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In this brief holiday episode of the Pathway to Recovery podcast, host Tara McCausland reflects on the challenges faced by those dealing with sexual addiction and betrayal trauma during this season. Drawing parallels with Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, Tara explores how the past, present, and future present hurdles and opportunities for those grappling with these issues. She emphasizes that change is always possible through honesty, accountability, and willingness, encouraging listeners to embrace hope for themselves and others and to take steps toward healing.

00:00 Introduction and Holiday Reflections
01:48 A Christmas Carol and the Recovery Journey
02:53 Christmas Past: Reflections on Betrayal and Addiction
03:56 Christmas Present: Facing Reality and Seeking Change
04:51 Christmas Yet to Come: Fears and Hopes for the Future
06:02 The Power of Choice and Personal Transformation
07:56 Conclusion: Embracing Hope and Change

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In this special episode of the Pathway to Recovery podcast, host Tara McCausland shares a SAL 12-Step men's panel discussion from the 2025 S.A. Lifeline Virtual Conference. Moderated by Jonathan L., the panel includes men with years of experience in recovery, sharing their journeys of surrender, accountability, and spiritual growth. Key topics include applying the SAL recovery puzzle, circle models of addiction and recovery, the role of qualified therapy, effective boundaries, and the daily practice of surrender. The discussion aims to provide hope and direction for those seeking to step on the path to lasting recovery by keeping God at the center and doing the inner and outer work required.

Want to listen to the recorded conference? Get access here.

00:00 Welcome to the Pathway to Recovery Podcast
00:45 Accessing Conference Recordings and Podcast Updates
02:19 Introduction to the SAL 12 Step Men's Panel
03:40 Panelist Introductions
07:12 Exploring the Recovery Puzzle and Circle Models
07:49 The Importance of a Willing Heart in Recovery
12:25 Spiritual Connection in Recovery
17:52 Humility and Rigorous Honesty in Recovery
22:50 The Role of Time and Patience in Recovery
25:28 Living in the Present Moment
27:23 The Value of Qualified Therapy
32:44 Establishing Boundaries for Recovery
36:12 The Practice of Surrender
40:22 Understanding the Circle Models
44:57 Keeping God at the Center
49:23 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Support the show

SA Lifeline Foundation
SAL 12 Step
Find an SAL12Step Meeting
Donate
Contact to ask questions or make comments
Transcripts

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In this episode, host Tara McCausland welcomes Tim Stein, co-founder of Willow Tree Counseling and president of the American Foundation for Addiction Research (AFAR). Tim shares how AFAR, originally founded by Dr. Patrick Carnes, is advancing research to validate sex addiction as a legitimate, diagnosable condition and to improve treatment accessibility. He explains how addiction changes the brain—creating what’s known as Reward Deficiency Syndrome—and why recovery requires more than willpower. “When you’re suffering from addiction, your brain is working against you,” Tim notes, emphasizing the importance of community, structure, and neurological healing.

The conversation also explores how dopamine regulation plays a key role in recovery and why embracing healthy discomfort through practices like honesty, meditation, and exercise can restore balance. Tim offers a hopeful reframe—seeing recovery not as a burden but as a blessing that deepens awareness and emotional resilience.

Later, Tara and Tim discuss the critical need for partner sensitivity in addiction recovery. Tim highlights how understanding a partner’s betrayal trauma can foster real healing. Drawing from his co-authored workbook Finding the Way Through, he explains how empathy, education, and shared understanding can transform recovery into a path toward reconnection and lasting change.

Learn more about AFAR here.

REGISTER for the 2025 S.A. Lifeline Virtual Conference

Connect with Tim at Willow Tree Counseling

Support the show

SA Lifeline Foundation
SAL 12 Step
Find an SAL12Step Meeting
Donate
Contact to ask questions or make comments
Transcripts