Pure Desire Podcast

If you keep going back to the same sexual behavior and have started to wonder whether you’re really saved, you’re not the only one asking, and you are not alone.Nick Stumbo and Mike Maxwell sit down with Scott Bradley, lead pastor of As Is Church in East Portland, Oregon, author of The Forgiveness Factor, and a longtime friend of Pure Desire. Scott has walked with thousands of men and women in recovery, and he shares his own story of trauma, addiction, and healing along the way.Together they look at why sexual struggles in particular make so many people doubt their salvation. You’ll hear how shame turns a mistake into an identity, how a performance version of faith and a hurt view of earthly fathers can twist the way we see God, and why fear of rejection often sits underneath the question. Scott also shares what he says when someone in a recovery group asks whether they’re really saved, and why God made the first move long before any of us measured up.This is not a debate about doctrine. It’s about the Father’s heart for you in the middle of recovery. Whether you’re asking the question yourself, or you lead a group and want to be ready when someone else does, this conversation offers words you can hold on to.If you’re ready for support, find a Pure Desire group at puredesire.org/groups or talk with a clinician at puredesire.org/counseling.You are not alone.Resources:Scott's Ministry GET STARTEDSummit 2026!: Register NowFree eBook: 7 Keys To Understanding Betrayal TraumaFree eBook: 5 Steps to Freedom From PornSchedule Your Free 15-Minute Counseling ConsultationJoin A Pure Desire Online Group SOCIALSFollow us on FacebookFollow us on InstagramFollow us on X (Twitter) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

If you’ve ever felt a wave of temptation and thought, what is wrong with me, this conversation will change how you see your struggle.Nick Stumbo and Mike Maxwell talk with Dr. Jake Porter, founder of Daring Ventures and creator of Couple-Centered Recovery, and Dr. Windell Gill, a former pastor and crisis chaplain with more than 30 years of experience helping people grow through relationships, ministry, and recovery. Together they ask a question many people in porn addiction recovery are afraid to say out loud: why do we still struggle?You’ll hear why temptation is not the same as sin, why Jesus was tempted and never sinned, and what it means that He learned obedience through what He suffered. You’ll also hear a fresh way to read the garden of Eden, where God meets Adam and Eve’s shame with compassion instead of anger, and why God is not the author of your shame. Then the guests get practical: what to do in the moment you feel the pull, how to move toward something good instead of only fighting something bad, and how to take recovery one day at a time.As Dr. Gill says, “The struggle is normal. The tyranny of it is not.”If you’re ready for support, find a Pure Desire group at puredesire.org/groups or talk with a clinician at puredesire.org/counseling. You are not alone.Check out Drs. Porter and Gill's website here!   GET STARTEDSummit 2026!: Register NowFree eBook: 7 Keys To Understanding Betrayal TraumaFree eBook: 5 Steps to Freedom From PornSchedule Your Free 15-Minute Counseling ConsultationJoin A Pure Desire Online Group SOCIALSFollow us on FacebookFollow us on InstagramFollow us on X (Twitter) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

If you've ever been taught that your body is the problem, or looked in the mirror with shame and wondered how you could ever be free from porn, this conversation is for you.Nick Stumbo and Mike Maxwell talk with Dr. Christopher West, author, speaker, and co-founder of the Theology of the Body Institute, who has spent more than 30 years teaching what Scripture says about our bodies and our sexuality. Dr. West grew up hearing that desire is something to repress, then swung toward what the culture promises. He explains why neither one satisfies, and what the Bible offers instead.Along the way, you'll hear why Christianity does not treat the body as a prison, the difference between our sinful nature and the body God made, why shame about our bodies can quietly fuel porn use, and why porn addiction recovery is not won by white knuckling and trying harder.Dr. West speaks plainly about the body and sexuality, and the conversation moves quickly, so give yourself room to listen twice. You do not need to be Catholic to benefit from it. If you're in your first year of recovery, hold on to the heart of it: freedom is real, and it begins when we bring our weakness into the light of Jesus' mercy.If you're ready for support, find a Pure Desire group at https://puredesire.org/groups or talk with a clinician at puredesire.org/counseling. You are not alone.Resources: Theology of the Body YoutubeTheology of the Body Website Theology of the Body Podcast GET STARTEDSummit 2026!: Register NowFree eBook: 7 Keys To Understanding Betrayal TraumaFree eBook: 5 Steps to Freedom From PornSchedule Your Free 15-Minute Counseling ConsultationJoin A Pure Desire Online Group SOCIALSFollow us on FacebookFollow us on InstagramFollow us on X (Twitter) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode we sit down for a conversation with Archbishop Joseph Naumann. Together, we explore the cultural roots of pornography addiction, its impact on youth and marriages, and why the church must break its silence to offer real healing.Resources:Religious Alliance GET STARTEDSummit 2026!: Register NowFree eBook: 7 Keys To Understanding Betrayal TraumaFree eBook: 5 Steps to Freedom From PornSchedule Your Free 15-Minute Counseling ConsultationJoin A Pure Desire Online Group SOCIALSFollow us on FacebookFollow us on InstagramFollow us on X (Twitter) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Can the Bible be used in ways that actually cause harm?In this episode, Neil Schori and Tabitha Westbrook join us to unpack some of the most commonly misused passages about sex, marriage, submission, forgiveness, and abuse. We talk about what these verses mean in context, how Scripture can be weaponized in unhealthy relationships, and how to recognize coercion, establish healthy boundaries, and pursue healing.If you’ve ever wrestled with where biblical submission ends and control begins, whether forgiveness means reconciliation, or how Christians should respond to abuse, this conversation offers a thoughtful path forward.Resources:Called To PeaceThe Journey & The ProcessTabitha's Personal Website GET STARTEDSummit 2026!: Register NowFree eBook: 7 Keys To Understanding Betrayal TraumaFree eBook: 5 Steps to Freedom From PornSchedule Your Free 15-Minute Counseling ConsultationJoin A Pure Desire Online Group SOCIALSFollow us on FacebookFollow us on InstagramFollow us on X (Twitter) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Many couples desire deeper intimacy but struggle with shame, silence, or confusion around sexuality. When faith and sexuality become disconnected, it can impact connection with God, ourselves, and our spouse.In this episode, Dr. Clifford and Joyce Penner explore how couples can reconnect spirituality and sexuality in a healthy, life-giving way. We discuss honest conversations about intimacy, healing after addiction and betrayal, and overcoming barriers that keep couples from experiencing connection. This conversation offers hope, wisdom, and practical encouragement for building a marriage marked by trust, healing, and deeper intimacy.Register for the 2026 SummitCliff & Joyce's websiteAll of their books GET STARTEDSummit 2026!: Register NowFree eBook: 7 Keys To Understanding Betrayal TraumaFree eBook: 5 Steps to Freedom From PornSchedule Your Free 15-Minute Counseling ConsultationJoin A Pure Desire Online Group SOCIALSFollow us on FacebookFollow us on InstagramFollow us on X (Twitter) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Many couples long for deeper intimacy but struggle to talk openly about sex, desire, and connection. Avoided conversations can create distance, misunderstanding, and loneliness, even in marriages built on love and faith.In this episode, Jeff and Shaunti Feldhahn share insights from The Marriage Intimacy Project and explore what research reveals about sexual health in marriage. We discuss desire differences, honest communication, and why intimacy requires both biblical wisdom and practical understanding. This conversation offers hope and tools for building trust, reconnecting, and moving toward greater intimacy with grace and compassion.Jeff & Shaunti's WebsiteCheck Out The Intimacy Marriage Project GET STARTEDSummit 2026!: Register NowFree eBook: 7 Keys To Understanding Betrayal TraumaFree eBook: 5 Steps to Freedom From PornSchedule Your Free 15-Minute Counseling ConsultationJoin A Pure Desire Online Group SOCIALSFollow us on FacebookFollow us on InstagramFollow us on X (Twitter) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Many young adults wonder if their past struggles will prevent them from experiencing healthy, lasting relationships. Shame, secrecy, and fear of rejection can make honest conversations about sexuality feel impossible. In this episode, John and Haley Begeman share their journey of recovery, dating, and building trust through courageous conversations about sexual brokenness. They explore the importance of honesty before marriage, how to approach disclosure with wisdom, and why healing happens through community. This conversation offers hope that freedom is possible and that authentic relationships can be built on truth, grace, and trust. Resources: Register For The 2026 Summit Now! GET STARTEDSummit 2026!: Register NowFree eBook: 7 Keys To Understanding Betrayal TraumaFree eBook: 5 Steps to Freedom From PornSchedule Your Free 15-Minute Counseling ConsultationJoin A Pure Desire Online Group SOCIALSFollow us on FacebookFollow us on InstagramFollow us on X (Twitter) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Many couples enter marriage with love, faith, and commitment but still feel unprepared for the realities of sexual intimacy. Unrealistic expectations, cultural messages, and a lack of understanding can leave couples disconnected and unsure how to build a healthy sexual relationship. In this episode, Dr. Chris and Alisa Grace explore what it takes to cultivate sexual wholeness in marriage. We discuss desire, communication, intimacy, and the seasons of marriage, offering practical wisdom for couples who want to strengthen their connection. Discover how intentionality, vulnerability, and spiritual intimacy create a foundation for lasting love and deeper connection.    Resources: Free Relationship Advice Services Blogs/Podcasts on Sexuality Handout on Sex, Pornography, and Relationship Health Website Email: [email protected] Instagram: @biolacmr   GET STARTEDSummit 2026!: Register NowFree eBook: 7 Keys To Understanding Betrayal TraumaFree eBook: 5 Steps to Freedom From PornSchedule Your Free 15-Minute Counseling ConsultationJoin A Pure Desire Online Group SOCIALSFollow us on FacebookFollow us on InstagramFollow us on X (Twitter) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Many people feel defeated when old patterns return, wondering why they keep struggling despite their desire to change. But relapse is not just a failure. It can reveal patterns that need to be understood and healed. In this episode, Robert Vander Meer explores how lasting transformation comes through renewing the mind, understanding the relapse cycle, and embracing our identity in Christ. We discuss warning signs, the danger of isolation, and the power of authentic community, guardrails, and spiritual practices. This conversation offers hope and practical tools for breaking old patterns and building a path toward lasting freedom. Resources: Get Hope Healing & Freedom For $12 Now! All Our Tools GET STARTEDSummit 2026!: Register NowFree eBook: 7 Keys To Understanding Betrayal TraumaFree eBook: 5 Steps to Freedom From PornSchedule Your Free 15-Minute Counseling ConsultationJoin A Pure Desire Online Group SOCIALSFollow us on FacebookFollow us on InstagramFollow us on X (Twitter) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.