Being Human Podcast - Episode 113: Surprising Sources of Pornography Problems, w/ Steve Pokorny

  Welcome to Episode 113 of the Being Human Podcast: Surprising Sources of Pornography Problems, w/ Steve Pokorny

In this episode, Steve Pokorny - author, speaker, and founder of Freedom Coaching - joins Dr. Greg for a conversation* exploring the goodness of human sexuality, the struggle with addiction to pornography, and the surprising ways that shame can block forward momentum in breaking the cycle of addiction to unchaste behaviors. They also offer hope for how those who struggle with these behaviors can begin to find healing and freedom.
*Note: Mature content. 

Discussed in this episode:

• Meet Steve Pokorny; 
• What contributes to the development of an addiction to pornography?
• The need to understand the purpose of our sexuality and importance of seeing ourselves as gift;
• Why pornography is ultimately an empty experience that leaves us wanting;
• Steve’s personal experience of healing from an addiction to pornography;
• The role of coaching in helping to pinpoint the emotions surrounding unchaste behaviors so as to decrease compulsion; 
• The effect of pornography on the brain; 
• The role and cycle of shame and how it prevents forward momentum in healing from addiction;
• How non-use of our genitalia can be the most fruitful use of our humanity; 
• Our call to community and relationality in suffering. 

Resources mentioned or relevant:

• Learn more about Freedom Coaching or apply to begin your journey to freedom (Use code: PsychFreedom to get your first meeting free); 
• Listen to The Redeemed Vision Podcast - Episode #30 w/ Dr. Greg Bottaro as guest;  
• Read Redeemed Vision: Setting the Blind Free From the Pornified Culture by Steve Pokorny; 
• See Theology of the Body 65-70 for more on Christ’s nakedness as the fulfillment of human sexuality;
• The Beauty of Holiness and the Holiness of Beauty: Art, Sanctity, and the Truth of Catholicism by John Saward, and Beauty: What It Is & Why It Matters by John-Marc Miravalle; 
• Margaret Vasquez - Intensive Trauma Therapy resource; 
• The Catholic's Guide to Theophostic Prayer Ministry by Fr. David Tickerhoof, TOR;
• Looking for help? Schedule a free 15-minute consultation call with our staff!
• Learn about IDDM (Mentorship) - our new model of daily accompaniment;
• Become a member of the Integrated Life Community to get access to every course Dr. Greg has created;
• Download The Integrated App for access to free audio exercises, the Catholic Mindfulness Virtual Retreat, courses, prayer resources, and more;
• Sign up for Being Human, our weekly newsletter, to stay up to date on exciting developments at CatholicPsych;
• Visit our website to read the CatholicPsych blog, shop in the CatholicPsych bookshop, or discover other resources we have available. 
• Join the waitlist to find out more about our new CPMAP Certification.

Contact us! Have a topic or a question you would like Dr. Greg to address on the podcast? Want to give some feedback about this episode? Email us at [email protected] - we would love to hear from you!

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About Steve Pokorny 

Like many men, Steve Pokorny was exposed to pornography at a young age and struggled with pornography compulsion for many years before encountering freedom. In response to this transformation, Steve was inspired to found Freedom Coaching in 2011. Working with both men and women, Catholic and non-Catholic, Steve has helped to set countless people free internally through this grace-infused process.

Steve Pokorny holds an MA in theology and a specialization in catechetics from Franciscan University of Steubenville, as well as an MTS from the John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family Studies in Washington D.C. He is a Certified Life Coach from the Life Coach Training Institute. Author of "Redeemed Vision: Setting the Blind Freed from the Pornified Culture," Steve is also an internationally-known speaker, speaking with a wide variety of audiences on many topics. He is married and lives with his family in San Antonio, Texas.

About Dr. Greg and the CatholicPsych Institute

Dr. Bottaro is a clinical psychologist and founder of the CatholicPsych Institute. He received his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Institute for the Psychological Sciences, a graduate school that integrates Catholic philosophy and theology with sound, empirically validated psychology.

Before his degree, Dr. Bottaro discerned a religious vocation with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (CFRs). He lived four years in the Bronx, serving the poor in the tradition of St. Francis of Assisi. Under the mentorship of Fr. Benedict Groeschel, this experience helped him form a spirituality based on Abandonment to Divine Providence which he now applies to psychological principles in his practice. He learned from Fr. Benedict how to discern God's voice and live a life in service to others.

Six years after leaving NYC as a friar, he returned as a psychologist. The CatholicPsych Institute began there in 2012 and has since continued to expand, now serving clients around the globe.

Dr. Bottaro now lives in Connecticut with his wife Barbra and their seven children. He actively avoids watching the news and spends his free time thinking up crazy new ideas on how to make the world a better place.