Pure Desire Summit 2026, Rise and Rebuild

Curt Thompson, MD, is a board certified psychiatrist, author, speaker, and co-host of The Being Known Podcast. He has been in private practice for over 30 years in Falls Church, Virginia, graduated from Wright State University’s Boonshoft School of Medicine, and completed his psychiatric residency at Temple University Hospital. He strives to help patients develop flourishing lives by telling their stories more truly, in order to become more deeply known, for the purpose of creating beauty and goodness in the world. With conviction and humor, he trains clinicians and speaks at workshops, retreats and conferences, integrating neuroscience, human relationships and Christian faith. He and his wife Phyllis are the parents of two adult children and live in Northern Virginia.

Sean McDowell is a professor of Apologetics at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. He has earned two Master's degrees in philosophy and theology and his Ph.D. in Apologetics and Worldview Studies. He is the author, editor, or co-author of more than 20 books including More Than A Carpenter, Chasing Love, End the Stalemate, and The Fate of the Apostles. He is the co-host of the Think Biblically podcast–one of the most popular podcasts on the intersection of faith and culture. Sean has one of the top apologetics YouTube channels. He is an internationally renowned speaker. And he is on the teaching team at his home church in southern California.

Michelle Mays is a Licensed Professional Counselor and expert in treating sexual betrayal and trauma. She is the founder of the Relational Recovery Institute in Northern Virginia outside of DC and the creator of the ground-breaking Braving Hope® Coaching program for individuals recovering from betrayal trauma.

Michelle has created a new attachment-based approach called The Braving Model™ to address the devastating dilemma that betrayed partners face when their significant other is unsafe to connect to, yet connection is the key to healing. She offers professional training and certification in the model to therapists treating partner betrayal trauma.

Michelle is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Supervisor in both Virginia and Washington DC, and a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist and Supervisor. She was trained by Pia Mellody in the Post Induction Therapy model for treating developmental trauma and is a Certified Professional Coach.