Java with Juli - Making Sense of God and Sex

Women everywhere are turning to spicy romance novels to escape stress, overwhelm, and the monotony of everyday life. Today, Juli talks about why these trending titles feel so intoxicating, how they subtly shape our expectations of intimacy, and why they often leave us feeling disconnected from real relationships. Instead of escaping into fictional worlds, hear how you can rediscover the adventure and connection God designed for real life. Co-host: Hannah Nitz Give to Authentic Intimacy today! Between now and January 1st, your gift to Authentic Intimacy will be matched dollar for dollar up to $70,000. Follow-up Resources: What Do I Do With My Sexual Desire? by Dr. Juli Slattery (blog) Masturbation: Is It Wrong? by Dr. Juli Slattery (blog) Confessions of a Former Erotica Author by Francine Rivers (blog) Java with Juli #579: Good Girls, Bad Books: Erotica in Young Adult Fiction? Follow Hannah Nitz at @hannahnitz Follow Authentic Intimacy at @authenticintimacy   Resources quoted in this episode: The Rise of Smut: How TikTok is reviving romance literature.  Thanks to BookTok, Barnes & Noble is opening more stores than ever.  More than Mommy Porn: Why I read smut

We're diving into the often overlooked side of sexual intimacy: emotional connection in marriage. Juli and guest Gary Thomas unpack three building blocks of emotional intimacy—emotional availability, sensitive responsiveness, and trust. From understanding male and female brain chemistry to tips on daily connection habits, this conversation gives you tangible ways to create a stronger, healthier marriage. Guest: Gary Thomas Give to Authentic Intimacy today—every gift matched dollar for dollar up to $70,000!   Follow-up Resources Safe Haven Marriage by Arch Hart and Sharon May A Lifelong Love by Gary Thomas Follow Gary Thomas at @garythomasbooks Follow Authentic Intimacy at @authenticintimacy    

What if sexual intimacy became something you look forward to, instead of something you brace yourself for? Juli sits down with sex therapist Debra Taylor to talk about what we've learned about women's sexuality over the last 30 years. They dive into the myths that still plague marriages, the real factors shaping women's sexual desire, why exhaustion is often the #1 barrier to intimacy, and how couples can pursue healing, connection, and a more meaningful sex life—especially when trauma or mismatched desire is part of the story.  Guest: Dr. Debra Taylor  Giving Tuesday is next week—your gift will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $70,000!  Follow-up Resources: The Secrets of Eve by Arch Hart, Debra Taylor, Catherine Hart Weber Five Things You Need To Know About Women, Orgasm, and Intimacy by Dr. Juli Slattery (blog) Your Sexual Differences Can Make You Better Lovers by Dr. Juli Slattery (blog) A Secret for the Guys by Dr. Juli Slattery (blog)   Follow Authentic Intimacy at @authenticintimacy  

The holidays should bring peace. Instead, they often bring tension, unresolved hurt, and that one person who knows how to get under your skin. Today, Juli sits down with author and radio host Brant Hansen to talk about what it means to be "unoffendable"—especially when you're passing the mashed potatoes to someone you struggle to forgive. Guest: Brant Hansen   Follow-up Resources: Unoffendable by Brant Hansen How to Have Tough Conversations by Juli Slattery (blog) When Your Adult Child Makes Choices You Disagree With by Juli Slattery (blog) Follow Brant Hansen at @branthansen Follow Authentic Intimacy at @authenticintimacy  

Lips that drip liquid myrrh, cheeks like beds of spices . . . what on earth is happening here? This week, we're making sense of the metaphors in Song of Songs. Find out how this bizarre (to us) love poetry shows us that God is wholeheartedly, enthusiastically, and unequivocally in favor of out-of-this-world sexual pleasure in marriage. Guest: Dr. Sandra Glahn If you enjoyed this conversation, leave us a rating and review in your podcast app.    Follow-up Resources: What If I Hate Sex? by Juli Slattery (blog) How to Go from Demand and "Duty Sex" to True Sexual Intimacy by Juli Slattery (blog) Pre-order the Lifeway CSB Women's Study Bible (with contributions by Dr. Glahn) Passion Pursuit: What Kind of Love are You Making? with Juli Slattery & Linda Dillow (a 12-week study through the Song of Songs) Follow Dr. Glahn @sandraglahnauthor Follow Authentic Intimacy at @authenticintimacy    

If you've ever felt unseen, disconnected, or tired of pretending you're okay, this episode is for you. This week, author and speaker Toni Collier shares how healing begins when we stop hiding and start letting others in. Through her own story of heartbreak and redemption, you'll hear encouragement and practical wisdom on finding safe people, breaking toxic patterns, and walking with God and others toward healing. Guest: Toni Collier Follow-up Resources: Don't Try This Alone: How to Build Deep Community When You Want to Hide from Your Pain by Toni Collier God's Healing Stinks by Juli Slattery (blog) Why Is Healing So Hard by Juli Slattery (blog) Q&A: How do I get past my sexual shame? (video)   Follow Toni Collier @tonijcollier Follow Authentic Intimacy at @authenticintimacy  

This one's a hot topic—and we know it. 🔥 Juli sits down with Dr. Christopher West to talk about birth control, self-control, and God's design for our bodies. Whether you've wrestled with this teaching or never thought twice about it, this conversation invites you to pause, listen, and seek truth with us.  Guest: Dr. Christopher West   Follow-up Resources: Our Bodies Tell God's Story by Dr. Christopher West Follow Authentic Intimacy at @authenticintimacy Follow Christopher West at @cwestofficial  

As Jesus followers, is it okay that we want to look younger, thinner, and prettier?   We live in a world obsessed with appearances. Everywhere you look, someone's getting fillers, enhancements, or posting a "perfect" version of themselves online. In this episode, Juli and Hannah take an honest look at these questions—not to hand out a new list of rules, but to invite you into a bigger story.  Co-host: Hannah Nitz If you enjoyed this conversation, leave us a rating and review in your podcast app.  Follow Hannah Nitz @hannahnitz Follow Authentic Intimacy @authenticintimacy Find more resources at www.authenticintimacy.com

Ever feel like you're the only one in your marriage who wants to have sex?  In most marriages, there is typically one partner with a higher sex drive—and that person is usually trying to convince the other to have more sex. In this episode, Juli and Dr. Corey Allan talk about how to move beyond "I have a need, and you have an obligation" to real sexual intimacy. Guest: Dr. Corey Allan Leave us a rating & review in your favorite podcast app.   Follow-Up Resources: God, Sex & Your Marriage by Dr. Juli Slattery Sexy Marriage Radio with Dr. Corey Allan Follow Dr. Corey at @sexymarriageradio Follow Authentic Intimacy at @authenticintimacy

Don't miss your chance to win $200! Take the Java with Juli Survey.  In this episode, we uncover the real stories of women in the Bible who have been misunderstood, silenced, or abused—and discover the God who saw them. From Bathsheba to Tamar to the woman at the well, we revisit stories where we have blamed or shamed women, when in fact scripture points to God's compassion, justice, and redemption. ⚠️ This episode mentions rape. Please take care when listening. Guest: Dr. Sandra Glahn   Follow-up resources: Vindicating the Vixens by Dr. Sandra Glahn Follow Dr. Glahn on IG @sandraglahnauthor Leave us a rating & review in your favorite podcast app      

Instead of shutting it down, what if you could meet your needs for touch, intimacy, and opposite-sex friendships in ways that honor your sexuality? (Spoiler alert: you can.) If you've wrestled with desire, boundaries, or shame, this candid conversation will help you see the God-given purpose of your sexuality—even when you're single. P.S. This is one you'll want to share with your single friends. Guest: Dr. Doug Rosenau   Don't miss your chance to win a $200 gift card: take the Java with Juli Survey.  Follow-up Resources: Single & Sexually Whole: Soulfully Celebrating the Dance of the Sexes by Dr. Doug Rosenau Sex & the Single Girl by Dr. Juli Slattery  

In this episode, author Kimberly Haar opens up about surviving a violent abduction and assault at the hands of her ex-husband. With unflinching honesty, she recounts the night her world shattered—and how faith, forgiveness, and Christian therapy helped her rebuild her life.  Guest: Kimberly Haar Take our Java with Juli survey and enter to win $200! 🎉   Follow-up Resources: Healing from Life's Deepest Hurts by Kimberly Haar  

Are you teaching your kids to follow Jesus—or to just follow the rules? In this episode, Juli sits down with Matt & Laurie Krieg to talk about how to give our kids a gospel-centered worldview. From early conversations about sexuality and gender to equipping them for a sexually broken world, you'll get practical, faith-filled guidance to help you raise resilient, Christ-focused kids. Guests: Matt & Laurie Krieg Take the Java with Juli Listener Survey to get a FREE Building Intimacy with God devotional and be entered to win a $200 VISA gift card!   Follow-up resources: Watch Christian Sexuality: Raising Kids hosted by Laurie Krieg Preorder Raising Wise Kids in a Sexually Broken World by Laurie Krieg Get Protect Young Eyes, the tool Matt & Laurie mentioned to help protect your kids online.  

How do you speak life to your husband when all you want to do is yell at him?  Juli sits down for a candid conversation with author Ann Wilson about the transformative power of our words. Hear how Ann discovered that her (helpful!) criticism, even her subtle "sophisticated nagging," wasn't helping her husband at all—in fact, it was hurting both of them. With real-life stories and practical wisdom, this conversation proves that a few well-chosen words can transform a marriage. Guest: Ann Wilson (with Dave Wilson)   Online Book Studies close soon—grab your spot today! We're hiring! Check out our open position. Pick up your copy of How To Speak Life to Your Husband When All You Want To Do Is Yell at Him by Ann Wilson Java with Juli #386 What's the Secret to Getting the Marriage You Want? Go Vertical with Dave & Ann Wilson (a members-only resource)    

If you struggle with low desire, pain during sex, or difficulty with orgasm and don't know where to go for help, this week's Java with Juli is for you! Juli sits down with certified sex therapist Josh Spurlock to explore what Christian sex therapy really is—and what it isn't.  Josh explains the difference between sex therapy and traditional counseling, the most common challenges he helps couples overcome, and why having a therapist who respects God's design for sexuality matters. From dispelling myths like "sex is supposed to hurt" to offering hope that orgasm is possible for nearly every woman, this conversation brings biblical wisdom and practical help to some of the most sensitive places in your marriage. "I wish I would've known this 20 years ago" doesn't have to be your story. Listen in! Guest: Josh Spurlock, LPC, CST   Online Book Studies are open. Join one today! Find a Christian sex therapist at MyCounselor.Online.

The power of abuse lies in secrecy. The power of healing begins with telling. In this episode, Tim Hein shares his story of surviving childhood sexual abuse and the journey of healing. From the courage it takes to break the silence, to the importance of being believed, to the steps of recovery that lead to restoration, Tim offers raw honesty and hard-earned wisdom. He reflects on how trauma shaped his life, marriage, and faith—and how choosing to tell your story is ultimately an act of self-love and grace. This hopeful conversation offers encouragement for survivors and practical insight for those who walk alongside them. Guest: Tim Hein Join an Authentic Intimacy Online Book Study! Follow us or leave us a rating & review in your favorite podcast app.   Follow-Up Resources: Understanding Sexual Abuse: A Guide for Ministry Leaders and Survivors by Tim Hein Blog: God's Healing Stinks by Dr. Juli Slattery Video Q&A: Past sexual trauma keeps me from enjoying sex. Is there hope that I can heal? Blog: How to Choose a Wise Counselor by Dr. Juli Slattery        

Juli and her guests explore the infiltration of erotica and LGBTQ themes into young adult fiction. From board books to bestselling novels, today's literature isn't what it used to be—and parents are the last to know. You'll hear stories from the frontlines and get practical tools to help you navigate today's fiction. Whether you're raising toddlers or talking with teens, this is a conversation every parent, teacher, and youth leader needs to hear. Guests: Greta Eskridge and Korrie Johnson   Follow-Up Resources: It's Time to Talk to Your Kids About Porn: A Parent's Guide to Helping Children and Teens Develop Sexual Integrity by Greta Eskridge Pulling Back the Shades: Erotica, Intimacy and the Longings of a Woman's Heart by Dr. Juli Slattery and Dannah Gresh Good Book Mom Plugged In Redeemed Reader Read Aloud Revival  

Have you ever wanted to get inside the mind of your man–just for a day? Now's your chance! Juli and Hannah sit down with pastor and author Chip Ingram to find out what husbands wish their wives knew about sex. From why men fear rejection more than they let on, to how wives misunderstand their husbands' need for connection, this conversation is filled with eye-opening insight and practical wisdom. Guest: Chip Ingram, Co-host: Hannah Nitz Follow us in your favorite podcast app. Join an online book study today!   Resources:  God, Sex, and Your Marriage by Dr. Juli Slattery Blog: Struggling with Sexual Intimacy? You Might Need a "Sex Break" Blog: Are You Entitled to "Good" Sex in Marriage? Blog: 5 Healthy Ways to Respond to Your Husband's Porn Problem Q&A: What Should I Do If I Discover My Spouse Is Looking at Porn? Q&A: Does My Spouse Watch Porn Because of Me? Find more resources at www.authenticintimacy.com Follow us on social media at @authenticintimacy  Follow Chip Ingram at @chip_ingram    

If loving God (or others) has felt hard or risky, this episode is for you. Join Juli and Hannah to discover why surrendering to love is not weakness—it's the first step toward knowing the One whose love sets you free. Drawing from scripture and real-life tension in the Church today, they unpack how Christians are called to love in three radical ways: our neighbors, the family of God, and even our enemies. Co-host: Hannah Nitz   Follow-up Resources: Get your copy of Surrendered Sexuality now! Find more resources at authenticintimacy.com Follow Authentic Intimacy at @authenticintimacy Follow Hannah Nitz at @hannahnitz    

In a culture that elevates marriage, sex, and romance as the ultimate goals, many of us are left feeling unfulfilled or sidelined. Have we unknowingly made idols out of good things? In this episode, Juli unpacks how our hearts can get entangled in false narratives—even within the Church. Whether you're married, single, or discipling others, you're invited to surrender your desires and expectations to God and find contentment on the other side. Co-host: Joe Caruso   Become a monthly donor and get a free copy of Surrendered Sexuality! Or, buy your copy here.