39 | God Still Speaks to You in the Mess: Addiction, Excommunication & What Real Conversion Actually Looks Like | Matthew Richardson
In this powerful episode, Lisa is joined by Matthew Richardson- after a late-night Instagram scroll led her straight to his vulnerable testimony about coming to Christ. What follows is an honest, Spirit-filled conversation about true conversion—what it actually means to know the Savior, not just know scripture or “check the boxes.”
Matthew shares parts of his story he was terrified to say out loud: deep internal battles, addiction, divorce, excommunication, and how God still spoke to him clearly—proving that revelation isn’t about where you are on the covenant path, but which direction you’re facing.
Lisa weaves in her own recent awakening: learning to pray with real humility (on her knees), learning to pray out loud as a tool for processing and receiving direction, and realizing that fear-based obedience can look “righteous” while still keeping your heart closed. Together, they unpack repentance, shame, and the way the adversary uses hiding to keep us stuck—while God uses truth and willingness to bring us into the light.
This episode is a reminder that your journey doesn’t disqualify you. It can become the very place God meets you—and changes you.
What you’ll learn
The difference between knowing of God and actually knowing God
Why God can speak to you even in messy seasons—and how to recognize it
How the adversary uses shame and hiding to stop progression
Why repentance isn’t punishment—it’s access to the Atonement and relief
How praying on your knees changes what you’re able to receive
Why praying out loud can help you process, calm, and get clear direction
What it looks like to be “sorrowful yet always rejoicing” (holding both grief and joy)
Resources & links
Explore The GRACE Process™ and Lisa’s work at lisagrace.me
Follow Lisa on Instagram: @thejourneytojoynetwork
Find Matthew on Instagram: @mattrichardson_podcast
Journal prompt
Where am I obeying out of fear—and what would change if I chose obedience from love, trust, and willingness?
Quote to remember
“God doesn’t care where you are on the path—He cares which direction you’re facing.”
