New Life LIVE - New Life LIVE: March 27, 2026

March 27, 2026·48 min·4 clips

Irene shares how her friend's suicide topped off a life of gambling addiction and overwhelming trauma.

This episode of New Life Live features hosts Brian Perez, clinical psychologist Dr. Alice Benton, and licensed counselor Becky Brown offering faith-based advice to callers. The hosts provide psychological and spiritual guidance on personal struggles, emphasizing attachment theory and Christian principles. The first caller, Irene from Palm Springs, details a 20-year gambling addiction exacerbated by immense personal trauma. Irene reveals her ex-husband gambled, her daughter was crippled in an accident, her mother was killed as a pedestrian, and her father required care after a stroke. She recently lost her only confidant to suicide and now risks losing her home due to gambling debts. Becky Brown identifies the gambling as an escape mechanism and advises Irene to attend a Gamblers Anonymous meeting as a first step. Dr. Alice Benton highlights Irene's history of caring for others as evidence of a purpose the "enemy" wants to extinguish. The hosts connect Irene's overwhelming grief to global events like the war in Ukraine and caution her against trying to quit smoking simultaneously. The second caller, Dale from Denton, Texas, is a first-time listener grappling with his father's recent death and a shocking betrayal. Dale explains his devout Christian father raised four children well, but one sister is now discovered stealing cash from his wallet and altering estate documents. Dale feels a hardened heart, anger, and a lost connection with God, fearing his own reaction will damage family relationships or his sister's faith. Dr. Alice Benton frames this as a betrayal trauma that causes Dale to question everything he thought was true about his family. Becky Brown suggests securing legal advice for the estate while also seeking family therapy. A surprising insight is Dr. Benton's advice for Dale to express his anger at God openly, citing biblical figures like David as examples. The hosts recommend Dale approach his sister with curiosity rather than fury, considering possible undisclosed agreements with their father. They also advise involving a pastor before pursuing legal action to handle the matter within a Christian framework. The episode concludes with a segment on suicide prevention prompted by Irene's story. The hosts debunk the lie that families are "better off" without a struggling member, emphasizing the permanent devastation suicide causes. They encourage directly asking loved ones about suicidal thoughts, stating it is therapeutic to give permission to discuss it. The national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and New Life's own resources are promoted for immediate help. The tone is compassionate, educational, and pastoral, blending psychological concepts with evangelical Christian theology. Listeners seeking faith-integrated counseling for addiction, grief, or family betrayal will find this episode supportive. Those uncomfortable with Christian doctrine or preferring secular psychological analysis may wish to skip it.

As heard by us

A steady Christian counseling hour on betrayal, hard hearts, and faithful guidance.

New Life Live stays centered on betrayal and the harder questions it leaves behind, with Brian Perez, Dr. Alice Benton, and Becky Brown steering the talk toward what to do when anger, hurt, embarrassment, and fear of a hardened heart begin to take over.

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Why you'd press play

When betrayal leaves you angry, embarrassed, and trying not to let your heart harden.

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