For the first time on Here For It, Pastors Aaron and Lauren sit down with guest Dr. Ashley Hudson, a Christian therapist, researcher, and mama in process who specializes in mental and sexual health. This honest and necessary conversation tackles one of the most avoided topics in church and family life: how to disciple kids and teens around sexuality without shame, fear, or silence. Dr. Hudson explains the difference between purity culture and biblical purity, reframing sexual discipleship as desire formation, not desire suppression. Instead of a one-time “talk,” she encourages parents to think in terms of ongoing, age-appropriate conversations that begin far earlier than most people expect. Aaron and Lauren bring their pastoral and parenting perspective into the conversation, sharing what they’ve learned raising teenagers, why pretending these issues do not exist causes more harm, and how safety, humor, honesty, and curiosity build trust over time. The episode also covers: • Dating boundaries for Christian singles • Preparing for marriage after a sex-negative upbringing • Postpartum mental health and intimacy challenges • Why many women suffer silently with sexual pain • How couples can rebuild connection through conversation and attunementThis episode is practical, theological, and pastoral, offering hope and tools for parents, couples, singles, and church leaders who want to handle this topic with wisdom and courage. In This Episode, You’ll Hear: • Why sexual discipleship starts day one, not at puberty • The difference between Purity Culture and Biblical Purity • Desire formation vs desire suppression • How to create safe, ongoing conversations with kids and teens • Why silence in church creates shame instead of holiness • Healthy boundaries for Christian dating • Preparing for marriage when your upbringing was sex-negative • Postpartum depression, intimacy pain, and why awareness matters • Why attunement, not correction, builds trust and intimacy • Practical tools parents can use right now Resources for parenting sexuality shared by Dr. Ashley Hudson Books for Kids and Families: • Good Pictures Bad Pictures Jr.: A Simple Plan to Protect Young Minds https://a.co/d/0rnomUO • God Made All of Me: A Book to Help Children Protect Their Bodies https://a.co/d/6CCsySF • God’s Design for Sex Series (4-Book Set)Stan Jones & Brenna Jones https://a.co/d/8XL4EWu • It’s So Amazing!: A Book About Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies, and Families https://a.co/d/2lDvY9wParent Resources and Tools: • Pearl In Process Resource Libraryhttps://pearlinprocess.podia.comHelpful Instagram Posts: • https://www.instagram.com/p/CoshokBMYPI/?igsh=NXdnMnFuNjJyMWVn • https://www.instagram.com/p/CovGmBGBATm/?igsh=MWlxeGYwMXhmcDRwNA== Helpful Reminder:Nature and wildlife provide natural, organic opportunities to teach kids about procreation in calm, age-appropriate ways. Episode Guest Dr. Ashley Hudson Therapist | Researcher | Coach in Mental and Sexual Health Website: https://pearlinprocess.com Resources: https://pearlinprocess.podia.com Instagram: @pearlinprocess
