Beyond Broken Vows | Christian Marriage, Adultery, Pornography Addiction, Sexual Betrayal, Infidelity

Today we tackle the hardest skill in any marriage - especially after the devastation of sexual betrayal - honest, open communication.   We frame true intimacy as a three-legged stool built on transparency, vulnerability and rigorous honesty, then soften the seat with a cushion of humility so the whole thing doesn’t collapse under the weight of pain and suspicion.   Our goal is to move from theory...

Whether you have just recently discovered your spouse’s infidelity or have been working through the recovery process for a while, you are going to want to tune in to today’s episode.   It’s hard to imagine a future where there is honesty, connection, and true intimacy after the marriage vows have been shattered into dust.   But God…   Today we’re exploring what could be possible for your marriage...

Sexual sin—especially porn-fueled infidelity—doesn’t just wound a marriage; it buries it under shame, secrecy, and shattered trust. But just as Jesus called Lazarus out of the grave, He can resurrect even the most broken relationships.   Your marriage may feel like a tomb right now, but Christ specializes in resurrecting dead things.   Today in this hope-filled, and sometimes emotional conversatio...

The disclosure is done. The secrets are out. Now what?   If you’ve been through Full Therapeutic Disclosure—or if you’re still mustering the courage to start—you know this isn’t the end. It’s the real beginning. Because truth doesn’t just expose the brokenness… it reveals the path forward.   This is the second half of our FTD episode—where we walk you through the final 3 steps of the disclosure pr...

Marriage isn’t just a contract—it’s a covenant, a sacred vow before God and man.   But sexual betrayal doesn’t just break trust… it shatters the covenant itself. The foundation is cracked. The vows feel like a lie. And now, both of you are standing in the wreckage—one drowning in grief, the other paralyzed by guilt.   But here’s the truth: You can’t rebuild on broken ground. Before forgiveness, be...

Have you ever stumbled upon a quote that just felt like it was made for you? You know, the kind that resonates so deeply with what you’re going through that it seems like a turning point in your journey?   We all encounter those special quotes that cause us to pause and reflect. While we’re not promising that your life will be changed by them, today we’re sharing with you some of our own special s...

We’re so excited to share this special episode with you from beautiful Honduras. This one’s close to our hearts—we sat down with our friend Sathiya Sam, from The Man Within Podcast, and got real about our story: the messy, the painful, and the beautiful redemption that came after.     We opened up about everything—our early years, the hard season of betrayal, and how, by God’s grace, we fought our...

In the tumultuous journey of marriage, trust is the cornerstone that holds this covenant union together. But what happens when this trust is shattered by sexual betrayal? How does a betrayed wife comprehend this new reality she never saw coming?   In today’s episode, we dive deep into these questions with the insightful perspectives of Robin Wilson and Christy Bottom, authors of their newly releas...

Have you ever stepped out in faith, trusting God’s call even when the road ahead looked uncertain?   Two years ago, we took that leap—surrendering our fears, our past hurts, and our plans, to follow where Jesus was leading us. And we’re here to tell you: God has been faithful. Not just in sustaining us, but in growing us—deepening our marriage, stretching our faith, and opening doors in ministry w...

Infidelity profoundly shakes the emotional foundation of a marriage, often leading to feelings  of confusion, mistrust, and pain. In the midst of all this chaos, it's common for couples to feel  unsure of how to find their way forward.   In this episode, we’re excited to explore how the Emotions Wheel, based on Plutchik’s theory and Willcox’s tool, can be a wonderful resource for couples facing th...

When sexual betrayal shatters a marriage, the deepest wounds often come with agonizing questions—especially about God’s timing. Why did He allow the lies to continue for years? Where was He when the vows were being broken?   In this raw conversation, we tackle the three most tormenting questions betrayed wives ask God, and the surprising hope Scripture offers both the betrayed and the betrayer.  ...

Being betrayed by hidden infidelity is like walking through a museum you helped build—room by room, the laughter, whispered promises, and the quiet certainty of a shared history. Every glance, every touch, every “I love you” hung like priceless art on walls you thought would stand forever.   But somewhere deep in the walls, a gas leak has been growing—invisible, silent, deadly. You walked through...

The discovery of sexual betrayal in your marriage can feel like a punch in the gut, leaving you reeling and unsure of what to do next.   As a betrayed wife, you are experiencing trauma. As a husband who has been found unfaithful, you are probably scared and trying to fix what you’ve broken. Neither one of you are sure what the future will look like.   But if you are listening to our podcast, you’r...

In this raw and emotional episode, we dive into the painful reality of how the phrase “I love you” can feel hollow and even triggering after sexual betrayal in marriage.   When those same words were whispered to someone outside the covenant, they lose their sacred weight—leaving the betrayed spouse questioning their truth. We explore the agony of speaking (or hearing) “I love you” when trust has b...

Today we are so excited to dive into a conversation on the destructive impact of marital infidelity and the journey of healing and restoration with our special guests Matthew and Joanna Raabsmith.    Matthew and Joanna will share their deeply personal experience with sexual betrayal in their marriage and how they overcame this devastation to experience a marriage they never dreamed possible. Now,...

In our 100th episode of the Beyond Broken Vows podcast, we’re throwing a little celebration for the incredible journey of our podcast and the amazing work that God has done through it. Join us as we share our personal experiences navigating the tricky waters of pornography and infidelity in our marriage. We’ll dive into the real challenges couples often face when reaching out for help.   Together,...

On today’s episode, we delve into the topic of euphoric recall, a painful yet critical aspect of sexual addiction recovery.   Emily shares her perspective as a betrayed wife, highlighting the emotional turmoil that accompanies these intrusive memories.   Meanwhile, Johnny explains his own experiences with euphoric recall and outlines a robust four-step battle plan to confront and dissolve these re...

Today we’re tackling an incredibly important topic: porn withdrawal and its impact on those bravely striving to break free from porn addiction.   We chat about both the mental and physical symptoms that can pop up during this journey, along with the challenges people often face when trying to leave behind the familiar paths of addiction.   We’ll share some practical steps to help you overcome thes...

What is addiction?   How does it work?   Is it just about deciding to stop destructive behaviors?   Addiction can be a mystery for many couples. Husbands may wonder if they are addicts after betraying their spouse. Wives often struggle to understand how their partner could engage in such hurtful actions for so long.   When our marriage faced sexual betrayal six years ago, we were just as confused...

When it comes to confronting the aftermath of sexual betrayal, each of us will set out on a unique journey to healing and restoration. This was certainly true of our guest April Truitt. April shares the deeply personal and transformative story of her marriage's journey through infidelity. After discovering her husband's affair, April recounts the emotional devastation and the path to recovery that...

After sexual betrayal is discovered in a marriage and the couple decides to embark on the journey to recovery, there are many opportunities for social events to become emotionally challenging, causing what many call triggers.   Today we recount a fun, awkward, semi-harrowing story of our weekend adventure at a pirate-themed wedding; fraught with danger, and also some victories.   Listen in to hear...

You may be wondering if sex will ever be fulfilling and satisfying for you or your spouse now that the reality of sexual betrayal has invaded your marriage.   If you are at the very beginning of the discovery and disclosure of infidelity through pornography or other sexual expressions outside of your marriage, you might be wondering if you’ll ever have sex again, or if you’ll even want to have sex...

Connection...   When you think about connecting with others, what comes to mind?    What does it truly mean to be connected, and what are healthy connections? And speaking of healthy connections, it makes you wonder—are there unhealthy connections?   What do your connections look like in your life?   Join us today as we dive into these intriguing questions and explore the meaning of connections to...

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you realized that making a significant personal sacrifice was the key to resolving a difficult situation? And that this decision would alter your life as you know it? Often, these moments involve putting the needs of someone else first. It’s those we love most with whom we often decide to "die to self." We’d love for you to join us today as Johnny...

Okay, picture this scene: you are on vacation at the beach, having a great time soaking in the sun and playing in the ocean. You're making your way further and further out into deeper water. The waves are getting steadily higher but it’s still manageable as your feet are connected to the sandy ocean floor.   Suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, a very large and powerful wave comes crashing over you...