Rise: Hope and Healing Podcast

Rise is a podcast for anyone navigating the devastating impact of sexual betrayal. Season one, hosted by Dr. Kevin Skinner , Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Sex Addiction Therapist, and Certified Partner Trauma Therapist, alongside MaryAnn Michaelis , Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Sex Addiction Therapist and Certified Partner Trauma Therapist, brings together over 50 years of combined professional and personal experience to offer hope, direction, and healing. Season two, hosted by MaryAnn Michaelis features weekly conversations with leading betrayal trauma experts exploring personal and clinical experience and observations, tools and resources for stabilizing, then thriving in post traumatic betrayal growth. Each episode blends research, clinical expertise, and real-life experience to address the

Rise: Hope and Healing Podcast is a society podcast hosted by Dr. Kevin Skinner, with 44 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Dr. Kevin Skinner hosts Rise: Hope and Healing Podcast, a society show with 44 episodes published.

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  Episode #32

  Sex After Betrayal: Dr. Stefanie Carnes on Betrayal Trauma, Intimacy & Healing (Rise 2:32)

  Aug 16, 202631 minS2

  What happens to your sexuality when the person you trusted most betrays you? Betrayal doesn't just affect your emotions. It can change how you experience your body, your sexuality, intimacy, desire, trust, and even your sense of yourself as a sexual person. In this powerful episode of Rise: Hope and Healing After Sexual Betrayal, MaryAnn Michaelis, LCSW, CSAT, CPTT, is joined by Dr. Stefanie Carnes, one of the most recognized voices in the field of sexual addiction, betrayal trauma, and relational recovery. Dr. Carnes and MaryAnn take an honest look at sex after betrayal—including why sexual intimacy can feel impossible even when a betrayed partner desperately wants connection, why rebuilding trust has to come before sexual reintegration, and how betrayal can leave partners questioning their bodies, their desirability, and their own sexuality. They also explore the difficult territory that often goes unspoken: What happens when you don't feel safe enough to have sex, but you still feel like you should? What happens when you feel angry about the sexuality that was taken from you? And how do you begin reclaiming your sexuality without abandoning yourself in the process? Dr. Carnes shares insights from her work with betrayed partners, including the Partner Sexuality Survey and the updated edition of Facing Heartbreak, which gives partners a framework for exploring the many ways betrayal can affect sexuality. Together, MaryAnn and Dr. Carnes discuss: Why betrayal trauma can profoundly affect sexual desire and intimacy Why trust and emotional safety are foundational to sexual connection What happens when sexual behaviors become betrayal trauma triggers Why trying to “fix” sex before addressing the trauma can backfire The impact of pornography and comparison on body image and self-worth Why betrayed partners may feel pressure to become their partner's sexual outlet Sexual self-abandonment—and the deeper wound of betraying yourself The grief of lost time, intimacy, and even childbearing years How partners can reclaim their sexual agency after betrayal Creating a shared vision for healthy sexuality after betrayal The importance of boundaries and a couple's sexual health plan Why emotional healing is the bridge to sexual reintegration How couples can begin rebuilding intimacy without rushing the process Dr. Carnes also discusses her books Facing Heartbreak and Courageous Love, and why recovery is possible—even after profound betrayal. Facing Heartbreak is specifically designed to help partners work through the devastation of betrayal and move toward healing and hope. If you are struggling with sex after betrayal, you are not broken. Your response may be telling you something important about safety, trust, and what your nervous system has experienced. This conversation gives language to an aspect of betrayal trauma that is often overlooked: the betrayed partner's sexuality matters, too. Resources: Gentlepathpress.com humanintimacy.com Books mentioned in this episode Facing Heartbreak — Dr. Stefanie Carnes (newly updated) Courageous Love: A Couples Guide to Conquering Betrayal — Dr. Stefanie Carnes Key Topics Sex after betrayal • betrayal trauma • sexual intimacy after infidelity • sexuality after betrayal • sex addiction • pornography betrayal • rebuilding trust • rebuilding intimacy • sexual reintegration • body image after betrayal • sexual boundaries • Partner Sexuality Survey • Facing Heartbreak • Stefanie Carnes • Patrick Carnes • betrayed partners • couples recovery

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  Episode #31

  Divorce After Sexual Betrayal: How to Know If Leaving Is the Right Decision with Dr. Kevin Skinner (Rise 2:31)

  Aug 10, 202631 minS2

  After sexual betrayal, one of the most painful questions can become: Should I stay, or should I leave? What if there is no obvious right answer? And when divorce enters the conversation, the decision can feel overwhelming. Children, finances, family, faith, fear, hope, anger, trauma, and the possibility of your partner changing can all pull you in different directions. In this episode of Rise: Hope and Healing After Sexual Betrayal, MaryAnn Michaelis, LCSW, CSAT, CPTT, and Dr. Kevin Skinner, LMFT, CSAT-S, CPTT-S, take a compassionate, honest look at divorce after sexual betrayal—and how to make an informed decision about whether leaving is right for you. They explore why this decision is rarely as simple as “stay” or “go,” and why no one else can make it for you. In this episode, you’ll hear about: Why sexual betrayal and infidelity are significant factors in many divorces The unique experience of being betrayed and divorced—and the gaps in support for this population Why deciding whether to leave may be one of the most difficult decisions you ever make How friends, family, religious leaders, and even therapists can unintentionally influence your decision The difference between getting support and being told what you “should” do Why it is important to gather multiple data points before making a life-changing decision How children, finances, family systems, and the long-term impact of divorce complicate the decision The difference between hope, apathy, numbness, and feeling like the “light has gone out” Why watching your partner’s actions—not just their words—matters when evaluating recovery How boundaries can help you step out of helplessness and begin making decisions from a stronger place Why some people choose to stay while others choose divorce—and why neither decision should automatically be judged The importance of self-compassion when looking back at the choices you made at different points in your healing What support can look like during and after divorce The impact of divorce on children and family relationships across generations Why healing doesn't end when the divorce is final The importance of rebuilding your identity and remembering that your worth is not defined by whether you stay or leave When you’re stuck between staying and leaving One of the most powerful themes in this conversation is that you don't have to make your decision based solely on someone else's opinion. You may have people telling you to leave. You may have people telling you to stay. You may have a partner who promises to change. You may have children who make the decision feel impossible. You may have financial concerns that make leaving feel terrifying. And you may simply not know. Dr. Skinner emphasizes the importance of gathering information, seeking support, and paying attention to what is actually happening—not just what you hope will happen. Because ultimately, this is your life, your relationship, and your decision. If you're considering divorce after infidelity or sexual betrayal This episode is for you if you've found yourself asking: “Should I stay?” “Should I leave?” “Can I trust that my partner is really changing?” “What if I regret leaving?” “What if I regret staying?” “How do I know I'm making the right decision?” There may not be an easy answer. But there can be a more informed one. And wherever you are in that process, you deserve support—not judgment. Remember Whether you stay or leave, your worth does not change. Sexual betrayal may profoundly affect your relationship, your sense of safety, your identity, and your future—but it does not define your value as a person. You don't have to have everything figured out today. You can gather information. You can seek support. You can listen to yourself. And you can make the decision that is right for you. Related Resources Rebuild Your Life After Divorce - Online Course with Personalized Feedback and Assessments For additional support during the process of divorce and recovery, visit HumanIntimacy.com to access the Rise Hope and Healing After Sexual Betrayal Course, our Course on Boundaries, Communication, and resources to help repair and enhance your relationship. If you are newly discovering sexual betrayal, be sure to explore Season 1 of Rise: Hope and Healing After Sexual Betrayal, created specifically for those early days and weeks after discovery. If this episode resonates with you, please share it with someone who may be walking through sexual betrayal or considering divorce. No one should have to walk this path alone.

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  Episode #30

  Signs of Recovery: What to Look for Before You Decide to Stay with Kris Cristiano (Rise 2:30)

  Aug 3, 202626 minS2

  Can trust really be rebuilt after sexual betrayal? When you've been betrayed, everyone seems to have an opinion. Some people tell you to leave immediately. Others encourage you to forgive and move on. But the question that often gets overlooked is this: What does real recovery actually look like? Before you decide whether to stay in your relationship, it's essential to know what you're looking for. In Part 3 of this series, MaryAnn Michaelis, LCSW, CSAT, CPTT, and Kris Cristiano, LCSW, CSAT, unpack the characteristics of authentic recovery—not the kind that is fueled by guilt, fear of consequences, or a desperate attempt to save a relationship, but the kind that reflects genuine transformation from the inside out. Recovery is more than attending therapy, joining a support group, or saying the right words. It is a gradual process of becoming emotionally mature, learning to regulate emotions instead of escaping them, embracing humility over defensiveness, choosing transparency over secrecy, and developing the capacity to create emotional safety for the person you've hurt. Whether you're asking, "Can my relationship heal?" or "How do I know if my partner is really changing?" this episode will help you move beyond hope alone and begin looking for evidence of lasting change. In This Episode You'll Learn Why no therapist, family member, or friend can tell you whether you should stay or leave The difference between genuine recovery and performative recovery Why humility—not shame—is one of the strongest predictors of long-term healing What emotional maturity actually looks like after betrayal How emotional regulation creates the foundation for rebuilding trust Why transparency and honesty reduce shame and increase safety The role of community, accountability, sponsors, therapy, and healthy support systems in lasting recovery How to recognize when recovery is driven by validation instead of transformation Red flags that suggest someone is managing appearances instead of doing the deeper work Why listening to your intuition is an important part of the healing process The Heart of This Conversation One apology doesn't rebuild trust. Neither does perfect attendance at therapy, saying all the right things, or simply avoiding old behaviors. Lasting recovery is revealed through consistent patterns of humility, accountability, emotional growth, and a willingness to remain teachable. It's seen in how someone responds when they're uncomfortable, how they handle feedback, how they regulate difficult emotions, and whether they continue choosing honesty even when it's costly. Healing isn't about waiting for perfection. It's about learning to recognize genuine transformation. This Episode Is Part 3 of Our Series Part 1: The Battle of Finding Yourself After Betrayal: Why Healing Isn't Always About Leaving Part 2: Considering Leaving a Relationship After Sexual Betrayal: How to Decide Part 3: Signs of Recovery: What to Look for Before You Decide to Stay If you've been wrestling with whether your relationship can survive sexual betrayal, this three-part series will help you move from fear to clarity—first by reclaiming yourself, then by learning how to make wise decisions, and finally by recognizing the signs that real healing is, or isn't, taking place. Because the decision to stay shouldn't be based on promises. It should be based on patterns.

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  Episode #29

  The Battle of Finding Yourself After Betrayal: Why Healing Is Not Always About Leaving with Dr. Karen Strange (Rise 2:29)

  Jul 27, 202627 minS2

  The Battle of Finding Yourself After Betrayal: Why Healing Isn't Always About Leaving How do you know when it's time to leave a relationship after sexual betrayal? It may seem like the most important question—but what if it's not the first one you need to answer? In Part 2 of this conversation, MaryAnn Michaelis, LCSW, CSAT, CPTT, and Dr. Karen Strange, LMFT, CSAT, CPTT explore the deeper battle many betrayed partners face: the struggle to find themselves again after betrayal. While it's natural to become consumed with deciding whether to stay or leave, true healing often begins by reclaiming your identity, your voice, and your sense of worth—regardless of what happens to the relationship. Drawing from Michelle Mays' powerful reflections in her book, "The Betrayal Bind," MaryAnn and Karen discuss how betrayal trauma can leave you feeling disconnected from yourself, caught in self-doubt, and trapped by old beliefs about your value. They explore why healing isn't about fixing your partner or earning a particular outcome, but about untangling yourself from the lies betrayal has reinforced and becoming whole again. Whether your relationship survives or ends, the journey of recovery is ultimately about rescuing yourself. In This Episode Why deciding whether to stay or leave is rarely the first step in healing. The hidden battle many betrayed partners wage within themselves. How betrayal trauma can lead to self-abandonment and loss of identity. Why you can't control your partner's choices—but you can reclaim your own life. Michelle Mays' powerful perspective on rescuing yourself from the lies you've believed. How healing old attachment wounds helps you make decisions from clarity rather than fear. Why becoming whole matters whether your relationship is restored or not. Finding hope, peace, and a stronger sense of self after betrayal. Key Takeaway The greatest healing after betrayal isn't always found in leaving—or staying. It's found in becoming the kind of person who no longer has to abandon themselves to keep a relationship. When you reclaim your identity, your worth, and your voice, you're finally able to make decisions from a place of truth instead of fear. If you're struggling to decide whether to stay or leave after sexual betrayal, remember this: before you can know what's right for your relationship, you deserve the opportunity to rediscover the person who gets to make that decision. Resources Mentioned "The Betrayal Bind" by Michelle Mays Connect with Us If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who may need hope today. Your support helps us reach more individuals navigating the pain of betrayal trauma and searching for healing.

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  Episode #28

  Considering Leaving a Relationship After Sexual Betrayal? How to Decide with Dr. Karen Strange (Rise 2:28)

  Jul 20, 202631 minS2

  Considering Leaving a Relationship After Sexual Betrayal? How to Decide One of the most painful questions after discovering sexual betrayal is: "Do I stay, or is it time to leave?" If you're considering ending your relationship after infidelity, pornography addiction, or another form of sexual betrayal, you're not alone—and you don't have to rush your decision. In this episode, betrayal trauma therapists MaryAnn Michaelis, LCSW, CSAT, CPTT, and Dr. Karen Strange, LMFT, CSAT, CPTT, explore how to thoughtfully navigate one of the hardest decisions you'll ever face. Rather than telling you what to do, they discuss the questions, relationship patterns, and signs to evaluate so you can make a decision that aligns with your values, safety, and long-term healing. You'll learn why emotional clarity often comes after your nervous system begins to heal, how therapeutic separation can create space for discernment, and what healthy relationships have in common when genuine repair is possible. Whether you're newly navigating discovery or have been wrestling with this decision for months—or even years—this conversation offers compassionate guidance without pressure or judgment. In This Episode Why you don't have to decide immediately after discovering betrayal The difference between therapeutic separation and divorce How betrayal trauma affects decision-making and emotional clarity Why patterns of behavior matter more than promises or apologies The importance of safety, respect, honesty, and accountability How healthy boundaries reveal the health of a relationship Questions to ask when evaluating whether your relationship can heal The role of hope, genuine recovery, and consistent change Common fears that make leaving feel impossible, including finances, children, faith, and starting over How to make a decision you can live with—without regret Key Takeaways Give yourself permission to slow down before making permanent decisions whenever safety allows. Look for consistent actions, not just sincere words. A healthy relationship is built on respect, emotional and physical safety, honesty, friendship, and mutual effort. Healing your nervous system often brings the clarity that trauma initially obscures. No one can decide for you—but you can learn what to look for as you discern your next steps. Resources Mentioned Should I Stay or Should I Go? by Lundy Bancroft Gottman's Four Horsemen of Relationship Breakdown Human Intimacy recovery resources Connect If you're healing from sexual betrayal and looking for additional support, visit HumanIntimacy.com for courses, resources, and educational content designed to help individuals and couples navigate recovery.

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