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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How to Love Your Adult Children Without Trying to Control Them
10/13/2026
How to Love Your Adult Children Without Trying to Control Them
Parenting doesn’t end when your child becomes an adult. But parenting them the same way has to. That transition can be harder than many parents expect. When do you speak up, and when do you stay quiet? What do you do when you disagree with their choices? And how do you handle the grief when the close relationship you once shared begins to look very different? In this episode, Dr. Carol talks with Dr. Kathy Koch about how parents can move from directing their children to walking alongside them as coaches, mentors and trusted advisors. That means learning to listen without immediately correcting, asking permission before offering advice, and choosing shorter conversations over lectures that may only push an adult child further away. But what happens when the distance becomes painful — or your adult child disengages altogether? Dr. Koch offers hope for parents navigating strained relationships, unmet expectations and even differences over faith. She explains why your adult child cannot become the source of your identity or happiness and why sometimes you need to grieve the relationship you hoped you would have. You’ll also hear how to communicate without triggering defensiveness, let go of regret over past parenting mistakes, and look for small signs of progress rather than demanding immediate change. And when your child has walked away from faith, you’ll discover why demonstrating the reality of your own relationship with Jesus may be far more powerful than trying to convince them to return to church. Just because your role may have changed doesn’t mean your influence has disappeared. For more about Dr. Kathy Koch, visit or follow her on and . Be sure to check out her book Dr. Koch's previous episode on Relationship Prescriptions: More from : - Experience true healing and wholeness as you unpack your personal story around intimacy and relationships in a safe, caring, Christ-filled environment. No matter what story you carry from your past, everything changes when you invite Jesus to become part of that story. - A one-on-one format to help you navigate your personal journey through practical encouragement and scriptural- based perspective. Have a question for Dr. Carol? She loves to hear from you! You can send her a confidential message .
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When Your Spirit, Soul, and Body Get Out of Sync
10/06/2026
When Your Spirit, Soul, and Body Get Out of Sync
God didn't create us as disconnected compartments of spirit, soul, and body. In this episode, Dr. Carol along with Avery and Zion Montgomery explore the biblical vision of whole-person health, rooted in the idea that God desires to make us whole in every dimension of our being. They discuss how the coming alive of our spirit when we encounter Jesus is designed to lead us toward greater health in our soul and body also. They also explore the danger of spiritual bypass, when we use spiritual language or practices to avoid paying attention to emotional, relational, or physical realities that also need care. What might it look like to steward your whole self intentionally? The conversation explores the role of stress and discipline in developing anti-fragility, the Parable of the Sower as a picture of the “soil” of our hearts, and why bearing abundant fruit requires God's Word to take root throughout our whole being. You'll also hear practical tools for assessing and cultivating greater integration including a Wellness Wheel, spiritual disciplines such as fasting and Sabbath, and opportunities for deeper transformation through Intensives. The goal isn't perfection or simply getting every area of life “right,” but moving toward greater wholeness, integration, and shalom—becoming the fully alive people God created us to be. Click here for more about . Get your . - Experience true healing and wholeness as you unpack your personal story around intimacy and relationships in a safe, caring, Christ-filled environment. No matter what story you carry from your past, everything changes when you invite Jesus to become part of that story. - A one-on-one format to help you navigate your personal journey through practical encouragement and scriptural- based perspective. Have a question for Dr. Carol? She loves to hear from you! You can send her a confidential message .
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Why Information Isn’t the Key to Transformation: How Your Soul Actually Changes
09/29/2026
Why Information Isn’t the Key to Transformation: How Your Soul Actually Changes
You can know your attachment style, understand your personality, read all the books, and still find yourself reacting in the same old ways. Why? Because information is not the same as transformation. In this conversation, Dr. Carol and author and licensed therapist Dr. Alison Cook explore what it takes to move psychological and spiritual insights from your head into the deeper places of your soul. They talk about secure attachment, why no human being can provide the fullness of security our souls need, and why true security begins with an inner attachment to God. The conversation introduces the idea of an “inner family”—the responsible controller, the wounded shadow, and the vulnerable young one—and offers a compassionate way to respond when these different parts of us become activated. Rather than suppressing or shaming those reactions, we can see them as bids for connection. The simple practice of “recognize and return” helps us notice what is happening inside without judgment, and then return to the truth that we are loved by God right in the middle of it. Over time, this kind of practice can retrain our souls toward greater security, integration, and genuine transformation. Connect with Dr. Alison Cook on , her podcast , , , or Find her book 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. Have a question for Dr. Carol? She lov
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The Fragrance of Faith: How Our Senses Help Us Encounter God
09/22/2026
The Fragrance of Faith: How Our Senses Help Us Encounter God
What if Scripture was meant to be experienced with more than just our minds? In this episode, Dr. Carol talks with biblical scholar and Biola University professor Dr. Jeannine Hanger about what it means to engage the Bible through our whole selves—our bodies, senses, memories, and experiences. Drawing from her work Engaging Jesus with Our Senses, Dr. Hanger explains how Western Christianity can sometimes reduce discipleship to acquiring information, while Scripture invites us into something much richer. Together, they explore the sensory language woven throughout the Gospel of John—from Jesus as the Bread of Life and Light of the World to His compassionate touch and Mary of Bethany filling a room with the fragrance of costly perfume. Dr. Hanger also offers practical ways to slow down and encounter familiar passages differently. She shares how practices such as Lectio Divina, walking while reflecting on Scripture, creating worship playlists, and intentionally noticing sights, sounds, tastes, smells, and touch can help biblical truths move from something we simply know to something we more deeply experience. Along the way, Dr. Carol and Dr. Hanger discuss the powerful connections between scent and memory, the significance of physical touch in Jesus' ministry, and why sensory metaphors such as tasting God's goodness or carrying the fragrance of Christ still speak so powerfully today. Dr. Hanger also gives a glimpse into her upcoming project, Engaging the Epistles with Our Senses, and considers why physically gathering, worshiping, eating, serving, and living in community with other Believers matter for our spiritual formation. If your time in Scripture has begun to feel primarily intellectual—or simply routine—this conversation may help you encounter God's Word with fresh attention and your whole self. For more about today’s topic, check out Dr. Hanger’s book, . You can follow Dr. Hanger on , , or . Click here to learn more about , including information about: - Experience true healing and wholeness as you unpack your personal story around intimacy and relationships in a safe, caring, Christ-filled environment. - A one-on-one format to help you navigate your personal journey through practical encouragement and scriptural- based perspective.
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Single, Christian, and Sexual: What Does Sexual Wholeness Look Like?
09/15/2026
Single, Christian, and Sexual: What Does Sexual Wholeness Look Like?
What does it mean to be a sexual person when you’re not married? In this replay of a webinar presented at the Sexual Integrity Leadership Summit, Dr. Carol challenges some of the assumptions the church has often made about Christian singles and sexuality. Sexuality doesn’t disappear when you’re single, and marriage isn’t the goal of the Christian life; becoming like Jesus is. Jesus Himself was single, yet He was fully human, fully alive, and completely whole. Dr. Carol explores the important distinction between sexuality and sexual activity, and between sex and the deeper human need for intimacy. So how can Christian singles pursue genuine sexual and relational wholeness while honoring God’s design for sexual activity within covenant marriage? Dr. Carol offers practical steps including consecrating your sexuality to Jesus, learning emotional self-regulation, developing an intentional plan for moments of temptation, and cultivating deep friendships with people who truly know you. And she challenges churches and Christian leaders to stop treating singles as people waiting for their “real life” to begin, but to instead help them flourish, experience meaningful intimacy, and become more like Jesus right now. More from : - Experience true healing and wholeness as you unpack your personal story around intimacy and relationships in a safe, caring, Christ-filled environment. Find Dr. Carol's book - A one-on-one format to help you navigate your personal journey through practical encouragement and scriptural-based perspective.
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Mother Wounds: How Your Relationship With Mom Shapes Your Relationship With God
09/08/2026
Mother Wounds: How Your Relationship With Mom Shapes Your Relationship With God
What happens when the person who was supposed to help you feel safe, loved, and known instead becomes a source of hurt? In this episode, Dr. Carol talks with Dr. Sarita Lyons, author, Bible teacher, and psychotherapist, about mother wounds—the emotional and spiritual wounds that can shape our identity, relationships, and even our picture of God. They explore how experiences with our mothers can contribute to people-pleasing, over-functioning, parentification, and difficulty trusting others, while also recognizing that many mothers who wound their children are carrying wounds of their own. Healing doesn’t require pretending the wound didn’t happen or abandoning biblical honor. Dr. Carol and Dr. Lyons unpack the important difference between honoring a parent and obeying a parent, especially when an adult child needs healthy boundaries with an unsafe or unrepentant mother. Through honesty, grief, community, professional help, the Holy Spirit, and the healing love of Jesus, it is possible to face these wounds and move toward wholeness. The goal isn’t to erase your mother from your story; it’s to allow Jesus to redeem your story and become the perfectly loving parent to you that your heart ultimately needs. Connect with Dr. Lyons on , , or . Find Dr. Lyons' book Find out more about the coming up October 2-3, 2026 More from : - Experience true healing and wholeness as you unpack your personal story around intimacy and relationships in a safe, caring, Christ-filled environment. - A one-on-one format to help you navigate your personal journey through practical encouragement and scriptural-based perspective.
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How Do You Know God Is Speaking?
09/01/2026
How Do You Know God Is Speaking?
What if learning to follow Jesus more deeply also means learning to recognize what isn’t from Him? In this conversation at Austin Christian University, Dr. Carol shares from her journey from medicine into ministry as she and her host Avery Montgomery explore spiritual growth, personal stories, and intimacy with God. They talk about why our stories matter, how shame drives us into hiding, and why bringing our whole story into the light can become part of our spiritual transformation. Rather than beginning with the brokenness of Genesis 3, our stories begin with the goodness and intention of God in Genesis 1—and our journey toward wholeness includes rediscovering that original design. The conversation also explores the integration of what we know about God with what we experience in our hearts and bodies. Dr. Carol offers a practical framework for discerning the work of God from the work of the enemy: confusion, condemnation, and control are warning signs that “it ain’t Him,” while the Holy Spirit leads us toward conviction, freedom, and a way forward. The episode closes with three practices for spiritual health; stay clean, stay connected, and stay consecrated. You'll gain. a sense of what it looks like to stand firmly in the freedom Jesus offers while continuing the slow, sometimes difficult work of becoming whole. You can learn more about by clicking on the link. Dr. Carol’s will help you experience true healing and wholeness as you unpack your personal story around intimacy and relationships in a safe, caring, Christ-filled environment. Interested in a one-on-one format? Dr. Carol’s practical encouragement and scriptural-based perspective can help through . Have a question for Dr. Carol? She loves to hear from you! You can send her a confidential message .
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What If Your Sexual Struggle Is Really About Intimacy Instead?
08/25/2026
What If Your Sexual Struggle Is Really About Intimacy Instead?
What if the sexual struggle you’re trying so hard to overcome isn’t really about sex? In this conversation, Dr. Carol talks with Dr. Floyd Godfrey about the powerful connection between attachment, intimacy, mental health, and sexuality. We’re born with a deep biological need for connection and belonging, but when those needs are wounded or unmet, they can sometimes become fused with sexual desire. Sexual behaviors or attractions may then become attempts to meet legitimate needs for connection, affirmation, comfort, belonging, or mentorship in ways that ultimately leave us even more empty. Dr. Godfrey explains why lasting healing requires us to look “under the hood” rather than focusing only on behavior modification. Recovery may involve identifying old wounds, changing unhealthy patterns and environments, building intentional relationships and support, and most importantly, inviting Jesus into the deeper places of our story. The goal isn’t to become nonsexual, but to become increasingly whole—to learn how to meet our God-given needs for intimacy and connection in healthy ways through relationship with God and with other people. Learn more about Dr. Floyd Godfrey and his work , including information about his book 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. Have a question for Dr. Carol? She loves to hear from you! You can send her a confidential message .
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What We’ve Forgotten About Following Jesus: Lessons in discipleship from the early church to today
08/18/2026
What We’ve Forgotten About Following Jesus: Lessons in discipleship from the early church to today
What does it actually mean to follow Jesus—and what can Christians today learn from those who followed Him centuries before us? In this conversation, Dr. Gerald Sittser, professor emeritus at Whitworth University and author of Water from a Deep Well, takes us on a journey through Christian history, from the early martyrs and desert fathers to monasteries, mystics, and missionaries. We explore why early Christians developed rigorous processes for discipleship, what a Rule of Life can teach us today, and how learning to “inhabit time” through rhythms of prayer, work, silence, and stillness can reshape our lives with God. But this conversation isn’t simply about looking backward. It’s about recovering something we desperately need today: a deeper, more embodied way of becoming like Jesus. Dr. Sittser explains the Christian understanding of union with God, the difference between relationship and absorption, and why serious discipleship ultimately moves us outward into mission. Following Jesus isn’t merely about believing the right things; it’s about closing the gap between who we are in Christ and how we actually live, trusting that grace is present from beginning to end. Learn more about Dr. Sittser . And be sure to check out his book . Follow him on Facebook: and Instagram: . More from : - Experience true healing and wholeness as you unpack your personal story around intimacy and relationships in a safe, caring, Christ-filled environment. - A one-on-one format to help you navigate your personal journey through practical encouragement and scriptural- based perspective. Have a question for Dr. Carol? She loves to hear from you! You can send her a confidential message .
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When God Feels Far Away: Finding Hope in the Difficult Seasons
08/11/2026
When God Feels Far Away: Finding Hope in the Difficult Seasons
Have you ever experienced a season where God felt distant, your prayers felt unanswered, or your faith seemed harder than it used to be? What if those moments are not signs that something is wrong, but invitations into a deeper kind of transformation? In this episode, Dr. Carol talks with author Tish Harrison Warren about the unexpected spiritual growth that can happen in seasons of uncertainty, weariness, and longing. Tish shares from her own journey of feeling distant from God and discovering that the way God meets us often changes as we mature. She reflects on how these seasons revealed her desire for control rather than surrender—and how learning to trust God’s presence brought greater freedom, joy, and deeper relationships, including with her teenage daughter. Together, they explore the ancient Christian understanding of “desert seasons” and why spiritual dryness has long been recognized as a place of profound formation. Drawing from the wisdom of the desert fathers and mothers, Tish explains why these seasons should not automatically be viewed as failures or evidence that we have done something wrong. Instead, they can become sacred spaces where God reshapes our desires, deepens our faith, and teaches us to live with greater openness and trust. Learn more about and her new book, . Follow her on Instagram-; X/Twitter-; Facebook-. More from : - Experience true healing and wholeness as you unpack your personal story around intimacy and relationships in a safe, caring, Christ-filled environment. - A one-on-one format to help you navigate your personal journey through practical encouragement and scriptural-based perspective. Have a question for Dr. Carol? She loves to hear from you! You can send her a confidential message .
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Your Feelings Are Trying to Tell You Something
08/04/2026
Your Feelings Are Trying to Tell You Something
What do you do when a wave of anger, sadness, or anxiety hits? Do you shove it down and push through, or do you let it take the wheel completely? In this episode, Dr. Carol sits down with Zion and Avery Montgomery to explore the "ditch" most of us fall into when it comes to processing emotions, and why neither extreme actually serves us well. They dig into how our emotional habits are often formed in childhood; Avery shares how he learned to suppress tears and "man up," while Zion describes becoming her mother's emotional caretaker and convincing herself she didn't have needs of her own. Together they unpack why emotions aren't good or bad, but simply information, and why anger so often becomes a socially acceptable mask for sadness or pain, especially for men. The conversation then turns practical and deeply personal, offering real tools for slowing down long enough to actually listen to what you're feeling. Dr. Carol introduces the idea of the "U-turn" — pausing to ask curious, non-judgmental questions internally, alongside grounding techniques that help calm an overwhelmed nervous system. They also explores what it looks like to bring raw, unfiltered emotion to God, following the model of the Psalms and the example of Jesus himself, who felt deeply but processed those feelings in healthy ways rather than taking them out on others. It's a rich, honest conversation about building emotional resilience through curiosity, honesty, and the support of a psychologically safe community. More Resources 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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From Reactive to Regulated: Rewiring the Brain for Healing
07/28/2026
From Reactive to Regulated: Rewiring the Brain for Healing
Do your feelings ever hijack your thoughts and behavior? In today’s episode, Dr. Carol sits down with experienced therapist Dr. Eddie Capparucci to explore one of the most overlooked skills in the healing journey: emotional self-regulation. They unpack what it really means to stay regulated as Dr. Capparucci explains how staying within the internal bandwidth of one's "window of tolerance" allows people to respond to stress and triggers without swinging into hyper-reactivity or shutting down entirely. He makes the case that regulation isn't something you simply will yourself into during a crisis; it's a trained skill, built through small, consistent practices repeated daily so the body and mind are ready when pressure hits. The conversation examins how many men struggling with problematic sexual behaviors are really carrying unresolved trauma and emotional neglect from childhood. Real healing means going back to that younger version of self to uncover the root lies, fears, and unmet needs driving the behavior in the present. They also discuss why this work can't happen in isolation: while personal faith practices like prayer and scripture matter, God's design for healing includes community and often requires professional guidance to surface what's been buried for years. And there's a note of hope for anyone who feels like their struggle is too entrenched to overcome. Dr. Capparucci shares his conviction that healing is available to everyone willing to engage the process, framing his own work not just as a career but as a calling—helping people move toward the freedom and abundance he believes is available on the other side of doing the hard, honest work. For More from Dr. Eddie Capparucci, check out his , or connect on , , or Dr. Eddie Capparucci’s His books: , , and Find his newest book: Dr. Capparucci offers a list of 20 practical emotional regulation techniques, which interested individuals can request by emailing More Resources 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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Healing from Spiritual Trauma: When Church Hurt Makes Faith Feel Unsafe
07/21/2026
Healing from Spiritual Trauma: When Church Hurt Makes Faith Feel Unsafe
What happens when the very things that are meant to draw you closer to God become sources of fear, anxiety, or pain? Spiritual trauma is more than disappointment with church or difficult experiences with Christians. It happens when faith becomes intertwined with trauma, leaving your nervous system physically reacting to prayer, Scripture, worship, or church as though they are unsafe. In this compassionate conversation, Dr. Carol welcomes trauma therapist Colleen Ramser to unpack what spiritual trauma really is, why it affects both body and soul, and why simplistic advice like "just pray more" often deepens the wounds instead of bringing healing. Together they explore how healing begins by honoring your body's responses, giving voice to the silence and anger that often follow trauma, and finding safe relationships where trust can slowly be rebuilt. You'll discover why anger isn't the enemy, how secure attachment with God can be restored, and how Jesus can be found again beneath the debris left by painful experiences. If you've been hurt by church, spiritual leaders, or faith communities—or if you love someone who has—this conversation offers both practical wisdom and genuine hope that healing is possible. Connect with Colleen Ramser on or Find Collen's book The Shattered Soul: Restoring Wholeness and Rebuilding Your Faith After Spiritual Trauma 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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Belonging Without Compromise: A Journey of Faith and Same-Sex Attraction
07/14/2026
Belonging Without Compromise: A Journey of Faith and Same-Sex Attraction
In this episode, Dr. Carol sits down with Tony Scarcello to explore his deeply personal journey involving faith, sexuality, loss, and redemptions. Tony shares about growing up in conservative Pentecostalism, discovering his same-sex attraction at age 12, and the depression and substance abuse that followed. He talks candidly about his first sense of redemption at age 16, being fired from his position as a youth pastor, the complications same-sex attraction brought to his marriage, and the journey of rebuiding his life and ministry calling. This conversation looks at the biblical passages often discussed in debates surrounding same-sex relationships, while highlighting a broader and richer understanding of God's design for marriage, identity, and human flourishing. Tony offers an insightful distinction between sinfulness and fallenness, helping listeners understand how Christians can approach same-sex attraction with true compassion while holding to orthodox Christian theology. We also dive into attachment theory, belonging, and the importance of authentic Christian community. Whether you agree or disagree with Tony's theological conclusions, this conversation offers a thoughtful, humanizing look at the pursuit of faithfulness, intimacy, and Christ-centered living. You can follow Tony on , , or Click here for more info on his book More from : - Experience true healing and wholeness as you unpack your personal story around intimacy and relationships in a safe, caring, Christ-filled environment. - 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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Training vs. Trying: Why Willpower Isn't Enough
07/07/2026
Training vs. Trying: Why Willpower Isn't Enough
Why do so many of us walk away from a great sermon or podcast fired up to change... only to fall back into old patterns a week later? In this episode, we explore the critical difference between trying and training—and why most spiritual growth advice sets people up to fail. This conversation continues our monthly conversation between Dr. Carol, Avery Montgomery, and Zion Montgomery as we draw on insights from the ancient practice of a "Rule of Life," and unpack what it actually looks like to build sustainable, daily habits that reshape what we love, not just what we know. What You'll Learn: Why "trying harder" doesn't work. Trying is often isolated, outcome-focused, and disconnected from daily practice—which is why it leads to discouragement instead of lasting change. The Spectator Trap. Constantly consuming sermons, books, and podcasts can feel like growth, but without active engagement, it just makes us better-informed spectators of our own lives. What training actually requires. Unlike trying, training is a process: daily engagement, repetition, and drills that compound over time. Effort vs. earning. God isn't opposed to effort—He's opposed to earning. Training is effort offered in response to grace, not a transaction to secure it. The trellis metaphor. The word "rule" (from the Latin regula) means trellis—a structure that supports growth and protects against disease, not a rigid cage that restricts it. Points of return, not boxes to check. A healthy rule of life centers on rhythms—Sabbath, prayer, community—not a finish line to cross. How to start your own audit. Practical first steps for evaluating your emotional, physical, and relational life to find the gap between who you are and who you want to become. Keystone habits. How one small, well-placed habit (a prayer rhythm, a no-phone rule) can trigger transformation across every other area of life. Real-life examples. Weekly couple's meetings, family dinner rhythms, intentional rest and "interstitial time," and the balance of solitude and community. For more: Follow and on Instagram. Visit Zion’s website for more information about Couples and Family counseling. Check out Zion Montgomery's 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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The Rise of Artificial "Intimacy": Why Human Connection Still Matters
06/30/2026
The Rise of Artificial "Intimacy": Why Human Connection Still Matters
Artificial intelligence is changing nearly every aspect of modern life. But what happens when it begins reshaping intimacy, relationships, and human connection itself? In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Carol sits down with Michael Leahy, founder of , to discuss the rapidly growing intersection of AI, pornography, addiction, and relational health. Michael explains how AI systems are becoming more personalized, emotionally responsive, and potentially addictive—especially for young users seeking connection, comfort, or escape. The conversation also explores the alarming increase in AI-generated child sexual abuse material and why many recovery ministries and mental health professionals may be unprepared for what is coming next. Also, Michael shares how his own journey out of pornography addiction led to founding , an organization that has helped countless individuals pursue healing and freedom over the last 24 years. For more information about Braveheart, visit the website . Or, become one of the many individuals who have overcome AI tech and sexual addiction through Find Michael's book And check out the . More from Check out Dr. Carol’s reflections on AI and the Soul: - 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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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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