What happens when the man everyone turns to for healing is secretly breaking down?

Dr. Mark McNear was a respected Christian therapist. But behind closed doors, he was overusing psychiatric medication to numb deep childhood trauma. In this raw episode, he shares how a confrontation with a psychiatrist forced him into rehab, how his family met his confession with grace, and how Jesus met him in the middle of his shame—not after he cleaned up.

This is a story of grace, healing, and learning to feel safe in your own skin.

• 00:04 – The double life of a therapist
• 01:24 – What people didn’t see
• 02:34 – Justifying the medications
• 06:24 – The turning point: “You need rehab”
• 08:03 – His wife's gracious response
• 09:07 – His daughter’s encouragement
• 12:47 – Childhood trauma resurfaces
• 15:20 – Learning to trust safe people
• 19:24 – Wrestling with God's presence
• 21:07 – Jesus asks, Do you want to get well?
• 27:10 – Learning to feel safe in his body
• 32:09 – Why Jiu-Jitsu became healing
• 36:15 – Final encouragement to men

• I was dripping with shame.
• Addiction lied to me and told me I was fine.
• No one told me I was traumatized.
• Grace showed up before I believed it could.
• God didn’t wait for me to clean up. He met me in the mess.

• Website & Coaching: www.markmcnear.com
• Book: Finding My Words: A Ruthless Commitment to Healing Gently After Trauma
• Scripture Referenced:
  Romans 2:4
  Ephesians 2:10
  Psalm 36:9
  John 5:6

If this episode resonated, don’t keep it to yourself. Share it. Reach out to someone. Even just one person. You are not disqualified. God’s grace gets the last word.

Subscribe to the Shame(less) Podcast and follow us for more stories like this.

Have you ever carried a father wound that shaped how you see yourself, God, or the world around you?
In this raw and powerful episode of the Shame(less) Podcast, Ken Freire sits down with Jonathan Lewis, founder of Fathers for Fathers, to unpack how trauma, addiction, and anger often stem from deep places of brokenness and how the Father's heart of God brings real healing.

Jonathan shares his own journey: from trying to save his drowning father as a teen… to two decades of fog, despondency, addiction, and anger… to encountering Jesus in his 30s and finding a redemptive calling to help men break free.

If you’ve ever felt like your past disqualifies you or if you're tired of holding it together alone, this episode might just be the beginning of something new.

• Why fatherlessness impacts men more spiritually than we realize
• How trauma shows up as despondency, anger, addiction, and isolation
• The number one lie men believe about masculinity and the truth Scripture reveals
• Why surrendering to the Father is the hardest and most masculine thing a man can do
• How Fathers for Fathers is helping churches disciple broken men
• The power of fasting, shared hardship, and vulnerability in male community
• What it looks like to trust God with the things you fear most: your kids, your legacy, your wounds

0:00 – The weight of fatherlessness
3:00 – Jonathan’s story: losing his dad and blaming himself
7:00 – How trauma and guilt shaped his manhood
10:00 – The fog of despondency and false identity
14:00 – Anger, masculinity, and what’s really going on under the surface
21:00 – The question every man must answer: Who is Jesus?
26:00 – Why surrender is the bravest act a man can make
33:00 – What Fathers for Fathers actually does and how churches can join
37:00 – Wilderness hikes, baptisms, and why shared pain brings freedom
42:00 – Father’s Day challenge: fast, pray, walk, and step up

Feeling the weight of fatherlessness, addiction, or disconnection from your purpose?

Go to www.fathersforfathers.org to learn more, join a hike, or bring a men's ministry to your church.

📲 Text Jonathan directly. His number is listed on all socials, and yes, he actually replies.

Want more content like this?
🔔 Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a man who needs to hear it.

Is your sexual desire something to suppress or something to understand? Could the cravings you battle with actually point toward something deeply holy?

In today's powerful episode, host Ken Freire is joined by Matt Cline, founder of Restored Ministries, a global ministry that has helped over 4,000 men find freedom from sexual addiction through profound, heart-level transformation and intimacy with Christ.

Matt challenges common views on sexual sin and shares personal revelations from his journey of healing and restoration. He reveals how true freedom isn't found in behavior modification or willpower alone, but in deeply knowing Christ and understanding the God-given purpose behind our desires.

• Desire is Designed by God: Your sexual desires, though distorted by sin, were originally created to point you to intimacy with Christ.
• Heart-Level Healing: Overcoming sexual sin isn't about just changing behaviors but about transforming your heart through intimacy with Jesus.
• Identifying Triggers: Recognize that triggers are signals pointing to unmet desires and opportunities for deeper connection with God.
• Embracing Identity: Freedom comes from knowing your true identity in Christ, which transforms how you respond to temptation.
• Breaking Free from Shame: Confession and transparency are crucial steps toward healing and experiencing God's unconditional love.

• Matt's personal encounter with Jesus, leading to freedom from pornography and healing from past trauma (02:00).
• How sexual desire can actually guide you into a deeper intimacy with Christ (08:47).
• The difference between behavior modification and Spirit-led transformation (13:24).
• How to practically respond to triggers by turning to Christ and His truth (17:39).
• The importance of confession and community in overcoming shame (23:13).
• How identity in Christ is foundational to lasting freedom and healing (29:13).

• "It's not about doing, but just about being with Jesus and being united." – Matt Cline
• "Sexual intimacy is a picture of a deeper intimacy with Christ." – Matt Cline
• "Freedom isn’t just possible; it’s available and deeply fulfilling." – Matt Cline

• Website: Restored Ministries
• Community: Pure Freedom Community
• Coaching, courses, and additional resources available on the website.

• Visit Restored Ministries and explore free resources.
• Join a supportive community to maintain accountability and encouragement.
• Seek intimacy with God through scripture and prayer to experience lasting freedom.

Remember to kill shame, stand strong, and be on mission. If today's conversation resonated with you, take action—connect with a supportive community, embrace transparency, and pursue intimacy with Jesus, the one who truly satisfies.

God bless, and enjoy the journey of true freedom!

What if everything you thought you knew about sexual purity missed the bigger picture?

In this powerful episode of the shame(less) podcast, Ken Freire sits down with therapist and author Sam Jolman, who wrote The Sex Talk You Never Got, to explore what it truly means to become a godly sexual man. They unpack how the church’s teaching on purity culture, while well-meaning, often left men with more shame than freedom—and why it’s time for a better conversation about sexuality, desire, and the body.

Together, they dive into:

• The difference between lust and arousal
• How to honor your God-given sexual design without guilt
• What healthy masculinity looks like in the context of Scripture
• Why desire is not the enemy—and how to reorient it toward worship
• How emotional dysregulation masquerades as sexual need
• Why Jesus was the most sensual man who ever lived—and still sinless

Whether you're married, single, or in recovery from sexual addiction, this episode will help you begin reclaiming your sexual story from a place of freedom, delight, and holiness.

• Why purity culture often led to shame and confusion
• Arousal vs. lust: understanding the difference
• The role of beauty, play, and pleasure in spiritual formation
• How Jesus modeled healthy sensuality
• Rewriting the narrative: what it means to be a godly sexual man
• The spiritual power of being fully present with your body
• Turning the tables on shame through God's kindness

Sam Jolman is a therapist, counselor, and the author of The Sex Talk You Never Got. He’s spent years helping men heal from shame, understand their sexual design, and live as whole, integrated, godly men. Sam writes regularly about faith, masculinity, and sexuality on Substack, and offers resources and workshops through his website.

👉 Get the Book + Free Paperback: https://samjolman.com

• Sam Jolman’s Website: https://samjolman.com
• Join His Substack Community: https://samjolman.substack.com
• Buy the Book: The Sex Talk You Never Got – Available wherever books are sold
• Follow Sam on Instagram: @samjolman

• 00:03 – The problem with how the church teaches purity
• 02:00 – Why “Am I sinning?” is not a deep enough question
• 05:00 – How purity culture mishandled the male body
• 13:00 – Arousal vs. lust: a biblical and scientific breakdown
• 20:00 – Why sex is often misused as emotional regulation
• 26:00 – What it means to be a good sexual man
• 32:00 – Jesus, sensuality, and the power of beauty
• 39:00 – Why play is essential for sexual wholeness
• 43:00 – Final encouragement: Turn the tables on shame

In this deeply personal and redemptive conversation, Ken Freire sits down with Adam Westlake, a biblical counselor, to explore a Gospel-centered approach to same-sex attraction (SSA) and LGBTQ identity. 

Adam vulnerably shares his own story of growing up in West Texas, wrestling with his identity, and finding true healing through Christ, community, and biblical counseling.

Whether you’re in Nashville, TN, or anywhere in the world, this episode offers powerful encouragement and practical steps for those struggling with sexual sin, identity confusion, or shame.

• Adam’s journey from hiding same-sex attraction to walking in the light
• The difference between experience and identity
• How shame and silence grow without Gospel-centered community
• Why sexuality is often a search for connection, validation, or healing
• How Jesus satisfies our deepest longings as the Bread of Life
• The role of the church in counseling and loving those with SSA
• Common lies people believe when struggling with sexual identity
• Reframing disordered desires through God's redemptive story

• Name the struggle: Bring your sin or confusion into the light with someone trustworthy.
• Seek connection: Shame dies in community; isolation only feeds the struggle.
• Confess early: Don’t wait until you fall—share what’s going on before the sin.
• Feed on Christ: Only Jesus can truly satisfy the deep spiritual hunger in all of us.
• You’re not alone: Many believers silently wrestle with SSA—freedom begins with honesty.

Adam Westlake is a biblical counselor, worship leader, and producer who spent over a decade creating music with The Worship Initiative alongside Shane & Shane. Based in Texas, Adam now counsels individuals through his ministry, helping them reframe personal struggles through the lens of God’s larger redemptive story.

• adamwestlakecounseling.com
• Instagram: @adamwestlake

Love this episode? Share it with a friend who’s struggling with shame, addiction, or confusion around their identity.

 Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review—it helps more people discover the Gospel truth that shame doesn’t have the final word.

Struggling with pornography addiction? In this episode, Ken Freire interviews Bryan Petkau, professional counselor and founder of Renewed Hope Coaching, about the limitations of traditional therapy in addiction recovery. Discover how faith-based coaching, accountability, and community can lead to lasting freedom. 

• Traditional therapy models often lack real-time support.
• Limited check-ins (weekly sessions) leave men vulnerable between meetings.
• Professional constraints prevent faith-based integration in many counseling settings.
• Therapy can be valuable for trauma recovery but may not fully address addiction.

• Bryan transitioned from therapy to coaching to provide daily accountability and real-time check-ins.
• Community support through group sessions and private groups ensures men never feel isolated.
• Coaching offers high-touch support, focusing on biological, psychological, and spiritual healing.

• Many men believe marriage will solve their addiction, but this is a lie of the enemy.
• Feelings of shame, hopelessness, and self-condemnation often keep men stuck.
• The enemy’s goal is to destroy marriages and families, making this a spiritual battle as much as a behavioral one.
• Recognizing triggers, lies, and spiritual warfare is key to long-term healing.

• Daily accountability (first 3 months).
• One-on-one coaching for personalized battle plans.
• Weekly group meetings for shared support and encouragement.
• WhatsApp community for real-time help during moments of weakness.
• Faith-based approach integrating biological, psychological, and spiritual strategies.

"Pornography is the sharpest sword the enemy uses to destroy marriages. But when men are surrounded by real support, they can reclaim their freedom and their families."

✅ Christian men struggling with pornography addiction.
✅ Husbands seeking to rebuild trust and integrity in their marriages.
✅ Pastors & mentors looking for resources to help men in their communities.
✅ Anyone frustrated with traditional therapy models and looking for a high-support, faith-based alternative.

🔗 Learn more & work with Bryan: renewedhopecoaching.com
📢 Share this episode with someone who needs encouragement!
🙏 Remember: Kill shame, stand strong, and stay on mission.

🔔 Subscribe for more faith-driven recovery insights! 🚀

In this episode of the Shame(less) Podcast, Ken Freire sits down with Joe Masek, founder of The Freedom Group, to discuss his journey from addiction and abuse to redemption. Joe shares his story of childhood trauma, struggles with pornography, and the deep shame that followed—along with the practical steps that led him to freedom in Christ.

This conversation is for men who feel trapped in addiction, isolated by shame, or unsure if true transformation is possible.

• Joe’s testimony: from childhood abuse to finding freedom in Christ
• How shame isolates men and why breaking free starts with confession
• The difference between cravings and temptation in addiction recovery
• Practical tools to rewire the brain and overcome pornography
• The role of brotherhood and daily accountability in healing
• How suffering can shape you into the man God has called you to be

"Porn isn't the problem. It's the solution we've used to cope with deeper wounds." – Joe Masek
"Shame isolates you, but God calls you into community for healing." – Ken Freire
"Freedom isn't just possible—it’s promised in Christ." – Joe Masek

Connect with Joe Masek & The Freedom Group:

• Website: TheFreedomGroup.co
• Instagram: @FreedomCoach_Joe
• Facebook: The Freedom Group
• March 2025 Freedom Intensive in Estes Park, CO

Books & Programs Mentioned:

• Dangerous Men by Lowell Seashore
• Steps to Freedom Retreat

If you’re struggling with shame, addiction, or feeling stuck in your spiritual walk, you’re not alone. Find an accountability partner, and start the journey to freedom today.

Help Others Break Free:

• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
• Share this episode with a friend
• Follow @KenFreire on all major social media platforms for more encouragement

What if your connection with God isn’t as deep as you think? Are you truly experiencing intimacy with God, or are you just imitating faith?

In this powerful conversation, Eric Munoz shares his personal journey of breaking free from lust, overcoming shame, and learning true intimacy with God. From struggling with pornography and abandonment issues to finding spiritual freedom, Eric reveals the key steps every man needs to take to build a real, lasting relationship with Christ.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• The difference between intimacy and imitation in faith
• Why so many men struggle with shame, lust, and addiction
• How porn and self-medication keep men stuck in cycles of guilt
• The one daily habit that led Eric to true freedom
• How to stop wearing a mask and become the man God created you to be

Ready to stop imitating faith and start experiencing true intimacy with God? Hit play now!

Many men avoid intimacy with God because they associate it with weakness or think it’s uncomfortable. Eric breaks down why deep spiritual connection is essential for overcoming struggles like lust and shame.

Key Quote: "Men put up so many roadblocks between them and the intimacy they actually need. God is calling you into a deeper relationship—will you step into it?"

Eric shares how his early exposure to pornography created a pain-self-medication-shame cycle, trapping him in lust for years. He explains how this cycle fuels addiction, secrecy, and distance from God.

Key Quote: "Shame makes you hide, but hiding only makes the cycle worse. The key to freedom is stepping into the light."

Eric spent years trying to "fix" himself with books, accountability partners, and self-discipline—but nothing worked until he prioritized spending time in God's presence daily.

Practical Step: Wake up earlier and dedicate time to prayer and scripture. Even 15 minutes can make a massive difference!

Key Quote: "Freedom didn’t come when I tried harder. It came when I spent time with God and let Him transform me."

[00:00] Intro & Why This Episode Matters
[02:02] Meet Eric Munoz: His Story & Mission
[05:25] The Hidden Struggles of a Young Christian Leader
[07:52] How Lust & Shame Create a Trap for Men
[13:12] God’s Game-Changing Word: “You Are Free”
[16:52] The Turning Point: Choosing to Walk in Freedom
[19:31] What True Intimacy with God Looks Like
[26:49] Overcoming Childhood Trauma & Removing the Mask
[37:06] The One Daily Habit That Can Change Everything
[41:41] Where to Follow Eric & Final Encouragement

Follow Eric Munoz

• YouTube: Valley of the Heroic
• Instagram: @EricMunozJr

In this powerful episode of the Shame(less) Podcast, host Ken Freire sits down with Dustin Alley, the founder of Men After God, to discuss turning past regrets into a God-given mission. 

Dustin shares his raw and unfiltered testimony, from his wild teenage years influenced by the Jackass-era subculture to his struggles with addiction, pornography, and dysfunctional relationships. 

But his story doesn't end in shame—God transformed his life, leading him into a redemptive journey of ministry and marriage restoration. If you’re a man struggling with regret, addiction, or the weight of past mistakes, this episode will show you that God’s grace is bigger than your failures.

Topics Covered:

✔️ Overcoming addiction, lust, and the past that tries to define us
✔️ The dangers of "functional dysfunction" and how we normalize sin
✔️ How porn rewires your brain and distorts intimacy in marriage
✔️ What real repentance looks like: Godly sorrow vs. worldly sorrow (2 Cor. 7:10)
✔️ The importance of discipleship, accountability, and mentorship
✔️ Practical steps for men to break free and lead their families well
✔️ Why self-forgiveness is often harder than accepting God’s forgiveness
✔️ How to rebuild emotional, spiritual, and physical intimacy in marriage
✔️ The birth of Men After God and why every man needs a mission

Key Quote from Dustin Alley:

“If I choose to hold past sin over my head, I’m putting myself in the place of God and doing something He doesn’t even do with me. If I have confessed and repented, I am forgiven—so I need to live in the light of that forgiveness.”

🔗 Men After God: https://menaftergod.net
📖 Dustin's Book - Becoming a Man After God: Available on Amazon
👥 Join the Men After God Facebook Community: facebook.com/groups/menaftergod
📖 Recommended Reading: Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges, The Mortification of Sin by John Owen

✔️ Own Your Mistakes – Sit down with your wife and confess where you’ve fallen short. True leadership starts with humility.
✔️ Pick One Area to Improve – Don’t get overwhelmed. Choose one practical way to strengthen emotional, spiritual, or physical intimacy.
✔️ Surround Yourself with Godly Men – Accountability is key. Join a brotherhood that will call you higher.
✔️ Stop Managing Sin—Kill It! – Repentance isn’t about behavior management; it’s about putting sin to death through daily submission to Christ.
✔️ Lead Your Family with Intentionality – Whether it’s praying together, doing devotionals, or scheduling date nights, start leading with purpose today.

📘 Facebook: facebook.com/TheMenAfterGod
🎙️ Podcast: The Men After God Podcast (Available on Spotify & Apple Podcasts)
🌎 Website: https://menaftergod.net

In this episode of The Shameless Podcast, Ken Freire interviews Anthony Curnutt on overcoming addiction, rebuilding trust in marriage, and embracing biblical masculinity. Learn how Anthony fought to restore his marriage after battling pornography addiction and how men can step into their God-given roles.

This conversation is a must-listen for men struggling with addiction, marriage challenges, or seeking biblical masculinity.

✅ Secrets Destroy Trust: Hiding addiction for years created shame and guilt, leading to the near collapse of his marriage.

✅ Healing Requires Surrender: True healing began when Anthony fully surrendered his struggles to Jesus, accountability partners, and trusted mentors.

✅ Marriage Needs Boundaries: To rebuild trust, Anthony and his wife set strong boundaries, including full transparency with passwords, accountability, and open conversations.

✅ Biblical Masculinity is Key: Society distorts masculinity, but men are called to be spiritual leaders, embracing God’s design for manhood.

💬 “You cannot have a thriving marriage with secrets.” – Anthony Curnutt

💬 “Jesus wants all of us healed—not just from sin, but from the wounds that led us into sin.” – Anthony Curnutt

💬 “Every man needs three people in his life: a mentor, a mentee, and a brother who will fight alongside him.” – Anthony Curnutt

📖 Book: Framework for Biblical Masculinity – Available on Amazon
🌐 Website: Real Men Ministries
📲 Follow on Social Media:

• Facebook Group: Real Men Ministries: Becoming a Spiritual Leader
• Instagram, X (Twitter), TikTok: @RealMenMinistries

🎙️ Podcast: Real Men Talk Podcast

If you're struggling with addiction, shame, or marriage struggles, this episode is for you. Remember: healing takes time, but it is possible. Take the first step by reaching out for help, surrounding yourself with godly men, and leaning into God’s grace.

📩 Liked this episode? Share it with a friend who needs encouragement! 🚀