In this episode of Charting Toward Intimacy, Ellen Holloway and Kathleen Chovanes challenge the belief that husbands should always be the pursuers in marriage and explain why wives are also called to pursue. They discuss the spiritual roots of this dynamic, the fear of rejection that can hold women back, and the resentment that often keeps intimacy stalled. 

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Did we mention a book on this week's episode? Click here for our recommended books!

Reach out at instagram.com/chartingtowardintimacy/ or email us at [email protected]

In this episode of Charting Toward Intimacy, Ellen Holloway explores how to prevent scheduled sex from turning into checkbox sex. She breaks down the real reason scheduled intimacy can start to feel like a burden and teaches you how to rewire your mindset so that sex becomes something you joyfully anticipate. Using relatable analogies and spiritual reflection, Ellen offers practical tools to bring excitement, connection, and intentionality back into your intimate life. 

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Did we mention a book on this week's episode? Click here for our recommended books!

Reach out at instagram.com/chartingtowardintimacy/ or email us at [email protected]

In this episode of Charting Toward Intimacy, Ellen Holloway and Kathleen Chovanes explore the deep and often hidden impact of resentment in marriage. They discuss how unspoken feelings of unfairness and unmet expectations can slowly erode intimacy, especially in the bedroom. Through personal stories and spiritual insights, they reveal how resentment may be the true barrier to connection, not libido or effort. You’ll learn practical ways to root it out, start healing, and truly love both yourself and your spouse. 

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Did we mention a book on this week's episode? Click here for our recommended books!

Reach out at instagram.com/chartingtowardintimacy/ or email us at [email protected]

In this episode of Charting Toward Intimacy, Ellen Holloway unpacks the moral and theological considerations of stopping sex due to pain. She explains why halting the act isn’t sinful when the intention was to complete it, and emphasizes the importance of addressing the root causes of painful sex. Ellen also discusses the pain-fear-tension cycle, the potential consequences of delaying a stop, and how healing involves both pelvic floor therapy and mindset work. 

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Did we mention a book on this week's episode? Click here for our recommended books!

Reach out at instagram.com/chartingtowardintimacy/ or email us at [email protected]

 In this episode of Charting Toward Intimacy, Ellen Holloway and Kathleen Chovanes unpack the spiritual battle at the heart of intimacy, the impact of Satan’s lies on couples striving for holiness, and why struggle may actually signal sanctity. The conversation includes practical encouragement, spiritual tools like the St. Michael Prayer, and the importance of inviting God into every part of your marriage. 

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Did we mention a book on this week's episode? Click here for our recommended books!

Reach out at instagram.com/chartingtowardintimacy/ or email us at [email protected]

Join us in Want it and Enjoy it an 8 week group coaching program for Catholic women to reignite desire, pleasure, and joyful sex. Can't wait to see you inside!

In this episode of Charting Toward Intimacy, Ellen Holloway explores why simply learning about intimacy doesn't automatically lead to change in your sex life. She explains how desire and pleasure are rooted in the nervous system, why emotional safety is essential, and how true transformation requires more than just information. Ellen also shares how her eight-week coaching program, Want It and Enjoy It, provides the supportive container needed to create lasting change. 

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Did we mention a book on this week's episode? Click here for our recommended books!

Reach out at instagram.com/chartingtowardintimacy/ or email us at [email protected]

Join our email list and be the first to know about the new coaching program launching January 19, 2026. 

In this episode of Charting Toward Intimacy, Ellen Holloway addresses the common feeling of wanting to enjoy sex but not knowing how. She explores the physical, emotional, and mental roadblocks that prevent pleasure, from lack of arousal to Catholic guilt around desire. Ellen explains why pleasure is part of God’s design and not a selfish pursuit, and she offers practical steps to begin enjoying sex, including the importance of body literacy and emotional connection. 

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Did we mention a book on this week's episode? Click here for our recommended books!

Reach out at instagram.com/chartingtowardintimacy/ or email us at [email protected]

Make sure you're on our email list to be notified when the new program is available!

In this episode of Charting Toward Intimacy, Ellen Holloway addresses one of the most common struggles Catholic wives face: not wanting sex. She explains the five most common desire blocks and how to identify which one may be affecting you. Ellen also teaches the three foundational pillars that create real, lasting sexual desire. If you've been stuck in cycles of obligation or shame, this episode offers a clear path toward healing and rediscovering sexual desire in your marriage. 

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Did we mention a book on this week's episode? Click here for our recommended books!

Reach out at instagram.com/chartingtowardintimacy/ or email us at [email protected]

In this episode of Charting Toward Intimacy, Ellen Holloway and Kathleen Chovanes to explore the overwhelming experience of feeling "touched out." They dive into why this sensation happens, why husbands often don’t understand it, and how to clearly communicate your needs without causing disconnection. Practical tools like grounding techniques, body-awareness exercises, and the “10-minute unwind” are shared to help you shift from sensory overload to sexual readiness. 

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Did we mention a book on this week's episode? Click here for our recommended books!

Reach out at instagram.com/chartingtowardintimacy/ or email us at [email protected]

In this episode of Charting Toward Intimacy, Ellen Holloway unpacks how disappointment can sabotage your sex life. She explores why unmet expectations, like not receiving the Christmas gift you hoped for, often lead to resentment and sexual withdrawal. Ellen offers practical mindset shifts and clear communication strategies to help you avoid turning sex into a transactional exchange. This episode equips you to protect intimacy in your marriage and show up fully, even when things don't go as planned. 

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Did we mention a book on this week's episode? Click here for our recommended books!

Reach out at instagram.com/chartingtowardintimacy/ or email us at [email protected]