Porn, Betrayal, Sex and the Experts — PBSE

• Do I have to wait for the “Formal Amends” process before my Addict Partner shows any real change?

  Episode 276 addresses a question often asked by partners of addicts in recovery: “Do I have to wait for the formal amends process before I see real change?” The authors explain that real transformation in recovery should not be postponed until Steps 8 and 9 of the 12-step model. They draw a clear distinction between a simple apology and the deeper process of making amends, emphasizing that true recovery begins with personal accountability, transparency, and a willingness to face difficult truths—not with a formal ceremony or set timeline. Waiting for a specific step to begin meaningful repair in a relationship is not only unnecessary, but often counterproductive.The article also explores why addicts may avoid transparency, citing both nefarious and sincere motivations. Some use recovery language as a shield to delay vulnerability or to avoid accountability, a behavior referred to as “weaponizing recovery.” Others may believe they need to handle everything on their own, often stemming from unhealthy family systems or distorted beliefs about responsibility. These patterns, while sometimes well-intentioned, still prevent the growth and emotional openness necessary for healing. The authors stress that full transparency should begin early in recovery, as emotional honesty is foundational for any real connection or rebuilding of trust.For betrayed partners, the article offers a roadmap for reclaiming personal empowerment. It encourages them to build outside support systems, gain clarity about their own needs, and hold firm boundaries—not as a means of controlling their partner’s behavior, but to protect their own healing. The message is clear: real recovery is demonstrated through consistent honesty, presence, and vulnerability long before any formal amends are made. Partners do not have to—and should not—wait for a specific step before expecting accountability and meaningful change.For a full transcript of this podcast in article format, go to:  Do I Have to Wait for "Formal Amends" Process Before My Addict Partner Shows Any Real Change?Learn more about Mark and Steve's revolutionary online porn/sexual addiction recovery and betrayal trauma healing program at—daretoconnectnow.comFind out more about Steve Moore at:  Ascension CounselingLearn more about Mark Kastleman at:  Reclaim Counseling Services

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• How Can He “Look Past” My Body & Be Aroused by Real Love?!

  This PBSE episode (275), inspired by a listener’s vulnerable question, dives deep into the emotional complexity of intimacy in long-term relationships—particularly when one partner has struggled with pornography addiction. The woman asks how her husband can look “past” her aging body and be genuinely aroused by real love. Her question reveals the pain of feeling invisible or undesired and touches on the widespread cultural belief that sexual attraction is rigid and solely tied to youth or physical perfection. The article dismantles this myth, showing that arousal is not a static, uncontrollable instinct, but a moldable response shaped by years of influence, experience, and personal choices.Mark and Steve, speaking from their own journeys of recovery and their work with countless clients, explain how pornography warps the arousal template, training the brain to see only surface-level stimulation while disconnecting from emotional and spiritual depth. But through consistent personal work, emotional vulnerability, and intentional connection, that template can be rewritten. Real-life examples—like a therapist who found arousal in his wife’s post-mastectomy scars—illustrate that true desire comes not from ignoring reality, but from embracing it. The physical becomes more meaningful, not less, when it’s rooted in shared experience, loyalty, admiration, and love.Ultimately, the article reframes arousal not as something to “look past,” but as something to “look through”—to see the fullness of a partner, body and soul. It calls both partners to re-engage in intimacy with eyes wide open, choosing to cultivate love through emotional connection and shared meaning. The grand takeaway is that authentic, meaningful love is not only enough to spark desire—it’s the most powerful and lasting form of arousal there is.For a full transcript of this podcast in article format, go to:  How Can He "Look Past" My Body & Be Aroused by Real Love?!Learn more about Mark and Steve's revolutionary online porn/sexual addiction recovery and betrayal trauma healing program at—daretoconnectnow.comFind out more about Steve Moore at:  Ascension CounselingLearn more about Mark Kastleman at:  Reclaim Counseling Services

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• Sex Isn't Mutually Pleasurable in our Relationship. How do We Elevate the Experience?

  This PBSE Podcast Episode 274, centers on a partner’s heartfelt account of feeling objectified and emotionally disconnected during sex with her spouse, who is in recovery from porn addiction. Though he has given up porn and masturbation, their intimacy remains one-sided, leaving her feeling like a replacement for his addiction rather than a true partner in connection. Mark and Steve explore how sobriety alone isn’t enough—emotional growth, mindfulness, and a complete rewiring of sexual expectations are essential for healing.Through neuroscience, they unpack how porn addiction distorts the brain’s wiring around sex, creating a dopamine-driven pattern that prioritizes climax over connection. Recovery, then, requires more than behavioral change; it calls for a transformation of mindset, unlearning toxic scripts, and rebuilding intimacy through vulnerability and presence. The metaphor of “remodeling” becomes central: couples must tear down broken patterns and collaboratively design a new vision for their sexual relationship.Ultimately, the article calls couples to take back authorship of their story by replacing silence, shame, and autopilot sex with curiosity, honesty, and shared desire. With intention and effort, couples can elevate their sexual connection from a mechanical act to a space of mutual pleasure and deep intimacy—if they are willing to write that new narrative together.For a full transcript of this podcast in article format, go to:  Sed Isn't Mutually Pleasurable in our Relationship. Howe do We Elevate the Experience?Learn more about Mark and Steve's revolutionary online porn/sexual addiction recovery and betrayal trauma healing program at—daretoconnectnow.comFind out more about Steve Moore at:  Ascension CounselingLearn more about Mark Kastleman at:  Reclaim Counseling Services

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• My Addict Partner Keeps saying “Sorry” & He’s “Trying,” but He’s NOT Meeting my Real Needs!

  In this episode (273) of the PBSE podcast, hosts Mark and Steve respond to a heartfelt message from a betrayed partner whose addict spouse keeps saying he’s “sorry” and that he’s “trying,” yet still fails to meet her emotional needs. The conversation highlights the profound frustration and exhaustion that many partners feel as they repeatedly express their pain and needs, only to be met with minimal awareness or inconsistent effort. The hosts emphasize that while an addict may be sincere in their apologies, sincerity without emotional capacity or real change isn’t enough to rebuild trust or connection.The article goes on to explore the concept of emotional “capacity,” explaining that in early recovery, addicts often lack the internal tools needed to hold space for their partner’s pain. This isn’t to excuse poor behavior, but to help partners understand why they may be feeling unseen or invalidated despite their partner’s promises. Mark and Steve caution against the common trap of overextending emotional energy in hopes of breakthrough and instead stress the need for healthy, clearly defined boundaries. These boundaries are framed not as threats or punishments but as vital self-protection—ways to maintain one’s authenticity, dignity, and well-being when the addict is not yet capable of genuine connection.Ultimately, the article challenges readers to reflect on compatibility, effort, and emotional sustainability within the relationship. It encourages betrayed partners to gain clarity around their own values, needs, and limits, while recognizing the difference between compliance and real change. Whether a partner is able to rise to the occasion or not, the message is clear: you are not alone, your needs are valid, and healing—whether together or apart—is possible with the right tools, support, and boundaries in place.For a full transcript of this podcast in article format, go to:  My Addict Partner Keeps saying "Sorry" and He's "Trying," but He's NOT Meeting my Real Needs!Learn more about Mark and Steve's revolutionary online porn/sexual addiction recovery and betrayal trauma healing program at—daretoconnectnow.comFind out more about Steve Moore at:  Ascension CounselingLearn more about Mark Kastleman at:  Reclaim Counseling Services

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• My Addict Partner has “Backed Off” from His Recovery. Why Can’t he See it’s About More Than Just Being “Sober”?

  In Episode 272, Mark & Steve focus in on how porn and sex addiction recovery goes beyond mere sobriety; it requires ongoing emotional growth, accountability, and engagement to rebuild trust in a relationship. Many betrayed partners of addicts feel heightened anxiety when their spouse steps back from recovery efforts, fearing a return to old behaviors or an emotional disconnect. True recovery is not just about avoiding addictive behaviors but about healing the underlying patterns that led to them, fostering emotional awareness, and strengthening the relationship through consistent effort and transparency.When a porn and sex addict becomes complacent, their betrayed partner often feels abandoned and overwhelmed by the responsibility of keeping the relationship intact. Healing from betrayal trauma is a long process, and a lack of continued commitment from the addict can be as triggering as a relapse. Without active engagement, old habits resurface, emotional intimacy deteriorates, and the relationship becomes strained. Recovery requires ongoing accountability, self-reflection, and a proactive approach to maintaining personal and relational growth.Moving forward, addicts must embrace a lifelong commitment to self-improvement, emotional intelligence, and relational healing. Transparency, consistency, and empathy are essential to rebuilding trust and ensuring that both partners feel secure in the relationship. Recovery is not a finish line but a continuous journey, requiring dedication from both individuals to foster a deeper, more fulfilling connection.For a full transcript of this podcast in article format, go to: "My Addict Partner Has "Backed Off " from His Recovery. Why Can't He See it's About More Than Just Being "Sober"?Learn more about Mark and Steve's revolutionary online porn/sexual addiction recovery and betrayal trauma healing program at—daretoconnectnow.comFind out more about Steve Moore at:  Ascension CounselingLearn more about Mark Kastleman at:  Reclaim Counseling Services

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