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The Human Intimacy PodcastAuthor: Humanintimacy
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, well 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, were here to discover the essence of what it means to truly connect with others and ourselves. Whether youre seeking to improve your relationships, gain insights into human behaviors, or simply crave a meaningful conversation that enriches your understanding of human connection, you wont want to miss a single episode of The Human Intimacy Podcast. Language: en Genres: Relationships, Society & Culture Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Why Can’t I Stop Thinking About the Affair? Understanding Rumination, Triggers, and Healing After Betrayal (Episode #117)
Episode 118
Tuesday, 5 May, 2026
Why Can’t I Stop Thinking About the Affair? Understanding Rumination, Triggers, and Healing After Betrayal In this important episode of the Human Intimacy Podcast, Dr. Kevin Skinner and MaryAnn Michaelis explore one of the most common and painful questions after betrayal: “Why can’t I stop thinking about it?” Together, they unpack the neuroscience and emotional reality behind rumination, intrusive thoughts, PTSD responses, triggers, and nervous system dysregulation after sexual betrayal and affairs. The conversation helps both betrayed and betraying partners understand why the mind and body struggle to “move on,” even when logic says the relationship may be improving. Dr. Skinner and MaryAnn discuss how betrayal disrupts safety, attachment, and reality itself, often leaving the betrayed partner feeling emotionally flooded, hypervigilant, and stuck in repetitive thoughts. They also explain how healing requires more than simply stopping behaviors—it involves nervous system regulation, emotional attunement, compassion, consistency, and deeper relational repair. Listeners will also learn practical tools for responding to triggers, including grounding exercises, journaling, movement-based trauma release, self-attunement, parts work, emotional regulation, and therapeutic approaches such as EMDR and ART. This episode offers hope, validation, and practical guidance for anyone struggling with intrusive thoughts after betrayal trauma. Key Topics Covered Why betrayed partners experience rumination and intrusive thoughts PTSD and betrayal trauma responses The difference between logical understanding and nervous system safety Why triggers continue even after behavior stops Emotional flooding and nervous system dysregulation How betraying partners can respond in healing ways Self-compassion and trauma recovery Tools for emotional regulation and trauma release Parts work and self-attunement EMDR, ART, and trauma-informed healing approaches Recovery capital and building support systems Resources Mentioned The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk Brené Brown – research on exhaustion and uncertainty Jill Bolte Taylor – emotional processing concepts Calming the Emotional Storm by Sheri Van Dijk EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) ART (Accelerated Resolution Therapy) Polyvagal Theory by Stephen Porges Internal Parts Work / Self-Attunement Approaches Recovery Capital framework Human Intimacy Podcast episode on Empathy vs. Compassion Upcoming Course Intimacy Repair Method (IRM) — 12 Week Course Join Dr. Kevin Skinner and MaryAnn Michaelis for the upcoming Intimacy Repair Method (IRM) course beginning May 7th. The course is designed to help couples heal from betrayal trauma through a structured process focused on: Safety Emotional regulation Accountability How to measure and create relational repair Compassion Rebuilding intimacy Learn More & Register: The Intimacy Repair Method (12-Week Online Course)
