It’s never really about sex. Matters of the heart and a desire for intimacy are imbedded in humans since creation. But what does that mean if you are married? Or single? God gave us desire; he gave us this longing … the Greeks called it eros, passion, It’s the deepest desire of our heart. However, our world has hijacked eros, it just sees it as erotic. It has been taken over by a corrupt culture that only sees passion as something that is dirty, sullied, and sinful. Author and educator, Bill Donaghy, co-author of Rise and lecturer at Theology of the Body Institute joins the podcast to discuss the theology of Eros and more on this thought-provoking episode. Check out the Theology of the Body Institute Check out Rise: A 30-day Challenge for Men Check out Dr. Carol's new book Sexpectations: Reframing Your Good and Not-So-Good Stories About God, Love, and Relationships. And find supplementary resources at YourSexpectations.com. Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can leave a confidential message here.  

Your heart is shattered. How can you find healing when you've been wounded by trauma and betrayal? And that process is even more challenging when you brought your past complex trauma into the relationship to begin with. Trauma expert and counselor Stacey Sadler Smith has both experienced that herself, and now brings years of professional experience to helping both individuals and couples heal from trauma and betrayal. She talks with Dr. Carol on this episode about her own story, about broken attachments, and about the process of repair after trauma and betrayal - both for one's own heart and for the relationship. Connect with Stacey Sadler Smith on her personal website, at Daring Ventures, or on Facebook or Instagram. Check out Dr. Carol's new book Sexpectations: Reframing Your Good and Not-So-Good Stories About God, Love, and Relationships And look around at all the supplementary resources at YourSexpectations.com. Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can leave a confidential message here. Contact to share links:  stacey@daringventures.com    

Dr. Carol and Drew Boa discuss porn as a pacifier for deeper issues. They explore the impact of porn on marriages, triggers from past experiences, evolving arousal patterns, and the journey of recovery. They emphasize the importance of honesty, vulnerability, and finding transformation with Jesus in addressing sexual struggles.

Most people know sex trafficking exists. But you might imagine that's something "out there" and could never affect anyone close to you. And why would someone ever get hooked into that lifestyle? Why don't they just leave? Dr. Carol's guest on this episode is Jasmine Grace Marino. As a former sex worker who now helps and advocates for others on the journey out of that lifestyle, she talks openly about the matters of the heart that are at play for those affected by sex trafficking, including the roles of addiction and pornography. And it's not hopeless; you'll hear the joy of working to help others experience freedom. Connect with Jasmine Grace Outreach on their website, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Find Jasmine's book The Diary of Jasmine Grace: Trafficked. Recovered. Redeemed    Check out Dr. Carol's new book Sexpectations: Reframing Your Good and Not-So-Good Stories About God, Love, and Relationships And look around at all the supplementary resources at YourSexpectations.com. Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can leave a confidential message here.

May is mental health awareness month. It's no secret that mental health issues have become a pandemic in our culture. How can Christians navigate their own mental health in ways that are both effective and consistent with their faith? And what might the Christian church have to offer in the broader mental health arena? Joe Padilla, licensed and ordained minister, talks with Dr. Carol about the Mental Health Grace Alliance - validated in scientific journals, and perhaps the largest network of Christian mental health groups worldwide. Combining research-based best practices and Bible-centered curricula, this resource is a best-kept secret available anywhere to anyone. Find out more about the Mental Health Grace Alliance on their website, Facebook, or Instagram. Check out Dr. Carol's new book Sexpectations: Reframing Your Good and Not-So-Good Stories About God, Love, and Relationships And look around at all the supplementary resources at YourSexpectations.com. Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can leave a confidential message here.

With all the talk in the last few years about "toxic masculinity," what is a real man? Does it have to do with doing "manly" things such as sports or being outdoors? It can't be being "nice;" that's not appealing. What's really at the core of being a man, particularly as God intended? Author, radio host, and advocate for children's healing Brant Hansen talks with Dr. Carol on this episode about the kind of men, and especially young men, we need. He describes some critical decisions a young man needs to make, and applies this to relationships, sexuality, and one's spiritual life. Connect with Brant Hansen on his website, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, or Instagram. Find out more about the CURE organization Brant advocates for. Find Brant's latest book The (Young) Men We Need: God's Purpose for Every Guy and How You Can Live It Out Check out Dr. Carol's new book Sexpectations: Reframing Your Good and Not-So-Good Stories About God, Love, and Relationships And look around at all the supplementary resources at YourSexpectations.com. Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can leave a confidential message here.

Author, speaker, and Men in the Arena founder Jim Ramos joins Dr. Carol to discuss the mindset shift that transformed his life and marriage. They delve into issues faced by Christian men, emphasizing the importance of redefining masculinity, building strong male connections, and selecting a partner based on history and qualities.

There are many reasons for and ways of becoming hard in our cruel world. You may think a hard heart is a good and protective thing. When harm or disappointment comes, a natural human response is to develop a tough and closed heart. But that also closes you off to the good things God intends for you and wants to work in you. Is there a way to cherish a soft heart in a tough world? Mother, writer, and teacher Charaia Rush is Dr. Carol's guest on this encouraging episode. They talk about how shame and pain can harden our heart, what a hard heart is and isn't, and God's process for softening our heart which opens us up to all His good things. Connect with Charaia Rush on her website, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram Find Charaia's book Courageously Soft: Daring to Keep a Tender Heart in a Tough World    Check out Dr. Carol's new book Sexpectations: Reframing Your Good and Not-So-Good Stories About God, Love, and Relationships And look around at all the supplementary resources at YourSexpectations.com. Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can leave a confidential message here.

If you've been wrestling with sexual "stuff," you may wonder things like, How did I end up this way? Why do I keep doing this? Why do I keep trying harder and nothing seems to change? Why aren't my prayers working? How do I get out of this mess? In this conversation with Dr. Carol, counselor, author, and minister Jay Stringer explains why the details of your story, especially your sexual story, shine the light on the path to healing. He uses attachment theory to explain how we come to be where we are, including how our relationship with God is impacted. And he describes what is takes to find the path to wholeness and holiness. Find Jay Stringer on his website, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Check out the Sexual Attachment Conference Find Jay's book Unwanted: How Sexual Brokenness Reveals Our Way to Healing    Check out Dr. Carol's new book Sexpectations: Reframing Your Good and Not-So-Good Stories About God, Love, and Relationships And look around at all the supplementary resources at YourSexpectations.com. Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can leave a confidential message here.

Transgender issues have become a hot topic in culture and in the Christian church. Is the cultural narrative missing the point, and if so, where? How can Christians address the distress those struggling with gender issues experience in a redemptive way? Dr. Carol's guest on this fascinating episode is Walt Heyer, who transitioned to living as a woman for eight years, and then de-transitioned back to his birth gender. Walt has now devoted his life and influence to helping others who are struggling with these issues. His faith and relentless pursuit of wholeness will inspire you. Check out Walt Heyer's website, and The Heyer Institute offering help to those struggling with gender issues, especially those who regret their transition Check out Walt's books Trans Life Survivors or A Transgender's Faith Check out Dr. Carol's new book Sexpectations: Reframing Your Good and Not-So-Good Stories About God, Love, and Relationships And look around at all the supplementary resources at YourSexpectations.com. Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can leave a confidential message here.