What does beauty have to do with fear, faith, and the future? In this compelling conversation, Dr. Carol sits down with former Muslim and now author and pastor Naeem Fazal to explore how beauty is not just aesthetic; it's transformational. Naeem shares his powerful personal story of overcoming deep fear and rejection, and how beauty is bound up in the very life of relationship with God. “Beauty has the power to shape our souls,” he says. And in a world that feels increasingly fractured, that tru...
Jul 22, 2025•49 min
Today’s young people are navigating a sexual landscape unlike anything previous generations have faced. Porn is not just accessible—it’s expected. Messages about identity, desire, and intimacy are being shaped more by screens than by Scripture. In this important conversation, Dr. Carol talks with Joel Warneking and Bill Williams from 423 Communities, a ministry that walks with people toward freedom from unhealthy sexual patterns and into deeper intimacy with God. Joel and Bill unpack what’s real...
Jul 15, 2025•45 min
What happens when you step away from the noise of life and create space for God to do deep heart work? In this special episode, Dr. Carol sits down with three courageous women who participated in one of our recent Intensives—four powerful days designed as a safe place to deal with the broken places in their stories around intimacy and relationships, and to experience deep healing, transformation, and connection with God and others. In this honest and hope-filled conversation, they share what dre...
Jul 08, 2025•44 min
For many men, sexuality and spirituality feel like two separate worlds. In this honest and insightful conversation, Dr. Carol talks with former pastor, ministry leader, and spiritual director Bill Delvaux about what it truly means to invite God into our sexual story . Bill shares why so many men experience a deep disconnect between their sexuality and their relationship with God, and how that disconnect often leads to shame, secrecy, and soul-fragmentation. But it doesn’t have to stay that way. ...
Jul 01, 2025•43 min
Identity is a hot topic in today's culture, especially when it comes to the LGBTQ conversation. But where does identity come from? Does it matter? And does one's biology matter? Elizabeth Woning embraced a lesbian lifestyle and a theology that embraced homosexuality until she had an encounter experiencing the love of God while engaged in pastoral ministry. She since cofounded CHANGED Movement, a network of individuals who have moved away from LGBTQ identity. As a licensed pastor she also trains ...
Jun 24, 2025•57 min
What does it really look like to walk with God in singleness—especially when the path feels long, lonely, or confusing? In this honest and compassionate episode, Dr. Carol responds to real questions from listeners about the complexities of single life. We talk about the ache of unfulfilled longing, wrestling with God when He hasn’t brought a spouse, and how to navigate desire—especially sexual desire—in a healthy, Christ-centered way when you're single. We also dive into the ways the Church can ...
Jun 17, 2025•35 min
In this powerful session from our Change(d) Conference 2024, we’re joined by a licensed marriage and family therapist with a unique blend of clinical expertise and pastoral insight. With years of experience walking with individuals and couples through the trenches of intimacy, sexuality, and relational pain, Zion Montgomery offers a compelling vision for how lasting transformation happens when both therapy and theology are brought together—rather than pitted against each other. In this episode, ...
Jun 10, 2025•49 min
What happens when the place meant to be a refuge becomes a source of silence—or worse, complicity—in the face of abuse? In this episode, we sit down with Diane Schnickels, certified counselor, domestic abuse advocate, and founder of Living Waters of Hope to talk honestly about domestic violence in the context of Christian faith. Together, we unpack the warning signs that distinguish abuse from everyday conflict, and explore the emotional and spiritual toll it takes on a woman’s heart—especially ...
Jun 03, 2025•40 min
Dr. Carol regularly gets questions about difficult marriage, relationship, and sexual issues. On this episode she answers questions about some especially challenging situations; a wife whose husband is living with another woman, a husband who is frustrated with his wife's frequent "no" to sex, a wife whose husband is threatening to make her move out, a husband whose wife has left for the second time, a young woman struggling with pornography, and a wife who has experienced traumatic married sex....
May 27, 2025•39 min
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, sens...
May 20, 2025•35 min
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 create...
May 13, 2025•49 min
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 al...
May 06, 2025•41 min
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 ...
Apr 29, 2025•48 min
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,...
Apr 22, 2025•41 min
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 fo...
Apr 15, 2025•14 min
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 ...
Apr 08, 2025•36 min
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 feelin...
Apr 01, 2025•47 min
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 wome...
Mar 25, 2025•42 min
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. Car...
Mar 18, 2025•23 min
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 pl...
Mar 11, 2025•28 min
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 y...
Mar 04, 2025•38 min
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 th...
Feb 25, 2025•45 min
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 journe...
Feb 18, 2025•54 min
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 he...
Feb 11, 2025•38 min
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 ...
Feb 04, 2025•38 min
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 ...
Jan 28, 2025•50 min
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 t...
Jan 21, 2025•29 min
"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 ...
Jan 14, 2025•30 min
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...
Jan 07, 2025•29 min
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 ....
Jan 02, 2025•4 min
