Pure Victory Podcast

Welcome to episode #285! 🎙️ Pure Victory Podcast:Toxic Empathy: When Understanding Becomes an Excuse

Understanding our past can be an important part of healing—but what happens when understanding becomes an excuse?

In this episode, we explore “toxic empathy” and how it can keep us stuck by excusing destructive choices rather than calling us toward responsibility. Whether it’s pornography, infidelity, or another destructive behavior, our past may help explain why we do what we do, but it doesn't remove our responsibility for what we choose today.

At the same time, taking responsibility doesn't mean living in shame. There is a difference between saying “I did something wrong” and “there is something wrong with me.” True freedom brings those two realities together: truth about our actions and grace for who we are in Christ.

Key Takeaways

• Understanding your past can bring clarity, but it shouldn't become an excuse for your present choices.
• Empathy doesn't mean removing responsibility.
• Shame says, “Something is wrong with me.” Responsibility says, “What I did was wrong, and I'm willing to own it.”
• Healing often means facing the consequences of our choices rather than trying to avoid them.
• God's grace doesn't require us to pretend our actions weren't wrong—it allows us to bring them into the light and experience redemption.

Scriptural Highlight

John 8:36 — “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

Freedom isn't found by denying what we've done or allowing shame to define us. It's found by stepping into the light, taking ownership, receiving God's grace, and allowing Him to lead us toward change.

Action Steps

1. Understand your story.
Ask: What experiences, wounds, or circumstances have contributed to where I am today?

2. Take ownership.
Ask: What do I need to own right now? Where have I made choices or crossed a line?

3. Consider the impact.
Ask: Who has my behavior hurt, and what responsibility do I have toward them?

4. Step into the light.
Instead of hiding behind shame or excuses, identify one person or one practical step that can help you move toward honesty, accountability, and freedom.

🎧 Subscribe to the Pure Victory Podcast!
💙 Want to help others find freedom? Visit PureVictoryPodcast.com to support the mission.

You are not alone—and freedom is possible.

Ask a question

Have a question you'd like answered live on an episode? Send a voice recording of your question to [email protected]

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Resources

FamilyLife Canada: Porn Recovery Resources

FamilyLife Canada: Resources and events to strengthen your marriage

Online marriage resources (FamilyLife Canada)

Covenant Eyes Accountability Software - use promo code FLCANADA for 30 days free
Pure Freedom Community for men 18+
Book a FREE call (men)
Pure Freedom Journey for men and women

Podcast Host

BRADEN HAFNER

Braden is the Regional Director in Alberta for FamilyLife Canada. He and his wife Kristen live in Edmonton, Alberta. He knows all too well the destruction that porn use and addiction can have, and now wants to see people experience freedom away from porn. Along with that he is passionate about seeing marriages grow and thrive, and helping couples move to a deeper oneness with one another and with God. FamilyLife Canada has a variety of resources and events to help you and your spouse take your marriage to the next level. See what would benefit you at www.familylifecanada.com

Welcome to episode #284! 🎙️ Pure Victory Podcast: Sobriety Isn’t Safety: Understanding Betrayal Trauma With Kristy Rodriguez
Porn addiction doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Its impact can reach deep into a marriage, family, and especially the heart of the person who has been betrayed.

In this powerful conversation, we sit down with Kristy Rodriguez, Executive Director of Hope After Betrayal, to talk about betrayal trauma, rebuilding trust, the difference between sobriety and safety, and what genuine repentance actually looks like.

Kristy shares her own story of discovering her husband's pornography addiction and affair, the devastation that followed, and how God slowly brought healing and redemption to her marriage and family.

This conversation is heavy—but it’s also filled with hope. Your story is not beyond God's ability to redeem.

Key Takeaways

• Betrayal is trauma. Understanding the wound matters because the right wound requires the right kind of care.
• Sobriety isn't the same as safety. Stopping the behavior is important, but rebuilding trust requires becoming a person who consistently creates safety.
• Regret isn't repentance. Remorse feels bad about the wound; repentance begins picking up the bricks and rebuilding what was broken.
• The betrayed spouse is not responsible for fixing the addiction. You aren't the cause, and you can't be the cure.
• Forgiveness and healing aren't the same thing. Healing takes time, intentional work, truth, community, and often professional or ministry support.
• Don't walk through betrayal alone. Community can be a vital part of healing.
• God's redemption is bigger than our wreckage. What sin has damaged does not have to have the final word.

Scripture Highlight

God doesn't minimize our wounds. He meets us in them—and He is able to bring restoration where we thought there was only loss.

Action Steps

If you're the betrayed spouse:

• Find safe, informed community instead of walking through this alone.
• Give yourself permission to heal rather than feeling pressured to “just get over it.”
• Focus on what you can control: your own healing, boundaries, and relationship with Jesus.
• Seek wise counsel when you're unsure what healthy boundaries should look like.

If you've been the one causing the harm:

• Don't settle for simply stopping the behavior.
• Learn about betrayal trauma and understand the wound you've caused.
• Pursue genuine repentance, accountability, and deeper healing.
• Ask yourself: “Am I becoming a safer person, or am I simply becoming a more sober person?”

For all of us:
Bring your pain, questions, and brokenness to Jesus. Don't let what someone else has done—or what you've done yourself—become bigger than the redemptive power of God.

Connect to Kristy and Hope after Betrayal:
Hope after Betrayal

🎧 Subscribe to the Pure Victory Podcast!
💙 Want to help others find freedom? Visit PureVictoryPodcast.com to support the mission.

You are not alone—and freedom is possible.

Ask a question

Have a question you'd like answered live on an episode? Send a voice recording of your question to [email protected]

Share this with your friends

Who do you know that can benefit from this podcast and other episodes coming in the future? Share it with them so they can subscribe as well.

Subscribe

Subscribe on any podcast app to make sure you catch new episodes! 

Resources

FamilyLife Canada: Porn Recovery Resources

FamilyLife Canada: Resources and events to strengthen your marriage

Online marriage resources (FamilyLife Canada)

Covenant Eyes Accountability Software - use promo code FLCANADA for 30 days free
Pure Freedom Community for men 18+
Book a FREE call (men)
Pure Freedom Journey for men and women

Podcast Host

BRADEN HAFNER

Braden is the Regional Director in Alberta for FamilyLife Canada. He and his wife Kristen live in Edmonton, Alberta. He knows all too well the destruction that porn use and addiction can have, and now wants to see people experience freedom away from porn. Along with that he is passionate about seeing marriages grow and thrive, and helping couples move to a deeper oneness with one another and with God. FamilyLife Canada has a variety of resources and events to help you and your spouse take your marriage to the next level. See what would benefit you at www.familylifecanada.com

Welcome to episode #283! 🎙️ Pure Victory Podcast: Is Porn Use Always Linked to Trauma?
Is porn addiction always rooted in trauma? Not necessarily.

Porn can begin with curiosity, accidental exposure, or simply having easy access to something highly stimulating. But over time, it can become something we use to escape stress, loneliness, disappointment, rejection, or other difficult emotions.

In this episode, we look at the difference between trauma being the cause of our porn use and porn becoming a coping mechanism for pain. We also explore what happens when we stop hiding and start asking honest questions about what’s really going on beneath the surface.

Freedom isn’t just about running away from porn—it’s about learning to run toward something better.

Key Takeaways

• You don't have to have experienced trauma to develop a struggle with porn.
• Porn can become a coping mechanism for difficult emotions and life circumstances.
• Temporary relief isn't the same as healing.
• Asking “What am I trying not to feel right now?” can reveal important patterns.
• Hiding creates distance from God, others, and even ourselves.
• Bringing what we're experiencing into the light is an important part of freedom.
• Your story may contain pain or trauma, but it doesn't have to define your future.
• True freedom is about more than stopping a behavior—it's about learning to live differently and moving toward Jesus.

Scriptural Highlight

Genesis 3:9 — “Where are you?”

God already knew where Adam and Eve were, but His question invited them out of hiding and into honesty.

Sometimes we need to ask ourselves the same question:
Where am I emotionally? Where am I spiritually? What am I hiding?

Action Steps

1. Look at what happens before the behavior. What were you feeling or experiencing right before you turned to porn?
2. Ask the deeper question: “What am I trying not to feel right now?”
3. Name the pattern without shame. Understanding your triggers isn't about beating yourself up—it's about becoming aware.
4. Bring it into the light. Talk to God and, when appropriate, a trusted person, spouse, mentor, or counsellor.
5. Run toward something better. Don't just focus on getting away from porn; focus on growing in connection with God, others, and yourself.

🎧 Subscribe to the Pure Victory Podcast!
💙 Want to help others find freedom? Visit PureVictoryPodcast.com to support the mission.

You are not alone—and freedom is possible.

Ask a question

Have a question you'd like answered live on an episode? Send a voice recording of your question to [email protected]

Share this with your friends

Who do you know that can benefit from this podcast and other episodes coming in the future? Share it with them so they can subscribe as well.

Subscribe

Subscribe on any podcast app to make sure you catch new episodes! 

Resources

FamilyLife Canada: Porn Recovery Resources

FamilyLife Canada: Resources and events to strengthen your marriage

Online marriage resources (FamilyLife Canada)

Covenant Eyes Accountability Software - use promo code FLCANADA for 30 days free
Pure Freedom Community for men 18+
Book a FREE call (men)
Pure Freedom Journey for men and women

Podcast Host

BRADEN HAFNER

Braden is the Regional Director in Alberta for FamilyLife Canada. He and his wife Kristen live in Edmonton, Alberta. He knows all too well the destruction that porn use and addiction can have, and now wants to see people experience freedom away from porn. Along with that he is passionate about seeing marriages grow and thrive, and helping couples move to a deeper oneness with one another and with God. FamilyLife Canada has a variety of resources and events to help you and your spouse take your marriage to the next level. See what would benefit you at www.familylifecanada.com

Welcome to episode #282! When Both Spouses Have a Story: Finding Hope After Sexual Brokenness With RJ and Melissa Whaley

What happens when both spouses bring sexual brokenness into a marriage? RJ and Melissa Whaley join us to share their incredibly honest story of pornography, betrayal, recovery, rebuilding trust, and discovering that God can use even the hardest parts of our story for His glory.

Their journey is a powerful reminder that recovery isn't simply about stopping a behavior. It's about learning to become healthier people, rebuilding connection, taking responsibility for our own choices, and creating a new path for our marriages and families.

Most importantly, your story doesn't have to end where your struggle began.

Key Takeaways

• Marriage doesn't automatically fix sexual brokenness—healing requires intentional work.
• Your pain matters, but you are also responsible for how you respond to it.
• Recovery isn't just about sobriety; it's about rebuilding the relationship.
• Trust is rebuilt through honesty, consistency, and actions that match our words.
• Look for the small wins—or "glimmers"—that show you are moving in a healthier direction.
• You can't change your spouse, but you can change how you show up.
• You don't have to walk this journey alone. Authentic community can make all the difference.

Scripture Highlight

“Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.” — Joshua 24:15

We have a choice in how we respond, how we show up, and what direction we take. We may not be able to control everything around us, but we can choose the next right step.

Action Steps

1. Take responsibility for your yard. Ask: What is mine to own in this situation?
2. Look for a glimmer. Identify one area where you or your relationship is doing better than before.
3. Choose one small change. Don't try to fix everything at once. What is one healthy step you can consistently take this week?
4. Find community. Don't keep sexual struggles, pain, or recovery isolated. Find someone safe who can walk with you.

Remember: You don't have to change perfectly. You just have to keep choosing differently—and keep moving toward Jesus.

Connect to the Whaley's:
Instagram: The Trail Blazing Life
RJ and Melissa's Website

🎧 Subscribe to the Pure Victory Podcast!
💙 Want to help others find freedom? Visit PureVictoryPodcast.com to support the mission.

You are not alone—and freedom is possible.

Ask a question

Have a question you'd like answered live on an episode? Send a voice recording of your question to [email protected]

Share this with your friends

Who do you know that can benefit from this podcast and other episodes coming in the future? Share it with them so they can subscribe as well.

Subscribe

Subscribe on any podcast app to make sure you catch new episodes! 

Resources

FamilyLife Canada: Porn Recovery Resources

FamilyLife Canada: Resources and events to strengthen your marriage

Online marriage resources (FamilyLife Canada)

Covenant Eyes Accountability Software - use promo code FLCANADA for 30 days free
Pure Freedom Community for men 18+
Book a FREE call (men)
Pure Freedom Journey for men and women

Podcast Host

BRADEN HAFNER

Braden is the Regional Director in Alberta for FamilyLife Canada. He and his wife Kristen live in Edmonton, Alberta. He knows all too well the destruction that porn use and addiction can have, and now wants to see people experience freedom away from porn. Along with that he is passionate about seeing marriages grow and thrive, and helping couples move to a deeper oneness with one another and with God. FamilyLife Canada has a variety of resources and events to help you and your spouse take your marriage to the next level. See what would benefit you at www.familylifecanada.com

Welcome to episode #281! 🎙️ Pure Victory Podcast: The Battlefield Has Changed: Are You Prepared?

The landscape of pornography has changed dramatically. What once required a magazine or a computer can now be accessed instantly—and emerging technologies like AI are making pornography increasingly personalized, interactive, and harder to recognize for what it really is.

But awareness isn’t meant to create fear. It’s meant to prepare us.

In this episode, Braden looks at how the “battlefield” has shifted and why understanding what we’re up against matters if we want to walk in freedom. More importantly, we’re reminded that while the world around us may be changing, God hasn’t changed—and His power is greater than anything coming our way.

Key Takeaways

• The pornography landscape is constantly evolving, and awareness helps us prepare rather than panic.
• AI and personalized, interactive content create new challenges that can blur the lines between fantasy, relationships, and reality.
• Pornography doesn’t just affect what we see—it can shape what we believe about sex, intimacy, relationships, and ourselves.
• We need more than “don’t look at porn.” We need to be discipled in what is true, good, noble, and healthy.
• Freedom grows through honesty, community, awareness, and a deeper relationship with Jesus.
• The battlefield may be changing, but God is bigger than the battle.

📖 Scriptural Highlight

Being alert doesn’t mean living in fear. It means knowing what we’re facing, staying awake, and trusting God as we walk forward.

This Week’s Action Steps

1. Take inventory: Are there new technologies, apps, or habits pulling you closer to pornography?
2. Get honest: Talk with a trusted, godly person about what you’re actually battling.
3. Replace the lie: Ask yourself, What is pornography teaching me about sex and intimacy—and what does God say instead?
4. Stay awake: Don’t become obsessed with the darkness, but don’t be unaware of it either.
5. Lean into Jesus: Freedom isn’t ultimately found in better strategies—it’s found in becoming more deeply rooted in Christ.

🎧 Subscribe to the Pure Victory Podcast!
💙 Want to help others find freedom? Visit PureVictoryPodcast.com to support the mission.

You are not alone—and freedom is possible.

Ask a question

Have a question you'd like answered live on an episode? Send a voice recording of your question to [email protected]

Share this with your friends

Who do you know that can benefit from this podcast and other episodes coming in the future? Share it with them so they can subscribe as well.

Subscribe

Subscribe on any podcast app to make sure you catch new episodes! 

Resources

FamilyLife Canada: Porn Recovery Resources

FamilyLife Canada: Resources and events to strengthen your marriage

Online marriage resources (FamilyLife Canada)

Covenant Eyes Accountability Software - use promo code FLCANADA for 30 days free
Pure Freedom Community for men 18+
Book a FREE call (men)
Pure Freedom Journey for men and women

Podcast Host

BRADEN HAFNER

Braden is the Regional Director in Alberta for FamilyLife Canada. He and his wife Kristen live in Edmonton, Alberta. He knows all too well the destruction that porn use and addiction can have, and now wants to see people experience freedom away from porn. Along with that he is passionate about seeing marriages grow and thrive, and helping couples move to a deeper oneness with one another and with God. FamilyLife Canada has a variety of resources and events to help you and your spouse take your marriage to the next level. See what would benefit you at www.familylifecanada.com

Welcome to episode #280! When Your Body Is Trying to Tell You Something with Dr.Dave Janvier

What if the urge to look at porn isn’t always about sex?

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Dave Janvier, a clinical counselor and certified sex therapist, to explore embodiment—learning to recognize what’s happening inside our bodies, emotions, and nervous systems.

Dave explains why simply trying to “think” our way out of addiction often isn’t enough. Sometimes the craving we experience is pointing to something deeper: loneliness, stress, grief, disconnection, or an unmet need for relationship and connection.

Rather than running from uncomfortable feelings, we can learn to slow down, notice what’s happening in our bodies, and respond with wisdom instead of automatically reaching for an escape.

And perhaps most importantly, we discover how this connects with our relationship with God. God doesn't just want us to know about Him—He wants us to experience His presence, love, grace, and acceptance.

Key Takeaways

• Awareness creates space for choice. Learning to recognize physical sensations and emotions earlier can help us respond before we're overwhelmed.
• Porn can be a symptom, not the root. Sexual urges may sometimes mask deeper needs such as loneliness, grief, stress, or a desire for connection.
• You can't heal what you continually avoid. Instead of immediately numbing uncomfortable emotions, learn to notice them and sit with them in a grounded way.
• Our bodies matter. God created us as whole people—body, mind, emotions, relationships, and spirit.
• God is present in the struggle. Sexual brokenness doesn't mean we have to hide from God. His presence meets us with compassion, grace, and truth.

Scriptural Highlight

Jesus understands what it means to live in a human body, experience emotion, face temptation, and experience suffering. We don't have to hide the difficult parts of ourselves from Him.

This Week's Action Steps

1. Pause and check in. A few times throughout the day, stop and ask: What am I noticing in my body right now? What am I feeling?
2. Don't immediately escape the feeling. When a craving or difficult emotion shows up, slow down and breathe before deciding what to do.
3. Ask what's underneath. When you experience an urge to act out, ask: What am I really longing for right now? Connection? Comfort? Rest? Acceptance?
4. Bring it to God. Instead of hiding when you're struggling, practice noticing God's presence with you right in the middle of it.
5. Practice before the battle. Build these awareness and grounding skills when you're calm—not just when you're already triggered.

Freedom isn't simply learning how to stop a behavior. Sometimes it's learning to understand what that behavior has been trying to tell you.

🎧 Subscribe to the Pure Victory Podcast!
💙 Want to help others find freedom? Visit PureVictoryPodcast.com to support the mission.

You are not alone—and freedom is possible.

Ask a question

Have a question you'd like answered live on an episode? Send a voice recording of your question to [email protected]

Share this with your friends

Who do you know that can benefit from this podcast and other episodes coming in the future? Share it with them so they can subscribe as well.

Subscribe

Subscribe on any podcast app to make sure you catch new episodes! 

Resources

FamilyLife Canada: Porn Recovery Resources

FamilyLife Canada: Resources and events to strengthen your marriage

Online marriage resources (FamilyLife Canada)

Covenant Eyes Accountability Software - use promo code FLCANADA for 30 days free
Pure Freedom Community for men 18+
Book a FREE call (men)
Pure Freedom Journey for men and women

Podcast Host

BRADEN HAFNER

Braden is the Regional Director in Alberta for FamilyLife Canada. He and his wife Kristen live in Edmonton, Alberta. He knows all too well the destruction that porn use and addiction can have, and now wants to see people experience freedom away from porn. Along with that he is passionate about seeing marriages grow and thrive, and helping couples move to a deeper oneness with one another and with God. FamilyLife Canada has a variety of resources and events to help you and your spouse take your marriage to the next level. See what would benefit you at www.familylifecanada.com

Welcome to episode #279! 🎙️ Pure Victory Podcast: Myth Busters: 3 Myths That Keep People Stuck in Porn
What if some of the biggest obstacles to freedom aren't pornography itself—but the lies we've come to believe about it?

In this episode of the Pure Victory Podcast, Braden unpacks three common myths revealed in a recent survey from Beyond the Porn Phenomenon. Backed by Scripture, recovery experience, and practical insight, he exposes why these beliefs keep people trapped and points listeners toward the freedom and healing Jesus offers.

Freedom doesn't begin with trying harder—it begins with believing what's true.

Key Takeaways

• Willpower alone won't defeat porn. Healing happens in the context of honesty, confession, and community—not isolation.
• Porn and sexual health cannot coexist. Porn rewires the brain, distorts God's design for intimacy, and leaves lasting relational damage.
• Porn doesn't improve your sex life—it undermines it. Healthy intimacy is built on trust, sacrifice, and covenant, not fantasy and consumption.
• Sobriety isn't the finish line. True freedom comes when God heals the deeper wounds beneath unwanted sexual behaviour.

Scripture Highlight

James 5:16
"Therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed."

Forgiveness comes through Christ, but healing often begins when we step out of secrecy and into authentic community.

Action Steps

• Ask yourself: Which of these myths have I believed?
• Share your struggle with one trusted, safe person instead of continuing to fight alone.
• Spend time asking God to reveal the deeper hurts or unmet needs that pornography has been covering over.
• Take one intentional step this week toward healing—not just sobriety.

Freedom starts when lies are exposed and truth takes their place. Jesus isn't simply calling you away from pornography—He's inviting you into real intimacy, real freedom, and real healing.

🎧 Subscribe to the Pure Victory Podcast!
💙 Want to help others find freedom? Visit PureVictoryPodcast.com to support the mission.

You are not alone—and freedom is possible.

Ask a question

Have a question you'd like answered live on an episode? Send a voice recording of your question to [email protected]

Share this with your friends

Who do you know that can benefit from this podcast and other episodes coming in the future? Share it with them so they can subscribe as well.

Subscribe

Subscribe on any podcast app to make sure you catch new episodes! 

Resources

FamilyLife Canada: Porn Recovery Resources

FamilyLife Canada: Resources and events to strengthen your marriage

Online marriage resources (FamilyLife Canada)

Covenant Eyes Accountability Software - use promo code FLCANADA for 30 days free
Pure Freedom Community for men 18+
Book a FREE call (men)
Pure Freedom Journey for men and women

Podcast Host

BRADEN HAFNER

Braden is the Regional Director in Alberta for FamilyLife Canada. He and his wife Kristen live in Edmonton, Alberta. He knows all too well the destruction that porn use and addiction can have, and now wants to see people experience freedom away from porn. Along with that he is passionate about seeing marriages grow and thrive, and helping couples move to a deeper oneness with one another and with God. FamilyLife Canada has a variety of resources and events to help you and your spouse take your marriage to the next level. See what would benefit you at www.familylifecanada.com

Welcome to episode #278! 🎙️ Pure Victory Podcast: AI & Relationships: How to Stay Human in a Digital World (Part 2) With Michael Leahy
AI is changing the way we work, communicate, and even connect with one another. But what happens when technology begins to replace the very relationships God designed us for?

In Part 2 of our conversation with Michael Leahy, we explore the growing influence of AI on marriages, families, friendships, and our relationship with God. From AI companions to digital therapy, we unpack the opportunities, the dangers, and the hope Christians have as we navigate this rapidly changing landscape.

Key Takeaways

• Your relationship with AI matters—it's a conversation every couple and family should be having.
• AI is an incredible tool, but it can never replace real, embodied human relationships.
• Friction in relationships isn't something to avoid—it's often where growth happens.
• The Church has an incredible opportunity to offer hope, authentic community, and discipleship in an increasingly artificial world.
• As AI advances, our deepest need remains unchanged: a thriving relationship with Jesus and meaningful relationships with others.

Scripture Highlight

Proverbs 27:17
"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."

Real growth happens through authentic relationships—not frictionless digital ones.

Action Items

• Ask your spouse, kids, or close friends: "What is your relationship with AI?"
• Evaluate whether AI is serving as a helpful tool or beginning to replace healthy human connection.
• Prioritize face-to-face conversations and intentional time with people this week.
• Deepen your relationship with Christ through prayer and Scripture before turning to technology for answers.
• Pray for wisdom and discernment as you navigate the opportunities and challenges AI brings.

Connect to Michael Leahy:
BraveHearts – Faith-based recovery, mentoring, and resources for individuals and couples pursuing freedom from sexual addiction.
https://bravehearts.org

Daily Disciplines™ for Sexual Integrity – A practical online recovery program designed to help men pursue lasting freedom and spiritual growth.
https://bravehearts.org/daily-disciplines-for-sexual-addiction-recovery/

Porn Nation – Michael Leahy's bestselling book exploring the impact of pornography and the hope of redemption through Christ.
https://www.amazon.com/Porn-Nation-Conquering-Americas-Addiction/dp/0805426797

🎧 Subscribe to the Pure Victory Podcast!
💙 Want to help others find freedom? Visit PureVictoryPodcast.com to support the mission.

You are not alone—and freedom is possible.

Ask a question

Have a question you'd like answered live on an episode? Send a voice recording of your question to [email protected]

Share this with your friends

Who do you know that can benefit from this podcast and other episodes coming in the future? Share it with them so they can subscribe as well.

Subscribe

Subscribe on any podcast app to make sure you catch new episodes! 

Resources

FamilyLife Canada: Porn Recovery Resources

FamilyLife Canada: Resources and events to strengthen your marriage

Online marriage resources (FamilyLife Canada)

Covenant Eyes Accountability Software - use promo code FLCANADA for 30 days free
Pure Freedom Community for men 18+
Book a FREE call (men)
Pure Freedom Journey for men and women

Podcast Host

BRADEN HAFNER

Braden is the Regional Director in Alberta for FamilyLife Canada. He and his wife Kristen live in Edmonton, Alberta. He knows all too well the destruction that porn use and addiction can have, and now wants to see people experience freedom away from porn. Along with that he is passionate about seeing marriages grow and thrive, and helping couples move to a deeper oneness with one another and with God. FamilyLife Canada has a variety of resources and events to help you and your spouse take your marriage to the next level. See what would benefit you at www.familylifecanada.com

Welcome to episode #277! 🎙️ Pure Victory Podcast: AI, Addiction & the Future of Relationships (Part 1) With Michael Leahy

Could artificial intelligence become the next major addiction crisis?

AI is changing the world at an astonishing pace—but are we prepared for the impact it could have on our relationships, mental health, and recovery from pornography and sexual addiction?

In Part 1 of this eye-opening conversation, Braden and Kristen sit down with Michael Leahy, founder of BraveHearts and one of the leading voices on AI's emerging impact on addiction recovery. Together they unpack the incredible promise of AI while honestly confronting its hidden dangers—including AI companions, deepfakes, and why today's technology may be creating entirely new pathways for addiction.

This isn't a conversation about fear—it's a conversation about wisdom.

Key Takeaways

• Why AI is both an incredible tool and a growing spiritual challenge.
• How AI companions are designed to create emotional attachment.
• The connection between dopamine, addiction, and frictionless relationships.
• Why AI-generated pornography and deepfakes raise serious concerns for recovery.
• Understanding AGI, ASI, and why AI development is accelerating faster than most people realize.

Scripture Highlight

1 Corinthians 10:12–13

"So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful..."

Technology itself isn't the enemy—but we must remain alert, discerning, and dependent on Christ as new temptations emerge.

Action Steps

• Evaluate how AI is currently influencing your daily life.
• Ask yourself whether technology is helping you connect with people—or replacing real relationships.
• Begin a conversation with your spouse, family, or accountability group about healthy AI boundaries.
• Pray for wisdom and discernment as technology continues to evolve.

Be sure to tune in next week for Part 2 as we explore how AI is reshaping marriage, intimacy, and what hope and practical wisdom Christians need for the future.

Connect to Michael Leahy:
BraveHearts – Faith-based recovery, mentoring, and resources for individuals and couples pursuing freedom from sexual addiction.
https://bravehearts.org

Daily Disciplines™ for Sexual Integrity – A practical online recovery program designed to help men pursue lasting freedom and spiritual growth.
https://bravehearts.org/daily-disciplines-for-sexual-addiction-recovery/

Porn Nation – Michael Leahy's bestselling book exploring the impact of pornography and the hope of redemption through Christ.
https://www.amazon.com/Porn-Nation-Conquering-Americas-Addiction/dp/0805426797

🎧 Subscribe to the Pure Victory Podcast!
💙 Want to help others find freedom? Visit PureVictoryPodcast.com to support the mission.

You are not alone—and freedom is possible.

Ask a question

Have a question you'd like answered live on an episode? Send a voice recording of your question to [email protected]

Share this with your friends

Who do you know that can benefit from this podcast and other episodes coming in the future? Share it with them so they can subscribe as well.

Subscribe

Subscribe on any podcast app to make sure you catch new episodes! 

Resources

FamilyLife Canada: Porn Recovery Resources

FamilyLife Canada: Resources and events to strengthen your marriage

Online marriage resources (FamilyLife Canada)

Covenant Eyes Accountability Software - use promo code FLCANADA for 30 days free
Pure Freedom Community for men 18+
Book a FREE call (men)
Pure Freedom Journey for men and women

Podcast Host

BRADEN HAFNER

Braden is the Regional Director in Alberta for FamilyLife Canada. He and his wife Kristen live in Edmonton, Alberta. He knows all too well the destruction that porn use and addiction can have, and now wants to see people experience freedom away from porn. Along with that he is passionate about seeing marriages grow and thrive, and helping couples move to a deeper oneness with one another and with God. FamilyLife Canada has a variety of resources and events to help you and your spouse take your marriage to the next level. See what would benefit you at www.familylifecanada.com

Welcome to episode #276! 🎙️ Pure Victory Podcast: When Doing the Right Thing Makes Life Harder
Confession can feel like taking your first breath after years of holding it in. The secrets are exposed, the burden begins to lift, and healing finally starts. But what happens when doing the right thing actually makes life harder?

In this episode, we explore the difficult but important truth that while God's forgiveness is immediate, consequences often remain. Looking at King David's story and the realities of recovery, we discuss why repentance is more than turning away from sin—it also means walking humbly through the damage our choices may have caused and trusting God through the process of restoration.

Key Takeaways

• Confession and repentance are essential steps toward healing.
• God's forgiveness does not always remove earthly consequences.
• Trust and relationships often require time to rebuild.
• Other people may still be processing pain even when we're experiencing freedom.
• True repentance includes taking responsibility and pursuing restoration.
• Faithfulness means continuing to follow Jesus even when circumstances remain difficult.

Scripture Highlight

2 Samuel 12:13-14
"Then David said to Nathan, 'I have sinned against the Lord.' Nathan replied, 'The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die.'”

Also referenced:

• Psalm 51:10
• James 5:16
• Romans 8:1
• Psalm 103:12

Action Steps

1. Identify any consequences you've been resisting or trying to avoid.
2. Ask God for the humility to acknowledge the pain your actions may have caused.
3. Have an honest conversation with someone you've hurt without expecting immediate trust or forgiveness.
4. Stay committed to recovery even if external circumstances haven't improved yet.
5. Pray for both your healing and the healing of those affected by your choices.

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You are not alone—and freedom is possible.

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Resources

FamilyLife Canada: Porn Recovery Resources

FamilyLife Canada: Resources and events to strengthen your marriage

Online marriage resources (FamilyLife Canada)

Covenant Eyes Accountability Software - use promo code FLCANADA for 30 days free
Pure Freedom Community for men 18+
Book a FREE call (men)
Pure Freedom Journey for men and women

Podcast Host

BRADEN HAFNER

Braden is the Regional Director in Alberta for FamilyLife Canada. He and his wife Kristen live in Edmonton, Alberta. He knows all too well the destruction that porn use and addiction can have, and now wants to see people experience freedom away from porn. Along with that he is passionate about seeing marriages grow and thrive, and helping couples move to a deeper oneness with one another and with God. FamilyLife Canada has a variety of resources and events to help you and your spouse take your marriage to the next level. See what would benefit you at www.familylifecanada.com