Have you ever felt like you were standing on the ledge of a building about 50 stories tall? Have you ever felt like you’re about to fall off the ledge? Have you ever felt like you might jump? Sometimes life feels overwhelming. Sometimes we get flooded. Sometimes we’re overwhelmed. Sometimes our emotions charge in to seize us and make us feel horrible feelings we don’t want to feel. Sometimes we don’t know what to do. What do we do when we don’t know what to do? In this episode Tony shares a recent story from his life when he became lost to himself, and got so upset he was almost beside himself. How do we reel ourselves back in when we’ve become lost to ourself? How do we get our legs back under us when we feel like we’ve been chopped down? In this episode Tony talks about what it means to “talk yourself off the ledge” when life seems overwhelming and unmanageable. It’s at these times that we can be in great danger of acting our in our sexual compulsion and sexual addiction. It’s at these times we can be tempted to self-medicate, to anesthetize, and to escape by using our sexual gift in an unhealthy way. You no longer have to be the man you used to be, because you can learn to “talk yourself off the ledge”. 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Have you ever felt like you were standing on the ledge of a building about 50 stories tall? Have you ever felt like you’re about to fall off the ledge? Have you ever felt like you might jump? Sometimes life feels overwhelming. Sometimes we get flooded. Sometimes we’re overwhelmed. Sometimes our emotions charge in to seize us and make us feel horrible feelings we don’t want to feel. Sometimes we don’t know what to do. What do we do when we don’t know what to do? In this episode Tony shares a recent story from his life when he became lost to himself, and got so upset he was almost beside himself. How do we reel ourselves back in when we’ve become lost to ourself? How do we get our legs back under us when we feel like we’ve been chopped down? In this episode Tony talks about what it means to “talk yourself off the ledge” when life seems overwhelming and unmanageable. It’s at these times that we can be in great danger of acting our in our sexual compulsion and sexual addiction. It’s at these times we can be tempted to self-medicate, to anesthetize, and to escape by using our sexual gift in an unhealthy way. You no longer have to be the man you used to be, because you can learn to “talk yourself off the ledge”. 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

POP 372 - Talk Yourself Off The Ledge

In this episode of the podcast Tony shares 4 words that he never thought he'd ever say in his entire life: I'm a divorced man. Tony and Sheri were married on September 17th, 1983, and they were divorced on July 20th, 2023. That means they were married for 39 years, 10 months, and 3 days, or said another way, they were married for just 59 days short of 40 years. On the day Tony recorded this episode of the podcast he had been a divorced man for 12 days. In this heartfelt episode Tony shares several important reflections from the very difficult journey through the most painful and traumatic days of his entire life. In addition he reflects upon the hope of the gospel, and the reality that in the economy of God's Kingdom, life comes out of death. What do we do when life beats us up? What do we do when profoundly diffiuclt things happen in our lives that we cannot change?   “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a seed falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”  John 12:24    5  Those who cry as they plant their crops    will sing with joy when they gather them in. 6 Those who go out weeping    as they carry seeds to plant will come back singing with joy.    They will bring the new crop back with them.  Psalm 126:5-6   Song by Clint Black - When I Said I Do

In this episode of the podcast Tony shares 4 words that he never thought he'd ever say in his entire life: I'm a divorced man. Tony and Sheri were married on September 17th, 1983, and they were divorced on July 20th, 2023. That means they were married for 39 years, 10 months, and 3 days, or said another way, they were married for just 59 days short of 40 years. On the day Tony recorded this episode of the podcast he had been a divorced man for 12 days. In this heartfelt episode Tony shares several important reflections from the very difficult journey through the most painful and traumatic days of his entire life. In addition he reflects upon the hope of the gospel, and the reality that in the economy of God's Kingdom, life comes out of death. What do we do when life beats us up? What do we do when profoundly diffiuclt things happen in our lives that we cannot change? “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a seed falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”  John 12:24 5 Those who cry as they plant their crops    will sing with joy when they gather them in. 6 Those who go out weeping    as they carry seeds to plant will come back singing with joy.    They will bring the new crop back with them.  Psalm 126:5-6 Song by Clint Black - When I Said I Do

POP 371 - Tony's Divorce Appeal

Tony was recently invited to speak on Sunday morning at Trinity Community Church, and in this series he shares the message he presented on that day entitled, "Run to God". We live in a deeply broken world, and sometimes life has a way of beating us up. What do you do when you don't understand what's going on in your life? What do you do when you're overwhelmed with your situation? What do you do when you feel like the waters are up to your neck? What do you do when it seems like God isn't showing up to help you? In this message Tony shares a little bit of what his journey has looked like over the past two years, which has been the most difficult time of his entire life, and what it means to hold on to God, and to "Run to God", no matter what. 1 Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. 2 I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me. 3 I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched.  My eyes fail, looking for my God. 4 Those who hate me without reason outnumber the hairs of my head;  many are my enemies without cause, those who seek to destroy me. I am forced to restore what I did not steal.  Psalm 69:1-4    28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30

Tony was recently invited to speak on Sunday morning at Trinity Community Church, and in this series he shares the message he presented on that day entitled, "Run to God". We live in a deeply broken world, and sometimes life has a way of beating us up. What do you do when you don't understand what's going on in your life? What do you do when you're overwhelmed with your situation? What do you do when you feel like the waters are up to your neck? What do you do when it seems like God isn't showing up to help you? In this message Tony shares a little bit of what his journey has looked like over the past two years, which has been the most difficult time of his entire life, and what it means to hold on to God, and to "Run to God", no matter what. 1 Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. 2 I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me. 3 I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched.  My eyes fail, looking for my God. 4 Those who hate me without reason outnumber the hairs of my head;  many are my enemies without cause, those who seek to destroy me. I am forced to restore what I did not steal.  Psalm 69:1-4 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30

POP 370 - Run To God - Part 2

Tony was recently invited to speak on Sunday morning at Trinity Community Church, and in this series he shares the message he presented on that day entitled, "Run to God". We live in a deeply broken world, and sometimes life has a way of beating us up. What do you do when you don't understand what's going on in your life? What do you do when you're overwhelmed with your situation? What do you do when you feel like the waters are up to your neck? What do you do when it seems like God isn't showing up to help you? In this message Tony shares a little bit of what his journey has looked like over the past two years, which has been the most difficult time of his entire life, and what it means to hold on to God, and to "Run to God", no matter what.  1  Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. 2 I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me. 3 I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched.  My eyes fail, looking for my God. 4 Those who hate me without reason outnumber the hairs of my head;  many are my enemies without cause, those who seek to destroy me. I am forced to restore what I did not steal.   Psalm 69:1-4    28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30

Tony was recently invited to speak on Sunday morning at Trinity Community Church, and in this series he shares the message he presented on that day entitled, "Run to God". We live in a deeply broken world, and sometimes life has a way of beating us up. What do you do when you don't understand what's going on in your life? What do you do when you're overwhelmed with your situation? What do you do when you feel like the waters are up to your neck? What do you do when it seems like God isn't showing up to help you? In this message Tony shares a little bit of what his journey has looked like over the past two years, which has been the most difficult time of his entire life, and what it means to hold on to God, and to "Run to God", no matter what. 1 Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. 2 I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me. 3 I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched.  My eyes fail, looking for my God. 4 Those who hate me without reason outnumber the hairs of my head;  many are my enemies without cause, those who seek to destroy me. I am forced to restore what I did not steal.  Psalm 69:1-4 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30

POP 369 - Run to God - Part 1

In this eipisde Tony shares 5 important purity obervations from 1 Peter 1:13-16. In this passage the Apostle Peter shares 5 strategies that bridge the gap from your mind on the inside to holiness in your life on the outside. (1) Prepare your mind for action. (2) Self-control. (3) Set your hope fully on the grace of Jesus Christ which will be revealed when he returns. (4) Be obedient children of God who no longer conform to the evil desires you obeyed when you lived in ignorance. (5) Be holy at your Father in heaven is holy. God would not tell you to do something that was impossible for you to do. If God tells you to be holy, it must be possible for you to be holy. Holiness is within your reach. You can make quality decisions. You can exercise your "no" muscle. You can be a man of purity! Listen to this episode and be encouraged by these 5 Strategies of Puritythe Apostle Peter has given us. 13 Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”  I Peter 1:13-16

In this eipisde Tony shares 5 important purity obervations from 1 Peter 1:13-16. In this passage the Apostle Peter shares 5 strategies that bridge the gap from your mind on the inside to holiness in your life on the outside. (1) Prepare your mind for action. (2) Self-control. (3) Set your hope fully on the grace of Jesus Christ which will be revealed when he returns. (4) Be obedient children of God who no longer conform to the evil desires you obeyed when you lived in ignorance. (5) Be holy at your Father in heaven is holy. God would not tell you to do something that was impossible for you to do. If God tells you to be holy, it must be possible for you to be holy. Holiness is within your reach. You can make quality decisions. You can exercise your "no" muscle. You can be a man of purity! Listen to this episode and be encouraged by these 5 Strategies of Puritythe Apostle Peter has given us. 13 Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”  I Peter 1:13-16

POP 368 - 5 Strategies for Purity

Have you ever been in the place where you know you should not sexully do the thing your're about to do, but for some reason you're simply powerless to resist against it, and you go ahead and do the thing even though you know you shouldn't to the thing? You go ahead and take the "risk" even though you know you should not be taking the "risk". What's going on with that? How and when did we learn to take such great risks with our sexual self? Where were the seeds of such risk taking planted in our hearts and lives? Imagine walking up to the very edge of the Grand Canyon, and literally standing on the very edge, and hanging your toes over! Dude, you're way too close to the edge! Are you crazy! Do you realize that you're flirting with great danger if you alllow yourself to go up to the very edge over and over again. You might get away with it one time. You might get awasty with it two times. You might get away with it seventeen times in a row, but if you keep going up to the very edge, you might just fall off! In this episode Tony helps us to understand how and why we learned to take such big "risks" in our sexual behavior, and what we can do to pull ourselves back from the edge. The power of taking risks can be broken in you life, through the power and the blood of Christ!

Have you ever been in the place where you know you should not sexully do the thing your're about to do, but for some reason you're simply powerless to resist against it, and you go ahead and do the thing even though you know you shouldn't to the thing? You go ahead and take the "risk" even though you know you should not be taking the "risk". What's going on with that? How and when did we learn to take such great risks with our sexual self? Where were the seeds of such risk taking planted in our hearts and lives? Imagine walking up to the very edge of the Grand Canyon, and literally standing on the very edge, and hanging your toes over! Dude, you're way too close to the edge! Are you crazy! Do you realize that you're flirting with great danger if you alllow yourself to go up to the very edge over and over again. You might get away with it one time. You might get awasty with it two times. You might get away with it seventeen times in a row, but if you keep going up to the very edge, you might just fall off! In this episode Tony helps us to understand how and why we learned to take such big "risks" in our sexual behavior, and what we can do to pull ourselves back from the edge. The power of taking risks can be broken in you life, through the power and the blood of Christ!

POP 367 - Taking Risks with Sex

Tony has been leading a men's purity group for over the past 20 years. In group he recently shared a teaching with the men entitled, "Take It To God". To illustrate the ideas shared in this teaching Tony created the diagram that appears as the image attached to this episode. The image is color coded, and illustrates the 3 primary strategies available to us as we seek to process the hurt, pain, and trauma in our lives. (1) Self-Medication (2) Denial (3) Face it In this series Tony shares how counterprodcutive options one and two are, and how we must learn to face our pain, and then how to take our pain to God is we're going to be healthier and more functional people. Many men, if not most men, have used sex, porn, and their orgasm as a way to self-medicate the pain in their heart and life, and Tony helps us understand why we can no longer do this. There is a way that seem right, that leads to death. And there's a way that seems difficult, that leads to life. In this series we discover how the way of God, and the way of God's Kingdom is to journey through our pain rather than trying to avoid it, escape it, or anesthetize it. Welcome to episode 366!

Tony has been leading a men's purity group for over the past 20 years. In group he recently shared a teaching with the men entitled, "Take It To God". To illustrate the ideas shared in this teaching Tony created the diagram that appears as the image attached to this episode. The image is color coded, and illustrates the 3 primary strategies available to us as we seek to process the hurt, pain, and trauma in our lives. (1) Self-Medication (2) Denial (3) Face it In this series Tony shares how counterprodcutive options one and two are, and how we must learn to face our pain, and then how to take our pain to God is we're going to be healthier and more functional people. Many men, if not most men, have used sex, porn, and their orgasm as a way to self-medicate the pain in their heart and life, and Tony helps us understand why we can no longer do this. There is a way that seem right, that leads to death. And there's a way that seems difficult, that leads to life. In this series we discover how the way of God, and the way of God's Kingdom is to journey through our pain rather than trying to avoid it, escape it, or anesthetize it. Welcome to episode 366!

POP 366 - Take It To God - Part 2

Tony has been leading a men's purity group for over the past 20 years. In group he recently shared a teaching with the men entitled, "Take It To God". To illustrate the ideas shared in this teaching Tony created the diagram that appears as the image attached to this episode. The image is color coded, and illustrates the 3 primary strategies available to us as we seek to process the hurt, pain, and trauma in our lives. (1) Self-Medication (2) Denial (3) Face it In this series Tony shares how counterprodcutive options one and two are, and how we must learn to face our pain, and then how to take our pain to God is we're going to be healthier and more functional people. Many men, if not most men, have used sex, porn, and their orgasm as a way to self-medicate the pain in their heart and life, and Tony helps us understand why we can no longer do this. There is a way that seem right, that leads to death. And there's a way that seems difficult, that leads to life. In this series we discover how the way of God, and the way of God's Kingdom is to journey through our pain rather than trying to avoid it, escape it, or anesthetize it. Welcome to episode 365!

Tony has been leading a men's purity group for over the past 20 years. In group he recently shared a teaching with the men entitled, "Take It To God". To illustrate the ideas shared in this teaching Tony created the diagram that appears as the image attached to this episode. The image is color coded, and illustrates the 3 primary strategies available to us as we seek to process the hurt, pain, and trauma in our lives. (1) Self-Medication (2) Denial (3) Face it In this series Tony shares how counterprodcutive options one and two are, and how we must learn to face our pain, and then how to take our pain to God is we're going to be healthier and more functional people. Many men, if not most men, have used sex, porn, and their orgasm as a way to self-medicate the pain in their heart and life, and Tony helps us understand why we can no longer do this. There is a way that seem right, that leads to death. And there's a way that seems difficult, that leads to life. In this series we discover how the way of God, and the way of God's Kingdom is to journey through our pain rather than trying to avoid it, escape it, or anesthetize it. Welcome to episode 365!

POP 365 - Take It To God - Part 1

In this episode Tony focuses on a beatiful and very hopeful verse in the bible. No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.  I Corinthians 10:13 Tony shares seven very important observations from this verse that affirm that you can process and manage the temptations that come to you in a healthy and godly way. (1) You will be tempted. (2) These temptations are common to every man. (3) Sometimes it feels like these temptations are "seizing" you. (4) You  can always handle the temptations that come to you because of God's faithfulness. (5) It's not "if" you're tempted, but 'when". (6) There will always be a way of escape. (7) God doesn't always remove the temptation, but he gives you the ability to stand up under the temptation. Be encouraged brother! God has given you everything you need to manage the temptations that come to you in a godly way!

In this episode Tony focuses on a beatiful and very hopeful verse in the bible. No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.  I Corinthians 10:13 Tony shares seven very important observations from this verse that affirm that you can process and manage the temptations that come to you in a healthy and godly way. (1) You will be tempted. (2) These temptations are common to every man. (3) Sometimes it feels like these temptations are "seizing" you. (4) You  can always handle the temptations that come to you because of God's faithfulness. (5) It's not "if" you're tempted, but 'when". (6) There will always be a way of escape. (7) God doesn't always remove the temptation, but he gives you the ability to stand up under the temptation. Be encouraged brother! God has given you everything you need to manage the temptations that come to you in a godly way!

POP 364 - No Temptation Has Taken You

Hey guys! Tony here! When I was 13 years old I dislocated my right shoulder, and the injury has literly followed me through life for the past 52 years. It was finally time to do something about it (as in bone on bone and unbearable pain) and this past Friday (4 days ago) I had a complete shoulder replacement surgery. Since I began the podcast over 7 years ago I've never missed publishing an episode, and I don't want to start now. (Please note - I did take a sabbatical from the podcast for a period of time when my wife left me.) To be honest I'm not feeling very good right now as I'm recooperating from this shoulder surgery, but I at least wanted to share a brief episode with you this week. This is probably the shortest episode of the podcast ever published, but I do pray it will be a blessing and encouragement to you!

Hey guys! Tony here! When I was 13 years old I dislocated my right shoulder, and the injury has literly followed me through life for the past 52 years. It was finally time to do something about it (as in bone on bone and unbearable pain) and this past Friday (4 days ago) I had a complete shoulder replacement surgery. Since I began the podcast over 7 years ago I've never missed publishing an episode, and I don't want to start now. (Please note - I did take a sabbatical from the podcast for a period of time when my wife left me.) To be honest I'm not feeling very good right now as I'm recooperating from this shoulder surgery, but I at least wanted to share a brief episode with you this week. This is probably the shortest episode of the podcast ever published, but I do pray it will be a blessing and encouragement to you!

POP 363 - Shoulder Surgery

Here's the "cycle"... a man watches porn... often in violation of his very own conscience... and then masturbates... and then feels guilty... and then tries to NOT watch porn... and then starts the cycle over by watching porn again.  The Power of Purity is for men who are interested in discovering how to control sex instead of being controlled by sex.  The Power of Purity is a 100% safe and confidential resource that will help men... FINALLY... experience their sexual gift in a healthier way.  Purity IS possible with The Power of Purity!  A NEW EPISODE WILL PUBLISH EVERY TUESDAY!

I recommend this to all men! This is a very helpful resource.

Great

I truly appreciate Tony openly and honestly sharing his story and showing that there&#39;s hope!

So helpful!

Power of Purity | Helping Men to Honor God with their Sexual Gift

Tony recently had the opportunity to present a seminar at an Iron Sharpens Iron Conference attended by over 500 men.  Most of these men had never heard of Tony Ingrassia... or The Power of Purity.   Because of this... Tony put together a presentation entitled... Purity Is Possible... and shared 9 essential pieces of the "purity puzzle".   In other words... these are 9 concepts that a man is going to have to understand and apply to his life when he gets really serious about becoming a man of sexual purity.  The description of the seminar was this: It's possible for Christian men to bring their sexual gift under the authority of Christ, and to learn to control sex instead of being controlled by sex! In these episodes (113 - 116) Tony shares an overview of the seminar he presented at the Iron Sharpens Iron Conference. In this episode Tony shares the first 2 principles of the 9 principles of the "purity puzzle". Iron Sharpens Iron Relevant Practical Ministry to Men

Tony recently had the opportunity to present a seminar at an Iron Sharpens Iron Conference attended by over 500 men.  Most of these men had never heard of Tony Ingrassia... or The Power of Purity.   Because of this... Tony put together a presentation entitled... Purity Is Possible... and shared 9 essential pieces of the "purity puzzle".   In other words... these are 9 concepts that a man is going to have to understand and apply to his life when he gets really serious about becoming a man of sexual purity.  The description of the seminar was this: It's possible for Christian men to bring their sexual gift under the authority of Christ, and to learn to control sex instead of being controlled by sex! In these episodes (113 - 116) Tony shares an overview of the seminar he presented at the Iron Sharpens Iron Conference. In this episode Tony shares the first 2 principles of the 9 principles of the "purity puzzle". <a href="http://ironsharpensiron.net" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Iron Sharpens Iron</a> <a href="http://rpmfm.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Relevant Practical Ministry to Men</a>

POP 114 - Purity Is Possible - Part 1

Jay Pyatt

In 2010 Jay Pyatt's wife... Lori... had a nagging suspicion that something was wrong... so she confronted him about his problematic use of pornography.  What Lori didn't know is that Jay had been lying to her almost every night for the past 4 years.   Hundreds... if not thousands of lies! Jay couldn't have done more damage to his wife's heart... and to their marriage... than if he had literally set their house on fire.  Jay tore the marriage down... not just to the foundation... but to the dirt below the foundation.  To make matters even worse... this was only one of many such confrontations that occurred during the first 15 years of their marriage. It was out of these ashes that Jay and Lori worked to rebuild their relationship.  They learned new patterns of interaction that allowed trust to be rebuilt... and Jay never put so much effort into anything in his entire life.  In the years that followed they changed their old dance steps into something they never thought possible. And then... from the epicenter of their own redemptive story... Jay and Lori felt called by God to share their story with others... in the hope of retrieving those who are struggling in the black hole of sexual self destruction.   Before she even met Jay... Lori asked God what the purpose of her life was... and she felt God say... Your life purpose is to have a great marriage and to help others do the same. Jay helps men through his website... www.porniskillingme.com Lori helps women through her website... www.pornpainhealed.com Tony interviews Jay in episodes 198 &amp; 199... and interviews Lori in episodes 201 &amp; 202. Be blessed as you listen to the amazing story of Jay and Lori Pyatt!

In 2010 Jay Pyatt's wife... Lori... had a nagging suspicion that something was wrong... so she confronted him about his problematic use of pornography.  What Lori didn't know is that Jay had been lying to her almost every night for the past 4 years.   Hundreds... if not thousands of lies! Jay couldn't have done more damage to his wife's heart... and to their marriage... than if he had literally set their house on fire.  Jay tore the marriage down... not just to the foundation... but to the dirt below the foundation.  To make matters even worse... this was only one of many such confrontations that occurred during the first 15 years of their marriage. It was out of these ashes that Jay and Lori worked to rebuild their relationship.  They learned new patterns of interaction that allowed trust to be rebuilt... and Jay never put so much effort into anything in his entire life.  In the years that followed they changed their old dance steps into something they never thought possible. And then... from the epicenter of their own redemptive story... Jay and Lori felt called by God to share their story with others... in the hope of retrieving those who are struggling in the black hole of sexual self destruction.   Before she even met Jay... Lori asked God what the purpose of her life was... and she felt God say... Your life purpose is to have a great marriage and to help others do the same. Jay helps men through his website... <a href="https://porniskillingme.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.porniskillingme.com</a> Lori helps women through her website... <a href="http://www.pornpainhealed.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.pornpainhealed.com</a> Tony interviews Jay in episodes 198 &amp; 199... and interviews Lori in episodes 201 &amp; 202. Be blessed as you listen to the amazing story of Jay and Lori Pyatt!

POP 198 - Porn Is Killing Me with Jay Pyatt - Part 1

Can you relate to this cycle? A man looks at pornography... and it makes him feel good! There's a rush of adrenaline... there's a sense of eroticism... there's a sense of pleasure... and there's a sense of euphoria. Together these sensations literally create a kind of "high". The reason for this is because looking at porn causes an EXPLOSION of the 4 "feel good" chemicals in the brain: (1) Dopamine - the chemical of PLEASURE! (2) Oxytocin - the chemical of BONDING! (3) Serotonin - the chemical of MOOD! (4) Endorphins - the chemical of SATISFACTION! Together these 4 "happy" chemicals produce an intense sense of pleasure very similar to the "high" an addict experiences from a drug such as cocaine. And this is a PROBLEM... because when the brain experiences this intense pleasure... it intuitively wants MORE... and MORE... and MORE... and MORE! So a man feels compelled to look at porn... AGAIN... and AGAIN... and AGAIN... and AGAIN. And each time he looks... there's another EXPLOSION of the 4 "happy" chemicals in his brain... which embeds the desire to look DEEPER... and DEEPER... and DEEPER.. and DEEPER... within him... which makes it harder and harder for him to resist the ongoing temptation! Said another way... what's happening in a man's brain is typically a GIGANTIC part of his struggle with porn... or any other addictive behavior. The GOOD NEWS is that it IS possible for a man to literally retrain his brain... and to create new neuro-pathways that will enable him to resist temptation... and to honor God with the expression of his sexual gift. In this series of episodes Tony does his best to explain... on his own kindergarten level... The Human Brain.. Neuroplasticity... and Porn Addiction!

Can you relate to this cycle? A man looks at pornography... and it makes him feel good! There's a rush of adrenaline... there's a sense of eroticism... there's a sense of pleasure... and there's a sense of euphoria. Together these sensations literally create a kind of "high". The reason for this is because looking at porn causes an EXPLOSION of the 4 "feel good" chemicals in the brain: (1) Dopamine - the chemical of PLEASURE! (2) Oxytocin - the chemical of BONDING! (3) Serotonin - the chemical of MOOD! (4) Endorphins - the chemical of SATISFACTION! Together these 4 "happy" chemicals produce an intense sense of pleasure very similar to the "high" an addict experiences from a drug such as cocaine. And this is a PROBLEM... because when the brain experiences this intense pleasure... it intuitively wants MORE... and MORE... and MORE... and MORE! So a man feels compelled to look at porn... AGAIN... and AGAIN... and AGAIN... and AGAIN. And each time he looks... there's another EXPLOSION of the 4 "happy" chemicals in his brain... which embeds the desire to look DEEPER... and DEEPER... and DEEPER.. and DEEPER... within him... which makes it harder and harder for him to resist the ongoing temptation! Said another way... what's happening in a man's brain is typically a GIGANTIC part of his struggle with porn... or any other addictive behavior. The GOOD NEWS is that it IS possible for a man to literally retrain his brain... and to create new neuro-pathways that will enable him to resist temptation... and to honor God with the expression of his sexual gift. In this series of episodes Tony does his best to explain... on his own kindergarten level... The Human Brain.. Neuroplasticity... and Porn Addiction!

POP 153 - The Human Brain, Neuroplasticity & Porn Addiction - Part 1

Shannon Ethridge

Shannon Ethridge is a million-copy best-selling author, international speaker, certified life coach, and advocate for healthy sexuality with a master’s degree in counseling and human relations from Liberty University. Shannon speaks to high school and college students, single adults, and married couples about: * Embracing a lifestyle of sexual integrity * Overcoming past sexual &amp; emotional baggage * Cultivating genuine intimacy in marriage * Instilling sexual values in young children Shannon has written 22 books... including... * Every Woman's Battle * The Fantasy Fallacy * The Passion Principles * The Sexually Confident Wife Tony had prepared an entire list of questions for Shannon in advance of this interview... but their conversation was so spontaneous that they never made it to the prepared questions. In this episode... and the next... among other topics... Shannon shares some of her story... and talks about how the power of fantasy invites married couples into the deeper eroticism and ecstasy that God has intended for them.     Shannon currently resides in Chattanooga, Tennessee. www.shannonethridge.com

Shannon Ethridge is a million-copy best-selling author, international speaker, certified life coach, and advocate for healthy sexuality with a master’s degree in counseling and human relations from Liberty University. Shannon speaks to high school and college students, single adults, and married couples about: * Embracing a lifestyle of sexual integrity * Overcoming past sexual &amp; emotional baggage * Cultivating genuine intimacy in marriage * Instilling sexual values in young children Shannon has written 22 books... including... * Every Woman's Battle * The Fantasy Fallacy * The Passion Principles * The Sexually Confident Wife Tony had prepared an entire list of questions for Shannon in advance of this interview... but their conversation was so spontaneous that they never made it to the prepared questions. In this episode... and the next... among other topics... Shannon shares some of her story... and talks about how the power of fantasy invites married couples into the deeper eroticism and ecstasy that God has intended for them.     Shannon currently resides in Chattanooga, Tennessee. <a href="http://www.shannonethridge.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.shannonethridge.com</a>

POP 150 - Every Woman's Battle with Shannon Ethridge - Part 1

Jay Stringer

Jay Stringer is a licensed mental health counselor, ordained minister, and nationally requested speaker on the subject of unwanted sexual behavior (i.e., extra-marital affairs, pornography, buying sex, and others). Based in Seattle, Jay has spent the last decade on the frontlines of demand for sexual exploitation and pornography. Jay’s clinical work guides men and women to find freedom from unwanted sexual behavior through inviting them to identify the unique reasons that bring them to it. In addition to his therapy practice and frequent speaking engagements, Jay is also a lecturer for the City of Seattle’s “john school,” a program designed for men who have been arrested for soliciting prostitution. Jay Stringer’s first book, Unwanted: How Sexual Brokenness Reveals Our Way to Healing, is based on a multiyear research project into the stories of 3,800 men and women to address the key drivers of unwanted sexual behavior, why people remain in a place of shame, and the journey towards a new sexual story.  Jay holds an MDiv and master in counseling psychology from the Seattle School of Theology and Psychology and received post-graduate training under Dr. Patrick Carnes and Dr. Dan Allender while serving as a Senior Fellow at the Allender Center. In this episode and the next, Tony and Jay discuss... among other topics... (1) how people end up in sexual addiction (2) why they stay in their sexual addiction (3) how to get out of sexual addiction Be blessed as you listen to this important interview with Jay Stringer!

Jay Stringer is a licensed mental health counselor, ordained minister, and nationally requested speaker on the subject of unwanted sexual behavior (i.e., extra-marital affairs, pornography, buying sex, and others). Based in Seattle, Jay has spent the last decade on the frontlines of demand for sexual exploitation and pornography. Jay’s clinical work guides men and women to find freedom from unwanted sexual behavior through inviting them to identify the unique reasons that bring them to it. In addition to his therapy practice and frequent speaking engagements, Jay is also a lecturer for the City of Seattle’s “john school,” a program designed for men who have been arrested for soliciting prostitution. Jay Stringer’s first book, Unwanted: How Sexual Brokenness Reveals Our Way to Healing, is based on a multiyear research project into the stories of 3,800 men and women to address the key drivers of unwanted sexual behavior, why people remain in a place of shame, and the journey towards a new sexual story.  Jay holds an MDiv and master in counseling psychology from the Seattle School of Theology and Psychology and received post-graduate training under Dr. Patrick Carnes and Dr. Dan Allender while serving as a Senior Fellow at the Allender Center. In this episode and the next, Tony and Jay discuss... among other topics... (1) how people end up in sexual addiction (2) why they stay in their sexual addiction (3) how to get out of sexual addiction Be blessed as you listen to this important interview with Jay Stringer!

POP 181 - Unwanted Sexual Behavior with Jay Stringer - Part 1

Every person is the sum total of the accumulation of the "stories" of their life... or said another way... who you are today emerged from the "stories" of your past.  This is a very important concept when it comes to the issue of sexual purity... because who you are today as a sexual person is the natural result of certain "stories" from your past... that shaped you into the sexual person you have become. Are you a person who struggles with internet pornography... and you can't stop looking... no matter how hard you try?   The answer to who you are is found in the "stories" of your life. Are you a person who doesn't like sex... or is uncomfortable with sex... or doesn't feel safe when you have sex... even with your spouse? The answer to who you are is found in the "stories" of your life. Are you a person who acts out sexually in violation of your profession of faith... and in violation of your very own conscience? The answer to who you are is found in the "stories" of your life.  When you begin to truly understand the "stories" of your life... you'll understand yourself better than you've ever understood yourself before... you'll understand how you became the sexual person you became... and you'll understand how you can be set free from the power of your "stories" to become a new and different person. And here's the really GOOD NEWS!  God wants to take a journey with you into the "stories" of your life... to bring his light to the darkest places of your "stories"... to bring his freedom to the places of bondage in your "stories"... and to bring his healing to the places of pain in your "stories". In this series of 13 episodes (54-66)... Tony shares 16 principles that will help you take this healing journey with God through the "stories" of your life. In this first episode Tony shares an INTRODUCTION and PRINCIPLE 1. Welcome to... UNDERSTANDING YOUR STORY!

Every person is the sum total of the accumulation of the "stories" of their life... or said another way... who you are today emerged from the "stories" of your past.  This is a very important concept when it comes to the issue of sexual purity... because who you are today as a sexual person is the natural result of certain "stories" from your past... that shaped you into the sexual person you have become. Are you a person who struggles with internet pornography... and you can't stop looking... no matter how hard you try?   The answer to who you are is found in the "stories" of your life. Are you a person who doesn't like sex... or is uncomfortable with sex... or doesn't feel safe when you have sex... even with your spouse? The answer to who you are is found in the "stories" of your life. Are you a person who acts out sexually in violation of your profession of faith... and in violation of your very own conscience? The answer to who you are is found in the "stories" of your life.  When you begin to truly understand the "stories" of your life... you'll understand yourself better than you've ever understood yourself before... you'll understand how you became the sexual person you became... and you'll understand how you can be set free from the power of your "stories" to become a new and different person. And here's the really GOOD NEWS!  God wants to take a journey with you into the "stories" of your life... to bring his light to the darkest places of your "stories"... to bring his freedom to the places of bondage in your "stories"... and to bring his healing to the places of pain in your "stories". In this series of 13 episodes (54-66)... Tony shares 16 principles that will help you take this healing journey with God through the "stories" of your life. In this first episode Tony shares an INTRODUCTION and PRINCIPLE 1. Welcome to... UNDERSTANDING YOUR STORY!

POP 54 - Understanding your Story - Part 1

When it comes to sex... sometimes it seems like... * Men are from Mars... and Women are from Venus! * Men are microwaves... and Women are crockpots! What's the deal? In addition... sex is one of the greatest challenges that many couples struggle with... and often causes a significant amount of pain... hurt... confusion... misunderstanding... and disorientation in many marriages.   What do men need to understand about their wives... and what do wives need to understand about their husbands... when it comes to sex?  In this particular series Tony shares 10 principles that will help men to better understand their wife... and in the next series Tony will share 12 principles that will help women better understand their husband. It's possible to "close the gap" that often exists between husbands and wives when it comes to sex! In this episode Tony shares 7 observations to introduce this new series... 10 Things Every Husband Should Know About His Wife When It Comes To Sex 

When it comes to sex... sometimes it seems like... * Men are from Mars... and Women are from Venus! * Men are microwaves... and Women are crockpots! What's the deal? In addition... sex is one of the greatest challenges that many couples struggle with... and often causes a significant amount of pain... hurt... confusion... misunderstanding... and disorientation in many marriages.   What do men need to understand about their wives... and what do wives need to understand about their husbands... when it comes to sex?  In this particular series Tony shares 10 principles that will help men to better understand their wife... and in the next series Tony will share 12 principles that will help women better understand their husband. It's possible to "close the gap" that often exists between husbands and wives when it comes to sex! In this episode Tony shares 7 observations to introduce this new series... 10 Things Every Husband Should Know About His Wife When It Comes To Sex

POP 118 - 10 Things Every Husband Should Know About His Wife When It Comes To Sex - Part 1

Doug Weiss

On this episode - and the next - Tony's special guest is Dr. Doug Weiss, Ph.D. Dr. Doug is a Licensed Psychologist and the Executive Director of Heart to Heart Counseling Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He's also the President of the American Association for Sex Addiction Therapy (AASAT).  Among many other accomplishments Dr. Doug... * Has appeared on several national talk shows including Oprah, Dr. Phil, Good Morning America, and 20/20. * Has published more than 20 books on addiction recovery as well      as many books and DVDs for marriage and youth. * Has overcome his own sexual addiction and has been successfully sober for more than 21 years.   In this episode Dr. Doug offers practical advice that will help and encourage men on their journey of purity. drdougweiss.com drdougweiss.org

On this episode - and the next - Tony's special guest is Dr. Doug Weiss, Ph.D. Dr. Doug is a Licensed Psychologist and the Executive Director of Heart to Heart Counseling Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He's also the President of the American Association for Sex Addiction Therapy (AASAT).  Among many other accomplishments Dr. Doug... * Has appeared on several national talk shows including Oprah, Dr. Phil, Good Morning America, and 20/20. * Has published more than 20 books on addiction recovery as well      as many books and DVDs for marriage and youth. * Has overcome his own sexual addiction and has been successfully sober for more than 21 years. In this episode Dr. Doug offers practical advice that will help and encourage men on their journey of purity. <a href="http://drdougweiss.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">drdougweiss.com</a> <a href="http://drdougweiss.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">drdougweiss.org</a>

POP 93 - Breaking The Power of Pornography with Dr. Doug Weiss - Part 1

Ben Bennett

As a teenager Ben Bennett was already struggling with many doubts about God... and depression.  Then his grandfather took his own life, which pushed Ben even further away from God.  In his attempt to manage all the pain and confusion he was feeling, Ben turned to pornography in the attempt to self-medicate... and then battled a porn addiction that would last for at least 10 years.    It wasn't until 2013 that Jesus brought him to healing and lasting freedom through being counseled and mentored by Dr. Ted Roberts of Pure Desire, utilizing a Biblical and clinical approach to sexual addiction recovery. Ben worked with the campus ministry of Cru for several years, serving as the Mid-Atlantic Regional Coordinator for Cru’s sexual addiction recovery groups, helping staff and students find true healing and freedom. He currently resides in Dallas, Texas and serves with Josh McDowell Ministry as an author and speaker, supporting the health and restoration of men and women struggling with porn and sexual brokenness. Ben is an author and speaker who is passionate about helping young men and women understand how to experience healing and freedom from porn use, sexual brokenness, and habitual sin. He co-authored Living Free with Dr. Ted Roberts of Pure Desire which is a year long porn addiction recovery curriculum for college age men. Another work he co-authored is Flesh, a 12 week online journey (available at Cru.org) which helps men understand the battle of sexual sin and it's underlying contributing factors. He is in the process of launching a new Cru ministry initiative with Christian apologist, author, and speaker Josh McDowell. This new ministry will serve the global church by equipping ministries, churches, and organizations to help individuals find true freedom from porn use and sexual brokenness as they encounter Jesus, healthy communities, and recovery solutions.  Be blessed as you listen to Ben Bennett's powerful story! imlivingfree.com @benvbennett on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

As a teenager Ben Bennett was already struggling with many doubts about God... and depression.  Then his grandfather took his own life, which pushed Ben even further away from God.  In his attempt to manage all the pain and confusion he was feeling, Ben turned to pornography in the attempt to self-medicate... and then battled a porn addiction that would last for at least 10 years.    It wasn't until 2013 that Jesus brought him to healing and lasting freedom through being counseled and mentored by Dr. Ted Roberts of Pure Desire, utilizing a Biblical and clinical approach to sexual addiction recovery. Ben worked with the campus ministry of Cru for several years, serving as the Mid-Atlantic Regional Coordinator for Cru’s sexual addiction recovery groups, helping staff and students find true healing and freedom. He currently resides in Dallas, Texas and serves with Josh McDowell Ministry as an author and speaker, supporting the health and restoration of men and women struggling with porn and sexual brokenness. Ben is an author and speaker who is passionate about helping young men and women understand how to experience healing and freedom from porn use, sexual brokenness, and habitual sin. He co-authored Living Free with Dr. Ted Roberts of Pure Desire which is a year long porn addiction recovery curriculum for college age men. Another work he co-authored is Flesh, a 12 week online journey (available at <a href="http://Cru.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cru.org</a>) which helps men understand the battle of sexual sin and it's underlying contributing factors. He is in the process of launching a new Cru ministry initiative with Christian apologist, author, and speaker Josh McDowell. This new ministry will serve the global church by equipping ministries, churches, and organizations to help individuals find true freedom from porn use and sexual brokenness as they encounter Jesus, healthy communities, and recovery solutions.  Be blessed as you listen to Ben Bennett's powerful story! <a href="http://imlivingfree.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">imlivingfree.com</a> @benvbennett on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

The Power of Purity Podcast, Episode 206 - I'm Living Free with Ben Bennett - Part 1

John Eldredge

In this episode - and the next - Tony interviews John Eldridge, who is the Founder and President of Ransomed Heart Ministries.  John is a counselor, teacher, and New York Times best selling author who has written many books including... Wild At Heart Waking The Dead Epic Desire Beautiful Outlaw The Sacred Romance John's passion is to help people discover the heart of God, to discover their own heart in God's love, and to learn how to live in God's Kingdom.   John passionately loves the outdoors, and all beauty, including Shakespeare, bow hunting, a good cigar, anything having to do with adventure, poetry, working in the shop, fly fishing, classic rock, the Tetons, fish tacos, George MacDonald, green tea, buffalo steaks, dark chocolate, wild and open places, horses running, and too much more to name.  In these episodes Tony and John discuss... * Men and the topic of sexual purity * Men and the topic of fathers and fatherhood * And then Tony surprises John with an unexpected "game" in which he has 30 seconds to respond to each topic Tony chooses! Enjoy these episodes as Tony interviews a man who is being used by God to impact planet earth in a significant way.

In this episode - and the next - Tony interviews John Eldridge, who is the Founder and President of Ransomed Heart Ministries.  John is a counselor, teacher, and New York Times best selling author who has written many books including... Wild At Heart Waking The Dead Epic Desire Beautiful Outlaw The Sacred Romance John's passion is to help people discover the heart of God, to discover their own heart in God's love, and to learn how to live in God's Kingdom.   John passionately loves the outdoors, and all beauty, including Shakespeare, bow hunting, a good cigar, anything having to do with adventure, poetry, working in the shop, fly fishing, classic rock, the Tetons, fish tacos, George MacDonald, green tea, buffalo steaks, dark chocolate, wild and open places, horses running, and too much more to name.  In these episodes Tony and John discuss... * Men and the topic of sexual purity * Men and the topic of fathers and fatherhood * And then Tony surprises John with an unexpected "game" in which he has 30 seconds to respond to each topic Tony chooses! Enjoy these episodes as Tony interviews a man who is being used by God to impact planet earth in a significant way.

POP 69 - John Eldredge - Part 1

Men often express themselves through a variety of clandestine sexual exploits such as... * Internet Pornography * Chat Rooms * Cyber Sex * 1-900 Numbers * Strip Clubs * Sexualized Massage * Prostitutes * Affairs * And so forth and so on. Because most men are engaging in these activities "secretly"... they often assume they're getting away with it... and that nobody will ever know. Men often think to themselves... What can it hurt if nobody knows what I'm doing? Unfortunately... what these men don't realize is that it's impossible to enjoy the benefits of sexual sin without paying the corresponding price. Don't be deceived. * If you throw a rock in a pond... there will be a splash! * If you jump in a lake... you will get wet! * If you indulge in sexual sin... you will pay a price! In this series of four episodes (98-101) Tony shares 13 principles as he explores "The Deception of Sexual Sin". 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked.  A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.  Galatians 6:7-8

Men often express themselves through a variety of clandestine sexual exploits such as... * Internet Pornography * Chat Rooms * Cyber Sex * 1-900 Numbers * Strip Clubs * Sexualized Massage * Prostitutes * Affairs * And so forth and so on. Because most men are engaging in these activities "secretly"... they often assume they're getting away with it... and that nobody will ever know. Men often think to themselves... What can it hurt if nobody knows what I'm doing? Unfortunately... what these men don't realize is that it's impossible to enjoy the benefits of sexual sin without paying the corresponding price. Don't be deceived. * If you throw a rock in a pond... there will be a splash! * If you jump in a lake... you will get wet! * If you indulge in sexual sin... you will pay a price! In this series of four episodes (98-101) Tony shares 13 principles as he explores "The Deception of Sexual Sin". 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked.  A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.  Galatians 6:7-8

POP 98 - The Deception of Sexual Sin - Part 1

Homosexuality... Same Sex Attraction... Same Sex Marriage! These are very controversial issues in this day and age... and there are a cacophony of voices and opinions... from one end of the spectrum to the other... and everywhere in between. But from this myriad of voices... one voice rises above all the others. The voice above all voices! The opinion above all opinions! The point of view above all points of view! And of course... this is the voice... opinion... and point of view... of God himself! What does God say about homosexuality? In this 5 part series Tony shares 9 principles on the topic of homosexuality... and speaks to many of the most common objections and arguments that are typically offered in support of homosexuality and same sex marriage, including... What does the bible say about homosexuality? What about the "born that way" argument? Is it "hate speech" to say homosexuality is a sin? What about the silence of Jesus on the topic of homosexuality? Is it possible to overcome homosexual thoughts and desires? restoredhopenetwork.org desertstream.org pureintimacy.org masteringlife.org

Homosexuality... Same Sex Attraction... Same Sex Marriage! These are very controversial issues in this day and age... and there are a cacophony of voices and opinions... from one end of the spectrum to the other... and everywhere in between. But from this myriad of voices... one voice rises above all the others. The voice above all voices! The opinion above all opinions! The point of view above all points of view! And of course... this is the voice... opinion... and point of view... of God himself! What does God say about homosexuality? In this 5 part series Tony shares 9 principles on the topic of homosexuality... and speaks to many of the most common objections and arguments that are typically offered in support of homosexuality and same sex marriage, including... What does the bible say about homosexuality? What about the "born that way" argument? Is it "hate speech" to say homosexuality is a sin? What about the silence of Jesus on the topic of homosexuality? Is it possible to overcome homosexual thoughts and desires? <a href="http://restoredhopenetwork.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">restoredhopenetwork.org</a> <a href="http://desertstream.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">desertstream.org</a> <a href="http://www.pureintimacy.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">pureintimacy.org</a> <a href="http://purepassion.us" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">masteringlife.org</a>

POP 87 - Homosexuality - Part 1

Juli Slattery

Dr. Juli Slattery is a clinical psychologist, author, speaker and the President of Authentic Intimacy.  Juli earned her college degree at Wheaton College, an MA in psychology from Biola University, an MS and a Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from Florida Institute of Technology. From 2008-2012, Dr. Slattery served at Focus on the Family writing, teaching, and co-hosting the Focus on the Family daily radio broadcast. In 2012, she left Focus on the Family to start Authentic Intimacy, a ministry devoted to reclaiming God’s design for intimacy. Juli is the author of ten books, host of the weekly podcast “Java with Juli”, and a member of the board of trustees for Moody Bible Institute.  Dr. Juli's books include... (1) Rethinking Sexuality – God’s Design And Why It Matters (2) Passion Pursuit – What Kind of Love Are You Making (3) Sex and The Single Girl (4) Finding The Hero In Your Husband (5) 25 Questions You’re Afraid To Ask About Love, Sex and Intimacy (6) Surprised by The Healer – Embracing Hope For Your Broken Story (7) No More Headaches – Enjoying Sex &amp; Intimacy In Marriage (8) Pulling Back The Shades – Erotica, Intimacy and The Longings of A Woman’s Heart (9) Beyond The Masquerade – Unveiling The Authentic You (10) Guilt Free Motherhood – Parenting With Godly Wisdom Through her ministry... Authentic Intimacy... Dr. Juli helps people understand the beauty of God's plan and holy design for sexual intimacy. On this episode and the next... Tony presents "really hard questions" about sex and intimacy to Dr. Juli. Juli and her husband Mike are the parents of 3 sons; they live in Akron, Ohio. www.authenticintimacy.com

Dr. Juli Slattery is a clinical psychologist, author, speaker and the President of Authentic Intimacy.  Juli earned her college degree at Wheaton College, an MA in psychology from Biola University, an MS and a Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from Florida Institute of Technology. From 2008-2012, Dr. Slattery served at Focus on the Family writing, teaching, and co-hosting the Focus on the Family daily radio broadcast. In 2012, she left Focus on the Family to start Authentic Intimacy, a ministry devoted to reclaiming God’s design for intimacy. Juli is the author of ten books, host of the weekly podcast “Java with Juli”, and a member of the board of trustees for Moody Bible Institute.  Dr. Juli's books include... (1) Rethinking Sexuality – God’s Design And Why It Matters (2) Passion Pursuit – What Kind of Love Are You Making (3) Sex and The Single Girl (4) Finding The Hero In Your Husband (5) 25 Questions You’re Afraid To Ask About Love, Sex and Intimacy (6) Surprised by The Healer – Embracing Hope For Your Broken Story (7) No More Headaches – Enjoying Sex &amp; Intimacy In Marriage (8) Pulling Back The Shades – Erotica, Intimacy and The Longings of A Woman’s Heart (9) Beyond The Masquerade – Unveiling The Authentic You (10) Guilt Free Motherhood – Parenting With Godly Wisdom Through her ministry... Authentic Intimacy... Dr. Juli helps people understand the beauty of God's plan and holy design for sexual intimacy. On this episode and the next... Tony presents "really hard questions" about sex and intimacy to Dr. Juli. Juli and her husband Mike are the parents of 3 sons; they live in Akron, Ohio. <a href="https://www.authenticintimacy.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.authenticintimacy.com</a>

POP 218 - Really Hard Questions with Dr. Juli Slattery - Part 1

From the time William was just a young boy... he knew he was "different" from all the other boys. He felt like like he didn't fit in with the girls... and he didn't fit in with the boys. When he was in second grade the other kids began to make fun of him... and tell him that he was "gay"... even though he didn't know what that meant. Over the next several years William tried to like girls... because that's what he was supposed to do... but the girls rejected him over and over again... and it was so hurtful that he unconsciously began to put up a wall between him and "girls". For some reason William always felt more comfortable with other guys than he did with girls... and although he could have friendships with guys on a personal level... in public even his friends scorned him because they didn't want to be associated with William. When he eventually began attending college... William was lonely and almost desperate for connection with others... and he soon learned to find the attention... affection... and connection he was looking for... in exchange for the sexual intimacy so many other guys wanted from him. Williams story is amazing... because it's another story of God's ability to heal and redeem a deeply broken person... and it's a story that stands in contradiction of a very powerful lie that exists in our culture today.  The lie that says things like this... * Once a person's gay... they have to always be gay... because it's impossible to resist or change your sexual orientation. * It's impossible for a person who has a gay orientation to not live as a gay person. * It would be impossible for a person who has lived as a gay man for 10 years to ever get married to a woman... and to be happily married... and to even have children. William is living proof that a gay person does not have to continue to live as a gay person after Christ comes into their heart and their life. 9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God?  Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were.  But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.  I Corinthians 6:9-11

From the time William was just a young boy... he knew he was "different" from all the other boys. He felt like like he didn't fit in with the girls... and he didn't fit in with the boys. When he was in second grade the other kids began to make fun of him... and tell him that he was "gay"... even though he didn't know what that meant. Over the next several years William tried to like girls... because that's what he was supposed to do... but the girls rejected him over and over again... and it was so hurtful that he unconsciously began to put up a wall between him and "girls". For some reason William always felt more comfortable with other guys than he did with girls... and although he could have friendships with guys on a personal level... in public even his friends scorned him because they didn't want to be associated with William. When he eventually began attending college... William was lonely and almost desperate for connection with others... and he soon learned to find the attention... affection... and connection he was looking for... in exchange for the sexual intimacy so many other guys wanted from him. Williams story is amazing... because it's another story of God's ability to heal and redeem a deeply broken person... and it's a story that stands in contradiction of a very powerful lie that exists in our culture today.  The lie that says things like this... * Once a person's gay... they have to always be gay... because it's impossible to resist or change your sexual orientation. * It's impossible for a person who has a gay orientation to not live as a gay person. * It would be impossible for a person who has lived as a gay man for 10 years to ever get married to a woman... and to be happily married... and to even have children. William is living proof that a gay person does not have to continue to live as a gay person after Christ comes into their heart and their life. 9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God?  Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were.  But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.  I Corinthians 6:9-11

POP 174 - My Struggle With Same Sex Attraction with William - Part 2

Tony Ingrassia is a man who has experienced an amazing metamorphosis from sexual addiction and bondage to sexual freedom and healing.   Tony was a deeply broken man for many years whose sexual addiction manifested itself through - among other things - constant lust, compulsive masturbation, pornography, strip clubs, and adulterous affairs.  Although he became a Christian at the age of 16, Tony was essentially powerless to honor God with his sexual gift for years to come.  Whenever sexual temptation would come his way - which was frequently - he would almost always yield to the temptation, and act out sexually in ways that were often in violation of his very own conscience.   Hear the amazing story of how the very powerful mercy, grace, and love of God was able to redeem the sexual brokenness of this deeply wounded man.   Convinced that many good men struggle with their sexuality, it's Tony’s hope that his story will help other men find hope and healing as they seek to bring their sexual gift under the authority of Christ.  Tony's life is living proof that purity is possible! He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.  Psalm 147:3

Tony Ingrassia is a man who has experienced an amazing metamorphosis from sexual addiction and bondage to sexual freedom and healing.   Tony was a deeply broken man for many years whose sexual addiction manifested itself through - among other things - constant lust, compulsive masturbation, pornography, strip clubs, and adulterous affairs.  Although he became a Christian at the age of 16, Tony was essentially powerless to honor God with his sexual gift for years to come.  Whenever sexual temptation would come his way - which was frequently - he would almost always yield to the temptation, and act out sexually in ways that were often in violation of his very own conscience.   Hear the amazing story of how the very powerful mercy, grace, and love of God was able to redeem the sexual brokenness of this deeply wounded man.   Convinced that many good men struggle with their sexuality, it's Tony’s hope that his story will help other men find hope and healing as they seek to bring their sexual gift under the authority of Christ.  Tony's life is living proof that purity is possible! He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.  Psalm 147:3

POP 3 - Tony's Story - Part 2

How about these for examples of SEX GONE WILD? (1) A female Lutheran Pastor who thinks we should do away with the old fashioned teachings of the Bible about sex... because those teachings cause us to have shame... and have hurt our lives. (2) The BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) has produced a video series on the topic of sex intended for school teachers in the United Kingdom to teach to 9 - 12 year old children.  Among many other lessons... these children are being taught that there are now over 100 different gender identities. (3) The news media... including People Magazine and Oprah Winfrey... have announced to the world that men can now have babies!  An example of this is a transgender "man"... who was born as a female... who has now had 3 babies.  Despite the fact that this person still has ovaries... a womb... XX chromosomes... and has had 3 babies... they're celebrated as a "man" who can now have babies! Talk about... SEX GONE WILD! In this 2 part series Tony explores how SEX inevitably GOES WILD when people reject God's Holy Word... and begin to place their own thoughts... feelings... and preferences above the opinion and voice of God. In Part 1 of this series Tony reviews the craziness of SEX GONE WILD... and in Part 2 he reflects on several Bible passages that help us understand the roots of the dilemma... and what God has to say about... SEX GONE WILD!

How about these for examples of SEX GONE WILD? (1) A female Lutheran Pastor who thinks we should do away with the old fashioned teachings of the Bible about sex... because those teachings cause us to have shame... and have hurt our lives. (2) The BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) has produced a video series on the topic of sex intended for school teachers in the United Kingdom to teach to 9 - 12 year old children.  Among many other lessons... these children are being taught that there are now over 100 different gender identities. (3) The news media... including People Magazine and Oprah Winfrey... have announced to the world that men can now have babies!  An example of this is a transgender "man"... who was born as a female... who has now had 3 babies.  Despite the fact that this person still has ovaries... a womb... XX chromosomes... and has had 3 babies... they're celebrated as a "man" who can now have babies! Talk about... SEX GONE WILD! In this 2 part series Tony explores how SEX inevitably GOES WILD when people reject God's Holy Word... and begin to place their own thoughts... feelings... and preferences above the opinion and voice of God. In Part 1 of this series Tony reviews the craziness of SEX GONE WILD... and in Part 2 he reflects on several Bible passages that help us understand the roots of the dilemma... and what God has to say about... SEX GONE WILD!

POP 197 - Sex Gone Wild - Part 2

Imagine if there was a metaphorical couple... who somehow ended up married to one another... even though they were from completely different cultures... and spoke completely different languages. No doubt this couple would have many challenges... because the way they look at things... think about things... and talk about things... would be radically different. In a very real way... this is what it's like for many... if not most couples... when it comes to the subject of sex... because it's absolutely amazing how radically different men and women can be in the ways they think... feel... and talk about sex.  It's this disparity that causes significant hurt... confusion... anger... misunderstanding... and disorientation for many couples. In this important series Tony draws upon... (1) His personal experience as a man for the past 60 years. (2) His experience working with innumerable men... as a pastor... a professional counselor... and the Director of The Power of Purity.  (3) And the wisdom of God's holy and immutable word... ... to help women gain strategic insights and understanding when it comes to men and sex. The principles Tony shares through this series might be surprising to some... if not shocking... but they will give women unusual... if not unexpected... insights into the world of men and sex. In this episode Tony shares 8 observations in the way of Introduction to the series... 12 Things Every Wife Should Know About Her Husband When It Comes To Sex 

Imagine if there was a metaphorical couple... who somehow ended up married to one another... even though they were from completely different cultures... and spoke completely different languages. No doubt this couple would have many challenges... because the way they look at things... think about things... and talk about things... would be radically different. In a very real way... this is what it's like for many... if not most couples... when it comes to the subject of sex... because it's absolutely amazing how radically different men and women can be in the ways they think... feel... and talk about sex.  It's this disparity that causes significant hurt... confusion... anger... misunderstanding... and disorientation for many couples. In this important series Tony draws upon... (1) His personal experience as a man for the past 60 years. (2) His experience working with innumerable men... as a pastor... a professional counselor... and the Director of The Power of Purity.  (3) And the wisdom of God's holy and immutable word... ... to help women gain strategic insights and understanding when it comes to men and sex. The principles Tony shares through this series might be surprising to some... if not shocking... but they will give women unusual... if not unexpected... insights into the world of men and sex. In this episode Tony shares 8 observations in the way of Introduction to the series... 12 Things Every Wife Should Know About Her Husband When It Comes To Sex

POP 126 - 12 Things Every Wife Should Know About Her Husband When It Comes To Sex - Part 1

In this episode Tony shares an intriguing story from I Samuel chapters 4 &amp; 5 in the bible... and then applies that story to the topic of SEX! In this story... the pagan Philistines defeated Israel in battle and captured the Ark of God.  They brought the Ark into the temple of their pagan god... Dagon.   The next morning their huge statue of Dagon had fallen over and was laying on his face... before the Ark of God.  So they stood him back up. The next morning Dagon had fallen over again... and was laying on his face before the Ark of God... only this time his head was broken off... and his hands were broken off! Then a great plague broke out against the people of that city... so they moved the Ark of God to another city. When the plague broke out in that city... they moved the Ark of God. again... to a third city.  When the plague broke out in that city... they finally sent the Ark of God back to Israel! What does this intriguing story in the bible teach us about SEX! Well... if you listen to this episode you'll find out Tony's application. Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.  Luke 20:18

In this episode Tony shares an intriguing story from I Samuel chapters 4 &amp; 5 in the bible... and then applies that story to the topic of SEX! In this story... the pagan Philistines defeated Israel in battle and captured the Ark of God.  They brought the Ark into the temple of their pagan god... Dagon.   The next morning their huge statue of Dagon had fallen over and was laying on his face... before the Ark of God.  So they stood him back up. The next morning Dagon had fallen over again... and was laying on his face before the Ark of God... only this time his head was broken off... and his hands were broken off! Then a great plague broke out against the people of that city... so they moved the Ark of God to another city. When the plague broke out in that city... they moved the Ark of God. again... to a third city.  When the plague broke out in that city... they finally sent the Ark of God back to Israel! What does this intriguing story in the bible teach us about SEX! Well... if you listen to this episode you'll find out Tony's application. Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.  Luke 20:18

POP 170 - Sex God's Way

Garrett Jonsson

Tony's special guest for this episode is Garrett Jonsson... and Garrett has an amazing story! After discovering pornography at the age of 9... his struggle with porn would follow him for at least the next 20 years.  But as he approached his marriage... he thought to himself... When I get married my problem with porn with go away.  But it didn't... and he continued to secretly struggle with his problem for the first 5 years of his marriage. Then... after accidentally attending a seminar on the topic of pornography... he was convicted to disclose the truth of his struggle to his wife.  This began a healing process in his heart and life that eventually led him to take some unusual and demonstrative actions to raise awareness about the dangers of pornography. These actions included his... 30 in 30 in Handcuffs... when he ran 30 full marathons in 30 consecutive days while wearing handcuffs! Coast 2 Coast in Chains... when he road his bike from from coast to coast across the United States while dragging 7 heavy chains! Garrett's inspiring story proves that a man can break free from the "handcuffs" and "chains" of pornography.   Listen... and be inspired! 

Tony's special guest for this episode is Garrett Jonsson... and Garrett has an amazing story! After discovering pornography at the age of 9... his struggle with porn would follow him for at least the next 20 years.  But as he approached his marriage... he thought to himself... When I get married my problem with porn with go away.  But it didn't... and he continued to secretly struggle with his problem for the first 5 years of his marriage. Then... after accidentally attending a seminar on the topic of pornography... he was convicted to disclose the truth of his struggle to his wife.  This began a healing process in his heart and life that eventually led him to take some unusual and demonstrative actions to raise awareness about the dangers of pornography. These actions included his... 30 in 30 in Handcuffs... when he ran 30 full marathons in 30 consecutive days while wearing handcuffs! Coast 2 Coast in Chains... when he road his bike from from coast to coast across the United States while dragging 7 heavy chains! Garrett's inspiring story proves that a man can break free from the "handcuffs" and "chains" of pornography.   Listen... and be inspired!

POP 67 - Garrett Jonsson - Part 1

On this episode Tony's special guest is Dr. Doug Weiss, Ph.D. Dr. Doug is a Licensed Psychologist and the Executive Director of Heart to Heart Counseling Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He's also the President of the American Association for Sex Addiction Therapy (AASAT).  Among many other accomplishments Dr. Doug... * Has appeared on several national talk shows including Oprah, Dr. Phil, Good Morning America, and 20/20. * Has published more than 20 books on addiction recovery as well      as many books and DVDs for marriage and youth. * Has overcome his own sexual addiction and has been successfully sober for more than 21 years.  In this episode Dr. Doug offers practical advice that will help and encourage men on their journey of purity. drdougweiss.com drdougweiss.org

On this episode Tony's special guest is Dr. Doug Weiss, Ph.D. Dr. Doug is a Licensed Psychologist and the Executive Director of Heart to Heart Counseling Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He's also the President of the American Association for Sex Addiction Therapy (AASAT).  Among many other accomplishments Dr. Doug... * Has appeared on several national talk shows including Oprah, Dr. Phil, Good Morning America, and 20/20. * Has published more than 20 books on addiction recovery as well      as many books and DVDs for marriage and youth. * Has overcome his own sexual addiction and has been successfully sober for more than 21 years.  In this episode Dr. Doug offers practical advice that will help and encourage men on their journey of purity. <a href="http://drdougweiss.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">drdougweiss.com</a> <a href="http://drdougweiss.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">drdougweiss.org</a>

POP 94 - Breaking The Power of Pornography with Dr. Doug Weiss - Part 2

The best self improvement podcast episodes. From improving productivity, to finding purpose in your life to what constitutes freedom, this topic is on anything and everything that can help people to improve their lives. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best Episodes on Self Improvement, Growth & Development

The Best Multi-Part Documentaries, with documentaries on Obama, Federer vs Nadal, the making of Star Wars, Netflix vs Blockbuster and more. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!