Relationship Prescriptions with Dr. Carol

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.