Beyond Broken Vows | Christian Marriage, Adultery, Pornography Addiction, Sexual Betrayal, Infidelity

Today we are so excited to dive into a conversation on the destructive impact of marital infidelity and the journey of healing and restoration with our special guests Matthew and Joanna Raabsmith. 

Matthew and Joanna will share their deeply personal experience with sexual betrayal in their marriage and how they overcame this devastation to experience a marriage they never dreamed possible. Now, they're on mission to help others find that same path to healing.

In their insightful book, Building True Intimacy: Creating a Connection that Stands the Test of Time, they introduce us to their unique concept of the 'Intimacy Pyramid.' This helpful framework walks couples through the process of rebuilding their relationships with a focus on honesty, safety, trust, vulnerability, and intimacy.

They’ll also shed light on the often-misunderstood topic of boundaries, offering a fresh perspective on how to set personal and relational boundaries in a way that brings life and helps us align our actions with our core values.

Make sure to grab a pen and paper, because you won’t want to miss all the amazing nuggets of wisdom Matthew and Joanna will share with us!

Johnny and Emily

💜Work with us! coaching.beyondbrokenvows.com

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CONNECT WITH MATTHEW AND JOANNA RAABSMITH:

Website: raabsmithteam.com

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RELATED EPISODES:

Episode 82. Broken Trust After Infidelity? 3 Ways to Reach Her Heart   

Episode 87. Can’t We Just Get Back to Normal? Shortest Path to True Intimacy After Sexual Betrayal

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In our 100th episode of the Beyond Broken Vows podcast, we’re throwing a little celebration for the incredible journey of our podcast and the amazing work that God has done through it.

Together, we’ll explore ten common hurdles that can get in the way of relationship coaching and counseling – think shame, financial constraints, time limitations…

Plus, we’ll clarify how coaching differs from counseling, and we’ll inspire you to invest in your emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being.

Let’s take this journey together!

Johnny and Emily

💜Work with us! coaching.beyondbrokenvows.com

💜Hang out with us and support our ministry on Patreon, beyondbrokenvows.com/partner

💜Become a Beyond Broken Vows Insider! Receive our weekly newsletter with behind-the-scenes stories, marriage tips, podcast previews and early access to giveaways and promotions! insider.beyondbrokenvows.com

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RELATED EPISODES:

Episode 01. ”Why Are We Talking About Betrayal?” A Q&A with the Betrayed and the Betrayer

Episode 02. Her Story: My Husband Betrayed Me

Episode 03. His Story: I Betrayed My Wife and My Moral Values

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On today’s episode, we delve into the topic of euphoric recall, a painful yet critical aspect of sexual addiction recovery.

Emily shares her perspective as a betrayed wife, highlighting the emotional turmoil that accompanies these intrusive memories.

Meanwhile, Johnny explains his own experiences with euphoric recall and outlines a robust four-step battle plan to confront and dissolve these recollections.

It’s not a pleasant part of the journey to healing, but one necessary to face head-on with your spouse and a community of support.

We hope it blesses you!

Johnny and Emily

💜Work with us! coaching.beyondbrokenvows.com

💜Hang out with us and support our ministry on Patreon, beyondbrokenvows.com/partner

💜Become a Beyond Broken Vows Insider! Receive our weekly newsletter with behind-the-scenes stories, marriage tips, podcast previews and early access to giveaways and promotions! insider.beyondbrokenvows.com

💜Send us a voice message on SpeakPipe

RESOURCES:

Covenant Eyes Use promo Code BBV to get 30 days free! (website purchase only)

(Paid affiliate links may be included. We earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.)

RELATED EPISODES:

Episode 97. "The Bubble" - What Makes Sex Addiction So Cunning, Baffling, and Powerful?

Episode 98. Navigating Porn Withdrawal and the Path of Least Resistance

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Today we’re tackling an incredibly important topic: porn withdrawal and its impact on those bravely striving to break free from porn addiction.

We chat about both the mental and physical symptoms that can pop up during this journey, along with the challenges people often face when trying to leave behind the familiar paths of addiction.

We’ll share some practical steps to help you overcome these hurdles with confidence. We’ll also shine a light on the role of the amygdala in addiction, reminding us of the importance of seeking help and connecting with others instead of facing this journey alone.

Finding your personal ‘why’ for recovery is key, and we’re here to support you every step of the way! Let’s dive in together and make this journey a little easier and a lot more hopeful!

Johnny and Emily

💜Work with us! coaching.beyondbrokenvows.com

💜Hang out with us and support our ministry on Patreon, https://beyondbrokenvows.com/partner

💜Become a Beyond Broken Vows Insider! Receive our weekly newsletter with behind-the-scenes stories, marriage tips, podcast previews and early access to giveaways and promotions! insider.beyondbrokenvows.com

💜Send us a voice message on SpeakPipe

RESOURCES:

Covenant Eyes Use promo Code BBV to get 30 days free! (website purchase only)

Sex Addict Self-Assessment Questionnaire

Out of the Shadows: Understanding Sexual Addiction by Patrick Carnes, Ph.d

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RELATED EPISODES:

Episode 49. Sobriety vs. Recovery After Porn-Fueled Infidelity

Episode 56. Identifying Sex Addiction: Take the First Step Today

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What is addiction?

How does it work?

Is it just about deciding to stop destructive behaviors?

Addiction can be a mystery for many couples. Husbands may wonder if they are addicts after betraying their spouse. Wives often struggle to understand how their partner could engage in such hurtful actions for so long.

When our marriage faced sexual betrayal six years ago, we were just as confused about sexual addiction as many of you. Since then, we've learned a lot and want to share key insights about addiction.

We will explore the complexities of sex addiction. We'll discuss how addiction affects not only the addict but also their loved ones, especially spouses.

We’ll cover the addiction cycle and its pain, using the concept of 'The Bubble' to explain the addict's inner world.

This episode is a chance to learn and and also foster conversations that lead to deeper intimacy.

We pray this blesses you,

Johnny and Emily

💜Work with us! coaching.beyondbrokenvows.com

💜Hang out with us and support our ministry on Patreon, https://beyondbrokenvows.com/partner

💜Become a Beyond Broken Vows Insider! Receive our weekly newsletter with behind-the-scenes stories, marriage tips, podcast previews and early access to giveaways and promotions! insider.beyondbrokenvows.com

💜Send us a voice message on SpeakPipe

RESOURCES:

Covenant Eyes Use promo Code BBV to get 30 days free! (website purchase only)

Out of the Shadows, by Patrick Carnes

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RELATED EPISODES:

Episode 17. Is My Spouse A Porn Addict? 13 Clues To Help Expose Compulsive Sexual Behavior

Episode 26. Recovery Step 1: Hooked on Porn? Admitting Helplessness Over Pornography’s Pull

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When it comes to confronting the aftermath of sexual betrayal, each of us will set out on a unique journey to healing and restoration.

This was certainly true of our guest April Truitt. April shares the deeply personal and transformative story of her marriage's journey through infidelity. After discovering her husband's affair, April recounts the emotional devastation and the path to recovery that followed. She discusses the underlying issues in their marriage, their struggles with insecurity, and how her husband's affair led to a profound period of self-examination and spiritual growth.

With time and guidance from their church and counselor, this precious couple was able to confront their emotional intimacy issues, work through forgiveness, and rebuild their marriage stronger than before.

April also highlights her own battles with shame, negative self-talk, and the transformative power of relying on God's grace. Now, as an author and speaker, she aims to help others facing similar struggles, offering her book, 'A Wife's Recovery from an Affair: The Story of a Faithful God,' and a free journaling workbook on her website.

Join us today as we hear from April about what God was teaching her through her personal recovery journey.

We pray this blesses you,

Johnny and Emily

💜Work with us! coaching.beyondbrokenvows.com

💜Hang out with us and support our ministry on Patreon, https://beyondbrokenvows.com/partner

💜Become a Beyond Broken Vows Insider! Receive our weekly newsletter with behind-the-scenes stories, marriage tips, podcast previews and early access to giveaways and promotions! insider.beyondbrokenvows.com

💜Send us a voice message on SpeakPipe

CONNECT WITH APRIL:

www.apriltruitt.com

www.awifesrecoveryfromanaffair.com

RESOURCES:

Covenant Eyes Use promo Code BBV to get 30 days free! (website purchase only)

(Paid affiliate links may be included. We earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.)

RELATED EPISODES:

Episode 04. Sharing Our Story: From Infidelity and Addiction to Reconciliation and Recovery

Episode 58. Purpose from Pain. Did Sexual Betrayal Destroy God’s Plan for Your Marriage?

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After sexual betrayal is discovered in a marriage and the couple decides to embark on the journey to recovery, there are many opportunities for social events to become emotionally challenging, causing what many call triggers.

Today we recount a fun, awkward, semi-harrowing story of our weekend adventure at a pirate-themed wedding; fraught with danger, and also some victories.

Listen in to hear which tools in our relational toolbox were the keys to turning a difficult social situation into a bonding experience. Hint, it may have something to do with the importance of preparation and vigilance.

We pray this blesses you,

Johnny and Emily

💜Work with us! coaching.beyondbrokenvows.com

💜Hang out with us and support our ministry on Patreon, https://beyondbrokenvows.com/partner

💜Become a Beyond Broken Vows Insider! Receive our weekly newsletter with behind-the-scenes stories, marriage tips, podcast previews and early access to giveaways and promotions! insider.beyondbrokenvows.com

💜Send us a voice message on SpeakPipe

RESOURCES:

Covenant Eyes Use promo Code BBV to get 30 days free! (website purchase only)

(Paid affiliate links may be included. We earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.)

RELATED EPISODES:

Episode 13. His Triggers, Her Triggers – 4 Steps For Dealing With Triggers While Healing From Infidelity

Episode 77. 4 Practical Steps for Vigilance in Recovery from Porn-Fueled Infidelity

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You may be wondering if sex will ever be fulfilling and satisfying for you or your spouse now that the reality of sexual betrayal has invaded your marriage.

If you are at the very beginning of the discovery and disclosure of infidelity through pornography or other sexual expressions outside of your marriage, you might be wondering if you’ll ever have sex again, or if you’ll even want to have sex with your spouse again.

It’s a very tender topic and we know that every couple will have a different path to take on their road to recovery in the area of sexual intimacy.

Today, we are going to let you peek into our journey back to being sexual again with its ups and downs, ebbs and flows, and give you hope for what God can do with those willing to take that journey with him.  

We pray this blesses you,

Johnny and Emily

💜Work with us! coaching.beyondbrokenvows.com

💜Hang out with us and support our ministry on Patreon, https://beyondbrokenvows.com/partner

💜Become a Beyond Broken Vows Insider! Receive our weekly newsletter with behind-the-scenes stories, marriage tips, podcast previews and early access to giveaways and promotions! insider.beyondbrokenvows.com

💜Send us a voice message on SpeakPipe

RESOURCES:

Covenant Eyes Use promo Code BBV to get 30 days free! (website purchase only)

(Paid affiliate links may be included. We earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.)

RELATED EPISODES:

Episode 23. 7 Steps to True Intimacy After Sexual Betrayal

Sexual Intimacy Series:

Episode 45. Intimacy with a Sex-Addict in Marriage (1 of 3)

Episode 46. Sexuality as a Sex-Addict in Marriage (2 of 3)

Episode 47. Sexual Intimacy with a Recovering Sex Addict in Marriage (3 of 3)

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Connection...

When you think about connecting with others, what comes to mind? 

What does it truly mean to be connected, and what are healthy connections? And speaking of healthy connections, it makes you wonder—are there unhealthy connections?

What do your connections look like in your life?

Join us today as we dive into these intriguing questions and explore the meaning of connections together!

We pray this blesses you,

Johnny and Emily

💜Work with us! coaching.beyondbrokenvows.com

💜Hang out with us and support our ministry on Patreon, https://beyondbrokenvows.com/partner

💜Become a Beyond Broken Vows Insider! Receive our weekly newsletter with behind-the-scenes stories, marriage tips, podcast previews and early access to giveaways and promotions! insider.beyondbrokenvows.com

💜Send us a voice message on SpeakPipe

RESOURCES:

Covenant Eyes Use promo Code BBV to get 30 days free! (website purchase only)

(Paid affiliate links may be included. We earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.)

RELATED EPISODES:

Episode 57. Alone No More: How Isolation Fuels Sex-Addiction and How to Defeat It

Episode 53. 4 Ways To Help a Friend Experiencing Sexual Betrayal

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Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you realized that making a significant personal sacrifice was the key to resolving a difficult situation?

And that this decision would alter your life as you know it?

Often, these moments involve putting the needs of someone else first. It’s those we love most with whom we often decide to "die to self."

We’d love for you to join us today as Johnny shares four pivotal moments from his recovery journey where he chose to put Emily ahead of himself in their marriage. We can’t wait for you to hear his inspiring story!

We pray this blesses you,

Johnny and Emily

💜Work with us! coaching.beyondbrokenvows.com

💜Hang out with us and support our ministry on Patreon, https://beyondbrokenvows.com/partner

💜Become a Beyond Broken Vows Insider! Receive our weekly newsletter with behind-the-scenes stories, marriage tips, podcast previews and early access to giveaways and promotions! insider.beyondbrokenvows.com

💜Send us a voice message on SpeakPipe

RESOURCES:

Covenant Eyes Use promo Code BBV to get 30 days free! (website purchase only)

(Paid affiliate links may be included. We earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.)

RELATED EPISODES:

Episode 51. Full Therapeutic Disclosure: 3 Steps to Healing and Freedom After Sexual Betrayal

Episode 60. The High Cost of Freedom in a Sexually Betrayed Marriage

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