Advertise on podcast: The Living Truth Podcast - Freedom From Unwanted Sexual Behavior, Hope & Healing For the Betrayed

When betrayal trauma shatters your world, it can feel impossible to imagine anything good emerging from the rubble. In this deeply encouraging conversation, Kristin sits down with Gigi Hopkins, Director of Wives Care at Be Broken Ministries, to explore how the process of healing can lead to expanding your influence, your agency, and your God-given impact on the world around you.   Gigi shares: ✨ Why early healing feels so disorienting—and why that's normal ✨ The difference between control and influence, and how shifting that mindset changes everything ✨ Real ways women regain agency even when life feels out of control ✨ How boundaries, self-care, emotional work, and spiritual grounding open doors for transformation ✨ Honest stories from her own journey and how healing ripples outward into family and future generations   This episode will breathe hope into anyone in the early or ongoing stages of betrayal trauma healing—especially if you feel overwhelmed, powerless, or unsure where to begin. God's restoration is deeper, slower, and more beautiful than we expect…and your healing matters more than you know.   📖 Ready for healing? Learn more about our programs: https://living-truth.org   To learn more about Be Broken Ministries: https://www.instagram.com/bebrokenministries/# https://www.facebook.com/bebrokenministries https://vimeo.com/channels/psrpodcast   The Living Truth Podcast; Conversations that shed light on the deeper issues that unlock healing from porn addiction, sex addiction, and sexual betrayal.   #LivingTruthPodcast #ChristianRecovery #FaithAndHealing #AddictionRecovery #MenInTheBattle #WomenInTheBattle #LivingTruth #BetrayalTraumaHealing #WivesCare #BeBrokenMinistries #HealingAfterBetrayal #ChristianPodcast #TraumaRecovery #HopeInChrist #BoundariesAndHealing #EmotionalHealingJourney #KristinCary

Betrayal shatters your world. It leaves you wondering which way is up, how to survive the devastation, and whether you’ll ever feel whole again. Kristin interviews trauma-informed counselor, coach, and author Tammy Gustafson to talk about her new book, Broken to Brave: Your Courageous Act of Healing After Intimate Betrayal (releasing January 27, 2026).   Tammy shares her four-phase framework for healing after intimate betrayal— Reveal, Reorient, Realign, and Rebuild   She offers hope for women at every stage of the journey. Drawing from her own story, her years as a counselor, and her research with over 1,700 betrayed partners, Tammy brings compassion, validation, and practical guidance for anyone walking this painful road.   You’ll hear: Why betrayal trauma impacts your body as much as your heart The importance of boundaries, grief, and anger in the healing process Common stuck points that slow recovery A vision for post-traumatic growth and a life of beauty and joy beyond betrayal   ✨ Don’t miss the FREE Betrayal Healing Conference hosted by Tammy at the end of January each year. Kristin will be one of the speakers, and this is your chance to learn from leading voices in the betrayal trauma field.   📖 Learn more about Tammy and her book: https://livefreecounseling.com/   📖 Learn more about our programs: https://living-truth.org   The Living Truth Podcast; Conversations that shed light on the deeper issues that unlock healing from porn addiction, sex addiction, and sexual betrayal.   #LivingTruthPodcast #ChristianRecovery #FaithAndHealing #AddictionRecovery #MenInTheBattle #WomenInTheBattle #LivingTruth #BetrayalTrauma #HealingAfterBetrayal #TraumaRecovery #NervousSystemHealing #ChristianHealing #BrokenToBrave

In this quiet space between the holidays—or whenever your heart finally slows down enough to feel—Kristin offers a calming, Christ-centered invitation to breathe again.   If you’re navigating the devastation of sexual betrayal, the shame of unwanted sexual behavior, or the disorienting waves of grief that erupt long after the crisis, this episode will meet you with compassion and truth.   You’ll be guided through: - Simple breathwork to settle your overwhelmed nervous system - Gentle questions to help you reconnect with your body and your needs - Biblical reminders of God’s nearness to the brokenhearted - A powerful visualization to help you encounter Jesus in a place of peace - Hope for the year ahead—not in perfection, but in His faithful presence   This is not a “try harder” message. It’s a place to take off the mask, slow down, and remember that you are held by a God who sees, knows, and loves you.   If you’re a betrayed partner seeking clarity and support, you’re invited to join Kristin’s free 5-day experience, Operation Restoration. https://living-truth.kit.com/operation-restoration   If you’re a man struggling with unwanted sexual behavior, new resources are coming soon through Men in the Battle®. https://www.living-truth.org/joinmib   Wherever you find yourself today, you’re not alone—there is hope and healing for you.   🎧 Listen to the full podcast here: https://livingtruth61.podbean.com/e/hope-in-the-new-year/?token=0c3af86fc4f46ca3a1c4844894454bce   📖 Learn more about our programs: https://living-truth.org   The Living Truth Podcast; Conversations that shed light on the deeper issues that unlock healing from porn addiction, sex addiction, and sexual betrayal.   #LivingTruthPodcast #ChristianRecovery #FaithAndHealing #AddictionRecovery #MenInTheBattle #WomenInTheBattle #LivingTruth #BetrayalTraumaHealing #ChristianHealingJourney #UnwantedSexualBehavior #HopeAfterBetrayal #GodIsNear #HealingInChrist #ChristianPodcast #HealingFromTrauma #GroundingPractice #NewYearHope #YouAreNotAlone #KristinCary #BreathworkForTrauma #SpiritualHealing #JesusMeetsYouHere #MenInTheBattle #WomenInTheBattle #LivingTruth

What does true sobriety look like for those battling sex and pornography addiction—and how does recovery move beyond the addict to bring healing to their partners? In this episode, Michael sits down with Tim Stein, co-author of Finding the Way Through: A Workbook for Sex and Pornography Addiction to explore a new framework for recovery. Together, they unpack the workbook’s definition of sobriety, the critical shift from addict thinking to recovery thinking, and the importance of “partner betrayal sensitivity.” With practical tools, raw honesty, and hope for transformation, this conversation equips both addicts and their loved ones with a roadmap for lasting change.   Order Finding the Way Through: A Workbook for Sex and Pornography Addiction - Sobriety, Recovery, & Partner Betrayal Sensitivity: https://a.co/d/1uaAb0F   📖 Learn more about our programs: https://living-truth.org   The Living Truth Podcast; Conversations that shed light on the deeper issues that unlock healing from porn addiction, sex addiction, and sexual betrayal.   #LivingTruthPodcast #ChristianRecovery #FaithAndHealing #AddictionRecovery #MenInTheBattle #WomenInTheBattle #LivingTruth

Let's explore the often-overlooked connection between spiritual warfare & mental health. In this episode, Kristin and Dr. Natalie Atwell—counselor, educator, and long-time advocate for trauma survivors— shine light on the unseen battles many believers face, especially those carrying deep childhood wounds, walking through betrayal trauma, or struggling with destructive sexual patterns.   Dr. Atwell shares the sobering rise she’s seen in her practice of clients entangled in darkness—through trauma, pornography, and even human trafficking—and how these openings can fuel emotional chaos, compulsive behavior, and distorted thinking. She also offers compelling insight into how lies planted in childhood can become spiritual footholds in adulthood… and how Jesus meets us right in those places with truth, power, and freedom.   You’ll hear: Why spiritual warfare can masquerade as mental-health symptoms How trauma makes us vulnerable to lies—and how those lies can be broken The subtle ways the enemy gains influence through culture, coping strategies, and popular practices How deliverance, counseling, and trauma-informed care work together What hope looks like for betrayed partners who feel crushed under the enemy’s attempts to steal, kill, and destroy Why God’s heart is fiercely protective of the vulnerable—and how He restores what darkness tried to ruin   Whether you’re battling unwanted sexual behavior, healing from betrayal, or simply trying to understand the spiritual dynamics beneath today’s struggles, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and deep encouragement.   Jesus is stronger than every force that comes against you—and even in the ashes, He is already rebuilding.   Links to Dr. Natalie Atwell's Resources:   Mental Warrior Website > Dr. Atwell's Personal Instagram > Mental Warrior Instagram > Natalie Atwell Counseling Instagram > Mental Warrior Facebook > Link to Purchase Natalie's Book >   Get $50 off Dr. Natalie's Mental Warrior Course 📖 Learn more about our programs: https://living-truth.org   The Living Truth Podcast; Conversations that shed light on the deeper issues that unlock healing from porn addiction, sex addiction, and sexual betrayal.   #LivingTruthPodcast #ChristianRecovery #FaithAndHealing #AddictionRecovery #MenInTheBattle #WomenInTheBattle #LivingTruth #SpiritualWarfare #FaithAndMentalHealth #BetrayalTrauma #TraumaAndSpirituality #UnwantedSexualBehavior #SexualAddictionRecovery #FreedomInChrist #ChristianCounseling #EmotionalHealing #HumanTraffickingAwareness #PornAddictionRecovery

The holidays can stir up overwhelming waves of grief and confusion. The music, the smells, the traditions — they bring back joyful memories and painful reminders of betrayal, leaving many women asking: “What was ever real?”   Learn how to recognize the power and purpose of your anger, the “bargaining” stage of grief, and create safe space to process painful memories. Know that your grief isn’t a setback — it’s a sign of deeper healing.   Grief Questions Kristin mentions in this episode:   Set a reasonable goal to regularly process your grief (for example, 10 minutes a day, 5 days a week). Journal out your responses to one question each day, Close your grief processing time with a gratitude list. Pay attention to ways that you see and experience gifts and beauty and enjoy them for a moment.    What do I miss? What am I angry about? What am I learning? What do I need now?   📖 Learn more about our programs: https://living-truth.org   The Living Truth Podcast; Conversations that shed light on the deeper issues that unlock healing from porn addiction, sex addiction, and sexual betrayal.   #LivingTruthPodcast #ChristianRecovery #FaithAndHealing #AddictionRecovery #BetrayalRecovery #HolidaysHurt

The holidays are supposed to be filled with joy and celebration — but after sexual betrayal, they can feel unbearable. In Part 1 of this special series, Michael interviews Kristin about her raw story of her first holiday season after discovery and the first steps betrayed partners need to survive:  prioritizing safety, stabilization, boundaries, and connection.   If you’re in the early days of betrayal trauma, this episode will remind you that survival is enough — and that you are not alone.   Need more support and hope? JOIN Kristin for her free 5 day experience:  Holiday Survival Strategies from November 17-21:  https://living-truth.kit.com/holiday-survival-strategies   Kristin's Private Facebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/970477406321487 📖 Learn more about our programs: https://living-truth.org The Living Truth Podcast; Conversations that shed light on the deeper issues that unlock healing from porn addiction, sex addiction, and sexual betrayal.   #LivingTruthPodcast #ChristianRecovery #FaithAndHealing #AddictionRecovery #BetrayalRecovery #HolidaysHurt

In this episode of the Living Truth Podcast, Kristin sits down with Michael to unpack the Men in the Battle (MIB) Battle Plan — a practical framework for men pursuing lasting freedom from unwanted sexual behavior.   They explore why relationships are the backbone of recovery, how marriage and spiritual connection anchor lasting change, and the role of education, journaling, and mentoring in shaping a man’s heart. Michael also shares why self-care isn’t optional and how simple daily practices can make the difference between relapse and resilience.   Whether you’re on your own recovery journey, walking with someone who is, or simply want to understand how men can experience real transformation, this conversation will give you hope, direction, and practical steps to begin your own Battle Plan.   Get your PDF copy of the MIB Battle Plan here:  https://living-truth.kit.com/battleplan   📖 Learn more about our programs: https://living-truth.org The Living Truth Podcast; Conversations that shed light on the deeper issues that unlock healing from porn addiction, sex addiction, and sexual betrayal.   #LivingTruthPodcast #ChristianRecovery #FaithAndHealing #AddictionRecovery #BattlePlan

Your words shape your world. In this episode, Steve Backlund unpacks why renewing your mind and speaking truth over yourself is the key to breaking cycles of defeat. We talk about choosing joy in tough seasons, pushing past the awkwardness of declarations, and replacing lies with God’s truth. If you’ve ever felt stuck or hopeless, this conversation will help you move forward with faith, joy, and fresh hope.   You can find Steve's resources at: https://www.ignitinghope.com/ https://www.ignitinghopeacademy.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@IgnitingHopeMinistries    📖 Learn more about our programs: https://living-truth.org   The Living Truth Podcast; Conversations that shed light on the deeper issues that unlock healing from porn addiction, sex addiction, and sexual betrayal. #LivingTruthPodcast #ChristianRecovery #FaithAndHealing #AddictionRecovery #TalkToYourself

What does it really mean to be a “healthy sinner?” In this eye-opening interview, counselor and author Leslie Vernick helps us unpack the difference between normal struggles and destructive patterns of abuse. Through powerful stories—including a surprising moment in a dressing room and her unforgettable “termites in the basement” analogy—Leslie gives us a fresh perspective on what health and unhealth look like in relationships. We explore how to recognize abuse, when it’s time to seek help or get out, and what it looks like to pursue emotional, spiritual, and relational wholeness as a follower of Christ. This episode is a lifeline for anyone who feels stuck in an unhealthy relationship and wants clarity, courage, and hope.   You can find more of Leslie's resources at https://leslievernick.com. 📖 Learn more about our programs: https://living-truth.org   The Living Truth Podcast; Conversations that shed light on the deeper issues that unlock healing from porn addiction, sex addiction, and sexual betrayal. #LivingTruthPodcast #ChristianRecovery #FaithAndHealing #AddictionRecovery #MenInTheBattle #WomenInTheBattle #LivingTruth #HealthySinners

If you’re facing divorce after betrayal—especially from a partner who refuses to change—this conversation is for you.   In this powerful episode, I’m joined by Kim Hansen Petroni, an APSATS coach who specializes in high-conflict divorce. Kim brings not only professional expertise but also lived experience to this tender and complex topic. As the founder of Not a Casserole Widow®, she equips women to move forward with confidence, clarity, and grace. Kim shares essential steps to prepare yourself for a safe and empowered exit—legally, financially, emotionally, and spiritually. Whether you're in the early stages of divorce or actively navigating this path, you'll find practical tools and soul-deep encouragement to help you make wise, well-supported decisions, assured that God is with you through it all.   📥 Free Resources from Kim: – A downloadable PDF with must-ask questions for your attorney: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1czoDTdTgCjsAxV_SK__7-TPmkhChX4o4/view?usp=sharing 🔗 Learn more about Kim’s work: www.notacasserolewidow.com Mediation Seminar: https://coachinghope4u.as.me/schedule/e0039b4a/appointment/82730551/calendar/6383562 📘 Order her book: Not a Casserole Widow®: Navigating Betrayal Trauma and Divorce with Strength & Strategy (Amazon link: https://a.co/d/f6JDK1g)   📖 Learn more about our programs: https://living-truth.org   The Living Truth Podcast; Conversations that shed light on the deeper issues that unlock healing from porn addiction, sex addiction, and sexual betrayal.   #LivingTruthPodcast #ChristianRecovery #FaithAndHealing #NavigatingDivorce

Most men never received a healthy, honest conversation about sexuality. Instead, we were handed silence, shame, or surface-level advice. In this powerful conversation, therapist and author Sam Jolman unpacks the deeper story behind male sexuality—and why reclaiming it requires more than just behavior management.   Whether you're walking through recovery, mentoring other men, or asking hard questions about your identity and healing, this episode will meet you where you are and call you deeper.   We discuss: Why white-knuckling your way through recovery doesn't work How father wounds and emotional neglect shape sexual behavior What it means to reclaim the heart of your God-given masculinity The vital role of sexual blessing, initiation, and community This is the sex talk you never got—but it’s the one you need. 👉 Resources + Links: Sam's website: SamJolman.com Connect with our ministry: Living-Truth.org   The Living Truth Podcast; Conversations that shed light on the deeper issues that unlock healing from porn addiction, sex addiction, and sexual betrayal.   #LivingTruthPodcast #ChristianRecovery #FaithAndHealing #AddictionRecovery #MenInTheBattle #WomenInTheBattle #LivingTruth #SexTalk

Have you ever wondered what it takes to truly be free from problematic sexual behavior? Have you been trying to stop for years, only to go back to it again and again, feeling more shame and discouragement and wondering why you can’t stop? In this podcast, Michael shares the “5 Keys to Freedom” answering these questions and providing you with a proven method to achieve lasting freedom. Info mentioned in this podcast: Click here to register for MIB.  For coach recommendations for men who struggle, email [email protected]. The Living Truth Podcast; Conversations that shed light on the deeper issues that unlock healing from porn addiction, sex addiction, and sexual betrayal. #LivingTruthPodcast #ChristianRecovery #FaithAndHealing #AddictionRecovery #MenInTheBattle #LivingTruth

When your world falls apart after discovering sexual betrayal, how do you even begin to put the pieces back together?   In this powerful episode, Kristin Cary is joined by trauma-informed coach and Women in the Battle® facilitator Isabel Williams, who shares her deeply personal journey from devastation to post-traumatic growth. Izzy opens up about her initial resistance to group support, the chaos of early trauma, and the turning point that helped her begin to heal—creating structure.   Together, they explore: Why structure is essential in the aftermath of discovery How to identify safe people to confide in Why trauma-informed support (not generic marriage counseling) is critical The dangers of spiritually misinformed advice What real self-care looks like (hint: it’s not bubble baths) How childhood trauma patterns resurface in crisis—and how to start rewriting them Izzy’s story is a testament to what’s possible when we receive the right kind of support and reconnect with our God-given voice and strength. Whether you’re newly navigating betrayal or further down the road, this episode will offer practical insight, encouragement, and hope.   Enrollment for Women in the Battle® & Men in the Battle® opens August 11th! If you’re ready to stop surviving and start healing, now’s the time to take your next right step. Learn more at living-truth.org.   👉 Connect with Izzy: http://Brighthopecoaching.com   📖 Learn more about our programs: https://living-truth.org   The Living Truth Podcast; Conversations that shed light on the deeper issues that unlock healing from porn addiction, sex addiction, and sexual betrayal.   #LivingTruthPodcast #ChristianRecovery #FaithAndHealing #AddictionRecovery #MenInTheBattle #WomenInTheBattle #LivingTruth #HealingAfterBetrayal #StructureAfterBetrayal #CreateStructure

In this powerful episode, Michael sits down with Alan Fadling, author of An Unhurried Life: Following Jesus’ Rhythms of Work and Rest. Alan reveals how a hurried life not only drains our energy but fuels the compulsions and false comforts that drive addiction. Together, Michael and Alan unpack how hurry acts as self-avoidance—and how slowing down to the pace of Jesus leads to healing, clarity, and deeper intimacy with God. If you're burned out, stuck in unwanted behaviors, or overwhelmed by life’s demands, this conversation points to a better way: a life rooted in grace, rest, and authentic spiritual formation.   To explore Alan's work further, visit his website: https://www.unhurriedliving.com/   📖 Learn more about our programs: https://living-truth.org   The Living Truth Podcast: Conversations that shed light on the deeper issues behind porn addiction, sex addiction, and sexual betrayal—and the path to lasting freedom.   #LivingTruthPodcast #ChristianRecovery #FaithAndHealing #AddictionRecovery #MenInTheBattle #WomenInTheBattle #LivingTruth #AnUnhurriedLife #SlowDown