Jonathan Holmes shares with Juli how we can avoid identity traps and teach our kids to do the same.
Authentic Intimacy
#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.
How To Rebuild Intimacy After Infidelity
Should a couple who experienced infidelity give up on sex? Or is there a way to approach sex that feels safe and honest for both parties?
#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.
#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.
#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.
Why We Don’t Experience Victory
I recently spoke with a young woman who despises herself because of her continual struggle with lust and pornography. She’s tried to obey God and run away from sin only to find herself falling into it once again. I’ve met other people who feel similar discouragement...
#437: How To Help Your Kids Learn Resilience and Build Character
Living with sexual integrity often means saying no to what you want in the moment. If you expect life to always be easy, you...
#426: How To Better Understand the Complexity Beneath Gender Dysphoria
What’s the difference between sexual identity and gender identity? Should parents use preferred pronouns? Or allow kids to dress in...
How To Help Little Ones Celebrate How God Made Their Bodies
We're happy to welcome Francie Winslow back to the blog. You can learn more from Francie at her website. I was cuddled up with my youngest son on the couch when the well-known cartoon “Blues Clues” popped up on the screen. Along with flashy colors came a classic tune,...
#407: Masturbation: The No. 1 Question You’re Asking Us!
There's more to the masturbation conversation than simply "right" or "wrong." Could masturbation be an issue of spiritual maturity...
Bonus! #92: When the Woman You Love Was Abused
It’s been proven that the effects of childhood abuse follow us into adulthood. Memories, anxiety, and feelings of shame can leave women overwhelmed with emotions they don’t understand—and their husbands equally confused! In this episode, Juli sits down with Dawn Scott Damon, author of When a Woman You Love Was Abused, to share wisdom and insight for husbands, helping them to love their wives well through the journey of recovery and healing.
How Do We Tell Good From Evil?
Is it wrong to live together before marriage? Does gender really matter? Is it wrong to support gay marriage? These are the types of questions that we often get asked at Authentic Intimacy. Perhaps more than ever, many Christians are confused about right and wrong....
The Five Key Bonding Forces in Healthy Relationships
“We have to be actively engaged in running the relationships that we have.” – John Van Epp
Struggling With Sexual Intimacy? You Might Need A “Sex Break”
Is it ever a good idea to take a break from having sex with your spouse? Juli explains why the answer might be yes.
#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?
#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.
#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.
#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.
Q&A: How Do I Know if My Spouse Is Repentant After a Betrayal?
How do you know if your spouse is repentant after a betrayal?
#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.
#462 Beautiful Union: How Our Sexuality Reveals God’s Heart for Covenant Love
uli sits down with Joshua Butler to talk about his book, “Beautiful Union”.
Q&A: How Do I Learn to Trust My Spouse Again After an Affair?
How do you learn to trust again when your spouse has had an affair?
Q&A: Is There Any Hope for Me in My Struggle with Porn?
Is there hope for you in your struggle with porn?
What Do I Do With My Sexual Desires?
“What do I do with my sexual desire?” I’ve heard this question from men and women of every age, from those who have never married and from those who find themselves “single again.” I have also heard this question from married people who, for one reason or another, do...
#442: How To Find Peace and Hope in the Midst of Anxiety
Linda Dillow shares about the loss of her daughter during the pandemic, how God used the message of “Calm My Anxious Heart” to...
#156: How To Keep Your Heart Open When You Don’t Feel Emotionally Safe
"Open" is the default setting of our hearts. When our hearts are closed, we lack perspective. We're more likely to make poor...
#436: Friendship Trends Gone Wrong? (How to Keep Your Friendships Healthy)
Boundaries are a tricky part of friendship. Friends help us meet legitimate needs for companionship, spiritual growth,...
#431: Bonus! Getting to Know God Through (Simply) Your Bible
Do we rely too much on others to read our Bibles for us? If the idea of reading your Bible on your own—just you and Jesus—makes you...
#427: Proverbs 31 Is a Picture of Intimacy, Not a To-do List
Could it be that Proverbs 31 isn't just for married women? In its original language, this 22-line Hebrew poem is a picture of the...
#422: How to Care for Both Women and Children in the Wake of the Dobbs Decision
Do you know that God’s heart is for both women and their unborn children, and don’t know where you fit in the pro-life/pro-choice...
#412: Is There a Better Way To Read the Bible?
Juli shares one of her favorite new podcasts—the BEMA Discipleship Podcast. The Old Testament writers weren't just telling stories,...
#400: If God Is Good, Why Doesn’t He Take Away My Sexual Addiction?
At the root of every struggle with ongoing, unwanted sexual sin is a lie about God—and it keeps you from the very things that bring...
#65: Why Healing Takes Time, with Francine Rivers
Juli sits down with author Francine Rivers to hear how her own story of brokenness and healing after an abortion influenced her...
#373: How We Beat a Porn Addiction in Our (Millennial) Marriage
When Clinton and Charity Muñoz sought help to overcome a porn addiction, Clinton was told to memorize more scripture and...
#361: Hey Momma! Learn How To Share the “Birds & Bees” with Your Littles
We know. It’s hard to imagine talking to your sweet three or four-year-old about sex. And here’s the thing: you don’t have to. What...
#355: How Apologetics Helps Kids Engage the Culture & Keep Their Faith
Don't tell your kids what to think about sex, teach them HOW to think about sex. Don't give them a list of rules, give them...
#348: What You Need To Know About the “T” in LGBT, Pt 2
In this episode, Juli continues her conversation with Preston Sprinkle as they dive into biblical questions around transitioning,...
#347: What You Need To Know About the “T” in LGBT, Pt 1
What was once a rare psychological diagnosis has quickly become an accepted cultural movement. While it's critical to know what...
Webinar Series: Talking to Your Kids About Sex, Pt 2
The Birds & Bees: How to Talk to Young Children About Sex Part 2 of this webinar series From questions like, "Mommy, how will that baby get out of your tummy?" to trends on TikTok and Instagram, everyday life is rich with opportunities to connect with your kids...
Webinar Series: Talking to Your Kids About Sex, Pt 1
Teens: Teach Them HOW, Not WHAT, to Think About Sex Part 1 in this webinar series From questions like, "Mommy, how will that baby get out of your tummy?" to trends on TikTok and Instagram, everyday life is rich with opportunities to connect with your kids and share...
#336: Disappointed With God? Tell Him
Are you discouraged by what is happening in our world today? Have you recently found yourself asking, “Lord, why have you allowed...
#333: Is God Good …Even if You’re LGBT?
“We are being shaped by a culture that idolizes romantic and sexual fulfillment. And I just think—Jesus was fully human...
#326: Gen Z and Gender Identity
Few ideas have changed more rapidly than the way our culture perceives gender. The idea that you can choose your gender (some cite...
#310: Is God Sexist?
Is God sexist? Does he value men more than he values women? If you've ever wrestled with this question, a quick look...
Porn Affects You, Even if You Don’t Look At It
The sad truth is that the damage of porn goes far beyond the person consuming it and also affects their relationships, the people in their lives, and culture as a whole.
Breaking Free from Sexual Addiction
Sometimes I joke about things I am "addicted" to. Coffee and dark chocolate are definitely on the list. Honestly, we are all addicted to something—there are things in life we just can't seem to get by without. You may be addicted to your husband's affection, a daily...
#159: When Your Child Struggles With Gender
If your child is making choices you don’t agree with, this episode is for you! Juli sits down with a mother who recognized her...
#247: Healthy Conversations With Kids About Sex
Julie Lyles Carr has parented eight children over the last 25 years. We think she might have a thing or two to teach us about...
#229: Sex, Teens, & Parenting
Your daughter is sexting her boyfriend. Your son sees porn on a friend's phone. Now that you've yelled, confiscated their devices...
Webinar: Fighting Masturbation and Fantasy
Every day we receive questions from men and women around masturbation and fantasy. Is masturbation a sin? How do I know when I've "crossed the line" into sinful sexual fantasy? How do we differentiate between healthy sexual desire and sinful lust? What if I'm single?...
Masturbation: Is It Wrong?
Because my job is to talk to women about sex, there are few questions I haven't heard and haven't answered. However, there is one common question that I don't like to answer. Is it ok to masturbate? (Presione aquí para leer en español.) This question is a bit...
#555 Can You Have A Great Marriage Without Sex? Juli Answers Your Questions
Join Juli and Hannah for a brief exploration of good biblical theology on sex and marriage.
#554 Sex and the Female Body: How to Swap Shame For Celebration
Francie Winslow, joins Juli to explain how she is learning to embrace the goodness of God’s design for sex.
#552 When You Want Sex More Than Your Husband Does
Sheri Mueller, LCPC, author of “I Want Him to Want Me”, joins Juli to share insights, wisdom, and encouragement.
#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.
How To Get Past Shame From Sexual Sins
Why do we experience shame? Are there ever times when it can be a helpful feeling? Juli shares what to do when we experience shame, and how God’s word brings us hope for the future.
How To Tell if Your Spouse Is Truly Repentant
After a betrayal, how can you know if your spouse is truly repentant? Juli unpacks a recent conversation with Jeremy Smith, LPC, as he shares what to look for.
#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.
#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.
#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.
#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.
#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.
#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.
#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?
How The American Church Reinforces Isolation and Why That Needs to Change
What if one of the most important things about church is not what happens at meetings but what happens between them?
#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.
#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?”
#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.
Q&A: Is Masturbation a Sin?
Is masturbation a sin?
#469 Porn, Rape Culture, and Why The Battle Against Sexual Assault Starts at Home
Dr. John Foubert discusses some of the reasons rape numbers are so high, and what needs to be done to prevent sexual assault from happening.
Q&A: Is Sex Necessary For Intimacy?
Is sex necessary for intimacy?
Q&A: We Have Sex Regularly, but My Husband Never Seems Satisfied. What Do I Do?
What do you do if your spouse never seems satisfied with the sex you’re having?
Q&A: Sex Has Never Been Pleasurable in Our Marriage. Should I Just Fake It?
If you don’t enjoy sex, should you just fake it?
Q&A: How Do I Love My LGBTQ Friends Without Compromising Biblical Truth?
Is it possible to love your LGBTQ friends without compromising biblical truth?
Q&A: Is Sending Nudes and Homemade Porn Okay if We’re Married?
What’s okay to do sexually in marriage?
#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.
#446: How Much More of Your Sexuality Will You Let God Reclaim in 2023?
Juli shares her thoughts on 2022, on having hard conversations about sexuality, and how to ask God to use painful circumstances to...
#445: Give the Gift of Seeing the Good in What You Have
Seeing the good in all things does not mean ignoring the bad. Rather, as we approach the hard things, we see the goodness of...
#443: Is Your View of Sex and Marriage Gift-worthy?
When marriage is simply about getting our needs met, we end up playing whack-a-mole with symptoms of sin and brokenness that pop up...
#439: Pelvic Floor Health 101 (It’s About More Than Just Sex)
Nearly 3 out of 4 women experience pain during or after sex. If that's you, we have good news: a pelvic floor therapist can help....
How Do I Know He’s “The One”?
Q: Is there one person I'm meant to marry, or should I just choose a good man? A: This question isn't simply a contemplative exercise; it impacts how you approach dating and marriage. However, I think it is the wrong question to be asking. The question of "Is there...
#438: How Your Story Becomes Sacred in the Hands of Jesus
Glenn Packiam joins Juli to talk about how the biblical metaphor of ordinary table bread reveals God’s extraordinary story of...
#155: How To Fight With Your Spouse
Are you ready to fight your way to a better marriage? Conflict presents an incredible opportunity for couples. When done well, it...
#435: What’s the Most Important Thing the Bible Says About Your Identity?
"The journey of the Christian life is that God has increasingly more of me." - Dr. Juli Slattery Juli and Hannah talk about sexual...
#434: Is Sexual Sin More Than Just Your Behavior?
If you are a Christian, you are a new creation—the old has gone and all things have become new. As new creations in Christ, what...
Webinar Series: Sex & the Single Christian, Pt 2
How To Ditch the Counterfeits & Find True Intimacy Part 2 in this webinar series Therapist and life coach Dawn Jones is back to tell us the truth about counterfeit intimacy and how to recover from trauma like porn, abuse, and even your "friends" on social media....
#432: Unraveling the Threads of Racism & “Love Addiction” in My Story
Why did I have sex with him again? Why can't I stop this masturbation addiction? Why can't I get this fantasy out of my head? Are...
#430: Marriage Can Be Hard, Here’s Why the Work Is Worth It
What do you do when you want to give up on your marriage? Greg & Erin Smalley share their story—and remind us that we can ask...