Intimate Covenant Podcast

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Matt & Jenn share their responses to a few anonymous questions posed by attendees at a recent Marriage Day in Austin, TX. What are some ways we can help prevent our children from feeling shame about sex in marriage to stop the feeling we were raised with? Is it OK for me time in a successful marriage? How to deal with past relationships interfering with curren...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Matt & Jenn answer a listener's question about shifting roles roles in the pursuer/responder dynamic. But first, a few important announcements: "Covenant Conversations" is the official name for the daily exercise formerly known as "Daily Check-in." Our thanks to Lamar Schrei for suggesting this! Registration for the Intimate Covenant A...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Matt & Jenn respond to a listener’s question about struggling to recover from an infrequent and unhealthy sexual relationship. Struggles with sex in a marriage must not be ignored. Intervention and difficult conversations can save YEARS of suffering and shame; even save the marriage itself. The fundamental criteria for a wife to want more sex or different sex,...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Matt & Jenn discuss the accomplishments of 2023 and look forward to opportunities in 2024 for Intimate Covenant. We encourage you to do the same for your marriage with a State of the Covenant conversation.  For real progress in your marriage, it’s important to critically evaluate the past and to set goals for the future. A thorough evaluation of your marriage...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Matt & Jenn describe, in detail, the 15-minute ritual conversation that will deepen the intimacy and connection in your marriage. Meaningful conversation Expressions of gratitude and praise Pray together We referred to these conversation starter resources: Ultimate Intimacy Conversation Starter Cards : https://shop.ultimateintimacy.com/products/conversation-st...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Matt & Jenn answer three listener questions about passionless sex: "How can I stop thinking of sex as an obligation when it's physically painful? While we wait for physical healing, how can I enjoy this part of our marriage?” “How do you navigate pleasing your spouse when you have no sexual desire and prefer not being touched at all?” “How can I enjo...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Matt & Jenn discuss  how to handle the inevitable emotional and sexual rejections in your marriage relationship. Rejection almost always occurs due to multiple factors that have to do with how you are presenting the bid and with your spouse’s circumstances. Angry outbursts or pouting will not get you what you want - rather, these kinds of reactions prove that...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Matt & Jenn are sharing several segments from Q&A sessions that didn't make it into a previous episode. But, these questions are too good to leave out, so we're excited to include them here! Here’s what we’re covering: How do I have sex when I’m disappointed in or upset with my spouse? How can we handle infertility with faith and godliness? Shoul...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Matt & Jenn are pulling from submitted questions regarding the theme of female orgasms. Specifically, how can a husband help his wife orgasm? How can a wife learn to orgasm in different ways? And how important is a wife’s orgasm, anyway? Take-Aways:  Husbands often place far too much emphasis on their wives orgasm and miss the far more important goal of seekin...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Matt & Jenn discuss the hymen -- facts and fiction -- as well as other misconceptions about the concept of virginity. There is no “virginity test.” The presence, absence, or any other physical appearance of a hymen is not a reliable indicator of a woman’s previous sexual activity. The same is true for vaginal bleeding or pain with initial sexual experience. Ev...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Matt & Jenn reminisce over some of the highlights of this year's annual Marriage Retreat and share a segment from the live Q&A session, including: I'm too embarrassed to try new things. How do I get over my sexual shame? Sex is Messy. What's a reasonable sexual frequency for a male? How to deal with a busy and distracted spouse? Is sexual hu...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Matt & Jenn discuss some of the challenges to great sex and the work required for the rewarding, lifelong journey of an intimate and fulfilling sexual relationship. Believing that great sex just occurs spontaneously and effortlessly is actually preventing us from achieving good sex. Great sex, like any other mastery, is the product of consistent, intentional w...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode Matt & Jenn share another live Q&A session - this time from a recent Marriage Day in Saint Louis. We respond to the following questions: What are some examples of a kingdom-purpose for a marriage?  What’s a good way to come up with a vision/purpose? How to heal your sex life and trust after sexual immorality (eg porn, lust) How do I move past my spouses pas...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Matt & Jenn respond to an email from a bride-to-be regarding her concerns about first-time sexual intercourse. We also address concerns about sexual pain relevant to all married couples. Pain with intercourse is not a rare circumstance and may occur for many reasons. The good news is that there are solutions for nearly every cause. Some discomfort may occur fo...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Matt & Jenn share some clips from a recent live Q&A session at our Marriage Weekend in Seattle. We covered these questions: - Explain what you mean by “newness is required in the sexual relationship"? - How to increase romantic intimacy when life isn’t romantic? - How often should we schedule date night?  - What are some ways we can be spontaneous wit...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Matt & Jenn discuss the negative impacts of pornography use -- even if it occurred before you were married.  We also address the unmarried about how to deal with the challenges of finding out that your potential spouse has a porn problem. Pornography is a negative influence in society and may manifest terrible consequences even if a spouse used pornography bef...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Matt & Jenn share personal advice about how to find comfort and healing in your marriage while suffering deep loss. Share open and honest conversations about emotions, memories, fears, and needs. Find solace and support in each other. Prioritize emotional, mental, spiritual and sexual connection. Lean on your spiritual family and don’t be afraid to seek profes...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Matt & Jenn discuss better ways for pursuers -- emotional or sexual -- to better communicate and initiate connection. Poor pursuit and poor initiation result in missed connection and feelings of rejection — intentional or unintentional. Pursuit should not include criticism, shame or other forms of pressure. Instead, offer an appeal for connection and an invita...

Send us Fan Mail 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? 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! Prioritize the whole relationship and the sex will almost certainly im...

Send us Fan Mail Sponsored by: Open Door Financial Advisors www.opendoorfa.com Where finances meet faith and family. ------------------------------------------------ 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: Do you have any specific...

Send us Fan Mail 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. sexual shame results in sexual relationships that are disconnected & withdrawn.  Sexual pursuers and resp...

Send us Fan Mail 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.  The purpose of sexual desire is to point us toward intimate connection with God and with each other. When we fail t...

Send us Fan Mail 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.  The Bible does not specifically address the use of sex toys in the marriage bed. But, even without a...

Send us Fan Mail S ponsored 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?...

Send us Fan Mail 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 o...