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It can feel soul-crushing if your partner asks for a separation, but what if it’s actually an opportunity in disguise? This week Luke welcomes Amie Woolsey on the podcast. Amie is a certified betrayal trauma coach with Choose Recovery Services and is a Brainspotting practitioner. She has helped hundreds of people reclaim their lives after abuse, betrayal, and divorce.
Listen in as Luke and Amie talk about how couples can use separation as a catalyst for profound individual healing and growth which can bring about lasting change in their relationship.
Takeaways
Separation allows space for individual healing and growth.
Separation can break codependent, unhealthy relationship patterns.
Separation allows the betrayed partner to connect back to their body and allows the betrayer to work on healing individual attachment wounds.
Chapters
01:45 Luke Introduces Amie
03:32 Emotional Activation That Occurs When Considering a Separation
05:52 Tension Is Necessary During Healing
08:25 Fears Associated With Separating
09:29 Space Allows For Individual Healing
14:10 Risks and Rewards of Separation
Connect With Amie:
Amie’s Website
Book a consultation
Subscribe to her Choose To Be podcast
Don’t Miss This!
In-person Intensive: Unmasked: Paths to Authentic Masculinity - This is a three-day live intensive for men led by Alana and Luke Gordon. This program is designed to help men delve deep into understanding integrity, unveiling layers of shame, and reclaiming their authentic selves. Intensive will be held in Spanish Fork, UT on July 17-19, 2024. Learn more and register HERE.
Connect With Us:
Learn more about Luke here.
Schedule a complimentary consultation here.
Don’t miss an episode! Join our email list and get notified when new episodes air! Sign up here.
Wanting more? Choose Recovery Services offers many courses specifically for men:
Choose 90 for Men - Support group for men who are ready to take the first step towards recovery from compulsive behavior, infidelity and/or betrayal.
Choose 180 for Men - This support group helps men gain emotional intelligence so they can better manage unwanted behaviors. Participants will connect with other men, better understand their emotions, work through shame, and build respect for themselves.
Choose 360 for Men - Support group for men who have reached a sense of wholeness in their recovery and are looking to maintain their recovery through awareness, accountability, and camaraderie.
Help. Her. Heal - Program for men seeking to learn more about empathy, conflict resolution, and healthy communication.
Empowerment After Betrayal for Men - This betrayal trauma support group is for men who have been betrayed. They will receive resources to recover from betrayal trauma while being surrounded by a supportive community.
Additional Resources from Choose Recovery Services:
Choose To Be Podcast - This podcast focuses on helping women heal from infidelity and betrayal trauma.
Road to Recovery - Free monthly webinar with Luke and Alana Gordon for couples navigating the relational aspects that come along the road to recovery.
Healing Hearts - This group is for couples seeking healing after betrayal. It emphasizes the development of empathy, integrity, and authentic intimacy.
Choose Healing - Weekly support group for women who have recently experienced betrayal and are needing help coping with the symptoms of trauma. First four weeks are free!
Choose Renewal - For women recovering from unwanted sexual behavior. Focus on recovery and healing from patterns of sexual acting out in a safe, nurturing community.
Resilient Teens - Ongoing support group for teens ages 15-18 whose parents have experienced betrayal in their marriage.
Adult Children Uniting for Healing - Ongoing support group for adult children of parents who have experienced betrayal in their marriage and who need support navigating their own experience with betrayal.
Learn more and register for courses at chooserecoveryservices.com
Have you ever wondered if your parenting approach is actually helping or harming your child’s development? This week Luke outlines four parenting styles and the impact they can have. Learn the worst combination of traits for parents to embody and how “making it about them” can revolutionize your relationships for the better.
Takeaways
There are four core parenting styles: permissive, firm, hostile, and loving.
Healthy boundaries are critical.
Small mindset shifts create big impacts in nurturing connections.
Chapters
Introduction
01:08 Permissive vs Firm
01:35 Hostile vs Loving
02:51 Worst Combination of Traits
03:47 How This Relates to All Relationships
Don’t Miss This!
In-person Intensive: Unmasked: Paths to Authentic Masculinity - This is a three-day live intensive for men led by Alana and Luke Gordon. This program is designed to help men delve deep into understanding integrity, unveiling layers of shame, and reclaiming their authentic selves. Intensive will be held in Spanish Fork, UT on July 17-19, 2024. Learn more and register HERE.
Connect With Us:
Learn more about Luke here.
Schedule a complimentary consultation here.
Don’t miss an episode! Join our email list and get notified when new episodes air! Sign up here.
Wanting more? Choose Recovery Services offers many courses specifically for men:
Choose 90 for Men - Support group for men who are ready to take the first step towards recovery from compulsive behavior, infidelity and/or betrayal.
Choose 180 for Men - This support group helps men gain emotional intelligence so they can better manage unwanted behaviors. Participants will connect with other men, better understand their emotions, work through shame, and build a deep respect for themselves.
Choose 360 for Men - Support group for men who have reached a sense of wholeness in their recovery and are looking to maintain their recovery through awareness, accountability, and camaraderie.
Help. Her. Heal - This program is for men seeking to learn more about empathy, conflict resolution, and healthy communication.
Empowerment After Betrayal for Men - This betrayal trauma support group is for men who have been betrayed. They will receive resources to recover from betrayal trauma while being surrounded by a supportive community.
Additional Resources from Choose Recovery Services:
Choose To Be Podcast - This podcast focuses on helping women heal from infidelity and betrayal trauma.
Road to Recovery - Free monthly webinar with Luke and Alana Gordon for couples navigating the relational aspects that come along the road to recovery.
Healing Hearts - This group is for couples seeking healing after betrayal. It emphasizes the development of empathy, integrity, and authentic intimacy.
Choose Healing - Weekly support group for women who have recently experienced betrayal and are needing help coping with the symptoms of trauma. First four weeks are free!
Choose Renewal - For women recovering from unwanted sexual behavior. Focus on recovery and healing from patterns of sexual acting out in a safe, nurturing community.
Resilient Teens - Ongoing support group for teens ages 15-18 whose parents have experienced betrayal in their marriage.
Adult Children Uniting for Healing - Ongoing support group for adult children of parents who have experienced betrayal in their marriage and who need support navigating their own experience with betrayal.
Learn more and register for courses at chooserecoveryservices.com
What is the relationship between pleasure and pain? This week Luke discusses this fascinating correlation specifically in the context of addiction and compulsive behavior.
Learn more about how these two emotions can act as opposite ends of a seesaw and how the brain works to balance them out to achieve equilibrium.
Takeaways
Modern society provides an overabundance of pleasurable stimuli.
Pursuing excessive pleasure causes the brain to counterbalance with pain.
Pain is not inherently bad and can lead to growth.
Dopamine is the neurotransmitter associated with pleasure, addiction, and compulsive behaviors.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction: Why Is This So Painful?
01:07 Dopamine Nation Insights
06:19 Boredom Is Not a Problem
07:39 Example of Embracing Less Stimuli
11:42 Cold Plunges As a Source of Dopamine
14:39 Lean Into Pain to Grow
Mentioned in the episode:
Dopamine Nation by Dr. Anna Lembke
Don’t Miss This!
In-person Intensive: Unmasked: Paths to Authentic Masculinity - This is a three-day live intensive for men led by Alana and Luke Gordon. This program is designed to help men delve deep into understanding integrity, unveiling layers of shame, and reclaiming their authentic selves. Intensive will be held in Spanish Fork, UT on May 16-18, 2024 and also July 17-19, 2024. Learn more and register HERE.
Connect With Us:
Learn more about Luke here.
Schedule a complimentary consultation here.
Don’t miss an episode! Join our email list and get notified when new episodes air! Sign up here.
Wanting more? Choose Recovery Services offers many courses specifically for men:
Choose 90 for Men - Support group for men who are ready to take the first step towards recovery from compulsive behavior, infidelity and/or betrayal.
Choose 180 for Men - This support group helps men gain emotional intelligence so they can better manage unwanted behaviors. Participants will connect with other men, better understand their emotions, work through shame, and build a deep respect for themselves.
Choose 360 for Men - Support group for men who have reached a sense of wholeness in their recovery and are looking to maintain their recovery through awareness, accountability, and camaraderie.
Help. Her. Heal - This program is for men seeking to learn more about empathy, conflict resolution, and healthy communication.
Empowerment After Betrayal for Men - This betrayal trauma support group is for men who have been betrayed. They will receive resources to recover from betrayal trauma while being surrounded by a supportive community.
Additional Resources from Choose Recovery Services:
Choose To Be Podcast - This podcast focuses on helping women heal from infidelity and betrayal trauma.
Road to Recovery - Free monthly webinar with Luke and Alana Gordon for couples navigating the relational aspects that come along the road to recovery.
Healing Hearts - This group is for couples seeking healing after betrayal. It emphasizes the development of empathy, integrity, and authentic intimacy.
Choose Healing - Weekly support group for women who have recently experienced betrayal and are needing help coping with the symptoms of trauma. First four weeks are free!
Choose Renewal - For women recovering from unwanted sexual behavior. Focus on recovery and healing from patterns of sexual acting out in a safe, nurturing community.
Resilient Teens - Ongoing support group for teens ages 15-18 whose parents have experienced betrayal in their marriage.
Adult Children Uniting for Healing - Ongoing support group for adult children of parents who have experienced betrayal in their marriage and who need support navigating their own experience with betrayal.
Learn more and register for courses at chooserecoveryservices.com
Have you ever wondered why we as humans want to connect with others? In this episode Luke explores the topic of connection and belonging and the role that oxytocin plays in forming and strengthening relationships. Listen in as Luke shares vulnerable stories and insights about moving beyond pornography and other “shortcuts” to find true intimacy through being seen and accepted through authentic connection with others.
Takeaways
Oxytocin is a hormone that plays a crucial role in bonding
Healthy sex involves consent, vulnerability, and connection
Men’s groups can provide a space for vulnerability and connection
Authentic relationships are formed as we are honest and vulnerable
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:30 Oxytocin is a Bonding Hormone
03:24 Pornography as a Shortcut to Intimacy
06:07 Healthy Forms of Oxytocin
07:44 Luke’s Personal Experience With Connection
12:10 Men’s Groups Provide a Place for Men to Show Up and Be Real
Connect With Us:
Learn more about Luke here.
Schedule a complimentary consultation here.
Don’t miss an episode! Join our email list and get notified when new episodes air! Sign up here.
Don’t Miss This!
In-person Intensive: Unmasked: Paths to Authentic Masculinity - This is a three-day live intensive for men led by Alana and Luke Gordon. This program is designed to help men delve deep into understanding integrity, unveiling layers of shame, and reclaiming their authentic selves. Intensive will be held in Spanish Fork, UT on May 16-18, 2024 and also July 17-19, 2024. Learn more and register HERE.
Wanting more? Choose Recovery Services offers many courses specifically for men:
Choose 90 for Men - Support group for men who are ready to take the first step towards recovery from compulsive behavior, infidelity and/or betrayal.
Choose 180 for Men - This support group helps men gain emotional intelligence so they can better manage unwanted behaviors. Participants will connect with other men, better understand their emotions, work through shame, and build a deep respect for themselves.
Choose 360 for Men - Support group for men who have reached a sense of wholeness in their recovery and are looking to maintain their recovery through awareness, accountability, and camaraderie.
Help. Her. Heal - This program is for men seeking to learn more about empathy, conflict resolution, and healthy communication.
Empowerment After Betrayal for Men - This betrayal trauma support group is for men who have been betrayed. They will receive resources to recover from betrayal trauma while being surrounded by a supportive community.
Additional Resources from Choose Recovery Services:
Choose To Be Podcast - This podcast focuses on helping women heal from infidelity and betrayal trauma.
Road to Recovery - Free monthly webinar with Luke and Alana Gordon for couples navigating the relational aspects that come along the road to recovery.
Healing Hearts - This group is for couples seeking healing after betrayal. It emphasizes the development of empathy, integrity, and authentic intimacy.
Choose Healing - Weekly support group for women who have recently experienced betrayal and are needing help coping with the symptoms of trauma. First four weeks are free!
Choose Renewal - For women recovering from unwanted sexual behavior. Focus on recovery and healing from patterns of sexual acting out in a safe, nurturing community.
Resilient Teens - Ongoing support group for teens ages 15-18 whose parents have experienced betrayal in their marriage.
Adult Children Uniting for Healing - Ongoing support group for adult children of parents who have experienced betrayal in their marriage and who need support navigating their own experience with betrayal.
Learn more and register for courses at chooserecoveryservices.com
Why is honesty so hard sometimes? In this episode Luke breaks down the four responses to danger and highlights how trauma and attachment issues can lead to freezing and fawning behaviors which in turn further hinders openness and honesty.
Takeaways
Physiological responses to danger can impact communication and openness.
The four trauma responses are fight, flight, freeze, and fawn.
These trauma responses and coping mechanisms can stem from childhood experiences.
Building emotional awareness is crucial for authenticity.
Chapters
00:43 Introduction: The Challenge of Honesty and Authenticity
02:15 The Four Trauma Responses
05:22 Freezing and Fawning Response Explained
09:05 Overcoming Freezing and Fawning
Connect With Us:
Learn more about Luke here.
Schedule a complimentary consultation here.
Don’t miss an episode! Join our email list and get notified when new episodes air! Sign up here.
Don’t Miss This!
In-person Intensive: Unmasked: Paths to Authentic Masculinity - This is a three-day live intensive for men led by Alana and Luke Gordon. This program is designed to help men delve deep into understanding integrity, unveiling layers of shame, and reclaiming their authentic selves. Intensive will be held in Spanish Fork, UT on May 16-18, 2024 and also July 17-19, 2024. Learn more and register HERE.
Wanting more? Choose Recovery Services offers many courses specifically for men:
Choose 90 for Men - Support group for men who are ready to take the first step towards recovery from compulsive behavior, infidelity and/or betrayal.
Choose 180 for Men - This support group helps men gain emotional intelligence so they can better manage unwanted behaviors. Participants will connect with other men, better understand their emotions, work through shame, and build a deep respect for themselves.
Choose 360 for Men - Support group for men who have reached a sense of wholeness in their recovery and are looking to maintain their recovery through awareness, accountability, and camaraderie.
Help. Her. Heal - This program is for men seeking to learn more about empathy, conflict resolution, and healthy communication.
Empowerment After Betrayal for Men - This betrayal trauma support group is for men who have been betrayed. They will receive resources to recover from betrayal trauma while being surrounded by a supportive community.
Additional Resources from Choose Recovery Services:
Choose To Be Podcast - This podcast focuses on helping women heal from infidelity and betrayal trauma.
Road to Recovery - Free monthly webinar with Luke and Alana Gordon for couples navigating the relational aspects that come along the road to recovery.
Healing Hearts - This group is for couples seeking healing after betrayal. It emphasizes the development of empathy, integrity, and authentic intimacy.
Choose Healing - Weekly support group for women who have recently experienced betrayal and are needing help coping with the symptoms of trauma. First four weeks are free!
Choose Renewal - For women recovering from unwanted sexual behavior. Focus on recovery and healing from patterns of sexual acting out in a safe, nurturing community.
Resilient Teens - Ongoing support group for teens ages 15-18 whose parents have experienced betrayal in their marriage.
Adult Children Uniting for Healing - Ongoing support group for adult children of parents who have experienced betrayal in their marriage and who need support navigating their own experience with betrayal.
Learn more and register for courses at chooserecoveryservices.com
Beyond the Facade is a podcast about authenticity and the struggle to be real with ourselves and with others. Each week host Luke Gordon (cofounder of Choose Recovery Services and certified addiction recovery and betrayal trauma coach) and his guests will explore the concepts of integrity and authenticity and how each is essential in building meaningful relationships.
Listen in as we explore our own vulnerabilities in order to seek genuine connection to ourselves and to those around us. Join us as we go Beyond the Facade.
Takeaways
Authenticity is essential for meaningful connections.
Wearing masks to please others prevents true relationships.
Self-acceptance and vulnerability are key to personal growth.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:57 Love for Humans and Fear of Groups
03:45 Embarrassing Stories
05:36 Wearing Masks and Fear of Rejection
07:34 The Problem with Duplicity
10:44 Trying to Measure Up
11:41 Seeking Attachment and New Awareness
Connect With Us:
Learn more about Luke here.
Schedule a complimentary consultation here.
Don’t miss an episode! Join our email list and get notified when new episodes air! Sign up here.
Don’t Miss This!
In-person Intensive: Unmasked: Paths to Authentic Masculinity - This is a three-day live intensive for men led by Alana and Luke Gordon. This program is designed to help men delve deep into understanding integrity, unveiling layers of shame, and reclaiming their authentic selves. Intensive will be held in Spanish Fork, UT on May 16-18, 2024 and also July 17-19, 2024. Learn more and register HERE.
Wanting more? Choose Recovery Services offers many courses specifically for men:
Choose 90 for Men - Support group for men who are ready to take the first step towards recovery from compulsive behavior, infidelity and/or betrayal.
Choose 180 for Men - This support group helps men gain emotional intelligence so they can better manage unwanted behaviors. Participants will connect with other men, better understand their emotions, work through shame, and build a deep respect for themselves.
Choose 360 for Men - Support group for men who have reached a sense of wholeness in their recovery and are looking to maintain their recovery through awareness, accountability, and camaraderie.
Help. Her. Heal - This program is for men seeking to learn more about empathy, conflict resolution, and healthy communication.
Empowerment After Betrayal for Men - This betrayal trauma support group is for men who have been betrayed. They will receive resources to recover from betrayal trauma while being surrounded by a supportive community.
Additional Resources from Choose Recovery Services:
Choose To Be Podcast - This podcast focuses on helping women heal from infidelity and betrayal trauma.
Road to Recovery - Free monthly webinar with Luke and Alana Gordon for couples navigating the relational aspects that come along the road to recovery.
Healing Hearts - This group is for couples seeking healing after betrayal. It emphasizes the development of empathy, integrity, and authentic intimacy.
Choose Healing - Weekly support group for women who have recently experienced betrayal and are needing help coping with the symptoms of trauma. First four weeks are free!
Choose Renewal - For women recovering from unwanted sexual behavior. Focus on recovery and healing from patterns of sexual acting out in a safe, nurturing community.
Resilient Teens - Ongoing support group for teens ages 15-18 whose parents have experienced betrayal in their marriage.
Adult Children Uniting for Healing - Ongoing support group for adult children of parents who have experienced betrayal in their marriage and who need support navigating their own experience with betrayal.
Learn more and register for courses at chooserecoveryservices.com
Welcome to Beyond the Facade! Join Luke Gordon each week as he and his guests discuss vulnerability, authenticity, integrity, and connection.
New episodes will be released in May 2024. Subscribe now to be the first to get notified when new episodes drop!
Visit Choose Recovery Services to learn more about Luke and the resources that are available for those seeking to heal, gain hope, and recover from trauma and acting-out behaviors.
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