Friends! As promised, Gary Thomas is back with us on the show today! Gary is one of my favorite people to interview because he breaks down tricky subjects into conversations we can feel good about. That’s why I love his books so much, too!  Today, we’re talking about a topic that’s part of many of our lives but not often part of our regular conversations – married sex. His newest book co-written with Debra Fileta, Married Sex, is a guide for Christian married couples to reimagine their love lives both in and out of the bedroom. Friends, this is not an episode to listen to with your kids around as Gary and I talk about adult topics, but I believe in sharing conversations that will help you live well. This conversation is a reminder and encouragement that sex doesn’t have to carry shame with it, and that God designed it for our pleasure. I’m so glad we have authors like Gary who tackle subjects like this and hold space for conversations that can feel challenging to explore. Gary Thomas is a bestselling author and international speaker whose ministry brings people closer to Christ and closer to others. He unites the study of Scripture, church history, and the Christian classics to foster spiritual growth and deeper relationships within the Christian community. Listen in to learn about:  Why sex is so difficult to talk about for people who grew up in the Church What God intended sex to be like for women (spoiler alert: it’s not always about the man) Three hallmarks of a healthy sex life and relationship according to Gary’s research    Links to great things we discussed:  1)  Let it be Jesus - Christy Nockels 2)  The Godfather Movie Series 3)  Rocky Movie Series 4)  Peloton Exercise Bike 5)  Married Sex Book  6)  Gary Thomas Website  7)  Citizen Kane 8)  Run to the Father - Cody Carnes 9)  Run to the Father - Matt Maher 10) Standing Strong Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :) xo, Alli  www.alliworthington.com/garythomas3/

How to Increase Marital Satisfaction with Gary Thomas

Author, speaker, entrepreneur, and mom to five sons, Alli Worthington, hosts her show built on one simple premise- bring on people she loves, respects, and wants to learn from. You will love the fun interview-style conversations followed by coaching time, where Alli answers listener questions about faith, business, and life. Alli is also the author of Standing Strong, Breaking Busy, Fierce Faith, and The Year of Living Happy. She loves speaking at conferences about faith, business, and living life well.

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This episode shares a great conversation with one of my favorite writers in the whole world, Sarah Bessey. Today, we are diving into an important topic that I don't think gets covered enough: what do you do when you feel like you're in the wilderness of your faith. If you're struggling with doubts about your faith, or supporting someone who is, you're not alone. Sarah's wisdom, empathy, and thoughtfulness are going to be a blessing to you like it has been to me. Sarah Bessey has authored or edited five books, including the New York Times bestseller A Rhythm of Prayer. She also leads Evolving Faith, a conference and online community for people who are reimagining their faith with hope. In her new book, Field Notes for the Wilderness: Practices for an Evolving Faith, Sarah becomes a shepherd for our curiosity, giving us a table for our questions, tools to cultivate what we crave, and a blessing for what was, even as we leave it behind. Join Sarah and I as we talk about:   Examining our faith   What it means to be in a season of reimagining our faith   When you are going through a season in the wilderness   Healing through hard hurtful situations   Learning what you are for and how to love the world   Favorite quotes:    “You can’t wander away from God’s love. You can get a few things wrong and still enjoy the goodness and friendship of God. This is not a thing that is jeopardy.” (18:15)    “In the midst of all of that, you can’t outwander God and you can’t run away from the run of God. That is still the thing that is holding everything including the wilderness inside you.” (20:56)   “It is not enough to just be against things. I need to begin to name what I am for.” (21:52)   “One of the other ones that was really important for me was learning how to love the world again.” (23:04)   “God is hiding in plain sight in our everyday walking around lives.” (24:00)   Coaching this week:   Cultivate Self-Awareness This week in coaching, I discussed how Self-awareness means paying attention to our feelings and reactions, especially in stressful situations. By noticing where we feel tension in our bodies and understanding our wants and needs, we can learn to respond to challenges with more wisdom and grace instead of numbing out and leading ourselves to burnout. Links to great things we discussed:    Sarah Bessey Website   Sarah Bessey Instagram    Field Notes for the Wilderness: Practices for an Evolving Faith   Plowshare Prayer - Spencer LaJoye   The Tree - Maren Morris   Sarah’s Playlist    Past Lives    Have a Beautiful, Terrible Day!: Daily Meditations for the Ups, Downs & In-Betweens    Black Liturgies: Prayers, Poems, and Meditations for Staying Human    Demon Copperhead    One Long River of Song    Charlotte Tilbury Lipstick   NIRA Pro Laser & Serum Collection     Red Light Panel    Aquaphor   Create a Course   Alli on YouTube   Order your copy of Remaining You While Raising Them here. Hope you loved this episode!  Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :) xo, Alli

Navigating Faith Through Uncertain Times with Sarah Bessey

You are in the right place today if you are tired. I mean... Who isn’t tired, right? I'm so excited to talk about ways to beat exhaustion in today's hectic world. My guest, Jess Connolly, wrote the book Tired of Being Tired: Receive God's Realistic Rest for Your Soul-Deep Exhaustion, and she's here to help us tackle this common struggle. Jess challenges the idea that we need permission to rest and stresses the importance of protecting our peace for lasting well-being. Our conversation will dive into the myths that keep us from resting and provide practical steps for change.  I'm eager to learn how to manage exhaustion and create sustainable rest through small, daily shifts. Join Jess and I as we talk about:   What can we do about our exhaustion and tiredness   Lies we have been taught that keep us from resting   We don’t need permission to rest   Protecting our peace   Small daily shifts for sustainable rest   Favorite quotes:    (8:55 Audio)  - “I don’t know many women in varying life stages who aren’t tired. If they have small kids, they are tired; if they are empty nesters, they are tired; if they are in a season of building their career, they are tired. The college girls I know are tired. There is a collective issue.”   (10:48 Audio) - “We believe all kinds of broken things about our fatigue and so our beliefs really have to change first.   (14:29 Audio) - “Rest is also a commandment. In the actual commandments, He has given us this commandment to rest our bodies not because He wants it from us, not because He wants us to perform, but because He loves us and wants it for us.”   (20:40 Audio)—“We always gravitate towards the big sweeping changes, but I would massively encourage people to start with the small stuff; it gives you the bravery for the big stuff.”   Coaching this week:  What is Self-Awareness & Why You Should Care About It (34:57 audio) In coaching today, we talk about how goal setting often neglects the essential first step of self-awareness. By observing our bodies, thoughts, and emotions without judgment, we gain valuable insights into our triggers and patterns, allowing us to set goals that align with our true needs and create effective strategies to overcome challenges. Links to great things we discussed:    Jess Connolly Website   Jess Connolly Instagram    Tired of Being Tired: Receive God’s Realistic Rest for Your Soul-Deep Exhaustion   Shake it Out - Florence + The Machine   The West Wing    The Book of Waking Up: Experiencing the Divine Love That Reorders a Life    Moon Dew Firming Eye Cream    Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray Anti-Frizz Treatment    Burt's Bees Tips and Toes Gifts Set   Create a Course   Alli on YouTube   Order your copy of Remaining You While Raising Them here. Hope you loved this episode!  Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :) xo, Alli

Tired of Being Tired: Finding Rest in a Busy World with Jess Connolly

Today's show welcomes the insightful J.D. Greear, a pastor, author, and podcast host. We'll explore challenging faith questions that many grapple with or may encounter when interacting with others.  This episode promises to be concise yet impactful for anyone seeking answers or desiring to support loved ones on their spiritual journey. J.D. Greear's book, 12 Truths & a Lie: Answers to Life's Biggest Questions, guides our discussion. We'll address prevalent lies we may believe, how God transforms doubt, the reasons behind suffering, unanswered prayers, and the persistent struggle with anxiety despite faith. Join J.D. and I as we talk about:    The big lie we believe   God can use our doubts   If God is in control, why is there suffering   Why isn’t God answering my prayers   If I am a believer, why do I still struggle with anxiety   Favorite quotes:     (4:08)- “The majority of our Bible is written by people who are in a season of doubt whether we are talking about the Old Testament or New Testament.”   (5:03)- “Doubt is often divinely used as a way of drawing you deeper into who God is and the majesty and mystery of who he is.”   (10:59) - “One of the things you find is when you are praying you are praying to a God who is not only infinite in power and infinite in love. He is also infinite in wisdom.”   (11:44)—“Sometimes, He says be persistent and keep asking and knocking, but sometimes, He says he heard you. He is always answering, but the answer right now is: I know more than you, and I am going to do something better than what you’re asking.”   Coaching this week: (21:14)  Simple Things That Give You the Most ROI Today in coaching, I share a list of easy-to-do things that can have a huge impact on your daily life. Small, consistent changes can bring amazing results over time, and I challenge you to choose a few simple habits from my list to improve your health, relationships, and future. Links to great things we discussed:    J.D. Greear Website   J.D. Greear Instagram    12 Truths & a Lie: Answers to Life’s Biggest Questions   Thank You Jesus for the Blood - Charity Gayle   Should've Been A Cowboy - Toby Keith   The Chosen   For All Mankind   Master of the Air    Massage Gun   Endel App   Ember Mug   Lapsang Souchong Black Tea   Athleta Brooklyn Skort    The Course Creator's Blueprint: 10 Lessons That Will Help You Get Started   Alli on YouTube   Order your copy of Remaining You While Raising Them here. Hope you loved this episode!  Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :) xo, Alli

Hard Questions of Faith: Wrestling with Doubt and Belief with J.D. Greear

Today's show is part of the insightful "Society Check-In" mini-series.  This episode is all about understanding what's happening in our culture, how we should educate ourselves, and how that knowledge translates to effective leadership everywhere, from the workplace to our own families. This episode is a must-share!  I'm joined by expert Brad Wilcox, director of the National Marriage Project, to talk about the research on families and marriage. His new book, Get Married: Why Americans Must Defy the Elites, Forge Strong Families, and Save Civilization, explains how the current erosion of strong families is at the root of many of our society's problems, and it traces this decline back to anti-family influences in entertainment, politics, media, education, and big business. Join Brad and I as we talk about:    What types of people are the happiest   How marriage affects our happiness   Four groups that are forging strong marriages   Ways our community can support struggling marriages   The family first model   Teaching our kids the success sequence   Favorite quotes:    9:27 audio - “There are four groups today, Asian Americans, religious Americans, college-educated Americans, and conservative Americans who are more likely to be married today and either more likely to be happily married or stably married.”   10:18 audio - “For most couples, especially those with kids, having a reliable breadwinner in the picture is key.”   15:26 audio- “Serving others and being there for others actually makes us happier.”   16:57 audio - “In general, we see that both men and women who are married parents are the happiest Americans today and that is because our kids bring us not just stress and drama but also a lot of meaning and joy.”    18:25 audio - “For young adults who do those three things, get a high school degree, are working, and get married their odds of being poor as they head into their late 20s and 30s are just 3 and their odds of being in the middle class or higher are 86%.”   22:04 audio - “Couples that are embedded in a church community or some kind of synagogue or temple are more likely to avoid divorce because they are surrounded by people who tend to prioritize marriage and family.”   Coaching this week: How to Make Progress (Audio 23:47)  In today’s coaching session, I talked about how necessary it is to take a small step forward, even without perfect clarity. What will inaction cost you? I also discussed some quick ways to commit to taking action—God will guide you as you go. Links to great things we discussed:    Institute for Family Studies    Get Married: Why Americans Must Defy the Elites, Forge Strong Families, and Save Civilization   Family / Best Is Yet to Come - Judah & the Lion    The Power of Commitment    Measuring Spoons   3-Day Course Idea Breakthrough   Alli on YouTube   Called Creatives   Order your copy of Remaining You While Raising Them here. Hope you loved this episode!  Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :)xo, Alli

Marriage and Happiness: What the Latest Research Shows with Brad Wilcox

Today's show is part of our two-episode "Society Check-In" mini-series.  We'll dive into current societal trends with the help of experts and researchers, exploring essential knowledge and necessary actions. I'm thrilled to welcome Rob Henderson to the show. His upcoming book and unique societal insights, including the groundbreaking concept of "luxury beliefs", make him a vital voice for parents seeking to understand current cultural messaging. Rob Henderson boasts an impressive background, including service in the US Air Force and degrees from Yale and Cambridge.  His writing has graced publications like the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. Henderson's debut book, Troubled: A Memoir of Foster Care, Family, and Social Class explores his experiences in foster care, military service, education at elite universities, and the development of the "luxury beliefs" concept. This concept examines how ideas held by the upper class may inadvertently harm those less privileged.   Join Rob and I as we talk about:    What are luxury beliefs   How luxury beliefs affect our society   Recommendation for working through luxury beliefs   Favorite quotes:  (Audio 9:13)- “Luxury beliefs are ideas and opinions that confer status on the upper class while inflicting costs on the lower classes. A core feature of a luxury belief is that the believer is sheltered from the consequences of his or her beliefs.”  (Audio 13:39) “The vast majority of Americans in general regardless of income were very much opposed to defund policies but the elites in many cities were in favor of it and as a result, there were defund policies in many cities in the country. Homicide rates increased and violent crime rates increased, and the targets were primarily  (Audio 14:03)- “Compared to a middle-class American, Americans in the lowest income category are 7 times more likely to be victims of robbery and aggravated assault, 20 times more likely to be victims of sexual assault, and far more likely to be victims of homicide.” Coaching this week: Creating vs. Allowing (24:59 audio) This week's coaching helps you take charge! We'll explore how you can reframe situations to see if you're shaping your reality or passively accepting it. Plus, you'll get a simple trick for reframing your perspective, all while partnering with your faith. Links to great things we discussed:     Rob Henderson X   Rob Henderson Substack   Rob Henderson Instagram    Troubled: A Memoir of Foster Care, Family, and Social Class   Mad Men   The Sopranos    Love at Goon Park: Harry Harlow and the Science of Affection    Book Stand   ChatGPT     3-Day Course Idea Breakthrough   Alli on YouTube   Standing Strong   Order your copy of Remaining You While Raising Them here. Hope you loved this episode!  Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :) xo, Alli

How to Increase Marital Satisfaction with Gary Thomas

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