In this episode of The Pausing Porn Podcast, I dive into one of the biggest questions in recovery — is porn really an addiction. I explain what the World Health Organization classifies compulsive porn use as, I share my personal experience with compulsive porn use, how it meets nearly every sign of addiction like loss of control, craving, tolerance, and withdrawal, and why I believe porn can still function as an addiction even if it is not officially recognized.
I talk about why this classification matters for people struggling with porn, from the lack of research and treatment funding to the stigma and confusion it creates for men trying to quit. I also explore whether calling yourself a porn addict helps or harms recovery and how to use language that supports real healing rather than shame.
If you have ever asked yourself whether porn is an addiction, or how that affects recovery, this episode will give you the science, clarity, and mindset you need to move forward.
Keywords: porn addiction, addictive, compulsive porn use, porn recovery, porn disorder, DSM 5, compulsive sexual behaviour disorder, quitting porn, how to stop watching porn, porn withdrawal, porn cravings, porn tolerance, porn classification, addiction recovery, men’s mental health
Porn does not just change your habits. It can change the way you see people.
In this episode, I talk about how porn conditions your brain to objectify women instead of building real attraction and connection. You will learn what sexual objectification really is, how it is different from healthy attraction, and how it quietly shows up in your daily life.
I also share my own story of how this looked for me. How I would catch myself scanning the world around me for women to sexualize without even realizing it, and how I began retraining my brain to see people as people again.
By the end of this episode, you will have practical steps to build awareness, reframe what you see, connect with others, and reflect on the deeper emotions that fuel objectification.
If you are ready to move past porn’s influence and start seeing people with respect again, this episode will help you take that next step.
Keywords: porn addiction recovery, objectification, attraction, awareness, rewiring the brain, dopamine, empathy, connection, mindfulness, self improvement
This episode is a little different. I take a step back to share who The Pausing Porn Podcast is really for, why I started it, and where it is heading next.
I talk about the mission behind the podcast, the free recovery guide Nathan and I are creating, the plans for building a supportive recovery community, and our long-term vision to create the best porn addiction recovery app in the world.
If you have ever felt alone in your struggle or wondered where this project is going, this episode will help you see that you are part of something bigger. Thank you for being here and helping this movement grow.
Most of us think we know what porn is, but I’ve learned that what counts as porn has changed more in the last decade than in the last century. In this episode, I talk about what actually qualifies as porn today and why your personal definition might be the reason you keep relapsing.
I’ll walk you through both the obvious and non-obvious types of porn, from videos and OnlyFans to dating apps and social media that can trigger the same reward circuits. You’ll learn how to define what is off limits for you and how setting clear boundaries can make recovery simpler and more sustainable.
If you’ve ever wondered whether something “counts as porn,” this episode will help you find clarity and strengthen your recovery.
In this episode of The Pausing Porn Podcast, I talk about one of the biggest challenges in recovery, which is your urges. I’ll explain what an urge actually is, what it feels like, and I’ll also walk you through how I learned to sit with urges instead of fighting them and how that mindset shift completely changed my recovery. By the end of this episode, you’ll see that urges are just messages from your brain, not commands, and you’ll know how to face them with awareness and control.
Relapse is one of the hardest parts of porn addiction recovery. For years, every relapse left me feeling weak, hopeless, and ashamed. I thought it was proof that I was broken. But today, if I relapsed, I’d respond completely differently.
In this episode of The Pausing Porn Podcast, I share exactly what I would do if I relapsed right now. You’ll hear how my old cycle of secrecy, shame, and distraction kept me trapped, and how today I’d respond with accountability, self-compassion, and reflection instead.
We’ll talk about why relapse happens, how to break the shame cycle, and the practical steps that can turn relapse into growth instead of defeat.
If you’ve ever asked yourself “What do I do after a relapse?” this episode will give you perspective, encouragement, and a framework for moving forward in your recovery journey.
In this episode I share one of the hardest parts of my recovery journey from porn addiction: the loneliness and shame that kept me trapped for years. I open up about confessing to my partner in 2020, relapsing the very next day, and how secrecy drove me deeper into isolation. I talk about the cycle of guilt, why shame fuels disconnection, and how my early attempts at support often left me feeling misunderstood. Eventually I found real change through accountability, community, and honest connection. If you have ever felt alone in your struggle with porn, this episode is for you.
Is masturbation relapse, or can it actually be part of recovery? In this episode of The Pausing Porn Podcast, I explore one of the most debated topics in the NoFap community and porn recovery space. I look at the arguments against masturbation, the potential benefits that science points to, and what healthy masturbation can look like when it is practiced with intention. I'll also share my personal story of going from compulsive use tied to porn, to experimenting with mindful masturbation, and finding a way to reconnect with myself. Toward the end, I introduce the Sexual Hunger Scale, a practical tool to help you check whether your desire comes from genuine connection or from emotional escape. By the end of the episode, you will have a deeper understanding of how to make an informed choice that supports your recovery, your values, and the kind of life you want to build.
Have you ever promised yourself, that was the last time only to relapse hours later? If so, you’re not weak, you’re human. In this episode of The Pausing Porn Podcast, I break down why willpower alone will never set you free from porn addiction, and what science says you need instead.
We’ll cover:
Why almost everyone starts recovery with willpower (and why it fails).
The science of dopamine, stress, and conditioning that makes urges so powerful.
Why shame and secrecy push you deeper into the cycle.
Practical tools that actually work: systems, accountability, emotional regulation, replacement habits, and building a bigger life.
If you’ve been stuck relying on streaks and self-control, this episode will show you a better way forward.
Social media is one of the biggest double edged swords in recovery from porn addiction. It can help by connecting you to supportive communities and inspiring content, but it can also trigger relapses, drain your time, and keep you stuck in old cycles.
In this episode of The Pausing Porn Podcast, I break down the role social media plays in recovery, both the benefits and the risks. I share my own story of how social media fueled my addiction, why I eventually deleted my accounts, and how I was later able to reintroduce it in a healthier way.
If you have ever relapsed because of something you saw while scrolling, or if you are wondering whether to quit social media, set stricter boundaries, or continue using it with more awareness, this episode will help you reflect and make the right choice for your recovery.
In this episode of The Pausing Porn Podcast, I talk about one of the most important lessons I’ve learned in recovery. Change doesn’t happen from knowledge alone, it happens when you take action. For years I thought reading, learning, and planning would be enough, but nothing shifted until I actually started applying it. I’ll share parts of my own story, the role accountability played, and why stepping out of just planning mode is what really moves you forward. My hope is that this episode inspires you to take that next step in your own recovery journey.
In today’s episode of The Pausing Porn Podcast, I share the top 3 benefits I’ve experienced since gaining a life free from porn. While everyone’s recovery journey is unique, I dive into the powerful changes I noticed in my mental health, my friendships, and how I use my time. Living porn free doesn’t just remove a habit, it creates space for real growth, connection, and purpose.
If you’ve ever wondered what life without porn could look like, this episode will give you a glimpse into the freedom and clarity that recovery brings.
Have you noticed your porn tastes change over time? Sure you have. If you are anything like I was, you've probably been consistently seeking novelty for awhile now. There's a reason for that by the way.
In todays micro episode, I discuss why your porn tastes have changed over time. These are the reasons why some of you find yourself watching porn that does not align with your values, or maybe even your sexuality. I hope this episode helps you guys out.
Have you heard of them yet... porn blockers? These are they apps, software's, browser extensions, or router filters that are made to prevent you from accessing porn. Sounds like an easy way to recover right? In a perfect world you could install porn blockers on all your devices and you'd never be able to watch porn again. If only it were that easy.
In this micro episode of The Pausing Porn Podcast, I answer the question if these blockers really work, if they worked for me, and who they'd be most likely to work for. I hope you enjoy!
I bet you guys have asked yourself this question many times in your recovery from porn addiction, "is recovery even possible"? In todays micro podcast, I'll be answering the question directly. My answer comes from both what science says, and my own personal story. Thanks for tuning in and I hope you enjoy.
Journaling can be one of the most powerful tools in porn addiction recovery. In this episode of The Pausing Porn Podcast, I share how journaling helped me stop hiding from my urges and emotions and start being transparent with myself. Giving journaling a chance gave me a space to process urges, slips, and feelings without secrecy while also helping me gain clarity in other areas of life. We will explore why journaling works, the difference between pen and paper and digital journaling, and how you can start today to build honesty and clarity in your recovery.
In this episode of The Pausing Porn Podcast I kick off a seven day micro series with a short but powerful message about self acceptance in recovery. Many men believe they can only accept themselves after they quit porn or hit a long streak but the truth is waiting for perfection keeps you trapped.
I share how shame held me back in my own journey and how learning to accept myself as a work in progress completely changed the way I approached recovery. You will learn why self acceptance is not giving up but instead the key to building resilience, breaking free from shame, and moving forward even after setbacks.
Start practicing self acceptance today because recovery is not about being perfect it is about choosing to keep going and believing you are worth it right now.
Why do you keep watching porn even after promising yourself you would stop? In this episode of The Pausing Porn Podcast I break down the real science behind why your brain keeps pulling you back to porn. We talk about how dopamine rewires your habits, why willpower alone is never enough, and what it actually takes to create change in recovery. I share how I spent years doing the same things expecting different results and how that connects to Einstein’s definition of insanity. By the end of this episode you will not only understand why relapse happens but also walk away with a practical exercise to help you make one real change in your recovery today.
Porn induced erectile dysfunction is becoming a growing topic in men’s health and sexual recovery. In this episode I break down what PIED actually is, how it happens, who is most likely to experience it, and what science and real life recovery stories say about overcoming it. We will cover the role of porn use, mental health, and lifestyle factors like exercise and sleep in erectile function. Whether you are dealing with weaker erections, performance anxiety, or struggling to connect with a partner, this episode gives you practical steps to start improving your sexual health and confidence.
Is tracking your streak actually helping your recovery, or secretly holding you back?
In this episode of The Pausing Porn Podcast, I break down why obsessing over how many days you’ve been “clean” might be hurting your progress. You’ll learn the psychology behind the Abstinence Violation Effect, how streaks feed shame and avoidance, and why true recovery isn’t about counting days, it’s about building a life you don’t want to escape from.
Instead of focusing on numbers, you’ll discover a better alternative: tracking meaningful goals in key areas of your life like mental health, relationships, and purpose. If you’re ready to break free from the streak mindset and start real recovery, this episode is for you.