The Affair Recovery Podcast

Two years into their marriage, Ryan confessed an addiction. In the painful years that followed, Jessica had affairs of her own. In their words, they “set their marriage on fire.” Twenty years later, they are both therapists helping couples heal from infidelity, and in this episode they tell their own story. In this episode: Ryan and Jessica's full story, from his confession to her affairs to the three disclosures it took for the whole truth to come outWhy Jessica says affairs don't cause affa...

A song. A street you have to drive down. A photo your phone decides to resurface. You were fine five minutes ago and now you cannot breathe, and nobody warned you that this is what recovery would feel like. In Episode 21, our team focuses on 24/7 triggers: what they actually are, what to do when therapy or group is not available, and how the unfaithful can support their spouse in navigating these unexpected moments that rob everyday life. In this episode: What a trigger actually is, why it fi...

If you've ever wondered why nobody knew what to do with you after your world fell apart, you're not alone. Board-certified betrayal trauma coach Andrea Rogers shares her own story of discovering a 12-year affair and the difference between real recovery and simply modifying behavior. In this episode: The fallout of Andrea’s discovery and what she learned about betrayal traumaReal recovery versus just modifying behaviorIntimate Partner Betrayal Awareness Day, launching August 4th👀 WATCH the Epi...

If one part of you wants to stay and another wants to leave, you know how exhausting that inner standoff can be. Many people believe that making the decision will finally quiet the pain. In Episode 18, Wayne Baker, LPC, explores why it actually works the other way around, and how getting curious about your own "parts" helps you begin to move forward. In this episode: Why you feel pulled in opposite directions and “crazy” in the midst of the pain"No bad parts": why even your anger has a ...

You've tried everything but nothing changes. You may be wondering whether something deeper is going on. Dr. David Hawkins, clinical psychologist and founder of the Marriage Recovery Center, joins our expert therapists in Episode 17 to unpack the spectrum from narcissism to emotional immaturity, clarify what real remorse actually looks like, and work through a key question: is my mate in a season of affair fog, or is what I'm seeing a pervasive pattern? In this episode: The real difference bet...

Not all therapy is created equal – and after an affair, finding the right kind of help can feel like searching in the dark. In Episode 15, our expert therapists are joined by special guest, Candace, to talk about what quality care actually looks like and what to think about the rising trend of AI therapy. We live in a world overflowing with content — but discover why community is what actually heals. Learn what to look for in a therapist trained specifically for infidelity recovery and betray...

Recovery after infidelity rarely follows a clean path and sometimes the very things meant to bring healing become the barriers to it. In Episode 14, our expert therapists answer real listener questions on the most painful obstacles to healing – including trauma, trust, trickle truth and affair partners. Hear why pain that should be fading still feels fresh — and what severe trauma actually requires to healLearn how to navigate trickle truth, affair partners who are family members, and the whi...

If you’ve discovered your spouse is using porn, you might be asking if your pain is valid or if it’s "really" infidelity. You’re not alone. In episode 12, our expert therapists dive into this painful tension. Whether you are struggling with a long-term addiction, a different type of infidelity altogether, or wondering if recovery looks different for porn than a physical affair, we offer a path for you to find true intimacy—perhaps even for the very first time. Hear how porn is a "sanitized" y...

The question of "WHY" is often the greatest source of anguish for couples reeling from infidelity, yet it can also be the very path toward lasting healing. While you may never fully comprehend every detail, discovering the "why" is a critical step to getting your life and marriage back. In episode 10, we feature a long time friend and fellow Affair Recovery Clinical Contributor, Jessica McDaniel, LPC-S as she and our other therapists unpack: Understanding the root causes of an affair, a...

In this honest interview, you get to hear from the other half of Candace. Her and her husband’s story is a raw, heart-wrenching journey through years of recovery. From the pain of multiple D-Days and a "fraudulent recovery" to the miraculous rebuilding of their marriage, they are a powerful testament to the possibility of healing even from the basement of rock bottom. Candace and her husband are a testament to the power of healing in the community. It wasn’t just the information that ch...

Is an emotional affair really "cheating"? Why does "limerence" feel so impossible to break compared to a one-night stand? Does porn count as infidelity? While all of our situations are different, the devastation of betrayal is universal and our experts explain why correctly identifying the type of affair is critical for creating an effective recovery roadmap. Learn about the distinct differences between Emotional Affairs, One-Night Stands, Love Addiction, Sexual Addiction and the often misund...

In Episode 6, we explore a question that rattles in the hearts of so many reeling from the pain of infidelity: Is it truly possible to rebuild trust that has been shattered? Whether you are a betrayed partner struggling with the fear of being hurt again or an unfaithful spouse trying to create a sense of safety, this conversation provides a practical roadmap for discovering what trust looks like moving forward. Learn about the three essential rebuilding blocks when trust feels out of reach—ho...

In this episode, we dive into the muddy waters of faith and infidelity, addressing the profound spiritual crisis that occurs when you feel let down and betrayed by God or burdened by your own unfaithfulness. Whether you’re unsure about spirituality as a whole, wrestling with anger toward the divine, or seeking a path to redemption, this conversation explores the deepest questions we face on our journeys toward restoration. Hear our experts share their own struggles with faith amidst an affair...