Podcast

It is the season of gratitude. Thanksgiving and Christmas bring family and friends together to celebrate their many blessings.

But how are you supposed to be grateful in tough times? Jim shares his thoughts in this episode of “Integrity Restored.”

You’ll discover:

• Specific blessings you can find in difficult moments.
• Tips for appreciating life at all times.
• How to focus on what you have rather than what you don’t have.

When faced with the life-altering diagnosis of a special needs child, a marriage is cracked open to reveal, both spouses feel unworthy of love. In this episode, Jim and Mary discuss the role of addiction in trying to mask and soothe their brokenness, how they broke free, and the hope for other marriages suffering from pornography usage.

Jim brings us the facts, the stark truths and the effects pornography is having on our kids today along with what we can do about it as parents, grandparents, clergy and educators responsible for the youth in our lives.

Takeaways:

1. Average age of first exposure is 8-11 years old
2. This can’t be a one and done conversation
3. We as the adults need to take the lead in educating ourselves and then the kids about the harms of pornography

In this episode, Jim takes you through 5 steps necessary to initiate a conversation with someone you care about regarding porn.

Takeaways:

1. Knowledge is key

2. Vulnerability is your friend

3. This is never a one and done conversation

In this episode, Jim outlines the addictive nature of the brain chemical Dopamine and its role in a variety of addictions including porn. He gives us the science behind the reward pathways and what to do to break free.

Takeaways:

1. Addiction is now understood as a brain disease

2. Because of the powerful feelings associated with dopamine, addiction can happen quickly.

3. We live in a world of abundance rather than scarcity, and our brains weren’t evolved for the “fire hose of dopamine”

One of the common struggles we face as humans is how to be transparent in our relationships. That is especially true if the relationship is damaged by pornography use. In this episode, Jim is joined by Timmerie Geagea, host of Relevant Radios ” Trending with Timmerie” to discuss the importance of transparency and how to build it in your relationships.

Takeaways:

1. An old adage states, ” the quality of women determines the quality of men”

2. Society is becoming increasingly emotive wanting to share everything we are feeling and not always with the right audience

3. Trust before transparency or transparency before trust?

There are many common myths surrounding the topic of pornography addiction. In this episode, Jim breaks down 8 common myths he hears regularly and why the 3 pillars of Integrity Restored are important.

Takeaways:

1. It’s a David vs. Goliath problem in society today

2. We need to stop talking about it like a moral failing and recognize it for the addiction it is

3. It affects everyone young and old, believer or not

Jim is joined by David Fortin to discuss the ways in which pornography usage correlates to an increased risk of suicidal tendencies especially in youth and young adults.

Takeaways:

1. Isolation and depression are common symptoms of a porn addiction and strong indicators of suicidal ideation.

2. One in six students think about suicide.

3. According to Dr. Patrick Carnes, 17% of porn addicts attempt suicide, 72% have considered it.

In this episode, Jim discusses the Five Faulty Beliefs of an Addict and the guilt and shame that fuel them. He discusses the value of guilt and the problem with shame and how to resolve both in your healing journey.

A betrayal of trust that deeply impacts the relationship and has lasting effects is one of the problems of continued pornography use. Jim speaks with Sr. Tina Alfieri, LCSW,C-SAT, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Sex Addiction Treatment provider who is a also a diocesan hermit in the Diocese of St. Augustine. Sr. Tina unpacks the reality of Betrayal Trauma in terms of pornography and other betrayals, as well as what healing looks like for those suffering.