Let’s Get Real with Justin and Trisha Davis

Episode 090: The Truth That Saved Our Marriage with Jenni Wong Clayville

What happens when the truth you’re most afraid to tell becomes the very thing God uses to heal your life?
In this deeply honest and hope-filled conversation, Justin and Trish sit down with pastor and longtime friend Jenni Wong Clayville to talk about marriage, infidelity, shame, healing, authenticity, and the redemptive power of God.
Jenni shares the unbelievable story of how a chance meeting with Justin and Trish at a church conference 18 years ago became the catalyst for confessing an affair to her husband that same night — a moment that changed the trajectory of her marriage, family, and ministry forever.
This episode is full of laughter, raw honesty, and powerful reminders that while people may fail us, God never will.
If you’ve ever felt stuck in shame, disappointed in your story, or afraid to tell the truth, this conversation is for you.
Resources: 
Check out Jenni’s website HERE
Check out Justin and Trish’s marriage resources HERE
Pick up a copy of Justin and Trish’s latest book HERE 

Episode 089: Building an Awesome Marriage: Connection, Communication & Faith with Dr. Kim Kimberling

What does it really take to build a thriving, lasting marriage—especially when life gets busy, distractions are everywhere, and connection starts to drift?
In this episode, Justin and Trish sit down with Dr. Kim Kimberling, a Christian counselor with over 40 years of experience and the founder of Awesome Marriage. Drawing from decades of counseling couples—and his own 55-year marriage—Dr. Kim shares practical wisdom and hope for couples in every season.
Together, they unpack why most marriages don’t fall apart overnight, but instead slowly drift through disconnection—and how small, intentional steps can restore intimacy and trust.
Links & Resources
🌐 Awesome Marriage
🎧 Awesome Marriage Podcast
📚 Check out Justin and Trish’s Marriage Resources HERE 

Episode 088: When Youth Sports Go Too Far: How Parents Can Reclaim What Matters Most with Brian Smith & Ed Uszynski

Youth sports can be one of the greatest gifts—or one of the deepest sources of pressure and pain—for families today. In this honest and deeply personal conversation, Justin sits down with Brian Smith and Ed Uszynski, co-authors of Away Game, to unpack the reality of the modern youth sports culture—and how it’s shaping not just our kids, but us as parents.
With over 50 years of combined experience working with athletes, Brian and Ed pull back the curtain on what they call the “Youth Sports Industrial Complex”—a multi-billion-dollar system that often prioritizes performance over people and pressure over play.
This episode is equal parts eye-opening and freeing. You’ll hear real stories of regret, growth, and redemption as Justin reflects on his own parenting journey, including the unintended pressure he placed on his sons. Together, they explore how fear, identity, and parental expectations can quietly take over—and how the gospel invites us into a different way.
If you’ve ever felt the tension between wanting the best for your child and wondering if it’s all too much…this conversation is for you.
Links and Resources
Away Game: A Christian Parent’s Guide to Navigating Youth Sports by Brian Smith & Ed Uszynski
The Christian Athlete (articles and resources for parents, coaches, and athletes)
Athletes in Action (sports ministry organization)

Episode 087: Grace Over Shame: Breaking Free from Addiction, Perfectionism, and Hidden Struggles with Chris Janssen

What if the thing you’re struggling with… isn’t your fault?
In this powerful and honest conversation, Justin and Trisha sit down with life coach and author Chris Janssen to talk about addiction, perfectionism, and the hidden patterns that keep us stuck. Drawing from her personal journey with alcohol addiction and recovery, Chris shares how shame, guilt, and isolation can quietly take hold—and how grace, truth, and community can lead to lasting freedom.
Whether your “thing” is alcohol, overthinking, people-pleasing, or something more private, this episode will help you identify what’s holding you back and give you practical steps to move forward.
Links and Resources
Grace Yourself: How to Show Up for the Sober Life You Want by Chris Janssen
Chris’s Website: https://www.chrisjanssencoaching.com/
Instagram: @chris3janssen
Justin & Trisha’s Website: justinandtrisha.com

Episode 086: Identity, Loss, and the One Choice that Changed Everything with Justin, Trisha and Isaiah Davis

What happens when the dream you've spent your entire life chasing suddenly disappears? In this episode, Justin and Trisha are joined by their son Isaiah Davis for an honest and moving conversation about identity, loss, and the one choice that set him on an entirely new path.
If you're in the middle of a season where you feel stuck, lost, or like you're letting everyone down — this episode is for you.
Isaiah Davis is a photographer and videographer based in Nashville, Tennessee. After stepping away from college basketball at Huntington University, he transferred to Lipscomb University where he studied theology and discovered a new calling. He now works with artists, churches, and nonprofits through his creative business. You can find his work on Instagram at @ZayFilmz..
Links & Resources
Get One Choice Away from Change
Follow Isaiah's work: @ZayFilmz on Instagram
Follow Justin & Trisha: justinandtrisha.com
Leave a review of One Choice Away from Change on Amazon

Episode 085: Radically Restored: Stephen McWhirter on Addiction, Forgiveness, and the Song That Became a Prayer

This episode is a powerful, honest conversation, Justin and Trisha sit down with worship leader, songwriter, and author Stephen McWhirter to talk about the messy, non-linear road of redemption. Stephen shares what it was like growing up as the son of a traveling evangelist while witnessing abuse behind closed doors, how that pain shaped his view of God, and the destructive path that followed—leading to years of addiction.
Then comes the turning point: an unexpected encounter with Jesus in the middle of darkness, sparked by reading The Case for Christ—with drugs still on the nightstand. What happened next is a story of grace, transformation, and a life that’s been marked by worship, healing, and restoration.
Stephen also opens up about the long road of forgiving his dad, the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation, and why forgiveness is about releasing a debt that could keep us imprisoned.
Finally, Justin and Stephen talk about worship as a “conduit of care,” the story behind the viral prayer-song “Come Jesus Come”, and Stephen’s new book Radically Restored—with a full-circle moment you won’t want to miss. 
 
Links and/or Resources
Stephen’s first Book: Radically Restored
“Come Jesus Come” on Youtube by Stephen McWhirter
The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel (the book God used to spark Stephen’s turning point)
Follow Stephen McWhirter on Instagram

Episode 084: Surrendered Sexuality: Dr. Juli Slattery on Identity, Healing, and Covenant Love

Why is sexuality one of the hardest topics for Christians to talk about—yet one of the most important areas to surrender to Jesus?
In this episode of the Let’s Get Real Podcast, Justin and Trisha sit down with Dr. Juli Slattery—clinical psychologist, author, and founder of Authentic Intimacy—for an honest conversation about sexual brokenness, shame, identity, and healing.
Juli shares why the Church has often avoided meaningful conversations about sexuality and how behavior-focused teaching without discipleship leaves people stuck. Instead of offering more rules or silence, she invites us into something deeper: surrendered sexuality rooted in identity in Christ.
Together, they unpack:
Why shame keeps people trapped
How purity culture left many unprepared for healthy intimacy
The difference between conviction and shame
Sex as a symbol and celebration of covenant, not just an expression of feelings
What “mature sexual love” actually looks like in marriage
If you’ve ever felt confused, discouraged, or alone in this area, this episode offers both truth and hope.
Links and/or Resources
Authentic Intimacy: AuthenticIntimacy.com
Juli’s Podcast: Java with Juli
Book Featured in This Episode: Surrendered Sexuality by Dr. Juli Slattery
Follow Juli on YouTube + Instagram

Episode 083:Immigration, Border Control and Following Jesus in This Cultural Moment

In this heartfelt and pastoral conversation, Justin and Trisha step into one of the most emotionally charged conversations in our cultural moment — immigration, ICE, border control, Christian nationalism, and what it means to follow Jesus in the middle of it all.
Rather than offering political solutions or partisan talking points, they ask a deeper question: What does it look like to follow the person of Christ right now?
Drawing from their own backgrounds — growing up in very different cultural environments, raising children with diverse political perspectives, adopting African-American children, and pastoring through the collective trauma of COVID and racial unrest — Justin and Trisha reflect on how fear, politics, and personal bias can shape our hearts in ways we don’t always recognize.
Looking at the life of Jesus — His interactions with the Samaritan woman, Zacchaeus, and the woman caught in adultery — they remind us that Christ consistently moved toward the “other,” never compromising truth but always leading with dignity.
This episode is not about telling you how to vote. It’s about inviting you to examine your heart.
If you’ve felt overwhelmed, tense, or unsure how to engage these conversations faithfully, this episode is for you.
Links and/or Resources:
The Middle of Everywhere by Mary Pipher
How to Heal Our Racial Divide by Derwin Gray
Justin & Trisha’s books and relationship resources

Episode 082: Don’t Burn Your Own House Down: How Small Choices Shape the Health of Your Marriage with Lindsay Maestas

What if most marriages don’t fall apart because of one big moment—but a series of small, unaddressed ones?
Justin and Trish sit down with author, podcaster, and speaker Lindsay Maestas to talk about her new book Don’t Burn Your Own House Down and the very real, modern challenges couples face today. From emotional distance and unresolved resentment to attachment styles, prayer, friendship, and intimacy, Lindsay shares vulnerably from her own marriage and the lessons she’s learned along the way.
This conversation is honest, hope-filled, and deeply practical—offering couples tools to recognize the “small fires” early, reconnect with humility, and pursue healing before crisis hits. If you want to strengthen your marriage without waiting for everything to fall apart, this episode is for you.
Links and/or Resources
Don’t Burn Your Own House Down by Lindsay Maestas
Living Easy with Lindsay Podcast
Instagram: @LivingEasyWithLindsay
Lindsay’s website

Episode 081: Deeply Loved: The Power of Empathy in Faith and Relationships with Bill & Kristi Gaultiere

What if the missing piece in your faith or relationships isn’t more effort—but empathy?
Justin and Trish are joined again by psychologists and spiritual directors Bill and Kristi Gaultiere, founders of Soul Shepherding, to talk about their new book Deeply Loved. Together, they explore how empathy helps us experience God’s love on a heart level, why many Christians struggle with shame and emotional honesty, and how biblical empathy leads to healing, growth, and healthier relationships.
This conversation addresses common misunderstandings about empathy, including the idea of “toxic empathy,” and offers practical ways to pair empathy with truth and responsibility. If you long to feel deeply known, deeply loved, and more connected to God and others, this episode is for you.
Links and/or Resources
Deeply Loved by Bill & Kristi Gaultiere
Soul Shepherding: https://www.soulshepherding.org
Books by Justin & Trisha Davis