Relationship Prescriptions with Dr. Carol

Preparation for the Christmas season can often feel busy and frantic, but it doesn't have to be this way. How can hope and wonder replace chaos and worry? What if we stopped and listened to the movement and unfolding of God's plan around us?  In this delightful episode Dr. Carol talks with prophetic artist, writer, and speaker Bette Dickinson about the Advent season and spiritual practices that ca...

Garry and Melissa Ingraham each experienced deep sexual and relational brokenness from an early age, including pornography addiction, identity confusion, pre-marital sex, homosexuality, and more. Their struggles continued after becoming Christians, but over time God powerfully changed their lives, including bringing them together in marriage. Now they together run the Love and Truth Network minist...

God created each of us with the need, desire, and capacity for intimacy. But what exactly is healthy intimacy? And how can you experience it? Recently Dr. Carol discussed the topic at the SHE Virtual Recovery Summit, an online experience for women and teen girls struggling with porn addiction or other sexual issues, and for the parents and Christian leaders seeking to better help these individuals...

Are you frustrated with church? The COVID-19 pandemic has brought that question to the forefront in ways perhaps never before contemplated. But if you're frustrated with "church," it might not be the worship experience or preaching, but the lack of experiencing church as Jesus intended that frustrates you. In this episode Dr. Carol talks with Dr. Joel Comiskey, author and ministry coach, who helps...

The fall of Roe v. Wade in the United States a few months ago opened the abortion debate once again. And as important as that debate is, the women and men affected by abortion frequently struggle with unresolved emotions for years, even decades.  In this challenging but hope-filled conversation Dr. Carol talks with Dr. Theresa Burke, the founder of Rachel's Vineyard, the largest post-abortion mini...

Have you ever wondered what God's will is for your life? What if you didn't have to struggle to figure out what to do for God ? What if your decisions could simply be following what God was already doing - in you, in your marriage and relationships, in your work or ministry? In this very special episode Dr. Carol talks with Dr. Richard Blackaby, president of Blackaby Ministries, about Experiencing...

Is it OK to ask questions? Are there some questions you shouldn't ask? How does God feel about our questions? Does asking hard questions mean you are losing your faith? Today Dr. Carol talks with writer Lore Ferguson Wilbert who believes that Christianity is not about knowing good answers but about asking good questions--ones that foster deeper intimacy with God and others. You can learn how "livi...

Life happens. If your marriage has not recently been through a storm it's likely one is coming. Will the storms life brings drive you and your spouse apart? What if you could use them to bring you closer together? Gary Thomas is a best-selling author, pastor, speaker, and Relationship Prescriptions podcast favorite guest. In this conversation he talks with Dr. Carol about couples who have experien...

What's the state of your internal world? And who is the YOU that you are bringing to your marriage? Are you often feeling stuck in old behavior patterns that are less than helpful? On today's program Dr. Carol's guest is Beth McCord. Beth along with her husband Jeff are Enneagram coaches, bringing a thoroughly Christ-centered approach to understanding your internal world. In this conversation Beth...

You don't have to be someone "special" to have a successful marriage. But what IS required? What kind of difference does prayer make? Today Dr. Carol talks with Mike and Jill Guindon. The Guindons have experienced God's work in their own messy marriage; their story itself is inspiring! And now they mentor other couples through individual coaching, marriage seminars, and training other Marriage Men...

Is it too much to expect your sexlife to sizzle in a Christian marriage? More than obligation or duty, God designed physical intimacy between husband and wife to be life-giving, a celebration, and full of joy. But for too many Christian wives, especially, that's not the case. On today's episode Dr. Carol talks with psychologist, author, and speaker Dr. Jennifer Degler about how to overcome the phy...

Are you the only one whose marriage is having a hard time? Of course not. But it can certainly feel that way when you are struggling with really big problems in your relationship. In this bonus episode Dr. Carol responds to questions about difficult marriage situations posed by Pastor Zonerphia Williams. You just might find your circumstances mentioned in these scenarios. If you need help for your...

When you said "I do" you expected lasting love and connection. But perhaps now you're wondering, "What did I get myself into?" Whatever happened to "happily ever after?" In this candid conversation between Dr. Carol and her friend Jamie Keith, they share the single most important step you can take that will begin transforming your marriage today ! And you'll hear about a resource where you can lea...

What thoughts are you thinking right now? Are they helpful? If not, do you know how to move to more helpful thoughts? Dr. Carol's guest, Gem Fadling, is a spiritual director, life coach, and author. On this episode she unpacks powerful but simple ways to sort through the unhelpful voices in our heads and the graceful process of replacing them with more helpful thoughts as led by the Spirit. Connec...

As a parent, do you feel anxious or squeamish about having "The Talk" with your kids? Yes, we're talking about The Sex Talk. In today's hyper-sexualized culture don't let porn sexually disciple your kids. Nick Liberto joins Dr. Carol on this episode to talk about ways you can get equipped to have a truly great sex talk with your kids. Find out more and sign up for  The Sex Talk video course for pa...

Every facet of your life is shaped by desire–including your soul. But what is it that you really want? Underneath all our longings is the desire to be known―and it manifests itself in our deep need to make things of beauty and to take beauty into our souls. In this best-of episode, Dr. Curt Thompson, author, board-certified psychiatrist and the founder of the Center for Being Known unpacks how con...

Are you satisfied with your Christian life? Are you more like Jesus now than a year ago? Or does "trying harder" cause frustration as it feels as if nothing is changing?    On today's podcast recorded at Horizon Worship Center in Round Rock, Texas, Dr. Carol shares from both God's word and from science about the process of spiritual transformation.   And don't forget to stay tuned for the question...

The beauty standards promoted in culture are nearly impossible and destructive for many. Do we need a new and expanded perspective on beauty? Today's guest helps us do that. Melissa Johnson, marriage and family therapist, and educator talks with Dr. Carol about her own story of leaving her distorted view of beauty behind to grasp God's perspective, and how she is now helping other people on the sa...

Gender identity is not only a hot topic in culture; it's a hot topic in the Christian church. How would Jesus address these challenges? How can we as followers of Jesus address them with faithfulness and love? Dr. Julia Sadusky, author, speaker, psychologist, and an expert in the area of sexuality, gender, and faith join the podcast to address the issue and provide biblically based insights. You w...

If you've purchased groceries or filled your gas tank, you've found that your money doesn't go as far as it used to. Economic uncertainty and the rise in Inflation make it more important than ever that we learn to manage money smartly God's way. On this weeks podcast, Dr. Carol is joined by Katie Jones, money coach and investor to discuss practical advice for how to think about and manage money du...

God has a lot to say about this beyond "Do it". And it's time to learn why! Clinical psychologist, author, speaker, and president of Authentic Intimacy, Dr. Juli Slattery, talks with Dr. Carol about the four pillars of a truly good married sex life and how these pillars apply in some challenging common issues husbands and wives face. Find out more about Dr. Juli Slattery and Authentic Intimacy on ...

Trauma and loss do not have to be the end. Dr. Carol's guest on this episode Dawn Damon experienced abuse and the loss of everything meaningful to her. But her story of growth, healing, recovery and finding her brave heart will encourage and inspire you.  Connect with Dawn Damon on her website , Instagram , or Facebook .  Find Dawn's books  When the Woman Abused Was You  and  When a Woman You Love...

We are all born to connect. But contemporary culture makes being connected difficult, and that affects our wellbeing in many ways. Hence, our connection or lack thereof with other human beings affects our sense of connection with God. Psychologist and professor Dr. Todd Hall talks with Dr. Carol about how our spiritual formation is deeply impacted by our connections, and what it looks like to lear...

The abortion debate has divided pro-life and pro-choice groups deeply. The US Supreme Court decision overturning Roe vs. Wade has made this a top cultural issue more than ever. But there's something glaringly absent from these debates–the matters of the heart. What's going on in the heart of a woman faced with a crisis pregnancy? And even more important, what's been going on in her heart that led...

Do you imagine your job as a father is to get your kids to behave right? What if there's a more helpful thing to focus on? Chad Hayenga from Connected Families has been coaching parents for over 25 years, and presents some powerful ways in which a father's connection with his children becomes more important and effective in helping them become who they need to be. Find out about the  Connected Fam...