Out of Focus
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Out of Focus episodes

  • The Secret Battle That Almost Broke Him — and the Freedom Jesus Brought (Preston’s Story)

    In this powerful episode, host Shannon Stewart sits down with Preston to talk about the hidden battle he carried for years—a porn addiction that began at age 12 and spiraled into shame, fear, and hopelessness.

    Behind the smiles and the “happy, positive kid” image was a young man who felt trapped, exhausted, and convinced he would never be free. This honest conversation dives into the breaking point, the confession that changed everything, and the slow, beautiful process of healing that followed.

    We unpack:

    • How the addiction began and escalated

    • The lies shame whispered for years

    • The moment everything came into the light

    • Confessing to his parents and calling Pastor Mike

    • Joining Pure Desire and learning he wasn’t alone

    • Boundaries and practical tools that protect his freedom

    • Why he chose to be baptized again and what that meant

    If you’ve ever felt stuck, ashamed, or like you’ve disappointed God too many times, this episode will breathe hope into your heart.

    Encouragement:

    Freedom is possible. God isn’t finished with your story. Every step you take toward the light is a victory.

    Verse:

    “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” — Romans 8:1

    RESOURCES & LINKS:

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_shannon_stewart

    Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outoffocuspodcast

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonstewartmodel

    TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/shannon_stewart_

    🎙️ All platforms & freebies: https://linktr.ee/shannonstewart

    📩 Booking inquiries: [email protected]

    #OutOfFocusPodcast #ShannonStewart #ChristianPodcast #Testimony #Redemption #Grace #Faith

    47 min
  • The Chapters We Tried to Forget — Our Fall, Our Despair, and the Grace That Brought Us Back to Life

    There are chapters of life people try desperately to forget — seasons marked by shame, emotional collapse, and deep regret. But what if those very chapters are the ones God chooses to redeem?

    In this profoundly vulnerable episode, Shannon Stewart sits down with her husband, Mike, to share the story they once tried to bury — their fall, the depth of despair that followed, and the sacred journey that led them toward healing and restoration.

    With humility and courage, they open the door to their darkest season, including Mike’s battle with suicidal thoughts, isolation, and the overwhelming belief that he had destroyed everything he loved. Together, they honestly address spiritual drift, the pressure of leadership, the cost of hidden pain, true repentance, and the relentless grace of God that met them in the rubble.

    This is not a story of perfection — it is a testimony of redemption. A reminder that God does not waste broken places, and that even the most painful chapters can become holy when surrendered to Him.

    ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

    00:00 — The chapters they tried to forget

    02:22 — Leadership, pressure, and early years

    06:15 — The slow unraveling

    10:10 — Losing joy

    14:40 — The breaking point

    19:05 — Collapse and exposure

    23:55 — Public fallout

    27:40 — Isolation and shame

    32:10 — Words spoken in despair

    35:45 — Suicidal breaking point

    40:20 — Scripture in the darkness

    43:55 — True repentance

    48:30 — Rebuilding after the fall

    52:55 — Grace in the ashes

    57:10 — Hope for the hurting

    Scripture + Encouraging Close:

    “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” — Psalm 147:3

    If you feel defined by your failure, buried by shame, or convinced you’ve gone too far — let this be your reminder: grace still reaches you. The same God who restored what felt impossible in their story is still writing yours. You are seen. You are loved. And your story is not finished.

    RESOURCES & LINKS:

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_shannon_stewart

    Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outoffocuspodcast

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonstewartmodel

    TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/shannon_stewart_

    🎙️ All platforms & freebies: https://linktr.ee/shannonstewart

    📩 Booking inquiries: [email protected]

    #OutOfFocusPodcast #ShannonStewart #ChristianPodcast #Testimony #Redemption #Grace #Faith

    49 min
  • ANTM Alum Katie Cleary Breaks Her Silence After 10+ Years | A Story of Loss, Grief & Redemption

    Some stories take a decade to tell. This is one of them.

    On this episode of Out of Focus, host Shannon Stewart sits down with her America’s Next Top Model Season 1 castmate, Katie Cleary, for her first long-form conversation about the tragedy, grief, and redemption she walked through after the loss of both her husband and her first love — events that made headlines but never told the whole truth.

    After years of public scrutiny, heartbreak, and a darkness that nearly overtook her, Katie shares how God met her on the floor of her kitchen, lifted her out of despair, and rebuilt her life piece by piece. This is not a Hollywood story — it’s a Holy Spirit story.

    If you’ve ever felt broken beyond repair, overwhelmed by grief, or unsure if God still sees you… Katie’s testimony will remind you that there is no pit so deep that God’s love isn’t deeper still.

    They discuss:
    1. ANTM memories & early career
    2. The pressure of public scrutiny
    3. The tragic loss of her husband
    4. Losing her first love weeks later
    5. Hitting rock bottom
    6. Crying out to God in absolute desperation
    7. How Jesus rebuilt her life from the ground up
    8. Finding purpose, identity, and healing
    9. Faith after tragedy
    10. Hope for anyone walking through grief

    Timestamps

    00:00 — Welcome

    01:40 — ANTM memories & reconnecting after 20 years

    06:15 — Life in entertainment & early career

    12:40 — Marriage, private struggles & pressure

    18:22 — The tragedy that changed everything

    24:55 — Public scrutiny, rumors & media pain

    30:40 — Losing her first love

    35:18 — Hitting rock bottom

    39:02 — Crying out to God

    43:45 — A turning point in faith

    47:01 — Rebuilding life with Jesus

    52:14 — Purpose, healing & redemption

    55:30 — Encouragement for anyone hurting

    “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18

    This conversation will break your heart and heal it at the same time — because the God who met Katie in the ashes is the same God who meets us in ours.

    If someone you love is facing grief, tragedy, or a story too heavy to carry alone, share this with them. You never know what God might use to save a life.

    ***This episode includes sensitive topics, including suicide and grief.

    If you are struggling with thoughts of self-harm, please reach out to someone you trust or contact your local crisis hotline. You are not alone, and your life has immeasurable worth.

    RESOURCES & LINKS:

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_shannon_stewart

    Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outoffocuspodcast

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonstewartmodel

    TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/shannon_stewart_

    🎙️ All platforms & freebies: https://linktr.ee/shannonstewart

    📩 Booking inquiries: [email protected]

    #OutOfFocusPodcast #ShannonStewart #ChristianPodcast #Testimony #Redemption #Grace #Faith

    51 min
  • Before You Make a Resolution… Do This Instead

    Before you rush into another New Year’s resolution… pause.

    What if the goal for this year isn’t trying harder — but becoming more like Jesus?

    On this New Year’s Eve episode of Out of Focus, Shannon Stewart sits down with her husband, Mike, to talk about what actually leads to lasting change. They discuss why most resolutions don’t last, how spiritual growth happens over time, and what it looks like to enter a new year with open hands instead of control.

    They talk about:

    • becoming more like Jesus

    • trusting God when dreams die or take unexpected turns

    • staying open to the “new thing” God wants to do

    • finding joy that isn’t dependent on circumstances

    Scripture to carry into the new year:

    “He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.” — Philippians 1:6

    If you’re stepping into 2026 feeling hopeful, tired, uncertain, or somewhere in between — this episode is for you. God isn’t finished with you. Keep trusting Him. Keep walking forward.

    RESOURCES & LINKS:

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_shannon_stewart

    Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outoffocuspodcast

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonstewartmodel

    TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/shannon_stewart_

    🎙️ All platforms & freebies: https://linktr.ee/shannonstewart

    📩 Booking inquiries: [email protected]

    #OutOfFocusPodcast #ShannonStewart #ChristianPodcast #Testimony #Redemption #Grace #Faith

    20 min
  • Christmas Eve: The Savior Who Came for the Broken

    In this heartfelt Christmas Eve episode, Shannon Stewart and her husband, Pastor Mike Lee, share childhood Christmas memories, simple joys, and the powerful truth behind the holiday: Jesus didn’t come because the world was worthy — He came because the world was desperate for a Savior.

    Mike explains why humanity needed saving, the evidence for Jesus’ resurrection, and how anyone can receive Him today. Shannon opens up about a time when she thought she had “ruined everything,” and how the same Jesus born in the manger became the Redeemer of her story.

    This short, meaningful Christmas conversation is warm, nostalgic, and deeply hope-filled. It invites every listener — whether joyful, weary, lonely, or searching — to remember that Emmanuel means God with us, even now.

    Timestamps:

    00:00 — Childhood Christmas memories

    02:00 — Finding joy in simple places

    03:40 — “Jesus didn’t come because the world was worthy…”

    05:00 — Emmanuel: God with us

    06:00 — When Shannon felt too far gone

    07:20 — Why we needed a Savior

    08:10 — How to receive Jesus this Christmas

    09:15 — Evidence for the resurrection

    11:00 — Pride, surrender, and trust

    12:30 — What salvation really means

    14:00 — Encouragement for the brokenhearted

    15:20 — Closing Scripture & Christmas blessing

    Wherever you find yourself this Christmas — hopeful or hurting — Emmanuel means God with us.

    And if Jesus came for the broken, that means He came for you.

    "For the son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." (Luke 19:10)

    Merry Christmas!!!


    RESOURCES & LINKS:

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_shannon_stewart

    Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outoffocuspodcast

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonstewartmodel

    TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/shannon_stewart_

    🎙️ All platforms & freebies: https://linktr.ee/shannonstewart

    📩 Booking inquiries: [email protected]

    #OutOfFocusPodcast #ShannonStewart #ChristianPodcast #Testimony #Redemption #Grace #Faith

    15 min
  • From Soviet Atheism to Unshakable Faith: Helen Bloom Testimony

    Faith was forbidden where she grew up — yet God still found her.

    In this thought-provoking episode of Out of Focus, Shannon Stewart sits down with Helen Bloom, who was born in the final years of the Soviet Union — a time and culture where religion was outlawed and belief in God was considered foolish and uneducated.

    After moving to the U.S. as a child, Helen spent years convinced Christianity wasn’t intellectually credible… until a series of conversations, books, and undeniable moments began to shift her worldview. What unfolded is a remarkable story of curiosity, reason, and the gentle pursuit of God.

    If you’ve ever wrestled with doubt, questioned faith, or wondered whether Christianity is reasonable — Helen’s journey will challenge, encourage, and surprise you.

    They discuss:

    • Growing up where faith was illegal
    • Why she dismissed Christianity for years
    • The intellectual evidence that made her think again
    • How God pursued her through people + books
    • Why faith isn’t blind — but deeply reasonable
    • Encouragement for skeptics + new believers

    “I thought faith was for the uneducated… until I started thinking.” — Helen Bloom

    No matter where you are on your journey — keep asking, keep knocking. You may discover the One who’s been pursuing you all along.

    Chapters

    00:00 Welcome

    03:15 Growing up in the Soviet Union

    10:50 Religion outlawed — shaping her worldview

    16:25 Coming to the U.S.

    22:40 Why she rejected Christianity

    29:10 Books + people God used

    36:45 When reason met faith

    43:20 Encouragement for skeptics

    51:00 Helpful resources

    56:10 Final encouragement

    You are seen. You’re not alone.

    Jesus welcomes the questioning heart.

    RESOURCES & LINKS:

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_shannon_stewart

    Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outoffocuspodcast

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonstewartmodel

    TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/shannon_stewart_

    🎙️ All platforms & freebies: https://linktr.ee/shannonstewart

    📩 Booking inquiries: [email protected]

    #OutOfFocusPodcast #ShannonStewart #ChristianPodcast #Testimony #Redemption #Grace #Faith

    1 hr 12 min
  • Brittany Brower (ANTM): From Hollywood Fame to Lasting Faith

    She had one foot in Hollywood and one foot in church—until God asked her to choose.

    In this honest and hope-filled episode of Out of Focus, host Shannon Stewart sits down with Brittany Brower (America’s Next Top Model) to share the story the cameras never showed — one of fame, identity, and the long road from nightlife to surrender.

    Brittany opens up about how chasing “fun” in L.A. left her empty, how God pursued her through the noise, and why the peace she has today as a wife and mom is worth everything she laid down.

    This conversation is a reminder that you’re never too far gone — and that the life you actually want begins on the other side of surrender.

    💬 If you’ve ever chased success and still felt empty, this episode will remind you where true peace is found.

    They Discuss:

    • Reality TV vs. reality: who you are beyond a TV edit
    • Hitting rock bottom and hearing God in the dark
    • Renewing your mind: Scripture, discipline, and daily presence with God
    • Letting go of FOMO, people-pleasing, and old habits

    “You’re not too far gone. Don’t waste another minute—jump all in and see where God takes you.” — Brittany Brower

    Chapters

    00:00 Welcome & ANTM Throwback

    03:40 Identity, Labels & ‘Party Girl’ Narratives

    06:58 Why Rewatching Reality TV Can Be Hard

    13:05 The Drift: Fame, Fun, and Emptiness

    19:00 Rock Bottom & The Gentle Pursuit of God

    29:30 Daily Disciplines & Renewing Your Mind

    37:20 Letting God Order Your Day

    41:00 Friendships, FOMO & New Boundaries

    51:20 “As for Me and My House…” (Joshua 24:15)

    54:00 What’s Next & Full Surrender

    When life feels out of focus, remember—grace is always in frame.

    

    RESOURCES & LINKS:

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_shannon_stewart

    Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outoffocuspodcast

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonstewartmodel

    TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/shannon_stewart_

    🎙️ All platforms & freebies: https://linktr.ee/shannonstewart

    📩 Booking inquiries: [email protected]

    #OutOfFocusPodcast #ShannonStewart #ChristianPodcast #Testimony #Redemption #Grace #Faith

    53 min
  • From Rock Bottom to Radical Redemption: Jamie Lee’s Story

    No one is too far gone for the redeeming love of Jesus.

    On this episode of Out of Focus, Shannon Stewart sits down with Jamie Lee, whose testimony is a powerful reminder that God still rescues, restores, and redeems. Jamie opens up about his journey through hidden sexual addiction and shame, and how it nearly destroyed his marriage—until Jesus met him in the darkest place.

    What followed is nothing short of miraculous: forgiveness, transformation, restored identity, and a marriage rebuilt by grace.

    This is more than a testimony—it’s an invitation into hope. Whether you’re battling secret sin, praying for a prodigal, or believing for healing in your marriage or family, Jamie’s story will stir your faith and remind you that Jesus still writes the best redemption stories.

    They discuss:

    – Hidden sexual addiction + shame

    – When everything began to fall apart

    – Joy’s prayers + spiritual warfare

    – The moment God broke through

    – Walking out healing, purity & identity in Christ

    – Marriage restored & ministry birthed

    “Jesus didn’t just save me — He restored everything I tried to destroy.”

    Chapters

    00:00 Welcome + Jamie’s introduction

    02:10 The slide toward rock bottom

    07:25 Hidden addiction & shame

    12:40 When everything began to fall apart

    18:15 Joy’s prayers + standing for her marriage

    23:50 The turning point — God breaks through

    29:05 Practical steps toward healing & purity

    35:00 Restoring identity + walking in truth

    40:22 Marriage rebuilt: the power of grace

    45:38 Barn45 + ministry today

    51:10 Encouragement if you’re stuck right now

    54:25 Final words + prayer

    No matter how far you’ve drifted, there is hope.

    Jesus specializes in taking what’s broken and making it new.

    You are seen. You are loved. You are never beyond redemption.

    Follow Jamie & Barn45:

    YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/@Barn45

    Monday Night Men’s Bible Study — 8PM EST

    RESOURCES & LINKS:

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_shannon_stewart

    Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outoffocuspodcast

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonstewartmodel

    TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/shannon_stewart_

    🎙️ All platforms & freebies: https://linktr.ee/shannonstewart

    📩 Booking inquiries: [email protected]

    #OutOfFocusPodcast #ShannonStewart #ChristianPodcast #Testimony #Redemption #Grace #Faith

    1 hr 3 min
  • A Thanksgiving Conversation For The Weary Heart with Pastor Mike Lee

    Some seasons of Thanksgiving feel full… others feel fragile. This episode speaks to both.

    In this warm and heartfelt Thanksgiving conversation, Shannon sits down with her husband, Pastor Mike Lee — a leader who spent years shepherding one of the largest churches in America and who has also walked through seasons of deep pain, quiet rebuilding, and unexpected grace.

    Together, they reflect on gratitude, family traditions, the beauty of perspective, and giving thanks not just for all things… but in all things.

    This episode is gentle, encouraging, and deeply relatable — offering hope for anyone navigating loneliness, weariness, or heaviness during the holidays.

    Whether listeners are surrounded by family or spending the day quietly on their own, Shannon and Mike invite them to pause, breathe, and remember what truly matters.

    Key Themes

    • Giving thanks in every season

    • Gratitude when life is difficult

    • Perspective that brings peace

    • Cherished memories & family traditions

    • Acts of kindness that change lives

    • The healing power of forgiveness

    • Hope for those who feel alone

    ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

    00:00 — Thanksgiving Traditions & Black Friday Shopping

    01:18 — Giving Thanks in All Circumstances

    03:11 — Finding Gratitude in Difficult Times

    04:34 — The Importance of Perspective

    06:34 — Cherished Thanksgiving Memories

    09:10 — Encouragement for the Lonely

    11:21 — Acts of Kindness During the Holidays

    13:00 — The Power of Forgiveness

    13:56 — Finding Hope in Dark Times

    14:53 — Cultivating a Grateful Heart

    16:21 — Thanksgiving Favorites & Family Traditions


    “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18

    If this episode encourages you, share it with someone who may need comfort this holiday season.


    RESOURCES & LINKS:

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_shannon_stewart

    Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outoffocuspodcast

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonstewartmodel

    TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/shannon_stewart_

    🎙️ All platforms & freebies: https://linktr.ee/shannonstewart

    📩 Booking inquiries: [email protected]

    #OutOfFocusPodcast #ShannonStewart #ChristianPodcast #Testimony #Redemption #Grace #Faith

    16 min
  • From Brokenness to Restoration: Joy Lee’s Journey of Faith

    In this powerful and redemptive episode of Out of Focus, host Shannon Stewart welcomes Joy Lee, the co-founder of Barn 45, whose extraordinary journey from deep brokenness to divine restoration will move every listener to tears.

    This episode is a reminder that no one is beyond the reach of God’s mercy—and that even the messiest parts of our story can become the most meaningful.

    Joy opens up about growing up in church but battling insecurity, shame, and the lies of the enemy that followed her into adulthood. She shares her honest story of a marriage on the brink, an emotional breakdown that became her breakthrough, and the moment God turned desperation into deliverance.

    In this Christian testimony, Joy reveals how God transformed her marriage, her faith, and her purpose through surrender and grace.

    Together, Shannon and Joy talk about:

    ·      How God restores what feels too broken to repair

    ·      The power of confession, prayer, and obedience

    ·      What it means to live inside the “circle of blessability”

    ·      Turning daily discipline with God into delight

    ·      The incredible story behind Barn 45—a “heart hospital” where people around the world are finding hope, healing, and freedom in Jesus

    “Breakdowns can become the doorway to breakthrough.” — Joy Lee

    If you’ve ever questioned whether God could redeem your story, this episode will remind you: He still rebuilds what’s been torn down.

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction & Guest Announcement

    00:12 Joy’s Ministry & Impact

    02:39 Early Life & Spiritual Struggles

    03:06 Shame, Insecurity & the “Double Life”

    07:00 Marriage and Early Challenges

    08:09 Breaking Point & Divine Intervention

    11:34 Joy’s Path to Healing

    15:45 Her Husband’s Radical Encounter with God

    21:50 Faith, Obedience & Daily Discipline

    34:16 Choosing God First

    35:11 Persistent Prayer

    35:46 God’s Limitless Power

    37:27 Spiritual Warfare

    44:34 The Birth of Barn 45

    50:44 Growth & Impact

    51:32 Daily Bible Studies & Community

    1:01:52 Final Encouragement

    Scripture Anchors: Hebrews 6:19 • Genesis 50:20 • Matthew 6:5

    Connect with Barn 45

    🌐 barn45.org

    RESOURCES & LINKS:

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_shannon_stewart

    Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outoffocuspodcast

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonstewartmodel

    TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/shannon_stewart_

    🎙️ All platforms & freebies: https://linktr.ee/shannonstewart

    📩 Booking inquiries: [email protected]

    #OutOfFocusPodcast #ShannonStewart #ChristianPodcast #Testimony #Redemption #Grace #Faith

    1 hr 3 min

About Out of Focus

From the publisher's feed

From chasing perfection to discovering grace — this is my story.