A Conversation with Begin Again Institute's Matt Wenger and Raina Hampton

When an addict says they’re “in recovery,” partners naturally want to believe them. But what does real recovery actually look like and how is it different from simply checking the boxes? In this candid and clinically rich conversation, Wendy Conquest, Dan Drake, and Tim Stein unpack the distinction between authentic recovery and what they call “pseudo-recovery” in sex addiction. They explore common recovery activities, meetings, sponsors, therapy, working the steps, reading workbooks, and reveal how someone can participate in all of them while still hiding, avoiding vulnerability, or staying emotionally disengaged. Whether you’re an addict questioning your own level of engagement or a partner sensing something’s off, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and a call to go deeper.

How does childhood attachment wounding lead to sex addiction and what does healing look like for both the betrayer and the betrayed? In this powerful episode of Conversations on Sex, Addiction and Relationships, hosts Tim Stein, Jeanne Vattuone, Dan Drake, and Wendy Conquest welcome Matt Wenger, Executive Clinical Director, and Raina Hampton, Partner Clinical Coordinator, from the Begin Again Institute (BAI). Together, they explore the deep connection between attachment wounding, sex addiction, betrayal trauma and how trauma-focused intensives are helping individuals and couples heal. Whether you're a therapist, a partner, or someone on the recovery journey, this conversation offers clarity, compassion, and hope. Today's guests are from BAI, who are also sponsoring this episode. We invited them before they became a sponsor. Learn more at www.beginagaininstitute.com

In this new episode of Conversations on Sex, Addiction, and Relationships, Jeanne Vattuone and Dan Drake welcome Melissa, founder of WeTonglen, a private online community created to support women impacted by sexual betrayal and relationship trauma. Melissa shares her own path from feeling isolated, misunderstood, and uncomfortable in early support spaces to finding genuine connection with others who understood her experience. That journey ultimately inspired WeTonglen: a carefully moderated, women-only community offering resources, peer connection, discussion spaces, and links to professional and peer-led support. Together, Jeanne, Dan, and Melissa explore what makes a support group feel emotionally safe, including confidentiality, clear boundaries, and a culture that encourages sharing personal experience rather than giving unsolicited advice. Listen to this insightful episode now and learn more https://www.wetonglen.com/about

In this new episode of Conversations on Sex, Addiction and Relationships, Tim Stein, Jeanne Vattuone, Wendy Conquest, and Dan Drake welcome Michael Lazar, an expert in sex addiction and gambling disorder, for an important conversation about the rapidly changing world of online gambling. As sports betting, prediction markets, day trading, cryptocurrency, and gambling apps become increasingly accessible through mobile devices, gambling no longer requires a trip to a casino. The hosts explore how this shift has made gambling more private, immediate, normalized, and difficult for families and loved ones to detect. They also discusses the importance of screening for gambling concerns in sex addiction treatment, seeking qualified professional support, and recognizing when gambling-related depression requires immediate help. Learn more by listening to the full episode!

In this powerful mailbag episode, Tim Stein, Jeanne Vattuone, Wendy Conquest, and Dan Drake, tackle one of the most common and painful questions from partners in recovery: "Did you have to hate me to do this?" A listener in early recovery shares his wife's struggle: she believes he must have been angry with her or even hated her to act out in his addiction. But his experience was rooted in shame, fear, and feelings of inadequacy, not anger toward her. Whether you're the one in recovery or the betrayed partner, this conversation offers clarity, validation, and hope for navigating the complex emotions that come with post-disclosure. Have a question for our next mailbag? Email us at [email protected]. Listen now and share with someone who needs to hear this!

What happens when a couple is caught between staying and leaving, and neither option feels safe? In this episode the podcast hosts, Wendy, Dan, Jeanne, and Tim sit down with Dr. Stevie Hall, the author of Therapeutic Separation: A Workbook for Couples Facing Addiction to explore a third path. Stevie breaks down what a therapeutic separation actually is: an intentional, structured break (often around 90 days) that's far different from the ambiguous separations that so often create more harm and confusion. The conversation covers when separation is indicated, the difference between physical and "controlled" (in-home) separations, and how to build a clear agreement. Whether you're a clinician guiding couples through this process or someone weighing whether separation might be right for your relationship, this episode offers a compassionate, practical roadmap for navigating one of the hardest decisions a couple can face. Watch or listen now, and if this episode could help someone you know, please share it.

This exciting new episode explores the rapidly emerging world of AI companionship and its impact on relationships, attachment, and mental health. Conversations hosts, Jeanne Vattuone, Dan Drake, Tim Stein, and Wendy Conquest are joined by Elizabeth Abbruzza and Connie Zollner of Bellevue Trauma Recovery Center to unpack how artificial intimacy is showing up in clinical practice. They examine why AI companions can feel so compelling and how that appeal can quickly become addictive, especially for individuals with trauma or insecure attachment. The conversation also dives into the relational consequences, including how AI use can disrupt partnerships, create secrecy, and lead to experiences of betrayal. With thoughtful insights and real clinical examples, this episode sheds light on a complex and fast-growing issue that is reshaping how we understand intimacy, connection, and addiction.

Meditation isn’t about clearing your mind. It’s about changing your relationship to it. Conversations Hosts, Wendy Conquest and Tim Stein, explore how meditation can strengthen recovery for addicts and support grounding for partners. They unpack the myth of “emptying the mind,” the power of sitting with discomfort, and how building mental resilience helps interrupt addictive cycles and emotional reactivity. This conversation highlights meditation as a practical, trainable skill for creating space, choice, and ultimately, peace of mind. Join Wendy and Tim as they share real-world insights on building a consistent practice and why meditation is powerful but not a quick fix.

Conversations host Dan Drake and Wendy Conquest explore with Jeanne Vattuone and Tim Stein on their new workbook 'Finding the Way Through'. It is a comprehensive, 15+ year-in-the-making resource for sex and pornography addiction recovery. What sets this workbook apart is its integration of rigorous sobriety work with a consistent focus on partner sensitivity, challenging the traditional “stay on your side of the street” model. The conversation unpacks how the book guides readers through the full arc of recovery, from denial and early sobriety to emotional growth, relational repair, and long-term healing. Each chapter blends education, practical exercises, real-life addict stories, and dedicated partner sensitivity sections that help bridge the empathy gap between addicts and betrayed partners. This Conversations episode offers a powerful look at a shifting paradigm in recovery, one that centers empathy, inclusion, and mutual understanding from day one. Subscribe today!

In this new episode, Conversations hosts, Jeanne Vattuone, Tim Stein, Wendy Conquest, and Dan Drake talk with guest, Dr. Stevie Cotet, about empathy and why it matters so deeply in sex addiction recovery and relationship healing. Dr. Stevie explains empathy as both an internal process and an external response, and discusses common barriers like shame, dysregulation, and skill deficits. The conversation also explores how empathy shows up differently in individuals and couples, why realistic expectations matter, and how assessment can help clarify strengths and growth areas. Dr. Stevie shares research-based insights on building empathy, supporting partners, and understanding the emotional challenges that often come up in recovery. Listen to the full episode today! Do you want to learn more about the online assessments? Visit relationalempathy.com.