The Human Intimacy Podcast
Intimacy is a fundamental human experience that goes far beyond romantic relationships. Join us as we dive into the deep and multifaceted layers of human connection, exploring everything from friendship and family bonds to self-love and vulnerability. Through thought-provoking conversations with experts, personal stories, and practical advice, we’ll uncover the secrets to nurturing meaningful relationships in a fast-paced digital world. From exploring trust and fostering emotional intimacy to navigating conflicts and rediscovering oneself, we’re here to discover the essence of what it means to truly connect with others and ourselves. Whether you’re seeking to improve your relationships, gain insights into human behaviors, or simply crave a meaningful conversation that enriches your understanding of human connection, you won’t want to miss a single episode of The Human Intimacy Podcast.
Episodes
Months—or even years—have passed since discovering the betrayal. You expected to feel better by now, yet the anger, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, or emotional overwhelm remain. Some days, they may feel stronger than ever. You may wonder, “Why am I still struggling? Is something wrong with me?”
In this episode of the Human Intimacy Pod...
“My partner had multiple affairs, and I’m having a hard time healing. What can I do to make progress?”
In this episode of the Human Intimacy Podcast, Dr. Kevin Skinner and MaryAnn Michaelis, LCSW, respond to a listener’s question with compassion and practical guidance. They explore why repeated betrayals and new discoveries ...
Addiction or Choice? Understanding Sexual Compulsivity, Responsibility, and Recovery
When sexual betrayal occurs, one of the most difficult questions is: Was this an addiction, or was it a choice?
For betrayed partners, that question is rarely just intellectual. It can quickly become deeply personal: If my partner chose this behavior, does that mean they chose it over me? Was I not enough? Was there s...
After betrayal, one of the most difficult questions is often: How do I know what is real?
Sometimes betrayal is accompanied by withdrawal. A partner becomes distant, disconnected, less affectionate, or emotionally unavailable. But sometimes the opposite happens.
The person who is hiding sexual behaviors may become more helpful, attentive, productive, religious, ...
After betrayal, the person who caused the harm may wonder whether they still have the right to express their feelings, disagree, set boundaries, or acknowledge when something hurts. At the same time, the betrayed partner needs space for their pain, anger, and trauma to be heard and understood.
In this episode of the Human Intimacy Podcast, Dr. Kevin Skinner and MaryAnn Michaelis explore a ...
What do you do when your partner refuses to discuss the betrayal, avoids recovery, or no longer seems to share the values that once defined your relationship? The uncertainty can become its own source of pain. You may feel trapped between pursuing answers, walking on eggshells, and remaining in a relationship wh...
What happens when a partner senses that something is wrong but cannot explain the growing distance? They may reach for connection, initiate affection, or ask what has changed—only to be told that everything is fine. Over time, repeated rejection and denial can cause them to question their perceptions and wonder whether something is wrong wi...
Healing after betrayal rarely follows a straight path. Even when both partners are trying, progress can feel slow, uneven, and difficult to recognize. In this listener-question episode, Dr. Kevin Skinner and MaryAnn Michaelis explain why recovery requires more than simply stopping the behavior. Lasting healing involves creating new emotion...
Learning the full truth about a betrayal can be an important step, but it does not immediately restore safety or connection. Even after disclosure, the betrayed partner may continue experiencing fear, intrusive thoughts, hypervigilance, disrupted sleep, and uncertainty. These are understandable trauma responses—not signs that they are failing ...
After betrayal is discovered, the need for answers can feel immediate and overwhelming. The betrayed partner is trying to understand their reality, while the partner who broke trust may be unprepared to provide a complete, coherent, and honest account. When these conversations happen without preparation, couples can become trapped in cycles of...
For years, partners who have experienced sexual betrayal have sometimes been labeled as codependent or “co-addicted.” But is that an accurate way to understand what happens after betrayal?
In this episode of the Human Intimacy Podcast, Dr. Kevin Skinner and MaryAnn Michaelis explore the important difference between betrayal trauma and codependency. They discuss researc...
After betrayal, many people experience a level of anger or rage that feels completely unfamiliar. They may yell, lash out, throw things, or feel an intense desire to make their partner understand the depth of their pain. When the moment passes, shame often follows: Who am I becoming? Why can’t I control this?
In this episode, Dr. ...
Is a 90-day sex fast the right choice for your relationship?
In this episode of the Human Intimacy Podcast, Dr. Kevin Skinner and MaryAnn Michaelis explore one of the most frequently discussed—and often misunderstood—recommendations in betrayal recovery and unwanted sexual behavior treatment. Rather than foc...
What role does guilt play after betrayal? Although guilt is often viewed as something negative, it can become an important force for accountability, empathy, and healing. Unlike shame—which says, “I am a mistake”—guilt recognizes, “I made a mistake, and my actions caused harm.”
In this episode, Dr. Kevin Skinner and...
One of the most common questions betrayed partners ask is, "Why do I still feel stuck?" Despite reading books, attending therapy, participating in support groups, and listening to countless podcasts, many people feel like they aren't making the progress they expected.
In this episode, Dr. Kevin Skinner and MaryAnn Michaelis explor...
Healthy relationships require both deep connection and a strong sense of self. In this episode, Dr. Kevin Skinner and MaryAnn Michaelis explore the concept of differentiation—the ability to remain emotionally connected to your partner while maintaining your own identity, values, emotions, and personal responsibility.
The discussion examines how betraya...
What do you do after discovering your partner has cheated? Where do you even begin?
In this episode of the Human Intimacy Podcast, Dr. Kevin Skinner and MaryAnn Michaelis tackle one of the most painful questions a person can ask: How do I deal with getting cheated on?
Rather than offering quick fixes or encouraging you to simply "move...
Many couples assume that once disclosure, impact letters, and emotional restitution are complete, healing should naturally follow. Yet many still find themselves feeling disconnected and wondering why they continue to struggle. In this episode, Dr. Kevin Skinner and MaryAnn Michaelis explain why disclosure is not the finish line but the foundation for rebuilding a relationship. Recov...
In this episode of the Human Intimacy Podcast, Dr. Kevin Skinner and MaryAnn Michaelis explore one of the most important questions couples can ask themselves: “How do we create safety in a relationship?” Drawing from attachment theory, betrayal trauma recovery, and clinical experience, they discuss how safety is not simply a thought or...
Relationships rarely fail because couples stop caring. More often, they struggle because they stop asking the questions that create understanding, connection, and growth.
In this episode of the Human Intimacy Podcast, Dr. Kevin Skinner and MaryAnn Michaelis explore the questions every couple should be asking to strengthen their relation...
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