Female by Design

Stewarding Sexuality: Fresh & Transformational View Feb 27, 2023

Show notes

His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' Matthew 25

When you think about the parable of the talents your mind instantly gravitates toward stewarding your finances, your gifts, or even your health. But, have you ever thought about the faithfulness that might flow from stewarding your sexuality?

We get to steward the gift of our sexuality, with purpose and intention over the course of our life. And, faithfulness brings great benefits,including the unity that leads to fruitfulness within the context of marriage. Sex is not a duty, not a chore, not something to check off your list. It is something to enjoy, to pursue, to delight and to receive great pleasure.

Let's learn a fresh viewpoint on stewardship and experience the joy of our Master.

Related Episodes:

Great Sex Grows: Introduction, Episode 119

Great Sex Grows…When I Shift My Mindset, Episode 120

Great Sex Grows…When I Tune Into My Body, Episode 121

Great Sex Grows…When I See Sex as Fun, Episode 122

The Ripple Effect of Sex, Episode 4

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Francie is partnered with MyCounselor.Online as a resource for Biblically based counseling, including sex therapy. You'll receive a 25% discount on your first session. Click here

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Teaching Your Kids about Sex with Kristen Miele Feb 20, 2023

Show notes

We look to our Creator and see that sex is part of His creation, made with meaning, purpose and beauty. As you personally reclaim what God created and called good, the next step is to be able to have conversations with your kids.

There's never been a more vital time for intentionality as we teach, lead and invest in our children's hearts and worldview.

In today's conversation, my guest Kristen Miele will break down some of the hard questions that can cause stress for caring parents. Gain the confidence to clearly articulate answers and guide your children to understand their bodies and sexuality as it points back to our good God.

Rather than shame and silence, we can replace fear with curiosity and be empowered to have honest, consistent conversations that honor God and His gift of sexuality.

About Sex Ed Reclaimed:

Sex Ed Reclaimed existes to break the cycle of silence in the Christian world on the topic of sex with Sex Ed Reclaimed, LLC as a premier choice for adults seeking to honestly engage the next generation. Sex Ed Reclaimed specializes in God honoring and accessible sex ed for children 3 to18 years old. Find resources here.

10% off your purchase of a Sex Ex Reclaimed resource, use the code FRANCIEWINSLOW

About Kristen Miele:

Kristen Miele, founder of Sex Ed Reclaimed, has been educating youth on the topic of sex for the last 12 years. She's taught in hundreds of diverse settings including 2 different countries. Kristen has experience teaching ages 3 and up on content related to sex and sexuality. The vision for Sex Ed Reclaimed came to her in November 2021 and it became an LLC in 2022. Kristen has one daughter, Emma Joy, who is 4 years old. She's been married to Anthony since 2012. They live in Columbus, Ohio with their daughter and a very fat cat.

Related Episodes:

Shifting Culture through Music in Your Home, Episode 112

Body Talks with Kids: Clarity, Confidence and the Critical Need to Shift the Conversation, Episode 96

Body Talks with Kids: Celebrating the Body, Celebrating God, Episode 99

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Francie is partnered with MyCounselor.Online as a resource for Biblically based counseling, including sex therapy. You'll receive a 25% discount on your first session. Click here

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Sexual Celebration with Alexa PenaVega Feb 13, 2023

Show notes

Way better than anything Hollywood could ever portray, today's guest Alexa PenaVega shares her vulnerable testimony of finding more in her marriage. How do you go from a wife who really doesn't feel very excited about physical intimacy to finding celebration and joy?

In this episode, Alexa and Francie chat about the fruitfulness that has flowed from pursuing oneness, their callings as mothers to disciple their children and be the best source for all things, including sex.

Note: This episode endured technology challenges and you may note uneven audio levels. Thank you for your patience with the audio, but the contents of the conversation are filled with beautiful truth, testimony and thoughtful ideas.

About Alexa PenaVega:

You may know Alexa PenaVega as an actress from hit shows like Spy Kids. But, today you can hear more about her desire to honor her husband, Carlos PenaVega, and pursue a mutually satisfying sexual relationship. Their book, What if Love is the Point is a must-read, overflowing with both laughter and honest reflections, the PenaVegas' incredible story—from the red carpet, Spy Kids movies, and Big Time Rush to Dancing with the Stars to marriage and now parenthood will encourage you.

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Francie is partnered with MyCounselor.Online as a resource for Biblically based counseling, including sex therapy. You'll receive a 25% discount on your first session. Click here

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Before You Say "I Do" with Bethany Beal Feb 06, 2023

Show notes

All the things you wished you knew before you said I do.

Whether you're engaged, newlywed or find yourself in a mentoring relationship, this conversation will give you a fresh perspective on preparing for sex before you say, "I do."

Join this vulnerable chat as a welcome Bethany Beal, from the Girl Defined ministry and podcast.

How should you prepare for your wedding night?

What advice and resources are helpful (and how to know if it's not)?

What kinds of expectations should you set for the wedding night?

And, most importantly, this is an invitation to take a breath of fresh air and view physical intimacy as a journey that happens over the course of your marriage, not something you arrive at on your wedding night.

Tune in and get real talk about fears, insecurities, hygiene and even lubricants. Friend, this is a true girlfriend chat that I pray will bless you.

Resources Mentioned:

Sex, Purity, and the Longings of a Girl's Heart: Discovering the Beauty and Freedom of God-Defined Sexuality, by Bethany Beal and Kristen Clark

More about Bethany Beal:

Bethany Baird is a Texas born and raised girl, wife, mother of two and is the cofounder of Girl Defined Ministries. You can learn more at girldefined.com or at the Girl Defined Show.

Related Episodes:

Inner Healing, Sri Lankan Honeymoon & Sex for a Year, Episode 1

Rethinking Sex: Recovering a Biblical Lens, Episode 3

Your Wonderful Female Body Series - Episode 104 to Episode 113

Great Sex Grows Series - Episode 119 to Episode 124

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Francie is partnered with MyCounselor.Online as a resource for Biblically based counseling, including sex therapy. You'll receive a 25% discount on your first session. Click here

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The Soul of Shame, Curt Thompson

Pornography & Sexual Shame to Freedom with Joy Skarka Jan 30, 2023

Show notes

"God takes our brokenness and turns it into our passion." Joy Skarka

With vulnerability and authenticity, Joy shares her story which includes sexual trauma that led to a struggle with pornography. As a girl struggling with porn, she felt isolation and carried tremendous shame. Yet, there is help and healing. And, we are never alone in our struggle.

This episode is a rich discussion across many topics including sexuality, discipleship, singleness and pornography, with encouraging theology and an unpacking of our need to be known, loved, and to give and receive love. We all experience some sort of sexual brokeness and are far from the naked and unashamed innocence God created in the garden. Let's walk in more freedom, through vulnerability, and know that God cares about your sexuality.

Mentioned in this episode:

Authentic Intimacy

The Birds and the Bees

Good Pictures, Bad Pictures

Related Episodes:

Body Talks with Kids. Clarity, Confidence and the Critical Need to Shift the Conversation, Episode 96

Body Talks with Kids. Connecting to the Meaning of YOUR Body, Episode 97 Body Talks with Kids. Big Picture Vision, Small Phrases to Create Impact, Episode 98 Body Talks with Kids. Celebrating the Body, Celebrating God, Episode 99

More about Joy Skarka:

Joy Skarka is passionate about creating spaces to free women from sexual shame. She serves as Director of Discipleship for Authentic Intimacy, where she leads online small groups for women with unwanted sexual behavior. She coaches and teaches Christian leaders how to help women find freedom from sexual shame and pornography. I have a published chapter in Sanctified Sexuality: Valuing Sex in an Oversexed World. She is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary with a MA in Christian Education and jumped right into her doctorate. In 2021, she graduated with her Doctorate degree in Educational Ministry from DTS, focusing on helping women find freedom from sexual shame.

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Francie is partnered with MyCounselor.Online as a resource for Biblically based counseling, including sex therapy. You'll receive a 25% discount on your first session. Click here

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Merry Marriage Gift Guide

Sex Toys & Vibrators Jan 23, 2023

Show notes

What's okay for Christian marriage in the bedroom?

Maybe that's the wrong question. Married sex can be a playground, filled with creativity and adventure. In this episode, we'll reframe the question and perhaps help you process and give yourself permission for a little bit of adventure and freedom in your marriage bed. God created you in a wonderful way and designed married intimacy as celebration.

The bodies of a husband and wife are designed to fit together perfectly and there isn't a mandate saying you need to add anything. Sex toys are simply tools that you can introduce to your married intimacy "menu." Consider these thoughts on sex toys as you process what is good for your marriage.

Related Episodes:

Re-framing Novelty- How Monogamy Doesn't Equal Monotony, Episode 85 Becoming Sexually Adventurous - Pt. 2 with Dr. Glenn and Phyllis Hill, Episode 132

Invitation to Discover Your Wonderful Female Body, Episode 104

Your Wonderful Female Body - Clitoris, Episode 105

Your Wonderful Female Body - G-spot, Episode 106

Your Wonderful Female Body - Erogenous Zones, Episode 107

Your Wonderful Female Body - 4 Stages of Sexual Response, Episode 108

Your Wonderful Female Body - Sexual Desire, Episode 109

Your Wonderful Female Body - Sexual Arousal, Episode 110

Your Wonderful Female Body - Orgasm Pt. 1, Episode 111

Your Wonderful Female Body - Orgasm Pt. 2, Episode 113

Resources mentioned:

We Vibe

Married Dance - use code MerryMarriage for savings

Unlock Your Orgasm: Through a Christian Lens, Bonny Burns

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Sex Chat for Christian Wives podcast

Pleasure & Orgasm with Bonny Burns Jan 16, 2023

Show notes

Are you tuned into your female body? Often, even bringing up the topic of the clitoris or vagina can cause Christian women to shut down. As Bonny shares, when you have education about something, it becomes less scary. And, yet, most women don't have much understanding of their genitalia.

Bonny breaks down the science and the scriptures to give you permission to know your body and understand how your amazing female body works. In this chat we talk about anatomy, desire, low drives/high drives, growth mindset, loving your female body, arousal, orgasm, communication and shifting gears toward more mutual satisfaction in the bedroom and so much more. Bonny is the mentor we all want on these topics.

More about Bonny Burns:

Bonny Burns works to empower the wife with low sexual interest, little sex drive, and possibly a sexless marriage through science, scripture, and stories. She writes at oysterbed7.com and podcasts at Sex Chat for Christian Wives. You can find her ministry to women who have experienced sexual betrayal at strongwives.com. She earned a Christian Counseling certification (not licensure) in 2015 and in December, 2019, she completed a Bachelor of Science in counseling psychology from Liberty University. She is married to Dave for over 30 years and is a mother to three adult sons.

Mentioned in this episode:

Unlock Your Orgasm: Through a Christian Lens, Bonny Burns

Strong Wives

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Our Bodies Tell God's Story: Discovering the Divine Plan for Love, Sex and Gender by Christopher West

Your Good Body with Alisa Keeton Jan 09, 2023

Show notes

We are having some real talk about the body. And, you'll hear from a dear friend and mentor, Alisa Keeton, as we talk about the wisdom of knowing yourself and acknowledging your body. Jesus came in a body, to love and serve through a physical body. There is a purpose of both the body and the spirit, yet we tend to overemphasize one or the other, neglecting the importance of how God designed us.

What would it look like to get free, become more kind toward your body and get in tune with the meaning and purpose of your body? Listen in and be equipped and encouraged as you find freedom and take steps toward honoring your body, even if you have been walking in shame, disdain or trauma for years. Reclaim what is good and beautiful, sweet friend.

About Alisa Keeton

Author, speaker, and freedom bringer. Alisa's life's journey is to make healthy disciples who make healthy disciples. She believes in the power of the body – the Body Of Christ – where many unique parts come together to make up one complete whole. She is a small-framed woman with a God-sized dream. Learn more about Alisa at alisakeeton.com and her ministry at revelationwellness.org.

Mentioned in this episode:

Revelation Wellness

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Francie is partnered with MyCounselor.Online as a resource for Biblically based counseling, including sex therapy. You'll receive a 25% discount on your first session. Click here

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Anchored: How to Befriend Your Nervous System Using Polyvagal Theory, Deb Dana

Finding Breakthrough from Anxiety Jan 02, 2023

Show notes

The body keeps the score.

God designed your body with great intention and care. We need body awareness, knowing that God created us mind, spirit and body.

Yet, accumulated stress and a lack of ability to name what is happening can cause the body to shut down. In this episode, hear my personal journey with anxiety, how my body started crying out, and how I came to discern anxiety and learn tools to find true breakthroughs. Tune in as I share resources that have been tremendous in providing awareness and healing in my own life (and in my home).

Let's learn to honor the story of the body.

Mentioned in this episode:

Try Softer, Aundi Kolber

Centering Prayer App

Revelation Wellness

Related Episode:

Sex as a Stress Reliever, Episode 89

Making Space for Margin and Rest, Episode 101

You're Invited:

Francie is partnered with MyCounselor.Online as a resource for Biblically based counseling, including sex therapy. You'll receive a 25% discount on your first session. Click here

Connect with Francie: