What does true freedom look like?

At age 15, Warner Batty was sentenced to life without parole for taking a life. Fifty years later, he walked out of a Pennsylvania prison—free not just in body, but in spirit.

In this raw and redemptive conversation, Steve sits down with Warner to talk about his journey from hopelessness and self-hatred to forgiveness and freedom in Christ. Hear how one man—“the hound from heaven”—persisted in sharing Jesus behind bars until the Holy Spirit broke through.

Warner shares the pivotal moment of his salvation, his decades-long walk with Christ while incarcerated, and his eventual release under the Miller v. Alabama Supreme Court ruling. This episode is a powerful reminder that no one is beyond redemption, and that freedom begins within.

Topics include:

Growing up in poverty and racism in the 1960s

Life without parole as a 15-year-old

A divine encounter with “the hound from heaven”

Meeting the family of his victim to offer forgiveness

Revival and ministry behind prison walls

Finding peace and purpose after 50 years

“Without Jesus Christ, you are missing something. Without Him, you are lost.” – Warner Batty

Chapters:

00:00 – Warner’s Early Life & Identity Struggles

02:16 – Introduction to Warner’s Story

04:01 – Who Warner Is Today

05:49 – Life Before the Crime

09:46 – The Crime & Life Sentence at 15

13:51 – The “Hound From Heaven” Appears

18:26 – The Holy Spirit Begins to Move

22:56 – Warner Surrenders to Christ

27:35 – A New Fire for the Gospel

30:20 – Growing, Maturing & Learning Love

39:13 – Reconciliation With His Mother

41:07 – Meeting the Victim’s Family

44:38 – Wrestling With Justice & Mercy

46:47 – Supreme Court Cases That Changed His Fate

53:22 – Release After 50 Years

54:04 – Experiencing Freedom on the Outside

56:34 – God’s Perfect Timing

59:19 – Trauma, Accountability & Healing

1:04:45 – Warner’s Powerful Closing Prayer

What happens when a pastor’s life falls apart—and God writes a better story?

In this raw and redemptive conversation, Steve sits down with Greg Lindsey, author of The Rest of Your Story: The Path to the Christian Life You Want, to talk about failure, forgiveness, and the long road to freedom. Greg shares openly about the affair that nearly ended his marriage and ministry—and how Jesus met him in the rubble to begin a rescue that changed everything.

Together, Steve and Greg unpack what it means to live from your story instead of running from it: how God redeems even our deepest failures, why the Church must learn to restore the fallen, and why intimacy with Jesus—not performance—is the true measure of success.

🔹 Facing your past without fear

🔹 How the Church can become a “MAS*H unit” for the wounded

🔹 The danger of identity rooted in performance

🔹 Experiencing—not just knowing—Jesus daily

🔹 Why your story isn’t over because your Author isn’t finished

Greg’s honesty will challenge and comfort you—and remind you that no matter where you’ve been, there’s more to the story God is writing.

🎧 Listen, share, and subscribe for more conversations on healing, identity, and transformation in Christ.

Guest: Greg Lindsey — Pastor, Discovery Church Colorado Springs | Author, The Rest of Your Story

https://a.co/d/aF0j7N0

Resources: https://www.glindsey.com/

Chapters

00:00 Embracing Brokenness: A Personal Journey

09:53 The Role of Story and Rescue in Healing

19:42 The Impact of Authenticity in Ministry

29:54 Finding Validation and Identity in Christ

31:53 Experiencing Jesus: Beyond Salvation

35:23 The Journey of Intimacy with God

39:01 Resilience and Perseverance in Faith

44:05 Your Story Isn't Over: Embracing Hope

51:32 The Impact of Obedience: A Call to Action

Steve and Colleen talk with Tom and Karen Friedrichs of Broom Tree Landing, a ministry that offers no-cost retreat, coaching, and spiritual direction to pastors and ministry leaders who are tired, hurting, or on the edge of burnout. They share their own story of pastoral exhaustion, how God accelerated their “retirement dream” into a right now calling, and several powerful provision stories — including God funding someone’s retreat from another country.

You’ll hear:

• Why healthy churches need healthy leaders

• Signs of burnout pastors often ignore

• Why availability is the real ministry

• How God provides when you finally say “yes”

Connect with Broom Tree Landing: https://www.broomtreelanding.org/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

06:58 The Importance of Healthy Ministries

13:52 Personal Journeys and Call to Ministry

20:56 Provision and Trust in God

27:37 Creating a Safe Space for Leaders

29:19 Understanding Burnout in Ministry

33:43 The Importance of Rest and Retreat

38:33 Provision Stories: Miracles in Ministry

43:23 The Power of Availability and Presence

48:07 Encouragement for Those Struggling

51:17 Establishing Healthy Rhythms in Life

Steve sits down with author and leadership coach Preston Poore to discuss his new book How Is Greater Than What. Together they unpack the overlooked “how” of leadership—why character, integrity, and faith matter more than performance.

Hear Preston’s vulnerable stories from his years at Coca-Cola, how he learned to lead with heart, and why our identity in Christ defines every “how” in life and leadership.

🎧 Listen. Reflect. Lead differently.

Chapters

00:00 The Fundamentals of Identity and Purpose

03:06 Exploring Leadership and Character

05:59 The Importance of Integrity in Leadership

09:09 Understanding the 'How' in Leadership

11:53 The Role of Dignity and Respect in Leadership

14:57 Transformational Leadership Through Relationships

24:54 The Turning Point in Leadership

30:44 Identifying Leadership Traps

33:00 The Journey of Personal Development

39:22 Encouragement for Young Leaders

42:31 Faith and Leadership: The Power of Love

“Helper” in Genesis 2:18 isn’t a downgrade—it’s ezer kenegdo: a powerful ally corresponding to. Steve & Colleen explore God’s original design, how sin distorted it, and how Jesus restores mutuality (Gal 3:28). Practical for marriage, ministry, friendships, and singles—plus a Zechariah 2:5 prayer of protection and presence.

Here's the link to prayer of protection: https://embracingbrokenness.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/A-Wall-of-Fire-Around-Us-Crafted-Prayer-Zechariah-2-5.pdf

Chapters

0:00 – Opening: generational context & show intro

1:42 – Welcome back; why Genesis; episode title set-up

3:52 – Prayer of protection (Zechariah 2:5)

5:19 – Why pray aloud; prison context; PDF mention

7:26 – Genesis 2:18 read; intro to ezer kenegdo

9:45 – “Helper” and identity: Colleen’s story

12:03 – God as ezer (rescuer/ally)

13:07 – Psalm 33:20 (ESV) — “he is our help and our shield”

14:30 – Kenegdo = corresponding/face-to-face; headship/submission clarified

15:17 – Misuse of “submission”; weight of responsibility on the head

17:11 – The Fall’s fracture (Genesis 3:16)

18:44 – Consequences vs “curse” explained

22:28 – Passivity & cultural misuse (lighthearted “15:1 words” moment)

23:55 – Missing female leadership; global harms (trafficking/war)

28:13 – Restoration in Christ (Galatians 3:28)

30:13 – Jesus’ model: children, Samaritan woman, bleeding woman; Deborah

34:45 – Personal stories: upbringing & marriage dynamics

36:38 – Complementary gifts in ministry (“professor” bit)

38:38 – Serving posture & witness; mission snapshots

42:35 – Partnership anecdotes & outside observations

44:53 – For singles & spiritual companionship (Ecclesiastes 4:9–10)

46:53 – Abiding in Christ & finding community

47:29 – “Tapestry” metaphor & New Jerusalem vision

51:16 – Closing reflections

51:36 – Outro / blessings

Many of us were taught a gospel that’s true—but incomplete. It became a “ticket to heaven,” divorced from daily life, intimacy, and our purpose in God’s larger story. In this candid conversation, Steve and Colleen unpack how post-Enlightenment thinking, cultural striving, and a transactional faith left them exhausted and spiritually dry—and how Jesus invited them into union, abiding, and the wholeness of Shalom (“nothing missing, nothing broken”).

They trace the story from Genesis 1:26–28 (the cultural mandate) to John 14:6, John 5:19, John 17:20–21, and John 10:10, showing how the “whole gospel” restores us to partnership with God—now. Expect practical honesty (including Colleen’s “contract with God” moment and Steve’s Monday-through-Friday faith challenge), a re-centering on intimacy over information, and a hopeful vision of life with God that integrates heaven and earth.

Chapters

00:00 The Desire for Intimacy with God

02:53 The Incomplete Gospel and Its Impact

05:44 Understanding God: Beyond Knowledge

09:00 The Journey of Faith and Relationship

12:09 The Transactional Nature of Christianity

14:59 The Call for Intimacy and Union with God

17:57 The Cultural Mandate and the Complete Gospel

20:41 The Vision of Restoration and Purpose

23:54 Living the Abundant Life in Christ

What if your struggles aren’t just problems to manage—but invitations from God to heal?

In this episode of the Embracing Brokenness Podcast, Steve and Colleen dive deep into the difference between sin management and true spiritual healing. Through honest stories—including a boat named Revelation that literally went down in flames—they reveal how wounds, lies, and false identities shape our lives.

Too often, we silence the “smoke alarm” of sin without dealing with the fire beneath it. Addiction, workaholism, or even seemingly harmless obsessions are symptoms of unhealed wounds. Real transformation comes not from filters, checklists, or self-help, but from surrender—allowing Jesus to meet us in our stories and replace the lies we believe with His truth.

This conversation will challenge you to go beyond surface fixes and embrace the deeper healing God longs to bring.

👉 Explore more resources, videos, and the Tree of Brokenness model at https://embracingbrokenness.org/

Here's a link to the Tree of Brokenness artwork. https://embracingbrokenness.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/8.5x11-Brokenness-TEXT-scaled.jpg

Chapters

00:00 The Revelation of Brokenness

03:07 Understanding Healing and Trauma

05:51 The False Self and Addiction

09:01 Sin Management vs. True Healing

12:06 The Role of Accountability in Healing

15:01 Exploring Core Longings and Identity

18:01 The Tree of Brokenness

20:52 The Journey of Spiritual Formation

23:47 The Process of Reformation

27:00 Conclusion and Resources

So many of us spend our lives hiding our brokenness—pretending everything’s fine while we carry deep wounds that keep us from true freedom. In this honest conversation, Steve and Colleen share their personal journeys of pain, healing, and restoration. They tackle why most people resist admitting they’re broken, what happens if we ignore it, and how Jesus transforms our deepest wounds into places of life and freedom.

From coffee-spilled meltdowns to the image of a Lamborghini built to reflect glory, they unpack what it really means to embrace your brokenness—and why it’s the essential first step toward living the abundant life God intended.

If you’ve ever wrestled with shame, performance, or simply the ache of “not enough,” this episode will remind you: your brokenness isn’t the end of your story—it’s the place where God begins His healing work.

Link to Upcoming Book: Embracing the Way

https://www.embracingtheway.com/

Chapters

00:00 The Coffee Incident: A Lesson in Healing

02:52 Embracing Brokenness: The Journey Begins

05:44 Understanding Brokenness: A Purposeful Perspective

08:57 The Process of Healing: A Personal Journey

11:42 Marriage and Brokenness: Recognizing Triggers

14:49 The Impact of Past Relationships on Healing

17:47 The Role of Vulnerability in Healing

21:00 Authenticity vs. Performance: The Struggle

23:47 The Consequences of Ignoring Brokenness

26:42 The Importance of Connection: Staying Rooted

29:46 The Journey of Restoration: Embracing the Process

32:42 The Call to Action: Living Authentically

35:44 Final Thoughts: The Beauty of Brokenness

A dark battlefield. Countless dead. One man runs tirelessly, reviving the fallen. The rescued learn to revive others. Hope spreads. But then, someone builds a shelter. Others join. Before long, a castle stands where the battle once raged. From its balcony, people laugh, feast, and celebrate… blind to the dying just beyond the walls.

In this robust conversation, Colleen shares a vivid vision that the Lord impressed on her heart—an image for the Church to ponder today. Steve and Michael join her to unpack what it means for discipleship, spiritual formation, and our tendency to trade mission for comfort.

We’ll explore:

Why revival must lead to discipleship, not complacency

How “castles” in our lives pull us away from God’s call

Warning signs that we’ve drifted from the battlefield

The difference between cultural Christianity and kingdom living

How to return to our first love and re-engage in the mission of Jesus

Whether you’re new to faith or decades in, this episode will challenge you to examine your heart, your focus, and your calling.

📖 Revelation 3:17 – “You do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.”

🎧Ask yourself: Where have I left the battlefield?

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction: Castles on the Battlefield

03:30 - Personal Reflections and Summer Highlights

07:45 - Vision of the Battlefield

12:45 - The Call to Revive Others 17:30 - Building Castles of Comfort

22:15 - Spiritual Complacency and Comfort

27:00 - Importance of Discipleship

32:40 - Reflections on the American Church

37:55 - Returning to Our First Love

43:20 - Practical Steps for Spiritual Alignment

48:45 - The Role of Community and Accountability

54:10 - Overcoming Distractions in Faith

59:35 - Closing Thoughts and Call to Action

1:05:00 - Final Reflections and Farewell

What do you do when evil shows up—and no one’s talking about it?

In this honest and Spirit-led debrief, Steve and Colleen Adams reflect on their unforgettable interview with former FBI agent Scott Payne. From neo-Nazi cult rituals to the chilling refusal of a Bible to burn in a satanic bonfire, Scott’s story exposed real spiritual darkness. But it also revealed something else—how far the Church has drifted from affirming biblical masculinity and spiritual authority.

Colleen shares how the Holy Spirit prompted her to speak boldly, challenging a culture that vilifies strength and a Church that’s gone silent.

🎙️ What is true manhood in the face of real evil?

🛡️ What’s the role of the Church in this cultural moment?

🔥 And how do we reclaim truth, identity, and God’s heart for justice?

This debrief is more than a conversation. It’s a wake-up call.

📍Listen to the full interview with Scott Payne in Parts 1 & 2

🌐 More on identity, healing & wholeness: https://embracingbrokenness.org/

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction and Welcome

3:00 Guest Introduction: Scott Payne

8:00 Spiritual Warfare and Identity

15:00 Scott Payne's Undercover Experiences

25:00 Faith and Resilience

35:00 The Role of Prayer

45:00 Reflections on Masculinity and Society

52:00 Redemption and Transformation

56:00 Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up