Curt Thompson, MD, author of “The Soul of Shame”, joins Juli to explain what shame is, why we experience it, and what to do with it.
Podcast
#538 How I Rebuilt Faith In God After Church Abuse
Ryan George shares how he disentangled the manipulation and abuse of his past from who God really is.
#537 Can You Be a Christian Feminist?
Dr. Abigail Favale shares why our bodies matter and how we can cultivate a deep and rich theology around sex and gender.
#248 Gay Girl, Good God: Jackie Hill Perry’s Story
Jackie Hill Perry shares how God drew her to Himself and brought her out of a lesbian lifestyle.
#536 How To Help Your Kids Avoid Identity Traps
Jonathan Holmes shares with Juli how we can avoid identity traps and teach our kids to do the same.
#297: Finding Freedom in the Midst of Brokenness
Laurence Koo, guest speaker at our upcoming Reclaim Conference, shares what freedom looks like when you experience same-sex attraction.
#535 What Men Weren’t Taught About Sex
Sam Jolman, author of “The Sex Talk You Never Got”, joins Juli to talk about what men didn’t learn about sex growing up.
#534 Four Surprising Things Killing Your Wife’s Sex Drive
Dr. Jennifer Degler discusses some of the lesser-known reasons why a woman might not feel excited about sexual intimacy with her husband.
#533 Why It Feels Impossible To Beat Your Sin
Are we supposed to battle our sin or surrender it to the one who has already defeated it?
#532 How the Church Can Help Stop Domestic Abuse
Chris Moles and Stacey Womack join Juli to talk about what churches need to know when it comes to helping abuse victims.
#531 The Basics of Talking to Kids About Sex
Dr. Julia Sadusky provides parenting tips for Christian families seeking to engage in healthy conversations with their kids about sex.
#530 Sexuality and Smartphones: How to Help Teens Thrive
Pastor James Talbert from Citizens Church Akron joins Juli to share his knowledge on teens, sex, and social media.
#529 Modern Dating: How To Do It Well
Kait and JJ Tomlin from Heart of Dating join Juli to help singles navigate the ups and downs of modern dating.
#528 The 3 Superpowers Your Sex Life is Missing
Christian Sex Therapist Dr. Michael Sytsma joins Juli to talk about three ways couples can boost their sexual and emotional intimacy.
#228: Intimacy After Infidelity
Can a couple’s sexual relationship survive and thrive after infidelity?
#527 Why Friendship, not Romance, is the Greatest Love of All
Rebecca McLaughlin explains how we’ve lost our vision for loving relationships outside the context of marriage or the nuclear family.
#526 How God Heals Us From Past Abuse and Trauma
Jennifer Michelle Greenberg shares her journey of healing and processing after decades long abuse at the hands of her father.
#525 Churches and Porn: What isn’t Working and How to Change it
Sam Black explains how the Church can become a safe and healing place for those struggling with pornography.
#524 Her Freedom Journey: A Powerful New Book Helping Women Overcome Porn And Sexual Shame
Introducing “Her Freedom Journey”, Juli and Joy’s brand new book!
#523 How Past Family Patterns Impact the Way You Love Today
“How We Love” authors, Kay and Milan Yerkovich, join Juli to explain how understanding attachment styles can improve relationships.
#522 The Paradox of Hope and Brokenness: Jesus, Depression and SSA
Brenna Blain explains how coming to the end of herself led her to a place desperate enough to long for God Himself, not just His healing.
#521 How to Know if Your Marriage can Recover from Betrayal
Jeremy Smith, LPC discusses how he is helping couples heal their marriages and achieve deep, lasting change as individuals and together.
#520 Sex, Cancel Culture and the Church: How to Pursue Unity When we Disagree
Hannah Nitz joins Juli for a conversation on why believers need to work to pursue both peace and righteousness within the body of Christ.
#519 Why we Need to be Better at Caring for Divorced People in the Church
Laura Petherbridge shares her experience as a divorcee and explains how to walk in love and empathy to those who have experienced divorce.
#518 Single Sexuality and the Unique Challenges of Widowhood
Dr. Carol Tanksley delves into the complexities faced by widows and sheds light on the emotional and psychological hurdles they face.
#517 How to Beat Loneliness and Cultivate Deeper Friendships
Jeff Kemp joins Juli to talk about what we need to do to cultivate deep, long-lasting, and life-altering friendships.
#516 Don’t Skip Foreplay! (and Other Advice from a Christian Sex Therapist)
Christian sex therapist Dr. Michael Sytsma helps married couples overcome common obstacles faced when building a thriving, holy sex life.
#515 Is Attraction Sinful? Unpacking Attachment, Safety, Love and Desire
Hannah Nitz joins Juli for a conversation all about attraction and desire.
#514 How Deconstruction and Divorce Rocked a Young Couple’s Life
Chris and Stephanie Teague, the musical duo behind Out of the Dust, share how their marriage fell apart and how God put it back together.
#513 A Child Psychiatrist On The Truth About Transgender Activism
Dr. Miriam Grossman, joins Juli to discuss what parents and kids need to be aware of when it comes to transgenderism.
#512 Friends Who Hurt Us: How To Recognize Unlikely Sources Of Abuse
Tricia Lott Williford and Jana Richardson join Juli to talk about how to recognize, fight, and recover from abuse in all its forms.
#511 Why You Need to Laugh More
Comedian, author and Pastor Ted Cunningham is Juli’s guest this week, explaining the health and relational benefits of laughter.
#510 Influencer Anh Lin on Overcoming Trauma and Living a Beautiful Life
Accidental influencer and author of “Forever Home”, Anh Lin, shares her story of journeying through trauma and brokenness to healing.
#509 Workaholism And Infidelity Almost Led To Divorce, But A Miracle Saved Their Marriage
Join Juli, David and Terri, as the couple talk about how God’s intervention saved and restored their marriage.
#508 What Does Healthy Masculinity Actually Look Like?
What can we learn from the lives of the heroes of the faith?
#507 What You Need To Know About The Gender Conversation
John and Sarah Stonestreet explore some of the underlying beliefs surrounding sexuality in our culture.
#506 How To Make Sense Of Grief And God’s Goodness
Pastors Ed and Lisa Young of Fellowship Church join Juli for a moving, faith-filled conversation about the loss of their daughter, Lee-Beth.
#505 What Does it Look Like to Struggle with Sexual Sin and Still Love Jesus?
Lina Abujamra discusses external and internal challenges and the truths we all wrestle with as we pursue God’s design for sexuality.
#504 Painful Intercourse, Fake Orgasms, And Aging Sex: Answers To The Most Popular Sex Questions
Juli is joined by Dr. Jennifer Degler and Dr. Michael Sytsma in providing biblical, practical answers to questions about married sex.
#503 Lies, Pornography and Sex Addiction Almost Ended Their Marriage, Now They Help Others Find Hope
How do porn and sex addiction really affect a family?
#502 How to Understand and Overcome the Challenges of Postpartum Sex
Sex after pregnancy is radically different from sex before or during. Pelvic floor therapist Heather Marra and Dr. Jennifer Degler weigh in.
#501 Going Beyond a Superficial Faith – with guest Jackie Hill Perry
Time with God should be a delight, not a duty, but for many believers, it can often feel like more of a chore. What’s missing?
#500 Sex, Faith and Family: Conversations Every Couple Should Have Pre-Marriage
Are you ever really ready for marriage? Are there certain conversations couples should have prior to engagement? Scott Kedersha weighs in.
#499 How Vulnerability Can Help You Heal From Sexual Trauma
Podcaster Tim Ross tells Juli how honesty, vulnerability, and grace helped him overcome sexual trauma.
#498 The Surprising Thing You’re Missing In Your Healing Journey
Could it be that there is more to spiritual formation than simply knowing and learning the right things?
#497 Trying to Heal? Here’s Why Knowing Your Story is Essential
Join Juli and Hannah as they revisit some common themes, topics and questions from this year’s most insightful Java with Juli episodes.
#496 Seeking Truth on Singleness, Married Sexuality and LGBTQ+ Issues – A 2023 Recap
Join Juli and Hannah as they revisit some common themes, topics and questions from this year’s most insightful Java with Juli episodes.
#495 Why Narratives About Sex Matter
Author Jennifer L Holberg explains why we need to challenge the narratives we’re given and see how the stories we believe shape our faith.
#494 Purity Culture, Men and Sexual Entitlement
The purity narrative failed men too. Noah Filipiak unpacks some of the harmful ideas passed on to men in an effort to protect purity.
#493 How the Bible’s Teachings About Sex Reveal God’s Goodness
“Is God good?” Sam Allberry answers this in light of same-sex attraction, the heart of marriage, singleness, and the cost of discipleship.
#492 How Human Trafficking Causes Us to Rethink What We Believe About God
Author Charles Martin unpacks some of the realities of human trafficking, what it means to be broken, and what it takes to find freedom.
#491 Why Debates About Women’s Roles Might be Missing the Point
Dr. Michelle Lee-Barnewall explains why debates on the roles of women often miss God’s heart for His Church.
#490 How Do You Go From Being Stuck in Bondage to True Freedom?
What does it really take to go from death to life? How are we truly transformed? Jonathan Daugherty joins Juli to discuss his new book.
#489 Thinking About Divorce? You Might Want to Listen to This First
Is divorce the best option for you? Toni and Carey Nieuwhof discuss Toni’s book, “Before You Split.”
#363: Why Are Christians Afraid Of the LGBT+ Conversation?
Rachel Gilson discusses why it’s more important than ever to maintain a high view of scripture and know what the Bible says about our sexuality.
#488 What Does the Bible Really Say About Same-Sex Marriage?
What is the Biblical essence of marriage and who is it for? Preston Sprinkle discusses his new book “Does the Bible Support Same-Sex Marriage?”
#257: How Trauma Affects Our Bodies & Souls
Whether you’ve experienced physical or emotional trauma, it always leaves a mark. Susie Larson joins Juli to discuss the path to healing when trauma runs deep.
#487 How to Cling to God When Your World is Falling Apart
How do you cling to your faith in God when life gets hard? What does it look like to have an unshakeable faith? And how do you cultivate it?
#316: Sorry Mom & Dad, the “Sex Talk” Doesn’t Work
Juli and Hannah explain what it looks like to teach your kids about biblical sexuality in our current cultural moment.
#486 Teaching Sexual Discipleship: How to Walk in Truth and Love with LGBTQ+ Kids
Kelly Urbon discusses the work she is doing in counseling parents of those who identify as LGBTQ+, and explains why this work is so necessary.
#386: What’s the Secret To Getting the Marriage & Intimacy You Want? Go Vertical
Guests Dave and Ann Wilson join Juli in this special bonus episode as they share how God transformed their marriage from the top down.
#485 Your Marriage Won’t Survive Without Grace: Why Marriages Built on Performance Fall Apart
Is a lack of grace stopping you and your spouse from connecting? Brad and Marilyn Rhoads join Juli to discuss their book, “Grace Marriage.”
#454 Mismatched in Sexual Desire? You May Be Closer Than You Think
If you’re married and experiencing huge gaps between your level of sexual desire and your spouse’s, this special re-air episode is for you.
#484 Duty Sex, Feeling Objectified, and Other Reasons Women Don’t Enjoy Sex in Marriage
J Parker and Bonny Burns, hosts of “Sex Chat for Christian Wives”, provide biblical, practical insight on challenges wives face in marriage.
#388 Single & Sexually Whole
The late Dr. Doug Rosenau joins Juli to discuss the difference between erotic and social sexuality, and why we need to rethink desire.
#483 Why You Need a New Theology of Singleness, Even if You’re Married
Join Juli and guest Dr. Danielle Treweek as we kick off week two of our 7-week series exploring various themes around God, sex and intimacy.
#211: Understanding Pornography Addiction
Jonathan Daughtery of Be Broken Ministries shares his story and why he believes people keep returning to “lustland.”
#482 Trying to Overcome a Sexual Addiction? Here’s Why You Can’t Do It Alone
Nate Larkin joins Juli to share his journey breaking free from an addiction to pornography that almost destroyed his marriage.
#481 Learning, Leading, and Growing: A Reflection on 10 Years of Java with Juli
In this celebratory episode, Hannah and Juli discuss the heart of the podcast, what Juli has learned, and plans for the next decade.
#480 How to Heal and Rebuild Trust and Sexual Intimacy After An Affair
Why do people cheat? And is it possible to reconcile after you or your spouse has been unfaithful? Juli is joined by Jessica McDaniel, LPC.
#479 More Than Just Behavior: Why Your Struggles With Sexual Sin Run Deeper Than You Think
What if facing your sexual struggles could lead to deeper healing? Juli and Jay Stringer, LMHC, talk about his research on desire.
#478 How To Love And Lead Your Adult Kids With Jim Burns
How do you parent adult kids after they leave the nest? Dr. Jim Burns, president of the organization HomeWord, shares his experience and expertise.
#477 In-Laws or Outlaws? How to Handle The Challenge of Setting Boundaries with In-Laws
When does parental guidance become overreaching interference? How do couples set boundaries? And how do in-laws give kids space to form strong marital foundations?
#476 When God Ran: How God’s Love Found a Woman Lost In Shame
What does it look and feel like to live in the tension of the weakness of your flesh when you have lengthy and ongoing struggles?
#475 Why Empathy, Inner Healing, and Teamwork Are at the Heart of Building Intimacy
Sean and Lanette Reed join Juli in this episode to discuss how humility, faith, and empathy, helped them bridge gaps to create true intimacy.
#474 A Rebel’s Manifesto: How to Live Holy Different with Sean McDowell
What does it look like to live life as a Christian counter-culturally? How are we called to be in the world but not of the world when it comes to engaging with others, sharing the gospel, and addressing our own sin?
In this interview, Juli hosts author and professor Sean McDowell as they discuss his new book, “A Rebel’s Manifesto.” The book serves as a call and challenge to today’s Christians, urging them to revisit God’s Word and rethink what it means to be salt and light.
#473 Repentance, Redemption, and Revolution: How to Accept the Invitation of Godly Sexuality
What does it actually look like to accept the invitation to reclaim God’s design for sexuality in your life? Is the path straight, wide, and flat, or narrow, bumpy, and full of twists and turns? In this episode of Java with Juli, Juli hosts guests Cole and Caitlin Zick of Moral Revolution as they discuss their polar-opposite experiences embracing their sexuality as God intended.
#472 Embracing Grief: Why We Need to Connect Sadness, Gratitude, and Celebration
It can often be tempting to push through the uncomfortable feelings that come with loss and try to just keep calm and carry on. But is that what we’re called to as followers of Christ? If Christ Himself took time to grieve, shouldn’t we?
Dr Greg and Erin Smalley join Juli on this episode of Java with Juli as they discuss the need to face and make sense of our pain so we can embrace real joy.
#471 How to Understand, Celebrate, and Leverage Neurological Differences in Relationships
There are always differences in relationships – differences in culture, differences in family of origin, differences in communication and conflict style – but what if you and someone you love just think differently? The thing is, while we may live in a world designed for neurotypical people, the world is full of people who are neurodivergent; those of us who process, learn, experience and interact with the world in ways not considered typical.
#470 Why Did We Start Hating Men? The Toxic War on Masculinity with Nancy Pearcey
When did it become normal for us as a culture not to like men? In this episode Juli’s guest is Nancy Pearcey, esteemed scholar, and author of “The Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles the Sexes”. She joins Juli to discuss the roots of toxic masculinity, what it means to be a good man, and how to combat the negativity around what it really means to be a man.
#469 Porn, Rape Culture, and Why The Battle Against Sexual Assault Starts at Home
Did you know that on average, each year, around 463,634 Americans are victims of sexual assault? That’s a heartbreaking statistic, and it reveals a very real source of pain and trauma in contemporary American culture. What causes people to commit sexual assault? Is there a way to stop it? Dr. John Foubert joins Juli to discuss some of the reasons these numbers are so high, and what can and needs to be done to prevent sexual assault from happening.
#468 Teaching Your Kids How to Love Their Bodies with Francie Winslow
How do we teach kids that God made their bodies and that He made their bodies good? Are there creative and intentional ways to connect with kids and help them develop a Biblical theology around their bodies?
In this episode, Juli connects with her friend Francie Winslow, a mother of six on a mission to imprint upon the hearts of her children the beauty of God’s design of their bodies and vision for their sexuality.
#467 Yes, Your Marriage Is Worth Fighting For (Here’s How to Save It)
While it may be the case that many people view marriage as a periphery issue, Juli’s guest, Pastor John McGee, argues that the way we love one another in marriage is one of the ways in which our faith is truly evident — “Marriage teaches us about the gospel, and the gospel teaches us about marriage.” Tune in to today’s episode of Java with Juli to discover some of what is missing in common teaching on marriage, and how leaning into the truth of the gospel equips us to love better, not just in marriage, but in all our relationships.
#466 Enough is Enough: Recognizing and Combating Abusive Relationships
Is there a difference between a bad relationship and a harmful one? How can you spot the difference, both in your own relationships and those of your friends and family?
Join Juli and Dr. David Clarke as they discuss how to recognize abuse patterns of behavior, how to set boundaries, and when necessary, how to get out and create safety elsewhere.
#465 Love Dares: Using Playfulness to Build Sexual Intimacy
If you’re a husband or wife who finds sex dull or monotonous, it may be time for you to revisit the way God designed marital sex. The truth is that God desires for you to enjoy building sexual intimacy with your spouse, not just endure it. In this podcast episode, Juli and guest Dr. Jennifer Degler talk about how God gives the gift of sexual play to couples, and the practical (and fun!) ways you can connect with your spouse.
#464 Why We Need to Remember The Dignity of Singleness
Is it possible your view of singleness and marriage is less than Holy? Is it possible to find contentment, not in whether we are single or married, but in Jesus Himself? Juli and Sam Allberry discuss the dignity of singleness, finding contentment in Christ, and the key to true friendship.
#463 (Bonus) The Need for Grace in Church-Based Conversations About Sex and Gender
When it comes to discussions around sex, historically the church has stayed quiet. As more and more pastors, authors, and psychologists within the church begin writing and talking about sex, the challenge becomes how to make these discussions accessible, nuanced, grace-filled, and Bible-based. In this episode, Juli speaks again with author and pastor Joshua Butler, as together they examine the challenges surrounding talking about sex from within the church.
#462 Beautiful Union: How Our Sexuality Reveals God’s Heart for Covenant Love
What if sex and gender are not as arbitrary as many people tend to think? Is it possible that God has woven holy significance into our very DNA as gendered, sexual beings? In this episode, Juli sits down with author Joshua Butler to talk about his book, “Beautiful Union”, and the ways we can see God’s gospel message evidenced in everything from the beauty of a sunset to our own sexuality.
#461 Pride, Lust, and Why We Do Things We Don’t Want To Do
Juli Slattery and Jonathan Pokluda tackle tough questions about how to find freedom from the sin that we hate, the difference between regret and self condemnation, and how the gospel is good news for all of us.
#460 How To Have Mini and Many Conversations About Sexuality With Your Kids
How do you talk to young kids about sex? Keep conversations small and have them often. Justin and Lindsey Holcomb are back to share insights on talking to your kids about their bodies, God’s design for sexuality, and the boundaries of healthy touch.
#459 How Sexual Abuse Affects You (And Why God Is Still Trustworthy)
“What happened to me wasn’t rape.” “I didn’t stop it right away.” “I shouldn’t have been at that party in the first place.”
If you’ve ever had thoughts like these, about yourself or someone else, your definition of sexual abuse is too narrow. Join us to learn what sexual abuse is and what consent isn’t. (And, if you’ve never been a victim of sexual assault, trust us, you know someone who has. This conversation is for you, too.)
#458 Why Women Are Leaving the Church (And How To Find Your Way Back)
In the last ten years, some 16 million women have stopped going to church. Are you one of them? Join us for a conversation about why we’ve been rethinking church—and why it may be time for you to go back.
#457 How To Build a Flourishing (not Flawless) Sex Life You’ll Both Love
Take the guess work out of your sex life and learn how to tell (or show) your spouse what feels good in the bedroom.
#456 Overcoming Father Wounds: Trading My Pain for God’s Perfect Love
Kia Stephens knows many women (like herself) who looked to the arms of other men for the affirmation they longed to receive from their fathers. You’ll love her humor, wisdom, and vulnerability as she shares how she traded the pain of what her earthly father couldn’t give her for the perfect love of her heavenly Father.
#455 How God Changed My Heart (Even After I Changed My Gender) with Laura Smalts
For most of her childhood, Laura wanted to be a boy. In her 20s, she began hormone therapy, had surgery and lived as Jake for nine years. But she could never quite shake the feeling that none of it was real. “I remember looking at the photo on my driver’s license and saying, ‘I’m not as happy as I think I am.'” In this episode, Laura shares her remarkable story of desperation, hope and transformation.
#453 Teens Are Anxious, Sad and Lonely. Here’s How You Can Help
Teen girls and LGBQ+ youth are experiencing more sadness, hopelessness, and violence than ever before. Join Juli and Dr. Mark Mayfield, an expert in suicide prevention, to learn what you can do to help the teens in your life feel seen, loved, and valued.
#452 Porn Addiction in Marriage: How to Let God Redeem Your Story
When it comes to porn, the gender gap is closing. Meet two women who know that overcoming a pornography addiction or sexual shame is not about changing your behavior but about allowing Jesus to transform your identity. One is the Samaritan women who met Jesus at the well and the other is Jessica Harris, Juli’s guest on “Java with Juli.”
#451 Porn Addiction and Women: Break the Silence, Bring the Hope
When it comes to porn, the gender gap is closing. Meet two women who know that overcoming a pornography addiction or sexual shame is not about changing your behavior but about allowing Jesus to transform your identity. One is the Samaritan women who met Jesus at the well and the other is Jessica Harris, Juli’s guest on “Java with Juli.”
#450 Breaking the Marriage Idol
We’re just gonna to say it. There’s an unspoken assumption in the Church that if you’re single there must something wrong with you—and that marriage can fix it. Are you guilty of having this thought? Join the conversation about how we’ve idolized marriage and how we can do better.
#449 How to Guide Your Kids Through Confusing Messages About Gender
Juli and her guest share wisdom and encouragement to help you give clear answers to your kids’ questions about their gender and the way God created them.