What really happens after betrayal, and how do you start to heal when trust has been broken?

In this episode, I sit down with Lauren LaRusso, therapist and infidelity specialist, to talk about the messy, painful, and deeply human side of cheating. We explore why infidelity happens, the emotional chaos it brings, and how both partners, the betrayed and the betrayer, can find their way back to honesty and self-understanding.

Lauren and I also unpack the connection between kink and infidelity, how fear of rejection, shame, or unmet desires can lead someone to explore outside their relationship. We talk about the importance of vulnerability, honest communication, and the courage it takes to express who you really are before crisis hits.

If you’ve ever been cheated on, cheated yourself, or just want to understand what drives betrayal, this episode is a raw, compassionate, deep dive into the psychology of desire, avoidance, and emotional repair.

Episode Highlights: 

00:00 Defining Cheating and Its Complexities

07:28 The Role of Kink in Infidelity

19:32 Living Authentically in Relationships

22:13 Practicing Honesty in Relationships

24:28 Facing the Fear of Abandonment

32:11 Resources for Healing and Support

Connect with Lauren: 

https://www.laurenlarusso.com/contact

https://www.instagram.com/laurenlarusso

Connect with Me: 

⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thekinkconsultant⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/the_kinkconsultant/⁠

Speak Your Desires with Confidence - Download this FREE step-by-step guide to having open, honest, and judgment-free conversations about kink, boundaries, and pleasure.

https://www.amandadames.com/Speak-Your-Desires-with-Confidence-opt-in-1