Relationship Prescriptions with Dr. Carol

When it comes to sex and marriage, most couples discover there’s far more beneath the surface than they ever expected. In this episode, Dr. Carol welcomes Dr. Michael Sytsma—ordained Christian minister, licensed professional counselor, certified sex therapist, professor, and national speaker. With over 30 years of clinical experience, Dr. Sytsma has walked with countless couples through struggles, surprises, and the deep joys of intimacy. Together they unpack the common myths couples believe about sex, why intimacy can feel so complicated, and the surprising ways love and faith intersect in the bedroom. You’ll hear practical wisdom, biblical perspective, and real-life insights that can help you and your spouse build a marriage that is both deeply connected and joyfully intimate. Whether you’re facing challenges or simply want to grow closer, this conversation will encourage and equip you with tools for a stronger, more vibrant marriage. This is a replay of an episode we shared a couple years ago, and this provides a taste of what you can access in the Marriage Healing Kit. Connect with Dr. Sytsma on his website, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Find the book by Dr. Sytsma and Shaunti Feldhein Secrets of Sex and Marriage: 8 Surprises That Make all the Difference, and related resources Check out the two different packages available for the Marriage Healing Kit, and decide which one is right for you. And if you have questions, Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can leave a confidential message for her here.

What if the difference between a thriving marriage and one headed for divorce could actually be predicted? In this episode, Dr. Carol sits down for part 2 of her conversation with marriage and family therapist Zion Montgomery to explore the groundbreaking research behind the Gottman Method—decades of study that reveal why some couples make it and others don’t. From the “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” that signal danger in a relationship, to the surprising myth that conflict means a marriage is doomed, you’ll hear what science has uncovered about the true markers of lasting love. Together they dig into what this means in real life: what this can say about your own relationship, what tools can help partners move forward, and what hope looks like even in the face of big challenges like addiction, betrayal, or destructive anger. Whether your marriage is struggling or you simply want to strengthen your relationship, this conversation will give you practical insights and encouragement grounded in both research and biblically-based hope. Check out the two different packages available for the Marriage Healing Kit, and decide which one is right for you. You can connect with Zion Motgomery on her website. And if you have questions, Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can leave a confidential message for her here.

What difference does faith really make in your marriage? Is it just about praying harder when things get tough, or is there something deeper God invites us into? In this episode, Dr. Carol sits down with marriage and family therapist Zion Montgomery to talk about the real challenges couples face—misplaced expectations, communication struggles, questions about submission and control, and the temptation to blame our spouse for everything that feels wrong. Together they unpack why prayer is more than asking God to “fix” your partner, and how it can become a pathway to intimacy, healing, and transformation. You’ll hear why God is truly for your marriage, and what it looks like to invite His presence into your daily life together. From setting healthy boundaries to re-centering your relationship on purpose and partnership, this conversation is both practical and deeply hopeful. Whether your marriage feels strong or stretched thin, you’ll come away encouraged with fresh vision for how faith can bring connection, growth, and lasting joy into your relationship. Check out the two different packages available for the Marriage Healing Kit, and decide which one is right for you. You can connect with Zion Motgomery on her website. And if you have questions, Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can leave a confidential message for her here.

How healthy is your marriage—really? Maybe things look fine on the outside, but inside you feel more like roommates than soulmates. Maybe the arguments never seem to end, or the silence feels even louder. You might be carrying the weight of disappointment, betrayal, or loneliness and wondering if there’s any way forward. If that’s where you are, you’re not alone—and your story isn’t over. In this episode, Dr. Carol comes alongside you with honesty and hope. She shares why so many marriages, even Christian ones, end up struggling or in crisis, and what can begin to change that story. You’ll also hear about the Marriage Healing Kit, a Christ-centered journey designed to help couples reconnect emotionally, spiritually, and physically. This group of resources blends biblical truth, proven psychological principles, and decades of ministry experience to help couples rediscover joy, connection, and intimacy. Whether you’re dealing with silence, conflict, or broken trust, you’ll find a pathway toward restoration and a marriage that is truly Fully Alive. If you’re longing for more than just “getting by,” this will encourage you that God’s design for marriage is joy, intimacy, and connection. And it’s not too late for you to experience that. Check out the two different packages available for the Marriage Healing Kit. And if you have questions, Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can leave a confidential message for her here.

Today’s kids are growing up in a digital world filled with hidden threats including pornography, predators, and pressures that most adults never faced at their age. In this episode, Dr. Carol talks with Sarah Siegand, co-founder of Parents Who Fight, about what it really takes to protect our children from online dangers. This is more than a tech issue; it’s a spiritual battle for the hearts and futures of the next generation. Sarah shares practical, grace-filled insight for parents, pastors, and church leaders who want to be both informed and empowered. From setting healthy boundaries to having ongoing conversations about sexuality, Sarah unpacks how we can partner together to raise emotionally resilient and spiritually grounded kids. This conversation offers hope, strategy, and strength for the fight, especially through the power of banding together to impact the micro-culture your kids encounter. Connect with Sarah Siegand and Parents Who Fight on their website, Facebook, X, or Instagram. Find Sarah's new book available for preorder; Next Gen Tech Reset. And enter the discount code LEADER to get the book for only $5! For some powerful resources to address your own inner life around intimacy, sexuality, and relationships, check out our YourSexpectations hub: articles, the book, the online course, and more. Find out more about Dr. Carol Ministries in-person intensives - a safe place to unpack your story around intimacy and relationships, 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.

Purity culture promised protection and blessing, but for many it left a legacy of shame, confusion, and even distance from God. In this episode, we sit down with licensed psychologist Dr. Camden Morgante who knows the struggle firsthand, both personally and professionally. She shares her own story of growing up in purity culture, the myths that shaped her faith, and the painful ways those messages got tangled with her sense of identity and sexuality. Together, we unpack what it looks like to heal from toxic beliefs while holding onto a faith that is life-giving, embodied, and whole. You’ll hear how she helps clients disentangle shame from sexuality in a distinctly Christian context, and how she found freedom herself while still embracing a traditional Christian sexual ethic but without the weight of fear and condemnation. If you’ve ever wrestled with purity culture’s ideas or impact, this conversation offers a hopeful, grace-filled path forward. Connect with Dr. Camden Morgante on her website, substack, or Instagram. Find Dr. Morgante's book Recovering from Purity Culture: Dismantle the Myths, Reject Shame-Based Sexuality, and Move Forward in Your Faith For some powerful resources to address your own inner life around intimacy, sexuality, and relationships, check out our YourSexpectations hub: articles, the book, the online course, and more. Find out more about Dr. Carol Ministries in-person intensives - a safe place to unpack your story around intimacy and relationships, 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 your biggest breakthroughs came—not from working harder—but from connecting the dots between your faith, your thoughts, and your daily actions? Is it possible? In today's episode, Dr. Carol discusses this and more with the authors of Integrated Mindset, Dr. Brad Strawn and Dr. Earl Bland to uncover the surprising ways theology and psychology can work together for lasting transformation. You’ll hear compelling stories, fresh research, and practical tools to align your inner world with the life you’re called to live. Whether you’re feeling stuck, searching for purpose, or simply ready to grow deeper, this conversation will help you move to a place of being fully alive with a truly integrated mindset and spirit. Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can send a confidential message here.

What does it really mean to surrender your sexuality to Jesus? In this powerful conversation, Dr. Carol talks with clinical psychologist, author, and co-founder of Authentic Intimacy Dr. Juli Slattery, about the deeper layers of Christian sexual discipleship. Too often, the church focuses only on behavior, but true transformation goes far beyond rule-keeping. It’s about identity, intimacy, and bringing the most vulnerable parts of ourselves into relationship with God for Him to heal and transform. Dr. Slattery unpacks the difference between sex and intimacy, and why our deepest sexual struggles are often rooted in wounds, lies, or unmet longings. Whether you're facing shame from the past, stuck in patterns of sinful behavior, or wrestling with disconnection in your relationships, this episode offers hope, and a path forward. Surrendering your sexuality to Jesus isn’t just about saying “no” to sin; it’s about saying “yes” to a whole, healed, and intimate life with Him. Connect with Dr. Juli Slattery at Authentic Intimacy, the Java with Juli podcast, Facebook, or Instagram. Find her latest book Surrendered Sexuality: How Knowing Jesus Changes... Everything Find out more about Dr. Carol Ministries in-person intensives - a safe place to unpack your story around intimacy and relationships, 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 a culture where relationship longevity is at an all-time low, even within the church, how can we build relationships that truly last? In this insightful conversation, Dr. Carol talks with Dr. John Van Epp, a leading relationship expert, pastor, professor, and creator of curricula for singles, engaged couples, and married couples. With over a million people impacted by his programs in both faith-based and secular settings, Dr. Van Epp brings much practical wisdom rooted in research and Scripture. Together, they explore the Relationship Attachment Model (RAM) and how it offers a framework for making wise, emotionally healthy choices in dating and marriage. You’ll hear why character must take priority over chemistry, and how this model can help both you and your kids avoid unnecessary heartache. Whether you're navigating your own relationships or guiding the next generation, this conversation offers clarity, hope, and tools to cultivate God-honoring love. Find Dr. Van Epp's book How to Avoid Falling in Love with a Jerk: the foolproof way to follow your heart without losing your mind Check out the wealth of resources available at Love Thinks - books, online courses, and other resources Consider sharing the Relationship Attachment Model for a churchwide relationship series 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. Check out our YourSexpectations hub - resources in several formats to help you find wholeness around intimacy and relationships Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can send a confidential message here.

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 truth matters more than ever. Together they unpack why loss and failure don’t have to define your story, how rejection can become redirection, and how the pursuit of beautiful relationships may be among the most godly and courageous things we can do. If you’ve struggled to find hope after disappointment or long to live less afraid of what’s ahead, this episode will invite you to see your own journey through a lens that's full of joy, hope and beauty. Connect with Naeem Fazal on his website, YouTube, X, or Instagram. Find Naeem's book Tomorrow Needs You: Seeing Beauty When You Feel Hopeless, and his previous book Ex-Muslim: How One Daring Prayer to Jesus Changed a Life Forever Check out the article on our website Scriptures for Overcoming Fear and Anxiety If you're hungry for more personal help, check out Coaching with Dr. Carol, or our amazing small-group Intensives.

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 really going on in the hearts and minds of the next generation, and why transformation doesn’t happen through willpower alone. They highlight the science of brain rewiring and the spiritual power of grace-filled community—especially in small groups—where lasting change is made possible. If you care about discipleship, sexual integrity, or the future of the church, this episode will challenge and equip you to be part of the healing story God is writing in a porn-saturated world. Connect with Joel Warneking or Bill Williams on the 423 Communities website, Facebook, X, Instagram, or YouTube. 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. Need some personal help? Check out individual Coaching with Dr. Carol. Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can send a confidential message here.

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 drew them to the Intensive, the surprising ways God met them, and how their lives look different on the other side. You’ll hear about tears, breakthroughs, hard questions, and holy moments—and how four days can truly change everything when Jesus is invited to do what only He can. Whether you’re curious, skeptical, or longing for your own deeper healing, their stories just might be the encouragement you didn’t know you needed. Find out more about Dr. Carol Ministries in-person intensives - a safe place to unpack your story around intimacy and relationships, and experience Jesus coming into your story to bring healing and wholeness. Need some individual help? Check out individual Coaching with Dr. Carol. Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can send a confidential message here.

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. Bill unpacks a redemptive process of healing and integration—where God's presence meets even the most painful or confusing parts of a man’s sexual journey. They explore how this integration can leads to greater freedom, wholeness, and intimacy with God and others. If you’re longing for more than just behavior management—and want a deeper transformation—this episode will point you toward a hopeful, grace-filled path. Find out more about Bill Delveaux at Landmark Journey Ministries' website, Facebook, X, or Instagram. Check out Bill Delveaux's article about How Sexuality and Spirituality Connect 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.

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 emerging Christian leaders. In this deep personal and theological conversation, she talks with Dr. Carol about the far-reaching implications of our understanding of identity, and what that means for how God works for our redemption. Find out more about Elizabeth Woning on her website. Check out CHANGED Movement website or Instagram. 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 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 sometimes overlook or wound singles, and how to pursue genuine, soul-nourishing intimacy through friendship and spiritual community. Dr. Carol offers wise, grace-filled insights on becoming sexually whole in a culture saturated with distortion, and what healing can look like for those who find themselves single again after loss, divorce, or disappointment. Whether you’re thriving in singleness or wrestling deeply with it, this episode offers validation, encouragement, and practical hope. You are not forgotten, and your story matters. Resources mentioned: - Article: How to Find a Good Spouse - Article: How to Find a Friend: Your Peter, James, and John - Article: 5 Things I Wish the Church Knew About Single Christians - Article: From Temptation to Triumph: Designing Your Personal Escape Plan - Article: What Sexual Wholeness Looks Like - Article: Learning From How Jesus Handled His Need for Intimacy - Article: How to Know God as Your Husband 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 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, you’ll hear her rich presentation on the process of healing from the inside out, followed by a live conversation with me as host as well as honest audience questions. Together, we explore how prayer opens the heart, but process changes the wiring—and how God invites us into both. Whether you’re navigating broken trust, past trauma, emotional disconnection, or just longing for deeper connection, this session offers hope, clarity, and tools for the journey toward wholeness. Connect with Zion Montgomery on her website or Instagram. Get access to the full Change(d) Conference 2024, including all the other sessions, Dr. Carol's teaching, and Q&A. 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 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 when shame, confusion, or a sense that she somehow “deserved it” cloud the truth. We examine how a distorted interpretation of Biblical submission can deepen the trauma, keeping women trapped in harmful relationships under the guise of obedience or faithfulness. But the heart of God is not one of control or oppression. Through compassionate insight and Scriptural clarity, we point toward the hope, dignity, and freedom the Bible actually offers women walking through abuse, and how the Church can become a place of safety, healing, and truth. Connect with Diane Schnickels at Living Waters of Hope on the website, Facebook, or Instagram. Find Diane's book Oasis Bible Study - A Woman's Journey Healing from Domestic Abuse Check out Dr. Carol's article Where is God in Trauma: Jesus Message to Survivors 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. Email for links: diane@livingwatersofhope.org

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. The insights Dr. Carol offers will help you in your relationships too! And for each question, she recommends a specific resource addressing that person's issues in more detail. These are resources mentioned on this episode: - Article How to Know if You Are Released from Your Marriage - Article How to Find Your People When You Need Help - Article Having the Sex Talk With Your Spouse - Article 9 Characteristics of a Healthy Sexual Relationship for a Christian - Article The 3 C's of Growing in Sexual Wholeness - Article 5 Ways to Pray About Your Troubled Marriage - Free download A Prescription for Sexual Healing – God's Way - Online course Fully Alive Marriage 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.

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.