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  • From Awkward Side Hugs to Authentic Touch: Building Healthy Church Relationships

    From Awkward Side Hugs to Authentic Touch: Building Healthy Church Relationships
    2026/04/28
    What if the church's approach to relationships between men and women has been doing more harm than good? In this episode, we sit down with author Bronwyn Lea to unpack the ideas behind her book Beyond Awkward Side Hugs — a thoughtful challenge to the rules-heavy, fear-driven culture that has left many Christians, especially singles, feeling like second-class members of the body of Christ. Bronwyn makes the case that healthy, embodied community isn't built on caution tape and rigid boundaries, but on an inner transformation of character that allows men and women to relate to one another as true brothers and sisters in Christ.

    We also dig into some of the more countercultural ideas in Bronwyn's work — from the healing power of non-sexual touch, to what it truly means to be a "friend to a marriage," to how church leaders can break down gender silos and create the conditions for genuine belonging. As loneliness reaches epidemic levels in our culture, Bronwyn argues the church is uniquely positioned to a powerful antidote — but only if it's willing to move past awkwardness and into authentic, whole-person community. This is a conversation that will challenge how you think about friendship, integrity, and what it truly means to live as brothers and sisters in Christ.

    More from Bronwyn Lea on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn Find Bronwyn's book Beyond Awkward Side Hugs: Living as Christian Brothers and Sisters in a Sex-Crazed World More about Dr. Carol Ministries:
    • Dr. Carol Ministries In-Person Intensives. A multi-day way to experience true healing and wholeness in a safe environment as you unpack your story around intimacy and relationships while inviting Jesus to be part of that story.
    • Individual coaching with Dr. Carol provides a one-on-one format to help you navigate your personal journey through practical encouragement and scriptural based perspective.
    Dr. Carol loves to hear from you! You can send a confidential message here.
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    42 分
  • One Woman's Journey Through Betrayal, Loss, and Reconstructed Faith

    One Woman's Journey Through Betrayal, Loss, and Reconstructed Faith
    2026/04/21
    Vaneetha Risner grew up believing that faithfully following Jesus would ensure a stable, fulfilling life. So when her marriage collapsed, it didn't just break her heart; it shattered the framework upon which she had built her identity. In this deeply personal conversation, Vaneetha opens up about the layered grief of divorce — a loss she describes as a kind of death that the church too often meets with judgment instead of compassion — and how that pain sat alongside other devastating trials, including contracting polio as a child, losing an infant son, and a later post-polio diagnosis.

    Though Vaneetha experienced deep heartache and betrayal, her story centers around a renewed and reconstructed faith. She shares how reaching the absolute end of herself forced a new and desperate hunger for God, and how the biblical practice of lament became a lifeline, a place to pour out bitterness without fear of judgment. She offers candid wisdom on forgiveness (including why forgiving too quickly can actually delay healing) and the importance of becoming whole before pursuing remarriage. Listeners will also gain practical insight on how to support others in crisis through her "SHOWUP" framework. This episode is a powerful reminder that even when life doesn't go according to plan, faith can be rebuilt in the most unexpected and beautiful ways. For more about Vaneetha Risner, check out her website, Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram Find Vaneetha's book: This Was Never the Plan: Walking with God Through the Heartache of Divorce (A Practical Christian Guide to Healing, Hope, and Strength After Separation) Here's my previous conversation with Vaneetha.
    For more from Dr. Carol, check out her article When One Flesh Tears Apart: The Trauma of Broken Covenant

    Find out more about Dr. Carol Ministries:

    • Dr. Carol Ministries In-Person Intensives. Experience true healing and wholeness in a safe environment as you unpack your story around intimacy and relationships while inviting Jesus to be part of that story.
    • Individual coaching with Dr. Carol. This provides a one-on-one format to help you navigate your personal journey.
    Dr. Carol loves to hear from you! You can send a confidential message here.
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    51 分
  • Tired, Restless, and Searching: The Spiritual Reality Behind Modern Life

    Tired, Restless, and Searching: The Spiritual Reality Behind Modern Life
    2026/04/14
    Have you ever felt a quiet, persistent restlessness — a sense that no matter how good life gets, something still feels off? In this episode, Niki Kirby unpacks the powerful biblical theme of "exile" from her book The Garden of Exile, revealing how the human story—from Eden to eternity—is one of displacement and longing for true home. She reframes modern discomfort as a spiritual ache for shalom, inviting listeners to see their discontent not as something to numb, but as something that points to God's greater restoration story.
    Drawing from Scripture, Niki shares how we can live faithfully in exile as she explores how we are called to build, plant, love, and multiply even in a broken world. From navigating spiritual warfare and avoiding distraction, to embracing relationships as tools of sanctification, she offers a grounded and hopeful vision for everyday faithfulness. With a powerful emphasis on lament as holy ground and hope as a daily fight, this conversation reminds us that while we may not feel at home here, we are not without purpose—and restoration is coming.

    For more about Niki Kirby, check out her website, Facebook, or Instagram. Find Niki's book The Garden of Exile: How to Flourish in a World that's Not Your Home

    For more from Dr. Carol, check out:
    • Dr. Carol's article Jesus, What's Going On Here?
    • Dr. Carol Ministries In-Person Intensives. Experience true healing and wholeness in a safe environment as you unpack your story around intimacy and relationships while inviting Jesus to be part of that story.
    Dr. Carol loves to hear from you! You can send a confidential message here.
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    43 分
  • Why Doing More Isn't Changing You (and What Will)

    Why Doing More Isn't Changing You (and What Will)
    2026/04/07
    What if the life you've built—doing the right things, saying the right words, holding it all together—isn't actually bringing the transformation your soul longs for? In this new monthly feature of Relationship Prescriptions, Dr. Carol is joined by Zion and Avery Montgomery for an honest, deeply personal conversation about the shift from performance to presence. They explore how real change begins not with striving, but with becoming secure in your identity in God, and how unresolved trauma, both big and small, quietly shapes the way you relate to yourself, others, and Him.
    Through stories from their own journeys and their work in immersive intensives, they unpack why healing requires more than insight. It requires safe spaces, honest relationships, and the courage to let Jesus meet you in the places you've kept hidden. From the power of vulnerability and community to the surprising freedom found in surrender, this conversation is an invitation to something deeper. The question isn't whether change is possible—it's this: Do you want to be well?

    Find out more about Dr. Carol Ministries In-Person Intensives Interested in a one-on-one format? Find out more about individual coaching with Dr. Carol. Dr. Carol loves to hear from you! You can send a confidential message here.
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    44 分
  • A Holy Week Reflection on Redemption

    A Holy Week Reflection on Redemption
    2026/03/31



    In this special Holy Week episode of Relationship Prescriptions, Dr. Carol reflects on the meaning of Easter and the transforming power of Jesus Christ's life, death, and resurrection. Sharing her personal story of encountering Jesus during a Good Friday service—an experience she now celebrates as her spiritual birthday—Dr. Carol explores why the resurrection is the most pivotal event in human history. She invites listeners to look beyond a limited understanding of forgiveness alone and consider the full scope of what Jesus accomplished through His sacrifice and victory.
    The episode unpacks the human "sin problem" in three dimensions: our sinful actions that require forgiveness, the deep woundedness and brokenness within us that need healing, and the spiritual bondage from which Christ has secured victory. Dr. Carol explains how Jesus provides complete forgiveness, offers deep inner restoration, and triumphs over the powers of darkness, while inviting believers to respond through repentance, choosing healing, and standing firmly in His victory. Grounded in the hope of becoming more like Christ and living in God's kingdom, this conversation encourages listeners to experience the fuller transformation made possible through the resurrection.

    For 7 simple (though not guaranteed to be easy) keys to living more Fully Alive, get your free pdf download here.

    Find out more about Dr. Carol Ministries in-person intensives - a safe place to unpack your story around intimacy and relationships, and experience Jesus coming into your story to bring healing and wholeness.
    Find out more about individual coaching with Dr. Carol
    Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can send a confidential message here. New boost
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    18 分
  • Extraordinary Sex for Christian Couples

    Extraordinary Sex for Christian Couples
    2026/03/24
    In this candid and "spicy" conversation, Dr. Carol sits down with Matt and Jen Schmidt to explore how couples can have healthy, mature conversations about sex in marriage. Addressing a topic many couples avoid or only discuss in terms of conflict or frustration, this episode expands listeners' vocabulary, mindset, and comfort in talking openly about intimacy. Together, they unpack both theological and practical perspectives on married sex, discuss common barriers to connection, and offer insights into how couples can move toward greater closeness, understanding, and fulfillment.
    Drawing from their own journey and their work through Intimate Covenant, Matt and Jen share why they believe Christian marriages should model an extraordinary sex life and how couples can begin cultivating that vision. The conversation offers encouragement for those navigating challenges such as emotional barriers, negative patterns, or unresolved struggles around sexuality, while pointing listeners to additional resources for growth, healing, and transformation. This episode invites married couples to embrace a richer vision of intimacy within their relationship.

    Note: this episode is candid without being graphic. And it does not specifically address trauma, infidelity, or similar issues.

    Connect with Matt and Jenn Schmidt through their website, Facebook, or Instagram.
    Find their Intimate Covenant podcast.

    Check out Dr. Carol's article Having the Sex Talk - With Your Spouse
    Find out more about Dr. Carol Ministries in-person intensives - a safe place to unpack your story around intimacy and relationships, and experience Jesus coming into your story to bring healing and wholeness.
    Find out more about individual coaching with Dr. Carol
    Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can send a confidential message here.
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    53 分
  • AI and the Soul: The Way of Jesus in an Algorithm-Driven Culture

    AI and the Soul: The Way of Jesus in an Algorithm-Driven Culture
    2026/03/17
    In this wrap-up episode to our AI and the Soul series, Dr. Carol explores how algorithms and artificial intelligence are shaping not just our habits but our souls, offering "relationship prescriptions" for navigating the growing influence of digital technology. She examines how the digital world subtly "disciples" us, training us to expect life to be easy, quick, constantly stimulating, and within our control, while real growth, spiritual formation, and the way of Jesus are often slow, difficult, and beyond our control. While emphasizing that AI itself is neither good nor bad, she warns that its influence is never neutral, raising concerns about diminished mental capacity, weakened emotional self-regulation, and the erosion of authentic intimacy with others and with God when technology becomes a substitute rather than a tool. This episode will challenge you to examine how technology is forming your values and behaviors, and encourages thoughtful boundaries that prioritize spiritual growth, authentic connection, and becoming more like Jesus in a digital age.

    For 7 simple (though not guaranteed to be easy) keys to living more Fully Alive, get your free pdf download here.

    Find out more about Dr. Carol Ministries in-person intensives - a safe place to unpack your story around intimacy and relationships, and experience Jesus coming into your story to bring healing and wholeness.
    Find out more about individual coaching with Dr. Carol
    Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can send a confidential message here.
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    26 分
  • AI and the Soul: A Psychologist Talks About Loneliness and the Digital World

    AI and the Soul: A Psychologist Talks About Loneliness and the Digital World
    2026/03/10
    In this thought-provoking conversation, Jason VanRuler joins Dr. Carol to explore the growing influence of artificial intelligence on human relationships, intimacy, and spiritual life. Together they examine emerging trends, such as young people forming "relationships" with AI, and discuss what defines genuine connection, including truth, challenge, authenticity, and emotional depth. While AI can offer affirmation, the conversation highlights its limitations as a "yes man" that cannot replace the vulnerability and growth found in real human relationships. They also unpack how technology and social media can encourage curated identities, distract from authentic intimacy, and tempt people to settle for surface-level connection rather than meeting deeper relational needs.
    The episode also offers practical and spiritual guidance for cultivating real intimacy in a digital age. VanRuler shares how self-awareness, honesty, and small steps toward vulnerability, along with practices like prayer, can help individuals grow in authentic connection with God and others. The discussion addresses the spiritual risks of overreliance on AI and encourages discernment in using technology as a tool rather than a substitute for relationship. Listeners will also discover practical habits for setting healthy digital boundaries, protecting presence, and prioritizing what matters most.
    Connect with Jason VanRuler on his website, Facebook, or Instagram.
    Find Jason's book Discovering Your Communication Type: The 5 Paths to Deeper Connections and Stronger Relationships

    Find out more about Dr. Carol Ministries in-person intensives - a safe place to unpack your story around intimacy and relationships, and experience Jesus coming into your story to bring healing and wholeness.
    Find out more about individual coaching with Dr. Carol
    Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can send a confidential message here.
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    37 分