If you grew up in church communities shaped by evangelical or conservative values, chances are you were taught a version of modesty that sounded holy — but left you feeling ashamed, disconnected from your body, or even afraid of your own beauty. In this episode, we're naming what many of us lived: the modesty messages that told us our bodies were dangerous, that our presence might cause someone else to stumble, and that it was up to us to manage everyone else’s purity. It’s the start of a new series — Lies I Believed — and we're beginning by gently unpacking the messages that formed us, and opening the door to healing and renewal. Inside this conversation: - Why modesty became more about fear than freedom - The roots of shame many of us inherited from purity culture - How these beliefs still show up in our bodies, marriages, and parenting - What it means to reclaim a biblical vision of beauty, dignity, and pleasure This episode isn’t about swinging the pendulum or pushing a new dress code — it’s about rethinking how we see our bodies through God’s eyes, and creating space to disciple our daughters differently. Resources and Invitation to Go Deeper: Growth Courses 101 Strong Foundations for Married Sex, here 201 Pleasure and Orgasm: Passion and Practicals, here Before (And After) I Do, here Get Connected Inside the Circle Group Mentorship Keep learning and get direct access to Francie! Join the Circle group mentorship. Inside the Circle, we talk practicals and get support to grow. Learn more here: The Circle Donate to keep the message moving: Your one time donation will allow us to continue to produce and distribute teaching and resources. Thank you for partnering with us! Donate here. Connect with Francie: Receive Francie’s weekly newsletter
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238. Why I Struggled to Read Sex Books (and How I Healed)
As a newlywed, I wanted to grow in intimacy—but even reading a sex book felt terrifying. In this episode, I share how my early years of marriage were marked by fear, shame, and resistance around learning about sex. Even though my heart longed for connection, my nervous system was on high alert. I used to hide sex books inside other books at the bookstore—because I was afraid someone would see me learning. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed or ashamed when it comes to sex ed (even in marriage!), you’re not alone. This episode is full of honesty, healing, and hope. What you’ll hear: The cultural messages that made sex feel scary and shameful Why I dissociated from my body—and how I began to reconnect How sex books became a surprising tool for healing The power of patient love and growing vocabulary in marriage Mentioned Resources: Enjoy! The Gift of Sexual Pleasure for Women – Joyce & Cliff Penner Getting Your Sex Life Off to a Great Start – Cliff & Joyce Penner Resources and Invitation to Go Deeper: Growth Courses 101 Strong Foundations for Married Sex, here 201 Pleasure and Orgasm: Passion and Practicals, here Before (And After) I Do, here Get Connected Inside the Circle Group Mentorship Keep learning and get direct access to Francie! Join the Circle group mentorship. Inside the Circle, we talk practicals and get support to grow. Learn more here: The Circle Donate to keep the message moving with Francie Winslow: Your one time donation will allow us to continue to produce and distribute teaching and resources. Thank you for partnering with us! Donate here. Connect with Francie: Receive Francie’s weekly newsletter
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237. Back to the Garden of Pleasure
What if pleasure isn’t a problem, but part of God’s design? In this foundational episode of Female by Design, I’m taking us back to the beginning—back to the garden. We’ll explore God’s original blueprint for our bodies, our senses, and our experience of intimacy, all rooted in the creation story. I’ll also share more of my personal journey of healing and how the word “pleasure” went from feeling shameful… to sacred. What you'll hear: Why I renamed the podcast and what’s shifting How God began renewing my mind about pleasure What Genesis 2 really reveals about our design Why understanding the garden is key to healing our sexuality This is a vulnerable, Scripture-soaked, hope-filled episode—and a powerful reset for where we’re headed together. I’m so glad you’re here. Resources and Invitation to Go Deeper: Growth Courses 101 Strong Foundations for Married Sex, here 201 Pleasure and Orgasm: Passion and Practicals, here Before (And After) I Do, here Get Connected Inside the Circle Group Mentorship Keep learning and get direct access to Francie! Join the Circle group mentorship. Inside the Circle, we talk practicals and get support to grow. Learn more here: The Circle Donate to keep the message moving with Francie Winslow: Your one time donation will allow us to continue to produce and distribute teaching and resources. Thank you for partnering with us! Donate here. Connect with Francie: Receive Francie’s weekly newsletter
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236. A Fresh Chapter: Female by Design
Welcome to Female by Design – the new name and expanded vision for this space. In today’s episode, Francie shares the personal journey behind this transition from Heaven in Your Home to Female by Design. You’ll hear the heart behind the name, the holy hunger for wholeness that’s grown over the years, and the fresh invitation to live fully alive—body, mind, and spirit. This is more than a rebrand. It’s a renewal. A reclaiming. A deepening of the call to explore God’s design for femininity, sexuality, and spiritual intimacy. What to Expect: Francie’s vulnerable story of growth and hunger Why this new name matters What’s staying the same, and what’s expanding A vision for female flourishing by God’s design Take a deep breath and step into the new season with us. We’re so glad you’re here. Resources and Invitation to Go Deeper: Growth Courses 101 Strong Foundations for Married Sex, here 201 Pleasure and Orgasm: Passion and Practicals, here Before (And After) I Do, here Get Connected Inside the Circle Group Mentorship Keep learning and get direct access to Francie! Join the Circle group mentorship. Inside the Circle, we talk practicals and get support to grow. Learn more here: The Circle Donate to keep the message moving with Francie Winslow: Your one time donation will allow us to continue to produce and distribute teaching and resources. Thank you for partnering with us! Donate here. Connect with Francie: Receive Francie’s weekly newsletter
In this final episode of the Intentional Intimacy series, Francie invites you to reflect, remember, and recalibrate. Over the past nine weeks, we’ve explored simple yet powerful practices to foster deeper connection in your marriage. Today’s episode offers a tenth—and essential—idea: pausing to remember what has worked, what has blessed your marriage, and what you want to carry into the next season. Whether it’s kisses in the kitchen, body awareness, or shared breath, this episode will help you name the rhythms that bring life and intimacy, and gently let go of what didn’t fit this season. Francie also shares how she and Wyatt use this simple rhythm in their own marriage and why remembering is more than nostalgic—it's a spiritual discipline that breeds gratitude, clarity, and hope. Listen in and be encouraged to swim against the current of busyness and towards intentional connection. Resources and Invitation to Go Deeper: Growth Courses 101 Strong Foundations for Married Sex, here 201 Pleasure and Orgasm: Passion and Practicals, here Before (And After) I Do, here Get Connected Inside the Circle Group Mentorship Keep learning and get direct access to Francie! Join the Circle group mentorship. Inside the Circle, we talk practicals and get support to grow. Learn more here: The Circle Donate to Heaven in Your Home: Your one time donation will allow us to continue to produce and distribute teaching and resources. Thank you for partnering with us! Donate here. Connect with Francie: Receive Francie’s weekly newsletter
An honest space for female flourishing. Together we’ll explore sexuality and spirituality by God’s design, healing our relationship with pleasure, our bodies, and our identity as image-bearers. Let’s take a deep breath and step into God’s invitation to live fully alive—mind, body, and spirit.
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