Ask The Betrayed
The Ask The Betrayed podcast provides tangible hope to those in crisis and a safe place for Betrayed Partners to find healing and insight into the behaviors of the Unfaithful (who can also to learn how to help their Betrayed partners heal). We hope to fulfill a great need for betrayed partners to hear professionals who have personally experienced the deep traumatic pain of betrayal: Ask the Betrayed not only provides expert insight, it is hosted by two Betrayed Partners in long-term recovery from Betrayal Trauma, Sharon and Rae, who both specialize in helping Betrayed Partners, the Unfaithful and Couples recover from betrayal: - Sharon is a Licensed Therapist and Certified Professional Coach who is certified in betrayal trauma and, along with her husband, James Annear (@AskTheUnfaithful) - Rae is a Master Certified Life, Relationship and Divorce coach Ask the Betrayed airs every other week, alternating with it's companion channel, Ask the Unfaithful (@asktheunfaithful)
info_outline
Deconstructing Gaslighting: What Is It, Really?
01/26/2026
Deconstructing Gaslighting: What Is It, Really?
Gaslighting after betrayal can make you question your memory, your emotions, and your reality — and that confusion is not weakness. It’s a trauma response. In this episode of Ask The Betrayed, Rae sits down with gaslighting specialist and CORE Relationship Recovery team member Sarah Morales (SarahMoralesCoaching.com) to break down what gaslighting actually is, why it’s so damaging after infidelity, and how betrayed partners can reclaim clarity and self-trust. Sarah shares her framework for identifying gaslighting behaviors without getting trapped in the endless question: “Did they mean to?” You’ll learn why gaslighting doesn’t always come from narcissism, how shame can drive gaslighting patterns, and the difference between gaslighting vs. a gaslighting attempt — a powerful shift that restores agency and reduces self-doubt. We also discuss: ✅ The most common question betrayed partners ask: “Was that gaslighting?” ✅ Sarah’s core definition that helps you answer that question ✅ Why gaslighting produces deep self-doubt and loss of self-trust ✅ What is Self-gaslighting? ✅ The red flags of internalized manipulation ✅ Unfaithful partners: discerning between intention vs impact — and how gaslighting blocks repair ✅ Practical hope: how healing reduces gaslighting behaviors over time If you’ve ever thought, “Maybe I am too much” or “Maybe I’m crazy,” - you're not - and this episode is for you. ✨Where to find Sarah and take her courses: Listen to her podcast: Deconstructing Gaslighting (2 seasons / 50+ episodes) For Courses, visit: https://www.sarahmoralescoaching.com/ → Deconstructing Gaslighting Academy TM (https://www.sarahmoralescoaching.com/...) Please note: "Deconstructing Gaslighting" is a Trademark (TM) of Sarah Morales and may not be used without express permission 💬 How have you been gaslighted? Please leave a comment below - we'd love to hear from you 🔔 Please Like and Subscribe for More Join Sharon and Rae every two weeks for grounded, empathetic conversations about healing after betrayal, rebuilding your identity, strengthening your voice, and reclaiming your life. Please share this episode with someone rebuilding clarity after betrayal trauma. 📬 If you have questions you'd like us to answer in an episode, or would like to inquire about coaching with Rae or therapy help, including intensives, with Sharon and James, please reach out to us at: AskTheBetrayed@gmail.com 🎧 You can also find us on Apple, Spotify, and everywhere podcasts are found. 🔗 Need help healing? Find James & Sharon at the CORE Relationship Recovery website: www.HopeForUs.com (Email: Info@HopeForUs.com ) or find Rae at www.HealingTalksBack.com (Email: Rae@HealingTalksBack.com ) Our Website: Follow CORE Relationship Recovery (James & Sharon) on Facebook:
/episode/index/show/f188a81e-3476-434b-91e4-415e2c046e37/id/39877405
info_outline
STOP BLOCKING YOUR OWN BETRAYAL RECOVERY PROCESS
01/20/2026
STOP BLOCKING YOUR OWN BETRAYAL RECOVERY PROCESS
In this episode, Sharon and Rae unpack a surprisingly common barrier to healing after betrayal trauma — “Cat Poster Thinking" the mindset of believing “I already know how this works” or relying on clichés, platitudes, and intellectual over-control to cope. And while it may feel protective, it can quietly block real growth, connection, and emotional transformation. This episode also helps the Unfaithful see how they self-limit their own growth in recovery. Together they explore: ✨ Why betrayed partners crave control after trauma ✨ How trauma filters your perception and limits what you can “see” ✨ Why intellectual insight alone can’t heal a shattered heart ✨ What happens when you try to think your way out of pain ✨ How over-talking, over-explaining, and “knowing everything” disconnects you from help ✨ How to shift from head-level knowing → to heart-level healing ✨ Why receiving guidance from a trained professional is essential ✨ What real, embodied healing looks and feels like ✨ How betrayed partners can carry too much of the emotional load without being aware of it ✨ How to let go of the urge to lead, fix, or parent your unfaithful partner ✨ Simple questions & practices to move from superficial coping to deep, meaningful change This is an episode filled with stories, real-life clinical examples, neurobiological insight, and grounded wisdom. If you’re stuck in trauma responses, struggling to trust your therapist, or feeling disconnected from your own healing, this conversation is for you. 💬 Please comment below 🔔 Please Subscribe (and Like) for More Join Sharon and Rae every two weeks for grounded, empathetic conversations about healing after betrayal, rebuilding your identity, strengthening your voice, and reclaiming your life. Please share this video with someone who needs encouragement in their healing journey. 📬 If you have questions you'd like us to answer in an episode, or would like to inquire about coaching with Rae or therapy help, including intensives, with Sharon and James, please reach out to us at: AskTheBetrayed@gmail.com 🎧 You can also find us on Apple, Spotify, and everywhere podcasts are found. 🔗 Need help healing? Find James & Sharon at the CORE Relationship Recovery website: www.HopeForUs.com (Email: Info@HopeForUs.com ) or find Rae at www.HealingTalksBack.com (Email: Rae@HealingTalksBack.com) Our Website: Follow CORE Relationship Recovery (James & Sharon) on Facebook:
/episode/index/show/f188a81e-3476-434b-91e4-415e2c046e37/id/39877445
info_outline
SHORTS S1 - HOPE: CHOOSING TO BELIEVE THAT HEALING IS POSSIBLE
01/02/2026
SHORTS S1 - HOPE: CHOOSING TO BELIEVE THAT HEALING IS POSSIBLE
In this episode of Ask The Betrayed - Shorts, Sharon speaks directly to anyone feeling shattered, lost, or hopeless after infidelity. She explains why betrayed partners often cling to the hope that the old relationship can be restored—and why real hope comes from something deeper: rebuilding your sense of self, your worth, and your inner clarity. Sharon shares personal insight, including the moment she realized she had to live for herself, align her life with her values, and rebuild a foundation strong enough to stand on—with or without the relationship. She teaches how to shift from living in reaction to living intentionally, how to reclaim the parts of yourself you abandoned, and how to find tiny sparks of hope even in devastation. This is a message for every betrayed partner who wonders: Will I ever be okay again? The answer is yes. And it begins with turning inward, grounding in your truth, and taking one small courageous step at a time. 💛 In This Episode You’ll Learn: • Why hope feels impossible after betrayal—and why it matters • The difference between hoping for the old relationship vs. hoping for your healing • How changed reality, secret lives, and grief shape the hopelessness you feel • The moment Sharon realized healing required living for herself • How to rebuild self-worth after betrayal • Why focusing inward—not on the unfaithful partner—is essential • How to shift from defense to offense in your own life • Small daily choices that awaken hope again Hope isn’t naïve — it’s choosing to believe healing is possible even when the path is unclear. 💬 Please comment below 🔔 Please Subscribe (and Like) for More Join Sharon and Rae every two weeks for grounded, empathetic conversations about healing after betrayal, rebuilding your identity, strengthening your voice, and reclaiming your life. Please share this video with someone who needs encouragement in their healing journey. 📬 If you have questions you'd like us to answer in an episode, or would like to inquire about coaching with Rae or therapy help, including intensives, with Sharon and James, please reach out to us at: AskTheBetrayed@gmail.com 🎧 You can also find us on Apple, Spotify, and everywhere podcasts are found. 🔗 Need help healing? Find James & Sharon at the CORE Relationship Recovery website: www.HopeForUs.com (Email: Info@HopeForUs.com ) or find Rae at www.HealingTalksBack.com (Email: Rae@HealingTalksBack.com ) Our Website: Follow CORE Relationship Recovery (James & Sharon) on Facebook:
/episode/index/show/f188a81e-3476-434b-91e4-415e2c046e37/id/39588500
info_outline
CAN GRATITUDE AND THE PAIN OF BETRAYAL COEXIST?
12/18/2025
CAN GRATITUDE AND THE PAIN OF BETRAYAL COEXIST?
In this episode of Ask The Betrayed, Sharon and Rae explore what gratitude really looks like in the wake of infidelity — without toxic positivity, forced silver linings, or emotional self-betrayal: • Not having to pretend you’re okay • Not minimizing the trauma Learn why gratitude gets complicated during the holidays where it seems to be expected, how survivors toggle between grief and glimpses of joy, and why holding two truths at the same time is such a powerful recovery skill. You’ll hear stories of those first post-betrayal holidays… the bathroom escape plan… the moment when clarity becomes a gift, even if painful… and how betrayed partners can reclaim meaningful moments instead of pretending they’re “fine.” 💛 In this episode, we talk about… • Why forced gratitude is retraumatizing, not healing • How the brain uses small moments of goodness like traction • The power of presence, honesty, and strategic choices during holidays (and, really, any other time) • How to reset at any moment • Why clarity — even painful clarity — is something to honor • How to find “meaningful moments of comfort and joy” • Ways the unfaithful can show appreciation that truly matters Healing isn’t about plastering a smile over heartbreak — it’s about making room for hope while telling the truth about the hurt. 💬 Please comment below 🔔 Please Subscribe (and Like) for More Join Sharon and Rae every two weeks for grounded, empathetic conversations about healing after betrayal, rebuilding your identity, strengthening your voice, and reclaiming your life. Please share this video with someone who needs encouragement in their healing journey. 📬 If you have questions you'd like us to answer in an episode, or would like to inquire about coaching with Rae or therapy help, including intensives, with Sharon and James, please reach out to us at: AskTheBetrayed@gmail.com 🎧 You can also find us on Apple, Spotify, and everywhere podcasts are found. 🔗 Need help healing? Find James & Sharon at the CORE Relationship Recovery website: www.HopeForUs.com (Email: Info@HopeForUs.com ) or find Rae at www.HealingTalksBack.com (Email: Rae@HealingTalksBack.com) Our Website: Follow CORE Relationship Recovery (James & Sharon) on Facebook:
/episode/index/show/f188a81e-3476-434b-91e4-415e2c046e37/id/39451700
info_outline
SECRET WEAPONS AGAINST BEING MISUNDERSTOOD
11/28/2025
SECRET WEAPONS AGAINST BEING MISUNDERSTOOD
In this vulnerable and transformative episode of Ask The Betrayed, Sharon and Rae dive into one of the most universal pain points for betrayed partners: being misunderstood. Whether it's feeling dismissed, judged, minimized, or simply unseen, betrayal trauma magnifies how deeply we need to be understood — and how hard it can be to communicate our truth. Drawing from decades of clinical experience and lived wisdom, Sharon and Rae unpack why so many betrayed partners struggle to express themselves, why partners often misread our emotional signals, and how childhood conditioning, nervous system responses, and relational trauma shape the ways we share (or silence) our truths. This episode gives you practical tools, compassionate insight, and scripts you can use today to help you be understood — without shrinking, apologizing, or losing yourself. 🎧 In This Episode You’ll Learn: • Why BEING misunderstood is different from FEELING misunderstood • How childhood messages (“You’re too much,” “Don’t be a burden”) teach us to hide our true selves • How societal norms silence betrayed partners • Why your nervous system’s “big energy” can unintentionally trigger defensiveness • How partners filter your vulnerability through their own wounds • Why many betrayed partners stop sharing after receiving dismissive or hurtful responses • How to make “bids for connection” that actually work • Tools for self-regulation before hard conversations • How to prepare for a vulnerable conversation so you can speak clearly and be heard • Questions to ask yourself to understand why something is hurting so much • How trauma, history, and old wounds intensify your reactions 💬 Key Takeaways: • You deserve to be seen, heard, and understood — not judged or minimized. • Self-regulation is the first step in being understood; clarity starts inside you. • The power of “I” statements • Your partner’s reaction is not a measure of your worth or clarity. • Vulnerability requires preparation, boundaries, and compassion for yourself. • Healthy relationships start with healthy self-connection 💡 You’ll Also Hear About: • How neurodiversity (ADHD/ADD) impacts communication • How to set the emotional stage so your partner can truly hear you • How to avoid common traps 💬 Please comment below 🔔 Please Subscribe (and Like) for More Join Sharon and Rae every two weeks for grounded, empathetic conversations about healing after betrayal, rebuilding your identity, strengthening your voice, and reclaiming your life. Please share this video with someone who needs encouragement in their healing journey. 📬 If you have questions you'd like us to answer in an episode, or would like to inquire about coaching with Rae or therapy help, including intensives, with Sharon and James, please reach out to us at: AskTheBetrayed@gmail.com 🎧 You can also find us on Apple, Spotify, and everywhere podcasts are found. 🔗 Need help healing? Find James & Sharon at the CORE Relationship Recovery website: www.HopeForUs.com (Email: Info@HopeForUs.com ) or find Rae at www.HealingTalksBack.com (Email: Rae@HealingTalksBack.com) Our Website: Follow CORE Relationship Recovery (James & Sharon) on Facebook:
/episode/index/show/f188a81e-3476-434b-91e4-415e2c046e37/id/39195485
info_outline
MYTH BUSTERS - Exposing Blocks to Betrayal Recovery
11/14/2025
MYTH BUSTERS - Exposing Blocks to Betrayal Recovery
In this practical episode of Ask The Betrayed, Sharon and Rae tackle some of the most common and destructive myths that keep betrayed partners trapped in confusion, guilt, and fear after infidelity. From “This pain will last forever” to “If I can keep them from acting out, I’ll be safe” they dismantle the cultural and emotional myths that block healing—and replace them with compassionate, reality-based truths. In This Episode You’ll Learn that: ✅ Healing from betrayal requires truth, not perfection. ✅ Repair happens through consistency, not control. ✅ You can love your family and protect your peace. ✅ Hope isn’t naïve—it's a survival skill. ✅ How to parent through betrayal trauma recovery ✅ When to seek help ✅ How to recognize the lies that keep you stuck in fear and self-blame. Whether you’re early in your healing or well into your rebuilding journey, this conversation offers hope, insight, and practical strategies for moving forward with clarity and strength. 💬 Please comment below: Which of these myths have come up for you in your recovery? 👍 If this episode resonates, like and subscribe for more support on your healing journey. 🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss an episode! Please share this video with someone who needs encouragement in their healing journey. 📬 If you have questions you'd like us to answer in an episode, or would like to inquire about coaching with Rae or therapy help, including intensives, with Sharon and James, please reach out to us at: AskTheBetrayed@gmail.com 🎧 You can also find us on Apple, Spotify, and everywhere podcasts are found. 🔗 Need help healing? Find James & Sharon at the CORE Relationship Recovery website: www.HopeForUs.com (Email: Info@HopeForUs.com ) or find Rae at www.HealingTalksBack.com (Email: Rae@HealingTalksBack.com ) Our Website: Follow CORE Relationship Recovery (James & Sharon) on Facebook:
/episode/index/show/f188a81e-3476-434b-91e4-415e2c046e37/id/39034735
info_outline
Big Fat Lies We Tell Ourselves in Betrayal Recovery
10/30/2025
Big Fat Lies We Tell Ourselves in Betrayal Recovery
In this powerful episode of Ask the Betrayed, Sharon and Rae expose the Big Fat Lies that keep betrayed partners trapped in pain and confusion after infidelity. From the cultural myths of “Good things happen to good people” to the heartbreaking belief that “Once a cheater, always a cheater,” this conversation dismantles the false stories that sabotage healing. Together, they share real-life examples and clinical insights on: ✅ Why we cling to lies like “If I were better, this wouldn’t have happened.” ✅ How shame, denial, and comparison keep you emotionally stuck. ✅ Why believing “People can’t change” blocks recovery for both partners. ✅ How endurance and “being strong” can actually become a trauma response. ✅ What genuine healing looks like when truth replaces self-blame. You’ll also hear deeply personal reflections—from Sharon’s story of objectification and “CEO-style” relationships to Rae’s raw honesty about the panic, comparison, and self-loss that betrayal creates. This episode is a compassionate reminder that your pain matters, your boundaries are sacred, and your healing is possible. 💬 Key Takeaways: • Betrayal trauma thrives on false narratives—healing begins when you stop believing them. • You didn’t cause the betrayal. • Strength isn’t pretending you’re fine—it’s choosing truth over survival mode. • You can believe in change without abandoning your safety. 💡 Listen if you’re ready to: ✔ Break free from self-blame ✔ Challenge the myths that keep you small ✔ Reclaim your voice and your truth after infidelity 💬 Please comment below if any of these 7 traps have appeared in your recovery - let the community know which ones, how they affected your recovery and if & how you have been able to move forward from them. 🔔 Please subscribe for more episodes of Ask the Betrayed and Ask the Unfaithful (@AskTheUnfaithful on YouTube) for weekly conversations that bring truth, guidance, and hope to couples navigating betrayal recovery. Please share this video with someone who needs encouragement in their healing journey. 📬 If you have questions you'd like us to answer in an episode, or would like to inquire about coaching with Rae or therapy help, including intensives, with Sharon and James, please reach out to us at: AskTheBetrayed@gmail.com 🎧 You can also find us on Apple, Spotify, and everywhere podcasts are found. 🔗 Need help healing? Find James & Sharon at the CORE Relationship Recovery website: www.HopeForUs.com (Email: Info@HopeForUs.com ) or find Rae at www.HealingTalksBack.com (Email: Rae@HealingTalksBack.com ) Our Website: Follow CORE Relationship Recovery (James & Sharon) on Facebook:
/episode/index/show/f188a81e-3476-434b-91e4-415e2c046e37/id/38841010
info_outline
Spot the 7 Traps That Stop Infidelity Recovery In Its Tracks
10/15/2025
Spot the 7 Traps That Stop Infidelity Recovery In Its Tracks
When infidelity shatters a relationship, recovery doesn’t fail because of one event—it stops because of the traps that keep couples' relational recovery stuck. In this powerful episode of Ask The Betrayed, Sharon and Rae expose the seven relational pitfalls that derail healing after betrayal. They share raw personal stories, real client examples, and the emotional truth behind why so many couples can’t move forward—even when they want to. Whether you’re the betrayed partner trying to make sense of the chaos, or the unfaithful partner trying to rebuild trust, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and a roadmap to relational recovery. 💬 You’ll Learn: ✅ Why blame and resentment destroy recovery after infidelity ✅ How unfaithful partners unknowingly prolong their betrayed partner’s trauma ✅ The truth about shame, defensiveness, and emotional abandonment ✅ How to recognize when you’re sabotaging your own healing ✅ Practical steps for rebuilding relational trust and accountability If you’re ready to stop the cycle of pain and finally start healing—together—this episode will change how you see recovery after betrayal. 💬 Please comment below if any of these 7 traps have appeared in your recovery - let the community know which ones, how they affected your recovery and if & how you have been able to move forward from them. 🔔 Please subscribe for more episodes of Ask the Betrayed and Ask the Unfaithful (@AskTheUnfaithful on YouTube) for weekly conversations that bring truth, guidance, and hope to couples navigating betrayal recovery. Please share this video with someone who needs encouragement in their healing journey. 📬 If you have questions you'd like us to answer in an episode, or would like to inquire about coaching with Rae or therapy help, including intensives, with Sharon and James, please reach out to us at: AskTheBetrayed@gmail.com 🎧 You can also find us on Apple, Spotify, and everywhere podcasts are found. 🔗 Need help healing? Find James & Sharon at the CORE Relationship Recovery website: www.HopeForUs.com (Email: Info@HopeForUs.com ) or find Rae at www.HealingTalksBack.com (Email: Rae@HealingTalksBack.com ) Our Website: Follow CORE Relationship Recovery (James & Sharon) on Facebook:
/episode/index/show/f188a81e-3476-434b-91e4-415e2c046e37/id/38840980
info_outline
FROM SILENCE TO STRENGTH: FINDING YOUR VOICE AFTER INFIDELITY
10/02/2025
FROM SILENCE TO STRENGTH: FINDING YOUR VOICE AFTER INFIDELITY
Have you ever felt like no matter how loudly you speak, your unfaithful partner still doesn’t hear you? In this episode of Ask the Betrayed, Sharon and Rae explore what it means for betrayed partners to find their voice after infidelity. 👉 Betrayal trauma often silences partners. Years of being dismissed, gaslit, or ignored leave many questioning whether their truth even matters. Healing begins when you learn to reclaim your voice, set boundaries, and trust your own reality again. In this episode, you’ll learn: ✅ Why betrayed partners often feel silenced or talked out of their truth ✅ The difference between just “being heard” and actually being understood ✅ How to use your voice in healthy, empowering ways during recovery ✅ Common pitfalls (like overexplaining, begging, or shutting down) ✅ Tools to build confidence, self-trust, and effective boundaries Whether you’re early in your healing or rebuilding long after discovery, this conversation offers hope, insight, and practical strategies for speaking your truth with strength and clarity. 💬 What about you? Have you struggled to be heard after betrayal? Comment below—we’d love to hear your story. 🔔 Subscribe for more episodes of Ask the Betrayed and Ask the Unfaithful (@AskTheUnfaithful on YouTube) for weekly conversations that bring truth, guidance, and hope to couples navigating betrayal recovery. Please share this video with someone who needs encouragement in their healing journey. 📬 If you have questions you'd like us to answer in an episode, or would like to inquire about coaching with Rae or therapy help, including intensives, with Sharon and James, please reach out to us at: AskTheBetrayed@gmail.com 🎧 You can also find us on Apple, Spotify, and everywhere podcasts are found. 🔗 Need help healing? Find James & Sharon at the CORE Relationship Recovery website: www.HopeForUs.com (Email: Info@HopeForUs.com ) or find Rae at www.HealingTalksBack.com (Email: Rae@HealingTalksBack.com ) Our Website: Follow CORE Relationship Recovery (James & Sharon) on Facebook:
/episode/index/show/f188a81e-3476-434b-91e4-415e2c046e37/id/38437670
info_outline
Is The Unfaithful Really Sorry of Just Sorry They Got Caught
09/18/2025
Is The Unfaithful Really Sorry of Just Sorry They Got Caught
Are they truly sorry—or just sorry they got caught? In this powerful episode of Ask the Betrayed, Sharon and Rae unpack one of the most pressing questions betrayed partners ask after infidelity. Together, they explore how to recognize genuine remorse versus surface-level regret and why that distinction matters for recovery. You’ll learn: ✅ The difference between remorse (healing-focused) and regret (self-focused resentment). ✅ How betrayed partners can sense the difference between “I’m sorry for what I did to you” and “I’m sorry I feel bad.” ✅ Why understanding betrayal trauma is essential for the unfaithful to rebuild trust. ✅ The role of transparency and living amends in proving change over time. ✅ Practical examples of what real accountability and empathy look like in daily life. This episode blends professional insights, real client stories, and lived experience to give both betrayed and unfaithful partners a roadmap toward clarity, safety, and lasting repair. 💡 Key takeaway: Saying “I’m sorry” is not enough. True remorse is shown in action—through transparency, empathy, and a long-term commitment to healing both yourself and your relationship. 👇 We'd love to hear what resonated most for you - or you can ask your question for a future episode. Please press the Like button and Leave Your Comment below! 🎧 You can also find us on Apple, Spotify, and everywhere podcasts are found. 🔗 Need help healing? Find James & Sharon at the CORE Relationship Recovery website: www.HopeForUs.com (Email: Info@HopeForUs.com ) or find Rae at www.HealingTalksBack.com (Email: Rae@HealingTalksBack.com ) Our Website: Follow CORE Relationship Recovery (James & Sharon) on Facebook:
/episode/index/show/f188a81e-3476-434b-91e4-415e2c046e37/id/38263080
info_outline
Feeling Stuck After Betrayal? Here's What to Do.
09/04/2025
Feeling Stuck After Betrayal? Here's What to Do.
Feeling stuck after betrayal? You’re not alone. In this episode of Ask the Betrayed, we unpack what it really means to feel “stuck” in your healing journey—why it happens, what it looks like, and most importantly, how to move forward. We explore: ✅ The signs of being stuck (numbness, looping thoughts, discouragement, going through the motions) ✅ Why trauma can trap betrayed partners in cycles of sadness, worry, and hypervigilance ✅ Practical tools for getting unstuck, including the Feelings Body exercise, journaling prompts, body-based movement, and creative outlets ✅ How to shift from passively enduring emotions to actively using them as indicators of what needs attention ✅ The role of community, support groups, and therapy in helping you break out of isolation and reclaim your power Whether you’re early in recovery or later in the process, getting “unstuck” is possible. Healing after betrayal trauma takes awareness, action, and support—and we’ll show you practical steps you can take today. ✨ Download the "Feelings Body" diagram at www.HopeForUs.com/Downloads 👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes of Ask the Betrayed. Please share this video with someone who needs encouragement in their healing journey. 📬 If you have questions you'd like us to answer in an episode, or would like to inquire about coaching with Rae or therapy help, including intensives, with Sharon and James, please reach out to us at: AskTheBetrayed@gmail.com 📺 For more helpful content, we invite you to explore our companion show: Ask The Unfaithful (@AskTheUnfaithful on YouTube) 👇 We'd love to hear what resonated most for you - or you can ask your question for a future episode. Please press the Like button and Leave Your Comment below! 🎧 You can also find us on Apple, Spotify, and everywhere podcasts are found. 🔗 Need help healing? Find James & Sharon at the CORE Relationship Recovery website: www.HopeForUs.com (Email: Info@HopeForUs.com ) or find Rae at www.HealingTalksBack.com (Email: Rae@HealingTalksBack.com ) Our Website: Follow CORE Relationship Recovery (James & Sharon) on Facebook:
/episode/index/show/f188a81e-3476-434b-91e4-415e2c046e37/id/38085270
info_outline
The Superpower of Compartmentalization in Betrayal Recovery
08/21/2025
The Superpower of Compartmentalization in Betrayal Recovery
In this episode of Ask The Betrayed, Sharon and Rae explore a new skill in betrayal recovery — compartmentalization. While extremely harmful to the Betrayed when used by the Unfaithful, compartmentalization can also become a powerful ally in healing when a Betrayed Partner uses it in an intentional way. You’ll discover: • The difference between healthy compartmentalization and harmful avoidance • How to use compartmentalization to regulate emotions and show up as your best self, for yourself and your relationship • Practical and powerful strategies to calm your trauma brain • How compartmentalization can protect both your well-being and your relationships after betrayal Whether you’re a betrayed partner or supporting someone through betrayal trauma, this episode offers compassionate, real-life examples and actionable tools to reclaim your mental space and emotional balance. Timestamps: 0:00 – Redefining compartmentalization 4:12 – How betrayal shapes our view of compartmentalization 9:05 – Emotional regulation tools to pair with compartmentalization 14:45 – Practical exercises to set worries aside 20:30 – Reducing relationship anxiety through mindful choices 28:10 – Compartmentalization vs. avoidance: knowing the difference 🎧 Listen now and learn how to make compartmentalization your superpower in the journey toward healing! 💬 👇 We'd love to hear what resonated most for you - or you can ask your question for a future episode. Please press the Like button and Leave Your Comment below! 👍 If this episode resonates, like and subscribe for more support on your healing journey. 🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss an episode! 📬 If you have questions you'd like us to answer in an episode, or would like to inquire about coaching with Rae or therapy help, including intensives, with Sharon and James, please reach out to us at: AskTheBetrayed@gmail.com 📺 For more helpful content, we invite you to explore our companion show: Ask The Unfaithful (@AskTheUnfaithful on YouTube) 🎧 You can also find us on Apple, Spotify, and everywhere podcasts are found. 🔗 Need help healing? Find James & Sharon at the CORE Relationship Recovery website: www.HopeForUs.com (Email: Info@HopeForUs.com ) or find Rae at www.HealingTalksBack.com (Email: Rae@HealingTalksBack.com ) Our Website: Follow CORE Relationship Recovery (James & Sharon) on Facebook:
/episode/index/show/f188a81e-3476-434b-91e4-415e2c046e37/id/37901455
info_outline
The Boundary Strategy EVERY Betrayed Partner NEEDS
08/07/2025
The Boundary Strategy EVERY Betrayed Partner NEEDS
In this episode of Ask The Betrayed, Sharon and Rae share a powerful new approach to boundaries—one that moves beyond rules and lines in the sand. Instead of focusing on “do this, don’t do that,” this episode helps betrayed partners: ✅ Reclaim their power and choice after betrayal ✅ Create boundaries that protect and empower ✅ Learn how to respond instead of react to triggers ✅ Understand the difference between values-aligned boundaries and reactive “walls” ✅ Break free from settling for crumbs and start designing the life they truly want You’ll hear real stories, practical exercises, and the “hedge of thorns” visualization that has transformed recovery for betrayed partners everywhere. You can download the Trigger Resolution / Boundary Setting Process here: https://www.askthebetrayed.com/downloads Or go to AskTheBetrayed.com and click on the "Downloads" menu. 💬 Please leave a Comment below: Which boundary has been most life-changing for you? 👍 If this episode resonates, like and subscribe for more support on your healing journey. 🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss an episode! 📬 If you have questions you'd like us to answer in an episode, or would like to inquire about coaching with Rae or therapy help, including intensives, with Sharon and James, please reach out to us at: AskTheBetrayed@gmail.com 📺 For more helpful content, we invite you to explore our companion show: Ask The Unfaithful (@AskTheUnfaithful on YouTube) 👇 We'd love to hear what resonated most for you - or you can ask your question for a future episode. Please press the Like button and Leave Your Comment below! 🎧 You can also find us on Apple, Spotify, and everywhere podcasts are found. 🔗 Need help healing? Find James & Sharon at the CORE Relationship Recovery website: www.HopeForUs.com (Email: Info@HopeForUs.com ) or find Rae at www.HealingTalksBack.com (Email: Rae@HealingTalksBack.com) Our Website: Follow CORE Relationship Recovery (James & Sharon) on Facebook:
/episode/index/show/f188a81e-3476-434b-91e4-415e2c046e37/id/37715280
info_outline
Hidden Betrayal Trauma Triggers: How to Handle Being Blindsided
07/25/2025
Hidden Betrayal Trauma Triggers: How to Handle Being Blindsided
In this episode of Ask The Betrayed, Sharon and Rae explore the hidden triggers that blindside betrayed partners during recovery. From weddings and social gatherings to seemingly small moments like TV shows, public spaces, and holidays—unexpected triggers can shake your sense of stability. They don’t just talk about the problems—they give you practical tools and real-life strategies to help you reclaim your power in these moments. 🔎 In This Episode, You’ll Learn: ✅ How to build your own “emotional first aid kit” for challenging events ✅ The importance of anchor statements and somatic tools ✅ How to create exit strategies for triggering environments ✅ Ways to reframe Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, anniversaries, and more ✅ Healthy ways to process anger without harming yourself or others ✅ Tips for managing common relational triggers like phones, alcohol, and public settings This conversation is packed with real stories, practical interventions, and compassionate guidance to help you stay grounded—especially when life throws the unexpected your way. 💬 In the Comments, please tell us what hidden triggers surprised you in your healing journey? 🔔 Please subscribe for new episodes 📬 If you have questions you'd like us to answer in an episode, or would like to inquire about coaching with Rae or therapy help, including intensives, with Sharon and James, please reach out to us at: AskTheBetrayed@gmail.com 📺 For more helpful content, we invite you to explore our companion show: Ask The Unfaithful (@AskTheUnfaithful on YouTube) 👇 We'd love to hear what resonated most for you - or you can ask your question for a future episode. Please press the Like button and Leave Your Comment below! 🎧 You can also find us on Apple, Spotify, and everywhere podcasts are found. 🔗 Need help healing? Find James & Sharon at the CORE Relationship Recovery website: www.HopeForUs.com (Email: Info@HopeForUs.com ) or find Rae at www.HealingTalksBack.com (Email: Rae@HealingTalksBack.com ) Our Website: Follow CORE Relationship Recovery (James & Sharon) on Facebook:
/episode/index/show/f188a81e-3476-434b-91e4-415e2c046e37/id/37544775
info_outline
Betrayal Trauma: Healing the Disconnection with Yourself
07/10/2025
Betrayal Trauma: Healing the Disconnection with Yourself
In this episode of Ask The Betrayed, Sharon and Rae dive into the third stage of betrayal trauma recovery: Post-Traumatic Growth - also known as the Reconnection Phase. This is the season when survivors begin shifting from survival to strength. Sharon and Rae unpack what it means to reconnect not only with others - but also with your truest self. You'll hear personal stories, insights, and practical encouragement for stepping out of safety - your "protection mode" - and into empowered living. Together, they explore: • What post-traumatic growth really looks like • How to move from "functional dissociation" to embodied living • Why reconnecting with yourself is essential (even if reconnection with your partner isn't possible) • How your personal boundaries free you to connect with yourself again • How to do this bravely and within your own values • How anniversaries can mark transformational milestones This stage is about moving forward with clarity, courage, and renewed purpose. Whether you're months or years into your healing, this conversation will inspire you to claim your voice and re-enter the story of your own life. 🔔 Please subscribe for new episodes 📬 If you have questions you'd like us to answer in an episode, or would like to inquire about coaching with Rae or therapy help, including intensives, with Sharon and James, please reach out to us at: AskTheBetrayed@gmail.com 📺 For more helpful content, we invite you to explore our companion show: Ask The Unfaithful (@AskTheUnfaithful on YouTube) 👇 We'd love to hear what resonated most for you - or you can ask your question for a future episode. Please press the Like button and Leave Your Comment below! 🎧 You can also find us on Apple, Spotify, and everywhere podcasts are found. 🔗 Need help healing? Find James & Sharon at the CORE Relationship Recovery website: www.HopeForUs.com (Email: Info@HopeForUs.com ) or find Rae at www.HealingTalksBack.com (Email: Rae@HealingTalksBack.com ) Our Website: Follow CORE Relationship Recovery (James & Sharon) on Facebook:
/episode/index/show/f188a81e-3476-434b-91e4-415e2c046e37/id/37358940
info_outline
Betrayal Trauma: Navigating Grief After Infidelity
06/26/2025
Betrayal Trauma: Navigating Grief After Infidelity
Grief after infidelity isn’t just about the loss of trust—it’s about mourning the relationship you thought you had. In this powerful episode, we explore the hidden terrain of betrayal trauma grief and mourning that betrayed partners navigate as they continue their journey toward healing and wholeness. For many betrayed partners, the emotional pain is disorienting, isolating, and often invisible to others. And for unfaithful partners, understanding their Betrayed’s grief is essential if real healing is ever going to happen. This episode will help you identify the stages of grief that follow betrayal, understand why they matter, and begin to make sense of your emotional landscape. In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why grief is a normal and necessary response to betrayal trauma • How mourning the loss of what you believed was true is part of healing • What “ambiguous grief” is and what that means for your healing • The ways unacknowledged grief can sabotage relational repair • What both partners can do to make space for grieving without getting stuck • How to begin healing in a way that honors—not bypasses—your pain 🔔 Please subscribe for new episodes 📬 If you have questions you'd like us to answer in an episode, or would like to inquire about coaching with Rae or therapy help, including intensives, with Sharon and James, please reach out to us at: AskTheBetrayed@gmail.com 📺 For more helpful content, we invite you to explore our companion show: Ask The Unfaithful (@AskTheUnfaithful on YouTube) 👇 We'd love to hear what resonated most for you - or you can ask your question for a future episode. Please leave your comment below! 🎧 You can also find us on Apple, Spotify, and everywhere podcasts are found.
/episode/index/show/f188a81e-3476-434b-91e4-415e2c046e37/id/37159440
info_outline
Betrayal Trauma Recovery: Why Safety Must Come First
06/11/2025
Betrayal Trauma Recovery: Why Safety Must Come First
If you’ve been shattered by betrayal, you may be asking: Where do I even begin? This episode takes you to the very first step in betrayal trauma recovery—the phase of safety and stabilization. Before you can move toward forgiveness, reconciliation, or even understanding, you need something much more urgent: ground beneath your feet. In this episode, we explore what safety actually means in the context of betrayal. We talk about the importance of emotional, relational, and practical stabilization—and how this phase can’t be rushed. You’ll learn why partners often feel overwhelmed, lost, or disconnected from themselves during this stage, and how to begin reclaiming your voice and power in the midst of relational chaos. We’ll look at: • Why safety is non-negotiable for betrayed partners • What “stabilization” actually looks like (emotionally, relationally, and practically) • Why rushing the healing process leads to deeper pain • How betrayed partners can reclaim their voice and autonomy in this crucial early stage This is the groundwork. The place you return to when everything else feels like too much. Whether you’re in the middle of the chaos or just starting to understand what happened—this episode is for you. 👍 Like, Subscribe, and Leave a Comment below to share what resonated most—or ask your question for a future episode. 📬 Reach out: AskTheBetrayed@gmail.com 🎧 Find us on Apple, Spotify, and everywhere podcasts are found.
/episode/index/show/f188a81e-3476-434b-91e4-415e2c046e37/id/36964045
info_outline
Life After Betrayal: Honest Talk with Two Experts
06/02/2025
Life After Betrayal: Honest Talk with Two Experts
Welcome to the very first episode of Ask The Betrayed, where Sharon and Rae create a safe, honest, and deeply compassionate space for those navigating betrayal trauma. In this episode, you'll meet your hosts—Sharon, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and APSATS-certified trauma specialist, and Rae, a Certified Life, Relationship, and Divorce Recovery Coach. Together, they share their personal and professional journeys of healing after relational betrayal, and the critical need for betrayed partners to seek support that is specifically trained in betrayal trauma. You’ll hear: • Why not all therapy is created equal for betrayal trauma recovery • The role of APSATS-trained professionals • The power of speaking your truth and finding the right support • Personal insights on the early stages of healing and rediscovering yourself • Real talk on hope, grief, strength, and happiness—no matter what your relationship outcome is 💬 Quote from this episode: "The worst version of the tragedy would be if I saved my marriage and lost myself in the process." Whether you’re in a relationship working toward restoration or walking the painful path of separation, this episode is full of wisdom, hope, and validation for wherever you are in your journey. 🔔 Please subscribe for new episodes 💌 If you have questions you'd like us to answer in an episode, or would like to inquire about coaching and therapy help including intensive with Sharon and James, please email us: AskTheBetrayed@gmail.com 📺 For more helpful content, we invite you to explore our companion show: Ask The Unfaithful (@AskTheUnfaithful on YouTube) 👇 We'd love to hear from you. Please leave your comment below.
/episode/index/show/f188a81e-3476-434b-91e4-415e2c046e37/id/36813080