Labels like “alcoholic,” “sober,” and “recovery” can feel loaded. Defining the real goal could be the missing piece for so many Christian men and women who feel stuck in the alcohol loop… This is not ultimately about sobriety. It’s about Jesus.

In this episode, Christy sits down with Jon Seidl, author of Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic, to unpack why breaking free from alcohol isn’t ultimately about sobriety, it’s about Jesus, identity, and true transformation.

This is what happens when the focus shifts from behavior to belief… from white-knuckling to abiding.

Jon shares his honest story, including the moment that exposed what was really going on beneath the surface, and the words from his wife that changed everything. Together, he and Christy challenge the language, labels, and assumptions many Christians carry around drinking, recovery, and what it actually means to live free.

This episode is honest, stretching, and deeply freeing for the woman who feels stuck trying to “fix” herself instead of surrendering.

If you’ve ever thought…
“I’m trying so hard, why won’t God just take this away?”
“I don’t want to admit I’m struggling… I’m a Christian.”
“I feel stuck between faith and my habits.”

Babe, this episode will meet you right there 🩷

What You’ll Learn In This Episode

• Why Jon uses the word “alcoholic” as a descriptor—not an identity

• The difference between focusing on sobriety vs focusing on Jesus

• How Scripture models honesty about the past without shame-based identity

• Why ignoring conviction keeps you stuck (and what to do instead)

• Why life without alcohol can feel harder—but still be better

• What’s actually on the other side of obedience: peace, joy, and freedom

Links & Resources

Get your tickets to hear Jon and Christy speak at Aligned:
https://www.alignedconference.org/

Jon’s Book: Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic
https://amzn.to/4blxaFy

Veritas Recovery:
https://veritasrecovery.org

🌿 Join the Love Life Sober Community
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/community

📖 Order Christy’s book, Love Life Sober
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/book

Connect on Instagram: @lovelifesoberwithchristy
Subscribe on YouTube — Come hang with us!

Disclaimer

The creators, hosts, and producers of the Love Life Sober podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological, or professional advice nor intend for the podcast or any Love Life Sober communication to substitute for such. Views and opinions expressed in any referenced or linked resources do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team or guests.

Labels like &ldquo;alcoholic,&rdquo; &ldquo;sober,&rdquo; and &ldquo;recovery&rdquo; can feel loaded. Defining the real goal could be the missing piece for so many Christian men and women who feel stuck in the alcohol loop&hellip;&nbsp;This is not ultimately about sobriety. It&rsquo;s about Jesus.
In this episode, Christy sits down with Jon Seidl, author of&nbsp;Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic, to unpack why breaking free from alcohol isn&rsquo;t ultimately about sobriety, it&rsquo;s about Jesus, identity, and true transformation.
This is what happens when the focus shifts from behavior to belief&hellip; from white-knuckling to abiding.
Jon shares his honest story, including the moment that exposed what was really going on beneath the surface, and the words from his wife that changed everything. Together, he and Christy challenge the language, labels, and assumptions many Christians carry around drinking, recovery, and what it actually means to live free.
This episode is honest, stretching, and deeply freeing for the woman who feels stuck trying to &ldquo;fix&rdquo; herself instead of surrendering.
If you&rsquo;ve ever thought&hellip; &ldquo;I&rsquo;m trying so hard, why won&rsquo;t God just take this away?&rdquo; &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t want to admit I&rsquo;m struggling&hellip; I&rsquo;m a Christian.&rdquo; &ldquo;I feel stuck between faith and my habits.&rdquo;
Babe, this episode will meet you right there 🩷
<hr data-start="1858" data-end="1861">
What You&rsquo;ll Learn In This Episode
&bull; Why Jon uses the word &ldquo;alcoholic&rdquo; as a descriptor&mdash;not an identity
&bull;&nbsp;The difference between focusing on sobriety vs focusing on Jesus
&bull; How Scripture models honesty about the past without shame-based identity
&bull; Why ignoring conviction keeps you stuck (and what to do instead)
&bull; Why life without alcohol can feel harder&mdash;but still be better
&bull; What&rsquo;s actually on the other side of obedience: peace, joy, and freedom
<hr data-start="2335" data-end="2338">
Links &amp; Resources
Get your tickets to hear Jon and Christy speak at Aligned: <a href="https://www.alignedconference.org/" data-start="2430" data-end="2464">https://www.alignedconference.org/</a>
Jon&rsquo;s Book: Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic <a href="https://amzn.to/4blxaFy" data-start="2519" data-end="2542">https://amzn.to/4blxaFy</a>
Veritas Recovery: <a href="https://veritasrecovery.org" data-start="2566" data-end="2593">https://veritasrecovery.org</a>
🌿 Join the Love Life Sober Community <a href="https://lovelifesober.co.uk/community" data-start="2637" data-end="2674">https://lovelifesober.co.uk/community</a>
📖 Order Christy&rsquo;s book, Love Life Sober <a href="https://lovelifesober.co.uk/book" data-start="2723" data-end="2755">https://lovelifesober.co.uk/book</a>
Connect on Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lovelifesoberwithchristy/">@lovelifesoberwithchristy</a> <a href="https://music.youtube.com/channel/UCTQIHP9dMuFr9N_bJjtBWKQ">Subscribe on YouTube</a> &mdash; Come hang with us!
<hr data-start="2865" data-end="2868">
Disclaimer
The creators, hosts, and producers of the Love Life Sober podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological, or professional advice nor intend for the podcast or any Love Life Sober communication to substitute for such. Views and opinions expressed in any referenced or linked resources do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team or guests.

Love Life Sober is a Christian podcast for women questioning their relationship with alcohol and sensing God might have more for them beyond the wine glass.

Have you felt that nudge from God to put down the wine glass, but the thought of relaxing, having fun, or even coping with life feels impossible without it? Are you waking up each morning vowing not to drink tonight, only to find that by five p.m., all bets are off?

Love Life Sober is for sober and sober-curious women who love Jesus, or who are longing to reconnect with Him, and who know deep down that alcohol is no longer serving them.

Hosted by Christian sobriety coach and author Christy Osborne, author of Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind, this podcast blends Scripture, neuroscience, and practical coaching to help you understand what’s happening in your brain, your nervous system, and your heart, and how lasting freedom from alcohol is actually possible.

You’ll hear expert conversations and powerful testimonies for women exploring Christian sobriety, faith-based recovery, mindful drinking, and alcohol-free living. Each episode gently invites you to step away from wine and toward deeper connection with God, without shame, pressure, or the need to decide forever.

At the heart of Love Life Sober is a simple truth. Love, joy, peace, and connection were never meant to be found in a wine bottle. They are found in Jesus.

This is a grace-filled, shame-free space for women seeking freedom from alcohol through faith, neuroscience, and compassionate coaching. You don’t have to hit rock bottom. You don’t have to white-knuckle your way through sobriety. And you don’t have to do this alone.

If you’re ready to loosen alcohol’s grip and live the life God is inviting you into, you’re in the right place.
Welcome to Love Life Sober. Want more? Visit lovelifesober.com. 

Love Life Sober is a Christian podcast for women questioning their relationship with alcohol and sensing God might have more for them beyond the wine glass.
Have you felt that nudge from God to put down the wine glass, but the thought of relaxing, having fun, or even coping with life feels impossible without it? Are you waking up each morning vowing not to drink tonight, only to find that by five p.m., all bets are off?
Love Life Sober is for sober and sober-curious women who love Jesus, or who are longing to reconnect with Him, and who know deep down that alcohol is no longer serving them.
Hosted by Christian sobriety coach and author Christy Osborne, author of <a href="https://lovelifesober.co.uk/book">Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind</a>, this podcast blends Scripture, neuroscience, and practical coaching to help you understand what&rsquo;s happening in your brain, your nervous system, and your heart, and how lasting freedom from alcohol is actually possible.
You&rsquo;ll hear expert conversations and powerful testimonies for women exploring Christian sobriety, faith-based recovery, mindful drinking, and alcohol-free living. Each episode gently invites you to step away from wine and toward deeper connection with God, without shame, pressure, or the need to decide forever.
At the heart of Love Life Sober is a simple truth. Love, joy, peace, and connection were never meant to be found in a wine bottle. They are found in Jesus.
This is a grace-filled, shame-free space for women seeking freedom from alcohol through faith, neuroscience, and compassionate coaching. You don&rsquo;t have to hit rock bottom. You don&rsquo;t have to white-knuckle your way through sobriety. And you don&rsquo;t have to do this alone.
If you&rsquo;re ready to loosen alcohol&rsquo;s grip and live the life God is inviting you into, you&rsquo;re in the right place. Welcome to Love Life Sober. Want more? Visit <a href="https://lovelifesober.com/">lovelifesober.com</a>.&nbsp;

Love Life Sober is a Christian podcast for women questioning their relationship with alcohol and sensing God might have more for them beyond the wine glass.  Have you felt that nudge from God to put down the wine glass, but the thought of relaxing, having fun, or even coping with life feels impossible without it? Are you waking up each morning vowing not to drink tonight, only to find that by five p.m., all bets are off?  Love Life Sober is for sober and sober-curious women who love Jesus, or who are longing to reconnect with Him, and who know deep down that alcohol is no longer serving them.

Love Life Sober

Sobriety Isn’t the Goal: Jesus Is | Jon Seidl

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/06bb2e84-6590-491c-a2ea-b4380130ffb7/transcript