Floundering, Flourishing & Freedom: Overcoming Pornography Through Faith (Ep.55)

By: Chris Johnson

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Find the complete list of episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCQqiBxIogi7IaXktBnJ-nXb5waWAxgCh

In this powerful episode of Finally: a Decent Podcast, host Bill Johnson sits down with Christian counselor and founder of Icebergology Ministries, Rob Jackson, for a candid and compassionate conversation about one of the most pressing — yet underaddressed — crises of our time.

Bill opens with a deeply personal reflection on the cyclical nature of Christian spiritual growth: the seasons of floundering and flourishing that every believer experiences. Drawing from his own journey — including his years of struggle with pornography and lust during his time at Michigan State — he sets the stage for an honest, hope-filled dialogue.

Rob Jackson brings over 40 years of counseling experience to the table, combining clinical psychology with deep theological insight. Together, they explore how pornography has quietly shifted from a shameful secret to a normalized cultural fixture — and why the silence around it is so dangerous. Rob unpacks the neuroscience of addiction, the concept of “sexual arousal templates” encoded in the brain, and how early exposure (with the average age now around 11) creates lifelong challenges.

At the heart of the conversation is the “Icebergology” model — Rob’s nine-step Christian framework for spiritual formation that addresses not just visible behaviors, but the hidden roots of thoughts, emotions, and desires beneath the surface.

Topics covered include:

• The cyclical nature of spiritual growth — floundering vs. flourishing
• How pornography has become normalized and why the Church must speak up
• The neuroscience and psychology behind pornography addiction
• The collateral damage to spouses, children, and families
• A theology of sexuality: life-giving design vs. destructive misuse
• The “Icebergology” model for lasting transformation
• Practical steps toward recovery — and where to run when the battle feels too heavy

Whether you’re struggling personally, supporting a loved one, or serving in ministry, this episode offers both unflinching honesty and genuine hope. As Rob reminds us: “At this side of heaven, it is not a winnable war sociologically — but it is a winnable war individually, with God’s help.”

🎙️ Finally: a Decent Podcast with Bill Johnson: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCQqiBxIogi7IaXktBnJ-nXb5waWAxgCh

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