🔹 Want to break free? Join Unhooked Academy now:
https://www.unhookedacademy.com/

This rebroadcast from Jonah Primo’s The Overexamined Life features Jeremy Lipkowitz (former Buddhist monk, meditation teacher, executive coach, and host of the Unhooked podcast) discussing pornography as a lens for addiction, shame, and compulsive behavior. They cover how widespread porn use is among men and increasingly women, early exposure in childhood, and how porn’s normalization alongside taboo can fuel addiction. Lipkowitz argues porn is often used for emotional regulation (boredom, loneliness, anxiety), can distort expectations of intimacy, train novelty-seeking dopamine patterns, and contribute to a shame-driven double life. They address ethical concerns about performer exploitation, whether moderate use is defensible, the distinction between porn and masturbation, and rising risks from AI-generated porn, non-consensual deepfakes, and related technologies. Treatment emphasizes mindfulness, men’s groups, integrity, and Viktor Frankl’s “space between stimulus and response” over reliance on blockers; Lipkowitz recommends abstinence first if moderation is attempted.

00:00 Rebroadcast Introduction

01:34 Meet Jeremy Lipkowitz

04:19 Who Watches Porn

05:28 Taboo Meets Normalized

07:04 Kids And Early Exposure

12:49 Porn Scripts And Consent

15:47 Porn As Emotional Coping

20:11 Shame Fuels Addiction

26:52 Making It Less Shameful

28:01 Men's Groups Explained

33:44 Performers And Exploitation

39:36 Is Any Use Safe

42:55 Subtle Long Term Effects

47:11 Hungry Ghost Origin Story

48:43 From Catalogs to Tube Sites

49:30 When Lust Becomes Suffering

50:46 Hungry Ghosts Explained

52:26 Pros and Cons of Quitting

54:59 Masturbation Without Porn

56:50 Engineered to Be Addictive

59:52 AI Porn Pandora Box

01:05:15 Skillful vs Unskillful Desire

01:07:55 Life After Porn Benefits

01:12:54 Relapse and the Three As

01:15:58 Mindfulness Space to Choose

01:20:01 Abstinence vs Moderation

01:22:13 Rapid Fire and Farewell

🔹 Want to break free? Join Unhooked Academy now:
https://www.unhookedacademy.com/

Piers Cross on Trauma, Addiction, and Self-Compassion

Most men walk around with stones in their shoes their whole lives. They don't know the stones are there. They just know something hurts, and they've learned to keep walking anyway.

That's one of the most powerful things Piers Cross said in this conversation. And it captures something I see all the time in the men I work with — unprocessed trauma quietly running the show, showing up as compulsive behavior, isolation, a relentless inner critic that won't let them rest.

Piers's own story is one of the more remarkable ones I've encountered. He grew up with an alcoholic father, ran away to boarding school, watched a friend die by suicide, and was then sexually abused by the priest the school sent them to for support. He suppressed all of it, built a successful career in finance, and slowly fell apart. At his lowest point he was homeless, struggling with drugs and alcohol, and tried to take his own life. What turned it around was ending up at a Buddhist monastery — where he stayed for over 1,000 days. He's been sober for 24 years.

In this episode we talk about:

• How suppressed childhood trauma shows up in adult addiction, even when the connection isn't obvious
• Why going back to touch trauma can re-traumatize you — and what to do instead
• What EFT tapping is, how it works neurologically, and why Piers uses it with every client
• The three ingredients Robert Moore says are required for real initiation to happen
• Why the monastery was a rite of passage from boy to man — and what that has to do with recovery
• The inner critic loop that keeps men stuck, and how to step out of it
• Why alcohol and porn relapse are more connected than most people realize
• A five-minute safety meditation practice you can start today
• What Piers wants every man struggling with addiction to hear before anything else

The self-compassion piece in this one is worth the whole conversation. The image Piers uses — of picking a child up 100 times when they fall — is the kind of thing that stays with you.

Connect with Piers Cross:

Coaching: piers-cross.com

Leadership work: compassionateleadersglobal.com

Podcast: An Evolving Man

Documentary: Boarding on Insanity

Resources from Jeremy:

Unhooked Academy: unhookedacademy.com

14-Day Slip Reset: unhookedacademy.com/reset

🔹 Want to break free?

Join Unhooked Academy now:
https://www.unhookedacademy.com/

This week's episode is a conversation I had on the Enter the Lionheart podcast with host Lawrence Dunling. Lawrence was kind enough to let us reshare it here on Unhooked.

We get into my own unusual path: leaving a PhD program at Duke, training as a Buddhist monk in Myanmar, and eventually building my coaching practice in Thailand. From there we dig into the trap almost all of us fall into, the belief that the next zero in the bank account, the next win, the next relationship will finally make us happy, and why that chase never actually delivers.

We talk through some core Buddhist concepts and how they apply to everyday life: the bliss of blamelessness, the eight worldly winds, and the middle path between renouncing everything and chasing pleasure. And we spend real time on porn and compulsive behavior specifically: why the consequences are often subtle and easy to miss, how it rewires your brain's relationship to novelty and intimacy, and the Rat Park experiment, one of the clearest illustrations out there of why addiction is about an unmet need, not a moral failing.

We also get into modern dating, OnlyFans, the loneliness underneath a lot of it, and why community and close male friendships matter more than most guys realize.

Resources:

Unhooked Academy: unhookedacademy.com

14-Day Slip Reset: unhookedacademy.com/reset

Connect with Jeremy:

🌍 Website: JeremyLipkowitz.com

📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremylipkowitz/

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyLipkowitz

📩 Email: [email protected]


Jeremy’s Online Course: Unhooked – Step-by-Step Guide to Quitting Porn: https://www.unhookedacademy.com/

🔹 Want to break free?

Join Unhooked Academy now:
https://www.unhookedacademy.com/

This week, I'm bringing back one of my favorite episodes because its message is just as relevant today as when I first recorded it.

In this episode, I share the Five Wise Daily Reflections from Buddhist teachings and explore how they can help you overcome addiction, let go of attachment, take ownership of your actions, and live with greater purpose. These simple reflections have profoundly shaped the way I approach recovery and continue to remind me what truly matters.

What would change if you spent just a few minutes each day reflecting on what really matters most?

If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who could benefit from it, and subscribe for more conversations on recovery, mindfulness, and building a life you don't want to escape from.

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
02:01 The Five Wise Daily Reflections
03:06 Aging, Illness, and Death
07:29 Letting Go of Attachment
09:23 Why Your Actions Shape Your Future
12:03 How to Practice These Reflections
12:35 Living Beyond Addiction

Resources:

Unhooked Academy: unhookedacademy.com

14-Day Slip Reset: unhookedacademy.com/reset

Connect with Jeremy:

🌍 Website: JeremyLipkowitz.com

📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremylipkowitz/

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyLipkowitz

📩 Email: [email protected]


Jeremy’s Online Course: Unhooked – Step-by-Step Guide to Quitting Porn: https://www.unhookedacademy.com/

🔹 Want to break free?

Join Unhooked Academy now:
https://www.unhookedacademy.com/

This episode is a rebroadcast of a conversation I had with Todd Rennebohm on the Bunny Hugs podcast. Todd runs a mental health show that isn't afraid to go into the territory most podcasts avoid, and this conversation went deep.

We covered my personal story from the beginning. How it started innocent enough, looking at lingerie catalogs as a kid, and slowly escalated over years into a daily habit that was quietly rewiring my brain. By college, I was logging on every night for an hour, sometimes two. And even though my life looked great on paper, I felt completely empty inside.

In this episode we talk about:

• The moment I realized I was a slave to lust, and what it actually felt like from the inside
• How porn hijacks the dopamine system and why the "hunt" is more addictive than the content itself
• The realm of hungry ghosts, a Buddhist concept that perfectly describes what addiction feels like
• Why porn addiction is uniquely hard to break free from compared to alcohol or substances
• How I went from PhD student at Duke to Buddhist monk to meditation teacher to recovery coach
• Why the shame-based, willpower-driven approach almost always backfires
• What neuroplasticity actually means for your recovery, and why it's good news
• How to meditate without falling asleep (and why falling asleep isn't actually the problem)
• AI companions, escalation, and where all of this is headed

This is one of the more wide-ranging conversations I've had. If you're new to this work, it's a good place to start. If you've been around for a while, I think you'll still find something in it.

00:00 Empty Chase

00:50 Meet Jeremy

01:37 How It Started

03:15 Daily Habit

04:59 Control And Coping

06:07 Brain Rewiring

07:15 Novelty Escalation

09:20 Seeing The Future

11:10 Hungry Ghosts

13:33 Neuroplasticity Lust

15:10 Gratitude Training

18:29 Desire Vs Craving

20:31 Meditation Skills

23:11 Tech And AI Risks

24:57 Is It Ever Good

27:14 AI Companions Dystopia

28:30 Moderation Debate

28:37 Moderation vs Abstinence

30:11 Ethics of Porn Industry

33:02 Why Porn Hooks Dopamine

37:15 Rock Bottom Realization

42:43 Finding Happiness Through Mindfulness

46:09 Non Shame Recovery Approach

50:11 Meditation Basics That Work

54:02 Grounded Not Woo Woo

54:49 Where to Find Jeremy

55:26 Final Wrap and Support

Check out Todd's show, Bunny Hugs, at bunnyhugspodcast.com

Resources mentioned:

Unhooked Academy: unhookedacademy.com

14-Day Slip Reset: unhookedacademy.com/reset

Connect with Jeremy:

🌍 Website: JeremyLipkowitz.com

📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremylipkowitz/

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyLipkowitz

📩 Email: [email protected]


Jeremy’s Online Course: Unhooked – Step-by-Step Guide to Quitting Porn: https://www.unhookedacademy.com/

🔹 Want to break free?

Get my FREE 14-day slip reset here:
https://unhookedacademy.com/reset

This week, I'm resharing a conversation I had with Breanne Wilson on the Adventures in Adversity podcast because I think this message is more important than ever.

We talk about my journey from porn addiction to recovery, how addiction rewires the brain, why shame keeps so many people trapped, and what it really takes to build a life of integrity, purpose, and freedom. We also explore mindfulness, neuroplasticity, healthy masculinity, and why lasting recovery isn't about willpower, it's about creating a life you no longer want to escape from.

Whether you're struggling with porn, another compulsive habit, or simply searching for deeper fulfillment, I hope this conversation reminds you that change is possible.

What's one area of your life where you're ready to stop escaping and start healing?

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who could benefit from it, and subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss future conversations on recovery, self-mastery, and living with purpose.

🔹 Want to break free?

Join Unhooked Academy now:
https://www.unhookedacademy.com/



Connect with Jeremy:

🌍 Website: JeremyLipkowitz.com

📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremylipkowitz/

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyLipkowitz

📩 Email: [email protected]


Jeremy’s Online Course: Unhooked – Step-by-Step Guide to Quitting Porn: https://www.unhookedacademy.com/



Connect with Breanne Wilson

🌍 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adventuresinadversitypodcast/
🎙️ Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventures-in-adversity-an-inspirational-podcast/id1727019294



Timestamps:

🔹 Want to break free? 

Get my FREE 14-day slip reset here:
https://unhookedacademy.com/reset

Why do so many people struggle to quit porneven when they genuinely want to stop?

In this interview with Tim Tedder on The Affair Recovery Room Podcast, I share my personal journey from years of porn addiction to finding lasting recovery, and the lessons I learned along the way.

We talk about how porn rewires the brain, why novelty keeps people trapped in the cycle, how shame silently fuels addiction, and why recovery isn't about relying on willpower alone. We also discuss mindfulness, healthy relationships, community, and the inner work required to build lasting freedom.

In this episode you'll learn:

• What porn addiction really is
• How porn changes your expectations of intimacy
• Why shame keeps people stuck
• Why willpower isn't enough
• The role of mindfulness in recovery
• Why community accelerates healing
• How to build a life you don't need to escape from

Whether you're struggling yourself or supporting someone you love, I hope this conversation gives you hope and practical insight for the journey ahead.

If this episode helped you, share it with someone who needs it and subscribe for more conversations on recovery, self-mastery, and creating lasting freedom.

🔹 Want to break free? 

Join Unhooked Academy now:
https://www.unhookedacademy.com/

Connect with Jeremy:

🌍 Website: JeremyLipkowitz.com

📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremylipkowitz/

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyLipkowitz

📩 Email: [email protected]

Jeremy’s Online Course: Unhooked – Step-by-Step Guide to Quitting Porn: https://www.unhookedacademy.com/

Connect with Tim Tedder

🌍 Website: https://www.affairhealing.com/

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Tim-Tedder

🎙️ Podcast: https://www.affairhealing.com/podcasts
https://open.spotify.com/show/54DlIhDCxb3a4gpFCJrRPu
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-affair-recovery-room/id1116458007

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction
01:27 What Porn Addiction Really Is
04:25 The Hidden Signs of Addiction
06:03 How My Addiction Started
14:29 Why Real Relationships Feel Harder
20:44 What Finally Helped Me Recover
26:36 Why Shame Keeps Men Stuck
29:26 Porn Isn't the Real Problem

🔹 Want to break free?

Be on the Unhooked Academy waitlist:
https://www.unhookedacademy.com/

What if the biggest obstacle to your recovery isn't porn but the relationship you have with yourself?

In this episode, I explore a powerful idea that was sparked by a short piece from Joshua Fields Millburn: we often tolerate behavior from ourselves that we'd never accept from anyone else. Whether it's doom scrolling, self-criticism, procrastination, or acting out, these habits quietly steal our time, energy, and potential.

I share a simple framework for recognizing self-sabotaging patterns, setting healthier boundaries with yourself, and becoming your own greatest ally instead of your harshest critic.

Are you treating yourself the way you'd treat someone you truly care about?

If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it and subscribe for more conversations on recovery, self-mastery, and building a life you don't want to escape from.

🔹 Want personalized support? Book a free discovery call with Jeremy: https://www.unhookedacademy.com/intro

Get my FREE 14-day slip reset here:
https://unhookedacademy.com/reset

Connect with Jeremy:

🌍 Website: JeremyLipkowitz.com

📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremylipkowitz/

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyLipkowitz

📩 Email: [email protected]


Jeremy’s Online Course: Unhooked – Step-by-Step Guide to Quitting Porn: https://www.unhookedacademy.com/

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
01:08 No One Wastes More Time
03:08 Ending Self-Sabotage
04:21 A Three-Step Reset
05:39 Your Mind: Enemy or Ally?
06:40 Become Your Own Best Friend

🔹 Want to break free?

Be on the Unhooked Academy waitlist:
https://www.unhookedacademy.com/

Have you been working harder and harder at recovery, only to feel like you're getting nowhere?

In this episode, I share five reasons why focusing too much on recovery can actually keep you stuck. We explore the neuroscience behind why white-knuckling, obsessing over streaks, and making recovery your entire identity often backfires and what to do instead.

True freedom doesn't come from fighting urges harder. It comes from building a life so meaningful, fulfilling, and exciting that porn becomes irrelevant.

What if the breakthrough you're looking for isn't about trying harder but about focusing on something bigger?

If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs it and subscribe for more conversations on recovery, discipline, and creating a life you don't want to escape from.

🔹 Want personalized support? Book a free discovery call with Jeremy: https://www.unhookedacademy.com/intro

Get my FREE 14-day slip reset here:
https://unhookedacademy.com/reset

Connect with Jeremy:

🌍 Website: JeremyLipkowitz.com

📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremylipkowitz/

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyLipkowitz

📩 Email: [email protected]


Jeremy’s Online Course: Unhooked – Step-by-Step Guide to Quitting Porn: https://www.unhookedacademy.com/

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
01:47 The Streak Trap
04:25 The Pink Elephant Problem
06:24 Recovery Isn't Your Identity
08:14 Stop Pulling Weeds
09:47 How to Handle Urges
12:11 What Real Recovery Looks Like
14:15 Resources & Final Thoughts

🔹 Want to break free? 

Be on the Unhooked Academy:
https://form.typeform.com/to/I4WMlmdl

What if addiction isn't actually about dopamine, genetics, or a lack of willpower?

In this episode, I sit down with psychiatrist Dr. Daniel Hochman to explore a radically different way of understanding addiction and recovery.

We discuss why people continue doing things they know are hurting them, why the traditional medical model often misses the bigger picture, and how addiction may be better understood as a learned pattern for regulating difficult internal states.

We also dive into the powerlessness debate, the role of agency in recovery, the famous Rat Park experiment, Buddhist philosophy, neuroplasticity, and why true freedom comes from developing the ability to tolerate discomfort rather than constantly escaping it.

If you've ever struggled with porn addiction, compulsive behaviors, cravings, or simply understanding why humans do things that work against their own best interests, this conversation will challenge the way you think about recovery.

In this episode you'll learn:

• What addiction really is
• Why people relapse despite knowing better
• The problem with the "powerless" mindset
• How agency accelerates recovery
• What the Rat Park experiment teaches us
• Why Buddhism offers powerful recovery tools
• How to build lasting freedom and self-mastery

Recovery isn't about becoming a different person. It's about learning how to relate differently to yourself.

If this episode helped you, share it with someone who needs it and subscribe for more conversations on recovery, discipline, freedom, and meaningful change.

👉 Join Unhooked Academy and connect with a community of men committed to growth and recovery.

🔹 Want personalized support? Book a free discovery call with Jeremy: https://www.unhookedacademy.com/intro

Connect with Jeremy:

🌍 Website: JeremyLipkowitz.com

📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremylipkowitz/

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyLipkowitz

📩 Email: [email protected]

Jeremy’s Online Course: Unhooked – Step-by-Step Guide to Quitting Porn: https://www.unhookedacademy.com/

Connect with Dr. Daniel Hochman

🌍 Website: https://www.selfrecovery.org/daniel-hochman-md/

📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdanielhochman/

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction
05:17 What Is Addiction Really?
07:34 A Better Definition of Addiction
09:02 The Path Out of Addiction
12:08 Buddhism and Recovery
14:08 Are Addictions Genetic?
19:10 Taking Ownership of Recovery
20:00 The Problem With Powerlessness
24:17 Agency, Neuroplasticity, and Change
31:15 How Beliefs Shape Recovery
42:05 Why Restraint Creates Freedom
49:15 Why We Choose Short-Term Pleasure
51:45 The Rat Park Experiment
57:15 The First Step to Recovery
01:02:15 Building Self-Trust Through Restraint
01:02:50 Self Recovery Program & Final Thoughts