Karoline Borega had been married to Joel Kern for over 20 years when she discovered her husband had been living a secret double life. Joel was a highly respected officer with the Colorado Springs Police Department. He continued to climb the ladder in his career and was scheduled to become the Public Information Officer (PIO). He came home one day and told Karoline he had gotten in an argument with the chief of police which resulted in him taking away the PIO position from Joel. Karoline didn’t understand. Joel never got in arguments with anyone, especially not his boss. She would later find out that Joel was under investigation with Internal Affairs and as a result could not move into the PIO role.

Eventually, Joel can’t hide his transgressions from his wife any longer and has to come clean. He ends up going to rehab for a sex addiction in order to save his job and possibly his marriage. While he was there, Karoline digs into their phone records and discovers even more information confirming Joel had been and was continuing to lie to her. This was the final straw and she filed for divorce.

Karoline and her children have been able to move forward with their lives and be successful in spite of Joel. Karoline has built a community of people who love and support her and tell her the truth and that has made all the difference.

Come along with Hannah and Bob as they discuss Zune mp3 players, lacrosse, and just being nice.

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains discussions of sex addiction and betrayal. Listener discretion is advised.

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Sources:

Becker, A. (2026, August 4). ‘Betrayal: Dirty secrets’: How a police officer’s double life would ‘destroy his family’. ABC. https://abc7.com/post/betrayal-dirty-secrets-docuseries-how-police-officers-double-life-would-destroy-family/19625340/

Good Morning America. (2026, August 4). ‘Betrayal: Dirty secrets’ cast talks season 4. GMA. https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/amp/video/135358450

Hulu. (2026, August 4). Code of misconduct [TV broadcast]. Betrayal: Dirty secrets.

Hulu. (2026, August 4). Internal “affairs” [TV broadcast]. Betrayal: Dirty secrets.

Hulu. (2026, August 4). To serve and to prey [TV broadcast]. Betrayal: Dirty secrets.

Smith, A. & Vanderburg, H. (2026, August 4). Former Colorado Springs police officer featured in Hulu true-crime docuseries ‘Betrayal: Dirty secrets’. KRDO. https://krdo.com/news/2026/08/04/colorado-springs-officer-kern-documentary/

Wright, R. (2023, May 5). Best and brightest: Future lawyer looks beyond pain and loss. The Denver Gazette. https://gazette.com/2023/05/05/best-and-brightest-future-lawyer-looks-beyond-pain-and-loss-3ea7cf82-dd64-11ed-95b4-47414a41354c/