Relationship Prescriptions with Dr. Carol
Relationship Prescriptions with Dr. Carol is a weekly podcast dedicated to helping men, women, and couples experience good health, loving relationships and joyful spirituality that Jesus came to bring.
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From Brokeness to Healing: Restoring Your Marriage After Betrayal
06/23/2026
From Brokeness to Healing: Restoring Your Marriage After Betrayal
In this third installment of the special marriage challenges miniseries, the conversation turns to one of the most painful and complex struggles couples can face: sexual addiction, betrayal trauma, and the long road toward rebuilding intimacy. In this deeply honest conversation, Dr. Carol's guests Clinton and Charity Munoz pull back the curtain on their journey through pornography addiction and betrayal trauma and discuss what it actually took to come out the other side together. Together, they explain how healing and recovery isn't about managing behavior on the surface it's about the harder, slower work of heart transformation and the three foundational pillars essential for restoration. Brokenness does not have to be the end of the story. Healing, intimacy, and hope are still possible. For more tools and resources from the Munozes, including information about their 8-week course , visit their website . Or connect on , , or . Looking for a personal opportunity for healing from trauma in relationships? offers an to help you find true healing and wholeness as you unpack your personal story around intimacy and relationships in a safe, caring, Christ-filled environment. 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 her a confidential message .
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How to Build a Blended Family That Works
06/16/2026
How to Build a Blended Family That Works
In this heartfelt and honest conversation, Dr. Scott and Deana Thayer share the journey that brought them together from painful divorces and personal rebuilding to creating a thriving, blended family rooted in faith, grace, and intentionality. They open up about how difficult seasons unexpectedly became part of God’s plan for their lives and how blending two families came with both beautiful moments and significant challenges. The conversation dives deep into the emotional realities of blended families, including the unexpected aspect of grief blending a family includes. Scott and Deana explain why stepfamily dynamics are frequently misunderstood and why healing, patience, and reassurance are essential for building trust and connection. Listeners will walk away encouraged by the Thayers’ vulnerability and equipped with marriage-strengthening strategies to help couples blend their families with compassion, resilience, and purpose. For more about the Thayers, visit their website . Also check Deana’s article in the from Focus on the Family. More from : - Experience true healing and wholeness as you unpack your personal story around intimacy and relationships in a safe, caring, Christ-filled environment. 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! Send her a confidential message .
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What No One Tells You About Marriage and Staying in Love
06/09/2026
What No One Tells You About Marriage and Staying in Love
What does take to really build a marriage that thrives, not just survives? In this episode, Pastor Mike Novotny discusses with Dr. Carol the foundational principles for building a lasting and healthy marriage, particularly during the first year of marriage. From issues like faith, communication, sex, finances, chores, in-laws, and more, Mike delves into one of the most common — and most overlooked — sources of conflict in marriage: colliding expectations. Mike also opens up about his struggle with pornography, explaining how embracing vulnerability and living out the principle of confession (James 5:16) brought healing not only to his personal life, but to his marriage as well. Whether you're a newlywed or decades in, this episode is packed with actionable insight and a reminder that marriage isn't a destination you reach on your wedding day; it's a lifelong journey. And the couples who thrive are the ones who keep showing up, keep investing, and keep choosing each other — one intentional day at a time. You can learn more about Pastor Mike Novotny at , or , , or To order his book, go to More from : - Experience true healing and wholeness as you unpack your personal story around intimacy and relationships in a safe, caring, Christ-filled environment. 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 her a confidential message .
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Performance, Presence, and the Parts We Hide: A Faith-Based Path to Healing
06/02/2026
Performance, Presence, and the Parts We Hide: A Faith-Based Path to Healing
What if the inner conflict you feel isn't a sign that something is wrong with you, but a signal that healing is possible? In this powerful edition of our monthly feature Dr. Carol talks with Zion and Avery Montgomery to explore how sin, evil, and trauma fracture us internally and shape our emotions, relationships, and spiritual lives. Drawing from both Biblical truths and the psychological framework of Internal Family Systems (IFS), this conversation highlights how Jesus makes us whole as He brings healing and integration to every wounded or hidden part of the heart. Avery shares his personal journey from living with a performance-based identity to learning how to walk in authentic presence and intimacy with Him. The conversation also dives into the role of the inner child, explaining how younger, wounded versions of ourselves often continue influencing present-day behaviors and relationships. If you're carrying fractured places within yourself, this conversation will give you language, hope, and a next step. For more about the Montgomerys: Follow and on Instagram. Visit Zion’s website for more information about Couples and Family counseling. More from : - Experience true healing and wholeness as you unpack your personal story around intimacy and relationships in a safe, caring, Christ-filled environment. 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 her a confidential message .
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What Nobody Tells You About Waiting for Sex Until Marriage
05/26/2026
What Nobody Tells You About Waiting for Sex Until Marriage
In a culture that often treats sexual abstinence before marriage as outdated, unrealistic, or merely rule-following, Dr. Carol sits down with author, professor, and researcher Dr. Emily McKnight, lovingly known as Dr. Em, for an honest conversation about why waiting for sex before marriage still matters, and why it’s about far more than behavior. Dr. Em shares her own journey from sexual brokenness to conviction-led abstinence, and how that season shaped her relationship with God, her sense of identity, and ultimately her marriage. Together, they explore the deeper purpose of sexual integrity and the kind of character it forms in us over time. This conversation also tackles the real-world challenges of singleness, dating, desire, and early marriage. Dr. Carol and Dr. Em discuss how abstinence can cultivate communication, trust, friendship, and discernment long before the wedding day, and why sexual intimacy in marriage is a journey to grow into, not a finish line to cross. Whether you’re single, dating, engaged, or wrestling with your own difficult sexual story, this episode offers hope-filled wisdom for pursuing sexual wholeness, resisting cultural pressure, and seeking God’s best without settling for less. Connect with Dr. Emily McKnight on , , , or Find Dr. Em's book Find out more about Interested in a one-on-one format? Find out more about . Dr. Carol loves to hear from you! You can send a confidential message .
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Your Questions About Intimacy, Sex, and Relationships Answered
05/19/2026
Your Questions About Intimacy, Sex, and Relationships Answered
In this honest and hope-filled Q&A episode, Dr. Carol tackles some of the most tender and complicated questions surrounding faith, sexuality, betrayal, intimacy, and emotional healing. From pornography and painful marriage dynamics to shame, loneliness, and the longing for deeper connection, this conversation explores what it means to be fully human while following Jesus. Along the way, Dr. Carol addresses an often-overlooked question: If Jesus was fully human, what does that mean for understanding desire, embodiment, and intimacy today? Drawing from both Scripture and neurobiology, this episode moves beyond behavior management into the deeper work of wholeness. Dr. Carol explains why transformation requires more than head knowledge—it requires bringing your whole self into the presence of Jesus, including your emotions, wounds, fears, and desires. Whether you’re struggling in your marriage, carrying hidden shame, or longing to experience God more deeply, this conversation offers compassionate insight and practical hope for healing, connection, and lasting change. For further resources, check Dr. Carol’s articles here: Find out more about - 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. Interested in a one-on-one format? Find out more about . Dr. Carol loves to hear from you! You can send a confidential message .
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A Healed Heart: The Christian Approach to Trauma Recovery
05/12/2026
A Healed Heart: The Christian Approach to Trauma Recovery
In this enlightening episode, Dr. Carol and Beth Broom dive deep into the complexities of trauma and its profound impact on relationships, particularly within the Christian community. Beth shares her unique perspective, distinguishing between traumatic experiences and the internal responses that shape how we process pain including how to rebuilding trust. Together, they explore the Christian Trauma Healing Network and the SAFE model—an innovative framework designed to offer accessible resources for trauma survivors and their supporters. The conversation reminds us of the importance of bringing our pain and emotions before God, framing this act as both a step of faith and wisdom. You can connect with Beth Broom on , , , or . Check out the Beth Broom co-hosts with Eliza Huie. Find out more about the Find out more about - 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. Interested in a one-on-one format? Find out more about . Dr. Carol loves to hear from you! You can send a confidential message .
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Right Brain, Left Brain, Whole Brain
05/05/2026
Right Brain, Left Brain, Whole Brain
What if the reason you still feel stuck spiritually isn’t a lack of information, but a lack of integration? In this monthly feature, Dr. Carol, Avery Montgomery, and Zion Montgomery explore why so many sincere followers of Jesus may know the right answers intellectually yet still struggle with fear, shame, disconnection, or recurring unhealthy patterns. Together they unpack the difference between a faith that lives only in the left brain—focused on logic, information, and performance—and the kind of whole-brain connection that actually leads to transformation. Because becoming like Jesus requires more than learning about Him; it requires being with Him. Drawing from both neuroscience and spiritual formation, this episode explores how the right brain shapes identity, emotion, attachment, and experience, and why slowing down is essential for real healing and growth. The conversation offers practical ways to engage God more fully through prayer, Scripture, embodied practices, confession, and authentic community. If you’ve ever wondered why trying harder hasn’t produced lasting change, this episode offers a hopeful invitation into a different way of relating to God, yourself, and others—one rooted not merely in knowledge, but in connection. Find out more about Interested in a one-on-one format? Find out more about . Dr. Carol loves to hear from you! You can send a confidential message .
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From Awkward Side Hugs to Authentic Touch: Building Healthy Church Relationships
04/28/2026
From Awkward Side Hugs to Authentic Touch: Building Healthy Church Relationships
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 , , or Find Bronwyn's book More about Dr. Carol Ministries: . 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. 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 .
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One Woman's Journey Through Betrayal, Loss, and Reconstructed Faith
04/21/2026
One Woman's Journey Through Betrayal, Loss, and Reconstructed Faith
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 , , , or Find Vaneetha's book: Here's . For more from Dr. Carol, check out her article Find out more about Dr. Carol Ministries: . 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. . 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 .
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Tired, Restless, and Searching: The Spiritual Reality Behind Modern Life
04/14/2026
Tired, Restless, and Searching: The Spiritual Reality Behind Modern Life
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 , , or . Find Niki's book For more from Dr. Carol, check out: Dr. Carol's article . 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 .
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Why Doing More Isn’t Changing You (and What Will)
04/07/2026
Why Doing More Isn’t Changing You (and What Will)
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 Interested in a one-on-one format? Find out more about . Dr. Carol loves to hear from you! You can send a confidential message .
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A Holy Week Reflection on Redemption
03/31/2026
A Holy Week Reflection on Redemption
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, . Find out more about - 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 Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can send a confidential message .
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Extraordinary Sex for Christian Couples
03/24/2026
Extraordinary Sex for Christian Couples
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 , , or . Find their . Check out Dr. Carol's article Find out more about - 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 Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can send a confidential message .
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AI and the Soul: The Way of Jesus in an Algorithm-Driven Culture
03/17/2026
AI and the Soul: The Way of Jesus in an Algorithm-Driven Culture
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, . Find out more about - 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 Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can send a confidential message .
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AI and the Soul: A Psychologist Talks About Loneliness and the Digital World
03/10/2026
AI and the Soul: A Psychologist Talks About Loneliness and the Digital World
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 , , or . Find Jason's book Find out more about - 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 Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can send a confidential message .
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AI and the Soul: A Pastor Talks About Embodied Faith in a Disembodied Age
03/03/2026
AI and the Soul: A Pastor Talks About Embodied Faith in a Disembodied Age
Christianity has always been an embodied faith—rooted in presence, touch, community, and shared life. But we now live in a world of digital discipleship, online relationships, and increasingly, AI-shaped interactions. What does this mean for the church, for our spiritual formation, and for the kind of community our hearts were made for? In this episode in our series AI and the Soul, Dr. Carol sits down with Jay Kim, pastor and author of Analog Church and Analog Christian, to talk about why physical presence matters more than ever. They discuss how AI and digital tools can help or hinder real-life connection, what gets lost when faith becomes mediated through screens, and how followers of Jesus can cultivate embodied practices in a culture of instant convenience. If you’re longing for deeper connection, wondering how AI will affect Christian community, or trying to navigate technology with wisdom, this episode offers both challenge and hope. Find out more about Jay Kim on , , , or Find Jay's book Find out more about - 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 Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can send a confidential message .
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AI and the Soul: A Theologian Talks about How AI may be Forming US
02/24/2026
AI and the Soul: A Theologian Talks about How AI may be Forming US
Artificial intelligence is becoming woven into everyday life – our work, our personal lives, even our emotional and spiritual reality. But what does this technology do to us as people made in the image of God? In this first of our series on "AI and the Soul", Dr. Carol talks with Dr. John Dyer, professor, author, and leading thinker on theology and technology, about how our tools shape our souls. You’ll hear why AI is a helpful tool, but also how it quietly forms our desires, habits, and spiritual practices in ways we rarely notice. Together they explore what makes humans unique, how AI might influence discipleship and our relationship with God, and how Christians can use emerging tools wisely without losing what makes us wonderfully human. This conversation will help you wrestle with how AI may be discipling you in ways you don't realize, and provide a thoughtful, theologically grounded perspective on this hot topic. Find out more about Dr. John Dyer or through . Find out more about - 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 Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can send a confidential message .
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What Jesus Really Teaches About Marriage and Divorce
02/17/2026
What Jesus Really Teaches About Marriage and Divorce
In this episode, we take up one of the most painful and frequently asked questions in the church: What about God and divorce? Whether someone is in a miserable marriage, has been left by a spouse, or is carrying the wounds of divorce, this conversation is both challenging and important. We unpack the biblical meaning of covenant, and why divorce is so devastating—not because it ranks highest on some hierarchy of sins, but because it tears apart something God intended to reflect His faithful love. "God hates divorce” is not condemnation, but is a window into the grief of a Father who sees His children wounded. Jesus’ own words acknowledge that divorce exists “because of the hardness of human hearts,” naming both the reality of human cruelty and the complexity of real-life situations. And we offer careful discernment rather than simplistic rules. There are reasons not to leave a marriage, and there are situations where separation or divorce may become necessary. This episode invites listeners to seek God’s wisdom above all else, to invite trusted voices who will ask hard questions, and to pray honestly, “Lord, who are You calling me to be in this season?” Throughout Scripture, God speaks to His people as a betrayed yet faithful spouse—and this episode holds that tension: the seriousness of covenant, the pain of its rupture, and the relentless faithfulness of a God who does not abandon us, even when we break faith with Him. These articles from Dr. Carol may be helpful for you: Find out more about - 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 Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can send a confidential message .
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When Feelings Fade: Keeping a Relationship Alive When Romance Wears Off
02/10/2026
When Feelings Fade: Keeping a Relationship Alive When Romance Wears Off
Today Dr. Carol is joined by Lindsey Maestas, a writer and podcast host known for saying the hard things gently, and for telling the truth about love with honesty, depth, and compassion. Together, we talk about what happens when the feeling of being “in love” begins to fade, and why romance alone is never enough to sustain a relationship. Lindsey shares vulnerable stories about her own marriage, including a season when she was ready to call it quits, and the inner shifts that led her to choose staying, growth, and daily faithfulness instead of walking away. We explore common relational patterns that quietly erode intimacy over time, including attachment dynamics, icing one another out, and making a partner responsible for needs only God can truly meet. She also speaks candidly about phone addiction, modern distraction, and the ways divided attention weakens connection and intimacy. And there's plenty of hope and practical wisdom, contrasting grand gestures with the power of daily consistency. We talk about habits, self-discipline, and small, repeated investments that keep love alive over the long haul. This conversation invites listeners to embrace a deeper, steadier vision of love, one rooted not in fleeting feelings, but in presence, intention, and choosing one another again and again. Connect with Lindsey Maestas on or . Find Lindsey's book Check out the Find out more about - 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 Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can send a confidential message .
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How to Love Authentically
02/03/2026
How to Love Authentically
You've heard of the Five Love Languages. But what's next? In this episode, we’re joined by marriage and family therapist and author Leslie Parrot to explore what it really means to love in ways that are not just well-intended, but deeply felt. Good intentions alone aren’t enough, but empathy and curiosity help bridge the gap between how we express love and how it’s actually received. Drawing from decades of clinical experience and relational wisdom, Leslie offers insight into why a deeper understanding of love languages matters, not as a formula, but as a pathway to deeper connection. And what fills your “love tank”, or that of someone you care about? This isn't only for marriage; we also widen the lens to consider how these principles apply in friendships, families, and other relationships. We discuss how personality shapes the way we give and receive love, why each love language includes different “dialects,” and how becoming a better listener is central to loving well. This episode invites you to slow down, listen more deeply, and practice a kind of love that doesn’t just get expressed, but truly lands. Connect with Les and Leslie Parrott on , , or . Find the book by Gary Chapman, and Les and Leslie Parrott: Check out the Join Les and Leslie Parrott and other experts online during National Marriage Week, February 7-14. . Check out the Find out more about - 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 Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can send a confidential message .
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The Story Beneath the Struggle: How a Former Transgender Found Transformation
01/27/2026
The Story Beneath the Struggle: How a Former Transgender Found Transformation
Dr. Linda Seiler decided to follow Jesus in high school, but her sexual and emotional struggles didn’t simply disappear. In this episode, she shares her own story and the insight she’s gained through decades of ministry and trauma-informed care. Now an ordained Assemblies of God minister and Executive Director of ReStory Ministries, Linda helps us explore what was missing in the early years of her faith journey and why sincere belief alone often isn’t enough to bring freedom. We talk candidly about how modern culture frames sexual orientation and gender identity as fixed and immutable, and why Linda believes there is always a reason beneath the behavior—and therefore real hope for resolution. This conversation offers deep compassion for those who feel discouraged, weary, or stuck in repeated cycles or sin or brokenness. We explore where healing actually begins: love, truth, identity in Christ, and community—not performance or results-driven spirituality. Linda cautions against turning transformation itself into an idol and invites listeners into a more patient, grace-filled vision of change. If you’ve ever wondered why change takes so long, how trauma shapes desire, or how identity and belonging influence healing, this episode offers clarity, hope, and a wider vision of redemption. Connect with Dr. Linda Seiler at , , or . Find Linda's book Find out more about Dr. Carol Ministries - 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 Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can send a confidential message .
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Built to Last: Timeless Truths for Your Marriage
01/20/2026
Built to Last: Timeless Truths for Your Marriage
Need some marriage wisdom? Greg Smalley has spent his entire life immersed in conversations about marriage. As the son of the late Gary Smalley—and now Vice President of Marriage and Family Formation at Focus on the Family—Greg has witnessed up close both the beauty and the messiness of intimate relationships. In this conversation, Greg reflects on why he chose to step into this demanding work, what drew him to a calling so intertwined with his family legacy, and how his own 30+ year marriage to Erin has shaped what he teaches today. We also explore how marriage challenges have shifted over the decades. From cultural pressure and emotional disconnection to technology, stress, and changing expectations, Greg offers perspective on what’s new, what’s intensified, and what remains surprisingly constant. Finally, he distills decades of ministry into a few core factors that consistently mark marriages that go the distance. Whether you’re newly married, decades in, or simply hopeful about love, this episode offers grounded wisdom, encouragement, and a hopeful vision for building a marriage that lasts. Find out more and connect with Greg Smalley through Check out the podcast Greg and his wife Erin Smalley do together - Find Greg's book Check out the Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can send a confidential message .
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Untangling God from the Wound: Healing After Spiritual Abuse
01/13/2026
Untangling God from the Wound: Healing After Spiritual Abuse
Faith is meant to bring life. But what happens when it become harmful? In this episode, Dr. Carol sits down with Jeff and Terra Mattson, a husband-and-wife author team whose work bridges leadership, psychology, and spiritual formation. He brings the perspective of an executive coach; she offers the clinical insight of a licensed professional counselor. Together, we explore the idea of toxic faith: how faith can be distorted through fear, control, shame, or misuse of authority, and how to discern the difference between spiritually abusive systems and the ordinary, imperfect humanness found in any community. We also examine the deep impact of spiritual abuse on the whole person and why its effects often linger long after someone leaves a harmful environment. Most importantly, this conversation offers hope. We talk about what healing can actually look like, including the slow and courageous work of re-examining one’s internal view of God. For those who feel wounded, confused, or distant from God because of their faith experiences, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and a grounded path toward restoration. Connect with Jeff and Terra Mattson on , , or Find out more about Dr. Carol Ministries - a safe place to unpack your story around intimacy and relationships, and experience Jesus coming into your story to bring healing and wholeness. Check out Dr. Carol's article Find out more about Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can send a confidential message .
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Who We Think God Is vs. Who He Really Is
01/06/2026
Who We Think God Is vs. Who He Really Is
Have you ever been surprised by who someone turned out to be? Research shows we form impressions of people within seconds, but real life often proves those impressions wrong. In this episode, we explore how that gap between appearance and reality shows up in relationships –with others, and especially with God. These realities reveal a deeper truth; there’s a profound difference between knowing about someone and truly knowing them. Many people believe in God, yet carry perhaps unconscious distortions about what He is really like. You may "know" that "God is love," but internally picture a God who is disappointed, withholding, harsh, or just waiting for us to fail. In this episode, we explore how our internal picture of God is often shaped by our past experiences, and why information alone doesn’t heal it. Instead, healing comes through encountering Jesus. And we close with some practical ways to let God’s love reshape your inner picture of who He really is. Find out more about Dr. Carol Ministries - a safe place to unpack your story around intimacy and relationships, and experience Jesus coming into your story to bring healing and wholeness. Check out Dr. Carol's article Find out more about Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can send a confidential message .
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Top Moments of 2025: Love, Sex, Intimacy, and Following Jesus
12/30/2025
Top Moments of 2025: Love, Sex, Intimacy, and Following Jesus
In this special year-end episode, we revisit the conversations you loved most in 2025: honest, hope-filled moments about intimacy, relationships, sexuality, and the God who designed us for connection. These clips capture the wisdom, clarity, and compassion that resonated deeply with listeners all year long. Whether you’re new to the podcast or want a fresh dose of encouragement, this highlight reel brings together the insights that helped people grow in intimacy with God and with each other. And here are links to the full conversations from which the excerpts were taken for this episode: - with Michael J. Cusick - with Erin F. Moniz - with Tom Bennardo - with Ann Wilson - with Dr. Juli Slattery Relationship Prescriptions is listener supported. That means YOU! Would you prayerfully consider how God might ask you to support this ministry financially? And then . Dr. Carol loves to hear from you! You can leave a confidential comment .
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The Good News of Christmas
12/23/2025
The Good News of Christmas
On the night Jesus was born the angel told the shepherds, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people." The Christmas season may not always feel like good news. Busyness, difficult circumstances, emotional struggles, and more can make this time feel like anything but good news. This brief Christmas meditation shares how the angels' declaration of good news applies to everyone, even you, even in the difficulties of real life right now. Merry Christmas from all of us at Dr. Carol Ministries! Dr. Carol loves to hear from you! You can leave a confidential comment .
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The God Stories That Happen When Jesus Shows Up
12/16/2025
The God Stories That Happen When Jesus Shows Up
This episode takes you inside the heart of an Intensive at Transformation Place and gives you a glimpse of what this unique experience is like. Here people confront the barriers holding them back, encounter God in deeply personal ways, and experience the kind of change they may have sought for years but struggled to find on their own. You’ll hear five individuals who courageously share their own “God stories.” Each one describes how the Intensive met them right where they were—whether stuck, hurting, confused, or hungry for more—and how God worked in ways they didn’t expect. Their stories are honest, hopeful, and full of the kind of change only God can bring. This episode will encourage your heart and invite you to believe again in what God can do. And then you'll hear how you can be a part of the next man or woman's transformation story through your support. We can't do this without you! I invite you to . Additional ways to give: Set up Easily make a gift from your mutual fund or appreciated stock Recommend a grant to Dr. Carol Ministries through your Send a check to 14900 Avery Ranch Blvd., Suite C200-223, Austin, TX 78717 Purchase an item from our for Transformation Place Dr. Carol loves to hear from you! You can leave a confidential comment or question .
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Looking for Christmas: Finding Hope and Joy in the Story Behind the Story
12/09/2025
Looking for Christmas: Finding Hope and Joy in the Story Behind the Story
In this episode, we sit down with author Donna VanLiere to explore the rich, often overlooked details of the biblical nativity story, and why they matter for us today. From the unlikely cast of characters to the humble setting of Jesus’ birth, we look at how each part of the story speaks meaning and purpose into our own lives, especially as we enter the Christmas season. Our guest helps us see how the first Christmas wasn’t polished, serene, or ideal, but messy and real, much like our own lives. We talk about how Christmas is truly for everyone, and perhaps most especially for those who feel troubled, unseen, or without hope. Together we explore how the joy of Christmas isn’t dependent on perfect circumstances but arises from the presence of God with us in the midst of whatever we are facing. Whether this season feels bright or heavy, this conversation offers an invitation to experience Christmas in a deeper, more grounded, and more joyful way. Connect with Donna VanLiere on , , or Check out the YouVersion Find out more about Donna's book We'd love you to be one of our . Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can leave a confidential message .
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Pain and Experiencing the Presence of God
12/02/2025
Pain and Experiencing the Presence of God
What could it look like to follow Jesus not only after the pain ends, but right in the midst of it? In this conversation, tenured psychology professor, author, and pastor Dr. Joshua Knabb helps us rethink the way we understand distress, challenging the modern tendency to pathologize every struggle. We explore the difference between pain and disorder, and why recognizing that distinction can open the door to greater agency, deeper compassion, and more grounded spiritual formation. Together we also look at the contemplative practices that build resilience and intimacy with God: why they matter, what gets in the way, and how to start. Dr. Knabb shares his favorite go-to spiritual practice that help people meet Jesus right where they are, and why it's helpful. You’ll hear how engaging these practices can transform not only your connection with God, but also the way you show up in relationships with others. This episode will show you how psychology and discipleship are connected in following Jesus. Connect more with Dr. Joshua Knabb and his work . Check out Dr. Knabb's podcast Find out more about Dr. Carol Ministries - 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 Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can send a confidential message .
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