Episode 85 - Wait… You Taught Sex Ed in Church? In 1975? | Dr. Clifford & Joyce Penner (Part 1)

Long before sex-positive podcasts and Instagram therapists, Dr. Clifford and Joyce Penner were standing in front of church groups teaching about godly, wholehearted sexuality—in 1975. Scandalous? Maybe. Transformative? Absolutely.

In Part 1 of this two-part Marriage IQ series, Dr. Heidi and Dr. Scott Hastings sit down with the Penners—authors, Christian (and other faiths) sex educators, and real-life marriage legends—to explore how a 45-minute church talk turned into a 50-year mission of helping couples embrace healthy sexuality rooted in faith, mutuality, and love.

You’ll hear the origin story of how two Mennonites became pioneers in Christian sex therapy, the five principles they've taught for decades, and why a values-based approach to sex is still relevant—and radically needed—today.

Whether you’ve been married 5 years or 50, this conversation will challenge your assumptions, inspire your intimacy, and remind you that the best is yet to come.Don’t miss Part 2 on Friday, where they share secrets to the most common issues sex therapists treat and what keeps passion alive after 64 years.