Relationship Prescriptions with Dr. Carol

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.

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 Chapters Find out more about Africa New Life Ministries Check 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 Graced: How God Redeems and Restores the Broken Here'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.