In today's episode of the Marriage After God podcast, Aaron interviews Melissa Dougherty, author of "Happy Lies" and Christian apologist with over 285,000 YouTube subscribers. Melissa shares her remarkable journey from New Thought spirituality to biblical Christianity after being deceived by metaphysical teachings that masqueraded as Christian wisdom. Now through her ministry, books, and videos viewed over 18 million times, she helps believers identify and reject what she calls "a stealthy message of encouragement to live your truth, seek happiness, find your identity through sexual freedom, and think your desires into existence—often with the name of Jesus attached as an endorsement."

In this enlightening conversation, we explore:

• How subtle New Thought philosophies infiltrate Christian churches by posing as "metaphysical Christianity"
• Why New Thought ideas are more dangerous to Christians than New Age concepts
• The deceptive allure of "law of attraction," toxic positivity, and manifestation teachings
• Four key questions to identify counterfeit teachings: Is it new? Is it secret? Who is emphasized? Who gets the glory?
• The connection between New Thought and modern movements like progressive Christianity and prosperity gospel
• How to differentiate between authentic biblical teachings and counterfeit theology that elevates self over Christ
• Practical ways to test spiritual concepts against the authority of Scripture

Whether you're questioning beliefs you've unknowingly adopted, supporting someone caught in deceptive teachings, or simply wanting to strengthen your discernment against what Melissa calls "happy lies," this conversation offers biblical wisdom and practical steps for recognizing truth in our self-obsessed world.

Please subscribe to our channel on YouTube, iTunes, or Spotify and leave us a star rating and review to help us reach new listeners. Your support and feedback mean the world to us!

Connect with Melissa Dougherty:

• Book: "Happy Lies: How a Movement You (Probably) Never Heard Of Shaped Our Self-Obsessed World" (Zondervan, January 2025)
• Website: https://melissadougherty.co/
• YouTube: https://youtube.com/MelissaDougherty
• Podcast: The Melissa Dougherty Podcast
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/MelissaLDougherty

Follow Marriage After God:

• Instagram: Marriage After God - https://www.instagram.com/marriageaftergod
• Instagram: Unveiled Wife - https://www.instagram.com/unveiledwife
• Instagram: Husband Revolution - https://www.instagram.com/husbandrevolution

Support this podcast:

• Shop: https://shop.marriageaftergod.com/
• Become a patron: https://marriageaftergod.com/patron

Smith Family Resources, Inc © 2025

KEY WORDS: Marriage After God, Aaron Smith, Melissa Dougherty, New Thought, New Age, biblical discernment, spiritual deception, Happy Lies, law of attraction, manifestation, prosperity gospel, Christian apologetics, biblical truth, spiritual warfare, testing spirits, divine image, metaphysical Christianity, toxic positivity, progressive Christianity, self-empowerment, spiritual counterfeits

In today's episode of the Marriage After God podcast, Aaron interviews John-Michael Bout, executive director of Into the Light Ministries and father of three. Drawing from his personal journey of addiction that began at age eight and his eventual freedom through accountability and community, John-Michael shares powerful insights about equipping families to navigate biblical sexuality in an increasingly explicit digital world. His ministry creates free resources that help parents protect their children while training them to develop spiritual integrity and discernment.

In this eye-opening conversation, we explore:

• Why the average age of pornography exposure is now eight years old and what parents can do about it
• How pornography addiction is increasingly affecting women and the unique shame they experience
• The importance of focusing on God's beautiful design for sexuality rather than just prohibitions
• Practical strategies for having age-appropriate conversations with children about sexuality
• Why simply protecting children isn't enough—they need training to navigate temptation
• How the porn industry actively targets children and the tactics they use to create early exposure
• The vital difference between protecting our children and preparing them for adulthood
• Why technology safeguards alone won't solve the problem of pornography
• The power of community support in raising children with sexual integrity
• Free resources available to help parents navigate these difficult conversations

Whether you're a parent concerned about protecting your children, a spouse supporting a partner through recovery, or someone personally struggling with pornography, this conversation offers biblical wisdom, practical tools, and hope for building a home of integrity and freedom.

Please subscribe to our channel on YouTube, iTunes, or Spotify and leave us a star rating and review to help us reach new listeners. Your support and feedback mean the world to us!

Connect with John-Michael Bout:

• Into the Light Ministries: intothelightministries.ca
• Free Resources: "Parenting and Pornography" and "TechSafe" series
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intothelight_ministries/

Follow Marriage After God:

• Instagram: Marriage After God - https://www.instagram.com/marriageaftergod
• Instagram: Unveiled Wife - https://www.instagram.com/unveiledwife
• Instagram: Husband Revolution - https://www.instagram.com/husbandrevolution

Support this podcast:

• Shop: https://shop.marriageaftergod.com/
• Become a patron: https://marriageaftergod.com/patron

Smith Family Resources, Inc © 2025

KEY WORDS: Marriage After God, Aaron Smith, John-Michael Bout, Into the Light Ministries, pornography, biblical sexuality, parenting resources, digital integrity, family protection, children's discipleship, technology safeguards, sexual purity, Christian parenting, media discernment, spiritual formation

In today's episode of the Marriage After God podcast, Aaron interviews Mike and Holly Worley, founders of Spark Discipleship. High school sweethearts who have been married for 16 years, they share their journey through the challenges of early marriage, healing from past trauma, and discovering the power of authentic community. With three children and a passion for discipleship, the Worleys candidly discuss the mistakes they made and the lessons they learned about building a thriving marriage centered on Christ.

In this vulnerable conversation, we explore:

• How being a safe person for your spouse creates space for healing from past trauma
• The three critical mistakes many couples make early in marriage that can limit growth
• Why simply attending church isn't enough—true commitment means active participation
• The difference between having friends and having authentic Christian community
• Practical steps for finding and pursuing mentorship from older, wiser couples
• How marriage becomes richer and deeper through years of sanctification together
• The importance of walking alongside others in their struggles rather than trying to fix them
• Why healthy marriages are meant to be disciple-making partnerships
• The healing process that happens when couples work through past trauma together
• How vulnerability and honesty open the door to genuine connection and growth

Whether you're newly married, struggling with past trauma, feeling isolated in your faith journey, or simply wanting to strengthen your marriage, this conversation offers biblical wisdom and practical encouragement for becoming a disciple-making couple.

Please subscribe to our channel on YouTube, iTunes, or Spotify and leave us a star rating and review to help us reach new listeners. Your support and feedback mean the world to us!

Connect with Mike & Holly Worley:

• Website: sparkdiscipleship.com
• Free Resources: "Five Practices of a Thriving Marriage," "Weekly Huddle Guide," and "Investing Spiritually in Your Spouse"
• Ministry: Helping couples build thriving marriages through church commitment, authentic community, and mentorship

Follow Marriage After God:

• Instagram: Marriage After God - https://www.instagram.com/marriageaftergod
• Instagram: Unveiled Wife - https://www.instagram.com/unveiledwife
• Instagram: Husband Revolution - https://www.instagram.com/husbandrevolution

Support this podcast:

• Shop: https://shop.marriageaftergod.com/
• Become a patron: https://marriageaftergod.com/patron

Smith Family Resources, Inc © 2025

KEY WORDS: Marriage After God, Aaron Smith, Mike Worley, Holly Worley, marriage mentorship, authentic community, church commitment, healing from trauma, safe relationships, biblical marriage, disciple-making couples, Spark Discipleship, marriage discipleship, Christian community, marriage sanctification