Reclaiming Catholic Intimacy

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. Ellen and Kathleen tackle the common misconceptions about sex and intimacy within marriage, particularly the...

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. Ellen addresses the question of whether it is okay for couples to make out while trying to avoid pregnancy d...

Get Jackie Angel's new book  Memorize Scripture  here (use code ELLEN10 for 10% off!) In this episode Ellen is joined by Jackie Angel to discuss her new book, Memorize Scripture . They explore how memorizing scripture can enhance prayer life, and ultimately improve relationships, especially in marriage and sex life. Jackie shares her journey in ministry, the inspiration behind the book, and p...

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. Ellen explores why sexual pleasure is so elusive. Discussing perspectives from Karol Wojtyla's 'Lo...

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. In this episode, Ellen and Kathleen discuss perseverance in enhancing marital intimacy. They emphasize refra...

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. In this episode, Ellen addresses common questions about foreplay and the Church's teachings on it. Cove...

In this episode, Ellen and guest Mike 'Gomer' Gormley discuss the issue of sexual passivity in marriages, specifically through a Catholic lens. They explain what sexual passivity is, how it impacts relationships, and practical ways to combat it. Ellen emphasizes the importance of non-sexual touch and mutual understanding, while Gomer shares insights from his experience in parish ministry...

In this special 200th episode, Ellen and Kathleen delve into their personal experiences with Natural Family Planning (NFP) and their fertility journeys over the past year +. They reflect on the impact of these experiences on their marriages and share heartfelt conversations about the challenges and blessings they've encountered. Tune in for an intimate and honest discussion on faith, family,...

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. In this episode, Ellen and Kathleen discuss the common issue of getting distracted during sex. They provide...

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. Stop right now and listen to episode 162 of this podcast before you listen to this episode! In this episode,...

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. In this special episode, Ellen shares the powerful testimony of a woman named Victoria, who experienced prof...

In this episode, Ellen and Kathleen discuss the impact of busyness on intimate relationships. They highlight how constantly busy schedules can strain the connection with spouses and offer practical strategies to maintain intimacy.  Additionally, they share personal experiences and the role of faith in navigating stressful, chaotic periods, emphasizing the significance of prioritizing family and ma...

In this episode, Ellen discusses the common habit of saying no to sex initiated by a spouse. She shares her personal experience of realizing this habit and challenges listeners to reflect on their reasons for frequently declining intimacy. Ellen encourages evaluating whether these reasons are genuine or simply habitual excuses, urging a more mindful approach to fostering a loving and unifying sexu...

Ellen discusses the essential role of forgiveness in maintaining a healthy sexual and marital relationship. She emphasizes that forgiving a spouse, while difficult, is crucial for opening up emotionally and physically within the marriage. Ellen outlines what forgiveness truly means and why it is necessary, dispelling common misconceptions. She also connects unforgiveness with physical tension and...

Ellen and her husband Kurt discuss strategies to balance arousal differences between partners during foreplay and sex, particularly when a man's arousal curve is faster than a woman's. They stress the importance of mutual responsibility for each other's pleasure within a Catholic marriage, offering practical tips for men to manage their arousal and focus on their wives. Key elements...

In this episode, Ellen discusses the profound impact of the sacraments of the Eucharist and Confession on improving sex life and marital intimacy for Catholic women. Drawing insights from 'The Imitation of Christ,' she highlights the healing and restorative power that these sacraments offer, emphasizing their importance in curing vices, overcoming temptations, and enhancing love and grac...

In this episode, Ellen and Kathleen emphasize the importance of discussing sex daily with your spouse as a way to improve communication and eliminate the negativity often associated with these conversations. They suggest setting aside just five minutes each day to ensure regular, comfortable discussions about sex. Topics include how to initiate conversations, preferences, personal hygiene, forepla...

Ellen discusses the moral licitness of using marital aids, commonly known as sex toys, in Catholic marriages. She explains that while replacing sex with such aids is immoral, their use to enhance pleasure and intimacy within the marital act is acceptable. Specific aids like vibrators and penis rings are discussed in detail, emphasizing their role in improving the sexual experience without compromi...

In this episode, Ellen and guest Ginny Noce discuss the critical role of nutrition and lifestyle in enhancing men's sexual health. Ginny, a registered nurse and fertility awareness instructor with a master's degree in nutrition, shares insights on how diet impacts hormone health, libido, and overall well-being. Key topics include the importance of antioxidant-rich foods, managing blood s...

Ellen addresses the challenge of feeling uncomfortable with any touch from your husband automatically leading to sex. She introduces 'touch time' as a technique to build comfort and safety with non-sexual touch between spouses. Touch time involves structured sessions of touching each other in non-sexual ways to break the association of touch leading to sex, fostering a healthier tactile...

In this episode, Ellen and Kathleen discuss the common struggle of saying 'should' in your sex life and how it can negatively affect your intimacy. They explore the importance of understanding the underlying reasons for these feelings. The hosts emphasize the need to shift from a scarcity mindset and provide practical advice on embracing a healthier, more fulfilling intimate life. They a...

In this episode, Ellen addresses a listener's question about male sexual dysfunction, particularly erectile dysfunction and inability to finish, related to performance anxiety and natural family planning (NFP). She offers insights from a Catholic perspective on alleviating mental pressure, increasing intimacy frequency, and open communication between spouses. Ellen also discusses the importan...

In this episode, Ellen and Kathleen discuss the importance of pursuing your spouse outside of the bedroom, offering practical advice and theological insights. They stress the significance of intentional love actions and how they reflect our relationship with God. The hosts share personal experiences and practical tips. They also highlight the challenges humans face in initiating love and emphasize...

Ellen dives into the frequently misunderstood Ephesians chapter 5, elucidating its true meaning and emphasizing the profound responsibilities it places on both husbands and wives. She explores how Ephesians chapter 4's call to holiness frames the subordination described in chapter 5, clarifying that husbands are to embody Christ-like virtues, making marriages beautiful through mutual love and...

Ellen welcomes Dr. Sarah Bartell, a moral theologian specializing in marriage and sexuality, to discuss how to handle situations where a husband does not agree with Catholic teachings on sex, intimacy, natural family planning, and contraception. They explore the church's teachings, practical advice for maintaining intimacy during abstinent periods, and how to approach conversations with a non...