Consider Before Consuming

This episode includes discussion of sexual violence, coercion, and experiences of assault among young people. Listener discretion is advised.In this episode of Consider Before Consuming, we sit down with Chanel Contos, founder of Teach Us Consent, to talk about how one Instagram post led to thousands of young people sharing their experiences, and ultimately helped drive mandated consent education across Australia. Chanel shares what it was like reading through testimony after testimony of peer-on-peer sexual violence, and how those stories revealed patterns around coercion, misunderstanding, and the way many young people are navigating sex without a clear understanding of consent.We also explore what’s shaping young people’s expectations around sex and relationships today. How are teens actually learning about intimacy? What role does pornography play in shaping ideas about consent, boundaries, and what’s considered “normal”? And why are rates of youth-perpetrated sexual harm rising in some areas, even as other forms of abuse decline? Chanel breaks down how early, age-appropriate consent education can help address these gaps, and what it looks like to teach consent in a way that builds empathy, communication, and respect from a young age.Episode Resources:Article: What is Inspiring Teens to Try Strangulation During Sex?Article: Oral Before Kissing: Porn Culture Has Changed Teens’ First Sexual EncountersChanel's Instagram: @ChanelcTeach Us Consent:Fix Our FeedsNewsletterInstagram Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Hunter Clark was first exposed to pornography as a child. What started as curiosity eventually became a habit he struggled for years to overcome. Like many people, he tried everything he could think of to quit—willpower, accountability partners, blockers, even extreme personal challenges—but nothing seemed to work. In this episode of Consider Before Consuming, Hunter shares how shame kept him stuck in that cycle for years and how things began to change when he stopped focusing only on quitting porn and started looking at the deeper reasons behind the behavior.In this conversation, we explore questions many people are already asking: Why is porn so hard to quit? Does shame make porn habits worse? Can pornography affect relationships? And why do so many partners blame themselves when they discover a loved one’s porn habit?Hunter opens up about the moment he realized his struggle was connected to deeper emotional wounds, the impact pornography had on his relationship with his wife, and how honesty and open conversations helped break the isolation that shame can create. We also discuss the idea that porn habits are often a symptom of something deeper—whether that’s unresolved trauma, stress, loneliness, or other emotional struggles—and why simply trying to “have more discipline” often isn’t enough.This episode is sponsored by Relay, a secure peer-support app that connects you with a small group of people who understand what you’re going through and help you stay accountable on your journey to quit porn. CBC listeners can try Relay free for 7 days when they sign up at http://ftnd.org/joinrelayEpisode Resources:Article: Why Fighting Porn Must Include Fighting ShamePodcast: Consider Before Consuming Ep. 152: Chris ChandlerHunter's Podcast: Quit Porn with Hunter ClarkHunter's Instagram: _hunter.clarkAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of sexual exploitation and child sexual abuse in an educational and prevention-focused context. Listener discretion is advised.Dr. Alexandra Bailey is a forensic psychologist, Head of Psychology at the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, and a leading expert in the prevention of child sexual abuse.In this episode of Consider Before Consuming, she shares how harmful online behaviors can develop, and how pornography can play a role in that process for some individuals. As content has become more accessible, anonymous, and extreme, we explore how patterns of use can shift over time, including desensitization, novelty-seeking, and reinforcement.We also talk about how the internet and emerging technologies like AI are changing the landscape, and how factors like shame, isolation, and mental health can keep people stuck in harmful cycles.Most importantly, this conversation focuses on prevention—what it looks like, why it matters, and how resources like Stop It Now are helping people seek support before harm happens.Along the way, we get into questions people are already asking: Does porn escalate? Why do I need more extreme porn? Is AI porn harmful? What should parents know about porn, sexting, and online safety?Episode Resources:Article: Can Porn Use Escalate to Illegal Content? What Research and Real Stories ShowConversation Blueprint: Let's Talk About PornThe Lucy Faithfull Foundation: Stop It NowResearch Paper: What's Porn Got To Do With ItAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Joanna Raabsmith, a licensed marriage and family therapist focused on trauma and betrayal recovery, and Matthew Raabsmith, a recovered porn addict turned relationship coach, share their story. They discuss how pornography erodes emotional intimacy, what betrayal trauma feels like, why honesty must come before trust, the risks of rushing forgiveness, and what sustainable recovery routines look like.

A survivor recounts recruitment via a fake modeling ad and the early red flags that revealed coercion. She describes trauma responses like fawning and dissociation used to survive, and the deception around contracts and distribution. The story covers doxxing, living with nonconsensual content online, legal battles, founding a content-removal nonprofit, and building survivor support and healing work.

Richard and Heather explore the secretive impact of pornography on their marriage. Richard shares his early exposure, escalating use, and a pivotal realization about coerced performers that shifted his perspective. Heather discusses her signs of emotional withdrawal and the relief of finally understanding the truth. Together, they emphasize the importance of honesty and therapy in rebuilding trust and intimacy. Their journey highlights the profound effects of addiction, the necessity of difficult conversations, and the path towards healing through community support.

Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussion of early exposure to sexualized content and suicidal ideation. Listener discretion is advised.Ore Oduba is an actor, broadcaster, and podcaster based in the UK. In this episode, Ore shares his personal experience with pornography addiction, which began with early exposure in childhood and continued for decades.He explains how pornography shaped his understanding of intimacy, how secrecy and shame affected his mental health and relationships, and what finally led him to seek help and begin recovery. Ore also talks about parenting in the digital age, why kids need safe adults more than punishment, and how open, non-judgmental conversations can help protect young people from harm.This episode is sponsored by Relay, a secure peer-support app that connects you with a small group of people who understand what you’re going through and help you stay accountable on your journey to quit porn. Try Relay for free for 7 days at https://joinrelay.app.link/ftndAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussion of sexual violence, exploitation, and child sexual abuse. Listener discretion is advised.Heidi Olson is a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner and the Founder and President of Paradigm Shift Training and Consulting.Drawing from years of frontline medical experience, Heidi explains why sexual exploitation and trafficking are often missed, how early exposure to pornography is shaping young people’s understanding of sex and consent, and why child-on-child sexual harm is becoming increasingly common. Episode Resources:Article: How Porn can Fuel Sexual Violence by Lessening Empathy in ConsumersPodcast: Consider Before Consuming Ep. 17: Heidi OlsonConnect with Heidi: Paradigm ShiftRAINNCAC Training Materials: Culture ReframedAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Explore the stark realities behind OnlyFans with insights from a former creator. Taylor shares her initial allure to the platform for quick money and freedom, then reveals the intense pressures to escalate content and how it affects mental health. She discusses the false promise of empowerment and the dangers of parasocial relationships with fans. The financial traps and the difficulty of leaving the industry are highlighted, alongside Taylor's journey to reclaim her identity and purpose after finally stepping away.

Porn addiction is often misunderstood, especially when it comes to how it actually develops in the brain and what real recovery looks like. In this episode, licensed clinical counselor and CSAT Chris Chandler breaks down the science behind compulsive porn use, why young brains are especially vulnerable, and how stress and porn can create a powerful cycle that’s hard to break.Chris also shares why porn addiction can mirror substance addiction in the brain, the role of emotional pain and loneliness, why relationships don’t automatically “fix” the problem, and what a realistic recovery process truly involves.This episode is sponsored by Relay, a secure peer-support app that connects you with a small group of people who understand what you’re going through and help you stay accountable on your journey to quit porn. CBC listeners can try Relay free for 30 days when they sign up at http://joinrelay.app/consider.Episode Resources:Article: How Porn Can Contribute to an Unhealthy Cycle of StressRelay: CBC Listeners get one month freePodcast: Consider Before Consuming Ep. 126: Relay PanelTed Talk: My Stroke of InsightAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy