How Can "Love" and "Attraction" Evolve Through Disclosure and the Recovery/Healing Process?

Episode 221 comes in response to the heart-felt submission by a PBSE listener struggling after the disclosure of her porn and sex addicted partner. Have you ever felt the flame of love flicker and feared it might go out? That's the heart of our latest episode where we peel back the layers on rekindling romance in the wake of a porn/sexual addiction disclosure. We share our own stories of navigating the rough seas of love post-recovery, offering listeners raw insights on how marriages can not only survive but grow stronger through these trials. The journey is not just about rekindling what was lost, but discovering a new depth of connection and understanding with your partner. We can choose to redefine love—not as a whimsical emotion, but as a daily, conscious choice. 02:20 - 04:40: A Listener's Heartfelt Submission— Introduction to a listener's raw and open submission questioning "Where's the joy" after a partner discloses his porn and sex addiction and his years of betrayal? 04:40 - 07:00: Reflections on the Past and Present Relationship— Discussing the contrast between the listener's idealized past and the reality of their current relationship. 07:00 - 09:20: Yearning for the Past vs. Accepting the Present— Addressing the listener's desire to regain the 'spark' and excitement of the early relationship years. 09:20 - 11:40: The Challenge of Addressing the Submission— The hosts discuss the complexity of the listener's situation and their approach to addressing it. 11:40 - 14:00: Insights into Recovery and Relationship Evolution— Sharing professional and personal insights into how love and attraction evolve over time in recovery and healing. 14:00 - 16:20: Understanding the Honeymoon Phase— Discussion on the difference between the initial honeymoon phase and the pre-betrayal phase in relationships. 16:20 - 18:40: Authenticity and Guardedness in Relationships— Exploring how authenticity and being guarded affect relationships during the honeymoon and pre-betrayal phases. 18:40 - 21:00: Loss and Discovery Post-Betrayal— Addressing the profound sense of loss and discovery of true selves following betrayal. 21:00 - 23:20: Love and Attraction Post-Recovery— Discussing how love and attraction change and become more conscious choices post-recovery. 23:20 - 25:40: Evolution of a Relationship Post-Betrayal— Reflection on how relationships evolve and become more authentic after overcoming betrayal. 25:40 - 28:00: The Realities of Love and Choosing Each Other— Examining the deeper, more holistic understanding of love that develops in long-term relationships. 28:00 - 30:20: The Desire to Return to Simpler Times— Contemplating the natural desire to return to simpler times versus accepting and valuing the evolved relationship. 30:20 - 32:40: Embracing the Present and Future of Relationships— Encouragement to embrace the current state and future potential of relationships after recovery. 32:40 - 34:55: Conclusion and Invitation to Explore Further— Closing thoughts and an invitation to explore deeper into relationship recovery through Dare to Connect. Learn more about Mark and Steve's revolutionary online porn/sexual addiction recovery and betrayal trauma healing program—"Dare to Connect!" To try a free, 2-week trial, visit— daretoconnectnow.com Find out more about Steve Moore at: Ascension Counseling Learn more about Mark Kastleman at: Reclaim Counseling Services