Reclaimed & Unashamed

Kolton Thomas

Are you tired of struggling with porn and want to quit, but don't know where to start? Have you tried everything and wondered if anything will ever escape the cycle? Welcome to the Reclaimed & Unashamed podcast, where we help men break the shame and rewire their brains so they can start living a porn-free life. In this podcast your host and licensed counselor Kolton Thomas will share science, stories, and strategies to help you grow in self-awareness and self-control over your life and your habits online. We invite you to listen to our weekly episodes and join our community of men who can honestly say they've been RECLAIMED from the struggle with pornography.

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Top 10 Reclaimed & Unashamed Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Reclaimed & Unashamed episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Reclaimed & Unashamed for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Reclaimed & Unashamed episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Believing in Your Recovery (Even When You've Lost Hope)

Reclaimed & Unashamed

08/08/22 • 22 min

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Why is it that so many men struggle with porn even after facing its consequences? Why is it so hard to quit? Have they given up hope? Do they even believe it's possible for them?

No matter how often you find yourself using porn, whether occasionally or multiple times per day, this episode is about believing again that you can become someone who no longer struggles with porn.

Doesn't matter if you've been struggling for years.
Doesn't matter if you've lost relationships.
Doesn't matter if you've tried everything you can, for as long as you can remember, and have not been able to quit.

There is a porn-free identity waiting for you to reclaim, and I believe so deep down that each and every person who struggles with porn CAN BE FULLY RESTORED from the damage it's done in their lives - all it takes is the right information, the right strategy, and a willingness to take action.

https://reclaimedrecovery.com/

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You Can Train Your Brain (How Conditioning Works and How to Reverse It)

Reclaimed & Unashamed

09/08/22 • 16 min

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Ever wonder why your brain decides to light up for certain things and not for others? Have you found yourself craving unwanted habits and behaviors, without a real explanation as to why? This episode provides a basic understanding of how your brain is conditioned to desire pornography and other unwanted behaviors using the chemical dopamine and the psychological principle of conditioning.
What we learn from conditioning is that sexual urges are paired with the instant gratification that porn offers to form a bond. This bond is strengthened over time and begins to condition our brains to expect a similar response each time we feel sexually aroused. This also helps explain why we may develop certain cues or triggers, such as times of the day or specific locations, which cause us to seek out porn for that familiar rush of dopamine.
The great hope that science offers on this topic is that just as our brains can be conditioned for porn, they can be unconditioned. Reversing such strong conditioning often takes time and requires a multi-faceted approach, but it is possible and has been proven by science and by countless men who have made the journey already.
Join us for this episode to learn how conditioning works and how you can begin to reverse the damage porn has done to your brain.
https://reclaimedrecovery.com
Here's a supplemental article at Fight the New Drug that offers a quick rundown of Pavlovian conditioning and why porn can be so hard to quit: https://fightthenewdrug.org/why-porn-can-be-difficult-to-quit/
Here's an article from simplypsychology.org that provides an explanation of Pavlovian conditioning using more scientific terms: https://www.simplypsychology.org/pavlov.html#:~:text=Pavlov%20showed%20that%20dogs%20could,an%20unconditioned%20(innate)%20response.
A scary article from Your Brain on Porn that shows how porn can lead men to develop dangerous and unnatural tastes for sex due to repeated conditioning over time: https://www.yourbrainonporn.com/relevant-research-and-articles-about-the-studies/sexual-conditioning/

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The Unseen Influence: How Culture Shapes Our Views on Sexuality (With Jonathan Storment)

Reclaimed & Unashamed

11/04/23 • 23 min

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What if I told you that the way you understand sex and sexuality is influenced more by culture than you realize? In this episode, we venture through the history of Christian sexual ethics with our guest, Jonathan Storment, who talks about how the perception and treatment of women, sex, and children have evolved over the years. Jonathan illuminates why this understanding is pivotal to our modern culture, and highlights the struggle men face with pornography, despite its known detriments.
Commercial sexualization is also an important topic that has an impact on our lives. Later in the episode, we dissect how this phenomenon has obstructed our ability to celebrate Jesus with our bodies and has eroded the sanctity of human connection. We also reflect on the allure of secular perspectives on sex and how the divine encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman offers a fresh, sacred outlook on sex and sexuality. Tune in to this episode for a riveting exploration of Christian sexual ethics in the contemporary world.
Here's a link to a highly recommended book by Louis Perry called "The Case Against the Sexual Revolution" which gives an accurate depiction of what pornography and hook-up culture has been doing to our society: https://a.co/d/4JQAyce (Warning: the book does contain dark and explicit content which the author uses to make key points, so it is not advisable for children).

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Andrew's Redemption: How Andrew Rekindled the Flame of His Marriage After Years of Unwanted Porn Use

Reclaimed & Unashamed

09/12/23 • 21 min

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Have you ever grappled with the claws of addiction and found yourself at the point of giving up? In this moving conversation with Andrew, we unravel his journey of battling with porn, his search for acceptance, and eventually reclaiming his identity. Andrew bares his soul about his struggle with pornography and how it began from a place of low self-esteem and marital dissatisfaction. He walks us through his recovery with the Reclaimed 10-week journey for men, and he shares how the personalized coaching he received helped him understand his triggers and coax out his inner child.
In this episode, Andrew also speaks of the strain of parenthood and the slow drift apart from his wife he experienced years into their marriage. From the ashes of this troubled relationship emerges a tale of patience, grace, prayer, and ultimately, a rekindling. Andrew's story is a testament to the power of love, the strength of God's healing, and the beauty of forgiveness.
Finally, we delve into Andrew's journey of finding purpose and support in his recovery. Andrew speaks of his career in sales and how his new perspective has informed his professional life. We discuss the power of community and the role it played in helping him reclaim his identity, free of pornography. The episode concludes with an introduction to the Reclaimed 10-Week Journey, a program offering personalized coaching, group calls, and weekly videos to guide you toward a porn-free life. Visit https://reclaimedrecovery.com to find out more, and join us for this compelling tale of transformation, self-love, and acceptance.

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Mastering Your Addictive Brain With Inner Child Techniques (With Eddie Capparucci)

Reclaimed & Unashamed

06/13/23 • 54 min

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Are you struggling to understand why you keep returning to certain behaviors like porn? Are you subconsciously avoiding the moment when you have to face your genuine fears and emotions? Do you keep distracting yourself so you don't have to face the little boy or girl that you still carry inside you all these years later? In this episode, we hear from a special guest, Dr. Eddie Capparucci, who helps us understand how to conquer the addictive brain by developing an awareness of our inner child.

Here is a link that will take you to Dr. Eddie's work where you can learn more about his book, Going Deeper: Understanding How the Inner Child Impacts Your Sexual Addiction, and the inner child program he offers: www.innerchild-sexaddiction.com
Please know that if you're struggling with pornography, there is no reason why you should have to do it alone or without the proper tools and resources to help you! For men only, you can get connected quickly and easily to our community app and find resources and encouragement for healing and getting yourself unstuck from the vicious cycle of porn. Visit https://community.reclaimedrecovery.com and fill out a quick application to join and participate in the community.
If you want to commit further and invest in yourself and in a program that gets results when it comes to quitting pornography, then join our app and watch our free masterclass on overcoming porn once inside. There you will find an invitation to consider our transformative 10-Week Journey, filled with challenging exercises, one-on-one coaching, and effective accountability that set you on a journey toward transformation and freedom in this area of your life. Just join the app and watch the free Masterclass inside to find out more.

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Why Men Struggle to Love: How Childhood Experiences Shape Struggles with Intimacy (With Dr. Eddie Capparucci)

Reclaimed & Unashamed

06/20/24 • 46 min

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In this episode with Dr. Eddie Capparucci, we discuss how men can unlock deeper emotional connections by reconnecting with their childhood experiences. Dr. Eddie Capparucci is the author of several books on healing from sex and pornography addiction, including Going Deeper and Why Men Struggle to Love.

As you listen, you will gain insights into how emotional underdevelopment during childhood fosters a fear of emotions and creates a reliance on unwanted behaviors like pornography. You'll also gain a deeper understanding of how emotional disconnection operates in a cyclical pattern, often exacerbating addiction and deteriorating relationships.
So often, pornography cultivates the harmful practice of viewing partners primarily through a lens of physical satisfaction, thereby missing out on genuine emotional bonding. But even small gains in emotional intelligence can dramatically transform one's life and relationships. Whether you're dealing with addiction or seeking to deepen your emotional connections, this episode offers the wisdom and tools to embark on a transformative path.
Here is a link that will take you to Dr. Eddie's work where you can learn more about his book, Why Men Struggle to Love, and the other resources he has to offer: www.innerchild-sexaddiction.com
If you're ready to dive even deeper into your healing journey with Reclaimed, consider joining our app for men who are 18+ where you can get connected to our transformational 10-week program. Through this experience, you will receive one-on-one coaching, thoughtful exercises, video courses, and increased visibility through new accountability relationships with like-minded men. Plus, you'll receive practical strategies for developing emotional intelligence and greater intimacy. Reach out to us at [email protected] or join the app today.

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Clay's Triumph Over Porn: Don't Ever Give Up (With Clay Brown)

Reclaimed & Unashamed

10/18/24 • 38 min

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At 66, Clay Brown's story is a testament to the power of faith and community in overcoming life's toughest battles. From a childhood marked by early exposure to alcohol, drugs, and pornography, to a tumultuous period in the Marine Corps, Clay's journey has been anything but easy. In our latest episode, Clay opens up about his struggles with addiction, particularly to alcohol and sexual sin, and how he found redemption and a renewed sense of purpose through the Reclaimed community. Discover how his life transformed through unwavering perseverance and grace.
This episode is a powerful reminder of the potential for transformation at any stage of life. Clay's journey didn't stop at overcoming addiction; he pursued higher education at 58, defying societal norms and personal insecurities. With a double major in mathematics and physics, and a minor in biblical languages, Clay's story is a beacon of hope for anyone seeking change. His message is clear: Never give up, no matter how many times you stumble, and believe in the boundless grace of God. Let Clay's journey inspire you to seek help, embrace community, and believe in your potential for growth and redemption.

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Testosterone Part 3 - Does Abstaining from Porn Increase Testosterone and Bring Health Benefits?

Reclaimed & Unashamed

02/28/23 • 22 min

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In the third and final part of our testosterone series, we address some frequently asked questions and most debated topics regarding pornography, testosterone, erectile dysfunction, and more.
We also wrap up this mini-series on science and pornography by tying together a few of the biggest takeaways from the last few episodes as we looked at dopamine, conditioning of the brain, and testosterone.
The bottom line: There is good research to suggest that porn is unhealthy and unnatural to the brain. There are many opposing voices, but in our opinion, the evidence is hard to ignore along with the testimonies of hundreds of thousands of men online who have said that quitting porn was healthy and even life-changing for them.
We also learned that when it comes to important hormones and molecules in our brains and bodies, it's important to integrate simple habits that will help us balance and optimize healthy baseline levels. This can make a huge difference in how we're feeling from day to day and should work synergistically with our efforts to quit a stubborn porn habit.
Last, we talked about how conditioning the brain overtime to certain stimulus actually 'rewires' the brain, and how this is probably the biggest reason why men struggle to walk away from it. It becomes a 'chemical support' for our brains that brings comfort and stability in various situations.
For now, we are going to take a break from more science-heavy topics and move on to some other key points surrounding pornography - but we will return to the science very soon!

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AI and the Future of Intimacy: The Struggle for Authentic Connection in a Digital World (With Dustin Freeman)

Reclaimed & Unashamed

05/22/24 • 38 min

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Imagine a future where artificial intelligence is aimed at our deepest connections and desires. This is the potentially unsettling reality that Dustin Freeman and I wrestle with in this episode centered around AI and its impact on intimacy and sexuality. As technology seeps further into our lives, we confront the jarring reality that AI's role in intimacy could lead to a seismic shift in how we perceive human interaction—possibly sidelining the enriching complexities of real relationships for the convenience of simulated companionship.
As I sit down with Dustin, the pastor of a growing church and a father of five boys, we peel back the layers of how artificial relationships actually pale in comparison to the messy but beautiful tapestry of genuine human bonds. The fear that we're inching towards a world where emotional growth with real people is just an option looms over us. It's a poignant reminder that while AI can attempt to mirror the nuances of human intimacy, it lacks the transformative power of shared experiences that shape our character and resilience.
Last, our discussion takes us to the evolution of pornography aided by AI—an area of concern where synthetic experiences could eclipse the need for authentic intimacy and sexual interactions with a real person. This scenario isn't just speculation; it's a genuine possibility that demands a response. We advocate for a life where technology should be approached very cautiously when it comes to aiding in our relationships. While we believe AI could serve some useful purposes in the relationship realm, such as an occasional tool for receiving feedback about ourselves, we also believe it is dangerous to see AI as a source of intimacy in and of itself, let alone a tool that can be leveraged to help improve our relationships.
Our heartfelt message is one of empowerment, encouraging men to cultivate relational fortitude in the face of seductive digital advances, championing a future where meaningful human touch remains irreplaceable.
Music credit: Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/ben-johnson/some-kind-of-feelin
License code: QVDADXXPNNVQMPKV

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Fighting Pornography With Science and Finding Healing Through Chronic Pain

Reclaimed & Unashamed

08/16/22 • 21 min

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In this episode, we explain why the science behind porn recovery is so crucial for overcoming it. In the midst of other challenges we face in life, such as chronic pain and depression, porn can become even more alluring as an escape or a solution to our problems. That's why it's important to understand the science and how it can help us persevere in times when the struggle is real. Learning about how our body is capable of healing, adapting, and rebalancing can be empowering when it feels like we are losing hope.
Later in this episode, Kolton also shares a personal story about his struggle with chronic pain and his experience being treated in a clinical setting with the drug ketamine. Kolton shares what he learned and took away from the experience, as well as how it opened his eyes to the importance of optimizing the chemicals in our brain and the hormones in our body.
This episode begins an important series on the science and psychology behind porn addiction and why it's applicable to faith-based men.
If you'd like to read more about ketamine and how it's being used to treat chronic pain and depression, you can read more at Harvard Health by clicking this link here: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/ketamine-for-major-depression-new-tool-new-questions-2019052216673
To learn more about Reclaimed, please visit our website at https://reclaimedrecovery.com/

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FAQ

How many episodes does Reclaimed & Unashamed have?

Reclaimed & Unashamed currently has 23 episodes available.

What topics does Reclaimed & Unashamed cover?

The podcast is about Porn, Addiction, Christianity, Sex, Religion & Spirituality, Podcasts, Freedom, Men, Recovery, Health, Sexuality and Christian.

What is the most popular episode on Reclaimed & Unashamed?

The episode title 'The Unseen Influence: How Culture Shapes Our Views on Sexuality (With Jonathan Storment)' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Reclaimed & Unashamed?

The average episode length on Reclaimed & Unashamed is 30 minutes.

How often are episodes of Reclaimed & Unashamed released?

Episodes of Reclaimed & Unashamed are typically released every 22 days, 9 hours.

When was the first episode of Reclaimed & Unashamed?

The first episode of Reclaimed & Unashamed was released on Aug 8, 2022.

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Reclaimed & Unashamed

Kolton Thomas

Top 10 Reclaimed & Unashamed Episodes

FAQ

How many episodes does Reclaimed & Unashamed have?

What topics does Reclaimed & Unashamed cover?

What is the most popular episode on Reclaimed & Unashamed?

What is the average episode length on Reclaimed & Unashamed?

How often are episodes of Reclaimed & Unashamed released?

When was the first episode of Reclaimed & Unashamed?

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