Numb to Known: Men Pursuing Wholeness

In this episode, I walk through the steps that lead to acting out. With every slip or relapse, I like to ask the question, "Where did you lose the battle?" It certainly was not the moment you clicked on the link or when you chose to watch that movie. It was way before that. It was when you failed to take care of yourself by not processing pain and choosing to isolate. The goal is that we...

In this episode, I talk about what it looks like to make a plan for all the areas in our lives where temptation starts to show up. As Benjamin Franklin said, "If you fail to plan then we plan to fail." Our passivity would tell us to wing it. Just hope that the next time you're tempted, it'll be easier. That's not a plan. Creating a plan looks like first naming the places w...

Humans are predictable because humans are habitual. Our repeated behaviors can be identified in series of cues, responses and rewards. As we continue to grow and mature, we can learn to identify our addictive cycles, the rituals within them and the triggers that start them. In doing so, we become adept at interrupting our cycles with well-laid plans. Name the trigger, Question it with curiosity, S...

In the throes of addiction, we most often lead ourselves into temptation rather than being caught completely off-guard. Therefore, it's important for us to identify how our environment, our routines and our media consumption contribute to our constant battles with temptation. Let's look at the habits we've created that may not be inherently bad but are ultimately unhelpful in gettin...

In this episode, I talk about how we relieve our passivity of the old ways of doing things. We can do this by gathering evidence that what I've been afraid of is not actually going to bring me down or take me out. I begin to do the courageous act, to engage when I'd rather disengage, to be intentional when I'd rather rationalize my way into inaction and to take ownership when it&apo...

In this episode, I talk about our pursuit of comfort and what it's stealing from us. Our goal in working hard is not to arrive at a place of comfort but that we get comfortable with discomfort. Why? Because discomfort is the only way I grow and progress. Porn, and addiction in general, thrive on mindsets and behaviors that are either comfort-seeking or discomfort-avoidant. We can begin to cha...

In this episode, I talk about how our passivity is just a part of us that has good intentions to protect us but ineffective strategies in leading us to where we actually want to go. The part of us that's passive doesn't need to "die". It just needs a new goal and a new strategy. --Links-- Online Small Group One-on-One Coaching Book: Numb to Known - the surprising path away from...

This episode kicks off a series on passivity: what does it look like in our lives, what does it cost us and what can we do about it. --Links-- Online Small Group One-on-One Coaching Book: Numb to Known - the surprising path away from porn

This episode rounds out the series on pain. How do we find emotional regulation when we are feeling emotional dysregulation (pain)? Key points: 1. Pain is not bad. It's a message 2. Name it 3. Get curious to find out its source 4. Get connected aka co-regulate 5. Self-regulation techniques --Links-- Online Small Group One-on-One Coaching Book: Numb to Known - the surprising path away from por...

In this episode of Numb to Known , I dive into the power of engaging with our stories of past pain. Drawing on insights from Dan Allender, Adam Young’s The Place We Find Ourselves , Jay Stringer’s Unwanted , and my book Numb to Known , I explore how facing past hurts can transform our present lives. I’ll look at how brain science and scripture both reveal the importance of processing pain instead...

In this episode, I’m diving into the idea of choosing curiosity over contempt—especially when it comes to recovery and dealing with temptations. Instead of beating ourselves up with shame, we can learn to get curious about our struggles and emotions, unlocking deeper healing in the process. I’ll talk about how neuroscience backs this up, share some insights from Jay Stringer’s book Unwanted, and e...

In this episode of Numb to Known , I dive into the powerful practice of self-compassion and how it can help break the cycle of shame, especially in the context of porn addiction. I’ll explain how shame isolates us, blocking us from receiving God’s unconditional love and support from others, and share insights from Dr. Curt Thompson and Brené Brown on how self-compassion opens the door to true conn...

In this episode, I wrap up our series on connection by focusing on the most important relationship we can have—our connection with God. I'll talk about how discovering our identity in Christ, seeing God as a loving Father, and surrendering to His strength can help us in the journey to overcome porn addiction. I’ll also share practical insights from scripture and neuroscience to help you apply...

In this episode Aaron discusses the role of emotions in porn addiction and how to understand and work with your emotions rather than ignoring or working against them. The process he shares is to Name it, Question it, Share it and Move it. In this process we name the emotion, we get curious about it, we get known in it and we take action. --Links-- Online Small Group One-on-One Coaching Book: Numb...

Our journey into wholeness requires that we get connected. How exactly do we do that? We all know about accountability partners, small groups and programs. We all wants friends and mentors. What direction should I head to get connected? This episode breaks down what to look for to get connected in the way you need. --Links-- Online Small Group One-on-One Coaching Book: Numb to Known - the surprisi...

In this episode of the Numb to Known Podcast, host Aaron Zint dives deep into the essential role of vulnerability in achieving true connection and healing. As men on a journey to become the wholest versions of ourselves, Aaron emphasizes that we cannot do this alone; connection is key, and vulnerability is the pathway to it. Key Points: Vulnerability vs. Honesty & Transparency: Aaron breaks do...

In this episode of the Numb to Known podcast, host Aaron Zint delves into the essential process of pursuing wholeness and freedom, whether from porn addiction or other areas where you may feel stuck or desire growth. Aaron emphasizes the importance of addressing both the internal and external aspects of our lives. He explains that while internal work, like healing from isolation and reshaping beli...

Christians are fond of using the word "Freedom" but we might not all have the same definition of what that means, especially as it pertains to porn-use. Furthermore, we might not have very helpful definitions of the word. Freedom from porn is first of all, not zero temptation, perfection or a destination. So what is it? In this episode we explore helpful definitions of freedom. --Links--...

For men of faith, like myself, who've struggled with porn for years and years, it can be easy to look at our behavior and say, "I've got a porn problem." However, the truth is, you don't. You don't have a problem with porn. The truth is, you've found a solution in porn. A solution to what? To the problems that underly porn-use: isolation, passivity and pain. The...