How Porn Affects Connection in Relationships
Consider Before Consuming
Fight the New Drug
4.8 • 779 Ratings
🗓️ 13 May 2026
⏱️ 51 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
In this episode of Consider Before Consuming, we’re joined by Dr. Nicholas Lawless, a clinical psychologist and couples therapist, to explore how pornography can impact connection in relationships.
Does porn affect relationships? Can porn change how you see your partner? Is watching porn considered cheating? Why does porn sometimes feel like a betrayal?
Dr. Lawless shares what he’s seen in both research and real-life couples—how shifts in attention and expectations can lead to disconnection over time, and what it looks like to rebuild connection.
If you’re wondering whether porn is affecting your relationship, or how to reconnect if something feels off, this episode offers a clear, practical perspective.
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/joinrelay
Episode Resources:
- Articles: How Porn Can Impact Relationships
- Documentary: Brain, Heart, World
- Dr. Lawless' Practice: DRT Psychology
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Here at Fight the New Drug, we talk a lot about the impact pornography can have on mental health, |
| 0:06.6 | relationships, sexual health, and the world around us. And if you've felt that impact personally, |
| 0:12.5 | it's important to know this. You're not alone. That's why Relay exists. Relay is an app designed |
| 0:18.6 | to give you real support as you work toward lasting change. It connects you |
| 0:22.6 | with a small, private group of people who understand what you're going through, people who show up when it matters. |
| 0:28.6 | Relay isn't about shame or judgment. It's about accountability, encouragement, and learning how to move |
| 0:33.9 | forward together. And if anonymity matters to you, Relay has you covered, no names, |
| 0:39.1 | just support. If you're ready to stop doing this alone, try Relay for free today at Ftndd.org |
| 0:46.1 | forward slash join Relay. Can I be honest for a second? A lot of people who listen to this podcast |
| 0:52.6 | already know they want to quit porn. That's not |
| 0:55.4 | the problem. The problem is doing it consistently when no one's watching, when it's difficult, |
| 1:01.0 | when it's late, when you're stressed. Instead of just relying on willpower, rely on our friends at Relay. |
| 1:07.5 | Relay gives you structure, tools, support, connection. So you're not fighting alone |
| 1:13.6 | and starting over every week. If that sounds like what you've been missing, check it out at |
| 1:18.3 | FtnD.org slash join relay. In today's episode of Consider Before Consuming, we're joined by Dr. Nicholas Lawless, a clinical psychologist and couples therapist who works closely with individuals and couples |
| 1:45.8 | navigating the impact of pornography on relationships. In this conversation, we explore how |
| 1:52.6 | relationships are shaped by where our attention goes, and how even subtle shifts in focus |
| 1:58.5 | can either strengthen connection or lead to disconnection over time. |
| 2:03.8 | Dr. Lawless shares both research insights and real experiences from his work with couples, |
| 2:09.9 | helping break down how porn can influence expectations, intimacy, and relationship dynamics. |
| 2:16.7 | We also talk about the impact on partners, why porn can feel like |
| 2:21.2 | a betrayal in some relationships, and what it looks like to begin rebuilding trust and connection. |
... |
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