

Bare Marriage
Sheila Gregoire
Tired of Christian pat answers about marriage? The podcast that goes in-depth into marriage, parenting, and even sex--to see how we can live the passionate life we were meant for. Paired with Bare Marriage--the blog!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 28, 2025 • 1h 26min
Episode 293: Better Ways to Read the Bible feat. Zach Lambert
Send us a textWhat do you do when you WANT to love the Bible, but you find yourself feeling defeated, hopeless, unseen? What if all the things you’ve experienced in church and in the wider Christian community have left you feeling adrift when you open Scripture? Zach Lambert’s new book Better Ways to Read the Bible shows us that everything we’ve been taught about the Bible may actually be new ways to read it—that miss the whole point! This encouraging conversation encourages us to get back to seeing the Bible through the lens of Jesus.TO SUPPORT US: Join our Patreon for as little as $5 a month to support our workAnd check out our Merch, or any of our courses!Join our email list!LINKS MENTIONED:Zach Lambert’s book Better Ways to Read the BibleZach's Substack: Public Theology Social media: @ZackwLambert on all platformsThe Whole Story course - Bare Marriage's puberty/sex education course for parentsFree book studies for "The Great Sex Rescue" and "She Deserves Better" Restore Austin - Zach's church in Austin, Texas Support the showJoin Sheila at Bare Marriage.com!Check out her books: The Great Sex Rescue She Deserves Better The Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex and The Good Guy's Guide to Great Sex And she has an Orgasm Course and a Libido course too!Check out all her courses, FREE resources, social media, books, and so much more at Sheila's LinkTree.

23 snips
Aug 21, 2025 • 1h 10min
Episode 292: Hear Sheila Answer Men’s Questions about Healthy Marriage & Sexuality
Blake Roberts and Jamie Haig, therapists and co-hosts of the 3% podcast, dive into the complexities of healthy marriage and sexuality. They tackle common misconceptions about masculinity and relationship dynamics, advocating for open communication and vulnerability. The discussion highlights the emotional load shouldered by women and the impact of shared responsibilities on marital satisfaction. They also critique traditional views within the evangelical context, pushing for healthier narratives around intimacy and partnership.

Aug 14, 2025 • 1h 3min
Episode 291: How Professor Neil Reaches Young Men Stuck in Misogyny
Send us a textSheila Wray Gregoire interviews Professor Neil, a popular social media creator who critiques toxic masculinity and problematic topics he finds in the manosphere. They discuss how certain Christian pastors and influencers spread harmful messages about gender roles, sex, and marriage that mirror incel ideology. Through reviewing harmful clips from pastors Josh Howerton & Josh McPherson, professor Neil shares his approach to changing minds through facts and research.TO SUPPORT US: Join our Patreon for as little as $5 a month to support our workAnd check out our Merch, or any of our courses!Join our email list!FIND PROFESSOR NEIL:InstagramTiktokFacebookyouTubeSubstackMain websiteSupport the showJoin Sheila at Bare Marriage.com!Check out her books: The Great Sex Rescue She Deserves Better The Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex and The Good Guy's Guide to Great Sex And she has an Orgasm Course and a Libido course too!Check out all her courses, FREE resources, social media, books, and so much more at Sheila's LinkTree.

Aug 7, 2025 • 1h 14min
Episode 290: What Does Authoritarianism Have to Do with Complementarianism? (with a test!)
Dive into the unsettling crossover between authoritarianism and evangelical beliefs. The discussion unveils how toxic teachings can impact personal and societal morals. Tools for questioning rigid faith and embracing diverse perspectives are shared. The importance of open-mindedness in navigating belief evolution is emphasized, urging a compassionate approach to differing views. Engage with ideas on improving neighborly relations amid conflicting ideologies, while confronting hypocrisy and promoting intellectual inquiry within religious practices.

Jun 26, 2025 • 1h 3min
Episode 289: Why Fiction Makes You a Better Person (Why We Don't Hate ALL Books!)
Discover the transformative power of fiction and how it fosters personal growth and empathy. The hosts share their journeys back to reading, discussing the joy it brings and how narratives deepen understanding of complex issues. They highlight the value of flawed characters in children's literature, promoting important conversations about social behavior. The discussion encourages readers to engage with diverse stories for better mental health and relational awareness, culminating in an inspiring poem about women's voices and empowerment.

17 snips
Jun 19, 2025 • 1h 3min
Episode 288: Is Sex a Want or a Need?
The discussion tackles whether sex is a want or a need within marriage, emphasizing the importance of nurturing a mutually satisfying sexual relationship. It explores the impact of trauma on intimacy and the misconceptions surrounding female libido, challenging harmful beliefs from purity culture. The hosts advocate for open communication and personalized understandings of relationships rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Ultimately, they encourage couples to build a connection rooted in empathy and mutual fulfillment.

Jun 12, 2025 • 1h 17min
Episode 287: What is “Headship” in Ephesians 5 and 1 Corinthians 11? Feat. Marg Mowczko
In this engaging discussion, biblical scholar Marg Mowczko, an expert in egalitarian theology, unpacks the concept of 'headship' in Ephesians and 1 Corinthians. She reveals that the Greek term 'kephale' often signifies mutual care rather than authority. Marg also highlights Paul's support for women's roles in ministry, advocating a rethinking of gender dynamics in Christianity. Furthermore, she critiques various English Bible translations, emphasizing the importance of accurate interpretation in understanding scripture and promoting inclusivity.

11 snips
Jun 5, 2025 • 57min
Episode 286: Our Best Christian Dating Advice--that you've all been asking for!
The hosts dive into the complexities of dating and singleness, urging a shift from passive waiting to proactive engagement. They critique common advice about patience in favor of innovative strategies like the 'Burn the Haystack Method'. Highlighting the need for self-awareness and compatibility, they discuss the hard truths about red flags and the importance of recognizing personal worth. The conversation also emphasizes effective communication and socializing as key elements in finding quality relationships, while advocating for a reflective approach to partner selection.

20 snips
May 29, 2025 • 1h 8min
Episode 285: Are Soul Ties Real? Overcoming a Purity Culture Teaching
Joanna Sawatsky, co-author of influential books on sexual health and culture, dives deep into the contentious idea of 'soul ties' and their harmful impact on relationships. She critiques how these beliefs, often rooted in purity culture, perpetuate confusion and emotional distress around intimacy. Joanna also emphasizes the importance of open dialogue about sex education for parents and explores the intersection of faith and psychology, advocating for an evidence-based approach to emotional healing over mystical explanations.

May 22, 2025 • 1h 45min
Episode 284: The Problems with the Book His Needs, Her Needs by Willard Harley
Ngina Otiende, a marriage coach empowering women, teams up with Bethany Jantzi, a mental health expert specializing in coercive control, to dissect Willard Harley's book 'His Needs, Her Needs.' They spotlight its shortcomings, particularly its neglect of trauma in abusive relationships and its reinforcement of harmful gender roles. The duo advocates for a nuanced understanding of marriage, emphasizing women's autonomy, the importance of evidence-based advice, and tackling outdated myths about commitment. Their discussion reveals the need for more inclusive and supportive resources in relationship guidance.