Sexuality & Culture

#455 How God Changed My Heart (Even After I Changed My Gender) with Laura Smalts

#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.

Manhood on a Razor’s Edge

Manhood on a Razor’s Edge

Last week, I spent $44 at Costco on Gillette razor blades for my husband. When I heard Gillette had just released a controversial video on toxic manhood, I wondered if I would regret my purchase. Having just watched the Gillette commercial, I couldn’t be more...

Webinar: What #MeToo Tells Us

Webinar: What #MeToo Tells Us

Every week we see a new story come out around a celebrity or politician and sexual abuse. This is sparking conversation all over the internet as men are being outed as abusers and women are coming forward with their stories. This has exploded into an entire movement...

Webinar: When Christians Disagree About Sexuality

Webinar: When Christians Disagree About Sexuality

Do you know what you believe about sexuality? Can you talk about sexuality with other Christians who believe something different? Speaking the truth in love takes effort. We need to express our views with kindness and compassion. How do we hold to a biblical worldview...

Webinar: Sexual Discipleship

Webinar: Sexual Discipleship

In every church, in every row are men and women who carry secrets and questions about sexuality, sexual abuse, abortions, pornography, and sexual identity. The virtual silence on these topics reinforces the thinking that God doesn't deal with our sexuality. So we look...

#78: Loving Your LGBT Neighbor

#78: Loving Your LGBT Neighbor

As we look at the news and how people are responding on social media, the world really needs to see the best of Christianity. Join...

#35: Should Women Lead?

#35: Should Women Lead?

Juli Slattery & Sherry Surratt are two women who have stepped into large leadership positions in the Christian community. They...

#474 A Rebel’s Manifesto: How to Live Holy Different with Sean McDowell

#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.

#470 Why Did We Start Hating Men? The Toxic War on Masculinity with Nancy Pearcey

#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. 

Talking to Your Kids About Sex: Why, When, and How

Talking to Your Kids About Sex: Why, When, and How

My husband had just returned home with our youngest son after a weekend away for the sex talk. Christian, eleven at the time, sheepishly told me, “Mom, I feel like I’m too young to know all these things about sex.” I reassured him, “I know how you feel, but Dad and I...

#463 (Bonus) The Need for Grace in Church-Based Conversations About Sex and Gender

#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.

¿Qué hace que una relación sea íntima?

¿Qué hace que una relación sea íntima?

¿Qué hace que una relación sea íntima? Hace unos años, estaba hablando en un campus universitario sobre el diseño de Dios para la sexualidad. Durante un descanso, una joven se me acercó con una pregunta. “Dijiste que Dios me creó para la intimidad. ¿No es la intimidad...

What Defines an Intimate Relationship?

What Defines an Intimate Relationship?

A few years ago, I was speaking at a college campus about God’s design for sexuality. During a break, a young woman approached me with a question, “You said that God created me for intimacy. Isn’t intimacy the same thing as having sex?” (Presione aquí para leer en...

Purity Culture: Lose the Lies, Keep Your Faith

Purity Culture: Lose the Lies, Keep Your Faith

If you want to get “cancelled” in Christian culture, try using the phrase “sexual purity.” Even for many committed Christians, sexual purity has lost its luster. Women are writing dissertations and books about how the Church’s teaching on sex has not only harmed them...

La importancia del discipulado sexual

La importancia del discipulado sexual

Durante los últimos años, he estado usando este término "discipulado sexual ™" para describir algo que verdaderamente nos apasiona en el ministerio de Intimidad Auténtica. Me he dado cuenta de que cuando las personas me escuchan unir esas dos palabras, se sienten...

ÀPuedo ser piadosa y gay?

ÀPuedo ser piadosa y gay?

Extraído de 25 Preguntas Que Tienes Miedo de Hacer Sobre el Amore, el Sexo, y la Intimidad de Dr. Juli Slattery. © 2015 en Unilit Publishers. Usado con permiso. Esta pregunta es un barril de pólvora; un asunto sensible...

Cómo tener conversaciones difíciles

Cómo tener conversaciones difíciles

Las personas que escuchan nuestro podcast, Java con Juli, saben que no me gusta hablar por hablar. Desde que era una niña, he sido capaz de sentir agudamente la tensión tácita en una habitación. Me pongo ansiosa cuando tengo un conflicto sin resolver con un amigo o...

¿Puedo ser piadosa y gay?

¿Puedo ser piadosa y gay?

Extraído de 25 Preguntas Que Tienes Miedo de Hacer Sobre el Amore, el Sexo, y la Intimidad de Dr. Juli Slattery. © 2015 en Unilit Publishers. Usado con permiso. Esta pregunta es un barril de pólvora; un asunto sensible en extremo. Si tienes tendencias homosexuales o...

As Christians, How Do We Respond to Abuse Allegations in the Church?

As Christians, How Do We Respond to Abuse Allegations in the Church?

No, Lord, not another one! My stomach feels sick every time I see the headline of a Christian leader accused of sexual misconduct.  Over the years some of you have reached out to ask me what I think about high profile accusations of Christian leaders. You’ve wondered...

Webinar: Human Trafficking in Your City

Webinar: Human Trafficking in Your City

Do you know what human trafficking looks like in your city? Would you be able to recognize a woman who is in need of help? If so, how would you help her? In this webinar, Hannah Nitz sits down with two women who work against human trafficking everyday in Akron, Ohio....

Can I Be Godly and Gay?

Can I Be Godly and Gay?

Excerpted from 25 Questions You’re Afraid to Ask About Love, Sex, and Intimacy by Dr. Juli Slattery. © 2015 by Moody Publishers. Used with Permission. This question is a powder-keg–an extremely sensitive issue. If you have gay or bi-sexual tendencies, this is not just...

Gay Marriage and What We’ve Forgotten About God

Gay Marriage and What We’ve Forgotten About God

A.W. Tozer wrote, “The most important thing about you is what you believe about God.” There is a lot in the news today about what Christian leaders think about Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, and gay marriage. Specifically, Jen Hatmaker’s recent comments have created...

#109: Messy Grace

#109: Messy Grace

Caleb Kaltenbach was raised by LGBT parents, marched in gay pride parades as a youngster, and experienced firsthand the hatred and...

The Erosion of Gender and You

The Erosion of Gender and You

Over the past few decades, we’ve slowly been eroding what it means to be male and female. Recently this movement has culminated in normalizing transgenderism and the vilification of anyone who stands upon a traditional definition of male and female. Just last week,...

Why We Need to Care About Sex In the News

Why We Need to Care About Sex In the News

I am sometimes lovingly accused of being so lost in my work and family that I don’t know what is going on in the world. It’s as if the Hannah and Carrie from the Authentic Intimacy team knock on the hatch of my “submarine” to tell me about the latest trends and...

Is There a Christian Version of Barbie?

Is There a Christian Version of Barbie?

This past year, Barbie has been in the news. For 57 years, this plastic woman has projected the ideal and unattainable image for American girls. The Daily Mail reported in 2013; a real-life Barbie would have “bones so frail it would be impossible to walk and would...

Is It Wrong to Get Plastic Surgery?

Is It Wrong to Get Plastic Surgery?

If you look in the mirror long enough, you’re going to see things you don’t like. Wrinkles, a nose that’s too big, flabby skin, and a body that is a better fit for Good Housekeeping than Vogue. Maybe you don’t have to look into the mirror to notice these things. Your...

How Do We Determine Right and Wrong?

How Do We Determine Right and Wrong?

In response to some of the posts I’ve written on issues like transgenderism and Fifty Shades of Grey, I’ve heard from women who are angry that I would present some sexual choices or lifestyles as morally wrong. Here is an example: Who are you to say that sleeping with...

6 Thoughts To Help You Discern Truth and Give Grace

6 Thoughts To Help You Discern Truth and Give Grace

Over the past several months, many of you have messaged our team here at Authentic Intimacy asking for my opinion on a recent book or controversy within the Christian community. Most recently, people want my opinion on the new film adaptation of Redeeming Love. You...

Your Questions About Sex Point to Bigger Questions About God

Your Questions About Sex Point to Bigger Questions About God

Our sexuality is not an isolated part of who we are, but an integrated aspect of what it means to be created in God’s image and loved by Him. Our sexual questions and pain points connect with our deepest longings and fears. It’s impossible to grapple with our sexuality without also confronting our foundational beliefs about God. Is He good? Is He trustworthy? Does He see me? 

Q&A: My friend is struggling sexually. How can I be a good friend?

Q&A: My friend is struggling sexually. How can I be a good friend?

"How can I be a good friend to someone struggling sexually if I can't specifically relate but also don't want to be patronizing?" The Bible is very clear — we were made to live in community, honestly sharing our various struggles and temptations. Today's question...

3 Things I Want You To Know as I Launch a Countercultural Book

3 Things I Want You To Know as I Launch a Countercultural Book

A book release. Normally this would be an exciting event. It’s kind of like giving birth to a child that you have nurtured in your womb for nine months. As this one approaches, my excitement is honestly mixed with trepidation. Over twenty years ago, I wrote my first...

Compassion That Doesn’t Compromise

Compassion That Doesn’t Compromise

I’m in my-mid forties, divorced, and lonely. I love God and want to follow His plan for sex and marriage, but I just can’t find a man who is willing to share that journey with me. I’m not the naive young woman “saving sex for marriage” like I was in my twenties. I’m...

Longing for Hope When Leaders Fail

Longing for Hope When Leaders Fail

Sometimes what is happening in the world overwhelms my “to do” list. Today feels like one of those days. This blog post isn’t about intimacy, relationships, or sexuality. It’s about the brokenness we all see all around us.  As children and teenagers, our spiritual and...

The News and Sexual Discipleship

The News and Sexual Discipleship

This summer I’ve been in my “writing cave”, spending countless hours finishing my next book about sexual discipleship, called Rethinking Sexuality. (The message of this book is challenging Christians to be grounded in biblical truth and equipping them to surrender...

God Says Not To Judge… Right?

God Says Not To Judge… Right?

Whenever I write a blog on a controversial sexual issue, I typically hear from people who remind me that God says not to judge other people. Whether I’m teaching about pornography, Fifty Shades of Grey, living together outside of marriage, divorce or homosexuality,...

What is Really Behind the Sex Robot Trend

What is Really Behind the Sex Robot Trend

When you think you’ve heard it all… I recently saw an article predicting that having sex with robots will be commonplace within the next decade. Tech manufacturers are working feverishly to create robotic sex partners with the ability to program a person’s emotional...

#76: Coffee With Dr. James Dobson

#76: Coffee With Dr. James Dobson

Join two long-time, like-minded friends who admire one another and who both have a role to play in our emerging culture. Dr. James...

Why Does Sex Matter?

Why Does Sex Matter?

I can remember being a teenager, babysitting at my sister’s house. On her nightstand, she had a book about sex. I was intrigued . . . I was curious! I would never have admitted that to anyone back then, but in the privacy of her house I looked through the book. Asking...

When Cancel Culture Invades the Church

When Cancel Culture Invades the Church

Your social media feed is probably filled with examples of the latest person who has been “cancelled” because of something they said years ago or an unpopular position they recently expressed. Being cancelled is a weapon powerful enough to prompt teens to take their...

Should Christian Women March?

Should Christian Women March?

Yesterday, Mike and I were in downtown Denver to visit a friend in the Denver trauma hospital. On the way, we stopped by Whole Foods to get some snacks for our friends as they pass the long hours in the hospital. “Why are the streets so busy on a Saturday morning?” we...

Why I Care About Your Sex Life

Why I Care About Your Sex Life

In case you haven’t heard, Fifty Shades of Grey was recently named the best-selling book of the decade. When I saw this come through my newsfeed, my first thought was, “Here we go again…”  I’m quite certain that we will have another round of debates about the relative...