Reclaiming Catholic Intimacy

In this episode of Charting Toward Intimacy, Ellen and Kathleen tackle the challenge of internalized purity culture and its impact on women's sexual thoughts. They discuss the phenomenon where healthy sexual desires within the context of marriage are mistakenly treated as intrusive thoughts due to purity culture's teachings. The discussion includes defining intrusive thoughts, sharing personal struggles with accepting sexuality, and the journey of healing the relationship with sex from the perspective of Catholic women.

The course or guide mentioned in this episode is no longer sold, but the help you’re looking for is still available. If you want support improving your sex life while staying faithful to Catholic teaching, I invite you to explore Want It and Enjoy It, my current program for Catholic wives.

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Ready to increase your desire and experience pleasure? Join the next round of Want it and Enjoy it

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

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

In this episode we'll address the misconception among individuals practicing Natural Family Planning (NFP) that their sexual desire only peaks during the fertile window due to hormonal influences. 
Listen in to see what you really need to change to experience more desire for sex!

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Ready to increase your desire and experience pleasure? Join the next round of Want it and Enjoy it

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

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

This episode addresses the complexities and challenges couples face regarding postpartum sex. The episode covers the expectations, fears, and physical changes women and their partners might experience, emphasizing the importance of communication, understanding, and patience. Techniques such as perineal massage and the use of lubricants are suggested to ease discomfort and anxiety during postpartum sexual activity. Additionally, discussions include men's perspectives on postpartum sex, the importance of pelvic floor therapy, and the possible impact of SSRIs on sexual function. The episode is designed to equip couples with knowledge and tools to navigate postpartum sex, enhancing intimacy and relationship satisfaction.

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Ready to increase your desire and experience pleasure? Join the next round of Want it and Enjoy it

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

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

Ellen addresses the common pursuit of perfectionism in marriage and sexual relationships, emphasizing that perfection is not a prerequisite for intimacy or spiritual growth. She discusses how striving for a perfect relationship or sexual encounter can be paralyzing, whereas embracing the imperfection can lead to significant growth, healing, and a deeper bond. Trial, error, and grace-filled perseverance in sexual intimacy can transform and sanctify marriage.

The course or guide mentioned in this episode is no longer sold, but the help you’re looking for is still available. If you want support improving your sex life while staying faithful to Catholic teaching, I invite you to explore Want It and Enjoy It, my current program for Catholic wives.

___________________________________

Ready to increase your desire and experience pleasure? Join the next round of Want it and Enjoy it

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

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

In this episode of 'Charting Toward Intimacy', Kathleen and Ellen discuss the misconception of sex being a love language. They explain that sex should be a result of love and intimacy rather than the base of it, and argue that using sex as the glue that holds a relationship together creates a false expectation and could become unfulfilling over time. The five love languages - words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service, and physical touch - are examined, with the assertion that each is inherently separate from sex. The necessity of understanding one's own and their partner's love languages to truly fulfill each other's needs is emphasized.

Apply now to Ellen's 8-week one on one coaching program and see how your marriage and sex life can be transformed in just 2 months. 

___________________________________

Ready to increase your desire and experience pleasure? Join the next round of Want it and Enjoy it

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

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

In this episode Ellen discusses the deep connection between sex and prayer. She implements the teachings of the Catechism, arguing that just as prayer cannot be reduced to spontaneous desire but requires an active will, sex should also not be reduced to spontaneous physical desire. She encourages listeners to recognize the depth of sexual relations as an experience of unity and not just physical satisfaction. She also stresses that desire for sex should be understood as a longing for deeper unity and relationship with one's spouse.

___________________________________

Ready to increase your desire and experience pleasure? Join the next round of Want it and Enjoy it

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

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

This podcast, led by Ellen Holloway and Kathleen Chavones, discusses the challenges of sticking to Natural Family Planning (NFP) during instances of limited fertile days and mandatory abstinence due to serious medical or financial constraints. It emphasizes how suffering and sacrifice are crucial elements of the Christian journey. They tackle the often-perceived unfairness of NFP, clarifying how beliefs about God not wanting us to suffer are misleading. They argue that during these periods of struggle, couples need support from the virtues of prudence, temperance, and fortitude, and that relying on God's grace is essential to persevere through the difficulties. They conclude by acknowledging the hardships faced by couples in extreme circumstances, offering their respect and empathetic support.

___________________________________

Ready to increase your desire and experience pleasure? Join the next round of Want it and Enjoy it

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

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

This episode focuses on the emotional complexities of initiating sex within a Catholic marriage, emphasizing the importance of understanding individual desires and the associated vulnerabilities. Through an in-depth discussion, Ellen addresses various misconceptions about physical desire and urges couples to explore deeper emotional and spiritual desires and how it relates to sexual intimacy. Helpful strategies are suggested for initiating and responding to initiation in a loving, considerate manner. The podcast closes with the need for clear communication and understanding in terms of family planning intentions and the perceived readiness for sexual intimacy in a woman's perspective.

___________________________________

Ready to increase your desire and experience pleasure? Join the next round of Want it and Enjoy it

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

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

Mike 'Gomer' Gormley joins host Ellen as they discuss the detrimental effects of sexual passivity on marriage and ways to overcome it. Gomer provides valuable insights from a male perspective, emphasizing the importance of sexual initiation, communication, respect, and genuine love in maintaining a healthy sex life and marriage. The duo takes a deep dive into topics such as the significance of non-sexual touch, misconceptions about male and female sexual drives, and the role of honest, non-judgmental conversation in fostering intimacy. The podcast episode serves as a platform for open dialogue on a significant, yet often overlooked issue in relationships, encouraging listeners to rethink and reshape their attitudes towards marital intimacy.

___________________________________

Ready to increase your desire and experience pleasure? Join the next round of Want it and Enjoy it

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

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

In this podcast episode, Ellen addresses the challenge of navigating sex within a marriage, particularly from a Catholic perspective. She discusses a situation where a couple put such heavy emphasis on the religious significance of sex that it led to tension and avoidance, reducing their sexual encounters drastically. Ellen proposes that adding a sense of fun and lightness to one's sex life can relieve the pressure, fostering trust and openness between partners. This approach can be implemented via laughter-oriented activities, games, or playful preludes to sex, ultimately improving sexual intimacy and communication in marriage.

___________________________________

Ready to increase your desire and experience pleasure? Join the next round of Want it and Enjoy it

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

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