Consider Before Consuming

This week’s podcast guest, Alex Diaz, has experienced how porn can negatively impact relationship satisfaction and relationship stability, especially in his marriage. During this conversation, Consider Before Consuming host Garrett Jonsson talks with Alex about how his porn consumption distorted his understanding of healthy sex, how it contributed to sexual dysfunction, and why he decided that rehab was necessary for himself. Alex also shares what he’s doing today to build and maintain healthy relationships with himself, his wife, and others, and provides encouragement for those who may be stuck in a struggle with porn.

Click here to learn more about the guest, and access the resources discussed in this episode.

To learn more about the harms of pornography on consumers, relationships, and its larger societal impacts, visit FTND.org.

To support this podcast, click here.

As you go about your day we invite you to increase your self-awareness, look both ways, check your blindspots, and consider before consuming.

Fight the New Drug collaborates with a variety of qualified organizations and individuals with varying personal beliefs, affiliations, and political persuasions. As FTND is a non-religious and non-legislative organization, the personal beliefs, affiliations, and persuasions of any of our team members or of those we collaborate with do not reflect or impact the mission of Fight the New Drug.

When it comes to the topic of porn, one of the most common questions is whether or not it can actually be addictive. According to many addiction experts, it absolutely can be.

This episode is a part of our Get The Facts series, where we explore the research on a specific topic surrounding porn’s harms to help you be more informed and more empowered with the facts.

You can find our Get The Facts articles and sources for the claims made in this episode at ftnd.org/GetTheFacts.

To learn more about the harms of pornography on consumers, relationships, and its larger societal impacts, visit FTND.org.

To support this podcast, click here.

As you go about your day we invite you to increase your self-awareness, look both ways, check your blindspots, and consider before consuming.

Fight the New Drug collaborates with a variety of qualified organizations and individuals with varying personal beliefs, affiliations, and political persuasions. As FTND is a non-religious and non-legislative organization, the personal beliefs, affiliations, and persuasions of any of our team members or of those we collaborate with do not reflect or impact the mission of Fight the New Drug.

Candice Diaz is a wife and mother, and now, she’s also an advocate for couples who have been impacted by porn. She and her husband have personally experienced how porn can disrupt couple intimacy and relationship harmony, and she aims to be a voice of hope for people whose self-worth is impacted by their partner’s porn habit. During this conversation, podcast host Garrett Jonsson and Candice talk about her experience with betrayal trauma, how her husband’s porn consumption negatively impacted her body image, and how she and her husband are navigating their recovery.

Click here to learn more about the guest, and access the resources discussed in this episode.

To learn more about the harms of pornography on consumers, relationships, and its larger societal impacts, visit FTND.org.

To support this podcast, click here.

As you go about your day we invite you to increase your self-awareness, look both ways, check your blindspots, and consider before consuming.

Fight the New Drug collaborates with a variety of qualified organizations and individuals with varying personal beliefs, affiliations, and political persuasions. As FTND is a non-religious and non-legislative organization, the personal beliefs, affiliations, and persuasions of any of our team members or of those we collaborate with do not reflect or impact the mission of Fight the New Drug.

Trigger Warning: This discussion includes frank, explicit, discussions about pornography consumption, and suicide ideation. Listener discretion is advised.

Like most adolescents today, Smith was exposed to porn well before the age of 18. His porn consumption escalated without his parents’ knowledge, and by the time he was 11, he says he was consuming porn five to seven times per day. His porn consumption and the shame that he felt because of it were two factors that led him to want to end his own life. Smith made a suicide plan, but he says he didn’t want to go through with it when he learned about Fight the New Drug. Listen to Smith tell podcast host, Garrett Jonsson, about how porn negatively impacted his life in real ways, what he did to address his unwanted compulsive habit, and why he’s since created a supportive community where mental health is addressed.

Click here to learn more about the guest, and access the resources discussed in this episode.

To learn more about the harms of pornography on consumers, relationships, and its larger societal impacts, visit FTND.org.

To support this podcast, click here.

As you go about your day we invite you to increase your self-awareness, look both ways, check your blindspots, and consider before consuming.

Fight the New Drug collaborates with a variety of qualified organizations and individuals with varying personal beliefs, affiliations, and political persuasions. As FTND is a non-religious and non-legislative organization, the personal beliefs, affiliations, and persuasions of any of our team members or of those we collaborate with do not reflect or impact the mission of Fight the New Drug.

Trigger Warning: This discussion includes frank, explicit, discussions about pornography, sexual exploitation, and rape. Listener discretion is advised.

Aaron Crowley was accidentally exposed to porn at the young age of nine when he walked in on his older brother and his friends looking at it together. From there, Aaron’s porn consumption escalated while it perpetuated false expectations about sex and normalized sexual objectification. While in college, Aaron experienced drug-facilitated sexual assault, and he was exploited and re-victimized when the perpetrator shared nonconsensual photos of the assault online. His abuse triggered trauma-induced hypersexuality and he says it paved the way for his eventual career as a porn performer. In this episode, host Garrett Jonsson and Aaron discuss how he entered and exited the porn industry, how it negatively impacted him, and what his life looks like today.

Click here to learn more about the guest, and access the resources discussed in this episode.

To learn more about the harms of pornography on consumers, relationships, and its larger societal impacts, visit FTND.org.

To support this podcast, click here.

As you go about your day we invite you to increase your self-awareness, look both ways, check your blindspots, and consider before consuming.

Fight the New Drug collaborates with a variety of qualified organizations and individuals with varying personal beliefs, affiliations, and political persuasions. As FTND is a non-religious and non-legislative organization, the personal beliefs, affiliations, and persuasions of any of our team members or of those we collaborate with do not reflect or impact the mission of Fight the New Drug.

If you’re an endurance athlete, chances are you’ve heard of James Lawrence, the “Iron Cowboy.” He broke multiple Guinness World Records early in his triathlon career, but his feats didn’t stop there. He went on to complete arguably the most impressive endurance challenge ever by performing 100 full-distance triathlons in 100 days. James is an anti-trafficking advocate, and has used his platform to shine a light on the harsh realities of sex trafficking. Listen to James Lawrence open up to podcast host Garrett Jonsson about why he’s dedicated to fighting sex trafficking, how he has overcome limiting beliefs, and how he redefines the impossible.

To learn more about the harms of pornography on consumers, relationships, and its larger societal impacts, visit FTND.org.

To support this podcast, click here.

As you go about your day we invite you to increase your self-awareness, look both ways, check your blindspots, and consider before consuming.

Fight the New Drug collaborates with a variety of qualified organizations and individuals with varying personal beliefs, affiliations, and political persuasions. As FTND is a non-religious and non-legislative organization, the personal beliefs, affiliations, and persuasions of any of our team members or of those we collaborate with do not reflect or impact the mission of Fight the New Drug.

In this episode of Consider Before Consuming, we talk with Kristen Jenson, the Founder and CEO of Defend Young Minds, an organization dedicated to empowering children to be resilient and screen smart through developing tools for parents, professionals, and community leaders. Kristen is the author of Good Pictures Bad Pictures, a book used by people around the world to facilitate healthy and age-appropriate conversations with kids about pornography. Listen to Kristen talk with podcast host, Garrett Jonsson, about when to start talking to your kids about porn, and how to most effectively approach that conversation.

Learn more about Defend Young Minds and find Kristen’s book “Good Pictures Bad Pictures” at defendyoungminds.com.

Click here to learn more about the guest, and access the resources discussed in this episode.

To learn more about the harms of pornography on consumers, relationships, and its larger societal impacts, visit FTND.org.

To support this podcast, click here.

As you go about your day we invite you to increase your self-awareness, look both ways, check your blindspots, and consider before consuming.

Fight the New Drug collaborates with a variety of qualified organizations and individuals with varying personal beliefs, affiliations, and political persuasions. As FTND is a non-religious and non-legislative organization, the personal beliefs, affiliations, and persuasions of any of our team members or of those we collaborate with do not reflect or impact the mission of Fight the New Drug.

Cassidy Brown is a student and an influencer. At an early age, she was exposed to porn when a friend showed it to her unexpectedly. After that, she developed a natural curiosity about sex, and while she didn’t feel comfortable talking with her parents about it, she turned to porn to learn about sex and sexuality. From there, her porn consumption escalated to the point that it fueled anxiety, shame, and poor mental health. In this episode, Cassidy sits down with podcast host, Garrett Jonsson, to talk about her struggles with porn and the role shame played in her challenge. She also shares how she’s been able to break the shame cycle and embark on her own journey toward healing.

Click here to learn more about the guest, and access the resources discussed in this episode.

To learn more about the harms of pornography on consumers, relationships, and its larger societal impacts, visit FTND.org.

To support this podcast, click here.

As you go about your day we invite you to increase your self-awareness, look both ways, check your blindspots, and consider before consuming.

Fight the New Drug collaborates with a variety of qualified organizations and individuals with varying personal beliefs, affiliations, and political persuasions. As FTND is a non-religious and non-legislative organization, the personal beliefs, affiliations, and persuasions of any of our team members or of those we collaborate with do not reflect or impact the mission of Fight the New Drug.

Join us in celebrating Fight the New Drug’s 13th anniversary as an organization. In this episode, FTND’s Executive Director, Natale, sits down with host Garrett Jonsson to take a trip down memory lane. During this conversation, they reflect on 13 years of FTND’s education, awareness-raising, and impact as well as talk about the growing collection of resources this organization has produced. Listen in as they recognize significant milestones from the past 13 years and look ahead at what’s to come.

Click here to learn more about the guest, and access the resources discussed in this episode.

To learn more about the harms of pornography on consumers, relationships, and its larger societal impacts, visit FTND.org.

To support this podcast, click here.

As you go about your day we invite you to increase your self-awareness, look both ways, check your blindspots, and consider before consuming.

Fight the New Drug collaborates with a variety of qualified organizations and individuals with varying personal beliefs, affiliations, and political persuasions. As FTND is a non-religious and non-legislative organization, the personal beliefs, affiliations, and persuasions of any of our team members or of those we collaborate with do not reflect or impact the mission of Fight the New Drug.

Dr. Debbie Akerman has been a social worker for over a decade; she specializes in addiction, recovery, trauma, and marriage and family work. As a social worker, she has helped many people find strength by providing an open and trusting environment for her patients to work through their troubling issues. During this conversation, Dr. Akerman talks with host Garrett Jonsson about addiction, shame, intimacy, and offers hope to anyone who may struggle with porn.

Click here to learn more about the guest, and access the resources discussed in this episode.

To learn more about the harms of pornography on consumers, relationships, and its larger societal impacts, visit FTND.org.

To support this podcast, click here.

As you go about your day we invite you to increase your self-awareness, look both ways, check your blindspots, and consider before consuming.

Fight the New Drug collaborates with a variety of qualified organizations and individuals with varying personal beliefs, affiliations, and political persuasions. As FTND is a non-religious and non-legislative organization, the personal beliefs, affiliations, and persuasions of any of our team members or of those we collaborate with do not reflect or impact the mission of Fight the New Drug.