CORE Relationship Recovery

09/11/2025

HOW DOES THE UNFAITHFUL'S (BETRAYER'S) DISTORTED THINKING DESTROY HOPE FOR A COUPLE RECOVERING FROM BETRAYAL?

Stinking Thinking is more than just negative self-talk—it’s the distorted, automatic thought patterns that block empathy, sabotage trust, and keep both the u...

09/04/2025

In this week’s episode of Ask the Betrayed, I share about the priceless gift I once receiced from my beloved BBFF (translation = Best BRITISH Friend Forever) Catherine Etherington, Director of Recovery for Naked Truth Project.

How blessed am I to have such incredible colleagues who know me, love me and support me in such vulnerable moments?!

Podcast episode: https://youtu.be/V2Z6AKD-TM8?si=Iu6ogn8HNofKB0Eq

09/03/2025

Are you a Betrayed Partner who's feeling stuck after betrayal?

Here's what to do.

Feeling stuck after betrayal? You’re not alone. In this episode of Ask the Betrayed, we unpack what it really means to feel “stuck” in your healing journey—w...

08/27/2025

Ask The Unfaithful Episode 52 - ENTITLEMENT IN THE UNFAITHFUL: From Demanding to Devotion

Entitlement is the silent killer of recovery after infidelity.

When an unfaithful partner comes from a position of entitlement, it poisons trust, sabotages healing, and deepens betrayal trauma. In this episode of Ask The Unfaithful, we unpack how adult entitlement shows up in the unfaithful partner, why it destroys safety and trust, and what it takes to break free from it.

👉 For betrayed partners: You’ll hear why entitlement makes you feel invisible, invalidated, and unsafe—and why your pain is real and justified.

👉 For unfaithful partners: You’ll learn how entitlement fuels continued betrayal trauma, how to spot it in your own thinking, and the steps needed to move from “deserve and demand” to “determined devotion.”

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The hidden ways entitlement rationalizes betrayal

• How entitlement hurts the Betrayed Partner

• How entitlement in the Unfaithful actually hurts the Unfaithful Partner (!)

• What drives selfishness, shame, and minimization

• Why entitlement blocks empathy and real accountability

• Steps to dismantle entitlement and rebuild relational integrity

Whether you are the betrayed partner searching for clarity or the unfaithful partner ready to change, this episode helps you recognize entitlement. For the Unfaithful, it will give you the tools to replace entitlement with humility, empathy, and growth - and relational repair.

Entitlement is the silent killer of recovery after infidelity.When an unfaithful partner comes from a position of entitlement, it poisons trust, sabotages he...

08/21/2025

When launching a new podcast, is there a point when every new episode stops being your FAVORITE episode? Inquiring minds want to know...

In this episode of Ask The Betrayed, Sharon and Rae explore a new skill in betrayal recovery — compartmentalization. While extremely harmful to the Betrayed ...

08/20/2025

The Superpower of Compartmentalization in Betrayal Recovery

Ask The Betrayed Episode 7 is now live!

In this episode of Ask The Betrayed, Sharon and Rae explore a new skill in betrayal recovery — compartmentalization. While extremely harmful to the Betrayed ...

08/13/2025

4 Ways Shame and Avoidance Sabotage Healing from Infidelity - this includes the new way for the Unfaithful/Betrayer to bridge the shame and avoidance trap when initiating communication with their betrayed partner.

Shame and avoidance are two of the most powerful forces keeping unfaithful partners stuck after betrayal. In this episode of Ask the Unfaithful, we uncover h...

08/06/2025

The Boundary Strategy EVERY Betrayed Partner NEEDS

In Episode 6 of Ask The Betrayed, Sharon and Rae share a powerful new approach to boundaries—one that moves beyond rules and lines in the sand.

Instead of focusing on “do this, don’t do that,” this episode helps betrayed partners:

✅ Reclaim their power and choice after betrayal

✅ Create boundaries that protect and empower

✅ Learn how to respond instead of react to triggers

✅ Understand the difference between values-aligned boundaries and reactive “walls”

✅ Break free from settling for crumbs and start designing the life they truly want

You’ll hear real stories, practical exercises, and the “hedge of thorns” visualization that has transformed recovery for betrayed partners everywhere.

In this episode of Ask The Betrayed, Sharon and Rae share a powerful new approach to boundaries—one that moves beyond rules and lines in the sand.Instead of ...

07/31/2025

This particular episode was kind of impromptu, inspired by some of the “hot button” triggers our clients are facing this summer. But as often happens with unplanned aventures, it’s become one of my favorite episodes to date.

And have I mentioned that recording with Sharon is an absolute, unqualified delight?!

We’ve got SO MANY big conversations dropping soon, sharing our take on topics like…

❤️‍🩹 boundaries
❤️‍🩹 screaming to be heard
❤️‍🩹 feeling stuck
❤️‍🩹 compartmentalization
❤️‍🩹 traps that can stall our healing
❤️‍🩹 and…

We’re ESPECIALLY excited about our upcoming how-to-know episode, entitled “IS HE REALLY SORRY… or is he just sorry he got caught?”

👀

As Sharon always says, “Please ‘like’ us if you like us!” We truly appreciate every time you like, subcribe, share and/or follow our podcast. And if you haven’t already, check out our companion podcast, Ask the Unfaithful (youtube.com/).

With YOU in mind always,
Rae

Rae Gaelyn Emerson
Healing Talks Back with Rae Gaelyn Emerson

PS: We’re also now up on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. (See links in comments.)

https://youtu.be/HUayUH0qLNc?si=9Ya8OgC4u8B6iCjTy

15 Hidden Triggers in Betrayal Recovery: How to Handle the UnexpectedIn this episode of Ask The Betrayed, Sharon and Rae explore the hidden triggers that bli...

07/30/2025

Reservations and Backdoors: Hidden Exits from Relational Recovery

In this episode of Ask the Unfaithful, we explore a topic that silently wrecks recovery and relational repair: reservations and backdoors.

Many unfaithful partners begin recovery with hidden exits still unlocked—emotional loopholes, continued fantasies, lingering secrets, or quiet resistance to full change. These “backdoors” may seem small, but they erode safety, block connection, and sabotage long-term healing.

In this episode of Ask the Unfaithful, we explore a topic that silently wrecks recovery and relational repair: reservations and backdoors.Many unfaithful par...

07/23/2025

15 Hidden Betrayal Trauma Triggers: How to Handle Being Blindsided

Episode 5 of Ask the Betrayed with Sharon Rinearson LCSW, APSATS CCPS and Rae Emerson, MCC, APSATS CPC-S is on Youtube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

A big Thank You to all of you who have been watching and listening and to those of you who watch this episode!

15 Hidden Triggers in Betrayal Recovery: How to Handle the UnexpectedIn this episode of Ask The Betrayed, Sharon and Rae explore the hidden triggers that bli...

07/16/2025

The Arousal Template: Identifying Triggers and Blindspots

https://youtu.be/atHM-Yxf1Ao

In this episode of Ask The Unfaithful, Sam and James take a deep dive into one of the most misunderstood—and most important—concepts in infidelity recovery: the Arousal Template.

Too often, betrayed partners and unfaithful partners alike are left wondering: Why did this happen? Why do I keep making destructive choices? Can these unhealthy patterns ever change?

This episode unpacks:

✅ What the Arousal Template actually is and why it’s so critical to understand

✅ How early life experiences shape your unconscious sexual and emotional triggers

✅ Why understanding your arousal template is essential for long-term relapse prevention

✅ How these patterns form in secrecy, shame, and unmet emotional needs

✅ Specific questions and exercises to start mapping your own template

✅ How to rewire unhealthy arousal patterns and build an intimacy-based, connection-driven life

This is a must-listen for any unfaithful partner serious about recovery—and for betrayed partners who want to better understand the underlying dynamics that drive betrayal behaviors.

In this episode of Ask The Unfaithful, Sam and James take a deep dive into one of the most misunderstood—and most important—concepts in infidelity recovery: ...