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

Living Truth Inc

The Living Truth Podcast explores the deeper issues beneath porn addiction, sex addiction, & the devastating impact of sexual betrayal. Find freedom & healing beyond what you think is even possible. New episodes release every 2 weeks! Find additional resources at Living-truth.org.

  1. Jun 1

    Sacred Attachment with Michael Cusick

    What if your relationship with God doesn’t have to feel like a performance review? In this rich conversation, Michael Cary sits down with author and counselor Michael John Cusick — author of Surfing for God and his newest book Sacred Attachment — to explore one of the most liberating ideas in spiritual life: that your connection to God is unbreakable, and you don’t have to earn it. We explore: • What “sacred attachment” actually means and why it changes everything about how we relate to God • How attachment theory (seen, soothed, safe, secure) shapes not just our human relationships but our relationship with God • Why “trust and obey” and “know more, do better” Christianity leaves so many of us exhausted and stuck • The root connection between early attachment wounds and addiction • Michael Cusick’s powerful “Five W’s” framework: wretchedness, weakness, woundedness, warfare, and wiring • The “delta” — the gap between what we know to be true (no condemnation!) and what we actually feel — and why information alone doesn’t close it • What freedom actually is: not the absence of sin, but the presence of your deepest desire • Why transformation doesn’t happen through information — and what actually moves the needle You’ll walk away with: A fresh, grace-soaked understanding of who God is toward you — even on your worst days. Whether you’re in recovery or just weary from trying harder, this episode will help you exhale and come home. Sacred Attachment is not just for people in addiction recovery — it’s for anyone who has ever felt like they’re failing at the Christian life. You can find more resources from Michael Cusick at: https://restoringthesoul.com https://michaeljohncusick.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

    47 min
  2. May 18

    What to Do If He Relapses: Creating a Relapse Safety Plan for Clarity and Stability with Lyschel Burkett

    What would you do if a relapse happened? For many partners walking through betrayal, that question feels overwhelming—or even terrifying. But avoiding it doesn’t create safety. Preparation does.   In this episode of The Living Truth Podcast, Kristin sits down with betrayal trauma coach Lachelle Burkett to talk about how creating a relapse safety plan can move you from panic to clarity—so you’re not left scrambling in the moment.   You’ll learn: Why a relapse safety plan actually reduces anxiety (instead of increasing it) The difference between a “slip” and a “relapse”—and why it matters How to make decisions ahead of time so you can trust yourself in crisis The 6 key areas every plan should include (emotional, physical, financial, relational, spiritual, and more) How this process restores your God-given agency, wisdom, and stability This conversation is not about expecting the worst, it’s about equipping you with calm, grounded clarity if the unexpected happens.   Because even in the midst of betrayal…you still have choices. You still have a voice. And you are not without support. If you’ve ever felt afraid of “what if,” this episode will help you take a steady, empowered step forward. Click Here for a free PDF of Lyschel's Relapse Safety Plan   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

    44 min
  3. May 4

    Growing Up Emotionally: Why Sexual Sobriety is Not Enough

    If the behavior has stopped… why does the relationship still feel disconnected, fragile, or stuck? In this episode of The Living Truth Podcast, Kristin Cary and Michael Cary explore the often-overlooked gap between sexual sobriety and emotional maturity—and why stopping the behavior is not the same as rebuilding trust, safety, and connection. You’ll gain clarity on: Why sobriety alone doesn’t restore trust or relational safety What emotional immaturity can look like in everyday interactions How unresolved wounds and “younger parts” continue to shape adult patterns The difference between defensiveness, shutdown, and true emotional growth Why betrayed partners need safety and stabilization first—not pressure to “move on” or “work on themselves” How couples can begin moving toward genuine intimacy, not just coexistence This conversation is especially relevant for: Women who feel confused or discouraged that things still don’t feel “better” after sobriety Men who have stopped unwanted behaviors but sense there is still more growth needed Couples who long for deeper connection but find themselves repeating the same patterns Sobriety may remove destructive behaviors— but emotional maturity is what allows a relationship to be rebuilt. Growth in this area takes time, humility, and a willingness to stay present in the process. There is no shame in feeling stuck. There is an invitation into something deeper.   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 #SurrenderedSexuality #JulieSlattery #AuthenticIntimacy #ChristianHealing #BetrayalTrauma #SexualIntegrity #CovenantLove #FaithAndSexuality #TraumaInformedFaith #IdentityInChrist #ChristianWomen #MenInRecovery

    41 min
  4. Apr 20

    Autonomy & Faith: Reclaiming Your Voice Without Rebellion | Part 2 with Anna Seiple

    What happens when blind, unquestioning obedience is expected — and silence is spiritualized? How does a lack of healthy developmental autonomy impact marriages, families, churches, and women navigating betrayal?   Drawing from developmental psychology and research on spiritual trauma, Kristin and licensed counselor AC Seiple unpack:   How shame forms when autonomy is not nurtured in childhood How spiritual systems can unintentionally cause harm when power is misused Sexual autonomy inside marriage after betrayal The cost of fearing relational rupture when we use our voice in marriage, ministry, and faith communities How humility and healing can restore autonomy in Christ   This conversation is especially meaningful for women navigating betrayal trauma, pastor’s wives, and anyone wrestling with how to exercise their God-given voice without labeling themselves as "rebellious."   Autonomy is not the enemy of faith. What if it is actually one of the ways we love God — and others — most fully?   This episode explores autonomy, shame, spiritual trauma, and sexual betrayal recovery through a trauma-informed Christian lens.   🔗 Connect with Anna Christine Seiple: https://www.acseiple.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 #ChristianHealing #BetrayalTraumaRecovery #SpiritualTrauma #FaithAndAutonomy #WomenInMinistry #PastorsWife #SexualBetrayalRecovery #TraumaInformedFaith #HealingInChrist #ChristianCounseling #EmbodiedFaith

    28 min
  5. Apr 6

    Desire, Differentiation, and the Self We Were Never Allowed to Become - A Conversation with Jay Stringer

    What if desire isn’t something to manage, suppress, or fix—but something that reveals who you truly are? In this episode of The Living Truth Podcast, Michael Cary sits down with Jay Stringer, therapist, speaker, and author of Unwanted and the brand-new release Desire, to explore the deeper architecture of desire—far beyond sex, behavior, or performance.   We talk about the provisional self—the version of us we learned to become in order to survive—and how many people unknowingly build their lives, relationships, and even their faith around it. Jay explains how desire exposes the gaps between who we are and who we were never allowed to be, and why unresolved childhood adaptations often propel people into crisis later in life.   Together, we explore: Why true intimacy requires differentiation, not fusion or performance What actually drives people into midlife, relational, or sexual crises How mapping your childhood helps you recover your true self Why desire is holistic—shaping identity, intimacy, meaning, and growth What real intimacy looks like beyond chemistry, compliance, or intensity For anyone navigating recovery, relational healing, or spiritual formation, this conversation reframes desire as an invitation—not a threat. An invitation to wholeness, honesty, and a life that no longer requires you to disappear to belong.   📖 Learn more about Jay Stringer and his new book Desire at jay-stringer.com   Website: jay-stringer.com - Instagram: @jay_stringer_   📖 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 #LivingTruth #JayStringer #DesireBook #UnwantedBook #MichaelCary #HealingDesire #FaithAndSexuality #ChristianPodcast #SexualWholeness #ShameFreeFaith #RestoringDesire #FreedomJourney #LivingTruthMinistry

    43 min
  6. Mar 23

    Surrendered Sexuality: How Knowing Jesus Changes Everything with Dr. Juli Slattery

    Sexuality is one of the most powerful — and most misunderstood — parts of our humanity.   In this deeply honest conversation with Julie Slattery, clinical psychologist, author of Surrendered Sexuality, and co-founder of Authentic Intimacy we explore:   • The cultural lies shaping how we think about sex • Why covenant — not consumption — is at the heart of God’s design for sex. • The devastation of betrayal and what it reveals about God’s own covenant love • Four identity traps that keep us stuck in shame, performance, and confusion • Why “just stop” is not a sufficient response to sexual struggles • How trauma, brain science, and community are essential to healing   If you’ve experienced sexual betrayal… If you’re carrying shame for sexual brokenness… If you feel confused about how your faith intersects with your sexuality…   This conversation will remind you that surrender is not about perfection — it’s about bringing your whole, broken self into the light of God’s love.   ✨ Learn more about Dr. Slattery’s work and resources at the links below: www.authenticintimacy.com IG: @authenticintimacy Java with Juli Podcast: https://www.authenticintimacy.com/podcast/ Surrendered Sexuality Book: https://a.co/d/08dxVRpJ   🎧 Listen to the full podcast here: https://LivingTruth61.podbean.com/e/surrendered-sexuality-how-knowing-jesus-changes-everything-with-dr-juli-slattery/?token=468fb7f62ca108c62d9669b8ccbcdc37 📖 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 #SurrenderedSexuality #JulieSlattery #AuthenticIntimacy #ChristianHealing #BetrayalTrauma #SexualIntegrity #CovenantLove #FaithAndSexuality #TraumaInformedFaith #IdentityInChrist #ChristianWomen #MenInRecovery

    32 min
  7. Mar 9

    The Hidden Cost of Information Overload in Betrayal Trauma - Finding Deeper Healing Through Safety with Shelley Martinkus

    When betrayal trauma shatters your world, it’s natural to search desperately for answers. Podcasts, books, courses, social media—there is more information available today than ever before. But is there a point when searching for more information actually keeps us stuck? In this powerful and compassionate conversation, Kristin Cary welcomes Shelley Martinkus, co-founder of Redemptive Living, to explore the difference between knowing facts about betrayal and engaging the complex, embodied process of healing. Together, they reflect on the early days of their own recovery journeys—when resources were scarce—and contrast that with today’s flood of information, which can unintentionally become a form of emotional anesthesia. What if healing doesn’t come from finding the “right formula,” but from slowing down, tending to your nervous system, and doing deep relational work—especially within safe community? You’ll hear honest reflections about: • The difference between “snorkeling” the surface and “scuba diving” into deeper healing • How dopamine, distraction, and over-research can numb pain instead of restoring it • Why betrayal recovery must include the body, heart, and nervous system—not just the mind • The surprising power of trauma-informed groups in restoring belonging, agency, and hope • Why Jesus—not a professional, program, or process—is the true source of lasting healing If you’ve ever felt exhausted from trying to “do healing right,” this episode offers a gentle invitation to slow down, breathe, and trust that God is still at work—within you and through safe community. Link to Podcast Episode: The Truth Shall Set You Free; How Full Disclosure Can Benefit Couples in Recovery with Dan Drake and Dr. Janice Caudill: https://LivingTruth61.podbean.com/e/the-truth-shall-set-you-free-how-full-disclosure-can-benefit-couples%c2%a0in-recovery-with-dan-drake-and-dr-janice-caudill-1718683847/   📖 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 #TraumaInformedFaith #ChristianHealing #NervousSystemHealing #EmbodiedFaith #HealingInCommunity #FaithAndHealing #YouAreNotAlone #DeepHealing

    43 min
  8. Feb 23

    Shepherding Through Crisis: Pastoral Strategies for Betrayal Recovery with Dr. Barbara Steffens

    Kristin Cary welcomes Dr. Barbara Steffens, founder and first president of the Association of Partners of Sex Addicts Trauma Specialists (APSATS) and one of the pioneering voices who reframed sexual betrayal as trauma rather than codependency.   Together, Kristin and Dr. Steffens explore how ministry leaders, counselors, and pastors can wisely and compassionately walk with betrayed women and struggling couples through the aftermath of sexual sin. They discuss best practices for trauma-informed care, the importance of safety and stabilization, and what it looks like to shepherd hearts with both truth and tenderness.   Gain insight into the multi-dimensional partner trauma model with practical strategies for responding to crisis moments, and a renewed vision for the Church’s role in bringing hope and healing to those navigating the devastating fallout of betrayal.   Whether you’re a pastor, ministry leader, counselor, or simply someone walking alongside a friend in pain, this conversation will equip and encourage you to become a safer and more effective presence of Christ’s love.   Previous LT podcast episode mentioned:   The Truth Shall Set You Free; How Full Disclosure Can Benefit Couples in Recovery with Dan Drake and Dr. Janice Caudill   Link to Barb & Lyschel's training: https://hoperedefined.org/resources/shepherding-through-crisis-training/   📖 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 #ShepherdingThroughCrisis #BetrayalTraumaRecovery #DrBarbaraSteffens #KristinCary #APSATS #TraumaInformedMinistry

    59 min
4.9
out of 5
95 Ratings

About

The Living Truth Podcast explores the deeper issues beneath porn addiction, sex addiction, & the devastating impact of sexual betrayal. Find freedom & healing beyond what you think is even possible. New episodes release every 2 weeks! Find additional resources at Living-truth.org.

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