Undoing Shame and Reclaiming Pleasure: A New Conversation on Sex and Purity Culture - w/ Dr. Celeste Holbrook (Rated PG13)

Feb 17, 2020

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How rethinking sexuality beyond purity culture can lead to healing, empowerment, and deeper intimacy. Bonnie and Tim are joined by sexologist Dr. Celeste Holbrook for an honest, hilarious, and deeply needed conversation about disentangling shame, reframing abstinence, and reclaiming sexual wholeness within a Jesus-centered framework.

Key Takeaways: • Separating Purity Culture from Abstinence – Why defining abstinence by fear and shame is damaging, and how making informed, autonomous decisions empowers both men and women. • Addressing Shame and Fear – How purity culture instilled unspoken trauma and confusion around sex, and how to begin the healing process from those messages. • Sex as a Behavior, Not a Drive – Reframing male sexuality away from uncontrollable urges and toward mutual emotional and physical connection. • Communal Healing Around Sexuality – How conversation, education, and sensual presence can begin to undo harmful narratives and help couples rediscover intimacy. • Intentional Parenting – Why the best sex ed starts early, involves real anatomical language, and begins with parents healing their own sexual narratives.

Guest Highlights: Dr. Celeste Holbrook – A practical sexologist helping individuals and couples create healthy, pleasure-filled sex lives through education, open dialogue, and healing from shame. Celeste shares her personal story of sexual pain rooted in fear-based messaging and how it led her to a career helping others find sexual liberation and freedom in truth.

Resources Mentioned: • Dr. Celeste Holbrook’s Website – drcelesteholbrook.com • 20 Sex-Enhancing Questions – Free downloadable couples’ resource from Celeste’s site • “Don’t F*** With Cats” (Netflix Documentary) – Referenced in a pop-culture sidebar (seriously) • Esther Perel’s Work – On intimacy, desire, and the psychological frameworks of sexuality • Voxology Episode Archives – Look for the “Sex, Love, and God” series with Mike Erre • Circle of Sensual Women – Dr. Celeste’s private Facebook group for discussion and support

Let’s keep the conversation going. If you have further questions for Celeste, want a follow-up episode, or need a resource clarification, we’d love to hear from you!

As always, we encourage thoughtful dialogue as we pursue wholeness in every area of life. Email us at hello@voxpodcast.com or engage with us on Instagram and Facebook.

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Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

If today’s episode helped challenge old beliefs or spark a needed conversation, share it, leave a review, and tell a friend about Voxology. We’re all on this journey together—and you’re not alone.

As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram.

We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV.

Our Merch Store! ETSY

Learn more about the Voxology Podcast

Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify

Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon

The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio

Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre

Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy