Pathway to Recovery
Pathway to Recovery is an S.A. Lifeline Foundation podcast featuring hosts Tara McCausland and Justin B. We have conversations with experts and individuals who understand the pathway to healing from sexual addiction and betrayal trauma because we believe that recovering individuals leads to the healing of families.
Episodes
103 episodes
The Stories We Tell - 2026 SAL 12-Step Conference Keynote w/ Josh Walpole
Therapist and 12-stepper Josh Walpole shares his personal history with pornography and sexual addiction, and how recovery led him to become a therapist at Circles of Grace (formerly Lifestar). He explores how stories shape recovery, contrasts l...
Finding Your Power After Addiction and Trauma: 2026 SAL 12 Step Conference Keynote w/ Amanda Christensen
Tara McCausland shares an SAL 12 Step Conference keynote presentation by therapist and 12-step participant Amanda Christensen. Amanda explains how childhood power dynamics, explicit and implicit family rules, and family systems patterns can sha...
Finding Qualified Therapy and Education For Sex Addiction and Betrayal Trauma Recovery w/ Courtney Weaver
Host Jonathan L. interviews LMSW Courtney Weaver about finding quality education and qualified therapy for sex addiction and betrayal trauma recovery. Courtney explains key certifications (CSAT, APSAT, CPTT, C-BIRT), how to choose a therapist b...
The Seven Desires & Understanding Your Triggers w/ Debbie Laaser
Host Tara McCausland interviews Debbie Laaser about understanding and managing triggers after betrayal. Laaser explains that distress from triggers is shaped by perceptions and encourages slowing down reactive fight-or-flight responses. U...
Top Lines, Bottom Lines, Boundaries & Choosing Top Line Recovery w/ Jonathan L
Host Tara McCausland speaks with Pathway to Recovery co-host Jonathan L. Jonathan starts by sharing his adolescent internet porn exposure and how curiosity eventually led to pornography addiction. He shares how his behavior intensifie...
Trauma 101: What It Is and How It Affects Both the Betrayed and Betrayer w/ Scott Stolarick
Host Tara McCausland interviews psychotherapist Scott Stolarick, who shares how his work in corrections and with sex offenders led him to recognize trauma as a driver of maladaptive behavior and the need for both accountability and suppor...
Finding Peace Through the Surrender Process w/ Heather B
Host Jonathan L. interviews guest Heather B. about surrender as a key recovery principle. Heather shares formative experiences where prayer was her refuge amid family abuse and dysfunction, her brother’s fatal accident, and a first marria...
What To Do If a Dating Relationship is Affected by Pornography w/ Jill Manning
Host Tara McCausland welcomes Dr. Jill Manning for part two of a discussion on pornography and dating. This episode covers what to do when a dating relationship is already affected by pornography. Manning advises an immediate “slow down,” warni...
Discussing and Preventing Pornography Use in Dating Relationships w/ Jill Manning
Host Tara McCausland speaks with Dr. Jill Manning about empowering singles to prevent pornography problems through education, value clarification, and open communication. Manning rejects the narrative that “all men look at porn,” noting both ge...
Embracing Humility in Recovery w/ Mitch H.
Jonathan L welcomes Mitch H, who shares his journey from early pornography exposure to escalating sex and lust addiction marked by secrecy, workplace boundary violations, confession, marital strain, and cycles of relapse. Lasting change began w...
Keys to Positive Sobriety & Long-Term Sex Addiction Recovery w/ Steven Croshaw
In this episode, host Tara McCausland interviews Steven Croshaw, president and co-founder of S.A. Lifeline Foundation, who is also her father. Steven shares his journey of battling sexual addiction, starting from exposure to pornography at ...
Strength, Hope & Healing: The 2025 SAL Conference 12-Step Women's Panel
This podcast episode features a women's 12-step panel from the 2025 S.A. Lifeline Virtual Conference. Moderated by Tara McCausland, the discussion centers on the SAL recovery puzzle, circle models, and how these tools aid in healing from betray...
Spotting Incomplete Sex Addiction Recovery & What To Do About It w/ Tammy Gustafson
In this episode of the Pathway to Recovery podcast, host Tara McCausland speaks with therapist Tammy Gustafson about 'incomplete recovery' in the context of sex addiction and how it affects both partners in the relationship. Tammy explains the ...
Turn Towards Recovery: A Christmas Carol Reflection
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 Chr...
Navigating Sex Addiction Recovery: Insights from the SAL Conference 12-Step Men's Panel
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 experien...
Sex Addiction Diagnosis, Treatment & Addressing Partner Sensitivity w/ Tim Stein
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 advancin...
The SAL Recovery Puzzle - Time w/ Kaylene T.
In this episode, Jonathan L. talks with guest Kaylene, who shares her powerful story of her betrayal trauma recovery journey after 20 years of struggle. They delve into the concept that recovery requires patience and time, illustrating ho...
Navigating the Double Betrayal of Sexual and Financial Infidelity w/ Debra Kaplan
In this episode of the Pathway to Recovery podcast, host Tara McCausland speaks to licensed therapist Debra Kaplan about the intricate link between financial infidelity and sexual betrayal, emphasizing the psychological and emotional impact on ...
The SAL Recovery Puzzle - Commitment w/ Lyman D.
In this episode, host Jonathan L. welcomes guest Lyman D., who shares his powerful journey of commitment to recovery from sex addiction. Highlights include the importance of willingness, the transformative power of connection with a Higher Powe...
Understanding Enmeshment and Its Impact on Sexual Addiction & Recovery w/ Kenneth Adams
In this episode, host Tara McCausland speaks with Dr. Kenneth Adams, a top expert in the field of enmeshment and sex addiction. Dr. Adams explains the concept of enmeshment, its impact on family dynamics, and how it may play a role in the devel...
The SAL Recovery Puzzle - Seeking Spiritual Connection w/ Amber P
In this episode, interim host Jonathan L. welcomes Amber, a participant in the SAL 12-step program, to discuss her journey of healing from betrayal trauma and deepening her spiritual connection with the God of her understanding. Amber shares he...
What Now? Helping Kids Already Struggling with Pornography w/ Geoff Steurer
In this episode, host Tara McCausland and therapist Geoff Steurer discuss principles to help youth already caught in the trap of pornography and other problematic sexual behaviors. The episode focuses on providing guidance to parents on creatin...
Addiction Recovery and the Power of Radical Honesty w/ Anna Lembke
This episode re-shares a foundational discussion with Dr. Anna Lembke, a leading expert in addiction medicine, on the importance of radical honesty in recovery. Dr. Lembke explains the neuroscience behind addiction, highlighting the roles of do...
The SAL Recovery Puzzle - Rigorous Honesty w/ Steve T
The NEW SAL Book is now available for purchase on the website! Come and get it here!In this episode of the Pathway to Recovery podcast, co-host Justin B, has an ...
Helping Parents and Faith Leaders Navigate Pornography With Youth w/ Sam Black
In this episode, host Tara McCausland talks with Sam Black, author of 'The Healing Church: What Churches Get Wrong About Pornography and How to Fix It'. They discuss the 5 Myths parents believe about pornography and their child and the im...