Come Closer, Go Away: Attachment and Self-Protection After Sexual Betrayal  with Michael & Kristin Cary- Part 2

Come Closer, Go Away: Attachment and Self-Protection After Sexual Betrayal with Michael & Kristin Cary- Part 2

Author: Living Truth Inc August 10, 2026 Duration: 46:38
Sometimes when the betrayer reaches for the spouse they betrayed it feels like pressure, not comfort. When she pulls away and he hears that as rejection, it can set off a cycle that pulls both further apart -- him bracing against the fear that he's losing her, her bracing against a nervous system that no longer feels safe near him.   In part one of this podcast series, we talked about why it is a normal reaction to the trauma of sexual betrayal for the betrayed partner to want closeness one moment and need distance the next.   In this episode, we go deeper into what that means for both partners, and what it actually looks like to take radical responsibility for our healing.   In this personal conversation about attachment and self-protection we share: How a betrayer's fear of their spouse's distance activates much younger places inside him How noticing a self-protective part in the middle of a hard conversation can change the trajectory of the conflict. Why curiosity and compassion, not explanation or defense, are what actually de-escalate conflict How to care for each other's young, tender places without taking responsibility for healing each other What it looks like when one spouse doing his or her own work creates enough safety for the other to do hers   This is a continuation of part one, but stands on its own if you're joining us here first. Learn more about our programs: https://living-truth.org   The Living Truth Podcast: Conversations that shed light on the deeper issues that unlock healing from porn addiction, sex addiction, and sexual betrayal. #LivingTruthPodcast #ChristianRecovery #FaithAndHealing #AddictionRecovery #MenInTheBattle #WomenInTheBattle #LivingTruth

Titled The Living Truth Podcast-Freedom From Unwanted Sexual Behavior, Hope & Healing For the Betrayed, this series from Living Truth Inc moves beyond surface-level advice to explore the complex roots of compulsive behavior. Each conversation carefully examines the emotional and spiritual underpinnings of addiction, offering a path forward that integrates faith, mental wellness, and practical health principles. Rather than offering simplistic solutions, the dialogue here acknowledges the profound pain experienced by those betrayed, creating a space for genuine understanding and recovery. You’ll hear candid discussions that address the isolation and shame often associated with these struggles, framing healing as a holistic journey. This podcast consistently returns to themes of compassion and resilience, providing tangible tools for both individuals seeking freedom and partners navigating betrayal. Released every other week, new episodes build upon a foundation of hope, suggesting that a different future is attainable. The content naturally spans topics in spirituality, relational health, and personal fitness, recognizing how interconnected these areas are in the process of restoration. Tuning in, you become part of a thoughtful exploration aimed at uncovering a life defined not by past behavior, but by renewed purpose and connection. For many, this has become an essential resource, complementing the wider work found through Living Truth Inc.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Living Truth Podcast - Freedom From Unwanted Sexual Behavior, Hope & Healing For the Betrayed
Podcast Episodes
The Battle Plan with Michael Cary [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:03
In this episode of the Living Truth Podcast, Kristin sits down with Michael to unpack the Men in the Battle (MIB) Battle Plan — a practical framework for men pursuing lasting freedom from unwanted sexual behavior. They e…
You're Crazy if You Don’t Talk to Yourself (with Steve Backlund) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:57
Your words shape your world. In this episode, Steve Backlund unpacks why renewing your mind and speaking truth over yourself is the key to breaking cycles of defeat. We talk about choosing joy in tough seasons, pushing p…
Healthy Sinners (with Leslie Vernick) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:06
What does it really mean to be a “healthy sinner?” In this eye-opening interview, counselor and author Leslie Vernick helps us unpack the difference between normal struggles and destructive patterns of abuse. Through pow…
Navigating Divorce with Strength & Strategy with Kim Hansen Petroni [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:26
If you’re facing divorce after betrayal—especially from a partner who refuses to change—this conversation is for you. In this powerful episode, I’m joined by Kim Hansen Petroni, an APSATS coach who specializes in high-co…
The 5 Keys to Freedom - Popular Episode Re-Release! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:41
Have you ever wondered what it takes to truly be free from problematic sexual behavior? Have you been trying to stop for years, only to go back to it again and again, feeling more shame and discouragement and wondering w…
The Freedom of Slowing Down: A Conversation with Alan Fadling [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:07
In this powerful episode, Michael sits down with Alan Fadling, author of An Unhurried Life: Following Jesus’ Rhythms of Work and Rest. Alan reveals how a hurried life not only drains our energy but fuels the compulsions…