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