Relationship Prescriptions with Dr. Carol

When a parent is unfaithful, the fallout often extends far beyond the couple—it can leave a lasting imprint on their children, shaping how they view trust, intimacy, and their own worth. In this episode, we're joined by author and former therapist Melissa Macomber who has spent decades exploring the often-overlooked impact of parental infidelity on children, particularly as they grow into adulthood. We discuss how this form of betrayal can subtly or profoundly influence adult relationships, sense of safety, emotional resilience, and faith. Together, we unpack the factors that can make the impact of a parent's affair more or less damaging—such as secrecy, loyalty conflicts, and emotional availability—and explore what it takes to break free from inherited patterns. Whether you're navigating the aftermath yourself or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers insight, compassion, and practical tools for healing and growth. Find out more and connect with Melissa Macomber on her website or Instagram. If the impact of your family of origin is impacting your marriage now, check out our Fully Alive Marriage course. Find out more about Dr. Carol Ministries in-person intensives - a safe place to unpack your story and experience Jesus coming into your story to bring healing and wholeness. Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can send a confidential message here.

What does it truly mean to experience intimacy—with God, with others, and with ourselves? In this episode, we sit down with author and campus chaplain Rev. Dr. Erin Moniz to explore how sex and intimacy may be related but are not the same, unravel common cultural myths, and examine where the church's approach often falls short. Too often, Christian communities embrace culture's idolatry of romance/sex and "baptize" it with the marriage message. But what if intimacy is something we are all created for, regardless of relationship status? Together, we dive into a Bible-based theology of intimacy that includes but extends beyond romance and into all our closest relationships. What practical steps can we take to embrace intimacy in a way that reflects God's design? Whether you're single, married, or "it's complicated," this conversation invites you to rethink what it means to be truly seen, known, and loved. Connect with Erin Moniz on her website, Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Find her book Knowing and Being Known: Hope for All Our Intimate Relationships Find out more about Dr. Carol Ministries in-person intensives - a safe place to unpack your story and experience Jesus coming into your story to bring healing and wholeness. Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can send a confidential message here.

What if reflecting on our own mortality could lead to a richer, more meaningful life? In this episode, we sit down with internal medicine physician Dr. Pamela Pyle to explore how considering our earthly expiration date can transform the way we live today. While we touch on the importance of end-of-life planning, the heart of our conversation is about the here and now—how contemplating our mortality deepens our relationships, fuels forgiveness, cultivates gratitude, and inspires hope. Dr. Pyle also shares how this perspective has shaped her approach to life and work, including her powerful experiences in medical mission work in Rwanda. From the bedside to the broader human experience, this discussion invites us to embrace life with greater intention, purpose, and love. Don't miss this conversation on how the end can powerfully shape the present. Connect with Dr. Pamela Pyle on her website, Facebook, or Instagram. Find her book Anticipating Heaven: Spiritual Comfort and Practical Wisdom for Life's Final ChaptersFind out more about Africa New Life MinistriesCheck out Five Wishes, a beautiful and faithful way to plan for the end of your earthly life Need some help with your relationships before it's too late? Consider individual coaching with Dr. Carol. Dr. Carol loves to hear from you; you can leave a confidential message here. 

This episode is about matters of the heart. Dr. Carol talks with Tom Bennardo, a seasoned ministry leader, author, and spiritual director, about the power and challenge of courageous authenticity. We explore the barriers that keep us from true connection—what he calls "Level 3 intimacy," where we move beyond surface interactions into deeper, truly vulnerable relationships. Whether it's fear, shame, or past wounds, we unpack what holds us back and why authenticity is both risky and essential for a meaningful life. Together, we discuss practical ways to cultivate deeper intimacy—with God, within ourselves, and in a few personal relationships. This conversation is an invitation to take off the masks and move into the kind of love and belonging our hearts were made for. If you desire deeper relationships and longer-lasting spiritual transformation but struggle with how to get there, this episode is for you. Connect with Tom Bennardo on his website, Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram Find Tom's book Open-Hearted People, Soul-Connected Church: How Courageous Authenticity Can Transform Your Relationships, Your Community, and Your Life Find out more about Dr. Carol Ministries in-person intensives - a safe place to unpack your story and experience Jesus coming into your story to bring healing and wholeness. Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can send a confidential message here.

Your past is not truly past; it is still impacting you today. In this episode, Dr. Carol talks with trauma therapist and licensed clinical social worker Adam Young to explore how making sense of your story can lead to freedom, meaning, and transformation. We unpack the ways your past still holds power over you—often in ways you don't even realize—and why resistance to facing your story is so common. Adam Young shares insights into how memory works, why certain moments from your past feel “stuck,” and how your brain and body hold onto experiences and bring them into the present. You'll especially appreciate our discussion of God's role in your story - not as a spiritual bypass, but as a fully honest and yet deeply kind way of finding your relationship with God in your story. Connect with Adam Young on his counseling website, on Facebook, or Instagram. Learn more about the Allender Center. Find Adam's book Make Sense of Your Story: Why Engaging Your Past with Kindness Changes Everything Find out more about Dr. Carol Ministries in-person intensives - a safe place to unpack your story and experience Jesus coming into your story to bring healing and wholeness. Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can send a confidential message here.

In this special Easter episode, I reflect on the deep meaning of Easter—yes, a historical event, but also as a personal and transformative reality. I share two moments in my own journey where Easter became especially significant, shaping how I see hope, redemption, and new beginnings. Through a biblical lens, we'll explore the heart of the resurrection story and what it speaks to us today. Then I offer three practical ways to make Easter more meaningful in your own life—whether you're longing for renewal, wrestling with disappointment, or simply wanting to experience this season in a deeper way. No matter where you find yourself this Easter, my hope is that this conversation encourages you to embrace the promise of resurrection in a way that fuels your hope both for today and for eternity.    Dr. Carol loves to hear form you. Leave your confidential message for Dr. Carol here. 

The Christian church has long been a place of both refuge and harm for women, with many experiencing sexism, harassment, or a culture that upholds harmful power dynamics. That is certainly not the way of Jesus, so what can we do about it? In this episode, Dr. Carol talks with licensed counselor and former pastor Dr. Andrew Bauman to discuss the ways a pornified mindset distorts relationships, how church culture can perpetuate abuse, and what true healing and change require. Whether you're a man seeking to unlearn harmful narratives or a woman longing for clarity and empowerment, this conversation is a must-listen. Connect with Dr. Andrew Bauman on his website, at the Christian Counseling Center, or on Facebook or Instagram. Find his book Safe Church: How to Guard against Sexism and Abuse in Christian Communities Find out more about Dr. Carol Ministries in-person intensives - a safe place to unpack your story and experience Jesus coming into your story to bring healing and wholeness. Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can send a confidential message here.

Childhood sexual abuse leaves deep wounds—emotional, psychological, and spiritual. But healing is possible. In this powerful conversation, Dr. Carol sits down with Dr. Adam Dell, a licensed psychologist, trauma expert, and author, who shares his personal journey of healing and how both faith and therapy played a role in his restoration. With honesty and compassion, he unpacks the Bible's perspective on trauma and sexual shame, addressing common struggles survivors face, from self-blame to feeling distant from God. Drawing from his clinical experience, Dr. Dell provides practical steps toward healing, emphasizing the power of truth, community, and God's redeeming love. Whether you are a survivor seeking hope, a loved one wanting to support someone in their healing journey, or a believer wrestling with how faith and psychology intersect, this episode offers wisdom, encouragement, and the assurance that wholeness is possible. Connect with Dr. Adam Dell on his website, Facebook, or Instagram Find the book Dr. Dell co-authored: Freedom to Heal: A Christian Clinician's Guide to Treating Child Sexual Abuse Find out more about Dr. Carol Ministries in-person intensives - a safe place to unpack your story and experience Jesus coming into your story to bring healing and wholeness. Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can send a confidential message here.

Pornography is no longer just a "worldly issue"—it has deeply impacted Christian marriages (including women) and families. In this powerful episode, we sit down with Ashley Jameson, Associate Director of Women's Groups for Pure Desire, who has not only faced the reality of porn in her own story but has also walked alongside countless women seeking freedom and healing. She shares eye-opening statistics on porn's devastating effects, from intimacy struggles in marriage to the rising number of women battling addiction. But this conversation isn't about fear—it's about redemption. Ashley Jameson offers hope-filled guidance for wives navigating betrayal, women wrestling with their own struggles, and parents seeking wisdom to protect and prepare their children in a hypersexualized world. If you or someone you love has been impacted by pornography, this episode is a must-listen, pointing toward the healing power of God's grace and the steps to lasting transformation. Connect with Ashley Jameson through Pure Desire, or on Facebook. Get all the statistics. Get the full report Beyond the Porn Phenomenon: Equipping The Church For A New Conversation About Pornography, Betrayal Trauma, and Healing Check out our Sexpectations online course. Discover your pathway to sexual wholeness as you explore your sexual story. Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can send a confidential message here.

We may believe Jesus can change things. But we either get upset because we can't orchestrate things to make it happen, or get discouraged because it seems He's not doing what we expect. The truth is that everything changes when Jesus shows up! That beautiful moment when Jesus steps in is usually the beginning, and there's much transformation yet for us to experience. But there are elements we can embrace, places we can put ourselves, to make space for Jesus to do His transformative work. Dr. Carol talks about that in this episode, and introduces you to our Dr. Carol Ministries intensives/retreats, where in a small-group setting individuals can experience Jesus showing up in their story and changing everything. Find out more about our Intensives for yourself, or possibly for someone you love and care about. Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can send a confidential message here.

In your journey to transformation you will be tempted again. And most followers of Jesus will slip again. It's tempting to fall into a shame spiral. You may think, "I've got to try harder and be more self-disciplined." Or, "It's no use. I'm too far gone. I might as well give up." You find yourself hiding from yourself, others, and from God. In this episode Dr. Carol unpacks how to deal with slips and relapses in your transformation journey. She outlines practical steps to building your escape plan for when you're tempted, and also how to set yourself up for success with lifestyle patterns that lessen your vulnerability to being tempted in the first place. Check out these articles from Dr. Carol: - From Temptation to Triumph: Designing Your Personal Escape Plan - How to Find "Your People" When You Need Help Check out our Sexpectations online course. Discover your pathway to sexual wholeness as you explore your sexual story. Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can send a confidential message here.  

What's your addiction? What do you go to in order to feel better? Some addictions are dark and especially destructive. Others are less obvious, but nonetheless keep us from living whole, healthy, and in union with God. On this episode Dr. Carol talks with therapist, author, and Episcopal priest Ian Morgan Cron about the path to recovery using the 12 steps toward a "spiritual awakening." This is a picture of the gospel! Ian shares his own story, and then unpacks what it looks like to experience your own journey of recovery, wholeness, and transformation.  Connect with Ian Morgan Cron on his website, his Typology podcast, Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Find Ian's book The Fix: How the Twelve Steps Offer a Surprising Path of Transformation for the Well-Adjusted, the Down-and-Out, and Everyone In Between or the accompanying Workbook. Check out our Sexpectations online course. Discover your pathway to sexual wholeness as you explore your sexual story. Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can send a confidential message here.

What are you doing to fill the empty places in your soul? We all do something. And for many, that's porn. But there's nothing too dark, too broken, too marred for Jesus to reach in and set a person free. Joshua Broome is a porn star turned preacher. On this podcast he talks with Dr. Carol about his story of what led him to become one of the most successful adult film stars, and how God brought him along a journey to amazing rescue and healing. And we talk about what porn does to a person, and the process of finding healing and freedom.  Connect with Joshua Broome on his website, Facebook, or Instagram. Find Joshua's book 7 Lies That Will Ruin Your Life: What My Journey from Porn Star to Preacher Taught Me About the Truth That Sets Us Free Check out our Sexpectations online course. Discover your pathway to sexual wholeness as you explore your sexual story. Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can send a confidential message here.

You've probably realized by now that trying harder doesn't work very long or very well. That may be especially true for those experiencing sexual brokenness. Today's episode is excerpted from a session at the Change(d) Conference 2024 where Dr. Carol was joined by Jonathan Daugherty, founder and president of Be Broken Ministries. He shares his own story, and then a powerful picture of why grace is the only foundation that works, and nine specific aspects of that grace-based transformation journey. Connect with Jonathan Daugherty and Be Broken Ministries at their website, his Pure Sex Radio podcast, Facebook, or Instagram. Get Jonathan's book Grace-Based Transformation Get access to the full Change(d) Conference 2024, including the Q&A with Jonathan Daugherty, and all the other sessions. Check out our Sexpectations online course. Discover your pathway to sexual wholeness as you explore your sexual story. Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can send a confidential message here.

Shame seems a certain companion to those who have experienced sexual harm and brokenness. And hurt people end up hurting other people. Those feeling such shame usually also feel like hiding from God. Teresa Whiting had to walk through that in her own journey. She shares about how she found healing, and what it's like to restore one's internal picture of God in this process. And she talks about some engaging and deep resources to help you experience deep healing. Connect with Teresa Whiting on her website or YouTube. Find her book DisGraced: How God Redeems and Restores the BrokenHere's where you can get a free sample of the Graced study. Check out our brand new Sexpectations online course. Discover your pathway to sexual wholeness as you explore your sexual story. Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can send a confidential message here.

Neither you nor your spouse entered marriage as a blank slate. Most married people don't realize the extent to which the past experiences of both you and your spouse, especially trauma, form the foundation of most of the conflict between you. Dr. Carol talks with Dr. Steve Call, clinical psychologist, author, and graduate professor at the Allender Center, about dealing with the roots defining your marriage. Your past stories can become the fruitful ground from which redemption and true intimacy can grow. Find out more about Dr. Steve Call at the Reconnect Institute, on Facebook, or Instagram. Get the book Steve coauthored with Dr. Dan Allender The Deep-Rooted Marriage: Cultivating Intimacy, Healing, and Delight Check out our brand new Sexpectations online course. Discover your pathway to sexual wholeness as you explore your sexual story. Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can send a confidential message here.

Do you feel loved? Do you feel loved by God? We are all born looking for love - to be safely attached, seen, and cared for. Our early stories usually mess that up. And for Christians, that usually leads to disruptions between what we "know" about God and our emotional connection with Him. Michael John Cusick, licensed professional counselor, spiritual director, and professor, joins Dr. Carol to talk about love. Weaving in his own traumatic and healed story, they talk about healing and becoming securely attached to God. They address the places where love, intimacy, and sex overlap - or don't, and how God usually works in bringing transformation in these tender places. Connect with Michael John Cusick on his website, at Restoring the Soul, or Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram Find Michael's book Sacred Attachment: Escaping Spiritual Exhaustion and Trusting in Divine Love Check out our brand new Sexpectations online course. Discover your pathway to sexual wholeness as you explore your sexual story. Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can send a confidential message here.

Dr. Carol believes, as many experts do, that it's a rare person indeed who has not experienced some form of sexual harm, whether obvious and severe, or more subtle and "normalized." You didn't wake up one day and decide to have sexual "issues," and behind your "issues" is almost always some dimension of experiencing sexual harm. In this episode Dr. Carol discusses different categories of sexual harm, the many ways such harm impacts you over the long haul, and three specific and practical steps to take that will bring real and deep healing. Check out our brand new Sexpectations online course. Discover your pathway to sexual wholeness as you explore your sexual story with honesty and compassion, find hope and healing from past harm, shame, and brokenness, and experience grace from Jesus as you invite Him into the hard places of your story. Nothing stays the same when Jesus shows up! Get the course now. Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can send a confidential message here. 

"It's not playing any role!" I hope that's true, but chances are good that porn is affecting your Christian marriage. Approximately 2/3 of Christian men and 1/3 of Christian women admit to a struggle with porn. That statistic holds even when that Christian man or woman gets married. And the impact of porn usually continues long after the actual porn use stops. This episode looks at the multiple ways in which your or your spouse's porn use has affected your marriage, your intimacy, and even your relationship with God. And then we discuss several practical things to do to when you realize how your heart, life, and marriage have been impacted.  Check out our brand new Sexpectations online course. Discover your pathway to sexual wholeness as you explore your sexual story with honesty and compassion, find hope and healing from past harm, shame, and brokenness, and experience grace from Jesus as you invite Him into the hard places of your story. Nothing stays the same when Jesus shows up! Get the course now. Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can send a confidential message here. 

What's the current state of affairs when it comes to sex and sexuality - in culture, in the Christian church, in your life? Dr. Carol shares a few statistics - some hopeful, and some very sobering, and then quickly moves to exploring your sexual story which may include the good, the bad, and the ugly. You'll also hear about what it looks like to invite Jesus right into the middle of your sexual story. This is not primarily about behaviors; it's about matters of the heart. Check out our brand new Sexpectations online course. Discover your pathway to sexual wholeness as you explore your sexual story with honesty and compassion, find hope and healing from past harm, shame, and brokenness, and experience grace from Jesus as you invite Him into the hard places of your story. Nothing stays the same when Jesus shows up! Get the course now. Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can send a confidential message here. 

It's getting hot in here! In this short teaser you'll get a taste of what's coming up in a brand new season for Relationship Prescriptions. We're getting "deep in the weeds" in hot topics around intimacy, sexuality, and relationships. Topics such as sexual trauma, porn and marriage, spiritual abuse, intimacy in marriage, same-sex attraction, and more. Make sure you're subscribed to our podcast. And if you have questions, comments, or suggestions for what you'd like to hear about, let me know. 

In this raw unproduced non-episode episode, Dr. Carol shares a quick word from her heart about coming to the end of 2024.  Right now, come check out ARISE: A Place of Transformation, and be part of making this beautiful place a reality for people to experience lasting transformation through Dr. Carol Ministries intensives.  Or you may wish to purchase an item from our Amazon Wish List to help us be ready for moving into this place where lives will be healed and transformed for eternity.    Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can leave her a confidential message here. 

Christmas can be a season of wonder, hope, and joy. However, it can also be a very difficult season for many. Often it's both good - and hard.  Dr. Carol shares a few of her favorite things at Christmas, and how these objects signify aspects of what Christmas means. Perhaps this will help you think of your own favorite things this Christmas. All of us at Dr. Carol Ministries pray that Jesus bless you with a special sense of His presence this season. Merry Christmas! Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can leave a confidential message here. 

A Christmas Carol, the classic story by Charles Dickens, has been made into several movies and told in countless ways for generations. However, is it possible that this holiday story of Ebeneezer Scrooge and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come might have meaning to your own life story? In this special Christmas episode Dr. Carol talks with best-selling author and columnist Bob Welch about stinginess, innocence, grief, joy, transformation, and other contemporary and meaningful lessons about how to live - and how not to live - not only at Christmas but throughout the year. See more from Bob Welch on his website, Facebook, or Instagram Bob Welch's book 52 Little Lessons from A Christmas Carol: Inspirational Reflections for the Advent Season Bob Welch's other "52 Little Lessons" books from It's A Wonderful Life, and Les Miserables In your year-end charitable giving, prayerfully consider a gift to ARISE: A Place of Transformation Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can leave a confidential message here. 

Christians have the best answer to the epidemic of loneliness in our culture. As articulated by the US Surgeon General, being disconnected has life-damaging consequences. But too many in the body of Christ are neither experiencing nor offering the kind of friendship Christians are uniquely equipped to provide. Dr. Carol's guest on this episode is author and podcaster Rebecca McLaughlin who has a PhD in literature from Cambridge University and a theology degree from Oak Hill Theological College in London. She contends that friendship love is not optional for followers of Jesus. She explains why this love is, in New Testament terms, more critical than marriage or romantic love. And she talks about what this can practically look like for you. Connect with Rebecca McLaughlin on her website, X (Twitter), or Instagram    Find Rebecca's book No Greater Love: A Biblical Vision for Friendship          Check out Dr. Carol's article How to Find Your People When You Need Help Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can send a confidential message here. 

There's a guaranteed and often overlooked method to elevate your mood, energize your spirit, and bring you a wave of meaning and joy, and that is - wait for it - generosity! And Giving Tuesday is a strong reminder of just how powerful giving can be. In this Giving Tuesday special, Dr. Carol is joined by John Curtis, professor and senior development specialist, to talk about transformational giving. This is not about organizations asking for money. Instead, this is about the power of generosity to change you! If you're a church or nonprofit leader, you'll want to check out Mission Increase and their powerful principles of transformational giving. On Giving Tuesday and in your year-end charitable giving, prayerfully consider an investment in ARISE: A Place of Transformation Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can leave a confidential message here.

Love sex or hate it, and regardless of your relationship status, you have a sexual story. You might be proud of part of your sexual story. But you may also struggle with shame and guilt about parts of your story. And whether you're married or unmarried, your sexual story greatly impacts your ability to experience real intimacy with others and with God. In this talk Dr. Carol gave at the SHE Recovery Summit, she uses personal stories, theological perspectives, and clinical research in sexuality and neuroscience, to address how the unhealed parts of your sexual story prevent the intimacy you need, the process of developing the capacity for healthy intimacy, and what nurturing healthy intimacy–with others and with God, and whether married or single–looks like. The SHE Recovery Summit included over 40 speakers sharing their expertise, perspectives, and personal stories in helping women and teen girls address their issues around sexuality. You can purchase a pass to watch all the Summit recordings here. And use the promo code DRCAROL to get 10% off. And check out Dr. Carol's book Sexpectations: Reframing Your Good And Not-So-Good Stories Around God, Love, and Relationships, or all the other associated resources. Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can leave a confidential message here. 

"Is there anything too hard for the Lord?" The Bible asks that question, and answers it with a clear "No, nothing is impossible with God!" But does that apply to a truly destructive marriage? If your relationship is deeply troubled, you may be asking, "Is there any hope?" Shayne and Sheila Pitcock would say YES, there is hope! They join Dr. Carol on this episode to share their story. There are buzzwords here; domestic violence, abuse, separation. Healing requires both partners to allow God to do His work, but you'll hear how God can redeem anything when they do so. And now Shayne and Sheila are helping other troubled couples find the same kind of healing. Check out Shayne and Sheila Pitcock's ministry on their website, or on Facebook. Check out our online course from Dr. Carol Ministries: Fully Alive Marriage Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can leave a confidential comment or question here. 

Knowing information, even information about God, is important. But so many Christians find information woefully inadequate to fully address the realities of their lives. Our souls long for something more - something of beauty, connection, even love. In this unique and beautiful conversation Dr. Carol talks with Quina Aragon, author, editor, and spoken word artist, about the love of God - not in the sense of information, but from story - our story, the Bible's story, and God's story. And you'll especially enjoy the poetic reading near the end of this episode. Connect with Quina Aragon on her website, or on Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube. Find Quina's book Love Has a Story: 100 Meditations on the Enduring Love of God      Would love to have you join us at our Change(d) Conference 2024: Lasting Transformation Around Intimacy, Sexuality, and Relationships.  Learn more and register here. Check out Dr. Carol's article Genesis to Revelation: The Greatest Love Story Ever Dr.  Carol loves to hear from you. You can leave a confidential message here.

The US Surgeon General has highlighted the epidemic of loneliness in our culture, and the very negative health implications. Just being around people is helpful but inadequate to satisfy the deep longing for connection God built into every human heart. In this practical episode Dr. Carol talks with Becky Harling, speaker, podcaster, Bible teacher, and author, about the deeper connections our hearts truly need, and what you can do to proactively nurture those connections. Though it may feel challenging, every one of us can take the initiative to find your people, and you'll be healthier and happier for it. Connect with Becky Harling on her website, Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram Find Becky's latest book Cultivating Deeper Connections in a Lonely World      Would love to have you join us at our Change(d) Conference 2024: Lasting Transformation Around Intimacy, Sexuality, and Relationships.  Learn more and register here. Check out Dr. Carol's article How to Find Your People Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can leave a confidential message here.

The wounds we all experience in life - internally as well as externally - can leave you with permanent scars. As a result you may feel disqualified from experiencing true goodness, from being able to fulfill what you most deeply desire, or from being as useful to God's kingdom as you wish. Dr. Michelle Bengston, speaker, author, and board-certified clinical neuropsychologist, has experienced lots of scars and helped countless others face their own scars. She talks with Dr. Carol on this episode about how our scars - physical and emotional - serve as the very preparation for what God wants to do both in and through you. Your scars are sacred.  Connect with Dr. Bengston on her website, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Find Dr. Michelle Bengston's books: - The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out to God When Pain Overwhelms    - Sacred Scars: Resting in God's Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted      Check out my book and related resources: Sexpectations: Reframing Your Good and Not-So-Good Stories Around God, Love, and Relationships Dr. Carol enjoys hearing from you. You can leave a confidential message here.

Dr. Carol receives lots of questions about relationships, menopause and married sex, marital rape, struggle with pornography, and more. In today's episode she answers some listener submitted questions on a range of subjects. You won't want to miss this! Resources mentioned in this episode: - Navigating Midlife online course - Article Having the Sex Talk With Your Spouse - eBook Dr. Carol's Guide to Sex and Menopause - Article Why You Are Not Entitled to Sex - Article Where to Start if Your Marriage Lacks Intimacy - Free download A Prescription for Sexual Healing – God's Way - Article Why Doesn't God Deliver Me From This Addiction - Article How God Deals With Repeat Sinners - Resource Page Relationships Help - Article The Most Powerful Prayer I Ever Prayed Check out my book and related resources: Sexpectations: Reframing Your Good and Not-So-Good Stories Around God, Love, and Relationships Dr. Carol enjoys hearing from you. You can leave a confidential message here.

Many followers of Jesus might wish God would "zap" them out of their addiction to porn, alcohol, or whatever else. Are they uniquely flawed when they still struggle with their unwanted behavior patterns? Doesn't being "a new creation in Christ" mean things should be resolved? Troy and Melissa Haas are licensed counselors and lead the HopeQuest family of ministries. They join Dr. Carol on this episode to talk about their own story  of painful addiction and betrayal trauma, and about how they are now helping so many individuals and families find not just sobriety but lasting and whole recovery. Find out more about HopeQuest on their website, Facebook, X(Twitter), or Instagram. Check out Dr. Carol's article Why Doesn't God Deliver Me From This Addiction? Check out my book and related resources: Sexpectations: Reframing Your Good and Not-So-Good Stories Around God, Love, and Relationships Dr. Carol enjoys hearing from you. You can leave a confidential message here.

Even as followers of Jesus, stuff happens to us. And more than that, stuff happens within us as a result. Your personal dashboard may start showing yellow lights or even flashing red lights, indicating things are not well. It's time to pay attention. In this very personal and practical episode, experienced counselor, author, pastor, and professor Chuck DeGroat rejoins Dr. Carol to talk about how to address those warning lights, find healing for what's going on inside, and reconnect with oneself, others, and God.  Connect with Chuck DeGroat on his website, Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Find Chuck's book Healing What's Within: Coming Home to Yourself—and to God—When You're Wounded, Weary, and Wandering       Check out my previous conversation with Chuck DeGroat - How to Deal With a Narcissist Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can leave her a confidential message here.

The divorce rate for blended families is 70%. But there's another surprising statistic; well over 99% of couples who do this one specific activity stay together - blended or not. Dr. Carol talks with Scott and Vanessa Martindale of Blended Kingdom Families in this very encouraging episode. Scott shares the one activity that guarantees an over 99% success rate for you staying together! We talk about the unique challenges blended families face, but even more about the doable ways of building oneness even when your marriage is blended. Check out the organization Scott and Vanessa Martindale lead, Blended Kingdom Families, or also on Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube. Check out the Martindale's book Blended and Redeemed: The Go-To Field Guide for the Modern Stepfamily    Consider attending the Blended Family Conference coming October 5 - in person or virtually Explore the resources on Dr. Carol Ministries Relationships page Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can leave a confidential message here. 

What kind of change is possible - or not possible, especially when it comes to LGBTQ issues? And how does change happen? There are no one-size-fits-all answers. But as the Changed movement is demonstrating, there are more stories of lasting change than many realize. Dr. Carol's guest on this episode is Ken Williams, co-founder of the Changed Movement. He shares his story of following Jesus away from a gay identity to  what he describes as a true masculine identity and intimacy with God – and  also being happily married to his wife. And Ken and Dr. Carol dive deep into what change means, and how it happens.  Connect with Ken Williams on his website, the Changed Movement, Navigating LGBTQ, or on Facebook Find Ken's book The Journey Out: How I Followed Jesus Away from Gay        Check out my book and related resources: Sexpectations: Reframing Your Good and Not-So-Good Stories Around God, Love, and Relationships Dr. Carol enjoys hearing from you. You can leave a confidential message here.

At some point in life, you'll likely to face a time when everything seems to be falling apart. A job loss, health or financial crisis, end of a marriage, death of a close loved one, or other catastrophe that can leave you feeling overwhelmed, confused, and unsure whether or how you can go on living.  Dr. Carol's guest on this episode, author, Bible teacher, and minister Dawn Mann Sanders brings her own personal experience and a deep exploration of God's creative process to this encouraging conversation. You'll learn how to partner with God in overcoming adversity and recreating a new life of goodness and meaning after everything seems lost.  Connect with Dawn Mann Sanders on her website, Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram Find Dawn's book When Your World Ends: God's Creative Process for Rebuilding a Life          If you have recently experienced the death of a loved one, you will appreciate Dr. Carol's free 30-day email devotional series The Christian's Journey Through Grief, or her book by the same name. Dr. Carol loves to hear from you; you can leave her a confidential message here.

Statistics show that divorce rates are at their highest between five and eight years of marriage. That's when the disillusionment sets in. Even if your marriage is not destructively toxic, what happened to the "happily ever after" that you thought you were embarking on? And what can you do about it? Dr. Carol's guest on this episode, Chelsea Damon, thought marriage would make her happy - until it didn't. But since she and her husband have learned these important keys, she says her marriage is now consistently more happy than ever. Find out what she has coached thousands of couples to walk through in making their marriage enduringly happy. Connect with Chelsea Damon on her website, Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram Find Chelsea's book I Thought This Would Make Me Happy: How to Fight Less, Forgive Faster, and Cultivate Joy in Your Marriage      My book and related resources: Sexpectations: Reframing Your Good and Not-So-Good Stories Around God, Love, and Relationships Dr. Carol enjoys hearing from you. You can leave a confidential message here.

The Bible doesn't talk specifically about dating. But that doesn't mean it has nothing to say on the subject. Dating as a Christian can seem confusing, and hard. There are questions not only about sexuality and sexual behavior, but about how to know if this is "the one," what makes a relationship healthy, and preparing for not just a wedding but a marriage. Tovares and Safa Gray talk with Dr. Carol in this authentic and fun conversation about Godly Dating 101 - their ministry to young Christians helping them navigate all the challenging questions and experiences they are faced with in developing a healthy relationship God's way. Connect with Tovares and Safa Gray on their website, YouTube channel, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Find their book Godly Dating 101: Discover the Truth About Relationships in a World That Constantly Lies  Get your free download from Dr. Carol Your Prescription for Sexual Healing – God's Way My book and related resources: Sexpectations: Reframing Your Good and Not-So-Good Stories Around God, Love, and Relationships Dr. Carol enjoys hearing from you. You can leave a confidential message here.

The rapid increase in LGBTQ+ issues in our culture leaves many Christian parents struggling with how to navigate these realities with their children in ways that are both loving and aligned to their Christian faith. Dr. Carol's guest on today's episode is Ellen Radcliff. She was raised in a Christian home and also wrestles with same-sex attraction. As a faithful Christian wife and mother who holds to a Biblical sexual ethic, she now works with other parents and families navigating these challenging waters. From both her own experience and her theological training she can help you maintain connection both with God and with your children.  Connect with Ellen Radcliff on her website, Facebook, or Instagram. Find Ellen's book Love Covers Over: A Guide for Christian Parents Raising Kids in an LGBTQ+ World    Get your free download from Dr. Carol Your Prescription for Sexual Healing – God's Way My book and related resources: Sexpectations: Reframing Your Good and Not-So-Good Stories Around God, Love, and Relationships Dr. Carol enjoys hearing from you. You can leave a confidential message here.

Christian women, young and old, often struggle with a disconnect between what their intellect may know is "right" about sexuality, God, and relationships, and what their own experience has been. Pornography or other ungodly sexual behaviors only add to their sexual shame and feeling of being stuck. On this episode Dr. Carol talks with Dr. Joy Skarka, director of discipleship for Authentic Intimacy, about the journey God invites every woman into of discovering the full love of God, how to grow into freedom from sexual shame regardless of your story, and the experience of true intimacy as God originally intended.  Connect with Joy Skarka on her website, Facebook, X, or Instagram. Find Joy's book Her Freedom Journey: A Guide Out of Porn and Shame to Authentic Intimacy      Get your free download from Dr. Carol:   Your Prescription for Sexual Healing – God's Way My book and related resources: Sexpectations: Reframing Your Good and Not-So-Good Stories Around God, Love, and Relationships Dr. Carol enjoys hearing from you. You can leave a confidential message here.

We all get wounded. What do you do with your wounds? As humans we naturally hide the parts of us we deem least presentable. And that very hiding is what prevents the deep healing and transformation Jesus longs to bring. In this moving and personal episode, author, pastor, and ministry director Russell Joyce talks with Dr. Carol about how Jesus finds us in our wounds. His own shame and physical pain he's lived with as a result of being born with Goldenhar syndrome becomes that metaphor for how God meets us most transformatively in the very places we find most challenging. Connect with Russell Joyce on his website, Instagram, or YouTube. Find Russell's book His Face Like Mine: Finding God's Love in Our Wounds  Get your free download Your Prescription for Sexual Healing – God's Way My book and related resources: Sexpectations: Reframing Your Good and Not-So-Good Stories Around God, Love, and Relationships Dr. Carol enjoys hearing from you. You can leave a confidential message here.

Our culture seems obsessed with sex. Then why do so many men seem to experience sexual desire as a place of brokenness, shame, struggle, and confusion? Dr. Carol's guest on this episode asserts that men are oversexualized yet sexually undernourished, and that many men need more talk, not less, about sexuality. Experienced therapist and author Sam Jolman joins Dr. Carol to talk about masculine sexuality as God designed it to be, how evil has hijacked and distorted this critical part of a man's soul, and what the journey to sexual wholeness, wonder, freedom, and even innocence is all about. Connect with Sam Jolman on his website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or YouTube. Find Sam's book The Sex Talk You Never Got: Reclaiming the Heart of Masculine Sexuality    My book and related resources: Sexpectations: Reframing Your Good and Not-So-Good Stories Around God, Love, and Relationships And get the Audiobook of Sexpectations at 60% off through August 9th. Dr. Carol enjoys hearing from you. You can leave a confidential message here.

While approximately 50% of those who call themselves Christian in the developed world are unmarried, only about 25% of the typical church attendees are unmarried. Where are the other single Christians? Many unmarried Christians report unique struggles in their walk with God. They often report feeling disconnected or even alienated from the body of Christ, like church isn't for them. On this episode Lisa Anderson, who manages Focus on the Family's young adult ministry, talks with Dr. Carol about what it's like to live as a Christian single - at any age. And Lisa has some helpful things to say to singles about the church, and to the church about singles.  Connect with Lisa Anderson on the Boundless website, or on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram Get Lisa's book The Dating Manifesto: A Drama-Free Plan for Pursuing Marriage with Purpose    Find my article Handling Your Sexuality as a Single Christian My book and related resources: Sexpectations: Reframing Your Good and Not-So-Good Stories Around God, Love, and Relationships Dr. Carol enjoys hearing from you. You can leave a confidential message here.

The need to belong is deep in our human souls. We are almost always asking, "Am I on the inside? Or on the outside?" Loneliness has strong negative impacts on our physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. Dr. Carol's conversation with writer, speaker, and podcaster Sarah E. Westfall will help you navigate your need to belong, and how that comes more from who you are than something you achieve. And they offer insight into how to move closer to both God and others. More resources: - Connect with Sarah Westfall on her website, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.  - Get Sarah's book The Way of Belonging: Reimagining Who We Are and How We Relate My article How to Find Your People When You Need Help My book and related resources: Sexpectations: Reframing Your Good and Not-So-Good Stories Around God, Love, and Relationships Dr. Carol enjoys hearing from you. You can leave a confidential message here.

More religious stuff to do. So much performance leads to anxiety and exhaustion. When our attachment to God is insecure, or is based on our own activity and behavior, there's no life. Anglican priest and spiritual director Summer Joy Gross has walked the journey to become securely attached to God. She talks with Dr. Carol on this episode about how you can do the same. While offering practices that will help you, your biggest takeaway from this conversation is likely to be a deeper desire to be with Jesus.   More resources: - Connect with Summer Joy Gross and the Presence Project on her website, or on Facebook or Instagram. - Get Summer's book The Emmanuel Promise: Discovering the Security of a Life Held by God Check out my article Practical Ways to Pursue Intimacy with God My book and related resources: Sexpectations: Reframing Your Good and Not-So-Good Stories Around God, Love, and Relationships Dr. Carol enjoys hearing from you. You can leave a confidential message here.

Marriage is hard. And it can be really hard when you face betrayal, neurodiversity, old baggage, emotional deprivation, and more. Shawna Meek has faced all this, and has chosen to stay married. She talks with Dr. Carol about what helped her stay - and stay sane - in the middle of all the mess. You may or may not make the same choice Shawna has. But regardless, this conversation will help you feel validated and encouraged, and help you persevere regardless of what happens - or doesn't - with your marriage.  More resources: - APSATS - Association of Partners of Sex Addicts Trauma Specialists - Find Shawna Meek at Living Stones Coaching, Facebook, or Instagram - Get Shawna's book Determined for More: A Story of Perseverance Through Divorce, Betrayal Trauma, Emotional Deprivation and Autism My book and related resources: Sexpectations: Reframing Your Good and Not-So-Good Stories Around God, Love, and Relationships Dr. Carol enjoys hearing from you. You can leave a confidential message here.   

Your journey to wholeness - sexually and otherwise - will be opposed. That opposition comes from both inside you and from outside you. That opposition includes pressure from the kingdom of darkness. Not everything is spiritual warfare, but understanding this aspect of what you will face helps you be prepared and successful in facing the opposition.   Dr. Carol provides three specific strategies or things to do in facing spiritual opposition that will help you recognize when you're under spiritual attack, experience true freedom, and build a lifestyle that will maintain your freedom.  . . . . . More resources: - article The Most Powerful Prayer I Ever Prayed - book and related resources: Sexpectations: Reframing Your Good and Not-So-Good Stories Around God, Love, and Relationships Dr. Carol enjoys hearing from you. You can leave a confidential message here. 

We often don't get what we want and that is often a good thing. Desire—including sexual desire—can often be in disorder.  Today's follower of Jesus exist at a moment in history when our desires, longings, and wants are being weaponized against us by cultural, spiritual, and relational forces. “Follow your heart” and “You do you” has become our moment's mantras. The result, for too many, is feeling torn asunder by the raging desires within. What do we do with our desire? What about our unwanted desires? And how do we cultivate desires which bring life and freedom and lead to Christ? Author and educator, AJ Swoboda joins the podcast to discuss this and more on this thought provoking segment. Connect with AJ Swodoba on his personal website, or on Facebook, or Instagram. Find AJ's book  The Gift of Thorns: Jesus, the Flesh, and the War of Wants Check out Dr. Carol's new book Sexpectations: Reframing Your Good and Not-So-Good Stories About God, Love, and Relationships. And find supplementary resources at YourSexpectations.com. Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can leave a confidential message here.

It's never really about sex. Matters of the heart and a desire for intimacy are imbedded in humans since creation. But what does that mean if you are married? Or single? God gave us desire; he gave us this longing … the Greeks called it eros, passion, It's the deepest desire of our heart. However, our world has hijacked eros, it just sees it as erotic. It has been taken over by a corrupt culture that only sees passion as something that is dirty, sullied, and sinful. Author and educator, Bill Donaghy, co-author of Rise and lecturer at Theology of the Body Institute joins the podcast to discuss the theology of Eros and more on this thought-provoking episode. Check out the Theology of the Body Institute Check out Rise: A 30-day Challenge for Men Check out Dr. Carol's new book Sexpectations: Reframing Your Good and Not-So-Good Stories About God, Love, and Relationships. And find supplementary resources at YourSexpectations.com. Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can leave a confidential message here.  

Your heart is shattered. How can you find healing when you've been wounded by trauma and betrayal? And that process is even more challenging when you brought your past complex trauma into the relationship to begin with. Trauma expert and counselor Stacey Sadler Smith has both experienced that herself, and now brings years of professional experience to helping both individuals and couples heal from trauma and betrayal. She talks with Dr. Carol on this episode about her own story, about broken attachments, and about the process of repair after trauma and betrayal - both for one's own heart and for the relationship. Connect with Stacey Sadler Smith on her personal website, at Daring Ventures, or on Facebook or Instagram. Check out Dr. Carol's new book Sexpectations: Reframing Your Good and Not-So-Good Stories About God, Love, and Relationships And look around at all the supplementary resources at YourSexpectations.com. Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can leave a confidential message here. Contact to share links:  stacey@daringventures.com