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In this episode, Matt & Jenn respond to a husband's desperate email about his wife's loss of sexual interest. Is the re anything he can do about it?

1. A wife’s sex drive is negatively impacted by many obstacles and challenges. As a husband, don’t be another reason your wife doesn’t want to have sex!
2. Prioritize the whole relationship and the sex will almost certainly improve. Sex is best when you both feel valued, appreciated and pursued.
3. Nourish and cherish your wife. Anything you can do to reduce your wife’s stress load can allow more space for her to stoke her sexual spark of desire

Transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1253489/episodes/13014446
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The Intimate Covenant Podcast is sponsored by:

Open Door Financial Advisors www.opendoorfa.com

"Where finances meet faith and family."

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Please support these companies that support Intimate Covenant:

• Married Dance — https://marrieddance.com/?aff=29 
  Shop from this link and part of your purchase will support Intimate Covenant.  
• Coconu — http://www.coconu.com 
  Coupon Code: intimateconvenant for 15% off your purchase
• Adventure Challenge — https://www.theadventurechallenge.com
  Use coupon code: intimatecovenant for 10% off your purchase.

 To send your comments, questions and suggestions, go to our website: www.intimatecovenant.com/podcast and click on the button: “Contact the Podcast” for an ANONYMOUS submission form. Or, send an email: [email protected]
 
Thanks for sharing, rating, reviewing and subscribing!

  
  Cherishing,
  Matt & Jenn

PS — If you have been blessed by the message of this podcast, we would deeply appreciate your support by donating to our mission of spreading God’s plan for intimate marriage and holy sexuality.

Join us at Patreon: www.patreon.com/intimatecovenant

Consider a one-time gift: www.intimatecovenant.com/donate

 www.intimatecovenant.com
Intimate Covenant | Matt & Jenn Schmidt

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Sponsored by:
Open Door Financial Advisors www.opendoorfa.com
Where finances meet faith and family.
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In this episode, Matt & Jenn share several segments from previous live Q&A sessions which we haven't included in an episode before.  These leftovers won't be stale! Here's what we cover:

1. Do you have any specific tips to train yourself to stop defaulting to "logistic" conversations and encourage more emotionally connective conversations?
2. How can you differentiate between "withdrawal" and an actual medical lack of sex drive?
3. How can I overcome shame in my physical appearance that hinders me from fully giving myself to and and enjoying physical  intimacy with my spouse?
4. What can I do to keep striving towards spiritual and emotional intimacy when my husband is not interested in implementing practical ways to do so?
5. What are the limits of appropriate conversations about sex and intimacy with other Christian friends?
6. What are some ways of connecting during the day with my spouse? Because of our jobs, we rarely ever wake up or go to bed at the same time.
7. Have you found that with pursuer/responder, couples can sometimes be both at different times?
8. When healing from sexual trauma within the relationship, would boundaries help or harm the healing process?

Please support these companies that support Intimate Covenant:

• Married Dance — https://marrieddance.com/?aff=29 
  Shop from this link and part of your purchase will support Intimate Covenant.  
• Coconu — http://www.coconu.com 
  Coupon Code: intimateconvenant for 15% off your purchase
• Adventure Challenge — https://www.theadventurechallenge.com
  Use coupon code: intimatecovenant for 10% off your purchase.

 To send your comments, questions and suggestions, go to our website: www.intimatecovenant.com/podcast and click on the button: “Contact the Podcast” for an ANONYMOUS submission form. Or, send an email: [email protected]
 
Thanks for sharing, rating, reviewing and subscribing!

  
  Cherishing,
  Matt & Jenn

PS — If you have been blessed by the message of this podcast, we would deeply appreciate your support by donating to our mission of spreading God’s plan for intimate marriage and holy sexuality.

Join us at Patreon: www.patreon.com/intimatecovenant
Consider a one-time gift: www.intimatecovenant.com/donate

 www.intimatecovenant.com
Intimate Covenant | Matt & Jenn Schmidt

Support the show

Send us a text

Sponsored by:
Open Door Financial Advisors www.opendoorfa.com
Where finances meet faith and family.
-----------------------------------------------

In this episode, Matt & Jenn respond to listener feedback about the impacts of sexual shame on the marriage relationship.

1. sexual shame results in sexual relationships that are disconnected & withdrawn. 
2. Sexual pursuers and responders tend to be impacted by sexual shame differently. Pursuers often bear unnecessary guilt for having sexual desire. Responders have learned to resist sexual thought or activity.
3. Intimate relationship is the ultimate antidote for shame. Co-create new meaning for sex with your Beloved.

Please support these companies that support Intimate Covenant:

• Married Dance — https://marrieddance.com/?aff=29 
  Shop from this link and part of your purchase will support Intimate Covenant.  
• Coconu — http://www.coconu.com 
  Coupon Code: intimateconvenant for 15% off your purchase
• Adventure Challenge — https://www.theadventurechallenge.com
  Use coupon code: intimatecovenant for 10% off your purchase.

 To send your comments, questions and suggestions, go to our website: www.intimatecovenant.com/podcast and click on the button: “Contact the Podcast” for an ANONYMOUS submission form. Or, send an email: [email protected]
 
Thanks for sharing, rating, reviewing and subscribing!

  
  Cherishing,
  Matt & Jenn

PS — If you have been blessed by the message of this podcast, we would deeply appreciate your support by donating to our mission of spreading God’s plan for intimate marriage and holy sexuality.

Join us at Patreon: www.patreon.com/intimatecovenant
Consider a one-time gift: www.intimatecovenant.com/donate

 www.intimatecovenant.com
Intimate Covenant | Matt & Jenn Schmidt

Support the show

Send us a text

Sponsored by:
Open Door Financial Advisors www.opendoorfa.com
Where finances meet faith and family.
-----------------------------------------------

In this episode, Matt & Jenn respond to two listener emails about one-sided sex and asking your spouse for orgasm. 

1. The purpose of sexual desire is to point us toward intimate connection with God and with each other. When we fail to see the spiritual significance of sex, we miss the opportunity for fullness of pleasure and intimacy.
2. Present circumstances may limit how my sexual availability is manifested; but I must always offer the fulness of what I have to give — physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally.
3. Conversations about sexual expectations can help avoid disappointment and resentment.

Please support these companies that support Intimate Covenant:

• Married Dance — https://marrieddance.com/?aff=29 
  Shop from this link and part of your purchase will support Intimate Covenant.  
• Coconu — http://www.coconu.com 
  Coupon Code: intimateconvenant for 15% off your purchase
• Adventure Challenge — https://www.theadventurechallenge.com
  Use coupon code: intimatecovenant for 10% off your purchase.

 To send your comments, questions and suggestions, go to our website: www.intimatecovenant.com/podcast and click on the button: “Contact the Podcast” for an ANONYMOUS submission form. Or, send an email: [email protected]
 
Thanks for sharing, rating, reviewing and subscribing!

  
  Cherishing,
  Matt & Jenn

PS — If you have been blessed by the message of this podcast, we would deeply appreciate your support by donating to our mission of spreading God’s plan for intimate marriage and holy sexuality.

Join us at Patreon: www.patreon.com/intimatecovenant
Consider a one-time gift: www.intimatecovenant.com/donate

 www.intimatecovenant.com
Intimate Covenant | Matt & Jenn Schmidt

Support the show

Send us a text

Sponsored by:
Open Door Financial Advisors --  www.opendoorfa.com
Where finances meet faith and family.

-----------------------------------------------
In this episode, Matt & Jenn discuss the biblical principles that should govern the use of sex toys in the holy marriage bed. 

1. The Bible does not specifically address the use of sex toys in the marriage bed. But, even without a specific prohibition, careful consideration and wisdom are indicated.
2. Sex toys can be useful for couples to inject an occasional element of novelty and "spice" into their sexual routines.
3. Couples who suffer from sexual challenges or dysfunctions may use sex toys as an aid to help bring sexual pleasure and connection back into their relationship.
4. However, there is great danger for the relationship if a couple (or individual spouse) is using sex toys as a substitution for intimacy or a short-cut to avoid physical or emotional arousal.

Please support these companies that support Intimate Covenant:

• Married Dance — https://marrieddance.com/?aff=29 
  Shop from this link and part of your purchase will support Intimate Covenant.  
• Coconu — http://www.coconu.com 
  Coupon Code: intimateconvenant for 15% off your purchase
• Adventure Challenge — https://www.theadventurechallenge.com
  Use coupon code: intimatecovenant for 10% off your purchase.

 To send your comments, questions and suggestions, go to our website: www.intimatecovenant.com/podcast and click on the button: “Contact the Podcast” for an ANONYMOUS submission form. Or, send an email: [email protected]
 
Thanks for sharing, rating, reviewing and subscribing!

  
  Cherishing,
  Matt & Jenn

PS — If you have been blessed by the message of this podcast, we would deeply appreciate your support by donating to our mission of spreading God’s plan for intimate marriage and holy sexuality.

Join us at Patreon: www.patreon.com/intimatecovenant
Consider a one-time gift: www.intimatecovenant.com/donate

 www.intimatecovenant.com
Intimate Covenant | Matt & Jenn Schmidt

Support the show

Send us a text

Sponsored by: Open Door Financial Advisors
www.opendoorfa.com

In this episode, Matt & Jenn answer questions posed at the 2023 Nashville Marriage Day. We had a lovely time with this group and they asked some great questions, including:

• Do you have advice on communicating when needs aren't being met without coming across as selfish or making my spouse feel like a failure?
• In an effort to spice things up, is there anything a Christian couple should steer away from to protect your minds and your intimacy?
• How do you continue being vulnerable if your spouse repeatedly gets defensive, shuts down, shifts blame, or doesn't change when you try?
• What does praying together look like?
• How do you recommend injecting sexual tension throughout the day?

Please support these companies that support Intimate Covenant:

• Married Dance — https://marrieddance.com/?aff=29 
  Shop from this link and part of your purchase will support Intimate Covenant.  
• Coconu — http://www.coconu.com 
  Coupon Code: intimateconvenant for 15% off your purchase
• Adventure Challenge — https://www.theadventurechallenge.com
  Use coupon code: intimatecovenant for 10% off your purchase.

 To send your comments, questions and suggestions, go to our website: www.intimatecovenant.com/podcast and click on the button: “Contact the Podcast” for an ANONYMOUS submission form. Or, send an email: [email protected]
 
Thanks for sharing, rating, reviewing and subscribing!

  
  Cherishing,
  Matt & Jenn

PS — If you have been blessed by the message of this podcast, we would deeply appreciate your support by donating to our mission of spreading God’s plan for intimate marriage and holy sexuality.

Join us at Patreon: www.patreon.com/intimatecovenant
Consider a one-time gift: www.intimatecovenant.com/donate

 www.intimatecovenant.com
Intimate Covenant | Matt & Jenn Schmidt

Support the show

Send us a text

Sponsored by:
Open Door Financial Advisors
www.opendoorfa.com
Where finances meet faith and family.
-----------------------------------------------

In this episode, Matt & Jenn chat with Justin Gerhardt, creator of the Holy Ghost Stories Podcast AND our special guest performer at the Intimate Covenant Annual Marriage Retreat. Justin will be performing a live storytelling for our limited audience. This year, the Retreat is September 21-23 in The Woodlands, TX. Space is limited and we are already filling up fast. Details and registration here:
www.intimatecovenant.com/retreat

If you are not already subscribed to the Holy Ghost Stories podcast, DO IT! Your vision of the Old Testament and of Yahweh, Himself, will be transformed by Justin's  textually accurate and deeply evocative storytelling.
www.holyghoststories.org

Our deep thanks to Justin, for this incredible conversation. We're delighted to share it with you!

Join us on Patreon to see the full length video recording of this conversation!
www.patreon.com/intimatecovenant



Please support these companies that support Intimate Covenant:

• Married Dance — https://marrieddance.com/?aff=29 
  Shop from this link and part of your purchase will support Intimate Covenant.  
• Coconu — http://www.coconu.com 
  Coupon Code: intimateconvenant for 15% off your purchase
• Adventure Challenge — https://www.theadventurechallenge.com
  Use coupon code: intimatecovenant for 10% off your purchase.

 To send your comments, questions and suggestions, go to our website: www.intimatecovenant.com/podcast and click on the button: “Contact the Podcast” for an ANONYMOUS submission form. Or, send an email: [email protected]
 
Thanks for sharing, rating, reviewing and subscribing!

  
  Cherishing,
  Matt & Jenn

PS — If you have been blessed by the message of this podcast, we would deeply appreciate your support by donating to our mission of spreading God’s plan for intimate marriage and holy sexuality.

Join us at Patreon: www.patreon.com/intimatecovenant

Consider a one-time gift: www.intimatecovenant.com/donate

 www.intimatecovenant.com
Intimate Covenant | Matt & Jenn Schmidt

Support the show

Send us a text

In this episode, Matt & Jenn answer some of the questions from the Tampa Marriage Day 2023.

1. Name the three greatest examples of marriage in the Bible.
2. How to have a conversation with your spouse about something they think is “dirty”?
3. What if I feel that I’ve married the wrong person?
4. What does it look like to see my spouse as the image of God and hold them in awe?

Please support these companies that support Intimate Covenant:

• Married Dance — https://marrieddance.com/?aff=29 
  Shop from this link and part of your purchase will support Intimate Covenant.  
• Coconu — http://www.coconu.com 
  Coupon Code: intimateconvenant for 15% off your purchase
• Adventure Challenge — https://www.theadventurechallenge.com
  Use coupon code: intimatecovenant for 10% off your purchase.

 To send your comments, questions and suggestions, go to our website: www.intimatecovenant.com/podcast and click on the button: “Contact the Podcast” for an ANONYMOUS submission form. Or, send an email: [email protected]
 
Thanks for sharing, rating, reviewing and subscribing!

  
  Cherishing,
  Matt & Jenn

PS — If you have been blessed by the message of this podcast, we would deeply appreciate your support by donating to our mission of spreading God’s plan for intimate marriage and holy sexuality.

Join us at Patreon: www.patreon.com/intimatecovenant

Consider a one-time gift: www.intimatecovenant.com/donate

 www.intimatecovenant.com
Intimate Covenant | Matt & Jenn Schmidt

Support the show

Send us a text

In this episode Matt and Jenn respond to two listener questions regarding expectations about orgasm:

• My husband’s efficient/impatient personality prevents me from mentally and physically “getting there” for fear I’m taking too long. How do we strive for better?
• It feels like my husband only feels satisfied with our sex if I orgasm… but sometimes I don’t feel like orgasming but still want to please him… thoughts?

How are these questions the same? What do these questions tell us about misconceptions we might have in our own sex lives regarding orgasm.

1. Each spouse is responsible to address the sexual desires and needs of the other - without selfishness, resentment, or apathy.
2. That said, orgasm is not the only, or even the most important, indicator of sexual success. 
3. Rather, connection and mutual pleasure should be the focus of your sex.

Please support these companies that support Intimate Covenant:

• Married Dance — https://marrieddance.com/?aff=29 
  Shop from this link and part of your purchase will support Intimate Covenant.  
• Coconu — http://www.coconu.com 
  Coupon Code: intimateconvenant for 15% off your purchase
• Adventure Challenge — https://www.theadventurechallenge.com
  Use coupon code: intimatecovenant for 10% off your purchase.

 To send your comments, questions and suggestions, go to our website: www.intimatecovenant.com/podcast and click on the button: “Contact the Podcast” for an ANONYMOUS submission form. Or, send an email: [email protected]
 
Thanks for sharing, rating, reviewing and subscribing!

  
  Cherishing,
  Matt & Jenn

PS — If you have been blessed by the message of this podcast, we would deeply appreciate your support by donating to our mission of spreading God’s plan for intimate marriage and holy sexuality.

Join us at Patreon: www.patreon.com/intimatecovenant
Consider a one-time gift: www.intimatecovenant.com/donate

 www.intimatecovenant.com
Intimate Covenant | Matt & Jenn Schmidt

Support the show

Send us a text

In this episode, Matt & Jenn reveal the guest performer for the Annual Marriage Retreat in September. Also, we'll share about our personal struggles in balancing this ministry and some restructuring of our vision for Intimate Covenant as we move forward into new opportunities.

1. Look for the next intimate Covenant episode in TWO weeks, and every 2 weeks going forward.
2.  The Intimate Covenant Marriage Retreat is September 21-23. Registration opens on February 14th. 
3. This year, the Marriage Retreat will feature a special guest performance by Justin Gerhardt, of the Holy Ghost Stories podcast. You will not want to miss this special weekend.

Register for the Annual  Marriage Retreat here:  www.intimatecovenant.com/retreat

For more about Justin Gerhardt and the Holy Ghost Stories podcast: www.holyghoststories.org
We can't recommend this podcast highly enough! We think your whole family will love it!

Please support these companies that support Intimate Covenant:

• Married Dance — https://marrieddance.com/?aff=29 
  Shop from this link and part of your purchase will support Intimate Covenant.  
• Coconu — http://www.coconu.com 
  Coupon Code: intimateconvenant for 15% off your purchase
• Adventure Challenge — https://www.theadventurechallenge.com
  Use coupon code: intimatecovenant for 10% off your purchase.

 To send your comments, questions and suggestions, go to our website: www.intimatecovenant.com/podcast and click on the button: “Contact the Podcast” for an ANONYMOUS submission form. Or, send an email: [email protected]
 
Thanks for sharing, rating, reviewing and subscribing!

  
  Cherishing,
  Matt & Jenn

PS — If you have been blessed by the message of this podcast, we would deeply appreciate your support by donating to our mission of spreading God’s plan for intimate marriage and holy sexuality.

Join us at Patreon: www.patreon.com/intimatecovenant

Or, consider a one-time gift: www.intimatecovenant.com/donate

 www.intimatecovenant.com
Intimate Covenant | Matt & Jenn Schmidt

Support the show