Relationship Prescriptions with Dr. Carol

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 Dr. Carol Ministries:
In-Person Intensive Weekend - Experience true healing and wholeness as you unpack your personal story around intimacy and relationships in a safe, caring, Christ-filled environment.    
Individual Coaching with Dr. Carol 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 here.

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 Abundant Life Counseling, or connect on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram
Dr. Eddie Capparucci's previous podcast with Dr. Carol  
His books: Going Deeper: How the Inner Child Impacts Your Sexual Addiction,  Why Men Struggle to Love: Overcoming Relational Blind Spots, and Understanding Your Inner Child and Overcoming Addiction  
Find his newest book: Same Triggers. New Responses Journal 
Dr. Capparucci offers a list of 20 practical emotional regulation techniques, which interested individuals can request by emailing innerchildmodel@gmail.com
More Resources from Dr. Carol Ministries:
In-Person Intensive Weekend - Experience true healing and wholeness as you unpack your personal story around intimacy and relationships in a safe, caring, Christ-filled environment.    
Individual Coaching with Dr. Carol 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 here.

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 her website or Facebook 
Find Collen's book The Shattered Soul: Restoring Wholeness and Rebuilding Your Faith After Spiritual Trauma     https://amzn.to/47uYGOh  
More from Dr. Carol Ministries:
In-Person Intensive Weekend - Experience true healing and wholeness as you unpack your personal story around intimacy and relationships in a safe, caring, Christ-filled environment.    
Individual Coaching with Dr. Carol 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 here.

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 Instagram, Facebook, or X (Twitter) 
Click here for more info on his book Love All Our Neighbors: How Churches That Hold a Traditional Sexual Ethic Can Care for LGQBT People
More from Dr. Carol Ministries:
In-Person Intensive Weekend - Experience true healing and wholeness as you unpack your personal story around intimacy and relationships in a safe, caring, Christ-filled environment.    Individual Coaching with Dr. Carol - 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 here.

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 @averymont and @ztmont on Instagram. Visit Zion's website Therapy with Zion for more information about Couples and Family counseling.
Check out Zion Montgomery's Technological Rule of Life for Couples
More from Dr. Carol Ministries:
In-Person Intensive Weekend - Experience true healing and wholeness as you unpack your personal story around intimacy and relationships in a safe, caring, Christ-filled environment.    
Individual Coaching with Dr. Carol 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 here.