Java with Juli - Making Sense of God and Sex

Does God Really Care if We Move in Together?, #598

Maybe you're already living together. Maybe this topic feels uncomfortable. Maybe you've never questioned it before. This week, Juli unpacks what God says about living together before marriage, what (secular) research is telling us, and how covenant—not convenience—creates lasting security. Co-hosts: Hannah Nitz & Joe Caruso Tell us what you think! Leave us a rating & review.   Follow-Up Resources:  Preorder 25 Questions You're Afraid to Ask About Sex, Love, and Intimacy by Dr. Juli Slattery Q&A: Is God okay with me having sex with someone I love even if we're not married? Q&A: What is the difference between sexual integrity and purity? Follow Hannah Nitz @hannahnitz Follow Joe Caruso at @joecaruso06 Follow Authentic Intimacy at @authenticintimacy    

Cultivating Courage: Why Men Need a New Vision for Manhood, #597

Men get a lot of mixed messages about masculinity. Some say it's toxic. Others say it doesn't really matter anymore. It's no surprise guys are left wondering, "What does it even mean to be a good man?" This week, Juli sits down with Brant Hansen, author of The Men We Need, to get honest about the struggles men face and why true strength looks very different from the stereotypes we're used to. This conversation is an invitation to see manhood not as a problem to fix, but as a calling worth stepping into. Guest: Brant Hansen What did you think about this conversation? Let us know in a rating and review.    Follow-up Resources: The Men We Need:God's Purpose for the Manly Man, the Avid Indoorsman, or Any Man Willing to Show Up  by Brant Hansen Blog: 3 Reasons Women Tend To Take Over in Marriage by Dr. Juli Slattery Blog: 7 Ways We Unknowingly Sabotage Intimacy in Our Marriages by Dr. Juli Slattery Blog: Resign As Boss: How To Help Your Husband Lead by Dr. Juli Slattery Video: Q&A: How Can I Help My Husband Grow Up and Take Responsibility? Follow Brant Hansen at @branthansen Follow Authentic Intimacy at @authenticintimacy  

What's Okay in the Bedroom? (You Have More Freedom Than You Think), #596

What's okay in the bedroom—and how are married couples supposed to know?  In this episode, Juli doesn't hand you a checklist. Instead, she walks you through three questions every couple can ask when navigating gray areas in the bedroom. From pornography and fantasy to sex toys and more, this conversation helps you discern where you may need to draw a line and where you may need to step out of your comfort zone. Joined by Hannah Nitz and Joe Caruso, this episode marks the kick off of a new series inspired by Juli's newly revised, upcoming book, 25 Questions You're Afraid to Ask About Love, Sex, and Intimacy. Co-Hosts: Hannah Nitz, Joe Caruso What did you think of this episode? Leave us a rating and review in your podcast app.   Follow up resources: Check out our brand-new Hot Topic Kit: Pornography in Marriage. Blog: What's OK in the Bedroom? (Includes a list of what God has said "no" to) Book: God, Sex, and Your Marriage by Dr. Juli Slattery Book: Passion Pursuit: What Kind of Love Are You Making? by Dr. Juli Slattery and Linda Dillow Follow Hannah Nitz @hannahnitz Follow Joe Caruso at @joecaruso06 Follow Authentic Intimacy at @authenticintimacy    

Bye Awkward Side Hugs! Getting Over Our Fear of Opposite-Sex Friendships, #323

Are awkward "side hugs" the best we can do when it comes to opposite-sex friendships? Juli sits down with author Bronwyn Lea, who helps us rethink what it means to live as brothers and sisters in God's family. They talk about why we often confuse intimacy with sexuality, how Jesus modeled close, non-romantic relationships, and what healthy Christian community can look like (even in a sex-saturated world). Listen in to discover how moving beyond fear-based boundaries can lead to more connection and stronger, life-giving friendships in the body of Christ. Guest: Bronwyn Lea   Follow-up Resources: Beyond Awkward Side Hugs: Living as Christian Brothers and Sisters in a Sex-Crazed World by Bronwyn Lea What Defines an Intimate Relationship? by Dr. Juli Slattery (blog) Q&A: What is the Purpose of My Sexuality as a Single? w/Dr. Juli Slattery Q&A: How Can I Tell The Difference Between Sexual Desire And A Desire For Intimacy? w/Dr. Juli Slattery  Surrendered Sexuality: How Knowing Jesus Changes . . . Everything  by Dr. Juli Slattery  Follow Bronwyn at @bronwyn_lea Follow Authentic Intimacy at @authenticintimacy    

4 Lies We Believe About Sex, #595

Juli unpacks four of the most common (and subtle) lies we believe about sex, desire, and compatibility. From "sex is about expressing myself" to "the best sex is compatible sex," they explore how these ideas shape our relationships—and how God invites you into something deeper. If you've ever felt stuck, confused, or distant from God because of sexuality, pull up a chair—this conversation is for you. Co-hosts: Hannah Nitz and Joe Caruso Leave us a rating & review in your favorite podcast app.   Follow-up Resources: Surrendered Sexuality by Dr. Juli Slattery God, Sex, and Your Marriage by Dr. Juli Slattery   Follow Authentic Intimacy at @authenticintimacy Follow Hannah Nitz @hannahnitz Follow Joe at @joecaruso06