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September 10, 2025

Elizabeth Gilbert on Sex Addiction, Sobriety, Death and Spiritual Healing

featuring
Elizabeth Gilbert

Have you ever wondered what it takes to break free from the grip of sex addiction or love addiction? Can true healing come from facing your deepest vulnerabilities? 

In this powerful episode of The Conversation, host Amanda de Cadenet sits down with Elizabeth Gilbert, author of All the Way to the River, to explore her raw and inspiring journey through recovery. From confronting the chaos of addiction to embracing self-love and surrendering to a higher power, Gilbert shares how she found freedom through a 12-step program and transformed her life by prioritizing her own well-being. Gilbert’s story offers hope and practical insights for anyone seeking to break free from destructive patterns and cultivate self-love.

IN THIS EPISODE:

  • (02:00) Elizabeth identifies sex and love addiction with lifelong relational issues
  • (04:37) Surrendering to a 12-step program, a higher power, treating love addiction like substance abuse 
  • (10:33) Defining top-line behaviors and bottom-line behaviors in recovery
  • (12:46) Elizabeth discusses the destruction of lives around her
  • (19:00) Self-love over outsourcing validation and reframing intense attraction as a warning 
  • (25:01) Role-playing with your teenage self
  • (30:59) Gaining support in a 12-step program for true surrender
  • (32:56) Discussion of a practice called Two-Way Prayer
  • (35:42) Elizabeth admits why she has gone public with her addiction
  • (37:04) Discussion of Raya, Elizabeth's best friend
  • (43:52) Navigating rage-filled grief and spiritual bankruptcy after loss
  • (47:10) Switching from rage to self-accountability
  • (51:42) Elizabeth made decisions on not hurting people in the telling of her book, while recovering in public
  • (56:24) What is the definition of sobriety

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Surrendering to a higher power through a 12-step program is crucial for overcoming sex addiction and love addiction, fostering lasting recovery.
  • Cultivating self-love and self-accountability by adopting top-line behaviors helps break destructive cycles and achieve emotional sobriety.
  • Facing grief and withdrawal from love addiction requires honest introspection to heal and build trust in oneself.

RESOURCES:

The New Yorker Re: All the Way to the River- LinkedIn

Elizabeth Gilbert - Website

ALL THE WAY TO THE RIVER - Instagram  

BOOKS REFERENCED: 

ABOUT THIS PODCAST:

The Conversation with Amanda de Cadenet is a groundbreaking series of weekly interviews featuring candid conversations with impactful thought leaders. Host Amanda de Cadenet provides a platform for raw and honest discussions on a wide variety of topics, from porn to politics. Visit amandadecadenet.com to learn more and sign up for her newsletter. Follow Amanda on Instagram @amandadecadenet.

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