Resources: Elyse Fitzpatrick's website Elyse's Books Leslie's Website Leslie's Quick Start Guide In this episode, Leslie Vernick talks with Elyse Fitzpatrick the author of over 25 books on Christian living. Elyse holds a master's degree in biblical counseling from Trinity Theological Seminary and is a popular conference speaker and grandmother to six.

Discussing 'Worthy: Celebrating the Value of Women':

• Overview of Elyse's book 'Worthy.'
• The book celebrates the value of women in the church and society.
• The inspiration behind writing 'Worthy.'

Writing and Reception:

• Elyse's experiences around 2019-2020 that led to writing the book.
• Conversation with Paul Tripp and reading a blog post by Eric Shoemaker.
• The unexpected pushback received from various groups, including church leaders.

Handling Pushback:

• The surprising amount of resistance to the book's message.
• Criticisms, including the apparent lack of focus on traditional gender roles.
• Shock and discouragement faced, even being disinvited from conferences and losing publishing contracts.

The Biblical Value of Women:

• Discussion on the value of women as depicted in the Bible.
• Examples such as Hagar and the significance of her story in Genesis.

Cultural and Church Challenges:

• Examination of the church’s fear of women having power.
• The issue of power dynamics and the misuse of spiritual teachings to control.

Lessons from the Bible:

• Biblical accounts demonstrating God's use and valuing of women.
• Stories of women like Eve, Hagar, and Mary of Bethany.

Women as Co-laborers in Faith:

• The importance of recognizing women as equal contributors to the faith.
• Challenges women face in being seen as more than just traditional roles.

Jesus' Treatment of Women:

• Examples from the New Testament showing Jesus' respect and care for women.
• Stories of Jesus protecting and valuing women.

Resistance and Reconciliation:

• Different responses to sin and accountability between David and Saul.

• Importance of genuine repentance and the recognition of women's value in the community.

In this episode of Relationship Truth Unfiltered, Julie Sedenko and relationship expert Leslie Vernick tackle the tough topic of reconciliation. If you've ever wondered when or if you should reconcile in a relationship, this episode is for you. They discuss everything from the reasons why someone might separate to how to know if it's really the right time to come back together.

Why Separate?

• Leslie talks about the big reasons people choose to separate—from safety concerns to ongoing negative behavior and its impact.

Separation as a Wake-Up Call

• Separation can sometimes be a wake-up call. How do you know if it's working?

Spotting Real Change

• It's not just about saying sorry. How do you know your partner has really changed and is ready to reconcile?

Legal Stuff You Need to Know

• Separation isn't just emotional—there are legal aspects to consider. Make sure you're protected.

Grace and Boundaries

• How do you balance giving grace with setting boundaries? We discuss what you can tolerate and what’s a deal-breaker.

When It's Just Not Going to Work

• Sometimes, reconciliation isn’t possible. Leslie explains when you should consider calling it quits.

This episode, recorded last Christmas, is a reminder that you can find peace in God's presence this Christmas... even if you're dealing with a destructive relationship. In this episode, Leslie & Julie share memories of Christmas debacles and difficulties as well as very practical tips for being your best self during the holidays. Rest assured, friend, there is HOPE! He was born and He is risen. Merry Christmas!!