• #430 The Loneliness Epidemic: Why Are Christians Feeling More Isolated?
    Feb 5 2025

    Today, we’re doing something a little different! For the first time ever on the show, I’m sharing a sermon I preached at my church over a year ago. Now, before you think, Oh no, a sermon?- stick with me. Over the last couple of years, I’ve received countless messages from listeners who are feeling isolated, lonely, and disconnected. And I think this message is incredibly timely.

    The loneliness epidemic is real, and it’s affecting so many of us, especially in the wake of declining church attendance and increasing feelings of disconnection. In this sermon, I dive deep into what the Bible says about loneliness and how the church can be a source of support and community for those feeling alone.

    So, whether you're currently struggling with isolation, have stepped away from the church, or are curious about what the Bible says on the topic, I hope this message resonates with you!


    4:22 – Introduction

    • 1 Corinthians 12
    • Issues the Corinthian church faced
    • Paul’s message to the church


    13:15 – Every Gift Matters: Serving In The Body Of Christ

    • The church is the body of Christ
    • 1 Peter 4:10
    • Being good stewards of our gifts
    • There is no hierarchy of gifts


    24:26 – The Pandemic Of Loneliness

    • 50% of American adults feel lonely
    • The role of community in overcoming loneliness
    • We can be lonely with God


    35:14 – Love in Action: Building a Stronger Community Through God’s Love

    • Community is a byproduct of love
    • Being intentional alongside others
    • Ministering to someone else


    FEATURED QUOTES

    “The church cannot and should not be established on the charisma or the personality or the giftings of any one person. The church is to be built on the foundation of Jesus Christ.”

    “Some gifts may bear more responsibility and consequences than others, but you have gifts, and those gifts matter.”

    “We create these dividing lines between us based on our gifts or our roles or status or economics or whatever. And those lines are unbiblical, they're unnecessary, and they lead to chaos.”

    “Our primary goal must be the love of and pursuit of Jesus, who is the lifeblood of the body.”

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    46 mins
  • #429 How to Discern a Calling From God with Cassandra Speer of Her True Worth
    Jan 29 2025
    This week, I’m thrilled to welcome my friend, Cassandra “Cass” Speer, to the show! Cass is a bestselling author, Bible teacher, and the host of the Hard and Holy podcast. She also serves as the Vice President of Her True Worth, a global ministry dedicated to helping women find their identity and validation in Christ alone, which touches millions worldwide. Cass has a passion for offering hope and biblical encouragement to the weary and wounded, helping them navigate faith in the midst of life’s challenges. She’s currently pursuing a master’s in Biblical and Theological Studies at Denver Seminary, which is where we connected and became fast friends. I truly adore her, and I know you will too! In this episode, we’re diving into her brand-new book- Ready As You Are- which comes out next week, and it’s powerful message on faith, identity and worth. 2:08 – Cass 101 • Veteran wife and mom of 3 • Author, podcaster, and seminarian • The founding of Her True Worth 7:44 – Worth, Identity & Authenticity • The biggest misconceptions women face regarding their worth and identity • Living from worth, not for worth • Maintaining authenticity in an online ministry space • The individual impact of Her True Worth 14:07 – Ready As You Are • Readiness is faithfulness • Surrendering to God’s sufficiency • Living on mission in everyday moments • Differentiating between selfish desires and genuine God-given callings 32:24 – Final Thoughts • Surprising lessons from writing this book • God’s power has given us everything we need • Connecting with Cass • Pre-ordering your copy of Ready As You Are FEATURED QUOTES “Readiness is not about feeling qualified. It's about faithfulness and knowing that He who equips you, qualifies you and He who has commissioned you, qualifies you.” “I have so many statistics stacked against me to tell me, very validly, you should not be here. You are not ready for this- and yet God opens doors that I would never knock on.” “There really are no small things in God's kingdom.” “God makes so much of our little, if we're willing. Every moment that you're living is a miracle. Every opportunity you have is an opportunity to bring God glory.” Learn more about Cass: https://cassandraspeer.com/ Pre-order your copy of Ready As You Are: https://readyasyouare.com/ Get your copy of Her True Worth: https://www.amazon.com/Her-True-Worth-Breaking-Pleasing/dp/1400231124/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1699992124&sr=8-1 There’s Beauty In Your Brokenness Devotional https://www.thomasnelson.com/p/theres-beauty-in-your-brokenness-book/?fbclid=PAAab5MjPqTPxwgXgQVx0AMCsg3YHYp3WDPYqCQ20sgsq0eEP_VUWQ2TzW0lA Her True Worth https://hertrueworth.com/home/ Check out Cass’ podcast Hard & Holy: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hard-holy-with-cassandra-speer/id1767270286 Cass on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cassandralspeer/?hl=en Cass on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/speerandarrows/ Brittany Maher on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/brittmaher/?hl=en Connect with me: http://www.stillbeingmolly.com http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.
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    40 mins
  • #428 How to Handle Rejection with Tabitha Panariso
    Jan 22 2025
    This week, I’m joined by the lovely Tabitha Panariso. She is a licensed professional counselor, writer, speaker, and theologian, who brings counseling into the everyday fabric of life. She’s also the author of Loyal in His Love: An Invitation to Be Held by Jesus When Others Let You Go. At the heart of Tabitha’s work is a commitment to creating space for life's toughest moments and guiding others toward healing with clarity and compassion. We dive into everything today from the plots of Seinfeld to the ways we experience and process rejection- both as adults and as parents helping our kids cope with it. This is exactly the type of conversation I love having on this show, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it just as much! 2:08 – Tabitha 101 • Wife and mom • Christ-centered and trauma-informed therapist • A new author • Bonding over Seinfeld 14:13 – Redefining Acceptance • The emotional and spiritual toll of rejection • How social media can amplify feelings of rejection • A defining moment of acceptance for Tabitha • God’s unwavering love and faithfulness 23:09 – Healing Through Christ’s Compassion • Receiving the compassion that Christ has given us • Naming the pain and emotions you experience • Allowing ourselves to be dependent on God 37:24 – Modeling Faith For Your Children • How practicing self-awareness extends to parenting • Offering children a safe place • Pointing your kids to Christ over and over again • Getting your copy of Tabitha’s book FEATURED QUOTES “It's important for us to name our pain, name our feelings, because it's just like when we break a bone or when we are physically hurt- if we aren't able to acknowledge that pain, then it's only going to exasperate, it's only going to fester.” “When we can lament, when we can grieve, when we can name what's happening in us, that's us re-posturing our hearts and allowing us to be dependent on God.” “Reminding our kids where their true value lies and where their true worth lies- that is the greatest gift that we can give them.” Learn more about Tabitha: Get your copy of Loyal in His Love https://www.amazon.com/Loyal-His-Love-Invitation-Others-ebook/dp/B0CTHR9FCD Tabitha on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tabithapanariso/ Tabitha on Substack https://substack.com/@tabithapanariso Tabitha on Threads https://www.threads.net/@tabithapanariso Connect with me: http://www.stillbeingmolly.com http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.
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    46 mins
  • #427 This Changes Everything: On Cancer, Fear, Laughter & Lament with Tyler Merritt
    Jan 15 2025

    You are in for a treat this week! We are back with my good friend Tyler Merritt today, who has been on the show before. Tyler is a Nashville-based actor, author, musician, activist, cancer survivor, and founder of The Tyler Merritt Project. He’s appeared in shows like Netflix’s Outer Banks, Marvel’s Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and NBC’s Young Rock.

    Tyler is also the author of the bestselling memoir I Take My Coffee Black and the children’s book A Door Made for Me. I’m thrilled to have him back on the show today to talk about his new book, This Changes Everything: A Surprisingly Funny Story About Race, Cancer, Faith, and Other Things We Don’t Talk About.

    Tyler is a true light in this world, and this conversation is packed with depth, vulnerability, and lots of laughs. I’m honored to have him back to share more of his story, and I know you’ll walk away with so much from this conversation!

    2:26 – Tyler 201

    • Tyler’s second book birthday!
    • The positive response to his first book
    • Acting projects and walking through cancer
    • Tyler’s stance on Coca-Cola

    11:31 – Finding Peace In The Present

    • Tyler’s advice for someone struggling to live in the present
    • Living in your life right now
    • Navigating fear and anxiety about the future


    22:07 – Facing Fear And Living Well

    • Why humor has been such a powerful tool for Tyler
    • Confronting your fears head on
    • Living well and loving fully


    32:33 – Learning To Lament

    • The importance of true grief
    • The legacy Tyler hopes This Changes Everything leaves
    • Getting your copy of Tyler’s book


    FEATURED QUOTES

    “There's a thing I think sometimes that we associate with, oh my gosh, how much time do we have left? What's going to happen after I'm gone? and not really taking the moment to go, I'm still here right now, and I'm so, so radically thankful that that's a thing.”

    “If tomorrow, God forbid, I was no longer here, did I love well while I was here? Did I serve well up until the very last moment?”

    “There are some things I can't change, right? But while I'm here and I have the tangible moments to do these things now, I can bring as much goodness as I can into the moments that I currently exist in, and that can be my stronghold on the fear that I might see coming against me.”

    Learn more about Tyler:

    The Tyler Merritt Project
    https://thetylermerrittproject.com/

    Get your copy of This Changes Everything
    https://www.amazon.com/This-Changes-Everything-Surprisingly-Cancer/dp/1546006966

    Tyler’s other books
    https://thetylermerrittproject.com/book/


    Tyler on Social Media:

    Youtube
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPB48_JfK-VMnYQPTYyMX5Q

    Facebook
    https://www.facebook.com/thetylermerrittproject

    Instagram
    https://www.instagram.com/thetylermerrittproject/

    X
    https://x.com/ttmproject

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    45 mins
  • #426 How the Twelve Steps Offer a Surprising Path of Transformation with Ian Morgan Cron
    Jan 8 2025
    Happy New Year! I’m SO excited to be back with you all and to kick off the year by welcoming back an incredible returning guest, Ian Morgan Cron. If you haven’t had a chance to catch his previous episode, you might recognize him as the author of The Road Back to You, or as the host of the popular Typology podcast. Ian is a psychotherapist, an Enneagram teacher, an Episcopal priest and the author of several other books. His new book releases at the end of this month, called, The Fix: How the Twelve Steps Offer a Surprising Path of Transformation for the Well-Adjusted, the Down-and-Out, and Everyone in Between. I’m thrilled to have him back on the show to share his heart behind this book and how everyone, no matter where they are in life, can benefit from the twelve steps. This conversation is rich, deep, and packed with insights you won’t want to miss! 2:38 – Ian 201 · Continuing Enneagram, coaching and podcast work · Songwriting for Netflix · Ian’s new book, The Fix 7:54 – The Genesis of The FIx · Why Ian wanted to write this book · Understanding the twelve steps · Finding the balance between powerlessness and healing 14:28 – Looking at Modern Addictions · Craving control · The need to play God · Denial as an addiction 23:07 – Hugging The Cactus · Why everyone needs to “hug the cactus” · Accepting “unacceptable” parts of yourself · The connection between self-awareness and spiritual growth · The power of the twelve steps for all walks of life 39:56 – Seeking Progress, Not Perfection · The difference between reformation and transformation · How this process has impacted Ian’s life · The role of community in the transformation process · Closing thoughts + pre-ordering your copy of The Fix FEATURED QUOTES “The 12 steps are not just for alcoholics, drug addicts, over-eaters, gamblers, spenders, shoppers or whatever…Everybody's on the addiction continuum somewhere, and everybody can experience the same liberation, joy, freedom and happiness that people that self-identify as addicts or alcoholics do.” “The one thing that stands between you and you becoming the person you want to become is the truth.” “The parts of you that you have rejected all your life- all the quote-on-quote ‘crappy, sinny stuff ‘going on in there- is actually still at work. And until you welcome it home and accept the unacceptable about yourself, you will never accept that you've been accepted by God. And that's really important work.” “There's a lot of people of faith out there who have just tried to hate themselves into becoming better people. You can't do that. You can't shame yourself, beat yourself up. You have to welcome these parts of yourself home and tell them that all of you is welcome.” Learn more about Ian: https://ianmorgancron.com/ The Typology Podcast https://www.typologypodcast.com/ Pre-order Your Copy of The Fix https://ianmorgancron.com/thefix Ian’s Other Books https://ianmorgancron.com/books Ian on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/IanMorganCron/ Ian on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ianmorgancron Ian on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianmorgancron/
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    1 hr
  • #425 Take Your Seat at The Table with Anthony O'Neal
    Dec 18 2024

    I’m so excited to welcome back Anthony O’Neal to the show! He is the national bestselling author of Debt-Free Degree, a personal finance expert, and host of the wildly popular podcast and YouTube show, The Table with Anthony O'Neal, which has garnered millions of downloads.
    For over a decade, Anthony has been challenging cultural norms, empowering individuals to live debt-free lives, break generational wealth gaps, and build true financial independence. He’s been featured on major platforms like Good Morning America, Live with Kelly and Mark, Fox and Friends, CNN, Success Magazine, and more- he’s truly everywhere!
    Join us today as we dive into the exciting details of his upcoming book, Take Your Seat at the Table: Live an Authentic Life of Abundance, Wellness, and Freedom, which is set to release in January. We talk about building a strong foundation for your life, taking control of your future, and surrounding yourself with the right people who can encourage and challenge you.
    This conversation is the perfect wrap-up to 2024, and I know you’ll walk away feeling inspired and ready to take on the new year- so let’s dive in!


    4:31 – Anthony 201

    • Stepping out on his own + giving back
    • Launching a third book
    • Living in DC


    6:31 – Take Your Seat At The Table

    • Why Anthony chose this metaphor for his book and podcast
    • The importance of building a solid foundation
    • Taking control of your life and not allowing others to dictate your decisions


    12:22 – The Power Of Vision

    • What do you want to do and where do want to go?
    • The importance of a clear vision
    • Writing down your long-term goals and working backwards


    19:21 – Embracing The Messy Table

    • Learning from failure
    • Messiness can be beautiful and meaningful
    • Embracing learning opportunities


    26:25 – Don’t Do It Alone

    • Inviting therapists, coaches and spiritual advisors to your table
    • The value of support systems
    • Connecting with Anthony

    FEATURED QUOTES

    “So many times, we allow other people to sit at the head of our tables and tell us what to do with our life and how to do things with our life, and we never take that opportunity.”

    “You have to have a vision… When you have a vision, it's even easier to invite people to your table.”

    “Failure, messiness- it's not a negative. Embrace it. Learn from it, enjoy it, laugh- just make sure that you keep moving forward.”

    Learn more about Anthony:

    https://www.anthonyoneal.com/

    Pre-order your copy of Take Your Seat At The Table

    https://www.anthonyoneal.com/takeyourseatatthetable

    Get your copy of Debt-Free Degree

    https://www.amazon.com/Debt-Free-Degree-Step-Step-Getting/dp/1942121113

    The Table with Anthony O’Neal on YouTube

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaW51g-nmLfq703TPZC7Gsg

    The Table with Anthony O’Neal Podcast

    https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-table-with-anthony-oneal/id1543458790
    Anthony on Instagram

    https://www.instagram.com/anthonyoneal/?hl=en

    Anthony on Facebook

    https://www.facebook.com/aoneal/

    Anthony on LinkedIn

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-oneal-378704207/

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    35 mins
  • #424 - Healing From the Pain of Your Past with Tori Hope Peterson
    Dec 11 2024
    This week, I’m joined by the incredible Tori Hope Petersen. She is an author, speaker, Bible teacher and fierce advocate for foster care, adoption, and vulnerable children. Raised in and out of the foster care system herself, she has dedicated her life to sharing her testimony and offering hope to others. Tori is also a wife, mom, and lover of people, with a deep appreciation for cooking, family, community, and hospitality. Tori has so many incredible insights to share about healing from the past, breaking destructive patterns, and finding lasting hope. Plus, we talk about her upcoming book, Breaking the Patterns That Break You, which is set to release on February 4th, 2025. I was so moved and inspired by this conversation and I’m so excited to share it with you! 5:36 – Tori 101 · Growing up in and out of the foster care system · Working in foster care advocacy · Releasing her first book, Fostered · Second book release in February 8:57 – Resilience and Hope · The healing Tori experienced through her track career · The power of having supportive figures in your life · The lasting impact of words and emotional abuse 15:05 – Finding Lasting Healing · Having deep self-compassion · Recognizing and addressing harmful patterns · Having trusting people around you to provide feedback 26:24 – Inviting Jesus Into The Healing Process · The misconception that Jesus is a band-aid solution · Jesus is a true healer who repairs and rebuilds · Putting in the foundational work and continuing ongoing maintenance 40:39 – Encouragement For The Healers And Hurting · Avoiding quick fixes · Being a good listener and question asker · Your life has purpose · Continuing to fight to find people who truly love you FEATURED QUOTES " That's healing- to accept sometimes the sad version of ourselves and not to try and change her.” “We think that Jesus is coming in and just slapping a band aid on it, but really that that's sometimes what his people do. That's not who Jesus is…I think we just need to change our perspective and understand that like God is coming in and he wants to truly repair the home.” “More than people need advice. People need someone to sit with them, walk with them. Listen to them.” "Your life has purpose… There's a beautiful plan for your life. God loves you and for you to stay here very well may be the thing that someone else needs.” Learn more about Tori: https://www.torihopepetersen.com/ Pre-order your copy of Breaking The Patterns https://www.amazon.com/Breaking-Patterns-That-Break-You/dp/1400250048 Get your copy of Tori’s book, Fostered https://www.amazon.com/Fostered-Womans-Powerful-Finding-through/dp/1087750970 I Love You Already Podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/67tPTqQ6uMS1WRuy4tvQyP?si=1poWQ1nMS_KbP9-GqgwrjQ&nd=1&dlsi=72a9e71cf68b4ce7 Tori on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/torihopepetersen/?hl=en Tori on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@iloveyoualready Connect with me: http://www.stillbeingmolly.com http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.
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    46 mins
  • #423 - How to Heal from S*xual Brokenness with Ashley Jameson
    Dec 4 2024

    My guest this week is the amazing Ashley Jameson. She is the Associate Director of Pure Desire Ministries- a ministry dedicated to equipping individuals and churches with the tools to heal from the impacts of sexual brokenness, addiction, and betrayal.

    She and her husband, John, discovered Pure Desire during one of the most challenging seasons of their marriage, battling the devastation caused by a pornography addiction. It’s tools and resources provided them with the support necessary to heal their marriage and family. Four years later, Ashley now leads leadership training for Pure Desire's regional group advisors nationwide, helping spread the message of recovery and healing in communities and churches across the country.
    I truly believe this conversation is one that can bring hope, healing, and freedom to so many. Let’s dive in!


    3:23 – Ashley 101

    • Discovering her husband’s addiction
    • How Purse Desire’s resources helped her family
    • Joining the Pure Desire team


    6:22 – The Realities Of Addiction

    • The latest stats on Christian pornography use
    • The lack of churches addressing this issue
    • The unique challenges women face with pornography addiction


    12:42 – Breaking The Silence

    • The importance of normalizing these conversations
    • Impactful resources you can offer your congregation
    • How compulsive sexual behavior rewires the brain
    • The need for churches to become educated and equipped to handle these challenges


    21:41 – The Neurological Impact Of Pornography

    • Having open conversations as a family
    • Early exposure to harmful content
    • How repeated exposure rewires the brain

    32:23 – Taking Steps Toward Healing

    • The steps churches can take to become supportive environments
    • Resources available through Pure Desire
    • Getting help for betrayal trauma
    • Practical first steps for women struggling with pornography


    FEATURED QUOTES

    “The newest numbers are showing that 75% of Christian men are looking at pornography, 40% of Christian women, and it's also saying that 82% of Christians are saying that nobody is helping them avoid pornography.”

    “We don't have to be afraid to talk about these things in a church or as leaders or as parents, because this stuff is already happening. What we're doing is just bringing it to light so we can start sifting through it and figuring out how to be part of the solution.”

    “My number one recommendation would be, do not go another day without having a plan of at least sharing it with one safe person who you can say, ‘will you walk with me as I try to figure out what my next step is?’”

    Learn more about Ashley:

    Pure Desire Ministries

    https://puredesire.org/

    Pure Desire’s Resources

    https://puredesire.org/resources/

    Unfiltered: Real Talk About Sex and Love Podcast

    https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unfiltered-real-talk-about-sex-love/id1749351656

    Get in touch with Pure Desire

    (503) 489-0230

    groups@puredesire.org

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    45 mins