Pathway to Recovery

S.A. Lifeline Foundation
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  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
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Pathway to Recovery is an S.A. Lifeline Foundation podcast featuring hosts Tara McCausland and Justin B.  We have conversations with experts and individuals who understand the pathway to healing from sexual addiction and betrayal trauma because we believe that recovering individuals leads to the healing of families. 

  1. 2D AGO

    Embracing Humility in Recovery w/ Mitch H.

    Questions or feedback? Leave your email here. Jonathan L welcomes Mitch H, who shares his journey from early pornography exposure to escalating sex and lust addiction marked by secrecy, workplace boundary violations, confession, marital strain, and cycles of relapse. Lasting change began when a sponsor challenged him to fully commit to recovery and to do whatever recovery required. Mitch describes humility as the key to sustainable recovery—“seeing things as they really are” and staying “right sized,” without ego or self-condemnation. He explains how humility fuels honesty, connection with God, and trust in a sponsor, making it essential to working the steps and maintaining long-term change. Mitch closes by encouraging newcomers to keep coming back and reassuring them that healing and freedom are possible. Support the show SA Lifeline Foundation SAL 12 Step Find an SAL12Step Meeting Donate Contact to ask questions or make comments Transcripts

    39 min

  2. FEB 10

    Keys to Positive Sobriety & Long-Term Sex Addiction Recovery w/ Steven Croshaw

    Questions or feedback? Leave your email here. In this episode, host Tara McCausland interviews Steven Croshaw, president and co-founder of S.A. Lifeline Foundation, who is also her father. Steven shares his journey of battling sexual addiction, starting from exposure to pornography at a young age, through years of hidden behaviors and relapses, to ultimately achieving sobriety and long-term recovery for nearly two decades. He emphasizes the importance of rigorous honesty, humility, accountability, and the critical role of understanding and addressing trauma for relational healing. The conversation highlights the key aspects of long-term recovery: the significance of embracing compulsive, problematic sexual issues as an addiction; the interplay of lust and shame and what truly drives addiction; working the 12 Steps; developing top lines, bottom lines, and boundaries to sustain sobriety.  Real-life challenges and insights from both Steven and Tara provide a deep, personal perspective on the complexities and rewards of recovery. Read Steven's article HERE. 00:00 Positive Sobriety & Keys to Long-Term Sex Addiciton Recovery Takes w/ Steven Croshaw 02:20 Steven's Early Struggles with Addiction 04:44 Marriage and Hidden Behaviors 07:02 First Confession and Continued Struggles 08:36 Second Confession and Realization of Addiction 10:14 Arrest and Turning Point 11:30 Understanding Addiction and Recovery 21:49 The Role of Lust and Shame in Addiction 26:16 Defining Sobriety in Recovery 30:54 Understanding Lapses and Relapses 31:47 Keys to Long-Term Recovery 33:31 Daily Practices for Recovery 37:52 Addressing Betrayal Trauma 49:11 The Role of Resentment in Addiction 53:55 Bottom Lines and Top Lines in Recovery 55:51 Final Thoughts and Encouragement Support the show SA Lifeline Foundation SAL 12 Step Find an SAL12Step Meeting Donate Contact to ask questions or make comments Transcripts

    58 min

  3. JAN 27

    Strength, Hope & Healing: The 2025 SAL Conference 12-Step Women's Panel

    Questions or feedback? Leave your email here. This podcast episode features a women's 12-step panel from the 2025 S.A. Lifeline Virtual Conference. Moderated by Tara McCausland, the discussion centers on the SAL recovery puzzle, circle models, and how these tools aid in healing from betrayal trauma. The panelists—Madison, Jan, Sarah, and Lisa—share their unique recovery journeys, emphasizing the importance of a willing heart, seeking spiritual connection, humility, honesty, supportive community, qualified therapy, boundaries, and the surrender process. Each woman provides personal insights and practical advice on navigating the complex emotions and challenges in their healing process, reaffirming that recovery is a gradual but achievable goal.  Join us for the upcoming S.A. Lifeline Foundation Vision Cast! Support the show SA Lifeline Foundation SAL 12 Step Find an SAL12Step Meeting Donate Contact to ask questions or make comments Transcripts

    56 min

  4. JAN 13

    Spotting Incomplete Sex Addiction Recovery & What To Do About It w/ Tammy Gustafson

    Questions or feedback? Leave your email here. In this episode of the Pathway to Recovery podcast, host Tara McCausland speaks with therapist Tammy Gustafson about 'incomplete recovery' in the context of sex addiction and how it affects both partners in the relationship. Tammy explains the concept of incomplete recovery, where behavioral changes without deep, relational character work leave partners feeling unsafe and dissatisfied. The episode also explores how triggers are indicators of unresolved trauma needing attention and offers strategies for calming the nervous system. Tammy provides advice for both addicts and betrayed partners, emphasizing the importance of emotional safety, self-compassion, and continued hard work for healing. She recommends shifting from performance-based to identity-based recovery and underscores the necessity of ongoing deep, character-transforming work for genuine recovery. Want to connect with Tammy? Check out her website here.  Support the show SA Lifeline Foundation SAL 12 Step Find an SAL12Step Meeting Donate Contact to ask questions or make comments Transcripts

    51 min

  5. 12/16/2025 · BONUS

    Turn Towards Recovery: A Christmas Carol Reflection

    Questions or feedback? Leave your email here. In this brief holiday episode of the Pathway to Recovery podcast, host Tara McCausland reflects on the challenges faced by those dealing with sexual addiction and betrayal trauma during this season. Drawing parallels with Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, Tara explores how the past, present, and future present hurdles and opportunities for those grappling with these issues.  She emphasizes that change is always possible through honesty, accountability, and willingness, encouraging listeners to embrace hope for themselves and others and to take steps toward healing.  00:00 Introduction and Holiday Reflections 01:48 A Christmas Carol and the Recovery Journey 02:53 Christmas Past: Reflections on Betrayal and Addiction 03:56 Christmas Present: Facing Reality and Seeking Change 04:51 Christmas Yet to Come: Fears and Hopes for the Future 06:02 The Power of Choice and Personal Transformation 07:56 Conclusion: Embracing Hope and Change Support the show SA Lifeline Foundation SAL 12 Step Find an SAL12Step Meeting Donate Contact to ask questions or make comments Transcripts

    10 min

  6. 11/18/2025

    Navigating Sex Addiction Recovery: Insights from the SAL Conference 12-Step Men's Panel

    Questions or feedback? Leave your email here. In this special episode of the Pathway to Recovery podcast, host Tara McCausland shares a SAL 12-Step men's panel discussion from the 2025 S.A. Lifeline Virtual Conference. Moderated by Jonathan L., the panel includes men with years of experience in recovery, sharing their journeys of surrender, accountability, and spiritual growth. Key topics include applying the SAL recovery puzzle, circle models of addiction and recovery, the role of qualified therapy, effective boundaries, and the daily practice of surrender. The discussion aims to provide hope and direction for those seeking to step on the path to lasting recovery by keeping God at the center and doing the inner and outer work required. Want to listen to the recorded conference? Get access here.  00:00 Welcome to the Pathway to Recovery Podcast 00:45 Accessing Conference Recordings and Podcast Updates 02:19 Introduction to the SAL 12 Step Men's Panel 03:40 Panelist Introductions 07:12 Exploring the Recovery Puzzle and Circle Models 07:49 The Importance of a Willing Heart in Recovery 12:25 Spiritual Connection in Recovery 17:52 Humility and Rigorous Honesty in Recovery 22:50 The Role of Time and Patience in Recovery 25:28 Living in the Present Moment 27:23 The Value of Qualified Therapy 32:44 Establishing Boundaries for Recovery 36:12 The Practice of Surrender 40:22 Understanding the Circle Models 44:57 Keeping God at the Center 49:23 Final Thoughts and Encouragement Support the show SA Lifeline Foundation SAL 12 Step Find an SAL12Step Meeting Donate Contact to ask questions or make comments Transcripts

    52 min

  7. 11/04/2025

    Sex Addiction Diagnosis, Treatment & Addressing Partner Sensitivity w/ Tim Stein

    Questions or feedback? Leave your email here. In this episode, host Tara McCausland welcomes Tim Stein, co-founder of Willow Tree Counseling and president of the American Foundation for Addiction Research (AFAR). Tim shares how AFAR, originally founded by Dr. Patrick Carnes, is advancing research to validate sex addiction as a legitimate, diagnosable condition and to improve treatment accessibility. He explains how addiction changes the brain—creating what’s known as Reward Deficiency Syndrome—and why recovery requires more than willpower. “When you’re suffering from addiction, your brain is working against you,” Tim notes, emphasizing the importance of community, structure, and neurological healing. The conversation also explores how dopamine regulation plays a key role in recovery and why embracing healthy discomfort through practices like honesty, meditation, and exercise can restore balance. Tim offers a hopeful reframe—seeing recovery not as a burden but as a blessing that deepens awareness and emotional resilience. Later, Tara and Tim discuss the critical need for partner sensitivity in addiction recovery. Tim highlights how understanding a partner’s betrayal trauma can foster real healing. Drawing from his co-authored workbook Finding the Way Through, he explains how empathy, education, and shared understanding can transform recovery into a path toward reconnection and lasting change. Learn more about AFAR here.  REGISTER for the 2025 S.A. Lifeline Virtual Conference Connect with Tim at Willow Tree Counseling Support the show SA Lifeline Foundation SAL 12 Step Find an SAL12Step Meeting Donate Contact to ask questions or make comments Transcripts

    45 min

  8. 10/21/2025

    The SAL Recovery Puzzle - Time w/ Kaylene T.

    Questions or feedback? Leave your email here. In this episode,  Jonathan L. talks with guest Kaylene, who shares her powerful story of her betrayal trauma recovery journey after 20 years of struggle. They delve into the concept that recovery requires patience and time, illustrating how small, consistent actions over time can rebuild trust and promote healing. Kaylene emphasizes the importance of self-care, surrendering the need to control time, and using the healing process to empower oneself. This episode underscores the necessity of time in both individual and relational healing processes associated with addiction and betrayal trauma. Support the show SA Lifeline Foundation SAL 12 Step Find an SAL12Step Meeting Donate Contact to ask questions or make comments Transcripts

    36 min
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4.9
out of 5
66 Ratings

About

Pathway to Recovery is an S.A. Lifeline Foundation podcast featuring hosts Tara McCausland and Justin B.  We have conversations with experts and individuals who understand the pathway to healing from sexual addiction and betrayal trauma because we believe that recovering individuals leads to the healing of families. 

Information

  • Creator
    S.A. Lifeline Foundation
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    94
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Pathway to Recovery
  • Show Website
    Pathway to Recovery

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