Embracing Brokenness

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 anc...

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 networ...

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 fami...

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,...

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...

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 harde...

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 gl...

🔥 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 behin...

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...

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...

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 underl...

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 cul...

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 th...

In this episode of the Embracing Brokenness podcast, Steve, Colleen, and Michael explore the topic of desire and its connection to the heart. They discuss how societal messages shape our understanding of desire, often leading to misalignment with God’s intentions. The conversation highlights discerning true desires, understanding disordered love, and recognizing how our longings point to our etern...

In this episode of the Embracing Brokenness podcast, hosts Steve and Michael explore the biblical concept of 'minding your own business' as they delve into 1 Thessalonians 4. They discuss the importance of leading a quiet life amidst chaos, managing life a bit like a corporation, and the significance of stewardship and balance in various life areas. The conversation emphasizes God's creative autho...

In this episode of our podcast Steve and Colleen explore the themes of safety, trust, and the importance of surrounding oneself with safe people. They delve into childhood experiences that shape our understanding of safety, the significance of having trustworthy counselors, and the impact of family dynamics on our ability to trust others. The metaphor of a 'glass ball' is introduced to illustrate...

In this episode of the Embracing Brokenness podcast, host Steve Adams engages in a profound conversation with Chip Skowron, a former Hedge Fund Manager indicted for insider trading, who shares his transformative journey from a life of self-serving behaviors and material success to one of redemption and purpose. Chip discusses his early traumas, the impact of his career changes, and his commitment...

In this episode of the Embracing Brokenness podcast, hosts Steve and Colleen Adams explore the themes surrounding the Tower of Babel, the spiritual forces at play, and the implications of a biblical worldview in today's society. They discuss the cultural mandate given by God, the nature of evil as represented by the Nephilim, and the modern parallels to the Tower of Babel in the context of globali...

In this episode of the Embracing Brokenness podcast, host Colleen Adams explores the current state of Christianity in America and discusses the alarming statistics surrounding biblical worldviews. She delves into the historical context of the Enlightenment and its impact on faith, the importance of understanding the spiritual realm, and the dangers of syncretism in modern Christianity. The convers...

Defining a Biblical Worldview in a Post-Christian Culture. In this episode of the Embracing Brokenness podcast, hosts Steve and Colleen Adams dive deep into the concept of a biblical worldview, exploring its importance and implications in a modern, post-Christian American society. They discuss how only a small percentage of self-identified Christians in the U.S. hold a biblical worldview, accordin...

Todd Pierce, a former bareback rider, shares his story and the impact of his ministry, Riding High, which uses horses to convey the message of the Kingdom of Jesus. The conversation covers Todd's rodeo career, his passion for horses, and the transformative power of encountering God. The video clip from his presentation at Flatirons Community Church is highlighted, showcasing the profound impac...

Mark Whitacre is the highest-level executive to ever turn whistleblower in U.S. history. His undercover work with the FBI during the ADM scandal inspired the major motion picture, "The Informant," starring Matt Damon as Mark Whitacre. And was the inspiration for the Discovery Channel Documentary, titled "Undercover" which is linked below. In this podcast, Mark recounts his earl...

In this episode of the Embracing Brokenness podcast, hosts Colleen Adams and Michael Kurtz delve into spiritual warfare, emphasizing that it revolves around standing on God's truth. They highlight the importance of abiding in Christ, understanding scripture, and maintaining one's position in God's truth to fend off deception from the enemy. The discussion touches on the misconceptions...

What does it mean to abide in Christ? That's not a term we use often, but it is one you'll find in the Bible to describe our life in Christ. Why abide? How should we abide? There's a way things work. We bear the fruit of the Spirit only through abiding in Christ. (John 15:5) On today's podcast, our team takes a deep dive into why and how to abide in Jesus as that plays out in the c...