27. Growing Up Addicted: How the Church Could Do Better

In this episode, I open up about what it was like growing up in the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints while struggling with a pornography habit. I talk about the things I wish I had learned and how the shame-based approach I experienced only made things worse.We dive into how shame fuels the cycle of addiction, keeping people stuck and feeling like they’re broken or unworthy. The more I hid my struggle, the stronger it got. I share what I think could’ve made a real difference: open, honest conversations, removing the stigma, and learning that messing up doesn’t mean you’re unworthy of love or connection.This episode isn’t about pointing fingers at the church—it’s about imagining how things could be different. How can faith communities help people heal instead of making them feel like their struggles define them? If you’ve ever felt this way or know someone who has, this episode is for you. Let’s break the cycle of shame and start a real conversation.