Podcast Summary: "Growth, Controversy, and Our Heart"
Podcast: Stay True with Madison Prewett Troutt
Host: Madison Prewett Troutt
Guest: Grant Troutt
Release Date: December 15, 2025
Main Theme
This episode is a heartfelt and candid response by Madison and Grant Troutt to controversy stirred by a previous discussion about the word "submission" in Christian marriage. They aim to clarify their beliefs, express remorse for any pain caused, and provide Biblical context for the use of terms like "submission" and "discipline." The central focus is to foster understanding, maintain humility, and model how Christian couples can navigate difficult conversations while staying true to faith and values.
Key Discussion Points
1. Addressing the Controversy and Owning Mistakes
- [00:28–03:00] Madison acknowledges the uproar surrounding her previous use of "submission," noting that the discussion lacked context and unintentionally hurt listeners.
- Madi: “We just want to say sorry. We want to really own our part in that... Some of you, when you hear the word submit, you think of abuse... oppression and that you have no voice... That is in no way of how I meant it.” [04:03]
- Grant joins in, highlighting the couple’s intent:
- Grant: “If you’ve not felt loved or cared for in what we’ve said, that is what makes us most sad. That's the reason we do this.” [01:59]
- They apologize for moments they spoke lightly or without adequate context, expressing a desire for forgiveness and understanding.
2. Learning, Growth, and Seeking Counsel
- [06:16–08:57] They describe intentionally pausing after prior controversies about both "discipline" and "submission" to learn rather than react defensively.
- Grant: “A lot of humility has come from that... we wanted to learn as much as we could from that moment.” [06:16]
- They leaned on mentors and friends, wanting to be “slow to speak and quick to listen.”
- Madi: “We’re still learning things about the Bible, we’re still learning things about Jesus, we’re still growing in our own faith.” [07:28]
3. The Gospel at the Heart of Everything
- [09:14–10:19] Both discuss that the pulse of Stay True is sharing the gospel and walking with listeners through a journey towards becoming more like Jesus.
- Grant: “The central heart of what Stay True is about is the gospel of Jesus Christ — that we're all broken and... he came down and died for us.” [09:14]
- Madison shares how her time on the Bachelor illustrated the importance of reaching and loving people over being "right."
- Madi: “It’s not about being right. It's not about being heard. It's reaching people and loving people for the sake of Jesus Christ...” [10:19]
4. Submission: What the Bible Says And What It Doesn't
- [14:03–16:23] The couple delves into what “submission” means Scripturally and in their marriage. They stress it’s not abuse, domination, or silencing a woman’s voice.
- Madison: “Submission is not abusive... It doesn't mean that the wife is weak or passive... We have equal rights. We just have different roles.” [15:15]
- Memorable moment: Both laugh at the idea that their relationship is anything but a dynamic partnership due to Madison’s “very big personality.”
- They clarify that they've never used “submit” in daily life; it's strictly from the language of Scripture. They regret that the phrase, out of context, sounded odd or cringey.
- Madison: “If I saw that, I too would be like, it just feels weird.” [14:37]
5. Biblical Blueprint for Marriage
- [16:23–21:44] Grant outlines the biblical context (Ephesians 5), emphasizing mutual respect and sacrifice:
- Grant: “It says, 'Wives, submit to your husbands.' That's where that word comes from... But it also says, 'Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church...' So what's the call of the man? Sacrifice, serve and die for your wife.” [29:16]
- Madison speaks to how submission for her means “honor” and “respect” to Grant as the spiritual leader, but with full equality and partnership.
- Madison: “I believe that Grant’s role is to be the spiritual leader of the home... [It’s] the way I truly have found to feel the freest and most content in our marriage.” [17:16]
- Submission reflects Jesus’ own submission to God the Father, making the concept relevant to all believers, not just wives.
6. Mutual Decision-Making in Marriage
- [33:37–37:00] Madison and Grant provide examples from their own lives (moving to Waco, moving to Nashville) where major decisions were made mutually, through prayer and discussion.
- Grant: “There are no moments in our marriage where I'm like, 'Hey, Maddie, we are doing this regardless of what you say.’” [33:50]
- Madison: “We bring it to the other person and we're like, ‘Hey, this is what I feel. What do you think about it?’” [33:52]
7. Encouragement and Acknowledgement of Hard Situations
- [25:49–29:16] Madison addresses women in marriages where the husband isn't leading spiritually or doesn’t share their faith. She encourages prayer, patience, and seeking support, reaffirming that biblical submission never means following a spouse into sin.
- Madison: “If you find yourself in a marriage... that person... doesn’t stand where you stand spiritually... that is really hard... Your biggest step would be to pray for your husband...” [26:41]
8. Purpose of Marriage: Portraying Jesus
- [29:16–38:26] Grant emphasizes that the ultimate purpose of Christian marriage is to be a living illustration of Christ’s love and sacrifice.
- Grant: “Our marriage is about proclaiming and portraying our Savior, Jesus, to the world...” [31:48]
- The mystery of marriage is that it’s about something greater than the couple themselves.
9. Apology and Commitment to Growth
- [38:26–41:19] Madison reiterates an apology and commits to keep learning and growing.
- Madison: “For any moment that I've said something... that has kept you from wanting to know that Jesus, I’m sorry.” [39:01]
- They close with prayer and encouragement for listeners to stay on the journey with them.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “We do both feel a call to love the Word and preach the Word... but there are ways to say it in context and stuff.” — Grant [02:30]
- “We want to really own our part in that. Of, like, I have definitely had moments of saying things lightly...” — Madison [04:50]
- “It’s not about being right. It’s not about being heard... It’s reaching people and loving people for the sake of Jesus Christ.” — Madison [10:19]
- “I would say that in my interpretation... that word submission is honor, is respect... We have the same rights. We just have different roles.” — Madison [17:38]
- “Our marriage is about proclaiming and portraying our Savior, Jesus, to the world... that’s crazy. That our marriage is not even about Grant and Maddie being happy.” — Grant [31:48]
- “Not from his head to topple him, not from his feet to be trampled on... but from his side to be near his heart.” — Grant (on the creation of woman in Genesis) [37:04]
- “I want you to know the Jesus that saves, the Jesus that loves, the Jesus that redeems... I want you to know that Jesus.” — Madison [39:17]
Chronological Timestamps for Major Segments
| Segment | Timestamps | |------------------------------------------------------|--------------| | Addressing the context and apology | 00:28–06:16 | | Seeking counsel and learning from mistakes | 06:16–09:14 | | Focusing on the heart of the podcast (the gospel) | 09:14–12:43 | | Clarifying “submission” and what it isn't | 14:03–16:23 | | Biblical blueprint and division of marital roles | 16:23–21:44 | | Mutual leadership, respect, and decision-making | 33:37–37:00 | | Encouragement for difficult marriages | 25:49–29:16 | | Marriage as a living picture of the Gospel | 29:16–38:26 | | Final apologies, commitments, closing prayer | 38:26–41:19 |
Takeaways
- Madison and Grant model humility by openly apologizing, seeking counsel, and affirming their commitment to love and clarity.
- They emphasize that biblical “submission” is about mutual honor and sacrifice, not dominance or silencing — and that both spouses are called to lay down their preferences for the other.
- The ultimate purpose of marriage, according to them, is to point others to Jesus.
- Listeners are encouraged to grow alongside the hosts, with the assurance that faith is a journey and mistakes are part of real-life spiritual growth.
Tone: Warm, humble, and conversational, with frequent vulnerability and humor—especially when dispelling misconceptions about their relationship dynamic.
Best Audience: Anyone navigating faith, relationship questions, or seeking a transparent Christian perspective on marriage and spiritual growth. This episode is especially helpful for those struggling with past church baggage around topics like “submission.”
Closing Quote:
“We are imperfect, and I'm so grateful we serve a perfect God, and that's why. That's why we serve him, because he's perfect when we're not, and he's patient with us when we mess up.” — Madison [39:50]