Relationship Prescriptions with Dr. Carol

• Why Sexual Addiction Is Really an Intimacy Disorder, and Finding Healing

  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 doorway to discovering that sexual addiction isn't ultimately about sex; it's really an intimacy disorder. Now as the founders of Awaken, a faith-based recovery ministry, they help others find the same hope and transformation they've experienced. Together we explore where sexual addiction and related struggles often begin, how shame and unmet emotional needs play a role, and what it looks like to pursue recovery that's both Gospel-centered and therapeutically wise. Their story offers not only honesty and hope but also a powerful reminder that true freedom comes when we let God meet us in our deepest places of need. Find out more about Greg and Stacey Oliver and connect with them at Awaken Recovery website, Facebook, X, Instagram, or their What We Really Want podcast.

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• Why Sexual Addiction Is Really an Intimacy Disorder, and the Path to Healing

  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 doorway to discovering that sexual addiction isn't ultimately about sex; it's really an intimacy disorder. Now as the founders of Awaken, a faith-based recovery ministry, they help others find the same hope and transformation they've experienced. Together we explore where sexual addiction and related struggles often begin, how shame and unmet emotional needs play a role, and what it looks like to pursue recovery that's both Gospel-centered and therapeutically wise. Their story offers not only honesty and hope but also a powerful reminder that true freedom comes when we let God meet us in our deepest places of need. Find out more about Greg and Stacey Oliver and connect with them at Awaken Recovery website, Facebook, X, Instagram, or their What We Really Want podcast. Find out more about Dr. Carol Ministries in-person intensives, or check out individual coaching with Dr. Carol. Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can send a confidential message here.

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• The Fire of Jesus That Transforms

  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 undivided hearts before Him. We'll talk about three things that need to be burned up—people-pleasing, idols, and sin—and why this is actually very good news. Along the way, you'll hear why living for an "audience of One" frees you from false peace, how even good things can become idols that need dethroning, and what real transformation beyond behavior change looks like. Most of all, you'll see how Jesus is both scandalously safe and scandalously dangerous: welcoming us as we are, yet making it possible for us to become truly transformed and whole. Check out Dr. Carol's article Ways of Being With Jesus That Bring Transformation Find out more about Dr. Carol Ministries in-person intensives, or check out individual coaching with Dr. Carol. Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can send a confidential message here.

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• Confident Connection: What Neuroscience Teaches About Attachment and Your Spiritual Life

  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 the world with confidence.  Together we unpack the difference between secure and insecure attachment, how those patterns show up in faith, and why many of us struggle to rest confidently in God's love. You'll discover practical strategies for moving toward secure attachment, deepening both your human relationships and your spiritual life. This is a conversation filled with hope, courage, and a vision for growing into the wholeness God designed for you. Connect with Geoff and Cyd Holsclaw on their website or their podcast Attaching to God. Find their book Landscapes of the Soul: How the Science and Spirituality of Attachment Can Move You into Confident Faith, Courage, and Connection      Check out Dr. Carol's article Ways of Being With Jesus That Bring Transformation Find out more about Dr. Carol Ministries in-person intensives, or check out individual coaching with Dr. Carol. Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can send a confidential message here.

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• Discovering the Power of God's Empathy for You and Others

  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 into the transformative power of empathy—what it is, why it matters, and how it reflects the very heart of God in His interactions with us. We explore why learning self-empathy (which is very different from self-pity) is essential for our own healing and growth, and how developing empathy for others can be the doorway to healthier, stronger relationships. Our conversation also touches on the deeply personal journey of experiencing empathy from Jesus Himself, and what it looks like to open our hearts to that reality in daily life. If you've ever longed for a more compassionate relationship with God, yourself, and others, this episode will encourage and equip you for that journey. Connect with Bill and Kristi Gaultiere at the Soul Shepherding website, Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube. Find Bill and Kristi's latest book Deeply Loved: Receiving and Reflecting God's Great Empathy for You and their earlier book we mentioned Healthy Feelings, Thriving Faith Check out the article from Dr. Carol How to Find a Friend: Who is Your Peter, James, and John? Find out more about Dr. Carol Ministries in-person intensives - a safe place to unpack your story around intimacy and relationships, and experience Jesus coming into your story to bring healing and wholeness. Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can send a confidential message here.

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