Episode
When Recovery Work Falls Short: Facing Denial, Objectification, and the Process of Change
- Podcast
- The Grounded Union Podcast
- Published
- Dec 26, 2025
- Duration seconds
- 3158
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- https://groundedunionpodcast.transistor.fm/s3/3
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Summary
In this episode of the Grounded Union Podcast, Evan and Kelsey share their raw journey through sex addiction recovery in their first year of marriage. Evan courageously unpacks his 20-year porn addiction history, revealing how denial structures kept him trapped even while attending 12-step meetings. After becoming complacent during their engagement, Evan's "gaslighting himself" about Instagram porn spiraled into deeper patterns—including objectifying his postpartum wife. What makes this conversation remarkable is Evan's radical transparency: he's already dismantling denial structures monthly, admitting to objectifying women everywhere, and facing the most painful truth—he's been judging Kelsey's body. Brandon and Caitlyn guide them through the "replacing" phase of the 4 R's, teaching Evan to rewire 20 years of conditioning by coming home to his body, feeling emotions he's numbed for decades, and seeing people through neutrality instead of judgment. For Kelsey, battling hypervigilance while pregnant and postpartum, Caitlyn offers hard-won hope: the forest you're clearing now leads to a meadow of true intimacy. Our 2026 Grounded Union 2-Day Workshop: 📍San Diego, CA — In-person & virtual 📅 August 14th & 15th, 2026 Workshop for Couples: Tap here to grab your ticket Looking for immediate support in your marriage? The Marriage Crisis Roadmap: Download the free guide here! Grounded Union Couples App: Tap here to apply Save Your Marriage Webinar: Tap here to get lifetime access Follow us on social: @brandontalksmarriage , @caitlyn_doerksen & @groundedunion YouTube Show available here Timestamps & Key Moments: 00:01:10 – Complacency in Recovery: Evan shares his history with sex and lust addiction and describes how getting married led him to stop his 12-step work…