Two sex addicts in long-term successful recovery are ALSO world-class Counselors who specialize in porn and sex addiction recovery. Drawing on 40 years of combined personal and professional experience, Mark and Steve get RAW and REAL about HOW to overcome addiction, heal betrayal trauma and save your marriage. If you're struggling with addiction—we get it. Recovery is hard. We've been there. We'll help you take the fight to your addiction like never before. If you're married to an addict—we ...
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Quit Watching Porn Podcasts
Are you struggling with porn and wondering how to break free? Finding Traction: Freedom from Porn is a porn recovery podcast designed to help men and women who feel stuck in addiction. Whether you’re saying, “I hate porn,” “I want to quit watching porn,” or “I have a porn problem,” this show gives you real hope and practical steps. Each episode explores how to quit porn, how to stop a porn addiction, and how to live porn free. You’ll discover methods to quit porn, no-fap strategies, steps to ...
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Download This Show is your weekly guide to the world of media, culture, and technology. From social media to gadgets, streaming services to privacy issues. Each week Rae Johnston and guests take a fun, deep dive into how technology is reshaping our lives.
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Welcome to The Crazy Stupid Lust Podcast Create a life so good that porn just doesn’t matter anymore. Real, honest, no-judgment conversations about porn, lust, the cycles that keep you stuck — how to build the life you actually want, and everything in between. New episodes drop weekly, covering: ✅ Rewiring your brain to take back control ✅ How to quit porn(if you're ready)—and stay free ✅ Real strategies, real discipline, and real faith ✅ Overcoming urges, relapses, and mental battles ✅ Why ...
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What happens when you try to ban a generation from the internet?
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The Online Safety Amendment Bill is the name on everyone’s lips this week and as the implementation date looms closer, we take a deep dive into some of the people most affected by the upcoming ban, and lay out all the info you need to know if you’re a parent or teen trying to duck and dodge this murky legislation. GUESTS: Leo Puglisi, teenager and …
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Ep. 182 - Learning Warfare - Lessons on Fighting Porn
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The metaphor of war is used a lot in recovery for the reason that it often feels like we are in a battle!! In this episode Vern talks about principles of warfare and applies them to our recovery battle. If you want to get access to a host of free recovery resources, I invite you to to sign up for Vern's Circle learning platform. Just use the follow…
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My Partner says He Only Has Eyes for Me—but He’s Hooked on Porn—Should I Believe Him?
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In this PBSE episode (#302), Mark & Steve respond to a betrayed partner who faces an all-too-common form of "double-dealing." When a partner says “you’re the most beautiful woman in the world” but secretly consumes porn featuring people who look nothing like you—who are NOT you—the contradiction is deeply painful. It undermines trust, triggers feel…
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We've got tonnes of space waste orbiting our Earth, is there a way to clean up our act?
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There are over 170 million pieces of space junk orbiting Earth right now, and that number is only growing as space orbit becomes more accessible. How are we going to deal with this astronomical littering problem, while keeping up with our satellite-hungry tech needs? Also, an increase in light and radio pollution is making it harder for astronomers…
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How Does a Porn/Sex Addict Coercing His Partner into Acting Out Fantasies Impact Them Both?
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By Steve Moore & Mark Kastleman
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Ep. 181 - The Porn Recovery Journey with Nate Larkin
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By Vern Tompke - Porn Recovery Coach
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If 'simulated gambling' is banned in kids games, why are we still seeing Loot Boxes everywhere?
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You step up to a box full of prizes, and knowing that there is a chance you may not win anything, you give it your real-life money anyway. No, this isn't a game at the casino, it's a video game that children as young as four are playing in their spare time. Last year, Australia introduced classification to prevent things like this from happening, s…
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When Touch Feels Like Pressure: Breaking Free from Over-Sexualization
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Episode 300 highlights the raw submission of a betrayed partner struggling with a husband who pressures her sexually despite her clear “not yet.” He gawked, grabbed, and dismissed her boundaries while excusing his behavior as a “high sex drive.” His minimization left her doubting herself, wondering if she was the problem. This dynamic illustrates h…
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Ep. 180 - Porn Relapses Ripples and Resets
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A relapse is always possible but never inevitable. There are inescapable ripples that follow a relapse but how do we prevent a slip from becoming a slide! In this episode we discuss how to get back on track when we fall off the wagon! If you want to get access to a host of free recovery resources, I invite you to to sign up for Vern's Circle learni…
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Is it true that AI is going to add $60 billion to Australia's economy?
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The Australian Finance Industry Association has modelled AI's contribution to economic growth in the years ahead. It found that "scaling", or expanding, the use of AI could add up to $60 billion to GDP over the next decade. But who is actually going to benefit from this, and where are we getting these numbers from? Also, we explain the blossoming $…
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Big Gestures, Broken Trust—Living in the Cycle of Empty Commitments
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In this episode (#299), Mark and Steve respond to a betrayed partner’s story of exhaustion after five years of broken promises from her addict spouse. Despite his grand gestures—weekly check-ins, new hobbies, and podcast listening—he repeatedly relapses and becomes defensive when confronted. This cycle leaves her hyper-vigilant, carrying the weight…
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In this third and final episode of Marriage Hacks - Vern explores some of the ways to explore why you hit a wall on certain topics with you partner as well as the idea of recognizing when you have a filter on that you need to communicate with your spouse. Your marriage is not your recovery but working towards a better marriage can help in reducing …
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How fanfiction took over the world (and stayed free)
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Fanfiction has gone from photocopied zines traded at conventions to millions of stories shared online. From smut-filled Harry Potter ships to the fic that birthed Fifty Shades of Grey, we explore fanfiction's growth, its influence on writing and culture, and how Archive of Our Own has stayed free and fan-run in an internet that charges for almost e…
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As a Recovering Porn & Sex Addict—What Is Keeping Me In My Marriage?
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In this powerful PBSE conversation (Episode 298), we respond to a listener who vulnerably asked whether he is staying in his marriage out of love—or out of fear and obligation. Three and a half months into the space between Discovery Day and full therapeutic disclosure, he wonders if he can truly love his wife, or if he is staying simply because of…
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It seems that deep fakes are everywhere these days. My question for you is this - are you a deep fake? Are you a person with a deep disconnect between the public and private you. In this Episode I talk about how that happens and how to experience the benefits of living a life of integrity. Todays episode is summarized in a diagram that you can find…
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How did an Australian team make the biggest video game in the world today?
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This week, an Australian video game called Hollow Knight: Silksong is the biggest video game in the world. It’s made by a small team out of Adelaide and has already sold millions of copies worldwide. What could this mean for our quietly successful games industry here in Australia? And why do we still have so much trouble seeing video games as a for…
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"Everyone Thinks He’s Great . . . But They Don’t Know the Whole Story"
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In Episode 297, Mark & Steve respond to a heart-felt submission by a porn/sex addict in active recovery. He describes an ongoing situation that is very difficult for his betrayed partner and shows a great deal of genuine concern for her. Here's the issue—compliments by friends, family and others, aimed at an addict in recovery, can create painful t…
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Ep. 177 - The 5 W's - Examining a porn relapse
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In a recent television episode of The Paper the new boss teaches his employers what it takes to be a local report. Toward that end he talks about the classic rules for reporting called the 5 W's. In this episode Vern talks about this in helping us learn to be better reporters of our relapse events. If you want to get access to a host of free recove…
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Why is Australia spending a billion dollars on a quantum computer that doesn't exist yet?
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2025 is the 'International Year of Quantum Science and Technology', but what actually is quantum science? IBM and AMD are teaming up to champion 'quantum-centric supercomputing' – but what's the difference between a supercomputer and a regular computer? Will we ever see a supercomputer show up in our own homes? And why is Australia making a billion…
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When Loving Him Means Losing Me—Do I Stay or Go?!
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When a partner reaches the heartbreaking point of saying, “I love him, but I feel I’m losing myself,” the question of staying or leaving becomes urgent. After 21 years of repeated betrayal, secrecy, and broken promises, one woman wonders how long she can endure the cycle. This PBSE episode (#296) unpacks that struggle, emphasizing that being lured …
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Ep. 176 - Sexless Marriages - A Marriage Plea
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Women Please Note: This episode is not mean to shame you if you are struggling with the after effects of the disclosure of your husbands porn use. It is meant to encourage you not remain stuck in your pain, anger and grief and get the help to see your marriage restored to the dream you had when you walked down the aisle. If you are a woman looking …
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Wimbledon broke 148 years of tradition to replace 300 line judges with AI -- will it be worth it?
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How much is human adjudication in sport worth, and how much more accurate is Wimbledon's new system? Plus, the CSIRO and the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) have joined forces to research how AI can be used ethically and efficiently in sports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…
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We had so much fun last time I thought we would do it again. Actually I realized there was a number of marriage tips and hacks that didn't make the last episode so I thought we would do a part 2! Heres to having a great marriage relationship! If you want to get access to a host of free recovery resources, I invite you to to sign up for Vern's Circl…
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My Partner uses Porn to Punish Me for Not Losing Weight. How do I Recover from That?!
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This episode (#295) examines the devastating impact of a husband who weaponized pornography and withheld intimacy as punishment for his wife not meeting his “ideal” body standard. Over two decades, his rejection inflicted a “self-esteem massacre,” leaving her questioning how she could ever recover. We identify this behavior as rooted in immaturity,…
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Relationships can be hard work - especially maintaining a marriage over the long haul. In this episode Vern shares 5 marriage hacks that can make that challenge be a little bit easier! If you want to get access to a host of free recovery resources, I invite you to to sign up for Vern's Circle learning platform. Just use the following link to get st…
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How do you protect yourself against AI voice scams?
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When 1 in 5 people have been the victim of cybercrime and AI voice scams are on the rise, how do we protect ourselves online? Plus Google may soon be the default browser on Android phones in Australia and say 'hello!' to your new best friend, with new AI-powered kids toys. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…
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Healing for Betrayed Partners with a Sexually Abusive Past (PART 2)
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This is PBSE Episode 295—When betrayal trauma collides with a history of childhood sexual abuse, partners often feel doubly overwhelmed, carrying both the scars of the past and the pain of the present. Silence, a survival strategy from childhood, often resurfaces in marriage, leaving betrayed partners afraid to voice their needs for fear of conflic…
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Ep. 173 - Dating Honesty - Why When and How
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What should I tell my girlfriend about my porn history (or other sexual history). Should I hide it? What if honesty will end the relationship? In this episode I talk about why it is important to be honest but also nuance when and how this could be done. If you want to get access to a host of free recovery resources, I invite you to to sign up for V…
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The Impact of a Sexually Abusive Childhood on a Betrayed Partner (PART 1)
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In Episode 293, Mark ands Steve address how childhood sexual abuse is a form of complex trauma that imprints deeply on a survivor’s understanding of love, trust, and sexuality. It often distorts sexual norms, blurs boundaries between consent and compliance, and creates lasting confusion around intimacy. Survivors may develop insecure attachment sty…
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How will ICE's deportation teams use iris scanning technology?
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America’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued a notice they intend to purchase an iris scanning technology that can identify "suspects and inmates who try to hide their identity". Unsurprisingly, it’s raised some red flags. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy ABC listen
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So how did your summer go? Vern has been away for the last month and shares somes up and downs from his summer holidays including a recovery lesson that he is working at integrating into his life. If you want to get access to a host of free recovery resources, I invite you to to sign up for Vern's Circle learning platform. Just use the following li…
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Would Cyberbrothel be more ethical than a traditional brothel?
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A sex doll brothel in Berlin is offering a combination of new VR and AI technologies in their plastic playmates. But the Cyberbrothel business falls outside traditional brothel regulations, raising questions how consent, sex work, and tech intersect. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…
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I Keep Finding Myself Hurt In Relationships with Porn/Sex Addicts—How Do I Break the Cycle?
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This episode (#292) explores the repeated heartbreak many betrayed partners experience when they unknowingly enter relationships with porn or sex addicts, offering both empathy and practical strategies for breaking the cycle. It begins by affirming that betrayal is never the betrayed partner’s fault, highlighting how addicts often hide their behavi…
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Is Snapchat’s My AI a safe space or a slippery slope for teens?
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Snapchat’s AI chatbot, My AI, is raising concerns among teens and parents — with questions about how it's used, what it says, and whether the platform is doing enough to keep young users safe. While there are parental controls available through Snapchat’s Family Centre, many parents may not know they can restrict access to the bot altogether. So, i…
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Advice for Young Adults Balancing Mental Health, School, Life and Porn Addiction
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In response to a powerful message from an 18-year-old listener, Mark and Steve devote this episode to young adults balancing school, mental health, and porn addiction. They applaud the listener’s maturity and self-awareness and use his story as a springboard to discuss the foundational concepts of being “accountable” and “responsible.” They emphasi…
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ID, please? China’s new internet rules and what they could mean for us
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Big Brother is getting new powers in China with a digital ID system eerily similar to that being proposed in the upcoming teen social media ban. What are the privacy risks involved in needing your government ID to use any old website on the internet? And could this tech be seen in Australia anytime soon? Teachers have been struggling to manage stud…
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Can I Have a Healthy Relationship with my Addict Partner without him Sharing His Past?
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Episode 290 of the PBSE Podcast explores a powerful question submitted by a betrayed partner whose addict husband is in active recovery but refuses to discuss his past. The discussion centers on what real intimacy requires—emotional nakedness, vulnerability, and the willingness to be known. While many addicts hold back due to fear, shame, or cultur…
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How do we tell what's real and what's not, when the internet is flooded with AI slop?
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Do you think you can tell the difference between what's real and what's made by AI? What about writing? Or even music? More AI-generated content is making its way into what we hear, read, and write and it's getting harder and harder to tell the difference. And when we can't tell who's making the things we consume, we can't tell their intentions beh…
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My Betrayed Partner regularly Screams & Lashes Out . . . How can I Help Her?
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This episode tackles the heartfelt question of a recovering porn addict whose wife frequently screams, lashes out, and accuses him of lying—despite his efforts at sobriety and support. We emphasize that these outbursts often stem from deep, layered trauma, especially when relapse reopens old wounds. Recovery is not just about avoiding porn; it's ab…
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With 9,000 new layoffs at Microsoft, is AI set to change the gaming industry forever?
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In recent years, like many other big technology firms, Microsoft has refocused its business towards developing AI, and this week the firm has announced it's slashing 9,000 jobs. A large chunk of these jobs are coming from its Xbox video gaming unit, with successful and longstanding titles like Elder Scrolls and Forza Motorport in the firing line. W…
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Why You Still Want Porn (Even If You Hate It)
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Let’s talk about the part no one really wants to admit: the part of you that still wants to watch porn—even when you’re serious about quitting. In this episode, I open up about the inner conflict so many of us face on this journey and why that battle doesn’t mean you’re weak, broken, or not trying hard enough. It means you care. We’ll dig into ambi…
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Ep. 171 - Porn and Men's Health - A Conversation
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It's fun to talk to people outside your circles who dont' necessarily share your experience or assumptions. The following is a conversation I did with Jeremy Longpre from the North Star Podcast around men's health and problematic porn use. The following is a link to the North Star Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/north-star-podcast/id1…
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My Porn/Sex Addicted Partner tells me I just need to "Get over it" . . . So now what?!
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In this powerful episode, we address the heart-wrenching story of a betrayed partner whose marriage has been scarred by nearly two decades of emotional abuse, chronic dishonesty, and sexual betrayal. Despite having initiated divorce proceedings, she finds herself still seeking clarity and wondering if hope remains. Her husband, who continues to act…
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An expert has quit over the government's planned social media ban, what now?
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This week on Download This Show, we're getting up to speed with what on Earth is going on with the teen social media ban. From new standards being announced to experts quitting in protest -- it's proving to be a busy time for the people making decisions about what our teens get to see online. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adc…
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My Addict Partner Keeps going Through Cycles of Taking Me For Granted! What Do I Do?
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PBSE Podcast Episode 287 explores the recurring emotional turmoil experienced by a betrayed partner whose addict spouse continues to cycle through emotional relapses, despite seemingly engaging in recovery activities. Every six months, he emotionally regresses—questioning their relationship, doubting compatibility, and withdrawing connection—which …
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How are online tools being used to resist fascism across the globe?
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The apps and online tools that are being used in international political action, Tesla drama and the future of autonomous vehicles, what's going on with AI search engine overviews, and the story behind 40,000 cameras being exposed to the internet. This week on Download This Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…
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Back in Episode 73 I introduced the idea of the Acting Out Cycle using the picture of a Stopwatch. In looking back I felt I could give a more robust explanation of how to actually stop ourselves from just repeating the same cycle over and over. To do this I add a new step - PREEMPT - and share from some of my recent examples how to put this into pr…
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I'm Staying Away from Porn, But I Want to FEEL Repulsed by it. How?
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PBSE Podcast Episode 286, follows the journey of a man in early recovery who is not content with simply staying away from pornography—he wants to feel a deep emotional aversion to it. The article explores this desire for integrity and congruence, addressing how many men feel torn between what they know is harmful and what they are still wired to fi…
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Could a new copyright lawsuit from Disney change the way we use AI?
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A lawsuit from the house of mouse, Apple being forced to let you download apps outside the app store, a huge hole in Gmail's data security, plus a world where generative AI is doing critical computer coding. This week on Download This Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…
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It is not uncommon in our early recovery to feel anxious that a next relapse is just around the corner. Is there a way to grow in our confidence as we start out on this journey? If you want to get access to a host of free recovery resources, you need to sign up for Vern's Circle learning platform. Just use the following link to get started. if you …
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