Podcast
Holy Wreckage
Hosted by Crystal · EN
Welcome to Holy Wreckage, a Christian podcast about healing,
restoration, and the redeeming love of God.
This faith-based podcast helps others heal out loud, find hope in hardship, and discover that no life is too broken for God to rebuild. Through raw testimony, addiction recovery stories, DNA surprises, trauma-informed conversations, and Spirit-led dialogue, Holy Wreckage reminds us that even in our wreckage, God is making something beautiful.
This is healing out loud… one wreck at a time.
18episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
A Pastor’s Sex Addiction: When Willpower Failed, Jesus Met Him at Rock Bottom
4d ago00:27:51Tap to summarizeWhat happens when you love God, serve in ministry, become a pastor—and still can’t stop the addiction destroying your life?In this episode of Holy Wreckage, Crystal sits down with Jason Lyle, host of the Sacred Grit podcast, for an honest conversation about sex addiction, shame, adoption trauma, faith, nervous system regulation, and recovery.After learning about nervous system regulation, Jason began looking beyond willpower, shame, and behavior alone. He started understanding the connection between trauma, dysregulation, impulse, the body, and the brain.This conversation is for anyone struggling with sex addiction, pornography addiction, compulsive behavior, church shame, adoption trauma, childhood trauma, emotional dysregulation, or the exhausting cycle of doing something you desperately want to stop doing.There is a way forward.CONNECT WITH JASON LYLE🌐 Sacred Grit:https://thesacredgrit.com🔥 Sacred Grit Community & Course:https://www.skool.com/sacred-grit-6182/about🎙️ Search for The Sacred Grit Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.⚠️ CONTENT NOTE: This episode discusses sex addiction, pornography, infidelity, adoption trauma, suicidal thoughts, and suicide planning.If this episode speaks to something you’ve been carrying in secret, share it with someone you trust.Subscribe to Holy Wreckage for raw, honest conversations about addiction, trauma, faith, identity, healing, recovery, and the places where Jesus meets us in the wreckage.Healing out loud, one wreck at a time.SUPPORT HOLY WRECKAGE🌐 Website:https://holywreckage.com🌱 Donate:https://holywreckage.com/donate/📮 Submit Your Testimony:https://tally.so/r/MeKNPA🙏 Submit a Prayer Request:https://tally.so/r/Np5XvjJOIN OUR COMMUNITY📸 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/holywreckage/🕺 TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@holywreckage🎬 YouTube:https://youtube.com/@holywreckage💜 Facebook:https://facebook.com/holywreckage💼 LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/holy-wreckage-a995ba383/#SexAddiction #PornAddiction #AddictionRecovery #NervousSystemRegulation #AdoptionTrauma #ChristianPodcast #FaithAndRecovery #MensMentalHealth #SacredGrit #HolyWreckage
Transcribe →
Fear Was My Idol
3w ago01:04:36Tap to summarizeWhat happens when fear stops being an emotion and starts controlling every decision you make?In this powerful episode of Holy Wreckage, Crystal sits down with Valerie Carter, founder of RRT Ministries: Rescued, Redeemed and Transformed, for a raw conversation about childhood trauma, spiritual realm encounters, crippling fear, addiction, disordered eating, surrender, and the healing power of Jesus Christ.Valerie shares how childhood sexual abuse and assault left her living in constant fear. That fear followed her into adulthood, affecting her sleep, relationships, parenting, friendships, and ability to leave her own home. She made decisions based on what might happen, struggled with severe anxiety and insomnia, and used over-the-counter medication to cope and find rest.Everything began to change when someone challenged Valerie with a difficult question: Had fear become her idol?After asking the Holy Spirit for the truth, Valerie recognized how often she had placed fear above her trust in God. She describes falling to her knees in repentance, surrendering the control fear had over her life, and experiencing a dramatic spiritual deliverance that allowed her to breathe, sleep, and live differently for the first time.Crystal and Valerie also have an honest conversation about the ways trauma can lead people to cope through alcohol, pills, food, sex, pornography, unhealthy relationships, eating disorders, or other addictions. These behaviors may temporarily numb the pain, but they cannot heal the wound underneath it.This conversation is for the person who loves God but still feels controlled by fear.If this episode speaks to you, subscribe to Holy Wreckage, leave a comment sharing what you are ready to surrender, and send this conversation to someone who needs to know that freedom is still possible.⚠️ Content Note: This episode includes discussion of childhood sexual abuse, sexual assault, sex trafficking, panic attacks, addiction, eating disorders, and trauma-related coping behaviors. Please listen with care.🌱: Donate : https://holywreckage.com/donate📮: Submit your testimony: https://tally.so/r/MeKNPAJoin Our Community📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holywreckage/🕺Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@holywreckageFacebook: https://www.facebook.com//profile.php?id=61579102926599YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HolyWreckageCONNECT WITH VALERIE CARTER🌐 RRT Ministries — Rescued, Redeemed and Transformed:https://rrtministries.org📧 Email Valerie:Valerie@rrtministries.org🎙️ Find the Rescued, Redeemed and Transformed podcast on YouTube.Learn more about Valerie and other trusted resources at:https://holywreckage.com/resources#ChristianTestimony #TraumaHealing #SpiritualWarfare
Transcribe →
When ALS Changes Everything: Finding Hope in the Middle of Unimaginable Loss
Jul 1301:14:38Tap to summarizeWhen ALS Changes Everything: Finding Hope in the Middle of Unimaginable LossWhat would you do if the person you loved most was given just a few years to live?In this deeply moving episode of Holy Wreckage, Crystal sits down with Rachel Schneider, author of The Widow Chose Red, whose family was forever changed when her husband was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). Together they walked a heartbreaking journey of caregiving, anticipatory grief, raising two young sons, and learning what it truly means to trust God when life doesn't make sense.After 21 years of marriage, Rachel and her husband John were living the life they had always dreamed of when ALS suddenly entered their story. Over the next three years, they faced impossible decisions, watched the disease slowly take away his physical abilities, and ultimately said goodbye far too soon.Rather than allowing bitterness to define her life, Rachel chose to lean into her faith, discovering that even when miracles don't come the way we hope, God's presence never leaves. Her testimony is a powerful reminder that while suffering may change the course of your life, it never changes the faithfulness of God.Whether you're walking through grief, caring for someone with a terminal illness, navigating the loss of a loved one, or simply wondering where God is in your own season of suffering, this conversation will remind you that He is near to the brokenhearted and faithful through every step of the journey.In this episode you'll discover:• What ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) really is and how it impacts families• Walking through anticipatory grief before losing a loved one• Caring for a spouse with a terminal illness• Trusting God when healing doesn't come the way you prayed for• Helping children navigate grief after the loss of a parent• Finding gratitude, hope, and purpose in the middle of heartbreakAbout Rachel SchneiderRachel Schneider is the author of The Widow Chose Red, a powerful memoir chronicling her family's journey through ALS, grief, and unwavering faith. Through her ministry and platform, Spirited Prosperity, Rachel encourages others to build resilient faith, discover hope in suffering, and trust God through life's greatest challenges.If you're walking through grief, caregiving, or a difficult season of life, you can connect with Rachel at:🌿 Spirited Prosperityhttps://spiritedprosperity.com/📖 The Widow Chose RedConnect with Holy Wreckage🌐 https://holywreckage.com📚 Resources:https://holywreckage.com/resources🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.If this episode encouraged you, please like this video, subscribe to the channel, and share it with someone who may need hope today. Every share helps another person discover that God still brings redemption from our deepest wreckage.Edited by Matt Sarmiento#ALS #LouGehrigsDisease #Grief #Caregiver #ChristianPodcast #Faith #Widow #HopeInChrist #TerminalIllness #AnticipatoryGrief #Healing #Jesus #HolyWreckage
Transcribe →The 5-Step Path to Forgiveness After a DNA Discovery (Part 2)
Jun 2900:43:58Tap to summarizeWhat happens after the DNA test changes everything?In Part 2 of our conversation, Andrea Lomboy shares a biblical framework for navigating the emotional and spiritual aftermath of an unexpected DNA discovery. Whether you're an NPE (Not Parent Expected), adoptee, donor-conceived, or anyone whose biological identity has been unexpectedly rewritten, this episode offers practical encouragement rooted in faith.Andrea walks through her five-step pathway to healing:• Acceptance• Grief• Personal Agency• Forgiveness• IntegrationRather than encouraging listeners to "just get over it," Andrea explains why healing is a process—not a moment—and why forgiveness cannot be forced before grief has been honored. Throughout the conversation, she shares Scripture, personal experience, and practical wisdom for rebuilding identity, setting healthy boundaries, and finding peace in Christ after family secrets come to light.If you've ever wrestled with questions like:How do I forgive the people who kept this secret?Why does this hurt so deeply?How do I move forward without pretending I'm okay?Where is God in the middle of my DNA discovery?...this episode was created with you in mind.No matter how your story began, your identity is not determined by your DNA. Your worth has never changed, and God is still writing your story.About Andrea LomboyAndrea Lomboy is a Christian speaker, educator, and fellow NPE who is passionate about helping others find healing after unexpected DNA discoveries. Drawing from her own journey and years of biblical study, she equips individuals to navigate identity loss, grief, forgiveness, and restoration through a Christ-centered perspective.Learn more or connect with Andrea at Seek.us.com.
Transcribe →
God Rewrote My Story
Jun 2200:49:17Tap to summarizeWhen God Rewrites Your Story: Finding Grace After a Life-Changing DNA DiscoveryWhat would you do if a DNA test revealed that everything you believed about your family was wrong?In this deeply moving episode of Holy Wreckage, Crystal sits down with Andrea Lomboy, whose DNA discovery uncovered a lifetime of hidden truths and sent her on an unexpected journey of grief, identity, forgiveness, and ultimately, God's incredible faithfulness.After believing one man was her father for 40 years, Andrea discovered through DNA testing that he wasn't biologically related to her. Her search for answers eventually led her to meet her biological father for the very first time at 57 years old. What followed was a story of extraordinary grace, healing, and the unmistakable hand of God.Rather than allowing bitterness to define her life, Andrea chose to pursue truth while extending grace to both of her parents. Her testimony is a powerful reminder that while a DNA discovery may rewrite your family story, it never changes who God says you are.Whether you're an NPE (Not Parent Expected), adopted, donor-conceived, navigating a DNA surprise, or simply walking through a season where your identity has been shaken, this conversation will remind you that your worth has never depended on your circumstances. God is still writing your story.In this episode you'll discover:• Andrea's incredible DNA discovery story• Meeting her biological father after 57 years• Processing grief after an unexpected DNA surprise• Finding identity in Christ when your family story changes• Extending grace while navigating deep emotional wounds• How faith became the foundation for healingAbout Andrea LomboyAndrea Lomboy is a Harvard-trained Lifestyle Medicine & Wellness Coach, speaker, educator, and founder of SEEK, a faith-guided coaching practice dedicated to helping people pursue healing of the body, mind, and spirit. Drawing from both professional expertise and her own deeply personal DNA discovery journey, Andrea helps individuals move from surviving to thriving through evidence-based wellness practices and biblical truth. (LinkedIn)If you've experienced a DNA discovery or are looking for faith-based health and wellness coaching, you can connect with Andrea at:🌿 SEEK Wellnesshttps://www.seek.us.comUse the code DNADISCOVERY when contacting Andrea through SEEK.Connect with Holy Wreckage🌐 https://holywreckage.com📚 Resources:https://holywreckage.com/resources🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.If this episode encouraged you, please like this video, subscribe to the channel, and share it with someone who may need hope today. Every share helps another person discover that God still brings redemption from our deepest wreckage.#DNADiscovery #NPE #NotParentExpected #Adoption #DonorConceived #IdentityInChrist #ChristianTestimony #Healing #Faith #Forgiveness #HolyWreckage #FamilySecrets #BiologicalFamily #JesusHeals
Transcribe →Donor or Affair? Her DNA Test Uncovered a Family Secret
Jun 1500:54:49Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Holy Wreckage, Linda shares the devastating truth a DNA test uncovered: the father who raised her was not her biological father. It also left an unanswered question whether her mother had an affair or her biological father donated the sperm she was conceived with.What began as curiosity about ancestry turned into a complete identity earthquake.Linda vulnerably shares what it felt like to discover she was an NPE (Not Parent Expected), how childhood wounds and family dysfunction resurfaced, the emotional toll of genetic mirroring, and the complicated reality of finding biological family after decades of unknowingly living a different story.For many NPEs, adoptees, donor-conceived people, and those impacted by misattributed parentage, a DNA surprise is not just information. It can shake everything:• Your identity• Your family story• Your medical history• Your sense of belonging• Your faithBut the truth that wrecks the story you were given does not get to wreck the purpose God placed inside of you.Linda also shares how Jesus met her in the middle of betrayal, rage, rejection, confusion, and grief and how true healing came through faith.If you've ever wondered:• What does it feel like to discover your dad isn’t your biological father?• How do you heal from an NPE or DNA surprise?• Can Jesus heal identity trauma and family betrayal?• What is genetic mirroring and why does it matter?• How do you process discovering biological siblings later in life?• Can God redeem something this painful?This episode is for you.Holy Wreckage exists to tell the truth about trauma, addiction, identity, family secrets, and the God who meets us there.Thank you for watching, listening, and sharing.🌱 Support Holy Wreckage: https://holywreckage.com/donate📬 Submit your story: https://holywreckage.com🙏 Send a prayer request: https://holywreckage.com🧰 Resources: https://holywreckage.com/resources**NPE / DNA Surprise Resources:**Right to Know: https://righttoknow.us/DNA Surprise Support: https://righttoknow.us/dna-surpriseResource Hub: https://righttoknow.us/learningDNAngels: https://dnangels.org/**Production Credits:**Testimony by LindaHosted by Crystal DunawayRecorded for Holy WreckageEdited by Matt Sarmiento📬 Connect with Holy WreckageWebsite: https://holywreckage.comInstagram: @holywreckageTikTok: @holywreckageFacebook: Holy WreckageLinkedIn: Holy WreckageYouTube: @HolyWreckageHealing out loud, one wreck at a time.#ChristianTestimony #DNASurprise #NPE #DonorConceived #MisattributedParentage #AdopteeStory #JesusHeals #ChristianPodcast #HolyWreckage #IdentityInChrist #FamilySecrets #TraumaHealing #FaithInJesus #JesusChrist #GeneticMirroring #DNAResults #HealingJourney #ChristianHealing #DonorConception #NPEAwareness
Transcribe →A DNA Test Shattered My Story, But Jesus Met Me in the Wreckage
Jun 800:50:17Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Crystal Dunaway shares her personal DNA discovery story: adoption, name loss, childhood trauma, genetic mirroring, an unexpected AncestryDNA result, finding a biological father after 44 years, and learning how Jesus can meet us in the middle of an identity-shattering truth.A DNA surprise is not just new information. For many NPEs, adoptees, donor-conceived people, and those impacted by misattributed parentage, it can feel like a soul earthquake. It can shake your identity, your family story, your medical history, your sense of belonging, and your faith.But the truth that wrecks the story they gave you does not get to wreck the purpose God put in you.Holy Wreckage exists to tell the truth about trauma, addiction, identity, family secrets, and the God who meets us there.Thank you for watching and sharing.🌱 Support Holy Wreckage: https://holywreckage.com/donate📬 Submit your story: https://holywreckage.com🙏 Send a prayer request: https://holywreckage.com🧰 Resources: https://holywreckage.com/resourcesNPE / DNA Surprise Resources:Right to Know: https://righttoknow.us/DNA Surprise Support: https://righttoknow.us/dna-surpriseMisattributed Parentage Fact Sheet: https://righttoknow.us/downloads/factsheets/misattributed-parentage.pdfResource Hub: https://righttoknow.us/learningProduction Credits:Testimony by Crystal DunawayRecorded for Holy WreckageEdited by Crystal Dunaway📬 Connect with Holy WreckageWebsite: https://holywreckage.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/holywreckage/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@holywreckageFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579102926599LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holy-wreckage-a995ba383YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HolyWreckageHealing out loud, one wreck at a time.#ChristianTestimony #DNASurprise #NPE #MisattributedParentage #AdopteeStory #JesusHeals #ChristianPodcast #HolyWreckage #IdentityInChrist #FamilySecrets #TraumaHealing #ChristianHealing #FaithInJesus #JesusChrist #AdoptionStory #GeneticMirroring #RightToKnow #ChristianNPE #NPE Believers #HealingOutLoud
Transcribe →
The Body Keeps the Score: Sexual Assault, Eating Disorders, and Healing with Jesus
May 2501:05:39Tap to summarizeLillian Schoeppler tried to move on.After being sexually assaulted as a teenager, she buried the pain, kept going, and did what so many survivors do — she tried to forget. But trauma doesn't disappear just because we stop talking about it. Her mind tried to move forward, but her body kept the score.In this powerful episode of Holy Wreckage, Lillian shares how unresolved trauma followed her into adulthood, showing up in relationships, mental health struggles, shame, fear, and the way she saw herself. For years, she carried pain she did not fully understand, until God began exposing what had been hidden and inviting her into healing.Born in the Bronx and raised in Brooklyn, Lillian’s story is raw, honest, and full of redemption. She talks about becoming a single mom, surviving painful experiences, meeting Jesus at 30, and learning that faith does not erase trauma overnight — but Jesus meets us in the wreckage and walks with us through the healing.This conversation is about sexual assault, trauma recovery, faith, therapy, prayer, self-worth, and the courage it takes to tell the truth after years of silence.Lillian’s story reminds us that healing is not pretending it never happened. Healing is letting God into the places we worked so hard to hide.No matter what you have survived, your story is not too broken for God. There is healing after trauma. There is freedom after shame. And there is a Savior who is not afraid of your wreckage.Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussion of sexual assault and trauma. Please listen with care.Connect with Lillian Schoeppler:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lillian.schoepplerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lillianschoeppler/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lillianschoeppler2YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lovealil2175Connect with Holy Wreckage:Website: https://www.holywreckage.comYouTube: https://youtube.com/@holywreckageInstagram/Facebook/TikTok: @holywreckageSupport Holy Wreckage:Help us keep sharing stories of healing, faith, and redemption by donating at HolyWreckage.com.
Transcribe →The Danger of Cultural Christianity: When You Know About God But Don’t Know Jesus
May 1100:46:26Tap to summarizeD. Scott Smith grew up with just enough Christianity to think he was fine.Church was familiar. God was familiar. The language was familiar. Christmas and Easter counted. Being American meant being Christian. But underneath the surface, there was no real surrender, no personal relationship with Jesus, and no understanding of the gift of salvation. It was cultural Christianity — the kind that can make you feel safe while your soul is still asleep.Scott didn’t have the kind of testimony people expect. No addiction spiral. No dramatic collapse. No obvious wreckage everyone could point to. He was a good student. A good kid. The outside looked solid. But inside, he describes it as “internal dry rot” — the beam looked fine, but there was no structure underneath. Apathy, anger, and spiritual emptiness were eating away at what religion could never fix.Then Jesus made it personal.In this episode of Holy Wreckage, Scott shares how God pulled him out of cultural Christianity and into real faith. He talks about growing up around religion, watching God radically change someone close to him, and finally realizing that knowing about Jesus is not the same as belonging to Him.This conversation goes deep into the danger of being spiritually inoculated — having just enough Christianity to feel covered, but not enough surrender to be transformed. Scott also shares how God brought order into his life, why structure matters, and how learning to seek the face of God instead of only His hand changed the way he sees faith, purpose, and the kingdom of God right here in the middle of this broken world.Please consider donating toward Holy Wreckage 👉 https://holywreckage.com/donate/Thank you for watching, listening, subscribing, and sharing these stories of wreckage, redemption, and the God who still restores.Production CreditsTestimony by D. Scott SmithHosted by Crystal DunawayEdited by Matt SarmientoProduced by Holy WreckageRecorded in Riverside🎙️ Guest: D. Scott SmithLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dscottsmithFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/businessnetworkingtips/Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/d_scottWebsite: Confirm before posting — the website link provided appears to redirect to LinkedIn.📬 Connect with Holy WreckageWebsite: https://holywreckage.comYouTube: https://youtube.com/@holywreckageInstagram: https://instagram.com/holywreckageFacebook: https://facebook.com/holywreckageTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@holywreckagePrayer Requests: https://tally.so/r/Np5XvjShare Your Story: https://tally.so/r/MeKNPADonate: https://holywreckage.com/donate/ #CulturalChristianity #ChristianTestimony #FaithJourney #RealFaith #SurrenderToJesus #PersonalRelationshipWithJesus #KnowingJesus #JesusChangedMyLife #ChristianPodcast #ChristianYouTube #FaithOverReligion #SpiritualAwakening #GodsGrace #KingdomOfGod #SeekGodsFace #ChristianEncouragement #TestimonyTuesday #RedemptionStory #FaithAndPurpose #HolyWreckage
Transcribe →
How God Rebuilt Her Identity After a Traumatic Brain Injury | Amanda Maddox Testimony | E11
Apr 2801:16:08Tap to summarizeMost women carry invisible wreckage from their past — but what if your greatest mess becomes your most powerful message? Amanda Maddox’s story of trauma, faith, and transformation reveals the extraordinary power of trusting God through life’s darkest moments. After surviving a devastating car accident and suffering a traumatic brain injury, Amanda thought her life was over. Instead, God used her pain to redefine her purpose, healing her mind, heart, and identity along the way.In this raw and inspiring episode, you’ll hear how Amanda’s journey from chaos to clarity unlocked a profound understanding of who she is in Christ. We break down her battles with memory loss, hallucinations, aphasia, and feelings of worthlessness—showing that wounds don’t have to define us. You’ll discover how her faith grew stronger amid the storm, and how trusting God's process can turn your wreckage into a testimony of grace.Amanda shares her transition from a high school dropout, teenage mother, and EMT to a woman awakening to her divine calling. She explores the lessons learned from materialism, shame, and identity, and why God often allows fire to burn off everything that’s not His best for us. Her story uncovers powerful frameworks like the “Invisible Path” of trust—comparing it to stepping stones over a cliff—and reminds us that surrendering control is where true healing begins.This episode isn’t just about surviving trauma—it's about thriving through it. If you’re feeling lost in your own wreckage, Amanda’s story will ignite hope and show you how to find your purpose in God's restoration. Perfect for anyone wrestling with shame, identity, or the fear that their pain is too great to be redeemed—this is your reminder that with God, your story is still being written.Amanda Maddox is a powerhouse of faith and healing, whose journey through brain injury and spiritual renewal has inspired countless others to trust in God's transformative love. Her upcoming book, “I Am Who I Am in the Great I Am,” shares her journey in detail and aims to help women everywhere embrace their worth, find their voice, and walk confidently in Christ.If you’ve ever felt like giving up, this episode will remind you that your wreckage is the foundation God will use to build something beautiful. Your story matters, your scars are sacred, and your divine purpose is waiting just on the other side of surrender. Hit play and discover how your greatest mess can become your most powerful testimony of faith and victory.#FaithJourney #BrainInjuryRecovery #ChristianInspiration #HealingThroughFaith #PurposeInPain
Transcribe →