Consider Before Consuming

Jeremiah is a husband, an expecting father, and a self-described lifelong learner who found himself struggling with a compulsive porn habit that began in his teens and escalated in college, when he found himself viewing content he would never act out in real life. In this episode, Jeremiah candidly shares how his use of pornography affected his relationships, mental health, and sense of self, particularly during the early stages of his marriage. He opens up about the moment his wife discovered the truth, the shame he experienced, and what sparked his decision to pursue real recovery. 

*Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of sexual abuse. Listener discretion is advised.

Rachel was first exposed to pornography at seven years old and went on to develop an addiction to porn for the next thirteen years. Despite getting treatment for anxiety and depression as a young girl, she never felt like she could tell others about her struggle with porn because it was something that "girls didn't struggle with." Rachel discusses the shame she felt from being a girl struggling with porn, how being exposed to violent pornography from such a young age caused her to...

Victoria Sinis is the founder of Creating Gems, an organization created to help young women break free from harmful narratives about themselves. Victoria used to work for an OnlyFans agency, recruiting creators, curating their social media presence, and managing marketing funnels designed to drive traffic to explicit content. In this episode, she shares what made her walk away from an industry she once believed was empowering.

This episode is a re-release. It was first released in June of 2024. 

Episode Resources

Article: Why So Many Teen Girls Are Planning on Becoming OnlyFans Sta...

Rosalia Rivera is a consent educator and abuse prevention specialist who works to help parents break cycles of abuse through empowered, proactive conversations. In this episode of Consider Before Consuming, she shares her personal experiences with pornography, the dangers of leaving sex education to the internet, and how parents can build safe, shame-free spaces for their children to learn about consent and autonomy. She also dives into how pornography plays a role in grooming, the rise in child-on-child sexual abuse, and why media literacy and digital safety are more important than ever.

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Consent...

Trigger Warning

This episode includes topics of child sextortion and suicide. Listener discretion is advised. 

Episode Description

In this episode of Consider Before Consuming, Shannon Heacock and John Burnett share the deeply personal and devastating story of their son, Elijah. Recently, at just 16 years old, Elijah became a victim of sextortion — a form of online exploitation where predators manipulate and blackmail their victims using threats and explicit imagery, sometimes even using AI-generated content. Tragically, the manipulation and fear led Elijah to take his own life. John and Shannon’s courage in telling Elijah’s story...

Louie Greek is a Training Specialist with Truckers Against Trafficking, who has spent more than a decade fighting human trafficking, using his expertise in law enforcement and military service to train people on how to recognize, respond to, and ultimately prevent exploitation. In this Consider Before Consuming podcast episode, Louie shares eye-opening insights on the realities of trafficking, the role of demand in fueling exploitation, and the actions we can take to stop it.

Episode Resources 

Truckers Against Trafficking: Resources

Article: How You Can Spot, Report, and Prevent Human Trafficking

Podcast: Con...

*This episode contains descriptions of sexual violence and sex trafficking. Listener discretion is advised.

Selena is the Associate Program Director of a sex trafficking survivor sanctuary. As a former porn performer and sex trafficking survivor, Selena knows firsthand what the women she is helping have experienced.

In this Consider Before Consuming episode, Selena sheds light on the dark realities of the porn industry, the deceptive nature of sex trafficking, and the power of resilience.

Episode Resources

Article: I Was Fine with Porn and the Commercial Sex Industry, Until I Worked in...

Mandy is a women's empowerment and trauma-informed life coach who helps women who have experienced betrayal trauma. In this episode of Consider Before Consuming, Mandy shares her personal experience of discovering her partner’s secret struggle with porn addiction, his cheating with porn stars, and the betrayal trauma that followed. She describes the emotional toll, the gaslighting, and the psychological abuse she endured, as well as the healing journey that led her to become a trauma-informed life coach.

Episode Resources 

Article: The Emotional Trauma of Having a Porn-Addicted Partner

Mandy's Website

Conv...

Timothy Reigle is a coach, author, podcaster, and the founder of Into The Wilderness Ministries. Tim has used his own experience in defeating addiction to help hundreds of men to overcome their addictions to porn and sex.

In this Consider Before Consuming episode, Tim shares about the 15 years he spent in a cycle of porn addiction that escalated into destructive behaviors, impacting his marriage and mental health. He shares how he finally broke free, the strategies that helped him find lasting recovery, and how he now helps others do the same.

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Trigger Warning

Trigger Warning: The following episode contains discussions of child physical and sexual abuse. Listener discretion is advised. 

Episode Description

Seth Gehle is an author and speaker who uses his platform to encourage others to overcome their own challenges and find strength in adversity by sharing his own story of resiliency after a traumatic childhood. In this Consider Before Consuming episode, Seth shares about the years of abuse that shaped his childhood, the role of pornography in shaping his perceptions of relationships, and the path he took to heal.

Episode R...

Trigger Warning

*Trigger Warning: The following episode contains descriptions of disturbing porn themes and discussions of child sexual abuse. Listener discretion is advised 

Melinda Tankard Reist is an author, speaker, and the Movement Director of Collective Shout. She's spent many years as a leading advocate against the sexual exploitation of girls and women. In this episode, she shares the impact of porn culture on youth, relationships, and society. She unpacks her latest research on the alarming rise of sexual harassment in schools, particularly toward teachers. She also addresses how boys are being conditioned to see g...

Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions of child sex trafficking. Listener discretion is advised.

Lydia Cacho is a world-renowned investigative journalist, author, and human rights activist who has dedicated her life to exposing the dark realities of human trafficking, child exploitation, and the intersections of pornography and organized crime. In this episode of Consider Before Consuming, Lydia shares her decades-long fight against corruption, the dangers she has faced, and the resilience that keeps her pushing forward.

Episode Resources 

Article: By the Numbers: Is the Porn Industry Connected to Sex Trafficking?

Lydia's In...

*Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of trafficking. Listener discretion is advised.

Megan Lundstrom has spent over a decade in this field of anti-trafficking, first as the founder of The Avery Center and now as the Director of the Resilience Fund at Polaris, a direct cash assistance program for trafficking survivors in the United States.

In this episode, Megan shares her expertise on OnlyFans, examining its portrayal as empowering versus its exploitation risks. Megan reveals how traffickers use the platform and challenges the platform’s minimal standards for consent and safety.

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Dr. Meagan Tyler is a Senior Lecturer in the Research Education and Development team at Australia’s La Trobe University. With nearly 20 years of experience researching the intersections of pornography, gender inequality, and violence against women, she shares her expert insights.

In this episode, she helps us understand how the normalization of pornography has been fueled by cultural shifts, technological advancements, and strategic marketing. Listeners will learn about the ways pornography influences intimate partner violence, its role in shaping unhealthy sexual norms, and how feminist ideals are co-opted to mask exploitation.

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Art...

Sathiya Sam is a recovery coach, speaker, and author who has dedicated his life to helping others overcome pornography addiction and achieve true freedom. After battling his own 15-year struggle with addiction, Sathiya founded Deep Clean, a program designed to address the root causes of compulsive behaviors. In this episode, we explore transformative concepts like healing past wounds and redefining identity.

Episode Resources

Podcast: Consider Before Consuming Ep. 29: Sathiya Sam

Sathiya's Website

Sathiya's Book: Free for CBC Podcast Listeners!

Conversation Blueprint: Let's Talk About Porn

Group-Based Recovery: Re...

Episode Description

Dr. Frank Anderson is a renowned trauma expert, psychiatrist, and author with over 30 years of experience. In this episode, Dr. Anderson explores how trauma shapes behaviors and relationships, offering practical tools for healing and fostering genuine connections, while providing hope for those on their recovery journey.

Episode Resources 

Podcast: Consider Before Consuming Ep. 101: Matthias J. Barker

Dr. Anderson's Website

Dr. Anderson's Newest Book: To Be Loved

Trauma Institute

Instagram: Dr. Frank Anderson

In this episode of Consider Before Consuming, we host a panel featuring four individuals deeply involved in the fight against pornography addiction. Chandler, Co-founder and CEO of Relay, shares his personal journey of overcoming pornography and how his experience led to creating a digital platform for recovery. Chris, a licensed professional counselor and certified sex addiction therapist, offers expert insights on the psychological effects of pornography and addiction recovery. Matthew and Dayne, both in recovery from long-term porn addiction, open up about their personal experiences, challenges, and victories in their healing journeys. Together, the panel discusses the power of...

Melanie Thompson is a survivor of sex trafficking and prostitution, as well as a dedicated speaker and activist in the global fight against commercial sexual exploitation. Trafficked at just 12 years old, Melanie was later arrested and placed in foster care, where she began her advocacy journey at 14. She now serves as the Outreach & Advocacy Coordinator at the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women International.

In this episode, we delve into Melanie's powerful story and explore the complexities of trafficking, the misconceptions surrounding platforms like OnlyFans, how pornography promotes violence and harmful stereotypes, and the urgent need for awareness...

Breanna and Brandon Vales are Directors and Founders of Red Light Rebellion, which exists to educate young people about the dangers of child sex trafficking.

In this episode, they cover how their experiences influence their work and how they aim to empower youth to recognize the red flags of grooming and exploitation. They also share about Brandon's recovery journey from porn addiction, the impact of pornography on relationships, and how unresolved childhood trauma often leads to addiction. 

Episode Resources

Article: How You Can Spot, Report, and Prevent Human Trafficking

Red Light R...

*Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of sexual violence. Listener discretion is advised.

Episode Description

Shelby’s early exposure to pornography impacted her understanding of sex, leading to misconceptions about consent and contributing to feelings of hypersexuality during her teenage years. In this episode, she shares about a past relationship where her partner's use of pornography had a detrimental effect on her emotionally and physically, and how sharing her experience over the past year has helped in healing and finding connection.

Episode Resources 

Article: Does Porn Normalize Sexual Violence in Teen Rela...

Justin Euteneier is the Program Director at Epik Project, an organization that works to disrupt the demand for commercial sexual exploitation.

In this Consider Before Consuming podcast episode, Justin shares the efforts the Epik project is using, including engaging with sex buyers to talk about the choices they're making, collaborating with law enforcement, educational initiatives for youth, and efforts to engage men in the fight against trafficking. 

Episode Resources

FTND Resource: Porn and Sex Trafficking

Podcast: Consider Before Consuming Ep. 96: Valiant Richey

Epik Project

Trigger Warning

*The following episode contains descriptions of disturbing porn themes, discussions of child sexual abuse and sex trafficking. Listener discretion is advised

Laila Mickelwait is an anti-trafficking activist, Founder and CEO of the Justice Defense Fund, Founder of the Traffickinghub movement, and author of "Take Down: Inside the Fight to Shut Down PornHub for Child Abuse, Rape, and Sex Trafficking,”

In this Consider Before Consuming podcast episode, Laila continues to share about her efforts to expose and combat illegal content on Pornhub, including the fight to hold credit card companies accountable.

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Trigger Warning

*The following episode contains descriptions of disturbing porn themes, discussions of child sexual abuse and sex trafficking. Listener discretion is advised.

Laila Mickelwait is an anti-trafficking activist, Founder and CEO of the Justice Defense Fund, Founder of the Traffickinghub movement, and author of "Take Down: Inside the Fight to Shut Down PornHub for Child Abuse, Rape, and Sex Trafficking,”

In this Consider Before Consuming podcast episode, Laila shares her journey in the anti-sex trafficking movement and her efforts to expose and combat illegal content on Pornhub. 

Fight the New Dru...

*Trigger Warning: This episode contains brief discussions of sexual violence. Listener discretion is advised.

Miyo Strong is the director of The Elizabeth Smart Foundation's self-defense program, Smart Defense. As a mom of two daughters, Miyo began training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and other martial arts. She joins us for this Consider Before Consuming Podcast episode to share about Smart Defense's unique, trauma-informed approach, combining physical techniques and breathwork with education on sexual violence, consent, and self-worth.

Episode Resources

Article: How Porn Can Promote Sexual Violence

Podcast: Consider Before Consuming Ep.89: Elizabeth Smart

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Chris McKenna is the Founder and CEO of Protect Young Eyes, which exists to help create safer digital environments. As a child, Chris was exposed to pornography, and as an adult, he realized how many problems there were with digital spaces and wanted to find a solution to that.

In this episode, Chris helps us understand the importance of both having relational connections and technical controls when parenting in the digital age. He underlines the importance of having open conversations about pornography with children to reduce shame and secrecy, stressing the significance of addressing these issues from...

Trigger warning: The following podcast episode contains discussions of child sexual abuse, sex trafficking, and image-based sexual abuse. Listener discretion is advised.

Dawn Hawkins is the CEO of the National Center on Sexual Exploitation, which exists to build a world without sexual exploitation and abuse. She joins us for this Consider Before Consuming Podcast episode to shed light on the pervasive influence of pornography, the normalization of sexual harm, and the alarming risks posed by AI-generated content. The episode underscores the urgent need for reform to protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation.

Episode Resources

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In this Consider Before Consuming Podcast episode, we had the opportunity to sit down with a panel of young adults about their experiences and perspectives on sexual exploitation, social media's role, and dating culture. Participants include survivors of human trafficking and sexual assault, former porn consumers, and anti-trafficking advocates. They highlight generational differences in addressing sexual exploitation and the impact of internet culture. Additionally, they discuss the challenges in modern dating, emphasizing the shift toward online interactions and the need for safety measures.

Episode Resources

Video: Daniel's Story

Video: Emma's Story

V...

Victoria Sinis is the founder of Creating Gems, an organization created to help young women break free from harmful narratives about themselves. She is also a former OnlyFans recruiter and marketer. In this episode, she helps us understand what an OnlyFans agency is and the coercive and destructive realities faced by OnlyFans performers.

Episode Resources

Article: Why So Many Teen Girls Are Planning on Becoming OnlyFans Stars

Article: What Porn, Loneliness, and OnlyFans Have To Do with Men Buying Sex

Podcast: Consider Before Consuming, Ep. 109: You Asked, We Answered

V...

Join us in this Consider Before Consuming episode as Rachel Denton shares her experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Rachel talks about the complex layers of pornography addiction and the strong influence of shame. She'll also explain how self-compassion is essential in navigating the labyrinth of shame and breaking free from its grasp. 

Rachel provides valuable insights into the process of seeking therapy, explaining different therapy modalities, and how each can be helpful in the journey to healing. She also shares some transformative practices outside of therapy, empowering individuals to reclaim their agency and cultivate resilience.

Ralphie Jacobs is the founder of Simply on Purpose, a platform focused on positive parenting. She brings her expertise to this conversation, emphasizing the importance of connecting with children in today’s fast-paced digital age, offering tips for parents to ensure strong bonds with their kids, and encouraging parents to strike a balance between freedom and boundaries.

Episode Resources

Visit: Simply on Purpose

Article: Teens Who Have Good Relationships with Their Parents Tend to Avoid Porn and Sext Less

Podcast: Consider Before Consuming Ep. 99: Kristy McVee

Robert’s porn consumption escalated into an addiction while he was in the military. In this episode, Robert shares how the culture of pornography in the military had a profound impact on his consumption habits. He also talks about how pornography affected his relationships and personal well-being. After realizing the negative effects of his addiction, Robert made the decision to quit pornography and is now well on the path to recovery. He emphasizes the importance of seeking help and support and encourages others to explore their own emotions as a starting point for overcoming addiction.

Episode Resources

*Trigger Warning: This episode contains brief discussions of sexual abuse. Listener discretion is advised.

Bailey was first exposed to porn in high school by her boyfriend, whose porn consumption fueled her abuse and led to her own porn addiction. Once Bailey started to realize the harmful effects of porn, she was able to understand the role porn played in her experience and now publicly shares her story to help others understand the negative impacts of porn. Bailey discusses the importance of having conversations in order to shift the conversation around porn and reject its normalization.

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Dr. John Foubert is the Dean of the College of Education at Union University and the principal of Dr. John D. Foubert, LLC. Dr. Foubert worked for 20 years to apply research to rape prevention programs on college campuses, in communities, and in the military.

In this Consider Before Consuming Podcast interview, Dr. Foubert helps us understand the correlation between pornography and sexual violence, highlighting over 50 studies showcasing their connection and the ways this is impacting today’s youth. He also discusses his newest book, Protecting Your Children from Internet Pornography: Understanding the Science, Risks, and Ways to Pr...

In our latest episode of Consider Before Consuming, we delved into the questions posed by our amazing Fighters on social media. The thoughtful inquiries ranged from the effects of partners' pornography consumption to the concept of "ethical porn" and beyond.

Throughout the episode, Natale and Parker navigate a wide array of topics, offering insights into pornography's harm on individuals, relationships, and society. Central to their discussion is the necessity of fostering open dialogue and the importance of removing shame. They also share helpful resources for support.

Episode Resources

Article: 1 in 4 Sextortion Victims Are 13 o...

Katie Bulmer started Truth For Your Twenties to be the person she needed when she was younger. She mentors young women, shares advice on her podcast, and speaks nationwide.

In today's Consider Before Consuming episode, Katie shares wisdom on navigating the dating world. She suggests setting realistic expectations and having constructive conversations about pornography. Additionally, she discusses different types of intimacy that can exist in relationships, romantic or otherwise, and stresses that porn should not be used as a substitute for genuine intimacy.

Fight the New Drug collaborates with a variety of qualified organizations and...

The following podcast episode contains discussions of child sexual abuse, violence, and sex trafficking. Listener discretion is advised.

Matt and Sarah founded She Is Not Your Rehab and launched the concept in Matt’s 2019 TEDx talk.

In this Consider Before Consuming episode, Matt shares how his vulnerability around his personal history of abuse and porn consumption helped other men in his barbershop to open up about their experiences. And Sara shares how her work in the anti-trafficking space led her to establish strict boundaries around pornography consumption and fight to create homes free from violence.

Paul was exposed to pornography at a young age and realized in college that his porn consumption had escalated to the point that it was impacting his sleep, his relationships, and his mental health.

During this Consider Before Consuming Podcast episode, Paul shares how he was able to retrain his brain away from porn consumption through healthy practices. He also shares about his work as the Teams Coordinator for an organization in Mexico, which focuses on prevention, intervention, and restoration for survivors of trafficking. Paul encourages our listeners not to give up and reminds us that there...

Trigger warning: The following podcast episode contains discussions of abuse and sex trafficking. Listener discretion is advised.

Julie Whitehead is a survivor of many years of abuse and sex trafficking. As a survivor, Julie shares her story in her book Shadowed: How I Became the Sex Trafficked Mother Next Door. She also serves on a survivor advisory board for the Malouf Foundation.

This episode of Consider Before Consuming is part 1 of our 2-part interview. In it, Julie shares about leaving her abusive marriage, only to begin being sex-trafficked on the weekends by a man she...

Trigger warning: The following podcast episode contains discussions of child sexual abuse and suicide. Listener discretion is advised.

Julie Whitehead is a survivor of many years of abuse and sex trafficking. As a survivor, Julie bravely shares her story in her book Shadowed: How I Became the Sex Trafficked Mother Next Door. She also serves on a survivor advisory board for the Malouf Foundation.

This episode of Consider Before Consuming is part 1 of our 2-part interview. In it, Julie shares about the child sexual abuse she experienced at home, as well as the emotional and...

There are hundreds of studies from years of research showing how pornography is negatively impacting individuals, relationships, and society. In this episode of Consider Before Consuming, we hear from many experts on how pornography harms.To learn more, check out Truthaboutporn.org. Truth About Porn is a current, ever-growing database dedicated to research on the harmful effects of pornography.

Videos: Truth About Porn Interviews
Articles: Get The Facts