The great lie of addiction is that suffering must be fled, must be numbed, must be drowned out by any means necessary.

In this episode, we explore The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction, a forthcoming book that examines addiction not just as a habit or illness, but as a form of misplaced worship. We discuss how addiction draws us toward false gods, demanding our devotion and shaping our lives in ways we barely recognize. More than a personal struggle, addiction weaves itself into families, communities, and churches—warping trust, distorting love, and hollowing out the soul. How can we reclaim what has been lost? How do we confront addiction not just physically and mentally, but as a deeply spiritual battle? Join us as we dig into these questions and consider a way forward, one rooted in truth, grace, and the renewal of the whole person.

Kelsi chats with pastor and author, Donavon Riley, about his forthcoming book, ⁠The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction⁠.

The addict’s condition speaks a hard truth: that we are all beggars before God, every one of us bent toward the grave.

Now that the Lord of Sabaoth has involved himself, something ends, something is born.

We must also address the stigma surrounding addiction within so many churches.

When we cry to the Lord in our trouble, he will send us a preacher with words that deliver us from destruction.

Only God's Word of Gospel can permanently help and heal the addicted.

There is true help in the midst of our pain. Someone who suffered as we suffer, who embraced all our pain in his suffering and death on a cross.

I’m a drug addict. Specifically, a recovering drug addict. More specific, a grateful recovering drug addict.

“Why now,” I said to no one, or to myself, or to God. Whoever. I was drunk, strung out, mostly dead, hopeless in the darkness. I knew I’d done it all to myself. I didn’t need God to drive the point home.