PSR Podcast
Pure Sex Radio (PSR) seeks to help men, women, and families move from sexual brokenness to wholeness in Christ. Since 2005, Jonathan Daugherty and Stephen Cervantes (and guests) have been helping listeners engage difficult topics like sexuality, marriage, and trauma healing in a thoughtful and personal manner.
Beyond Broken Vows: Rebuilding Marriage After Sexual Betrayal

In this episode, our guests are Johnny and Emily Spigelmire and they share their profound journey through Johnny's sex addiction and its impact on their marriage. Johnny opens up about his early exposure to pornography, his secret struggles, and the eventual escalation to extramarital affairs.Â
Emily shares her perspective, detailing the confusion and pain she experienced, as well as her unwavering faith in their marriage’s potential for healing. Together, they discuss their path to recovery, the importance of honesty, and their mission to help others through their podcast, "Beyond Broken Vows." Their story is a powerful tes...
Navigating from Isolation to Intimacy (with Bret Marshall)

In this episode, I chat with Bret Marshall about his incredible journey of faith and personal transformation. Bret opens up about his struggles with emotional expression and sexual sin, and how these challenges impacted his relationships, especially with his wife, Tena. He shares the pivotal moments that led to his healing, including a transformative intensive experience through a past partnership between Be Broken and the Navigators ministry organization. Bret highlights the ABC’s of emotional health: Acceptance, Belonging, and Connection.
Bret also emphasizes the need for personal vulnerability, authentic connections, and creating safe spaces for men to sh...
The Deep-Rooted Marriage: Cultivating Intimacy, Healing, and Delight

In this episode, I am thrilled to welcome Dr. Steve Call, a clinical psychologist and co-author with Dr. Dan Allender of The Deep Rooted Marriage: Cultivating Intimacy, Healing, and Delight*. We dive into the book's themes, focusing on how past traumas influence present marital conflicts and how to grow in emotional understanding and intimacy. Dr. Call shares his personal marriage journey, emphasizing the importance of awareness and curiosity in relationships.Â
We discuss practical steps for couples to cultivate awareness, the role of play in healing, and strategies for managing triggers. Dr. Call offers hope and resources for c...
Failing Forward: Turning Setbacks into Hopeful Growth Steps

In this episode, Dr. Stephen Cervantes and I dive into the emotional impact of failure. We both express how deeply we hate failing, describing how it triggers feelings of rejection, isolation, and shame. We explore the importance of reframing failure, emphasizing that God's love still remains constant despite our setbacks. His grace abounds!Â
We suggest that solitude can be a sanctuary for self-reflection and growth, encouraging you to create a “holy space” for healing. We ultimately want to offer you a compassionate perspective on failure, encouraging gentleness toward yourself and confidence in the transformative power of God's unwav...
Are You a Loner or Connector in Your Relationships?

In this episode, we dive into the dynamics of "loners" and "connectors" in relationships. Everyone falls into one of these categories. As we explore this topic, my friend and co-host Stephen Cervantes discusses how loners tend to be independent and process internally, while connectors thrive on dialogue and emotional exchange. We examine how these differences impact communication and emotional connection, particularly in marriages.Â
We share insights on personal growth, emphasizing the importance of understanding and appreciating each other's communication styles; we aren’t out to change a loner into a connector or vice versa. We give lots of...
The Role of Boundaries in Marriage Restoration

In this episode, we invite back our friends and counselors, Matthew and Joanna Raabsmith, to talk about the crucial role of boundaries in restoring marriages after betrayal, particularly sexual infidelity. Matthew shares insights from the perspective of the betraying spouse, emphasizing self-reflection and accountability, while Joanna offers guidance for the betrayed spouse on navigating emotions and setting personal boundaries.Â
We delve into defining boundaries as supportive frameworks rather than punishing limitations, avoiding misuse of boundaries for control, and harmonizing them to foster safety and mutual respect. The Raabsmiths highlight the importance of individual responsibility and how boundaries c...
From Eating Disorder to Infidelity to Healing and Restoration

In this episode, I chat with author and blogger Sarah Matzke, who bravely shares her journey through struggles with body image, an eating disorder, and marital challenges, including infidelity.Â
Sarah opens up about her upbringing, the pressures she faced, and the lies she believed about her worth. She recounts the painful yet transformative process of rebuilding trust with her husband, JP, and how her faith in Christ played a crucial role in their healing. Sarah's story is a powerful testament to the importance of vulnerability, honesty, and the grace of God in overcoming life's toughest obstacles.Â
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Porn and Sex Addiction Recovery as a Mental Health Issue

In this episode, I have back on the program Carl Thomas to dig into the recovery journey from pornography and sexual addiction. Carl shares his personal story and emphasizes the importance of community and addressing mental and emotional health.Â
We discuss how recovery goes beyond just stopping harmful behaviors or behavioral sobriety and involves understanding and healing deeper emotional wounds. Carl highlights the stigma around mental health and the need for a holistic approach to recovery. He also provides resources for those seeking support. This episode aims to offer hope and guidance to anyone navigating similar challenges o...
Understanding the Impact of Parent's Infidelity on Adult Children

In this episode, I sit down with Melissa Macomber to explore the emotional and psychological impact of parental infidelity on adult children. Melissa shares her personal story of discovering her mother's affair at 13 and the ensuing family dynamics. Now, as a therapist, she highlights the lack of resources for adult children dealing with such betrayal and emphasizes the importance of addressing trust issues and healing – no matter how long it has been since the parental infidelity took place.Â
We discuss the broader implications of infidelity on family relationships and the unique challenges faced by children at all sta...
Understanding Painful Sex: Emotional Impacts and Pathways to Healing

Today we have back with us Dr. Jennifer Degler, a renowned specialist in sexual health, and we delve into the often-overlooked issue of painful sex. Dr. Degler brings her wealth of expertise to the table, shedding light on the prevalence and emotional impact of sexual pain, especially among women.
We explore various conditions that explain certain kinds pain during sex and how to address them. She also highlights the emotional toll painful sex can take, noting that "many women suffer in silence, feeling isolated and ashamed, which only exacerbates the problem."
Throughout our discussion, Dr...