“Prayer can come before belief.”

That’s the lesson that stopped me in my tracks.

In this second conversation with Dr. Lisa Stanton—yes, the first-ever repeat guest on the “Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic” podcast—we go even deeper into her story, her recovery, and her brand-new book 52 Life-Changing Lessons I Learned in Recovery. Lisa doesn’t hold back. She talks about everything from leaving voicemails for God because she didn’t know how to pray, to the one line in her book that I haven’t stopped thinking about since I read it: “Another day of sobriety is the wrong goal.”

This episode isn’t about pat answers or spiritual clichés. It’s about showing up—broken, angry, uncertain—and still choosing to reach out to a God you’re not even sure you believe in yet. We talk about what real faith looks like, the difference between venting and confessing, and why self-love may not be the answer we've been sold. If you’ve ever felt stuck in your recovery, tired in your faith, or unsure if God’s even listening, this one’s for you.

It’s for everyone, not just those that have struggled with addiction.

We explore:

— Favorite lessons from Lisa’s book, including “prayer can come before belief”

—The Google Voice hack: leaving God voicemails when prayer feels empty

—Why belief ≠ faith—and how to cultivate an interactional relationship with God

—The hidden problem with church and recovery meetings

—Why aiming for “another day sober” often backfires—and what true goals look like

—The unforgettable “blue truck” story and what it teaches us

—Redefining self-love

—The key difference between venting emotions and true confession

Subscribe to Lisa's newsletter: Things on My Heart

Get her book: 52 Life Lessons I Learned in Recovery

Follow Lisa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlisastanton

Follow Jon: https://www.instagram.com/jonseidl/

Order the new book, Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic: www.christianalcoholic.com.

Watch this episode and get daily motivation: www.theveritasdaily.com.

Support the Show: https://www.jonseidl.com/

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

“My intellect was my greatest obstacle to getting sober.”

Dr. Lisa Stanton is the brilliant doctor who made a lot of bad choices. In some ways, she was too smart for her own good. Too smart to get sober, as she says. Until it all caught up with her. In this honest conversation, she opens up about her spiral into alcoholism that began in high school and accelerated through college and into getting her PhD. She details an eating disorder, perfectionism, trauma, and the endless quest for approval. Lisa’s credentials are impressive—PhD in social psychology, researcher, author—but they masked a painful, chaotic double life. And yet, this is not a story of defeat. It’s one of grace and how Jesus meets us in our darkest moments.

We talk about family dynamics, childhood trauma, substance abuse, forgiveness, and the unique intersection of female addiction and sexual approval. Most importantly, we talk about Jesus—and what happens when the head finally surrenders to the heart.

Don't miss this one. And be sure to come back next week for part two, where we explore Lisa’s practical tools for recovery and the lessons that changed her life.

We explore:

—Growing up with perfectionism and emotional bypassing
—Her first drink: 12 ounces of whiskey measured in a Pyrex cup
—Blackout Lisa vs. perfect Lisa: a life of hidden chaos
—The trauma of sexual approval and body image issues
—Academic achievement as a mask for addiction
—The power of accountability and confession
—The five-day binge that led to a spiritual breaking point
—How Jesus used a crucifix in a Catholic church to meet her
—Why sobriety alone isn’t enough—and what true healing takes

Subscribe to Lisa's newsletter: Things on My Heart

Get her book: 52 Life Lessons I Learned in Recovery

Follow Lisa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlisastanton

Follow Jon: https://www.instagram.com/jonseidl/

Order the new book, Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic: www.christianalcoholic.com.

Watch this episode and get daily motivation: www.theveritasdaily.com.

Support the Show: https://www.jonseidl.com/

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

“Your brain is actively rewiring itself every second. The question is: Will you do it on purpose?”

That’s from my fascinating conversation with Dr. Lee Warren. Dr. Lee isn’t just a neurosurgeon—he’s a husband, father, Iraq War veteran, and grieving dad who lost his 19-year-old son in a tragic and mysterious death. He’s also one of the most compelling voices today on how faith and neuroscience intersect to transform your life.

In this episode, I talk to Dr. Lee about the mind-blowing science of neuroplasticity, what it means to “do self-brain surgery,” the science behind the Bible’s commands regarding our thinking, and how trauma—if we let it—can either define us or refine us. Dr. Lee opens up about surviving more than 100 mortar attacks during the Iraq War, his battle with PTSD, and how he and his wife Lisa rebuilt their lives (and faith) after the unimaginable loss of their son.

But this isn’t just a story of suffering. It’s a story of redemption. It’s a masterclass in how to find hope again—even after the worst day of your life. And it’s essential for anyone who has been told to “renew your mind” but never felt like that mandate came with any how-to instructions.

We explore:

—The night Dr. Lee got caught outside in a mortar attack with no gear

—What PTSD taught him about unprocessed trauma and healing

—Losing his 19-year-old son—and how that reshaped his faith

—Why the brain can literally change based on what you choose to think about

—How Scripture aligns with neuroscience on anxiety, gratitude, and transformation—The connection between addiction, neuroplasticity, and the lies we believe

—The principle of “loss to legacy” and how suffering can become ministry

Subscribe to Dr. Lee’s newsletter: drleewarren.substack.com

Listen to the Self-Brain Surgery podcast

Get Dr. Lee’s books

Follow Jon: https://www.instagram.com/jonseidl/

Order the book, Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic: www.christianalcoholic.com.

Watch this episode and get daily motivation: www.theveritasdaily.com.

Support the Show: https://www.jonseidl.com/

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.