So many people from broken families struggle with feeling helpless or needy. Our efforts to heal or grow might even feel fruitless like tires spinning in mud that never gain traction. We put in effort in learning, but transformation isn’t happening.  Whether that describes you or someone you know (like a friend, parent, or anyone else), this episode will help you!  In it, you’ll learn:  The simple solution to beat neediness and helplessnessWhy struggles are actually good for youThe most...

Two years into marriage, Jake found himself enslaved to a sexual addiction. He longed for freedom but felt very stuck. As a result, he lived a double life, hiding his unwanted behavior from his wife.   But one random day, it all came to light. At that moment, he thought his marriage was over. In this episode, he shares what happened next, plus: What kept his marriage from falling apart?How a wound of abandonment from his family drove his addiction6 tips to break free from sexual compulsion or...

After her parents divorced, my guest felt abandoned and badly hoped it was all a dream that she could just wake up from. Dealing with all the brokenness that followed led her down a path of feeling stuck and thinking her brokenness defined her.  Thankfully, she realized that “‘broken’ is what happened to me, not who I am.” In this episode, we touch on that and more: How just having the pain of your parents’ divorce validated is incredibly helpful and often the first step of healingThe many...

If you’re like me, you never saw conflict resolved peacefully in your family. As a result, you might feel a bit lost about how to resolve conflict in your life, especially in your relationships.  If that’s you, this episode will help. In it, a married couple joins to share tips they’ve learned on resolving conflict, plus: Why it’s important to let small things go, but how letting too much go can lead to resentmentThe four levels of learning any skillAdvice to someone from an intact family...

So many divorces happen because one spouse follows their desires at the expense of their vows. That happened in the family of my guest today.  In this episode, we cover: How her family’s dysfunction led to struggles with gender and sexualityThe beautiful transformation she’s experienced and even seen in her parentsThe biggest lie about getting divorcedA new organization that’s fighting for children’s rights Share Your Story View Restored’s Resources Follow Jenn’s Blog, Do Better...

Today we’re sharing a podcast where I was interviewed by two therapists, Dr. Bob Schuchts and Jake Khym, on their podcast, Restore the Glory. Joey especially opens up about his struggles in his relationship with God, plus they discuss: When we don’t face our wounds, we typically try to outrun them. Since divorce is a wound of broken love, the antidote is authentic love.Why it’s so helpful to spend time with a couple who has a healthy marriage.  Donate to Restored Meet with Joey for...

It’s said that Henry David Thoreau once wrote, “Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them.” Doesn’t that describe our culture? A culture that’s hooked on comfort and so void of meaning.  But thankfully, Dr. Andrew and Sarah Swafford have a solution to that problem. In this episode, we discuss: What holds us back from lives and relationships full of meaning?What’s needed to live a life of meaning and happiness?How do we navigate the dating scene...

Trauma, such as your parents’ divorce or extreme family dysfunction, doesn’t only affect your emotions. It affects your body too. It quite literally has physical effects.  In this episode, Dr. Christopher Genn, a physical therapist and expert in applied kinesiology, explains how our bodies respond to trauma and how we can heal. Plus, we discuss: A new therapy to treat pain, trauma, and even rewire bad habitsThe story of a girl enduring her parents’ divorce who became physically...

In this episode, you'll hear highlight clips from the podcast in 2023. This episode, and the entire podcast, will help you heal from the trauma of your parents’ divorce, separation, or broken marriage, so you can break the cycle.  If you’re new to the podcast, this is the perfect way to sample our content and learn how it will help you. If you’re a longtime listener, this is the perfect episode to share with someone you know who needs to hear it. Restored’s Website Shownotes

There’s an extremely popular lie about how divorce affects the children. In this episode, we discuss that lie with my guest who is an only child from a divorced family, plus: The loneliness, addiction, and social problems that stemmed from his family’s breakdownThe anger and even hatred he felt toward his parents and how he feels nowA unique thing he and his wife did before they were married to strengthen their relationship Get the Book or First Chapters: It’s Not Your Fault Get the FREE...

If there were 10 things you can do to make therapy succeed (or fail), would you want to know them? I know I would.  In this episode, a therapist joins us to share those tips, plus:  The goal of therapy and the temptation to idealize healingA tool for dealing with troubling thoughtsThe struggle to put words to your own emotions and experiences of brokennessIf you’ve ever been to therapy and it hasn’t gone well or you’re considering therapy but you’re unsure how to make it successful, this...

If you’re from a broken family, the holidays often bring more stress and challenges than joy. After my parents separated, I faced these challenges: A sad, pit-in-the-stomach reminder of my parents’ split and my family’s brokennessPressure to choose between parents and balance time amid many eventsA misled desire to make everyone happy, especially my parents, often at my expenseMy emotions or other people being in control instead of meFeeling alone and uncertain of how to deal with it all If...

If you’re from a broken family and you’ve struggled with OCD, relationships, overthinking, and filling a parent role for your siblings or parents, this episode is for you. In it, Ashton shares how her parents’ divorce has affected her and her relationships. She also talks about what’s helped her heal and even offers some advice for you. Take the podcast survey How has Restored helped you? Shownotes

When trauma occurs, it causes you to ask big questions. That’s where my guest found himself after being brutally attacked, almost to the point of death, by people he was trying to help.  In this episode, you’ll hear the story of the attack, plus he answers: Has forgiveness been difficult for you?Why forgive? What are the benefits? What happens if we don’t forgive?How do you forgive someone who has hurt you? Take the podcast survey Shownotes

When you’re struggling with unwanted sexual behavior, asking for help is terrifying. The struggle feels so shameful and admitting your weakness feels humiliating. As a result, most men stay stuck for years and years.  Thankfully, there’s a way out. Asking for help from the right people is the key to overcoming shame, humiliation, and unwanted behavior. Today, a coach specializing in helping men break free from unwanted sexual behavior joins the show to discuss:  Is freedom even possible? Why...

If you’re a woman that struggles with unwanted sexual behavior, you are not alone. The myth of porn, or even lust, being a male problem is just that - a myth. More importantly, healing and freedom are within reach for you.  In this episode, brave author and speaker Rachael Killackey shares her struggles with unwanted sexual behavior and a valuable resource for women struggling, plus: The emotions that sexual struggles brought into her lifeHow she found freedom and helps other women now,...

Our world is very sexually broken. The examples are endless: Pornography use, sexual compulsions, addictions, hookup culture, paying for sex, infidelity, sex trafficking, and much more. But how did our world become so sexually broken?  That’s the topic we tackle today with famous author and speaker Christopher West. If you’ve wrestled with sexual brokenness or noticed an ache inside that you that nothing seems to fill, this episode is for you. Image 1: Three Choices Image 2: Wall Unity...

What happens inside your brain and your body when you endure trauma? Surprisingly, there’s actually a predictable way that your body and mind responds to trauma. In this episode, we break down each response with a trauma therapist. We also discuss: How her parents’ divorce impacted herIs healing trauma even possible? If so, what does it take to heal?How to apologize the right wayShare your story Find a therapist Shownotes

What if I told you that your sexual struggles could be predicted by your untreated trauma? Today, we’re joined by author Jay Stringer who studied ~4,000 men and women who struggle with sexual compulsion or addiction, such porn, masturbation, affairs, buying sex, and much more.  In this episode, we breakdown his NEW study and more: How the sexual fantasies and porn searches of the study participants could be predicted by their untreated traumaWhy we often repeat behavior that harmed us,...

When it comes to pornography, there are basically two types of people: Those who believe that porn is wrong and harmful. And those who do not.But beyond the arguments, millions of people struggle with a pornography compulsion or addiction. They want to break free, but they feel stuck and hopeless. No matter what they try, it doesn’t work. In this episode, popular speakers and authors Matt Fradd and Jason Evert join me to answer these tough questions:  Is porn harmful and wrong? If so,...

What’s brought the most pain and problems into your life? If your answer (or a top answer) is your parents’ divorce or the breakdown of your family, this podcast is for you. In this episode, we talk about the specific pain and problems your parents’ divorce or family breakdown bring into your life. We also highlight resources to help you heal and build virtue, so you can feel whole again and break the cycle of dysfunction and divorce in your own life. Take podcast survey (5-10 min) View...

Millions of people right now are struggling with sexual compulsion and addiction. It’s a massive problem that doesn’t get the attention or resources it deserves. Thankfully, in this episode, psychologist Dr. Bob Schuchts offers steps and a resource to heal your sexual brokenness. We also discuss: A story of profound healing and transformationDr. Bob’s own past struggles in this areaHow sexual brokenness is often passed down in families through generations Buy Dr. Bob’s Book: Be...

If you’re a woman that struggles with unwanted sexual behavior, have you felt like you’re the only female that struggles? If so, that’s an absolute lie. In fact, one study found that ~75% of women 18-30 reported viewing porn at least once a month.  With more and more women struggling with porn and masturbation, speaker and author Kelsey Skoch joins the show to share steps you can take as a woman to find freedom. We also discuss: Kelsey’s past struggles, what helped her find freedom, and...