In this episode, Chris, James, and Sam discuss their personal journeys in finding purpose and overcoming addiction. They dive into deeper conversations about sobriety, battling addiction, and the significance of having a purpose in life. Chris shares his transformative experience and how finding purpose through his faith and recovery community helped him stay sober. Sam reflects on his struggle with finding joy and purpose in his work and life. The episode emphasizes the importance of giving back, connecting with others, and finding meaningful pursuits to live a fulfilling and healthy life.

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00:00 Introduction
02:54 Purpose in Addiction and Recovery
06:10 Finding Joy and Purpose in Life
08:57 Brotherhood and Recovery
12:24 Sharing Stories and Providing Hope
15:40 Conclusion and Call to Action

In this episode of Unashamed Unafraid, hosts Chris and Sam sit down with Roland as he shares his poignant journey of living a double life, challenging his faith, and struggling with process addiction. Roland talks about growing up in a strict religious environment, questioning beliefs at a young age, and the impact of living a double life. He dives into how his need for validation and admiration led to compulsive behaviors that eventually resulted in a traumatic arrest at 14. Roland unpacks the concept of process addiction, explaining the necessity of addressing the underlying desire for validation rather than treating it as a typical addiction. He also discusses his path to recovery and the creation of his treatment program for high-achieving men, 'Successful Addict.' Roland emphasizes the importance of legacy, spirituality, and redefining what true admiration and respect mean in overcoming addiction. This episode provides deep insights into the challenges of process addiction and offers hope and practical advice for those struggling with similar issues.

*To connect with Roland, visit his website, check out his book on Amazon, and listen to his podcast!

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00:00 Introduction
00:51 Roland's Early Life and Faith Struggles
01:54 Living a Double Life
02:19 Questioning Religious Beliefs
05:08 Impact of Faith on Addiction
06:40 Understanding Compulsive Behaviors
08:04 Arrest and Its Aftermath
10:16 Hiding the Secret and Seeking Validation
14:06 Process Addictions and Seeking Attention
16:49 Path to Recovery and Redefining Admiration
20:40 The Shift from Addiction to Sobriety
21:23 Normalization and Society's Influence
23:55 The Role of Legacy in Sobriety
25:08 Spirituality and Recovery
28:30 Understanding Process Addiction
32:44 The Successful Addict Program
35:33 Final Thoughts and Resources
39:32 A Song of Hope and Connection

Join us as we dive deep into the intricate connections between trauma and addiction. In this episode, James, Sam, and Chris discuss their personal experiences with trauma work, its impact on recovery, and how identifying and addressing underlying trauma can help in overcoming compulsive behaviors. This insightful conversation sheds light on the importance of understanding emotional needs, the process of healing, and the journey to living a more balanced and fulfilling life. Don't miss out on these powerful stories and the valuable lessons learned along the way.

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Matthew and Joanna Raabsmith are clinicians, speakers, and authors of the book Building True Intimacy: Creating a Connection that Stands the Test of Time. They have over 20 years of combined experience in counseling, coaching, and guiding couples toward healing and transformation. Their mission is to help couples navigate the complexities of relational challenges, particularly in the aftermath of sexual addiction and betrayal trauma, fostering deep restoration and growth.
Sam and Chris interview Matthew and Joanna about their 12-year journey from personal crisis to professional careers helping couples recover from addiction and betrayal. The couple recounts their early struggles, how addiction and infidelity impacted their marriage, and the pivotal moments that set them on a path to recovery. They discuss the development of their intimacy framework, 'The Intimacy Pyramid,' which guides couples from honesty to a deeply connected relationship. The dialogue underscores the role of faith, the importance of mutual honesty and trust, and the hard work necessary for relational healing.

*To connect with Matthew & Joanna, visit raabsmithteam.com

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00:00 Introduction and Welcome
01:03 Meet Matthew and Joanna
01:20 The Journey of Recovery
02:14 Early Marriage Struggles
04:28 The Turning Point
06:12 Confession and Recovery
07:25 Faith and Ministry Challenges
16:04 Building Honesty and Safety
21:59 Building Trust in Relationships
22:47 The Role of Vulnerability
25:00 Achieving Intimacy
26:31 The Journey of Healing
29:20 Steps to Rebuild Trust
37:48 The Importance of Self-Regulation
39:57 Resources and Support for Couples

In this episode, James, Chris and Sam discuss the transformative power of hope in overcoming addiction. They share personal stories of hitting rock bottom due to pornography addiction and codependent relationships, and how these low points led to pivotal changes in their journey to recovery. Emphasis is placed on the importance of finding a hopeful vision for a better life, engaging in genuine self-reflection, and relying on supportive resources and faith. The episode encourages listeners to see their potential for change and recovery, emphasizing that transformative identity shifts are key to overcoming addiction and finding true healing.

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In this heartfelt episode of 'Unashamed Unafraid,' hosts Sam and James sit down with Ryan and Kelce to discuss their deeply personal journey through pornography addiction and the trials it brought into their marriage. Ryan recounts his early exposure to pornography, the secrecy around his addiction, and the turning point that led to his decision to seek recovery. Kelce shares her initial shock, her decision to stay, and their joint path toward healing. Together, they highlight the key tools and support systems, including church programs and therapy, that have helped them rebuild trust and create deeper intimacy. Their story is a testament to the power of vulnerability, communication, and the unyielding support they found in each other and their faith. Join us for a powerful conversation about overcoming addiction and fostering genuine connections.

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00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:57 Meet Ryan and Kelce
01:28 Ryan's Early Exposure to Pornography
02:04 Kelce's Perspective and Early Marriage
02:34 Communication Challenges in Marriage
04:13 Ryan's Struggle with Addiction
13:41 The Turning Point: D-Day
17:46 The Unexpected Bombshell
18:22 Kelce's Emotional Response
20:22 Finding Support and Guidance
21:45 The Role of Addiction Recovery Programs
24:27 Navigating Recovery Together
29:17 Tools and Skills for Managing Emotions
33:22 Final Reflections and Hope

Join Sam, Chris, and James as they candidly discuss the concept of 'negotiating with your addiction.' They dive into personal stories and practical strategies for maintaining strict boundaries to foster long-term recovery. Topics include recognizing subtle forms of addiction, setting and respecting personal boundaries, and the significance of building a track record of sobriety. Learn the secret to overcoming compulsive behaviors and play it through to manage addiction effectively.

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In this episode of Unashamed Unafraid, Dr. Heidi Hastings, a marriage and sex researcher with a PhD, discusses her research focused on religious women and the impact of their husband's pornography use on their sexuality and spirituality. Through her studies, which include Christian, Jewish, and Muslim women, Dr. Hastings identifies five stages of betrayal trauma: innocence, crisis, aftermath, healing, and transformation. She explains how these stages align with identity development theories and shares key insights on how betrayed women navigate these stages, the importance of female support, and how individuals can heal and transform through understanding and redefining their identity. The episode also touches on how religious leaders can better support betrayed women and provides advice for parents on empowering their daughters. Dr. Hastings emphasizes the eventual deepening of trust and relationship with Jesus Christ as a pivotal element in the healing journey.

*To connect with Heidi visit, drheidihastings.com, follow her on Social Media @Marriage.IQ.

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In this episode of 'Live Unashamed,' hosts Chris, Sam, and Liam dive into the complexities of dating while struggling with addiction, especially pornography. They share personal anecdotes and strategies on when and how to disclose these struggles to potential partners. The conversation touches on why it's important to be transparent before exclusive dating, the complications of living a double life, and the necessity of seeking validation from God rather than a partner. The hosts emphasize the significance of honesty, recovery, and personal worth in navigating relationships.

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Join us in this powerful episode where Johnny and Emily candidly share their journey through the devastating impacts of porn addiction on their marriage. From Johnny's early struggles with pornography to the heart-wrenching moments of disclosure, and finally to their inspiring recovery, they discuss how faith, honesty, and community support brought them closer to each other and to God. Tune in for an emotional and raw conversation filled with valuable insights and hope for anyone battling similar struggles.
Johnny and Emily have been married since 1987 and have 3 adult children and 5 grandchildren. After the first 31 years, Johnny’s infidelity fueled by pornography came to light and their marriage was shattered into dust. With God’s help, they both decided to stay married, and embarked on a journey of healing and restoration.

*Ways to connect with Johnny & Emily:
Podcast Beyond Broken Vows Podcast

Website beyondbrokenvows.com

Email [email protected]

Newsletter sign up - insider.beyondbrokenvows.com

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