Shelton and Carla Seaworth Journey

Through honesty, vulnerability, and a desire to create meaningful dialogue, Shelton and Carla Seaworth have built a platform that is helping people navigate one of life’s most important yet challenging areas—relationships. Through their company, Jay Agape, the couple hosts interactive relationship discussions designed to provide a safe and welcoming environment where individuals from all walks of life can openly discuss the realities of love, dating, marriage, communication, healing, and personal growth. Their mission is not necessarily to solve every relationship issue in one evening, but rather to simply get the conversation started. Shelton explained that one of the biggest misconceptions about their events is that people assume the discussions are only for married couples, when in reality everyone is welcome regardless of relationship status. Whether someone is single, dating, engaged, married, divorced, or even learning to love again after heartbreak, the conversations are designed to meet people where they are in life. The goal is to remove judgment and allow attendees to feel comfortable enough to discuss experiences they may otherwise keep hidden. Over time, the format of their events has evolved from simple panel discussions into highly interactive conversations where audience participation plays a major role. Each gathering is usually centered around a specific theme, often inspired by real conversations and struggles shared by attendees. One previous event focused on “having tough conversations,” where guests were encouraged to anonymously submit difficult questions regarding relationships, communication, intimacy, trust, and emotional healing. Those anonymous questions later became the foundation for future discussions, creating an atmosphere where people could be transparent without fear of embarrassment or criticism. Shelton noted that communication remains one of the most requested topics because so many relationships struggle not from a lack of love, but from misunderstandings, poor listening, and the inability to express emotions honestly. By setting the tone with openness and vulnerability, Shelton and Carla encourage others to share the things they are experiencing in their current or past relationships, creating an environment where healing and understanding can begin. Before launching these relationship-centered conversations, Jay Agape originally focused on entertainment throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area, hosting open mic nights, comedy events, poetry showcases, and music performances. However, after hosting one relationship discussion event, the impact was impossible to ignore. The couple recalled how emotional the atmosphere became, with many attendees moved to tears as deeply personal topics surfaced. Pastors, counselors, and everyday people from the community began attending and participating, expressing how badly conversations like these were needed. What started as a single event quickly grew into something people actively sought out because they had rarely seen spaces where relationships were discussed with such honesty and authenticity. While the Seaworths openly identify as Christians, they intentionally avoid making the events feel overly religious or exclusive because they want everyone to feel welcome regardless of faith background or beliefs. Carla explained that one of the reasons they chose the name Jay Agape was because agape represents unconditional love, a love that transcends judgment and embraces people as they are. Their events are designed to feel inclusive, approachable, and free from the pressure that sometimes prevents people from opening up in traditional religious settings. Rather than forcing conversations into rigid boxes, they focus on creating an atmosphere where real people can discuss real issues openly and respectfully. Event dates and locations vary depending on partnerships and venue availability, though they typically host gatherings during the third or fourth weekend of the month. For Carla, the work they do is deeply personal and spiritually driven, even though it often requires emotional vulnerability and transparency. She admitted that while she believes wholeheartedly that God called them to this assignment, it is not always easy or comfortable because many of the conversations force them to reveal pieces of their own relationship journey, including struggles they may still be healing from themselves. Instead of pretending to have a perfect marriage or all the answers, Shelton and Carla intentionally share truths that are still unfolding in their lives because they believe authenticity creates connection. Carla explained that relationships have always been one of the most talked about and sought-after topics in society because people are constantly searching for the “secret” or “cheat code” to making love work. While dating apps, social media, and countless self-help resources offer advice, the Seaworths aim to provide something deeper—wholeness, honesty, and meaningful connection. Carla also addressed the reality that some important relationship topics remain uncomfortable or taboo in certain settings, particularly within churches, where discussions surrounding intimacy and sex are often avoided despite being important parts of marriage and healthy relationships. Through these events, they hope to break down those walls and normalize open, respectful conversations about issues many people silently struggle with. The discussions not only help attendees but also strengthen Shelton and Carla’s own marriage because the conversations continue long after the events end. They often find themselves reflecting on audience questions and revisiting topics privately together, which helps them continue growing individually and as a couple. Through their experiences, they emphasize that healthy relationships are not defined by the absence of disagreements or conflict, but by the willingness to communicate, compromise, learn from one another, and grow together through challenges. Their work through Jay Agape has become more than entertainment—it has become a movement centered on healing, understanding, and helping people realize that vulnerability, communication, and grace are essential ingredients in building strong and lasting relationships.