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 reclaiming ancient practices to becoming “ordinary mystics,” John and Steve guide listeners into a deeper, more intimate daily encounter with Jesus. You’ll discover the path back to healing, peace, and joy—through union with Christ.

🎧 Topics covered:

Why you can’t focus in prayer (and it’s not your fault)

What it really means to be a disciple of the internet

How to become an “ordinary mystic” and live like David, Paul, and Mary Magdalene

Simple practices to experience Jesus daily

Healing through presence—not performance

📲 Mentioned Resources:

Experience Jesus—Really (book + study guide) https://a.co/d/64HLow3

Wild at Heart Ministries — https://wildatheart.org/

The Pause App – new “Experiencing Jesus” module https://wildatheart.org/apps/one-minute-pause/

When Laid to Rest (Wild at Heart Pause App Music)

By Patrick Rundblad

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 – You’ve Been Discipled by the Internet

01:17 – Welcome to the Embracing Brokenness Podcast

03:03 – Why We Pause: A Prayer for Presence

06:00 – How’s Your Heart? Life, Ministry & Sabbath Rhythms

10:01 – Discipled by the Internet (Expanded)

14:18 – What Is an Ordinary Mystic?

17:39 – Is God's Love Really Better Than Life?

20:27 – Trauma, Anxiety & the Healing Union

24:29 – Why the Goal Is Union, Not Performance

28:04 – Why Experiencing God Feels So Hard (And What to Do About It)

29:56 – Examples of Ordinary Mystics

36:17 – Dwelling Within: The Indwelling Christ

39:00 – Practicing Union: Sacred Daily Rhythms

43:03 – One Thing You Can Do Today

44:31 – What Writing This Book Changed for John

45:56 – Closing

Is your view of God shaped by truth—or trauma? In this episode, Steve & Colleen explore how our past experiences distort our understanding of God, and how neuroscience, spiritual warfare, and abiding in Christ reveal the God who is truly love.

If fear has shaped your faith, this is the episode for you.

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 ways.

From Fred Rogers’ Christlike presence to Fannie Lou Hamer’s fearless justice, Jordan shares untold stories that will leave you inspired, challenged, and maybe even in tears (in the best way).

You’ll hear:

✅ Why “secular” work is sacred

✅ How to eliminate hurry and live like Jesus

✅ What CS Lewis, a former atheist, teaches us about discipleship

✅ How your daily work—no matter what it is—matters for eternity

🔥 Plus: Get the scoop on a once-in-a-lifetime giveaway trip to England & Denmark—walk in the footsteps of Lewis and LEGO!

Don’t miss this episode if you’re ready to discover purpose in your 9-to-5, and see how your own brokenness is the starting point for something beautiful.

📘 Pre-order "5 Mere Christians" and enter the epic trip giveaway ➡️ https://www.jordanraynor.com/

🌐 Explore more at https://embracingbrokenness.org/

🔥 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 Kingdom way—a way of living that leads to freedom, peace, and purpose.

They dive deep into:

✅ Why polarization is destroying relationships—and what to do about it.

✅ The hidden cultural mandate that was given to humanity (but hijacked by the enemy).

✅ Four game-changing mindset shifts that will transform how you see identity, freedom, love, and success.

✅ How to break free from the world’s grip and start living by Kingdom principles TODAY.

Are you really living by Kingdom values—or have you unknowingly adopted the world’s mindset?

Watch or Listen now to find out! 🎙👇

Click Here for a 7-Day Devotional Relating to this Podcast:

https://embracingbrokenness.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Kingdom-vs-World-Rules-A-7-Day-Devotional.pdf

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’s truth is the key to freedom.
💡 Unmask the exhausting facade of confidence and step into authenticity and healing.
⚔️ Fight back against the enemy’s identity theft with faith, scripture, and the power of renewal.

Your identity was never meant to be dictated by the world. It’s time to reclaim who you truly are in Christ. 🎧✨ Listen now!

To go deeper with a 5-day devotional and/or an individual/group study guide, click the link to a free downloadable PDF. Free Devotional and Study Guide

Key Scriptures to Meditate On

• Genesis 1:27 – "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." (Your identity is rooted in God’s design.)

• John 1:12 – "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." (You are a child of God.)

• 2 Corinthians 5:17 – "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" (Your past does not define you.)

• Ephesians 2:10 – "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (You have purpose.)

• Galatians 2:20 – "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me." (Your identity is in Christ, not in your past or performance.)

• 1 Peter 2:9 – "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession." (You are chosen, holy, and deeply loved.)

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 just listen—experience the breakthrough. Watch now and take your next step toward true freedom in Christ.

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 drive these issues. In this conversation, the speakers explore the themes of contending for the faith, the struggle against societal decline, and the importance of understanding and resisting deceptive teachings within the church.

They discuss the implications of postmodernism on truth and morality, the distinction between condemnation and contention, and practical steps for individuals to deepen their faith and engage with others in meaningful discipleship.

The conversation emphasizes the need for a strong biblical foundation and community support in navigating contemporary challenges to the Christian faith.

Chapters00:00 Introduction and Ministry Update03:21 Staying True to the Gospel in a Deceptive World12:20 Contending for the Faith19:39 Identifying False Teachers27:20 The Heart of False Teachings and Rebellion28:57 The Struggle Against Flesh and Society's Decline31:08 Contending for the Faith: Definitions and Implications34:29 Condemnation vs. Contention: Understanding Our Role38:06 Navigating Postmodernism and Truth42:40 Identifying Deceptive Teachings in the Church51:13 Practical Steps for Contending in Our Lives

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 recognizing echoes of Eden in our lives, and the need to understand God's love and authority.

Steve and Colleen provide practical steps for listeners to cultivate a deeper relationship with God, emphasizing the promise of restoration and the hope of eternal communion with Him.