What We Really Want: Conversations About Connection Podcast By Greg Oliver cover art

What We Really Want: Conversations About Connection

What We Really Want: Conversations About Connection

By: Greg Oliver
Listen for free

About this listen

FOLLOW/SUBSCRIBE to download new episodes as they release!


If it's true that "...the opposite of addiction is not sobriety...the opposite of addiction is connection," there are lots of people who need to discover what true, healthy connection looks like. Whether the struggle is with addiction, toxic relationship dynamics, or something else, we've all tried to meet our needs in unhealthy ways. Way too often, the things we run to for comfort leave us feeling even more disconnected and alone than before.

Through conversations about the many ways we can connect, we offer an invitation to discover and move toward what we really want, so we can live the lives we were created for.

Awaken (awakenrecovery.com) helps men and women whose lives have been wrecked by unwanted/addictive sexual behaviors and sexual betrayal trauma. We hope the podcast will help not only those struggling sexually, but anyone who seeks healthier ways of finding connection.

© 2025 What We Really Want: Conversations About Connection
Christianity Hygiene & Healthy Living Ministry & Evangelism Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Spirituality
Episodes
  • 41 | Corinne Vance: Putting the Pieces Together
    Jul 8 2025

    "Send us a message! (questions, feedback, etc.)"

    There are certain experiences that are excruciatingly hard to talk about, and from which healing is incredibly difficult. Sexual abuse is far more common than most people realize, yet survivors often feel isolated and carry shame over their abuse. They need kind, caring people to support their healing.

    Corinne Vance is that kind of person. She has worked therapeutically with men, women, and adolescents for over 20 years. She has provided training and consultation (globally and in the U.S.) in the areas of aftercare for survivors of sex trafficking and domestic violence. She recently served as Director of Trauma Therapy at The WellHouse, a safe haven for victims of human trafficking in Alabama, and continues to provide clinical supervision for staff there.

    Corinne describes sexual trauma as something "that affects every family." In our conversation we unpack some of the intricacies of sexual trauma & abuse, talk about its impact on all relationships, and discuss how wrestling with God is a good thing.

    #corinnevance #traumatherapy #sexualtrauma #sexualabuse #therapy #spiritualhealing #counseling #healing #gospel #grace #awaken #awakenrecovery #awakenpodcast #whatwereallywant #wwrw #recovery #connection #conversation

    Corinne's counseling website


    Awaken website
    Roots Retreat Men's Intensive
    Roots Retreat Women's Workshop
    Awaken Men & Women's support meeting info (including virtual)

    Show more Show less
    47 mins
  • 40 | Harrison Scott Key: Do You Want to Be Married to Me?
    Jun 24 2025

    "Send us a message! (questions, feedback, etc.)"

    What do you do when your spouse tells you she wants a divorce and is in love with another man?

    That was a question Harrison Scott Key never thought he'd have to answer. But it's exactly what happened. Over the course of several years he navigated an excruciating saga of fighting for his marriage and for his sanity. He tells the story in his New York Times bestselling book How to Stay Married: The Most Insane Love Story Ever Told.

    In our conversation with Harrison, we talked about what it was like living it, writing about it, and the unexpected impact of book tour promotion about such a personal experience. We talked about family healing, and how his friends and his church helped him find the capacity for forgiveness.

    It's a rare talent who can take such a heartbreaking story and also make it so funny; but that's exactly what Harrison does - in the book and in our conversation. Harrison is a professor at Savannah College of Art & Design, has written three books, and lives in Savannah with his wife Lauren and their kids. (He's also the drummer in a cover band called The Love Handles.)

    #harrisonscottkey #howtostaymarried #marriage #infidelity #reconciliation #spiritualhealing #counseling #therapy #gospel #grace #awaken #awakenrecovery #awakenpodcast #whatwereallywant #wwrw #recovery #connection #conversation

    Harrison's website

    Harrison's books on Amazon

    Harrison's TEDx Savannah talk on YouTube

    Awaken website
    Roots Retreat Men's Intensive
    Roots Retreat Women's Workshop
    Awaken Men & Women's support meeting info (including virtual)

    Show more Show less
    59 mins
  • 39 | Todd Fields: You Are Loved and Not Alone
    Jun 10 2025

    "Send us a message! (questions, feedback, etc.)"

    During his years as a church worship pastor, Greg was heavily influenced by today's guest Todd Fields. As a worship leader associated with 7:22, a weekly worship gathering started in 1995 by Louie Giglio at Northpoint Community Church in Atlanta, and as someone who has written and led worship music and produced multiple recordings over the years, Todd is a skilled musician who knows what he's talking about with corporate worship.

    More importantly, though, Todd knows how critical it is for worship leaders to be spiritually and emotionally healthy; and how often this is not the case. Often seen and valued primarily for their skill and what they can produce, it's common for people in these positions to experience brokenness and burnout.

    In 2014, Todd and his wife Carrie felt God was calling them to pay closer attention to their own hearts and souls, and this calling birthed a new ministry called Worship Circle. This is a community offering small group and one-on-one connection between worship leaders/pastors and small group leaders; participants receive love, care, and investment in who they are as people, not just for what they can do as musicians.

    Todd's heart for Worship Circle is so consistent with our heart for Awaken, it was a joy for like-minded (and like-hearted) people to get to have a conversation about this passion. We hope it will encourage you to care for your heart and soul, and to remember that you're loved and not alone!

    #toddfields #worshipcircle #soulcare #emotionalhealing #spiritualhealing #counseling #therapy #gospel #grace #awaken #awakenrecovery #awakenpodcast #whatwereallywant #wwrw #recovery #connection #conversation

    Worship Circle website

    Todd's music (on Spotify) (on Apple Music)

    Awaken website
    Roots Retreat Men's Intensive
    Roots Retreat Women's Workshop
    Awaken Men & Women's support meeting info (including virtual)

    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 6 mins
No reviews yet