Enduring gossip of a former partner’s promiscuity, Losing physical affection after enforcing a strict kissing boundary, and Shifting from same-sex desires to fantasies. | ACW385
Ask Christopher West
Theology of the Body Institute
4.9 • 549 Ratings
🗓️ 18 May 2026
⏱️ 64 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Questions answered this episode:
- In my previous relationship, we were trying to abstain from sex. I knew he was watching porn and working on that too. A week after breaking up, he started sleeping with someone else and since has been sleeping with many people. Word that I don't care to hear spreads quickly in a small town. I'm trying to identify the lie from the enemy in this. Right now, I just know that it hurts very deeply. I'm also trying to find the truth in all this pain.
- My boyfriend and I have been dating for three months. Early on, we discussed physical boundaries. I shared that kissing with the intention of increasing arousal crosses a line for me, while he felt anything short of sex was acceptable. A few times I've pulled away because the kissing becomes too arousing. This causes him to shut down and get hurt, feeling he has done something wrong. Now, his response is to show barely any physical affection. How can I navigate this in a way that honors our boundaries without hurting him or falling into lust?
- I'm a 27-year-old man who has struggled with same-sex attraction my entire life. In recent years, I've gained control over my desires through inner healing, dedicating time to embracing my masculine identity and building good male friendships. Listening to your podcast, I realized navigating my disoriented attractions is not about repressing my eros out of shame, but asking God for more—that He might help me see the true beauty in all things, even women. I sometimes entertain fantasies of women, seeking companionship and human connection. I enjoy these because they seem more ordered than my desires for the same sex. I'm not sure if this is what it means to expand my eros.
Resources:
TOB I: Head & Heart Immersion Course July 14-19, 2026
Good News About Sex & Marriage
Love & Responsibility YouTube Series with Matt Fradd
Sexual Needs Into Prayer YouTube Video
THEOLOGY OF THE BODY FOR BEGINNERS - UPDATED, REVISED & EXPANDED 2018 (PAPERBACK)
List of trusted counselors & psychologists
John Paul II Healing Center Events
Ask Christopher West is a weekly podcast in which Theology of the Body Institute President Christopher West and his beloved wife Wendy share their humor and wisdom, answering questions about marriage, relationships, life, and the Catholic faith, all in light of John Paul II’s beautiful teachings on the Theology of the Body.
---
🔥 Get 3 FREE sessions of our flagship course on Theology of the Body
⚡️ Want to have a better chance of us answering your question and support the Theology of the Body Institute? Join our Patron Community!
---
---
🏔️ Pilgrimages
🧠 List of trusted counselors & psychologists
*If you are in financial need and honestly cannot afford a book or resource recommended on this podcast, contact: michele@tobinstitute.org
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | From the Theology of the Body Institute, this is the Ask Christopher West podcast. |
| 0:24.1 | Hi podcast, listeners. |
| 0:25.0 | Hey, everybody. |
| 0:26.7 | Thank you for tuning in. |
| 0:27.4 | Yeah. |
| 0:28.7 | We're a happier with us. |
| 0:29.8 | Absolutely. |
| 0:31.6 | And hey, Wendy, I'm happy here with me. |
| 0:32.2 | Thank you. |
| 0:33.0 | Same here. We wanted to share a little interesting thing going on in our local parish. |
| 0:39.3 | Before, hang on, I got to kill this fly. |
| 0:43.0 | I got him! |
| 0:44.6 | Oh, that was laugh. |
| 0:45.7 | Yeah! |
| 0:47.1 | I think we should just keep that on the podcast. |
| 0:49.5 | No need to edit that one. |
| 0:51.2 | People need to know that I can record a podcast and swat a fly at the same time. |
| 0:57.8 | Thanks, love. That was a big honking fly. Yeah. Okay. Tell people what's going on at our parish, Wendy. |
| 1:04.7 | Yeah, well, we recently were assigned a new pastor at our parish, And our new pastor just has an amazing story in history, having been first raised Jewish, then became Christian in high school, then became a Protestant pastor. |
| 1:26.1 | Then an Anglican priest. |
| 1:27.2 | Then a Catholic. Married an Anglican priest. Then an Anglican priest. |
| 1:28.8 | Then a Catholic. |
... |
Transcript will be available on the free plan in 7 days. Upgrade to see the full transcript now.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Theology of the Body Institute, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.
Generated transcripts are the property of Theology of the Body Institute and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.