Relationship Prescriptions with Dr. Carol

Fractured marriages, sexual addiction, deep anxiety - these are just a few of the kinds of struggles Dr. Carol Ministries is privileged to help people find healing from. In this unusual Giving Tuesday episode, Dr. Carol says Thank You to YOU for your prayers, sharing, and support. You'll hear stories from several individuals and couples who have found hope, lasting transformation, and joyful wholeness through our resources. We ask for your prayers, and for your financial support so we can continue to help rescue more hearts. Make your gift now. ------------- The resources mentioned during this episode: - Article The Most Powerful Prayer I Ever Prayed - Our Relationships Resource Page - Online course Fully Alive Marriage - 30 day email devotional Toward Sexual Wholeness - online course Sexpectations

Your relationship - or lack thereof - with your earthly father impacts your relationship with your heavenly Father. If your earthly father was absent, or unpredictable, or harsh and abusive, or neglectful, or emotionally unavailable, you'll experience God the same way. Overcoming father wounds is a challenge for so many people. Kia Stephens has experienced father wounds. In this episode she talks with Dr. Carol about the long process of her healing, and how she has built a healthy relationship with her Heavenly Father. Kia now helps countless others find the same healing - in their earthly relationships, and even more in their connection with God. Connect with Kia Stephens on her website, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Find her book Overcoming Father Wounds: Exchanging Your Pain for God’s Perfect Love Check out Dr. Carol's articles: - God Is Your Father: Good News, or Bad? - How to Develop a Healthy Internal Picture of God Dr. Carol loves to hear from you! You can leave her a confidential message here.

Don't you often wish God would "zap" you from here to there? If you need to change and you ask Him to change you, don't you wish it would happen quickly? But all longterm followers of Jesus discover that spiritual transformation is a process - and one where we learn to cooperate with God. Jonathan Daugherty has experienced that transformation, and now as founder and president of Be Broken Ministries he helps many others experience that as well. In this episode he talks with Dr. Carol about the 3-stage process to become spiritually mature and whole, and what you can do along the way. Connect with Jonathan Daugherty on the Be Broken website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or YouTube. Find Jonathan's latest book Grace-Based Transformation: The 3-Stage Journey to Wholeness in Christ Check out Dr. Carol's article Ways of Being With Jesus that Bring Transformation Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can leave her a confidential message here.

Christian culture has promoted the idea of purpose and calling. But the struggle to find and fulfill one's purpose and calling has left many feeling frustrated, tired, and discouraged. Longing for significance and greatness seems often futile and disappointing. Do our priorities and perspective need to be changed? Dr. Carol talks with Kelly Needham, Bible teacher, author, wife and mom, about how we've been fooled in our understanding of purpose. Striving for meaning and longing for significance is not fulfilled by things we do, but by Who we know. This conversation just may set you free and open the door to real joy. Connect with Kelly Needham on her website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or YouTube. Find Kelly's book Purposefooled: Why Chasing Your Dreams, Finding Your Calling, and Reaching for Greatness Will Never Be Enough Check out Dr. Carol's article Being With Jesus in Ways That Bring Transformation Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can leave her a confidential message here.

Every marriage is the union of two sinners. And that sets every couple up for pain and disappointment. Most couples simply react to the stresses their marriage encounters, or don't think about it much until a crisis hits. Grace and intentionality can change all that. On this episode Dr. Carol talks with Brad and Marilyn Rhoads about how their own marriage was desperately challenging in the beginning, and how grace change both of their hearts. They then address how grace impacts communication, sex, money, and more, and why a foundation of God's grace and being intentional is the only way a marriage can thrive. Connect with Brad and Marilyn Rhoads at Grace Marriage, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Find their book The Grace Marriage: How the Gospel and Intentionality Transform Your Relationship Check out Dr. Carol's resources on Relationships Dr. Carol loves to hear from you; you can leave her a confidential message here.

Sobriety is not enough. There are many men who have found sobriety from problematic sexual behaviors, but their relationships are still in tatters. And many women say something like, "My husband doesn't know how to love me." What's missing? Dr. Eddie Capparucci answers these questions in this episode with Dr. Carol, addressing the underlying reasons many men struggle with addiction, sex, and intimacy, and how they can overcome these blind spots. If you want to move beyond stopping bad behavior and experience a truly healthy relationship, this is for you. Check out Dr. Eddie Capparucci's Inner Child Model of addressing sex addiction, including the video series he mentioned in this episode. Connect with Dr. Capparucci on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Check out Dr. Capparucci's books: Going Deeper: How the Inner Child Impacts Your Sexual AddictionWhy Men Struggle to Love: Overcoming Relational Blind Spots Understanding Your Inner Child and Overcoming Addiction Browse Dr. Carol's resources on relationships and marriage on our Relationships page. Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can leave a confidential message here.

Who hasn't felt knocked down, held back, or left out? Perhaps you feel that way now. Whether your problems stem from your own choices and behaviors, or whether you've been harmed by others, there is a pathway back to goodness and a life full of purpose. That pathway involves cooperating with God in changing your mindset and taking positive action. Kimberly Jones, better known as Real Talk Kim, talks with Dr. Carol on this episode about places in her life where she felt stuck, and how she changed her mindset and her actions in becoming the hugely successful person she is now. Hear important keys you can learn that will empower your own comeback regardless of how far down you feel now. Connect with Real Talk Kim on her website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Youtube. Find her book You Gotta Get Up: Grab Hold of Your Life After Being Knocked Down, Held Back, and Left Out Get Dr. Carol's free downloadable 7 Keys to Living Fully Alive Dr. Carol loves to hear from you; you can leave her a confidential message here.

Most of us human beings try to live beyond the limitations of our time, energy, and responsibilities. We see limits as a bad thing. But God doesn't. Might our very limits be part of God's gifts to us? And how might understanding the humanity of Jesus help us navigate these questions? In this episode Dr. Carol talks with Dr. Kelly Kapic about our nature as created beings, and how our limits are actually good news. They discuss what Jesus becoming a human being might imply about our bodies and our sexuality, and how we can embrace our humanity in experiencing the process of transformation God is working in us. Find Kelly Kapic's book You're Only Human: How Your Limits Reflect God's Design and Why That's Good News Find out more about Dr. Kelly Kapic on his professor page Dr. Carol would love to hear from you; leave a confidential comment, question, or suggestion here.

Too often narcissism seems to thrive in our churches as well as in some Christian homes. Navigating out of the pain and dysfunction involved is hard. And Chuck DeGroat has been helping churches, individuals, couples, and church systems address these issues for over 20 years. On this episode Dr. Carol talks with Chuck DeGroat about some of the deeper personal and church system factors that can lead to narcissism, and what's required to find healing both personally and in the church. If you've been harmed by narcissistic abuse you will find this insightful and healing. Connect with Chuck DeGroat on his website, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Find Chuck's book When Narcissism Comes to Church: Healing Your Community From Emotional and Spiritual Abuse Check out Dr. Carol's articles: - Is My Marriage Toxic? - Good or Not-so-Good Reasons to Leave Your Church Need some personal help? Consider coaching with Dr. Carol.

Someone sitting beside you at church, at work, or at school has experienced sexual abuse or exploitation. Perhaps that's even you. Unfortuately, the Christian community's response has not always been effective. Drawing from her own story makes Trish Propson – chaplain, author, speaker, and advocate – a sensitive and engaging voice in bringing hope and healing to those who need to be set free. On this episode Dr. Carol talks with Trish to shine the light on how sexual abuse and exploitation are affecting members of the Christian community, and what the church can do about it. Connect with Trish Proposon on her website or Facebook. Additional resources from Dr. Carol: - article How to Experience God in Your Past Trauma - podcast episode with Dr. Diane Langberg What God Hates: Abuse and Trauma in the Name of God Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can leave her a confidential comment here.

The loneliness epidemic is real, and has a larger impact on physical and mental health than most people realize. But friendship is hard and messy, perhaps more so in our culture today than ever before. Are ongoing authentic friendships really possible? And are they worth the effort and the risks? Lawyer, author, and speaker Justin Whitmel Earley joins Dr. Carol on this episode to talk about how we are all Made for People and the concept of covenant friendship. He talks vulnerably about the difficulties and risks of such friendship, but also about how this is possible regardless of your relationship status or past history. Connect with Justin Whitmel Earley on his website, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Find Justin's book Made for People: Why We Drift into Loneliness and How to Fight for a Life of 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 leave a confidential comment here.

Teens and young people today are swimming in, drowning in, an unhealthy culture especially around issues of sexuality and gender. Holy sexuality often seems outdated or impossible. But these questions and challenges are not new. Dr. Christopher Yuan joins Dr. Carol in this deep and empowering episode to address holy sexuality - what it is, how it differs from the contemporary mindset, where these challenges come from, and how teens and young people can be discipled to embrace a gospel-centered lifestyle and worldview around issues of sexuality and gender. Check out The Holy Sexuality Project, especially if you're a parent, grandparent, or even a church leader. Check out the previous podcast episode with Dr. Yuan, where he shares his testimony in much more detail. Find Dr. Christopher Yuan on his website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Youtube. Find Dr. Yuan's book Holy Sexuality and the Gospel: Sex, Desire, and Relationships Shaped by God's Grand Story Check out Dr. Carol's articles: - Practical Ways to Pursue Intimacy with God - Being the Family of God Regardless of Earthly Family - Parents, Kids, Technology – and Sex Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can leave her a confidential message here.

"Meaningless. Meaningless. Everything is meaningless." Those depressing words are actually from the Bible. If your life and marriage are messed up and meaningless, is there any way to find growth and meaning for yourself and for your relationship? Jeff and Tami Allen say Yes. On this week's podcast they talk with Dr. Carol about their tumultuous, even traumatic, early years together, and the long journey to finding true goodness and meaning. You'll see Jeff's extremely popular comedy with a whole new perspective after hearing their story. Get Jeff's book Are We There Yet?: My Journey from a Messed Up to Meaningful Life Connect with Jeff Allen on his website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Youtube. Get our free download: 7 Keys to Living Fully Alive Dr. Carol loves to hear from you! You can leave her a confidential message here.

Issues around same-sex relationships are "hot topics" both in culture and in the Christian church. And what about same-sex marriage in particular? What does the Bible really say about same-sex marriage? And how should we even go about addressing these kinds of questions? On this no-holds-barred episode Dr. Carol talks with Preston Sprinkle from the Center for Faith, Sexuality, and Gender, about what the Bible has to say about what marriage IS and how that impacts our conversations around LGB issues. They address how followers of Jesus should both think and behave in theologically faithful and personally compassionate ways. Find Preston Sprinkle on his website, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Check out his podcast Theology in the Raw Find Preston's book Does the Bible Support Same-Sex Marriage?: 21 Conversations from a Historically Christian View Check out Dr. Carol's article Disentangling the Connection Between Sex and Intimacy Dr. Carol loves to hear from you! You can leave her a confidential message here.

Narcissism can be an unfounded accusation, and it can also lead to marriage trauma. How do you know if you're living with a narcissist? And what if you might be one? Narcissism creates challenges for any relationship, but especially in the most intimate relationship of marriage. In this episode Dr. Carol talks with Dr. Jake Porter, relational psychotherapist, about the nuances of narcissism, why we all need a bit of it and when it becomes a problem, and some practical things you need to know if you're living with such a person. There's more hope than you may have thought possible. You can connect with Dr. Jake Porter at his personal website, the practice website, or on Facebook or Instagram. Check out his webinar Complexity: When Narcissistic, Borderline, and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorders Co-Occur with Sex Addiction and Betrayal Trauma. Use the promo code DRCAROL for 50% off the already-low price. Check out our Dr. Carol Ministries Relationships page for additional helpful resources. And Dr. Carol would love to hear from you. You can leave a confidential comment or question here.

We all experience loss. Small or large, healing from any loss requires grieving well. Many people imagine grief only applies when a loved one dies. It certainly applies then, but for mental, relational, and spiritual health it's important to grieve all our losses. Chuck and Ashley Elliott have experienced losses - individually and together, including loss of trust through pornography use, and loss of children through repeated pregnancy loss. They talk with Dr. Carol on this episode about the impact of grief on relationships with each other, with family and friends, and with God. Connect with Chuck and Ashley Elliott on their website, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Find their book I Used to Be: How to Navigate Large and Small Losses in Life and Find Your Path Forward If you have lost a loved one in death, you'll want Dr. Carol's 30-day email series The Christian's Journey Through Grief. Dr. Carol would love to hear from you. Leave a confidential comment or question here.

Questions around gender identity have become a hot topic both in culture and for many Christian families and young people. Why now? What the medical world calls "gender-affirming care" has major, often permanent, life-altering consequences. Should we be concerned? This episode features a conversation between Dr. Carol and Lori Kuykendall, president of Beacon Health Education Resources. Lori has many years of experience in ministry, health education, and the public sphere, and she has plenty to say about what she calls this "5-Alarm Fire." Find more resources at Beacon Health Education Resources specifically from a Christian faith perspective. Dr. Carol would love to hear from you. Leave a confidential comment or question here.

When you said "I do" you were expecting a connected, safe, life-giving, and intimate relationship. But you may now be wondering, "What's gone wrong?" Too many spouses end up living as roommates instead of as soulmates. You'll find yourself saying "me too" in this powerful episode as Dr. Carol outlines nine barriers to whole-person intimacy in marriage, and provides six specific keys to overcoming those barriers. And you'll hear about a practical resource to help you put those keys into practice. Check out the Fully Alive Marriage course, on sale THIS WEEK ONLY! And Dr. Carol loves to hear from you; you can leave a confidential message here.

When trust is broken in a marriage there's always an underlying story. Although behaviors absolutely matter, there's more to be addressed. Looking at the matters of the heart for both the betrayer and the betrayed spouse makes a new chapter possible - regardless of what happens in the marriage. In this episode Jessica and Ryan McDaniel talk with Dr. Carol about their story. You may first think it's Ryan's story, but keep listening; it's Jessica's story too! And then they talk about what's happened in both of their hearts, and how they now help other couples work through these very matters in their hearts also. Catch up with Ryan and Jessica McDaniel on their website. If you've been hurt in this way, join the Hope Rising virtual conference coming up on September 30. And get your ticket now; early bird pricing only lasts until July 31st. Check out these articles from Dr. Carol: - Keeping Your Sanity When Your Spouse Doesn't Meet Your Needs - The Key to Filling Your Empty Soul If your heart needs some individual care, check out Coaching with Dr. Carol.

Being married and feeling alone may be the worst loneliness of all. Whether or not sex is happening, your heart craves true intimacy. And can true connection happen even after trust has been broken? Danisa and Jorge Suarez did not have good role models to build their marriage on, but they persisted. In this episode Dr. Carol talks with them about what they learned, and their work together now as a couple helping other couples overcome sexual issues or betrayal and build the kind of intimacy they need. They also talk about their heart for helping Christian leaders who struggle in this area. Connect with Danisa and Jorge Suarez at their website CCICounseling You can find Jorge on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram You can find Danisa on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram This article from Dr. Carol Where to Start if Your Marriage Lacks Intimacy Check out our Fully Alive Marriage online course Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can leave her a confidential message here.