Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic with Jon Seidl

Jon Seidl

52 Life-Changing Lessons (Dr. Lisa Stanton Pt. 2): Episode 9

July 9, 2025 ● 52 min

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“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