https://amzn.to/2ZSTP4N">Breaking Anxiety&rsquo;s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises</a>&nbsp;by Dr. Michelle Bengtson</li>
<li><a href="https://drmichellebengtson.com/breaking-anxietys-grip-study-guide/">Breaking Anxiety&rsquo;s Grip Free Study Guide</a></li>
<li>Free PDF Resource: <a href="https://drmichellebengtson.com/fight-anxious-fearful-thoughts-download/">How to Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win</a></li>
<li><a href="https://amzn.to/2zB0e7J">Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor&rsquo;s Personal Journey Through Depression</a> by Dr. Michelle Bengtson</li>
<li><a href="https://amzn.to/2yMdN46">Hope Prevails Bible Study</a> by Dr. Michelle Bengtson</li>
<li>Free Webinar: <a href="https://drmichellebengtson.com/10-tips-to-beat-the-blues-webinar-replay-sign-up/">Help for When You&rsquo;re Feeling Blue</a></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Social Media Links for Host and Guest:
Connect with Jon Seidl:<a href="https://x.com/jotishb"></a>
<a href="https://www.jonseidl.com/">Website</a> / <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jonseidl">Instagram</a> / <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jonathonmseidl">Facebook</a> / <a href="https://x.com/jonseidl">X</a>
Connect with Dr. Bengtson:
Order Book <a href="https://amzn.to/3OpAZgQ">Sacred Scars</a> / Order Book <a href="https://amzn.to/3sCoqqm">The Hem of His Garment</a> / Order Book <a href="https://amzn.to/3twWnXp">Today is Going to be a Good Day</a> / Order Book &nbsp;<a href="https://amzn.to/2Vvipro">Breaking Anxiety&rsquo;s Grip</a>&nbsp;/ Order Book&nbsp;<a href="https://amzn.to/2Vus9SJ">Hope Prevails</a>&nbsp; / &nbsp;<a href="https://www.drmichellebengtson.com/">Website</a>&nbsp; / &nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://drmichellebengtson.com/category/blog/">Blog</a>&nbsp; /&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/DrMichelleBengtson">Facebook</a>&nbsp;/&nbsp;<a href="https://www.twitter.com/DrMBengtson">Twitter</a>&nbsp;(@DrMBengtson) &nbsp;/&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/DrMichelleBengtson">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;/&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/drmichellebengtson">Instagram</a>&nbsp;/&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/Drbhopeprevails">Pinterest</a>&nbsp;/&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn92DHzGSZk8psDb2FKazOQ">YouTube</a> / <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-hope-filled-perspective-dr-michelle-bengtson-podcast/id1468018011">Podcast on Apple</a>
Guest:
Jonathon M. Seidl has been telling stories his whole life. In fact, he&rsquo;s written over 10,000 of them, first after helping start a successful news website and then as the editor in chief of the popular nonprofit I Am Second. He&rsquo;s the author of the new book Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic, a radically vulnerable story of being the Christian who became an alcoholic and his climb out of addiction and how others can break free from life&rsquo;s entanglements. He currently runs the popular daily devotional website The Veritas Daily (theveritasdaily.com), where he writes on faith, culture, and addiction while also completing his master&rsquo;s in theological studies from Southwestern Seminary.&nbsp; Originally from Wisconsin, he lives in Frisco, Texas, with his wife, Brett, and their children, Annie and Jack.
&nbsp;
Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson
Audio Technical Support: Ashton Bengtson

Your Hope-Filled Perspective draws on Dr. Michelle Bengtson’s almost 3 decades of clinical expertise as a neuropsychologist to help her listeners regain hope, renew their minds, and transform their lives. With a perfect balance of clinical expertise, compassion, and vulnerability, Dr. Bengtson and her guests purpose to share Biblically-based hope-filled perspectives for real-life issues, struggles, and concerns. Voted #2 in 2022's Podcast Magazine's Top 50 Moms in Podcasting.

Your Hope-Filled Perspective with Dr. Michelle Bengtson podcast

Your Hope-Filled Perspective draws on Dr. Michelle Bengtson&rsquo;s almost 3 decades of clinical expertise as a neuropsychologist to help her listeners regain hope, renew their minds, and transform their lives. With a perfect balance of clinical expertise, compassion, and vulnerability, Dr. Bengtson and her guests purpose to share Biblically-based hope-filled perspectives for real-life issues, struggles, and concerns. Voted #2 in 2022's Podcast Magazine's Top 50 Moms in Podcasting.

Your Hope-Filled Perspective with Dr. Michelle Bengtson

How to Find Lasting Freedom from Addiction Through Christ

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/cf26b8f2-d719-4ed4-bbee-b489001937ac/transcript