Charting Toward Intimacy

Ellen discusses sex and intimacy within the confines of Catholic marriage with guest Dr. Sarah Bartel. The primary focus is on demystifying varying questions related to sexual acts in Catholic marriage, ensuring they respect both the procreative and unitive aspects of sex. These include discussions on topics as varied as the use of sex toys, wearing lingerie, and the acceptance of different sexual acts.___________________________________ Did we mention a book on this week's episode? Click here for our recommended books! Reach out at instagram.com/chartingtowardintimacy/ or email us at ellen@vinesinfullbloom.comReady to improve your sex life and take it to the next level? Check out our courses: vinesinfullbloom.com/courses

Ellen and Kathleen are discussing on how to overcome despair and struggles associated with intimacy in a marriage. They emphasize that giving in to despair only strengthens the negative forces affecting our lives. They stress the importance of holding onto faith and prayer, and provide tips for dealing with difficult periods.___________________________________ Did we mention a book on this week's episode? Click here for our recommended books! Reach out at instagram.com/chartingtowardintimacy/ or email us at ellen@vinesinfullbloom.comReady to improve your sex life and take it to the next level? Check out our courses: vinesinfullbloom.com/courses

We're talking about why recording sexual encounters between spouses is not in line with the Catholic understanding of marital intimacy. The discussion explores the sanctity of sex within marriage, emphasizing the importance of privacy and mutual self-gift. Ultimately, the episode underscores the importance of present commitment and love in sexual relationships rather than objectifying and recording the act.___________________________________ Did we mention a book on this week's episode? Click here for our recommended books! Reach out at instagram.com/chartingtowardintimacy/ or email us at ellen@vinesinfullbloom.comReady to improve your sex life and take it to the next level? Check out our courses: vinesinfullbloom.com/courses

Ellen and Kathleen discuss a myriad of assumptions women often make about sex, how they negatively impact one's sex life, and how to overcome them. They delve into the concepts of responsive and spontaneous desires, discuss misconceptions about men and women's sexual needs, emphasize the importance of communication in sex, and highlight that sex is an individualized experience, unique to each couple.Get The Orgasm Course for Catholic Women ON SALE in honor of the Immaculate Conception! Codes available through December 8, 2023 at 11:59 pm PTUse code IMMACULATE49 for $49 dollars off (only 8 available)Use code IMMACULATE29 for $29 dollars off (only 16 available)Use code IMMACULATE for $19 dollars off (unlimited available)___________________________________ Did we mention a book on this week's episode? Click here for our recommended books! Reach out at instagram.com/chartingtowardintimacy/ or email us at ellen@vinesinfullbloom.comReady to improve your sex life and take it to the next level? Check out our courses: vinesinfullbloom.com/courses

Ever been stuck during arousal because you hit a plateau and you don't know what happens next? This episode is for you.Ellen outlines two main models for understanding and navigating female sexual arousal in this episode.Masters and Johnson's four-phase linear model, which is applicable for both men and women, includes excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution.Basson's cyclical model, purely focused on female sexual response, takes the varied facets of female sexual response into consideration.Get The Orgasm Course for Catholic Women!___________________________________ Did we mention a book on this week's episode? Click here for our recommended books! Reach out at instagram.com/chartingtowardintimacy/ or email us at ellen@vinesinfullbloom.comReady to improve your sex life and take it to the next level? Check out our courses: vinesinfullbloom.com/courses

Ellen and Kathleen discuss the topic of finding peace when sex and family planning don't go as planned. They delve into how controlling sexual outcomes can hinder the freedom and fullness that are inherent in marital intimacy. They suggest that recognizing the divine role in every sexual act and outcome, and surrendering the need for control, can lead to peace in family planning, even when things go awry. They also discuss the pressure of societal norms vis-a-vis family size, and encourage listeners to pray for peace in surrendering their families to God's divine plan.The Orgasm Course for Catholic Women ___________________________________ Did we mention a book on this week's episode? Click here for our recommended books! Reach out at instagram.com/chartingtowardintimacy/ or email us at ellen@vinesinfullbloom.comReady to improve your sex life and take it to the next level? Check out our courses: vinesinfullbloom.com/courses

In this episode, Ellen discusses the virtue of patience, particularly in the context of sex, marital intimacy, and pregnancy. She explores the connection between patience and our spiritual, emotional well-being and offers practical tips to make waiting more bearable. Her key messages underline that patience is a stepping stone to holiness and is not a burden. She emphasizes the need to embrace patience and view it as an opportunity for growth and spiritual development, going so far as to associate it with joy. Toward the end of the episode, she provides some strategies for practicing patience, like seeking holy distractions and understanding the root cause of any frustration or anger associated with waiting.APPLY NOW for the 2024 GIVEN Cohort Thank you to the GIVEN Institute for sponsoring this week's episode.___________________________________ Did we mention a book on this week's episode? Click here for our recommended books! Reach out at instagram.com/chartingtowardintimacy/ or email us at ellen@vinesinfullbloom.comReady to improve your sex life and take it to the next level? Check out our courses: vinesinfullbloom.com/courses

In this episode of 'Charting Toward Intimacy', Ellen is joined by Kathleen's husband Michael.We'll explore how couples should handle disagreements on Natural Family Planning (NFP). We delve into varying perspectives on the justifiable reasons for using NFP, and consider the implications when one spouse does not agree with its use. The conversation covers the importance of effective communication, recognizing personal desires versus pleasure, and the significance of divine judgement in one's decisions. The episode emphasizes the need for empathy, understanding, and mutual alignment in a marriage with regards to NFP, while acknowledging the individual uniqueness of each relationship.___________________________________ Did we mention a book on this week's episode? Click here for our recommended books! Reach out at instagram.com/chartingtowardintimacy/ or email us at ellen@vinesinfullbloom.comReady to improve your sex life and take it to the next level? Check out our courses: vinesinfullbloom.com/courses

"I like spontaneity when it comes to sex, scheduled sex just seems too bland or routine""Sex shouldn't be something you have to schedule a good sex life just happens""If you schedule sex then you take out all the fun of it"These are all lies and awful ones at that. In this episode we're going to talk about why the idea of spontaneous sex is really not the approach you should be taking when it comes to your sex life. In fact, sex should be quite the opposite of spontaneous, it should be a priority.But we're not just talking about scheduling sex, we're digging into what people really want when they say that sex shouldn't be scheduled it should be spontaneous.Links:Almond OilJojoba Oil___________________________________ Did we mention a book on this week's episode? Click here for our recommended books! Reach out at instagram.com/chartingtowardintimacy/ or email us at ellen@vinesinfullbloom.comReady to improve your sex life and take it to the next level? Check out our courses: vinesinfullbloom.com/courses

Feeling like you're in a rut? Looking for some suggestion on how to get out of said rut? This is the episode for you. Ellen and Kathleen share from personal experience some of the best ways to get out of a sex rut.The Orgasm Course for Catholic Women is available now. Sign up for lifetime access.We highly recommend checking out Pray More Novenas if you have trouble remembering to complete a novena!___________________________________ Did we mention a book on this week's episode? Click here for our recommended books! Reach out at instagram.com/chartingtowardintimacy/ or email us at ellen@vinesinfullbloom.comReady to improve your sex life and take it to the next level? Check out our courses: vinesinfullbloom.com/courses