EP 235: Live Unashamed - Hugging the Cactus
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In this episode of Unashamed, Unafraid, the hosts discuss the “parts of ourselves” we want to kill—especially in sexual addiction recovery—and argue that shame-driven repression and white-knuckling only make things worse. Austin shares how growing up in a conservative culture led him to hide, berate, and try to “kill” his addiction, until he learned to face it with compassion: acknowledging the wounded, trauma-shaped part of himself without feeding compulsive behavior. The group explores identity, pushing back on making “addict” a permanent label, emphasizing being a son of God while distinguishing healthy desires from dark distortions. Using images like “hugging the cactus,” NF’s song “Running,” shadow work, and even Harry Potter, they describe confronting triggers, understanding what behaviors protect us from, and replacing shame and isolation with love, support, therapy, and faith.
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Timestamps:
00:43 Killing Parts of Yourself?
01:20 Austin On Shame
02:45 Hugging The Cactus
03:57 Labels And Identity
05:44 NF Running Trauma
09:23 White Knuckling Fails
09:57 Harry Potter Love
12:00 Triggers And Warfare
15:33 Shadow Work Advice
18:08 Closing And Wrap