Juli sits down with bestselling author Gary Thomas for a conversation about some of the subtle lies Christians often believe without even realizing it. They're tackling tough questions , like:

Can family become an idol?

Why do we still struggle with sin after coming to Christ?

And what happens when loneliness and isolation become our normal?

While this conversation isn't specifically about sexuality, how we answer these questions shapes the way we approach our relationships. Join us to explore how God's truth can lead us into greater freedom, stronger relationships, and deeper intimacy with him.

Guest: Gary Thomas

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Follow Up Resources:

The Life You Were Reborn to Live: Dismantling 12 Lies That Rob Your Intimacy with God by Gary Thomas

Ep. #589 Feeling Distant? How to Build Emotional Intimacy in Your Marriage with Gary Thomas

When Your Adult Child Makes Sexual Choices You Disagree With by Juli Slattery (blog)

Follow Gary at @garythomasbooks

Follow Authentic Intimacy at @authenticintimacy

If you grew up in church in the 90s or early 2000s, you probably received some confusing messages about sex and desire. This week, Juli and Hannah unpack how those messages shaped our understanding of sexuality and purity—and why so many Christians still struggle to say "yes, yes, yes" after years of "no, no, no."

This conversation will remind you that God is not ashamed of your sexuality and invite you into healing, wholeness, and the truth about your sexuality.

Co-host: Hannah Nitz

Become a monthly donor to Authentic Intimacy and get a FREE copy of the new 25 Questions You're Afraid to Ask About Love, Sex, and Intimacy.

We'd love to hear your thoughts about this conversation. Leave us a rating and review.

Follow-up Resources:

25 Questions You're Afraid to Ask about Love, Sex, and Intimacy by Dr. Juli Slattery

Passion Pursuit: What Kind of Love Are You Making? (A 10-Week Study Through the Song of Solomon)

Hot Topic Kit: Building a Great Sex Life

Java #608 Purity Culture, Shame & the Grace of God with Dannah Gresh

What Do I Do With My Sexual Desires? (blog)

Video Q&A: What's the difference between sexual purity and sexual integrity?

Video Q&A: What's the purpose of my sexuality as a single?

Follow Hannah Nitz @hannahnitz

Follow Authentic Intimacy at @authenticintimacy

This week, Juli, Hannah, and Joe answer one of the hardest questions many of us face: What do I do if my spouse is looking at porn?

This conversation is honest, compassionate, and full of hope. We talk through the pain, shame, confusion, and secrecy that pornography often brings into a marriage—and why healing is still possible for both the person struggling and the spouse who feels hurt and betrayed.

You'll hear practical wisdom on how to find the support you need, why you can't be your spouse's accountability partner, and how true intimacy is about so much more than just changing a behavior.

Whether this struggle has touched your marriage personally or that of someone you love, it's one you'll definitely want to share.

Co-hosts: Hannah Nitz & Joe Caruso

It's book launch week! 🎉🎉 Order your copy of the new 25 Questions You're Afraid to Ask about Love, Sex, and Intimacy. Or, become a monthly donor to Authentic Intimacy and get it for FREE!

Follow-up Resources

25 Questions You're Afraid to Ask about Love, Sex, and Intimacy by Dr. Juli Slattery

Hot Topic Kit: Pornography In Marriage

5 Healthy Ways to Respond to Your Husband's Porn Problem (blog)

3 Things Women Want You to Know About Their Addiction to Pornography (blog)

Video Q&A: Is porn sinful?

Video Q&A: Does my spouse watch porn because of me?

Find help and community with any of these trusted ministries:

Be Broken Ministries

Fight for Love Ministries

Hopequest

Pure Desire

Follow Hannah Nitz @hannahnitz

Follow Joe Caruso at @joecaruso06

Follow Authentic Intimacy at @authenticintimacy

This week, Dannah Gresh shares the personal story behind And the Bride Wore White—one of a few books that launched conversations about purity, shame, grace, and redemption for an entire generation of Christian young people. Together, Juli and Dannah reflect on the wounds many women carry around sexuality, the beauty of God's forgiveness, and why purity was never meant to be about perfection.

Guest: Dannah Gresh

Join an Authentic Intimacy Online Book Study!

Follow-up Resources:

Pre-order And the Bride Wore White: Seven Truths to Living In Sexual Integrity No Matter Your Past by Dannah Gresh

Q&A: How can I overcome the shame I experience as a result of purity culture?

Follow Dannah at @dannah_gresh

Follow Authentic Intimacy at @authenticintimacy

This week, Juli and Hannah tackle the question, Am I entitled to sex—even good or regular sex—in my marriage?

Drawing on stories, biblical truth, and personal reflection, Juli challenges common assumptions about sex, covenant, and what it really means to love like Jesus did. This episode offers hope for couples navigating pain, unmet expectations, or seasons of healing—and it just might challenge everything you've been taught about sex and marriage.

Co-host: Hannah Nitz

What are your thoughts on this conversation? We'd love to hear from you! Leave us a rating and review.

Follow-up Resources:

Check out our new Hot Topic Kit: Building a Great Sex Life

God, Sex, & Your Marriage by Dr. Juli Slattery

How To Go From Demand and "Duty Sex" to True Sexual Intimacy by Dr. Juli Slattery (blog)

Is Sex Sabotaging Love in Your Marriage? by Dr. Juli Slattery (blog)

Are You Entitled to (Good) Sex in Marriage? by Dr. Juli Slattery (blog)

Follow Hannah Nitz @hannahnitz

Follow Authentic Intimacy at @authenticintimacy

This week, Juli sits down with pastor and author Tony Scarcello to hear his story of wrestling with same-sex attraction from a young age, the weight of shame and silence he carried, and how God met him in the middle of it all.

Some conversations aren't meant to be easy, they're meant to help us grow. This is one of those. Tony's story will challenge you, encourage you, and remind you how deeply we all need the grace of God.

Guest: Tony Scarcello

Online Book Studies are open. Grab your spot today!

Follow-up Resources:

Preorder Love All Our Neighbors: How Churches That Hold a Traditional Sexual Ethic Can Care for LGBTQ People by Tony Scarcello (available May 19)

Regenerate: Following Jesus After Deconstruction by Tony Scarcello

Follow Tony @tony_scarcello

Follow Authentic Intimacy at @authenticintimacy

This week, Juli sits down with Joe and Hannah to tackle the question: What do you do when you're attracted to someone who isn't your spouse?

Together, they unpack the reality that attraction outside of marriage isn't a matter of if, but when. From the myth of "soulmates" to the powerful role of brain chemistry, this conversation explores why these feelings happen, and why they don't have to define your choices.

You'll also learn how small decisions, honesty, and intentional investment in your marriage can protect what matters most.

Co-hosts: Hannah Nitz and Joe Caruso

Check out our newest Hot Topic Kit: Building a Great Sex Life

Tell us what you think! Leave us a rating and review.

Follow-up Resources:

Preorder 25 Questions You're Afraid to Ask About Sex, Love, and Intimacy by Dr. Juli Slattery

Be the first to know when Online Book Studies open up

Sexual Attraction Isn't As Important as You Think, Here's Why by Juli Slattery (blog)

Follow Joe Caruso at @joecaruso06

Follow Hannah Nitz at @hannahnitz

Follow Authentic Intimacy at @authenticintimacy

Shame has a way of convincing us to hide. But Jesus doesn't turn away from your shame. He steps toward it.

This week, Juli sits down with Dr. Carol Tanksley and Allie Mazur to shed light on the often unspoken reality of living with an STI. Together, they unpack the weight of shame, the fear of rejection, and the questions that can follow a diagnosis like herpes.

You'll be reminded that while consequences of sin may linger, they don't have the final word. Jesus meets us right in the middle of our brokenness, offering freedom, healing, and hope.

If you've ever felt like your story is "too much" or "too broken," this conversation is for you.

Guests: Dr. Carol Tanksley, OBGYN and Allie Mazur

Follow-Up Resources:

Q&A: Are sexual sin and sexual brokenness the same thing? (video)

Q&A: Where do I begin healing? (video)

How to Get Past Shame from Sexual Sin by Juli Slattery (blog)

Dr. Carol Tanksley's website: drcarolministries.com

Follow Dr. Carol at @drcarolt

Allie Mazur's website: livebeyondherpes.com

Follow Allie Mazur at @allie_beyond

Follow Authentic Intimacy at @authenticintimacy

Married sex doesn't just "stay hot"...but you can fan the flames to create something even more meaningful (and longer-lasting) than honeymoon sex.

This week, we're talking about how to keep married sex exciting over the long haul. You'll learn about the shift that happens in long-term relationships, why desire can fade into routine, and what actually helps bring the spark back.

No theory. No pressure. Just real-life rhythms and practical ways you can reconnect emotionally and physically with your spouse. If you've ever thought "we're good... but it's not like it used to be," this conversation is for you!

Co-host: Hannah Nitz

What did you think of this conversation? We'd love to hear from you! Leave us a comment and review.

Follow-up Resources:

Preorder 25 Questions You're Afraid to Ask About Sex, Love, and Intimacy by Dr. Juli Slattery

Be the first to know when Online Book Studies open up

Join Dr. Jennifer Degler's Dare of the Month email list.

Follow Hannah Nitz @hannahnitz

Follow Authentic Intimacy at @authenticintimacy

One of you is ready to leave early. The other is still looking for their shoes. Welcome to marriage.

This week, Juli and Mike are on stage at the Love Like You Mean It Cruise! Live and unfiltered, they talk honestly about how their differences have shown up in parenting, intimacy, and their pace of life—and how they've learned to let those differences draw them closer, instead of driving them apart.

Guest: Mike Slattery

Join Mike & Juli on the Love Like You Mean It Cruise in 2027!

Follow-up Resources:

3 Reasons Women Tend to Take Over in Marriage by Juli Slattery (blog)

Q&A: How can I help my husband grow up and take responsibility? (video)

The Very Important Difference Between Conflict & Fighting by Juli Slattery (blog)

Some wounds don't just live in your memories… they live in your body, in your relationships, and in your sense of safety.

If you've ever wondered, "Can I be whole after sexual trauma?," you're not alone—and you're not beyond healing.

That's the question Juli is tackling this week. You'll hear why sexual trauma uniquely affects identity and intimacy, how shame and self-blame keep us stuck, and what real sexual wholeness looks like.

This conversation is for anyone who has experienced sexual trauma (or loves someone who has) and is wondering: Is healing really possible for me?

Co-host: Hannah Nitz

Register for the webinar Healing After Sexual Abuse: Practical Guidance for Pastors, Leaders, and Caregivers.

Follow-up resources:

Find a Christian counselor or sex therapist: check out ABCST or MyCounselor.online

Surprised By the Healer by Juli Slattery and Linda Dillow

The Wounded Heart by Dan Allender

Try Softer by Aundi Kolber

God's Healing Stinks by Juli Slattery (blog)

Q&A: Past sexual trauma inhibits my ability to enjoy sex. Is there hope that I can ever heal? with Dr. Juli Slattery

Follow Hannah Nitz @hannahnitz

Follow Authentic Intimacy at @authenticintimacy