EP 220: Austin and Becca's Story

In this episode of Unashamed, Unafraid, Austin and his wife Becca share how traumatic sexual experiences shaped their views of sexuality, secrecy, and control, and how that led Austin to pornography addiction. Austin describes hiding his compulsive porn use and masturbation due to fear and shame reinforced by religious shame, then later relapsing on his mission, engaging in digital relationships and sexting, and facing a highly shaming disciplinary process, including being labeled a “sexual predator,” disfellowshipped, and shamed by a therapist. Becca recounts being excluded from the process while engaged to be married, not learning full details years into marriage, while also navigating her own trauma and intimacy struggles. Through supportive therapy, Warrior Heart Boot Camp and Heart of a Woman Retreat, vulnerability, and surrendering to God, the two begin healing, rebuilding trust. Austin reaches nearly six months sobriety; they emphasize shared recovery, communication, and “Broken Together” as their song.

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Timestamps:

00:43 Meet Austin and Becca

01:53 Austin's Childhood Sexual Grooming

03:25 Porn Exposure and Control

05:23 Shame Culture and Secrecy

08:02 Becca’s Sexual Abuse

14:10 How Trauma Shaped Sexuality

15:37 Vulnerability and Early Disclosure

19:08 Mission Struggles and iPad Temptation

24:34 Confession and Church Discipline