323: How do 12-step programs connect to healthy relationships? (ft. Mark Wilde)

323: How do 12-step programs connect to healthy relationships? (ft. Mark Wilde)

Author: Melanie Curtin August 23, 2024 Duration: 1:11:19

"When I was at my worst, I didn’t know there was a way out."

Sometimes in life we get stuck. We don't know how to deal with big feelings, so we self-medicate -- with alcohol, or porn, or weed, or food.

But often the self-medication gets in the way of things we really want -- love; intimacy; healthy, connected sex; joy.

You may think of 12-step programs as solely for alcoholics, but they're far mroe comprehensive. There are programs for porn addiction, codependency in relationship, sex & love addiction, and for those who are loved ones of an addict (or adult children of parents who were addicts).*

Addiction and recovery profoundly affect your sex and love life, and here, speaker and 12-step mentor Mark Wilde delves into his own story, and how his journey has positively impacted his marriage.

In his words, as he grew and healed and learned to lead: "When I became more vulnerable and expressive, I had reciprocation and energy from her that I’d not experienced before ... our relationship began to ascend dramatically."

If you want to feel inspired and uplifted, listen on.

*These groups are: Codependents Anonymous (CODA), Porn Addicts Anonymous (PAA), Sex & Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA), Al-Anon (for the loved ones of those who struggle with addiction).

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Memorable quotes from this episode:

  • "My parents passed away, my marriage ended, and it got bad."
  • "Alcohol became a solution to deep-seated issues that had carried on since childhood."
  • “I still felt myself wearing lots of masks and building up lots of walls.”
  • “How am I going to placate and keep the peace and make her happy?"
  • “When I did work with my body, I felt the unlocking of everything.”

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Mentioned on this episode:

  • What Happened to You?

Melanie Curtin hosts Dear Men: How to Rock Sex, Dating, and Relationships With Women, a space where curiosity meets practical change. This isn't about memorizing pick-up lines or playing games; it's built on the idea that genuine personal growth is the most attractive quality a man can develop. The conversations here move beyond surface-level tips to explore the deeper dynamics of connection, drawing from insights across health, culture, and psychology. You'll hear from women who offer a candid look into what fosters real attraction and lasting partnership, providing a valuable perspective often missing from mainstream advice. Each episode tackles the honest questions and challenges men face, whether navigating early dating, deepening intimacy, or building a resilient marriage. The focus is always on actionable understanding-how to listen, communicate, and show up in ways that are both authentic and effective. Tune in for a podcast that respects your intelligence and meets you where you are, offering a blend of straightforward talk and nuanced discussion that can reshape how you approach every aspect of your life with women. It's for any man ready to move past confusion and toward more meaningful, fulfilling connections.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Dear Men: How to Rock Sex, Dating, and Relationships With Women
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