The Heart of the Matter: Why Focusing on Behaviors Isn't Enough
Relationship Prescriptions with Dr. Carol
Release Date: 06/06/2023
The Power of Prayer and Process: Integrating Therapy and Theology for Lasting Change
Relationship Prescriptions with Dr. Carol
In this powerful session from our Change(d) Conference 2024, we’re joined by a licensed marriage and family therapist with a unique blend of clinical expertise and pastoral insight. With years of experience walking with individuals and couples through the trenches of intimacy, sexuality, and relational pain, Zion Montgomery offers a compelling vision for how lasting transformation happens when both therapy and theology are brought together—rather than pitted against each other. In this episode, you’ll hear her rich presentation on the process of healing from the inside out,...
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Sanctuary of Silence: The Church's Role in Domestic Abuse
Relationship Prescriptions with Dr. Carol
What happens when the place meant to be a refuge becomes a source of silence—or worse, complicity—in the face of abuse? In this episode, we sit down with Diane Schnickels, certified counselor, domestic abuse advocate, and founder of Living Waters of Hope to talk honestly about domestic violence in the context of Christian faith. Together, we unpack the warning signs that distinguish abuse from everyday conflict, and explore the emotional and spiritual toll it takes on a woman’s heart—especially when shame, confusion, or a sense that she somehow “deserved it” cloud the truth. We...
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Dr. Carol Answers Your Toughest Questions on Marriage, Sex, and Relationships
Relationship Prescriptions with Dr. Carol
Dr. Carol regularly gets questions about difficult marriage, relationship, and sexual issues. On this episode she answers questions about some especially challenging situations; a wife whose husband is living with another woman, a husband who is frustrated with his wife's frequent "no" to sex, a wife whose husband is threatening to make her move out, a husband whose wife has left for the second time, a young woman struggling with pornography, and a wife who has experienced traumatic married sex. The insights Dr. Carol offers will help you in your relationships too! And for each question, she...
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Cheating Parents: An Adult Child’s Journey After Infidelity
Relationship Prescriptions with Dr. Carol
When a parent is unfaithful, the fallout often extends far beyond the couple—it can leave a lasting imprint on their children, shaping how they view trust, intimacy, and their own worth. In this episode, we’re joined by author and former therapist Melissa Macomber who has spent decades exploring the often-overlooked impact of parental infidelity on children, particularly as they grow into adulthood. We discuss how this form of betrayal can subtly or profoundly influence adult relationships, sense of safety, emotional resilience, and faith. Together, we unpack the factors that can make the...
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Knowing and Being Known: Fulfilling Your Need for Intimacy
Relationship Prescriptions with Dr. Carol
What does it truly mean to experience intimacy—with God, with others, and with ourselves? In this episode, we sit down with author and campus chaplain Rev. Dr. Erin Moniz to explore how sex and intimacy may be related but are not the same, unravel common cultural myths, and examine where the church’s approach often falls short. Too often, Christian communities embrace culture's idolatry of romance/sex and "baptize" it with the marriage message. But what if intimacy is something we are all created for, regardless of relationship status? Together, we dive into a Bible-based theology of...
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The Power of Perspective: How Acknowledging Death Transforms the Way You Live Today
Relationship Prescriptions with Dr. Carol
What if reflecting on our own mortality could lead to a richer, more meaningful life? In this episode, we sit down with internal medicine physician Dr. Pamela Pyle to explore how considering our earthly expiration date can transform the way we live today. While we touch on the importance of end-of-life planning, the heart of our conversation is about the here and now—how contemplating our mortality deepens our relationships, fuels forgiveness, cultivates gratitude, and inspires hope. Dr. Pyle also shares how this perspective has shaped her approach to life and work, including her powerful...
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How to Find True Connection Through Courageous Authenticity
Relationship Prescriptions with Dr. Carol
This episode is about matters of the heart. Dr. Carol talks with Tom Bennardo, a seasoned ministry leader, author, and spiritual director, about the power and challenge of courageous authenticity. We explore the barriers that keep us from true connection—what he calls "Level 3 intimacy," where we move beyond surface interactions into deeper, truly vulnerable relationships. Whether it's fear, shame, or past wounds, we unpack what holds us back and why authenticity is both risky and essential for a meaningful life. Together, we discuss practical ways to cultivate deeper intimacy—with God,...
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Why There's More to Your Story: Unpacking the Past to Unlock Your Future
Relationship Prescriptions with Dr. Carol
Your past is not truly past; it is still impacting you today. In this episode, Dr. Carol talks with trauma therapist and licensed clinical social worker Adam Young to explore how making sense of your story can lead to freedom, meaning, and transformation. We unpack the ways your past still holds power over you—often in ways you don’t even realize—and why resistance to facing your story is so common. Adam Young shares insights into how memory works, why certain moments from your past feel “stuck,” and how your brain and body hold onto experiences and bring them into the present. ...
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Easter: What It Means for You and Me
Relationship Prescriptions with Dr. Carol
In this special Easter episode, I reflect on the deep meaning of Easter—yes, a historical event, but also as a personal and transformative reality. I share two moments in my own journey where Easter became especially significant, shaping how I see hope, redemption, and new beginnings. Through a biblical lens, we’ll explore the heart of the resurrection story and what it speaks to us today. Then I offer three practical ways to make Easter more meaningful in your own life—whether you’re longing for renewal, wrestling with disappointment, or simply wanting to experience this season in a...
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Breaking the Silence: Women, Abuse, and the Church
Relationship Prescriptions with Dr. Carol
The Christian church has long been a place of both refuge and harm for women, with many experiencing sexism, harassment, or a culture that upholds harmful power dynamics. That is certainly not the way of Jesus, so what can we do about it? In this episode, Dr. Carol talks with licensed counselor and former pastor Dr. Andrew Bauman to discuss the ways a pornified mindset distorts relationships, how church culture can perpetuate abuse, and what true healing and change require. Whether you’re a man seeking to unlearn harmful narratives or a woman longing for clarity and empowerment, this...
info_outlineIn this episode Dr. Carol shares the core part of her message given at the Sexual Integrity Leadership Summit. This message shows how the "problem" is less of a sex problem and more of an intimacy problem. And she addresses God's plan for intimacy as the solution, and what you can do about it.
Check out our free download A 5-Part Prescription for Sexual Healing – God's Way
Some of the ministries offering small groups to support you in growing in sexual wholeness: Pure Desire Ministries, Be Broken Ministries, SHE Recovery, and Living Without Lust.
Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can leave her a confidential message here.