Desire, Differentiation, and the Self We Were Never Allowed to Become - A Conversation with Jay Stringer

Desire, Differentiation, and the Self We Were Never Allowed to Become - A Conversation with Jay Stringer

Author: Living Truth Inc April 6, 2026 Duration: 42:47
What if desire isn’t something to manage, suppress, or fix—but something that reveals who you truly are? In this episode of The Living Truth Podcast, Michael Cary sits down with Jay Stringer, therapist, speaker, and author of Unwanted and the brand-new release Desire, to explore the deeper architecture of desire—far beyond sex, behavior, or performance.   We talk about the provisional self—the version of us we learned to become in order to survive—and how many people unknowingly build their lives, relationships, and even their faith around it. Jay explains how desire exposes the gaps between who we are and who we were never allowed to be, and why unresolved childhood adaptations often propel people into crisis later in life.   Together, we explore: Why true intimacy requires differentiation, not fusion or performance What actually drives people into midlife, relational, or sexual crises How mapping your childhood helps you recover your true self Why desire is holistic—shaping identity, intimacy, meaning, and growth What real intimacy looks like beyond chemistry, compliance, or intensity For anyone navigating recovery, relational healing, or spiritual formation, this conversation reframes desire as an invitation—not a threat. An invitation to wholeness, honesty, and a life that no longer requires you to disappear to belong.   📖 Learn more about Jay Stringer and his new book Desire at jay-stringer.com   Website: jay-stringer.com - Instagram: @jay_stringer_   📖 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 #LivingTruth #JayStringer #DesireBook #UnwantedBook #MichaelCary #HealingDesire #FaithAndSexuality #ChristianPodcast #SexualWholeness #ShameFreeFaith #RestoringDesire #FreedomJourney #LivingTruthMinistry

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: 100

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…