Have you ever wondered how we ended up in a world where masculinity gets a bad rap? You might have seen headlines like "Why Can't We Hate Men?" or come across hashtags like #KillAllMen. It's a trend that's hard to ignore, with articles titled "I Hate Men," "No Good Men," and "Are Men Necessary?" You might have also heard claims that evangelical Christian men are prime examples of toxic behaviour. However, the research tells a different story. Studies show that men who are committed to their families and attend church regularly are often the most loving husbands and dedicated fathers out there. And get this—they also have the lowest rates of divorce and domestic violence in the country.

In her book, The Toxic War On Masculinity, Pearcey takes us on a journey through history to uncover how the idea of masculinity became tangled up with negativity. But it's not all doom and gloom. She's also armed with solutions for how we can turn things around. These sociological insights challenge the stereotypes we often hear about men and show us that embracing traditional Christian values can help bridge the gap between the sexes. So, next time you come across a #KillAllMen tweet or a book bashing masculinity, remember that there's more to the story—and that there are steps we can take to create a flourishing world for everyone.

Nancy Pearcey's latest book is The Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles the Sexes. Her earlier books include Love Thy Body: Answering Hard Questions about Life and Sexuality, The Soul of Science, Saving Leonardo, Finding Truth, and two ECPA Gold Medallion Award Winners: How Now Shall We Live (coauthored with Harold Fickett and Chuck Colson) and Total Truth. Her books have been translated into 19 languages. She is a professor and scholar in residence at Houston Christian University. As a former agnostic, Pearcey has spoken at universities such as Princeton, Stanford, USC, and Dartmouth. She has been quoted in The New Yorker and Newsweek highlighted as one of the five top women apologists by Christianity Today, and hailed in The Economist as "America's pre-eminent evangelical Protestant female intellectual."

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In the journey of building meaningful relationships, it's essential to recognize the impact societal influences, like pornography, can have on our expectations. While it's often unspoken, the truth is that pornography can subtly chip away at the trust and sense of security vital for any relationship to thrive. Yet, in acknowledging this reality, we're presented with an opportunity to foster deeper connections.

Let's envision a future where trust and safety are the cornerstones of our relationships, where love flourishes and freedom reigns. It's about creating spaces where authenticity and intimacy can truly blossom. So, how do we keep porn out of our lives and relationships in a way that leads to flourishing and freedom?

This is why Layton and Chelsea Boeve, from the Liberator Podcast, join us here on episode 86. Layton and Chelsea are a married couple from Northern Michigan and are the hosts of the Liberator Podcast. The Liberator Podcast is a discussion of pornography’s hard truths through the lens of stories, science, and Scripture. They bring the perspective of both a man and a woman to remove the barriers of shame and embarrassment that stifle conversations and community around the effects of pornography.

In this episode, we discuss:

- How does porn addiction affect relationships, and how can young adults navigate open conversations with their partners about this issue?

- Breaking the stigma surrounding porn addiction can be tough. How do you think we can work together to break the stigma while still acknowledging the severity of its effects on our lives?

- Societal perceptions influenced by pornographic content can create unrealistic expectations within relationships. What do you think distinguishes positive sexuality from porn's portrayal of sex?

- When trust is compromised due to issues related to porn consumption, what steps can couples take to rebuild trust and strengthen their emotional intimacy?

- Are there any specific trust-building exercises or communication techniques that can aid in the healing process?

You can find the Liberator Podcast on Apple or Spotify Podcasts as well as through their website below.

check out the Liberator Podcast

@liberator.podcast

“In God’s Image” Video Series- Sign Up Today

In the past few months, we had the privilege to speak at various Young Adult ministries and engage in Q&A sessions. Our discussions revolved around sexuality, identity, and relationships. In this particular episode, we will be addressing the top 5 questions about healthy relationships and marriage.

In this episode we cover:

1. How to handle insecurity while being single but desiring a romantic partner.

2. How to navigate conversations about gender identity and previous sexual experiences in a romantic relationship.

3. How to prioritize God and keep Him at the centre of your life.

4. How to move forward and pursue healthy connections without being defined by past experiences.

5. How to ensure that physical intimacy aligns with holy sexuality in marriage, preventing issues like lust and maintaining healthy boundaries.

Join us in this riveting episode as we delve deep into the complexities of unresolved trauma, exploring its impact on friendships and marriages. Our expert guest, Tara Lalonde PhD, a seasoned psychotherapist and marriage counsellor, shares profound insights and practical advice for supporting individuals amid their trauma journeys. Tara recently worked with Focus On The Family Canada in producing a resource centred around helping people find Healing From Un-resolved Trauma. If you find this podcast episode helpful and want to go deeper we would highly recommend signing up for this free resource.

Episode #84 Highlights:

-Demystifying Trauma: In a world increasingly aware of trauma, our guest breaks down the concept for listeners, providing a clear understanding of what is meant when we speak of trauma and its various forms.

-Big T vs. Little T Trauma: Explore the distinctions between Big T and Little T trauma, gaining valuable insights into why these nuances matter in mental and emotional well-being.

-Procedural Maps and Life Filters: Unpack the fascinating concept of procedural maps and how they become the lenses through which we navigate life, shaping our perceptions and responses to the world around us.

-Childhood Trauma Unveiled: Understand why experiences from our formative years persist into adulthood, affecting relationships and emotional well-being…and more!

Tara Lalonde, a registered psychotherapist in Ontario, has been counselling adults and couples for over 20 years and is a lead marriage therapist with the Hope Restored marriage intensive counselling program in Ontario, Canada. She also has a private practice focusing on trauma recovery. Tara holds a doctorate in professional counselling from Liberty University and has theological training through her Master’s of Divinity in professional counselling, minoring in pastoral studies, from Tyndale Seminary. Tara has appeared on 100 Huntley Street and 700 Club along with radio programs and podcasts in Canada. She is also the author of An Unexpected Freedom: Discover Peace and Joy in the Reality of Life. She is also publishing a new book she co-authored that will be out in July 2024. Tara and her husband Vince have been married for 19 years.

For more info on the Hope Restored Marriage Intensive, click here

Welcome to the first episode of season 4 of The Union Podcast.

We frequently receive numerous inquiries about singleness, how to begin healthy relationships and the key ingredients for a successful marriage. Therefore, we have dedicated this entire fourth season to exploring these subjects. We have some outstanding guests lined up that we are confident you will enjoy.

In this episode Bonnie and Bryan cover:

-Unpacking the profound truth, "It's not good for man to be alone"

-Exploring current trends of marriage and singleness, and their impact.

-The remedy for loneliness in the church.

-Addressing the challenge of connection and fostering meaningful bonds to combat isolation.

…and more.

You may not know what Babel is but trust me, it’s all over the place. Babel is a way of thinking, speaking and living apart from God. We see its influence nowhere stronger than in the realm of sexuality. It shows itself in everything from the culture’s addiction to pornography, to even the views of marriage that some people hold, even in the church. We are so pumped to have had the opportunity to sit down with Nikki Dent and talk about her new book, BREAKING UP WITH BABEL- The Gospel Of Sex, Dating and Relating In A Culture Of Confusion.

This hope-filled and captivating teaching provides a Scripture-based perspective on sex, dating, and romance that compels Christians to walk in purity and passion. By exploring a positive and powerful theology on sex and dating, Breaking Up with Babel presents a sexual gospel that outshines the humanistic messages of broken sexuality, pornography, sex outside of marriage, and digital dating in a Babel-weary world. God's people are called to live their most fruitful lives by answering questions such as:

• How does sex affect our body, soul, and spirit?

• Why should we wait until marriage to have sex?

• Why is pornography terrible for our sex life?

• How do we date biblically in a digital world?

• Why do we need boundaries to have healthy relationships?

• How can we be restored from heartache and brokenness?

Nikki is a passionate Bible preacher who lives with her husband, Paul, and three daughters on the east coast of Australia. Paul and Nikki also serve as Pastors at Eastgate Church in Byron Bay. She has passionately taught on sex, dating, and relationships from a Christian worldview for ten years in Christian leadership academies, discipleship training schools (YWAM), churches and young adult ministries. 

Register For THE UNION YA CONFERENCE

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Follow Along With Nikki

IG- @nikkident_

Is quitting porn even possible?

We believe it is and we’ve seen it happen time and time again. It can be your reality!

Bryan sits down with Matt Cline from Restored Ministries and discuss the work he does in helping people escape sexual sin and overcome shame patterns. Matt also shares candidly his own story of porn addiction and how God lead him to freedom.

For more info on Restored Ministries visit- www.restoredministries.ca

No matter what you might have heard, there isn't a cookie-cutter way for a romantic relationship to develop. God has, however, laid out clear principles and practices that will lead to healthy relational living.

In this episode, Bryan sits down with Eric Demeter and discusses his recent book, "How Should A Christian Date".

They discuss:

- Why it is important that Christians get dating right?

- Things that Christian daters get wrong.

-How to take dating one stage at a time.

- How dating done well is tied to having a good marriage.

ERIC DEMETER (B.S., Purdue University; M.A., Bethel University) is a relationship and conflict resolution specialist with advanced studies in mediation, peacemaking and negotiation from the Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver and Peacemaker Ministries. He is currently a missionary with Youth With a Mission (YWAM) based in Athens, Greece where he disciples young people from the Middle East, and teaches conflict resolution and healthy relationships to YWAM staff and missionary students. His experiences growing up listening to heavy metal, working alongside ex-convicts, and being raised in the Roman Catholic tradition give him the ability to connect well with people of diverse belief systems. He considers every reader a friend and challenges everyone to become more like Christ in everything they do.

Stay in Touch with Eric!

IG-@ericjdemeter

Get Your Copy Of “How Should A Christian Date”

Is every marriage doomed to experience one conflict after another? Certainly not, says Dr. Ron Welch. In this practical and encouraging book, he outlines the ten specific choices you can make to minimize conflict and increase joy in your marriage.

Recently, Bryan sat down with Dr. Ron to discuss the principles of his new book “10 Choices Successful Couples Make”.

We covered questions like:
Where does a couple start the restoration process if they both feel hurt, tired, and have little hope?

How do you help a couple recognize that winning the argument isn’t the goal; loving and respecting their spouse is?

What are important strategies to practice in order to have healthy conflict in a marriage? Is there a right way to treat your spouse in an argument and a wrong way?

Whether you are engaged, newly married, or have been married for decades, you'll find that this conversation and his book will transform your relationship.

Get Your Copy Here

Dr. Ron Welch (PsyD, Central Michigan University) is the author of The Controlling Husband and serves on the faculty of Denver Seminary. With 25 years of experience in clinical psychology, Welch has developed the Transformational Marriage™ approach, which helps couples through counselling, seminars, and publications. He and his wife, Jan, live in Colorado.

Do you ever wonder if you should go back to an ex? Were they your best chance for love?

Or maybe you are wrestling with the fear that your standards are too high, but you’re not sure what to negotiate on.

Perhaps you are even sensing the need to take a hiatus from dating in general because you feel like you are losing confidence along the way.

Mandy Hale, the amazing 40 year old single woman and best-selling author of the newly released book, “Don’t Believe the Swipe” has some strong encouragement (and challenges) for you in today’s podcast episode.

We talk about:

• How your value is not connected to your relational status

• The changing landscape of dating in a digital world

• Not being afraid to define your deal-breakers and non-negotiables

• How to include a support network into your relationship decisions

You can follow Mandy online @thesinglewoman, and find more of her content at www.mandyhale.com.

Have you ever gone through a break up?

They aren’t easy. There can be so much pain and emotional anguish connected to them, especially if there have been lines crossed emotionally and sexually.

In this episode Bryan and Bonnie discuss key elements of how to respond and re-focus after a breakup, as well as fight the real lies that will try to speak to you about who you are and what is in your future.

We cover these topics:

-confronting your past

-handling memories

-walking out of shame and regret

-finding identity and purpose as a single person

-identifying true compatibility

“I didn’t sign up for this!”
“I can’t do this anymore!”
“That’s it - I’m done!”

Ever said or thought these things? Or, are you feeling disconnected, like you’re drifting apart? Marriage is challenging at times. Especially when you don’t feel equipped to face the challenges. In this episode, Bryan and Bonnie sit down with Toni Nieuwhof to discuss her new book, “Before You Split: Find What You Really Want for the Future of Your Marriage”

Toni Nieuwhof is a family law mediator, former divorce attorney, author, speaker and co-host of the Smart Family Podcast. She has been married to her husband Carey for over 30 years, and live in the greater Toronto area.

Visit Toni's Website

Get Your Copy Of Before You Split

Follow on IG- @toninieuwhof

When you are dealing with an issue of lust, should you talk to your spouse about it? (And how?)

How can you overcome the past and get freedom in your mind?

How can you grow in intimacy with your husband or wife?

How do you face the pain of feeling betrayed by your spouse’s issue with porn?

These are all questions that we tackle in this refreshingly open conversation with Brendan and Jaclyn Weidner. We’re so grateful for their transparency about their past issues with us here on the Union Podcast, and we know you’ll get some help in sorting through some of your own.

Head over to Apple Podcast, Spotify, or Google Play to listen to Episode 28. If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any of the upcoming episodes, and please do leave us a review or share, so that others will have an easier time finding us!

Comment below, and let us know what you learned!

Ready To Thrive Podcast w/ Jaclyn Weidner

It’s not all sunshine and roses, but there are some key things that we’ve learned that have made BIG differences and helped us weather storms and grow in our relationship.

Recorded the week of our wedding anniversary, we wanted to take some time to reflect on the lessons we’ve learned in our relationship.

Things like:

> not putting pressure on your spouse to make you happy all the time & getting needs met by God.

> recognizing that your marriage isn’t just about YOU, but is meant to be a reflection on earth of a divine mystery.

> having purposeful conversations and boundaries with your spouse in order to safeguard your future together.

Marriage can be challenging...scratch that, it is challenging. But it is so worth it!

In this podcast, Bryan & Bonnie Pue discuss the unique dynamics in the early years of marriage. They unpack the foundation of the powerful effect of the marriage covenant, as well as, ways to express expectations and communicate clearly.

Bryan and Bonnie Pue share some of their story of learning how to have healthy and beneficial conflict within marriage.