Female by Design

Way better than anything Hollywood could ever portray, today's guest Alexa PenaVega shares her vulnerable testimony of finding more in her marriage. How do you go from a wife who really doesn't feel very excited about physical intimacy to finding celebration and joy?  In this episode, Alexa and Francie chat about the fruitfulness that has flowed from pursuing oneness, their callings as mothers to...

You have permission to break free from silence and shame and show up in a different way.  Perhaps you've experienced silence or unhelpful messages about your body and your sexuality. You've heard about sex being a man's need or a wife's duty. You've been told your body is a stumbling block and that sexual desire is dirty. The "don't do it, don't do it" message is ingrained in your brain, even if y...

You have a story…and, perhaps the purity culture movement has been a part of shaping your views about your body and your design. Let's unpack some of the shame and fear that may be holding you back as we walk toward more integration and celebration of the gift of married intimacy.   Playfulness and novelty in your marriage is good and of God. In this episode you'll get insight and practical tips t...

Overwhelm, endless to-do lists, and exhaustion is real, especially in the season of life when you're pouring your heart and soul into a growing family.  Raising little children and having little babies can feel like a sprinting marathon.  Let's talk about the challenges faced by many mommas to nurture sexual intimacy while raising young children. And, let's infuse some practicals for navigating th...

Friend, this chat is critical. As we attempt to reframe our view of sex, we are missing the mark if we continue to focus on a narrow and limiting view of "sexual activity" vs. the oneness and meaning that comes through "sexual intimacy."    Let's unpack the differences, think about how we got here and how we find a way forward. And, let's embrace a lifestyle of love making, where intimacy permeate...

Let's pause and get on the same page. Language plays a crucial role in shaping culture and creating a sense of familiarity and understanding. And, a word used quite often in our conversations here is integration. What does it mean and why does it matter?   In 1 Thessalonians 5: 23 we see, "May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together - spi...

Ever feel stressed out?!?    In this episode, Francie discusses ways to find regulation in the body when feeling stressed out, because we are actually living with chronic stress. Friend, your body is so good to you and even protects you in times of stress. Let's befriend our bodies and understand our nervous system. You'll get TEN practices to help you regulate your nervous system, including breat...

Walking through seasons of suffering can feel lonely, isolating and can even create a debilitating spiral of despair. Regardless of what your hard looks like, in this episode you'll be equipped and encouraged as Francie shares her personal journey of embracing the challenges in her life and how it has reshaped her perspective on suffering.    Key takeaways include: Emphasizing the importance of li...

In this vulnerable episode, Francie reflects on the pain and struggle caused by sexual sin in the church. Let's have some honest reflections, informed and stirred up by a culmination of years of sexual sin being exposed publicly in some church leaders. This is not about finger pointing towards anybody, all while we acknowledge the incredible pain that is experienced by victims.    In this episode,...

Your female body is an extravagant gift from God.    He gave you a beautiful body and He's called you to steward it well. Stewardship starts with knowing your body. And knowing that your female body was created for pleasure. When you look at the way you were designed, you can marvel at the Creator who made you with such a huge capacity for pleasure.   I want to hold open, celebratory conversations...

Let's have a practical chat, rooted in spiritual truth as we answer a recent listener question. Francie, my physical well being often suffers at the expense of serving my children. How do I take time for myself at the expense of my children when the Bible is so clear about placing the needs of others above my own? Many of us have fallen prey to the trap of dualism - the idea that some things are s...

The topic of sex so often shuts us down. The thought of learning or growing isn't even an option when it's a no-go territory. Yet, we learn about creation in two ways: through God's words (the Bible) and through God's works (His creation, which includes you and me). The body is His design. When we look at the beauty of our body and how it works, we can see the heart of a good Creator. In this epis...

It's a new year…whether you listen to this now or later, this episode is a foundational conversation I want to share with you. There's a longing in my heart to share what God is doing and how He is growing hearts in this community. In this episode you'll hear more of the vision for vital needs we need as women on a path for growth. Tune in and hear more about this vision for five things we really...

In all seasons, we face circumstances that remind us that things aren't as they should be. Can we be honest about the struggle and walk with authenticity? In this teaching episode, we'll look at suffering and longing through the story of Mary, the mother of Jesus, who embodied love and trusting God in less than ideal circumstances.  Jesus came in a body. And, this is no accident, sweet friend. You...

Your husband is strong, yet has a very tender side that only you get the gift of seeing. But, how can you help his heart come alive? What is your man longing to hear? Your words have incredible power to build your husband in a way that no one else can. It's true! This episode might surprise you, but it's insight on how to speak right into the masculine strength of your husband. Let's get specific...

Join us in this quick and lighthearted episode where we explore creative ways to nurture intimacy OUTSIDE of the bedroom. With hectic schedules and the 'roommate rut' that can sneak into even the happiest relationships, it's crucial to carve out quality time for genuine connection and joy. This episode is all about sparking new life into your relationship and reigniting the passion with intentiona...

Friend, get ready for a freedom chat in this rich conversation with Molly Rhodes, who is a fellow listener and Discipleship Circle member. In this conversation we have an honest, vulnerable chat about the amazing beauty of our feminine body and how to tap into the ways God designed us as women. It's a conversation that seeks to rekindle the awe and appreciation we should feel for our own femininit...

In this heartfelt episode, you'll hear a beautiful summation of life lessons I've yearned to impart to my own daughters. Join me as we explore crucial insights and TRUTH to share and pass down to the next generation about their bodies, sexuality, and the incredible way in which God has thoughtfully created them. Many of us were raised in the shadow of purity culture, often instilled with the belie...

In this episode, we address a common struggle faced by so many of us - the overwhelming exhaustion that often leaves us feeling too drained for intimacy. It's real! Life's demands can leave you physically and emotionally depleted, and at the end of the day, sex might feel like just another exhausting task. But what if we could change this narrative? What if we could reframe sex as a source of nour...

Let's reclaim novelty and excitement in our marriage bed to fully live out and honor God's design for married sex and intimacy. In this episode we'll reframe our view of novelty and unpack ways to avoid monotony as we keep our marriages exciting and growing. A few key points for this episode include:   Monogamous relationships are proven to be the happiest and healthiest in various aspects. The jo...

This episode is a unique offering. A time for margin to encounter the Lord and allow Him to meet you right where you may be. There is great power in intimacy and Christ has made a way for us to be one with God. May you encounter some intimate space with Jesus and connect to the love of God that you were made for. Donate to the Heaven in Your Home Ministry: Let's keep the message moving. Your one t...

We talk a lot about married intimacy, but ultimately this is about surrendering our whole selves to our Maker, the lover of our souls. In this episode, you'll hear Francie share from her heart as she follows the Holy Spirit walking with Jesus in every season. May you be encouraged in your own pursuit of Jesus and longing for deeper intimacy with Him.   Related Episodes: Finding Breakthrough from A...

We all have a story. And, our story informs and shapes our present reality, especially the ways we show up in the most intimate and vulnerable spaces. In this episode, you'll hear a beautifully redemptive story. Kristin Richardson from the Fearless In Love podcast joins to share the journey she and her husband Todd made through the devastation of sexual brokenness.    While pornography is part of...

This is an Invitation to reconnect our roles as mom and wife, seeing the beauty and value in both. Yet, how do you navigate life as a whole woman, filling our role as a wife and our role as a mother in a way that doesn't feel disconnected?    This episode was inspired by one of your questions and I hope that it will meet you right where you are, whether you're a biological or a spiritual mother. L...

Come celebrates a listener's story of experiencing joy, growth and freedom in her marriage. Learn how her freedom has begun to ripple out to the next generation, as the oneness in  marriage has begun to lead to more and more fruitfulness.   Don't miss this beautiful testimony and teaching reflection. May it encourage and inspire you to walk as a Titus 2 woman, mentoring the next generation of wome...