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
A Marriage From the Brink of Collapse to Restoration [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:40
Thomas and Jessica’s marriage as they knew it died when his sexual secrets were exposed. They each jumped into recovery work. After letting the brotherhood & roadmap of Men in the Battle® really saturate his heart, Thoma…
Why Men Struggle to Love w/ Dr. Eddie Capparucci part 2 of 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:38
Have you ever wondered why many men struggle to love? What is an emotionally undeveloped man and what causes this phenomenon? What are relational blind spots, and how does one overcome them? Listen in to part two as Mich…
Why Men Struggle to Love w/ Dr. Eddie Capparucci part 1 of 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:46
Have you ever wondered why many men struggle to love? What is an emotionally undeveloped man and what causes this phenomenon? What are relational blind spots, and how does one overcome them? Listen in as Michael intervie…
Family of Origin with Dr. Jake Porter Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:55
How do you define the Family of Origin and how does this concept affect our behavior as an adult? What are the 5 key characteristics of nurturing which every child needs, but none had it delivered perfectly by our parent…
Family of Origin with Dr. Jake Porter Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:44
How do you define the Family of Origin and how does this concept affect our behavior as an adult? What are the 5 key characteristics of nurturing which every child needs, but none had it delivered perfectly by our parent…
When He Won’t Change- With Kim Petroni [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:38
What can you do when you pray and wait for change in your husband after sexual betrayal but he continues to act out, lie, or treat you with contempt and disregard? These situations are heartbreaking and yet you are not a…
The Betrayal Bind with Michelle Mays - Part 2 of 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:14
Kristin interviews Michelle Mays, a CSAT and betrayal trauma specialist whose attachment based approach to healing sheds light on the devastating and disorienting impact of sexual betrayal. In this 2 part episode, Michel…
The Betrayal Bind with Michelle Mays - Part 1 of 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:32
Kristin interviews Michelle Mays, a CSAT and betrayal trauma specialist whose attachment based approach to healing sheds light on the devastating and disorienting impact of sexual betrayal. In this 2 part episode, Michel…