Podcast
The Nothing Is Wasted Podcast
Hosted by That Sounds Fun Network · EN
The Nothing is Wasted podcast explores the deep impact of trauma, loss, grief, and tragedy, while providing listeners with the hope and healing of Jesus. Born from Host Davey Blackburn’s own story of trauma and grief after the tragic loss of his wife Amanda and unborn child during a home invasion, this show features powerful stories of resilience and faith and practical tools to navigate pain and heartache. Listen each week for encouragement and insight as guests share how they’ve found that even in life’s darkest, most tragic moments, pain can lead to purpose and with God–nothing is wasted.
30episodes
Episodes
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Episode 430 - From Pain to Purposeful Leadership with Carolene Mays
1w ago01:12:44Tap to summarizeHow do you break free from an abusive cycle when it feels like there’s nowhere else to turn? How can God take the pain of the past and transform it into purpose as you rebuild your life after trauma?For former public official, TV show host, and speaker Carolene Mays, imagining the life and leadership she would one day have seemed impossible while trapped in an abusive marriage. Escaping that relationship wasn’t easy—but on the other side, God took her pain and transformed it into a story of resilience and influence. Today, Carolene has served in politics, built successful businesses, hosted a television show, and mentored countless women and minority leaders to thrive. Throughout it all, she shares the struggles she endured and how God used every hardship to shape her path—truly showing that He wastes nothing.In this episode, Davey and Carolene explore how to overcome the trauma of abuse, why noticing who needs encouragement matters, and how leadership in any context is ultimately an overflow of what God is doing within us.If you’ve ever wondered how God might be connecting your past to the work He has for you now, this conversation will inspire you as you see how God takes our pain and uses it to transform us into leaders who uplift and empower others with purpose. Website: https://carolenemays.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolenemays Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Episode 429 - When the Pain of the Past Resurfaces with Chris Durso
2w ago01:01:29Tap to summarizeHow do we begin to move through the pain we’ve buried for so long? And how can our willingness to be vulnerable create space for others to share their own stories honestly?Pastor Chris Durso never imagined how a single question could uncover years of suppressed pain. During a therapy session, the simple prompt—“How was your childhood?”—opened the door to long-buried memories of sexual abuse he experienced as a child at the hands of someone within the church. What followed was not only the resurfacing of those moments, but also the unexpected weight of PTSD and the beginning of a difficult, yet transformative, journey toward healing.In this episode, Davey sits down with Chris to talk about what it looks like to confront childhood trauma, how to navigate PTSD in the context of community, and why authenticity in the church is so essential for true healing.If you’ve ever experienced wounds from your past resurfacing in unexpected ways, this conversation is a reminder that even in the most painful parts of our story, Jesus is present—and healing is possible. Website: https://www.chrisdurso.co/ https://www.goodcompanychurch.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisdurso Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chris.durso.ye Not living the story you expected? Pain changes us but doesn't have to define us. Find out how to begin your healing journey today: nothingiswasted.com/starthere Looking for help in navigating the valley of pain and trauma? Our Nothing is Wasted coaches can help: nothingiswasted.com/coaching Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Episode 428 - Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic with Jonathon Seidl
3w ago01:14:42Tap to summarizeWhat happens when the escape you turn to begins to take over your life? How do you begin to heal the deeper wounds that often lie beneath addiction?For author and podcaster Jonathon Seidl, the descent into alcoholism was rooted in unresolved childhood pain. After experiencing his father leaving at a young age, navigating an often difficult relationship with his stepfather, and enduring childhood sexual abuse, alcohol became a way to numb what he hadn’t yet faced—or invited Jesus to heal.In his book Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic: A Candid Conversation on Drinking, Addiction, and How to Break Free, Jonathon shares his raw and honest journey through disordered drinking and his path toward freedom.In this episode, Davey sits down with Jonathon to explore the connection between escapism and addiction, the impact of trauma, and what recovery can look like through a Gospel-centered lens.If you or someone you love has struggled with alcohol—even as a believer—this conversation offers a powerful reminder: there is hope. When we stop avoiding our pain and bring it honestly before Jesus, true healing can begin. Website: https://www.jonseidl.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonseidl Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathonmseidl Book: Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic: A Candid Conversation on Drinking, Addiction, and How to Break Freehttps://a.co/d/086ThOXx Not living the story you expected? Pain changes us but doesn't have to define us. Find out how to begin your healing journey today: nothingiswasted.com/starthere Looking for help in navigating the valley of pain and trauma? Our Nothing is Wasted coaches can help: nothingiswasted.com/coaching Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Episode 427 - Renew Your Mind and Rewire Your Brain with Dr. Karl Benzio
4w ago01:12:43Tap to summarizeHow does God heal the mind? And what happens when faith and science meet in the middle of our pain?For decades, conversations about mental health and faith often felt disconnected. But psychiatrist Dr. Karl Benzio has spent his life exploring how Scripture and neuroscience actually point to the same truth: God designed the mind with incredible capacity for healing, renewal, and transformation. Drawing from years of clinical work with trauma, addiction, and mental health struggles—as well as global work in crisis zones—Dr. Benzio has seen first hand how the way we see our circumstances and the beliefs we hold can literally reshape our brains.In this episode, Davey and Dr. Benzio discuss how our belief systems shape our decisions, how decisions influence our brain through neuroplasticity, and how God uses community, truth, and spiritual practices to renew our minds.If you’ve ever wondered how faith intersects with mental health—or how God can bring healing to your mind, emotions, and story—this conversation will help you see that the path to transformation may be closer than you think. Website: https://drkarlbenzio.com/ www.honeylake.clinic Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drkarlbenzio Book: Transformed by His Promises: A 12-Week Devotional for Freedom from the Psychological Slavery of Life-Interfering Behaviors https://amzn.to/4pTWhmH Your generosity carries stories of redemption to the next generation. Be a part of our Legacy of Hope and give today: nothingiswasted.com/legacyofhope Not living the story you expected? Pain changes us but doesn't have to define us. Find out how to begin your healing journey today: nothingiswasted.com/starthere Looking for help in navigating the valley of pain and trauma? Our Nothing is Wasted coaches can help: nothingiswasted.com/coaching Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Episode 426 - Getting Back Up When You're Shattered By Loss with Courtney Pray Duke
Apr 2301:15:58Tap to summarizeHow do you get back up after a life-shattering loss? How do you find hope when you must surrender to God the life you thought you’d have?Courtney Pray Duke was living her dream with her husband, Andrew, and their three young children when one day changed everything. As she was putting the finishing touches on Thanksgiving preparations, Andrew—an avid cyclist—went out for a bike ride. Just a few hours later, Courtney received the call that divided her life into a before and after: her husband had been hit by a vehicle and did not survive.In the depths of unimaginable grief, Courtney clung to God and slowly discovered the hope she had in Him in her darkest season. She shares that journey through heartbreak, faith, and restoration in her book And She Got Up: Shattered by Loss, Restored by Jesus.In this episode, Davey talks with Courtney about the power of surrender in the midst of pain, how to discern where God is leading when life takes an unexpected turn, and why remarriage after loss can be both beautiful and complicated as families blend and grief continues to be honored.If you’ve ever wondered how you could possibly get back up after being shattered by loss, this conversation will point you to the healing and hope that can be found as Jesus restores us—step by step—along the journey. Website: www.courtneyprayduke.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneyprayduke Book: And She Got Up: Shattered by Loss, Restored by Jesus https://amzn.to/4raFgXbYour generosity carries stories of redemption to the next generation. Be a part of our Legacy of Hope and give today: nothingiswasted.com/legacyofhope Not living the story you expected? Pain changes us but doesn't have to define us. Find out how to begin your healing journey today: nothingiswasted.com/starthere Looking for help in navigating the valley of pain and trauma? Our Nothing is Wasted coaches can help: nothingiswasted.com/coaching Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Episode 425 - Jesus Loves You More with Hunter Beless
Apr 1601:14:58Tap to summarizeHow does discipleship shape the way we make sense of pain and suffering in our lives? Why is Scripture so important—not only for our own spiritual growth, but also for the growth of our children?As a military wife, Hunter Beless began to recognize her own need for deeper discipleship amid the challenges and constant transitions of military life. She started seeking out conversations with those who could disciple and encourage her in her faith. Eventually, she decided to share those conversations with the women in her own circle and beyond through her podcast, *Journeywomen*. What she couldn’t have anticipated was how essential those spiritual investments would become when she faced the sudden and tragic loss of her father to cancer. In that season of deep suffering, the roots of her faith helped sustain her.Hunter has not only pursued discipleship in her own life, but she has also spent significant time thinking about how to disciple her young children. In her most recent book, Jesus Loves You More, Hunter helps kids understand the depth of Christ’s love for them as they grow in their desire to know Him.In this episode, Davey and Hunter talk about the profound role discipleship plays in the life of a believer, how we can wrestle with and trust in the sovereignty of God during seasons of suffering, and practical ways we can teach our kids Scripture so that when they face hardship, they know where to return—to God’s truth and His love for them.If you are longing for relationships that will stir your affection for Jesus in the midst of pain, this conversation will encourage you to seek out people who can speak into your life and help strengthen your faith as you follow Him. Website: https://www.hunterbeless.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hunterbeless Podcast: Journeywomen Podcast https://www.journeywomen.org Book: Jesus Loves You Morehttps://amzn.to/4o5bSPi Not living the story you expected? Pain changes us but doesn't have to define us. Find out how to begin your healing journey today: nothingiswasted.com/starthere Looking for help in navigating the valley of pain and trauma? Our Nothing is Wasted coaches can help: nothingiswasted.com/coaching Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Episode 424 - Living Shameless with Ken Freire
Apr 901:11:06Tap to summarizeHow do you find a way forward when shame from sexual abuse threatens to keep you stuck? What do you do with pornography and sexual addiction when they’re intertwined with the wounds you’ve carried for years?For podcast host and entrepreneur Ken Freire, finding freedom from pornography and the lingering shame of childhood sexual abuse was anything but easy. The road was marked by isolation, secrecy, and deep internal struggle. But as Ken began to experience real healing, his pain was transformed into purpose. Today, he helps others navigate addiction, suffering, and restoration by sharing the stories of men who have found freedom on his podcast called Shame(less).In this conversation, Davey sits down with Ken to talk about the isolation that often follows abuse and addiction, how to confront the shame surrounding pornography, and what it truly means to apply the gospel to our stories of brokenness.If you’ve ever felt bound by the pain of your past, this episode is a powerful reminder that freedom is possible, shame does not get the final word, and you can step into a life marked by healing and hope. Website: https://kenfreire.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenfreire/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kenneth.freire Podcast: Shame(less) with Ken Freire https://beshameless.org/ Not living the story you expected? Pain changes us but doesn't have to define us. Find out how to begin your healing journey today: nothingiswasted.com/starthere Are you ready to add trauma informed care into your church, career, or life? Join our Biblical Trauma Care Specialist Course today and help others heal: nothingiswasted.com/btcs Looking for help in navigating the valley of pain and trauma? Our Nothing is Wasted coaches can help: nothingiswasted.com/coaching Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Episode 423 - Walking with God through the Heartache of Divorce with Vaneetha Risner
Apr 201:11:36Tap to summarizeWhat do you do when you find yourself living a life that was never your plan? How do you navigate the heartache of divorce and come out the other side stronger?Author and speaker Vaneetha Risner was no stranger to suffering long before her husband told her he had met someone else and wanted a divorce. After having walked through polio as a child, losing her infant son due to medical negligence and receiving a debilitating post-polio diagnosis, Vaneetha had already endured profound loss. Yet divorce brought its own distinct grief—one she had to walk through while caring for her teenage daughters and navigating her own heartbreak. In her book This Was Never the Plan: Walking with God through the Heartache of Divorce, she shares the practical wisdom and steady faith that carried her through.In this episode, Davey and Vaneetha talk about where to begin when a marriage unravels unexpectedly, how to confront the shame that often accompanies divorce, and what it truly looks like to trust God in the midst of deep pain and healing.If you or someone you love is living a story that feels nothing like the one once imagined, this conversation offers the hope that no matter what you’ve experienced, joy can return—and healing can emerge in the most unexpected places. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Episode 422 - The Bible Is For You in Suffering with Amanda Bible Williams
Mar 2601:27:22Tap to summarizeWhat does the gospel speak into our suffering? How can the Bible anchor us with hope in our deepest pain?Author and co-founder of She Reads Truth, Amanda Bible Williams has helped countless people understand the importance of Scripture in their everyday lives. But it was through her own journey—adoption and raising a medically fragile child—that God’s Word became even more personal and powerful. As she parents her son Toby, who has faced significant medical challenges due to congenital heart issues, and as she has walked through other profound losses, Amanda has returned again and again to God and His Word to find the strength and hope she needs to keep moving forward. Her latest book, The Bible Is for You: A Devotional Journey Through Every Book of the Bible, co-written with She Reads Truth co-founder Raechel Myers, guides readers through every book of Scripture and reveals the unchanging truth that transcends our circumstances.In this honest conversation, Davey and Amanda discuss the unique challenges parents of medically fragile children face, how to encounter God in the midst of suffering, and why the Bible is essential when we find ourselves in life’s valleys.If you’ve struggled to read the Bible—especially in seasons of difficulty or pain—this episode invites you to discover the comfort and steady hope that await when you immerse yourself in the timeless truths of Scripture. Website: https://shereadstruth.com/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/biblewilliams Book: The Bible Is for You: A Devotional Journey Through Every Book of the Biblehttps://amzn.to/4gSNtKL She Reads Truth Spiral Bound Notetaking Bible https://www.shopshereadstruth.com/products/preorder-she-reads-truth-spiral-bound-notetaking-bible-five-volume-set Not living the story you expected? Pain changes us but doesn't have to define us. Find out how to begin your healing journey today: nothingiswasted.com/starthere Are you ready to add trauma informed care into your church, career, or life? Join our Biblical Trauma Care Specialist Course today and help others heal: nothingiswasted.com/btcs Looking for help in navigating the valley of pain and trauma? Our Nothing is Wasted coaches can help: nothingiswasted.com/coaching Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Episode 421 - It's Never Wrong to Do the Right Thing with Nicole C. Mullen
Mar 1901:01:40Tap to summarizeHow do we make sense of the pain others have caused us in light of the choices we’ve made? What do we do when we find ourselves somewhere we never intended to be?Christian recording artist Nicole C. Mullen opens up about the pain she endured in an abusive marriage. As she reflected on her journey, she came to understand that while she was never responsible for the abuse or betrayal she suffered, some of her own decisions contributed to the painful paths she walked in her life. Rather than allowing that realization to trap her in shame or despair, Nicole discovered a deeper truth: God offers fresh mercy and the power to choose what is right, no matter our past. She shares these lessons in her book It’s Never Wrong to Do the Right Thing: Courageous Stories to Inspire Godly Decisions.In this hope-filled conversation, Davey and Nicole talk about the reality that healing is a process, the lasting impact our choices can have on our lives and the powerful role other people’s stories play in helping us navigate our own.If you’ve ever felt like your life has drifted too far off course or that your decisions have taken you somewhere you can’t return from, this episode is a reminder: it’s never the wrong time to do the right thing. Website: www.nicolecmullen.com Instagram: instagram.com/nicolecmullenofficialFacebook: facebook.com/NicoleCMullenMusic Book: It's Never Wrong to Do the Right Thing: Courageous Stories to Inspire Godly Decisions https://amzn.to/42zwyqJ Not living the story you expected? Pain changes us but doesn't have to define us. Find out how to begin your healing journey today: nothingiswasted.com/starthere Your generosity carries stories of redemption to the next generation. Be a part of our Legacy of Hope and give today: nothingiswasted.com/legacyofhope Are you ready to add trauma informed care into your church, career, or life? Join our Biblical Trauma Care Specialist Course today and help others heal: nothingiswasted.com/btcs Looking for help in navigating the valley of pain and trauma? Our Nothing is Wasted coaches can help: www.nothingiswasted.com/coaching Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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