"I can't tell anyone about this." That's shame talking. And it always ends in destruction. But how do you find someone to talk to? How do you find the courage to tell your story? What do you say? Guests Katie Griggs and Amanda Aanestad from The Victory Collective talk with Dr. Carol about their individual experiences with porn addiction, and the difference that came when they found the courage to tell each other. You might discover how you can tell your story too, and the difference that will make. Connect with Katie and Amanda at The Victory Collective website or Instagram To learn more about coaching with Dr. Carol, click here. For some thoughts from Dr. Carol about what to do when you can't talk to anyone, click here. 

The most frequent question that brings people to our website is, "How can I make my spouse want more sex?" Research from The Intimacy Project gives some very encouraging and practical answers that will help you do just that. Dr. Carol talks with Dr. Michael Sytsma, ordained minister, licensed professional counselor, certified sex therapist, and professor about his 30 years as a sex therapist and the fascinating results of his research on married sex. You're certain to discover some ways to make your married sex life much better and more satisfying. 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 these articles on our website: - 9 Possible Reasons Your Spouse Doesn't Want to Sleep with You - Having the Sex Talk With Your Spouse If you need individualized help, check out Dr. Carol's Coaching services

Pornography addiction affections Christian women too. And Dr. Carol's guest on this episode, Jessica Harris, believes we need to be talking about it. Jessica shares her story of porn addiction, overcoming sexual shame, and finding the lasting satisfaction, healing, and real grace , and the answer to the thirst many women struggle with in their soul. And listen to hear what she means by "indoor plumbing;" it's got nothing to do with anatomy. Find Jessica's book Quenched: Discovering God’s Abundant Grace for Women Struggling with Pornography and Sexual Shame   Connect with Jessica Harris on her website, Facebook, or Instagram. Dr. Carol would love to hear from you. You can leave a confidential message here. 

Nearly 1.8 million people attempt suicide in this country every year. If you're not affected personally you know someone who is. Mental health is an increasingly big problem in our culture. On this episode Dr. Carol talks with Heather Palacios, pastor's wife, suicide survivor, and founder of Wondherful, a venue dedicated to encouraging people with mental affliction through daily encouragement and LIFEBOX™s. Heather's story will inspire you. If you're in crisis right now, call the suicide hotline 988, or text GO to 741741. The call or text are free, and someone will connect with you live, right now. Connect with Heather Palacios on the Wondherful website, or on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Dr. Carol would love to hear from you. You can leave a confidential message here. 

The unfilled longings in your heart are painful and can be misinterpreted. Sex and intimacy are related but they're not the same, and there's only one way to have the deepest needs in your soul fulfilled. Dr. Carol's guest on this episode, Amy Riordan, is a writer, speaker, licensed pastoral counselor, and founder of Longing for Intimacy. She shares her story that includes same-sex attraction and pornography addiction, and how she learned to experience true intimacy with Jesus, and also with her husband and friends. Connect with Amy Riordan on her website, Facebook, Youtube, or Instagram. Find Amy's books Longing for Intimacy: Hope For Women Struggling with Same-Sex Attraction and All of You: Hope and Healing for Women Seeking Freedom from Sexual Strongholds. Check out these articles on our website: - How to Pursue Intimacy Whether Married or Single - Being WITH Jesus in Ways That Bring Transformation Dr. Carol would love to hear from you! You can leave a confidential message here. 

If you've ever had that "EEK" moment as a parent, you know how Barb Winters, Dr. Carol's guest on this episode, felt when she discovered her son was hooked on porn. How was she to help her son? How could she deal with the feelings this brought up in her own heart? Barb sees herself as offering a virtual hug to parents in tough spots. But she also shares a great deal of wisdom that will help any parent of schoolage or teenage children address this area that every young person today will have to face. Connect with Barb Winters on her website, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. You might also want to check out E3 Family Solutions. Check out Covenant Eyes resources for parents As a parent you'll want The Sex Talk video course to equip you to have "The Talk"

Has reading the Bible through in a year been one of those New Year's resolutions you  always seem to fail at? What if there was a different way to think about interacting with Scripture? To start the new year off, Dr. Carol talks with Trillia Newbell, lover of Scripture, Bible teacher, author, and Acquisitions Director at Moody Publishers, about her journey of interacting with the Bible and some refreshing, flexible, and inspiring ways to make God's Word part of your life this year. Find Trillia Newbell's book 52 Weeks in the Word: A Companion for Reading through the Bible in a Year Connect with Trillia Newbell on her website, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can contact her here. 

You voted–we listened. In this special year-end episode we share clips from the five most-requested episodes of our podcast from 2022.  You can find full episodes of these conversations using these links, and catch up on any you missed: - How to Make Your Sex Life Sizzle, with Dr. Jennifer Degler - How to Understand Your Calling and Transform Your Work-life, with Michaela O'Donnell - Is Your Attachment to God Secure or Insecure, with Krispin Mayfield - Dr. Carol Answers Your Toughest Questions about Marriage - Discover Spiritual Practices that lead to Wholeness for your Personality, with Suzanne Stabile Dr. Carol would love to hear from you with comments or questions. Leave a message here.

Christmas can be a season of wonder, hope, and joy. But, it can also be a very difficult season for many.  In this special episode, Dr. Carol shares a few of her favorite things at Christmas, and how these objects signify aspects of the true meaning of Christmas. Merry Christmas!

How often do you see or experience others as adversaries? You may be surprised to realize how often you slip into "enemy mode" with your spouse, your children, your coworkers, your friends, your church. But what can you do about it? In this episode Dr. Carol talks with Ray Woodridge, executive director of Life Model Works and coauthor with Dr. Jim Wilder of Escaping Enemy Mode. See what brain science and the Bible tell us about why we so easily see others as enemies, and what is needed for your brain to return to "relational mode." Discover additional resources about Escaping Enemy Mode Find the book Escaping Enemy Mode: How Our Brains Unite or Divide UsConnect with Life Model Works on their website, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can leave a confidential message here.