The Affair Recovery Podcast

If one part of you wants to stay and another wants to leave, you know how exhausting that inner standoff can be. Many people believe that making the decision will finally quiet the pain. In Episode 18, Wayne Baker, LPC, explores why it actually works the other way around, and how getting curious about your own "parts" helps you begin to move forward.  In this episode: Why you feel pulled...

Surviving the trauma isn't the same as truly healing what caused it. In this bonus episode, Jason sits down to tell his and Dara's full story: what was going on inside him across multiple betrayals, why the first round of help didn't create real change, and what finally broke through. In this episode: Listen to Jason describe honestly what was driving the behavior — in his own words...

You've tried everything but nothing changes. You may be wondering whether something deeper is going on. Dr. David Hawkins, clinical psychologist and founder of the Marriage Recovery Center, joins our expert therapists in Episode 17 to unpack the spectrum from narcissism to emotional immaturity, clarify what real remorse actually looks like, and work through a key question: is my mate in a sea...

The rage that comes after infidelity can make you feel like you've become someone you don't recognize, capable of words, actions, and emotional spirals you never thought possible. In Episode 16, our expert therapists, joined by EMS Weekend Clinical Contributor Brett Hart, LPC, open up with their own deeply personal stories of breaking down in anger and what they learned in the journey th...

Not all therapy is created equal – and after an affair, finding the right kind of help can feel like searching in the dark. In Episode 15, our expert therapists are joined by special guest, Candace, to talk about what quality care actually looks like and what to think about the rising trend of AI therapy. We live in a world overflowing with content — but discover why community is what actually hea...

Whether your desires led you to regret, or you're grieving desires that have gone unmet because of someone else's choices — your relationship with desire is closer to the center of your recovery than you might think. In this bonus episode, therapist and author Jay Stringer unpacks his new book Desire and why curiosity, not condemnation, is the path through. Discover what our desires are...

Recovery after infidelity rarely follows a clean path and sometimes the very things meant to bring healing become the barriers to it. In Episode 14, our expert therapists answer real listener questions on the most painful obstacles to healing – including trauma, trust, trickle truth and affair partners. Hear why pain that should be fading still feels fresh — and what severe trauma actually require...

The pain of infidelity is like no other — and what you do with it shapes the rest of your life. In Episode 13, our expert therapists unpack why time alone doesn't heal this kind of wound and reveal the step most people miss on the path to true healing. Discover why "time heals all wounds" is a myth when it comes to the pain of infidelity Learn about the unique, lonely grief of betra...

If you’ve discovered your spouse is using porn, you might be asking if your pain is valid or if it’s "really" infidelity. You’re not alone. In episode 12, our expert therapists dive into this painful tension. Whether you are struggling with a long-term addiction, a different type of infidelity altogether, or wondering if recovery looks different for porn than a physical affair, we offer...

Reaching "ground zero" is the only way to build a new relationship after the old one has crumbled—but how do you know if your spouse is finally telling the whole truth? In Episode 11, Peter F Daniels III (MSEE, LCSW-S, CSAT) joins our experts to navigate the complex world of disclosure and discovery, helping both the betrayed and the unfaithful reach a solid foundation and begin rebuildi...

The question of "WHY" is often the greatest source of anguish for couples reeling from infidelity, yet it can also be the very path toward lasting healing. While you may never fully comprehend every detail, discovering the "why" is a critical step to getting your life and marriage back. In episode 10, we feature a long time friend and fellow Affair Recovery Clinical Contributor...

How do you move forward when your marriage feels permanently tainted? Learn to navigate the grief of a shattered past while building a relationship worth staying for. In Episode 9, our experts answer a diverse set of questions:  How to forgive, even when your spouse isn’t willing to do the work The trap and anxiety of comparing yourself to the affair partner Establishing relational safety necessar...

In this honest interview, you get to hear from the other half of Candace. Her and her husband’s story is a raw, heart-wrenching journey through years of recovery. From the pain of multiple D-Days and a "fraudulent recovery" to the miraculous rebuilding of their marriage, they are a powerful testament to the possibility of healing even from the basement of rock bottom.  Candace and her hu...

In Episode 8, we confront one of the most destructive forces in post-infidelity healing: shame. Our expert therapists break down the critical difference between guilt (“I did something bad”) and shame (“I am bad”). No matter what drives your intrusive "I'm not enough" thoughts, this episode provides handles to begin bringing shame into the light. We tackle raw listener questions abo...

Is an emotional affair really "cheating"? Why does "limerence" feel so impossible to break compared to a one-night stand? Does porn count as infidelity? While all of our situations are different, the devastation of betrayal is universal and our experts explain why correctly identifying the type of affair is critical for creating an effective recovery roadmap. Learn about the di...

What do you do when the road to recovery takes a tragic, irreversible turn? In this raw and deeply moving interview, Tara shares a personal journey that defies the typical narrative of reconciliation. Her story is not just about the trauma of infidelity but is also a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of absolute darkness. Whether you are approaching a storm, standing in t...

In Episode 6, we explore a question that rattles in the hearts of so many reeling from the pain of infidelity: Is it truly possible to rebuild trust that has been shattered? Whether you are a betrayed partner struggling with the fear of being hurt again or an unfaithful spouse trying to create a sense of safety, this conversation provides a practical roadmap for discovering what trust looks like m...

Having sex again after an affair – a vulnerable yet critical topic to explore in what it means to genuinely heal. Whether you are unsure of reengaging sexually, experiencing what is called "hysterical bonding" or feeling stuck after a failed attempt at reconnection, this conversation offers wise counsel to help you move forward without shame. We discuss how to "rewrite the sexual sc...

In this episode, we dive into the muddy waters of faith and infidelity, addressing the profound spiritual crisis that occurs when you feel let down and betrayed by God or burdened by your own unfaithfulness. Whether you’re unsure about spirituality as a whole, wrestling with anger toward the divine, or seeking a path to redemption, this conversation explores the deepest questions we face on our jo...

When infidelity strikes, the question becomes: Can my marriage survive? And if so, how do we save it? In Episode 2, our experts discuss the incredible strength and resilience it takes to fight for a marriage after betrayal.  We tackle cultural assumptions like, "once a cheater, always a cheater?" and "If you stay, are you just weak?"  Are kids enough of a motivator to stay?  Is...

It's one of the biggest regrets people have in recovery: how they handled telling their kids, family and friends about the affair. Carrying the secret and shame can feel like a toxic weight, but telling the wrong person can create more trauma for all parties involved. In Episode 3, our expert therapists guide you through this complex question: Who should I talk to about the affair?  Find help...

Are you hurting, confused, and angry after infidelity, feeling like your world has flipped upside down? You are not crazy—you may be suffering from betrayal trauma, a very real and excruciating pain. In the very first episode of The Affair Recovery Podcast, our expert therapists help you finally understand what betrayal trauma is and isn't.  Hear real stories from listeners asking if recovery...

The Affair Recovery Podcast asks listener-submitted questions to our expert therapists who provide the help you need to get unstuck and move forward. While infidelity can be life-shattering, you can get your life back. 📞 +1 (737) 227-5014 Share a question for future episodes ‼️ Take the FREE Affair Analyzer : Understand your situation 🥾 Sign up for the FREE First Steps Bootcamp : Take the first...