PODCAST · education
The 12th Step Podcast
by 12th Step Podcast
Our commitment is to help others recover from sexual addiction, just as we have been helped. We are recovering addicts offering a message of hope to anyone who suffers from sex addiction.If you have any questions or topic suggestions contact us at [email protected]
Episodes
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Bitter-Sweet vs. Sweet-Bitter: How Modifiers Change Recovery
In this episode, we dive deep into the power of modifiers and how a simple shift in language changes our entire worldview. Too many people view life through a "sweet-bitter" lens—expecting constant comfort and treating pain like an unwanted interruption. We break down why this interpretation…
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Trusting the Silent Alarm
In the final installment of our series, we focus on a piece of our listener's story that so many partners experience: the agonizing "gut feel." From questioning her own sanity to contemplating staying behind in secret just to verify her instincts, "Broken Wife" describes the mental toll of…
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Rebuilding on Broken Ground
How do you navigate the aftermath when your world unravels overnight? In Part 2, we dive deeper into the recovery road for both partners. From finding a CSAT therapist and tackling Carnes workbooks to managing real, unpredictable PTSD, "Broken Wife" opens up about the complex shame that partners...
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The Dark Behind the Curtain
A listener writes in from Brisbane, Australia, sharing a story of profound betrayal that shattered her 20-year marriage. After years of unexplained physical distance and a persistent gut feeling while traveling for work, a midnight phone alert revealed a horrifying double life: severe sex…
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The Power of Substitution in Recovery: Gary’s Experiment Part 2
Recovery isn't just about what we take away; it's about what we put in its place. Join us in Part 2 as Gary shares the eye-opening results of his latest personal experiment: giving up a routine distraction and consciously replacing it with something constructive. We discuss why this practical...
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The Power of Substitution in Recovery: Gary’s Experiment Part 1
Recovery isn't just about what we take away; it's about what we put in its place. Join us in Part 1 as Gary shares the eye-opening results of his latest personal experiment: giving up a routine distraction and consciously replacing it with something constructive. We discuss why this practical...
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The Hero in the Mirror: Mapping Your Recovery Journey
Ever feel like your life is a series of trials you didn’t sign up for? This week, we’re stepping out of the rooms and into the "Ordinary World" of Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey. We break down why your struggle with addiction isn’t just a series of mistakes, it’s the "Call to Adventure" you…
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Inventory of the Present: Tools, Trials, and Transitions
Recovery isn’t a static state, it’s a practice. In this episode of The 12th Step, we break down our current "recovery toolkit." We discuss what’s working (and what we’ve had to outgrow), the real-time challenges we’re navigating today, and the intentional steps we’re taking to level up our...
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Shame After the Slip: Breaking the Spiral of Self-Loathing in Recovery
In this heartfelt episode, we respond to a listener, Scott, who bravely shares about the crushing shame, low self-worth, depression, and anxiety that often follow acting out. Even while working a solid program and taking responsibility, he finds himself stuck in emotional fallout that feels…
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Clean Time in the Digital Age: When AI Becomes the Addiction
In this episode, we respond to a courageous letter from Keith, a listener with several years of clean time who has recently found himself caught in a new and unexpected relapse pattern, using AI tools to create pornographic content. As technology evolves, so do the ways addiction can manifest…
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The Power of Living Truth: Why Congruency is Your Recovery North Star
What happens when your "inside" doesn’t match your "outside"? This week on the 12th Step Podcast, we’re exploring congruency, the essential practice of aligning your daily actions with your recovery values. Living out of sync with yourself creates the secret stress and shame that often fuel...
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Why Recovery Beats the Resolution Rigged Game
The gym is packed, the "dry January" posts are peaking, and the pressure to reinvent your entire life by February 1st is at an all-time high. But for those in the rooms, we know a secret: willpower is a finite resource, and resolutions are often just premeditated resentments. In this episode, we...
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Beneath The Outburst: What We're Really Afraid To Feel
In Part Two, we dig beneath the anger and reactivity that so many addicts identify as their “core issue” and uncover the deeper truth: anger is often the smoke, not the fire. We explore how rage, irritation, and a short fuse act as emotional armor, protecting us from the feelings we’re terrified…
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The Regulation We Borrow: Narcissistic Traits In Addiction
In this first part of our two-episode series, we take on a topic many in recovery quietly fear: the overlap between addiction and narcissistic traits. Are they connected? Do early patterns of emotional detachment, superiority, and rule-bending feed an addiction, or does addiction reinforce those...
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When They Move On: Letting Go with Grace in Sponsorship
In this week’s episode of The 12th Step Podcast, the hosts read a heartfelt letter from Aaron, a listener who’s been in recovery for four years and recently faced an emotional challenge, his sponsee decided to move on to another sponsor. Though Aaron knows it’s “not personal,” he admits to…
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Defining Sobriety: When Sex Becomes the Struggle
In this heartfelt episode of The 12th Step Podcast, the hosts read a letter from a listener who’s grappling with confusion and fear about a possible sex addiction. Together, they dive deep into the difficult questions: How do you know when sexual behavior crosses the line into addiction? Why…
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The Weight of Silence: Shame, Secrets, and Sexualization for the Betrayed Partner
Author and listener Tera Lynch makes a powerful return to the podcast to tackle two incredibly difficult topics she submitted herself. This week, we dive into the profound shame betrayed partners experience when they keep the secret, the painful isolation that comes from keeping quiet. We'll also...
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The Betrayal, The Book, and The Power of Healing with Tera Lynch
This week, a familiar name joins us as a guest! We're honored to welcome Tera Lynch, an author, listener of the show, and Betrayed Partner who found her voice through recovery. Tera shares the incredible and difficult journey that led her to write her book, exploring the raw shame and pain she...
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Starting Over When Everything’s Lost: Finding Hope After Addiction
In one of the most heartfelt letters we’ve received, listener H writes about the crushing reality of losing nearly everything to sexual addiction—career, family, friendships, and a sense of home. The weight of shame, regret, and emptiness can make it feel impossible to even imagine recovery, let...
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Breaking the Silence: Finding Freedom from Sexual Addiction
In this episode, we tackle one of the most misunderstood and isolating forms of addiction, sexual addiction. Listener Richard asks a brave and important question: How do you approach recovery when the addiction itself is tied to shame, secrecy, and confusion? We dive into the unique challenges…
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Healing After the Fallout: Making Amends in the Wake of Sexual Addiction
In this deeply personal and powerful episode, we explore one of the hardest parts of recovery, making amends after the devastation of sexual addiction. When lies, secrecy, and betrayal shatter trust, the pain ripples far beyond the person in recovery, impacting partners, families, and friends.…
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Discovering IFS: A New Path to Healing and Recovery
In this powerful episode of the 12th Step Podcast, we're joined by special guest Therapist Colby to explore the transformative practice of Internal Family Systems (IFS). Learn how IFS helps us understand the different "parts" within ourselves — and how that awareness can lead to deep healing,...
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When Care Turns To Indifference: The Hidden Struggles of Betrayed Partners
On this episode of the 12th Step Podcast, we’re joined by therapist Colby to explore the often-overlooked experiences of betrayed partners. Together, they address listener questions such as: • How can you prevent a caring partner from slipping into indifference? • Do you realize your spouse is...
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Half Measures, Tourists, and True Recovery
On this episode of the 12th Step Podcast, we’re joined by therapist Colby to tackle some tough but important listener questions: 1. What happens to a spouse when they see their partner only taking half measures in recovery? 2. Are you a tourist in recovery—just visiting but not truly living it?…
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Bargaining With Chaos: Finding Balance In Recovery
On this episode of the 12th Step Podcast, Steven shares a heartfelt listener email about navigating the chaos of addiction, recovery, work, and family. In his message, Steven admits how often he’s tried to bargain with chaos—hoping for just a little peace or balance—only to realize that chaos...
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Is It Okay to Do Recovery Differently?
Tune in to this episode as we hear from a listener who’s one year into recovery—committed, attending meetings, and working with a sponsor—but still struggling to connect with the 12 steps. For this neurodivergent individual, the structure of the program often feels more like pressure than…
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Beyond the Crisis: Staying Awake in Long-Term Recovery
After the chaos subsides and the big milestones are behind us, what comes next? In this episode, we hear from Kevin, who’s seven years sober and thriving in his family life—yet feeling the quiet pull of complacency. Together, we explore what it means to keep growing when the emergencies are over,...
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Recovery in Motion: The Tools We Use Today
Recovery is anything but static—it's dynamic, personal, and constantly evolving. In this episode, we open up about where we are right now in our individual recovery journeys. From early breakthroughs to deeper emotional work, each of us brings different tools to the table depending on our current...
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The Cost of Growth: Why Sacrifice Fuels Real Change
Change isn’t easy—and recovery even less so. In this episode, we dive deep into the uncomfortable truth that sacrifice is often the price of progress. Whether you're navigating personal transformation, healing from past wounds, or breaking free from destructive cycles, giving something up is…
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Lost Episode: The Brothel and the Bell: Searching for God in Recovery
As promised, if we ever found the recording Daniel lost, we would put them out for you to here. Well great news is Daniel found them and here is the final of three lost episodes. In this episode, we reflect on a profound quote shared by a listener: “The young man who rings the bell at the brothel...
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Lost Episode: After the Storm: Recovery, Divorce, and Daniel’s Journey
As promised, if we ever found the recording Daniel lost, we would put them out for you to here. Well great news is Daniel found them and here is the second of three lost episodes. In this deeply personal episode, we explore the intersection of recovery and divorce, inspired by a listener’s…
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Lost Recording: Black & White Thinking: The Trap of All-or-Nothing in Recovery
As promised, if we ever found the recording Daniel lost, we would put them out for you to here. Well great news is Daniel found them and here is the first of three lost episodes. In this episode, the team dives into the challenges of black-and-white thinking and how it can deeply impact the...
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Smartphones, Temptation, and Recovery: Finding Balance in a Connected World
In this episode, we respond to a deeply thoughtful message from listener Zack, who opens up about the struggle many of us face in recovery—navigating the temptations and distractions of smartphone use while still needing to stay connected for work and life. We explore the challenges of living in…
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The Trap of Self-Pity: Escaping the Spiral in Recovery
Why do we so easily fall into self-pity—and why does it feel so familiar to those of us in addiction recovery? In this episode, we respond to a powerful question from listener Shloimy about the role of self-pity in our lives: what pulls us into it, what it costs us, and how we can step out of it....
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The Brothel and the Bell: Searching for God in Recovery
In this episode, we reflect on a profound quote shared by a listener: “The young man who rings the bell at the brothel is unconsciously looking for God.” What does it mean to seek wholeness in all the wrong places? How does addiction become a misguided spiritual quest—and what happens when we…
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After the Storm: Recovery, Divorce, and Daniel’s Journey
In this deeply personal episode, we explore the intersection of recovery and divorce, inspired by a listener’s powerful message and request to hear more about Daniel’s story. What does it look like to rebuild after a marriage ends in the midst of healing? How do we navigate feelings of anger,...
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Black & White Thinking: The Trap of All-or-Nothing in Recovery
In this episode, the team dives into the challenges of black-and-white thinking and how it can deeply impact the recovery journey. Inspired by a listener email, we explore how the all-or-nothing mindset—“I’m either doing great or I’m a failure”—can keep us stuck in cycles of shame, guilt, and...
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Digging Deep—Tools, Triggers, and the Truth Behind Addiction
Recovery isn’t just about stopping a behavior—it’s about building a new way of life. In this episode of 12th Step Podcast, we explore the essential tools for lasting recovery, how to stay out of your inner circle of destructive habits, and the deeper truths addiction may be hiding. Join us as we...
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Beyond the Surface—Fear, Commitment, and the Power of Step Work
Are you just visiting recovery, or are you truly in it for the long haul? In this episode of 12th Step Podcast, we explore why being a tourist in recovery never works, how fear holds us back from real healing, and whether working the steps actually makes a difference. Join us as we break down…
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Surrender, Promises, and Lasting Recovery
Join us on 12th Step Podcast as we break down the first three of nine key recovery topics we've encountered while mentoring. We’ll discuss the challenge of surrendering ego to God’s will, explore whether the 9th Step Promise truly comes to life, and share practical insights on maintaining…
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Rules vs. Principles: Navigating Recovery with Purpose
In this episode of the 12th Step Podcast, we explore the key differences between rules and principles and how they shape your recovery journey. Are you just following a set of rules, or are you embracing the deeper principles behind them? Join us as we discuss how understanding this distinction…
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Love & Addiction: Can Someone with a Sexual Addiction Truly Love Their Partner?
In this episode of the 12th Step Podcast, we tackle a powerful listener question: Can someone struggling with sexual addiction truly love their partner? Is love and addiction at odds, or can they coexist? Join us as we explore the complexities of addiction, its impact on relationships, and what...
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Staying on Track: The Dangers of Getting Out of Practice in Recovery
In this episode of the 12th Step Podcast, we explore what happens when you get out of the practice of recovery. How does stepping away from daily routines, meetings, and principles impact your journey? Can slipping out of practice lead to bigger challenges? Join us as we discuss the importance of...
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Finding Gratitude In Your Journey
In this episode of the 12th Step Podcast, Daniel shares a powerful experience where he revisited his first step while mentoring others. Reflecting on this moment, Daniel opens up about how it reignited his sense of gratitude for the recovery journey. Join us as we dive deep into the importance of...
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Listener Email - Finding Recovery Through Life’s Challenges
In this episode of the 12th Step Podcast, we address a heartfelt email from one of our listeners who is courageously sharing their struggle with addiction to pornography. Together, we explore how life’s crises and challenges can fuel our addictions, making the journey to recovery even more...
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Listener Email - Finding Joy In The Process
In this episode of the 12th Step Podcast, we unpack a listener’s email about discovering joy in the process of recovery. How can we embrace the journey, even when it feels challenging? Join us as we explore the power of gratitude, personal growth, and finding moments of joy along the way. This...
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Listener Email - Implementing First Order Changes
In this episode of the 12th Step Podcast, we dive into a thought-provoking listener email about implementing first-order changes in recovery. What are they, how do they work, and why are they often the first steps toward meaningful growth? Join us as we explore practical insights, personal...
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What's The Payoff
Join us on the 12th Step Podcast as we explore the hidden payoffs of continuing addictive behaviors. In this thought-provoking episode, we discuss the reasons why we might cling to unhealthy habits, even when we know they’re harmful. Tune in to gain insights into the psychological rewards of...
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Listener Email - What Should I Do?
Join the 12th Step Podcast for an impactful episode where we share a heartfelt email from one of our listeners who, though in recovery, is grappling with the decision to disclose their past addiction. As they reach out for guidance, we delve into the nuances of transparency, trust, and the…
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Listener Email - Gratitude For Help
Join the 12th Step Podcast for an inspiring episode as we share a heartfelt listener email filled with gratitude for the advice they received in a previous episode. Tune in to hear about the incredible transformation in this listener’s life, and how their journey took a powerful turn for the...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Our commitment is to help others recover from sexual addiction, just as we have been helped. We are recovering addicts offering a message of hope to anyone who suffers from sex addiction.If you have any questions or topic suggestions contact us at [email protected]
HOSTED BY
12th Step Podcast
CATEGORIES
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