Relationship Prescriptions with Dr. Carol

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...

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 abo...

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 ree...

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 go...

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 "...

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...

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 t...

Many people find themselves longing for intimacy but pulling away or sabotaging if it comes close. Today Dr. Carol explores what it means to have an "intimacy disorder." You'll hear real-life vignettes of people struggling in this way, and we'll unpack how early experiences, attachment wounds, and the brain's survival wiring shape our capacity for connection. We'll look at what neuroscience reveal...

You ask questions! And Dr. Carol loves to respond. In today's episode, Dr. Carol's addresses some of the most difficult questions about sex, love, marriage, same-sex attraction and more. These were sent in from real listeners just like you.  Here are the resources Dr. Carol mentiones on thsi episode:  Article Sex WIthout Pain Article Where to Start if Your Marriage Lacks Intimacy Article How to St...

In today's episode, Dr. Carol is joined by Dana Che, marriage coach, speaker, and host of the  Rebuilding Us podcast. She knows firsthand what it's like to feel angry, hurt, and hopeless in marriage marred by infidelity, yet find her way to healing and restored connection. She now helps couples move from "I can't stand you" to "I still do," guiding them through the real work of rebuilding trust an...

In this episode, we sit down with Greg and Stacey Oliver. Greg was a worship pastor and his wife Stacey grew up in the mission field. But that did not prevent their difficult journey of Greg's hidden sexual addiction and Stacey's deep insecurity and people-pleasing. However, their redemptive journey led to healing, freedom, and restored intimacy. What began as an exhausting struggle became the doo...

What if the fire Jesus came to bring isn't about fear or destruction, but about freedom? In this episode, we explore how the fire of God doesn't just warm or comfort; it also burns away what keeps us from becoming whole, fully alive, and truly like Jesus. This isn't about trying harder or piling on more spiritual "shoulds." It's about letting Jesus consume what holds us back so we can live with un...

What does the science of attachment have to do with your walk with God? In this episode, we sit down with husband-and-wife team Geoff and Cyd Holsclaw who lead the  Center for Embodied Faith to explore how experiences in early life shape our capacity for trust, intimacy, and connection—not only with people, but with God Himself. That connection then affords you the secure base to live and act in t...

In this first of a two-part series on spiritual formation, we're joined by a remarkable couple authors Bill and Kristi Gaultiere with decades of experience in ministry and counseling. As founders of Soul Shepherding, they've dedicated their lives to helping believers take their next steps toward deeper intimacy with Jesus, greater emotional health, and more loving relationships. Together, we dive...

In this candid conversation, we sit down with licensed marriage and family therapist Chris A. Matthews who opens up about the struggles he and his wife faced in their own marriage, and the powerful shift in focus that turned things around. Out of that personal journey, he now equips couples with practical tools to help them stop the negative cycles and cultivate connection, trust, and lasting chan...

Your words carry more power in your marriage than you may realize. In this episode, Dr. Carol talks with Ann Wilson, best-selling author, radio host, and 40-year marriage veteran, about the profound influence a wife's words can have in her husband's heart and life. Together they unpack why your husband is  not  a project to be fixed, and how shifting from negative to positive communication can cha...

When it comes to sex and marriage, most couples discover there's far more beneath the surface than they ever expected. In this episode, Dr. Carol welcomes Dr. Michael Sytsma—ordained Christian minister, licensed professional counselor, certified sex therapist, professor, and national speaker. With over 30 years of clinical experience, Dr. Sytsma has walked with countless couples through struggles,...

What if the difference between a thriving marriage and one headed for divorce could actually be predicted? In this episode, Dr. Carol sits down for part 2 of her conversation with marriage and family therapist Zion Montgomery to explore the groundbreaking research behind the Gottman Method—decades of study that reveal why some couples make it and others don't. From the "Four Horsemen of the Apocal...

What difference does faith really make in your marriage? Is it just about praying harder when things get tough, or is there something deeper God invites us into? In this episode, Dr. Carol sits down with marriage and family therapist Zion Montgomery to talk about the real challenges couples face—misplaced expectations, communication struggles, questions about submission and control, and the tempta...

How healthy is your marriage—really? Maybe things look fine on the outside, but inside you feel more like roommates than soulmates. Maybe the arguments never seem to end, or the silence feels even louder. You might be carrying the weight of disappointment, betrayal, or loneliness and wondering if there's any way forward. If that's where you are, you're not alone—and your story isn't over. In this...

Today's kids are growing up in a digital world filled with hidden threats including pornography, predators, and pressures that most adults never faced at their age. In this episode, Dr. Carol talks with Sarah Siegand, co-founder of  Parents Who Fight , about what it really takes to protect our children from online dangers. This is more than a tech issue; it's a spiritual battle for the hearts and...

Purity culture promised protection and blessing, but for many it left a legacy of shame, confusion, and even distance from God. In this episode, we sit down with licensed psychologist Dr. Camden Morgante who knows the struggle firsthand, both personally and professionally. She shares her own story of growing up in purity culture, the myths that shaped her faith, and the painful ways those messages...

Sometimes Christians focus exclusively on one aspect of our lives, perhaps the spiritual. But we are created as integrated human beings - physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual. What if your biggest breakthroughs came not from working harder, but from connecting the dots between your faith, your thoughts, and your daily actions?  In today's episode, Dr. Carol discusses this and more with t...

What does it really mean to surrender your sexuality to Jesus? In this powerful conversation, Dr. Carol talks with clinical psychologist, author, and co-founder of Authentic Intimacy Dr. Juli Slattery, about the deeper layers of Christian sexual discipleship. Too often, the church focuses only on behavior, but true transformation goes far beyond rule-keeping. It's about identity, intimacy, and bri...

In a culture where relationship longevity is at an all-time low, even within the church, how can we build relationships that truly last? In this insightful conversation, Dr. Carol talks with Dr. John Van Epp, a leading relationship expert, pastor, professor, and creator of curricula for singles, engaged couples, and married couples. With over a million people impacted by his programs in both faith...