Each year I love sharing with you some of my favorite things – books, podcasts, and organizations I’ve enjoyed reading, listening to, and being connected with during the year.

There’s a plethora (that means a LOT!) of stuff out there. Perhaps this list will help you find a resource you didn’t know about before.

Books

I usually have a few books on the table beside me. I read almost every evening.

And here are some of my favorites I’ve read this year. (Some of them were published a few years ago but are new to me.)

• The Deepest Place: Suffering and the Formation of Hope by Dr. Curt Thompson (Zondervan, 2023). A gentle but unashamed look at our experience of suffering as humans, what God does with our suffering, and the ingredients through which hope can be born. Deeply moving.
• Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense by N.T. Wright (HarperOne, Reprint Edition, 2021). In the style of C.S. Lewis’ Mere Christianity, this updated classic from one of my favorite authors clarifies the essentials of the Christian faith in an engaging way, and in a style perfect for our contemporary culture.
• Our Bodies Tell God’s Story: Discovering the Divine Plan for Love, Sex, and Gender by Christopher West (Brazos Press, 2020). An accessible and clear presentation of St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body presented for a Protestant audience. This book clearly shows the Why behind following God’s plan for our bodies, sex, and marriage.
• Secrets of Sex and Marriage: 8 Surprises That Make all the Difference by Shaunti Feldhein and Dr. Michael Sytsma (Bethany House, 2023). Research based but easy to read – and act on. If your married sex life isn’t great, this will help you understand why, and what to do about it.
• A Faith That Will Not Fail: 10 Practices to Build Up Your Faith When Your World Is Falling Apart by Michele Cushatt (Zondervan, 2023). No stranger to suffering herself, the author shares simple and practical life practices that will strengthen your walk with God in the middle of really hard things.
• Happily Even After: Let God Redeem Your Marriage by Dannah Gresh (Moody, 2023). Born out of her own long and hard story of working through the pain of betrayal, Dannah shows you how to forgive, live with joy, and participate in your husband’s redemption story.
• Made for People: Why We Drift into Loneliness and How to Fight for a Life of Friendship by Justin Whitmel Earley (Zondervan, 2023). Of all the recommendations I give to people, they find it hardest to connect with a few other growing followers of Jesus. This book helps explain why, and how you can overcome those barriers to connection.
• When Narcissism Comes to Church: Healing Your Community From Emotional and Spiritual Abuse by Chuck DeGroat (IVP, 2022). A truthful and compassionate look at the narcissism that wreaks havoc in too many families, marriages, – and in leaders and church systems. As painful as the reality is, this book shows what to do about it.
• Purposefooled: Why Chasing Your Dreams, Finding Your Calling, and Reaching for Greatness Will Never Be Enough by Kelly Needham (Thomas Nelson, 2923). If you’ve felt tired, disappointed, and frustrated at your failure to “fulfill your purpose,” this book will show you a more excellent way. Refreshing.
• You’re Only Human: How Your Limits Reflect God’s Design and Why That’s Good News by Dr. Kelly Kapic (Brazos Press, 2022). God never asked – or expected – you to do it all. Here you’ll find theologically rich and humanly refreshing perspectives on our drive to accomplish, why that never works out well, and how to live as a human being.
• Building True Intimacy: Creating a Connection That Stands the Test of Time by Joanna Raabsmith, Matthew Raabsmith, and Dan Drake (Independent, 2023). Building a resilient relationship takes a lot. This book introduces the Intimacy Pyramid – a clear and practical framework for building intimacy, or rebuilding it after it’s broken.
• A Gentleman in Moscow: A Novel by Amor Towles (Penguin Books, 2019). I rarely read, and even more rarely recommend, novels. I read this one on a recommendation and I loved it. A totally engaging look at post-WWII Russia and Europe, along with an insightful study of humanity, longing, and patience. You’ll finish reading this one.

Podcasts

I’m quite voracious in consuming podcasts. You can gain an education while you jog, drive, or clean the house. I keep my podcast feed full with these nourishing resources.

• Ransomed Heart with John Eldredge. Conversations about the life of the heart, and the ongoing restoration God intends us to all experience.
• Being Known Podcast, with Curt Thompson MD and Pepper Sweeney. Conversations about the mind, spiritual formation, and interpersonal neurobiology. One of the most life-changing podcasts I’ve encountered.
• Theology in the Raw, with Preston Sprinkle. Just as the title says – raw. While there may be moments I may not agree, the challenging topics and passionate guests enlighten and make me think.
• The Emotionally Healthy Leader, with Pete Scazzero. Exploring themes around spiritual authenticity and growth in the Christian life and church. I don’t miss an episode.
• Java with Juli, from Authentic Intimacy. Conversations about sexuality, intimacy, and culture from a solidly Biblical worldview. Unafraid to “go there!”
• Rule of Life by Practicing the Way, with John Mark Comer, friends, and guests. Guiding you in arranging your life as you apprentice under Jesus in the 21^st
• The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast. Interviews with top leaders from the church, business, and culture about leadership, change, and personal growth.
• Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast. Practical insights from the leader of one of the largest multi-site church organizations in America.
• Relationship Prescriptions with Dr Carol. OK, shameless self-promotion. This is my weekly podcast about the deeper matters of the heart around relationships with each other and with God, and I’d love you to join me! And you can also watch the video versions on our YouTube channel.

Other Organizations

Here are some organizations I connect with, believe in, and am glad to recommend.

• Christian Healthcare Ministries– believers helping to share the costs of medical care for each other. (I am honored to be a member of the Board of Directors.)
• Emotionally Healthy Discipleship– helping believers move from shallow Christianity to depth in Christ. At least take the free personal assessment on their website, and discover if you’re a spiritual/emotional infant, child, adolescent, or adult.
• Compassion International– releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name. (I sponsor a precious child in Columbia, Luz Esther.)
• Charity Water– they do water – and charity – right. I love donating to this organization.
• Covenant Eyes– amazing organization providing help for those who want to break free from pornography and related sexual bondage. (Use code DrCarol for a free month.)
• Be Broken– Helping men and women find freedom from a life of sexual brokenness and addiction.
• SHE Recovery – resources and online community helping women seeking recovery from porn, sex, or love addiction.
• Ransomed Heart– a bunch of resources and events helping men and women regain the life of the heart as Jesus intended.
• JuicePlus+ – the only nutritional supplement I take. It’s the next best thing to fruits and vegetables.
• The Sex Talk – are you as a parent equipped to have “the talk” with your kids? This video course with top experts answers your questions and equips you to be the parent and have this decade-long conversation. (Use code DoctorCarol for 10% off.)
• Noom – a revolutionary way to control weight and get fit, providing a personalized custom plan and help to develop a healthy lifestyle.

May these resources be inspiring and fill your winter days and evenings with meaning and growth.

** Note: Listing a resource here does not imply that I or Dr Carol Ministries endorse every idea promoted in these resources. Amazon links and links to some of the organizations are affiliate links, whereby you can also support Dr Carol Ministries by purchasing from them.

Your Turn: What book, podcast, or organization do you find especially helpful? Leave a comment below.

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