We get to talk about sex!! How fun is that!? Show host, Laura M. Brotherson, LMFT, CST, marriage counselor, certified sex therapist, and best-selling author takes on the taboo subject of SEX -- shining a needed light into the intricacies of intimacy and marriage. "The Marital Intimacy Show" provides straight talk about empowering women and couples to create the intimate relationship of their dreams. This podcast is your trusted Christian resource to strengthen marriages intimately and help you create your own “sextraordinary” marriage!! You’ll find inspiration to: ~ Elevate the gift of sexual enjoyment to its divinely intended place. ~ Embrace the God-given gift of sexuality. ~ Learn the secrets of sexual satisfaction. ~ Find solutions to the intimacy issues that plague so many marriages. ~ Create a mutually fulfilling, intimately connected, and passionate relationship: emotionally, spiritually and sexually. Find us at TheMaritalIntimacyShow.com.
Laura M. Brotherson, LMFT, CST
In this episode #070 “20 Keys to Healthy Sexuality, Part 2” Laura has a great conversation with fellow therapist Geoff Steurer on his “Illuminate” podcast where they talk about healthy sexuality instead of the common focus for many to just focus on unhealthy sexuality. Laura walks through her full list of 20 characteristics of healthy and unhealthy sexuality providing a template of what a healthy sexual relationship looks like especially when couples may have had their sexual relationship pornified by our society! Show Notes (Resources mentioned): Handout – Characteristics of Healthy and Unhealthy Sexuality – “Raising the Bar” Book – Knowing HER Intimately: 12 Keys for Creating a Sextraordinary Marriage Handout - Knowing HER Intimately– 12 Essential Ingredients for a Sextraordinary Marriage (OVERVIEW) – (see MaritalIntimacyInstitute.com | Resources Page) You can find Laura on Instagram or Facebook (@StrengtheningMarriage) and check out her websites: StrengtheningMarriage.com – Laura’s main website MaritalIntimacyInstitute.com – Laura’s counseling website TheMaritalIntimacyShow.com – “The Marital Intimacy Show” podcast website
In this episode #069 “20 Keys to Healthy Sexuality, Part 1” Laura has a great conversation with fellow therapist Geoff Steurer on his “Illuminate” podcast where they talk about healthy sexuality instead of the common focus for many to just focus on unhealthy sexuality. Laura walks through her full list of 20 characteristics of healthy and unhealthy sexuality providing a template of what a healthy sexual relationship looks like especially when couples may have had their sexual relationship pornified by our society! Show Notes (Resources mentioned): Handout – Characteristics of Healthy and Unhealthy Sexuality – “Raising the Bar” Book – Knowing HER Intimately: 12 Keys for Creating a Sextraordinary Marriage Handout - Knowing HER Intimately– 12 Essential Ingredients for a Sextraordinary Marriage (OVERVIEW) – (see MaritalIntimacyInstitute.com | Resources Page) You can find Laura on Instagram or Facebook (@StrengtheningMarriage) and check out her websites: StrengtheningMarriage.com – Laura’s main website MaritalIntimacyInstitute.com – Laura’s counseling website TheMaritalIntimacyShow.com – “The Marital Intimacy Show” podcast website
In this episode #068 “How ‘Auditory Arousal’ Can Heat Up Your Lovemaking” Laura talks with sex coach Amanda Louder on her “Live From Love” podcast. She shares some insights on one of the concepts Laura has coined -- that of “Auditory Arousal.” Laura answers the question of what auditory arousal is and how to utilize it to heat up your lovemaking. Most importantly, she discusses the benefits of verbal communication during sex, such as how it can help keep your busy and distracted brain engaged sexually. Show Notes (Resources mentioned): Handout – Auditory Arousal Book – Knowing HER Intimately: 12 Keys for Creating a Sextraordinary Marriage Handout - Knowing HER Intimately– 12 Essential Ingredients for a Sextraordinary Marriage (OVERVIEW) – (see MaritalIntimacyInstitute.com | Resources Page) You can find Laura on Instagram or Facebook (@StrengtheningMarriage) and check out her websites: StrengtheningMarriage.com – Laura’s main website MaritalIntimacyInstitute.com – Laura’s counseling website TheMaritalIntimacyShow.com – “The Marital Intimacy Show” podcast website
In this episode #067 “Differences Between Healthy and Unhealthy Sexuality, Part 2” Laura talks with the fabulous people from Reach 10 on their “Breaking the Silence” podcast about what the differences are between healthy and unhealthy sexuality. We highlight some of the 20 characteristics of healthy and unhealthy sexuality from the handout Laura has compiled on the subject. Show Notes (Resources mentioned): Handout – Characteristics of Healthy and Unhealthy Sexuality – “Raising the Bar” Book – Knowing HER Intimately: 12 Keys for Creating a Sextraordinary Marriage Handout - Knowing HER Intimately– 12 Essential Ingredients for a Sextraordinary Marriage (OVERVIEW) – (see MaritalIntimacyInstitute.com | Resources Page) You can find Laura on Instagram or Facebook (@StrengtheningMarriage) and check out her websites: StrengtheningMarriage.com – Laura’s main website MaritalIntimacyInstitute.com – Laura’s counseling website TheMaritalIntimacyShow.com – “The Marital Intimacy Show” podcast website
In this episode #066 “Differences Between Healthy and Unhealthy Sexuality, Part 1” Laura talks with the fabulous people from Reach 10 on their “Breaking the Silence” podcast about what the differences are between healthy and unhealthy sexuality. We highlight some of the 20 characteristics of healthy and unhealthy sexuality from the handout Laura has compiled on the subject. Show Notes (Resources mentioned): Handout – Characteristics of Healthy and Unhealthy Sexuality – “Raising the Bar” Book – Knowing HER Intimately: 12 Keys for Creating a Sextraordinary Marriage Handout - Knowing HER Intimately– 12 Essential Ingredients for a Sextraordinary Marriage (OVERVIEW) – (see MaritalIntimacyInstitute.com | Resources Page) You can find Laura on Instagram or Facebook (@StrengtheningMarriage) and check out her websites: StrengtheningMarriage.com – Laura’s main website MaritalIntimacyInstitute.com – Laura’s counseling website TheMaritalIntimacyShow.com – “The Marital Intimacy Show” podcast website
You already know I'm a BIG proponent of Date Night, but did you know it's also my license plate?! In this episode #065 “Laura’s D8NIGHT License Plate” I joined Trista on her PL8STORY (Plate Story) Podcast to share the story behind my "D8NIGHT" license plate and lots of other fun things you maybe didn't know. Find out what "title" my tax guy has given my husband and what "sexual wholeness" is all about! Show Notes (Resources mentioned): Book – Knowing HER Intimately: 12 Keys for Creating a Sextraordinary Marriage Handout - Knowing HER Intimately– 12 Essential Ingredients for a Sextraordinary Marriage (OVERVIEW) – (see MaritalIntimacyInstitute.com | Resources Page) Central Park - “Success Story” (Here’s a link to that story about the lady finding my book in a NYC park - https://www.strengtheningmarriage.com/sexual-success-story-1-book-park/) Online Course– “Sexual Wholeness for Women” – (see StrengtheningMarriage.com | Events Page) You can find Laura on Instagram or Facebook (@StrengtheningMarriage) and check out her websites: StrengtheningMarriage.com – Laura’s main website MaritalIntimacyInstitute.com – Laura’s counseling website TheMaritalIntimacyShow.com – “The Marital Intimacy Show” podcast website
This episode #064 “Q&A - Sex - Vital for a Healthy Marriage, Part 2” comes from a fun conversation certified sex therapist, Laura M. Brotherson had with the darling Trina Glines of the “Elevate Your Marriage” podcast. Trina had lots of fun questions from her book club ladies about the information in Laura’s book And They Were Not Ashamed — Strengthening Marriage through Sexual Fulfillment to help them understand the importance of sex as a vital part of a healthy marriage. We’ll discuss things like: “sex as a decision,” “learning how to climax,” “why sex is important,” etc. Show Notes (Resources mentioned): Book – And They Were Not Ashamed — Strengthening Marriage through Sexual Fulfillment Book – Knowing HER Intimately: 12 Keys for Creating a Sextraordinary Marriage Handout - Knowing HER Intimately– 12 Essential Ingredients for a Sextraordinary Marriage (OVERVIEW) – (see MaritalIntimacyInstitute.com | Resources Page) Online Course– “Sexual Wholeness for Women” – (see StrengtheningMarriage.com|Events Page) You can find Laura on Instagram or Facebook (@StrengtheningMarriage) and check out her websites: StrengtheningMarriage.com – Laura’s main website MaritalIntimacyInstitute.com – Laura’s counseling website TheMaritalIntimacyShow.com – “The Marital Intimacy Show” podcast website
This episode #063 “Q&A - Sex - Vital for a Healthy Marriage, Part 1” comes from a fun conversation certified sex therapist, Laura M. Brotherson had with the darling Trina Glines of the “Elevate Your Marriage” podcast. Trina had lots of fun questions from her book club ladies about the information in Laura’s book And They Were Not Ashamed — Strengthening Marriage through Sexual Fulfillment to help them understand the importance of sex as a vital part of a healthy marriage. We’ll discuss things like: “sex as a decision,” “learning how to climax,” “why sex is important,” etc. Show Notes (Resources mentioned): Book – And They Were Not Ashamed — Strengthening Marriage through Sexual Fulfillment Book – Knowing HER Intimately: 12 Keys for Creating a Sextraordinary Marriage Handout - Knowing HER Intimately– 12 Essential Ingredients for a Sextraordinary Marriage (OVERVIEW) – (see MaritalIntimacyInstitute.com | Resources Page) Online Course– “Sexual Wholeness for Women” – (see StrengtheningMarriage.com|Events Page) You can find Laura on Instagram or Facebook (@StrengtheningMarriage) and check out her websites: StrengtheningMarriage.com – Laura’s main website MaritalIntimacyInstitute.com – Laura’s counseling website TheMaritalIntimacyShow.com – “The Marital Intimacy Show” podcast website
This episode #062 “Understanding Female Sexual Wiring” comes from a super fun conversation certified sex therapist, Laura M. Brotherson had with the fabulous Monica Tanner of the “On the Brighter Side” podcast. Monica asks all about the 12 T’s of female sexual wiring found in the 12 chapters of Laura’s book Knowing HER Intimately: 12 Keys for Creating a Sextraordinary Marriage to help women (and men) better understand all the intricacies of how women are wired so that they can also create their own “sextraordinary” marriage! Resources mentioned: Book – Knowing HER Intimately: 12 Keys for Creating a Sextraordinary Marriage Handout - Knowing HER Intimately– 12 Essential Ingredients for a Sextraordinary Marriage (OVERVIEW) – (see MaritalIntimacyInstitute.com | Resources Page) Handout – Rocket Fuel for Female Sexual Desire – How Women Get in the Mood (Diagram) Handout – Bridges to Desire – Getting From 0 - 60 Sexually Handout – Sexual Accelerators & Brakes Worksheet Workshop – “Sexual Wholeness Workshop for Women” (Sep 19, 2020) – (see StrengtheningMarriage.com| Events Page) You can find Laura on Instagram or Facebook (@StrengtheningMarriage) and check out her websites: StrengtheningMarriage.com MaritalIntimacyInstitute.com TheMaritalIntimacyShow.com - “The Marital Intimacy Show” podcast website
In this episode #061 - “Is Marital Intimacy Still a Question Mark?” - learn about the top issues for women regarding marital intimacy, what holds women back from wanting and fully enjoying intimacy, and how women can make things better in their marriages. Laura joins Connie Sokol on the “Balance reDefined” radio show to help women recognize and work through the intimacy issues they face in their marriages. Resources mentioned: Book – Knowing HER Intimately: 12 Keys for Creating a Sextraordinary Marriage Handout - Knowing HER Intimately– 12 Essential Ingredients for a Sextraordinary Marriage (OVERVIEW) – (see MaritalIntimacyInstitute.com | Resources Page) Workshop – “Sexual Wholeness Workshop for Women” (Sep 19, 2020) – (see StrengtheningMarriage.com| Events Page) You can find Laura on Instagram or Facebook (@StrengtheningMarriage) and check out her websites: StrengtheningMarriage.com MaritalIntimacyInstitute.com TheMaritalIntimacyShow.com - “The Marital Intimacy Show” podcast website
Want to understand female sexual wiring better and how you can have a “sextraordinary” marriage? In this episode #060, Laura joins Adam and Karissa King on their "Dear Young Married Couple"
In this episode #059 “Hungry Dog Syndrome, Part 2,” on “The Marital Intimacy Show,” marriage and intimacy expert, Laura M. Brotherson discusses this predicament in marriage from both the husband's and the wife's perspective and provides suggestions to help couples move past it to create a more mutually inviting sexual relationship.
In this episode #058 “Hungry Dog Syndrome, Part 1,” on “The Marital Intimacy Show,” marriage and intimacy expert, Laura M. Brotherson discusses this predicament in marriage from both the husband's and the wife's perspective and provides suggestions to help couples move past it to create a more mutually inviting sexual relationship.
In this episode #057 “Self-Help Sex Therapy,” on “The Marital Intimacy Show,” marriage and intimacy expert, Laura M. Brotherson provides some helpful resources and key steps and for individuals or couples to do while they are waiting for professional help or if they are on their own to create a mutually fulfilling sexual relationship.
In this episode #056 “Differences in Sexual Wiring – Bridling vs. Awakening Sexual Energy,” on “The Marital Intimacy Show,” marriage and intimacy expert, Laura M. Brotherson discusses the notion that men need to control or bridle their sexual energy while women need to awaken and develop their sexuality, including learning to be fully present in lovemaking.
In this episode #055 “Sexual Surrender,” on “The Marital Intimacy Show,” marriage and intimacy expert, Laura M. Brotherson discusses the importance of transcendence in lovemaking and how to overcome some of the obstacles of letting go and surrendering to the sensual pleasure of sexual intimacy.
In this episode #054 “Healthy Sex,” on “The Marital Intimacy Show,” marriage and intimacy expert, Laura M. Brotherson shares some key information to help couples understand the difference between healthy sex and unhealthy or pornography-related sex.
In this episode #053 “What He Really Wants for Christmas,” on “The Marital Intimacy Show,” marriage and intimacy expert, Laura M. Brotherson invites women to consider the gift of sex for their honey’s for Christmas. Physical intimacy tops the list of favorite Christmas gifts for many husbands! Laura encourages couples to take the challenge to make lovemaking a fun part of their intimate Christmas festivities.
In this episode #052 “50 Reasons to Make Love,” on “The Marital Intimacy Show,” marriage and intimacy expert, Laura M. Brotherson highlights plenty of great reasons for couples to be sure they are continuing to take advantage of the many health and relationship benefits of sex.
In this episode #051 “The Agony and the Ecstasy of ONEness in Marriage,” on “The Marital Intimacy Show,” marriage and intimacy expert, Laura M. Brotherson addresses some of the challenges of ONEness, as well as the exquisite joy and possibilities that are available to a husband and wife if they will work at it.
In this episode #050 “What's Up with the Bait and Switch in Marriage? -- Q&A, Part 2,” on “The Marital Intimacy Show,” marriage and intimacy expert, Laura M. Brotherson addresses the question about how a wife seems to change intimacy-wise from pre- to post-marriage. Laura discusses five elements that may explain this change and what to do about it.
In this episode #049 “What's Up with the Bait and Switch in Marriage? -- Q&A, Part 1,” on “The Marital Intimacy Show,” marriage and intimacy expert, Laura M. Brotherson addresses the question about how a wife seems to change intimacy-wise from pre- to post-marriage. Laura discusses five elements that may explain this change and what to do about it.
In this episode #048 “The Importance, Inhibitors and Intricacies of Intimacy,” on “The Marital Intimacy Show,” marriage and intimacy expert, Laura M. Brotherson discusses the “3 I’s of Intimacy” -- the Importance, the Inhibitors, and the Intricacies, and how the book, And They Were Not Ashamed, can help in all three of these areas!
In this episode #047 “Good Girls Do! Countering the Good Girl Syndrome in Marriage,” on “The Marital Intimacy Show,” marriage and intimacy expert, Laura M. Brotherson shares a resource to help couples identify and overcome negative conditioning about sex and be able to say, "Yes! In marriage, Good Girls Do!"
In this episode #046 “Why I Wrote the Book ‘And They Were Not Ashamed-- Strengthening Marriage through Sexual Fulfillment,'” on “The Marital Intimacy Show,” marriage and intimacy expert, Laura M. Brotherson discusses the void she felt existed for couples to be able to strengthen their marriages sexually.
In this episode #045 “Raising the Bar on Date Night” on “The Marital Intimacy Show,” marriage and intimacy expert, Laura M. Brotherson discusses four rules for stepping it up a notch. Date night is simply one of the best things couples can do for their marriages, and these suggestions make date night even better!
In this episode #044 “No, May Not Always Mean No” on “The Marital Intimacy Show,” marriage and intimacy expert, Laura M. Brotherson shares a big secret--especially for husbands who may not fully realize how their wives are wired sexually.
In this episode #043 “Let’s Play 20 Questions” on “The Marital Intimacy Show,” marriage and intimacy expert, Laura M. Brotherson helps couples make it easier for them to start a fun and valuable conversation about their sexual relationship. You'll receive Laura's list "20 Questions--Your Conversation Starter about Sex," and an opportunity to break down the communication barrier that keeps many couples from more fully enjoying their intimate relationship.
In this episode #042 “Five Key Times to Talk to Your Kids about Sex -- Part 2” on “The Marital Intimacy Show,” intimacy expert, Laura M. Brotherson highlights the “when” of talking to your kids about sex (i.e. before dating and before marriage), and helps parents proactively plan to have all five important discussions.
In this episode #041 “Five Key Times to Talk to Your Kids about Sex -- Part 1” on “The Marital Intimacy Show,” intimacy expert, Laura M. Brotherson highlights the “when” of talking to your kids about sex, and helps parents proactively plan to have these five important discussions.
In this episode #040 “Lovemaking: When Couples Have Teens at Home -- Q&A” on “The Marital Intimacy Show,” intimacy expert, Laura M. Brotherson addresses the challenge of finding discreet time for lovemaking, and how to communicate a positive message to one’s teens about the sexual relationship in marriage.
In this episode #039 “Overcoming the Good Girl Syndrome” on “The Marital Intimacy Show,” intimacy expert, Laura M. Brotherson helps you identify how much the Good Girl Syndrome may be affecting you and your marriage, and also provides brief suggestions to help you overcome it.
In this episode #038 “The Good Girl Syndrome” on “The Marital Intimacy Show,” intimacy expert, Laura M. Brotherson addresses one of the most pervasive and often unacknowledged sources of sexual dissatisfaction in marriage.
In this episode #037 “Beating the Body Image Blues: Part 3 -- Making Peace with Your Body" on “The Marital Intimacy Show,” intimacy expert, Laura M. Brotherson shares three suggestions to help you change your mental programming and become your body’s friend and advocate.
In this episode #036 “Beating the Body Image Blues: Part 2 -- Emotional Eating" on “The Marital Intimacy Show,” intimacy expert, Laura M. Brotherson discusses the issue of body image, weight and emotional eating. Learn how to stop the negative self-talk that feeds into emotional eating, and be able to say to yourself and your husband, “I like who I am. I like my body, and I’m happy to share myself with you.”
In this episode #035 “Beating the Body Image Blues: Part 1-- What is Real?" on “The Marital Intimacy Show,” intimacy expert, Laura M. Brotherson addresses some of the sources of body image dissatisfaction to set the stage for helping women to overcome these issues.
Body image issues have a significant effect on lovemaking. In this episode #034 “Body Image and Lovemaking -- Part 2" on “The Marital Intimacy Show,” intimacy expert, Laura M. Brotherson discusses how wives’ body image issues affect their husbands in lovemaking, and how husbands wish their wives could see the beauty they see and believe the words they speak.
Most women struggle with body image issues no matter how they look. In this episode #033 “Body Image and Lovemaking -- Part 1" on “The Marital Intimacy Show,” intimacy expert, Laura M. Brotherson discusses the impact of body image on lovemaking, and how feeling sexy need not be contingent on one’s appearance.
Studies show that the happier wives are with the division of household responsibilities, the happier husbands are with their sex lives, and the less risk there is for divorce. In this episode #032 “Husbands, Housework, Divorce and Sex” on “The Marital Intimacy Show,” intimacy expert, Laura M. Brotherson discusses this important factor in happy marriages and suggests how couples can share the household responsibilities more evenly.
Most women struggle with body image issues no matter how they look. In this episode #033 “Body Image and Lovemaking -- Part 1" on “The Marital Intimacy Show,” intimacy expert, Laura M. Brotherson discusses the impact of body image on lovemaking, and how feeling sexy need not be contingent on one’s appearance.
In this episode #030 "I Am a Sexual Being, and It's Good -- Developing a Sexual Identity" on “The Marital Intimacy Show,” intimacy expert, Laura M. Brotherson encourages women to embrace and develop their sexual identity--to be able to say "I am a sexual being, and it's good!" She shares four things that are different about a woman who has embraced her sexuality, and also discusses various tasks and questions women can explore in developing their sexual identity. www.TheMaritalIntimacyShow.comwww.StrengtheningMarriage.com
In this episode #029 “A Quickie about Quickies" on “The Marital Intimacy Show,” intimacy expert, Laura M. Brotherson, provides quick tips and a new perspective on quickies in the marital relationship.
Many couples have lost that lovin’ feeling when it comes to kissing and making out. In this episode #028 “The Bliss of a Kiss -- Restoring the Lost Art of Kissing, Part 3" on “The Marital Intimacy Show,” intimacy expert, Laura M. Brotherson, provides suggestions to change the kissing dynamics in the relationship.
Many couples have lost that lovin’ feeling when it comes to kissing and making out. In this episode #027 “The Bliss of a Kiss -- Restoring the Lost Art of Kissing, Part 2" on “The Marital Intimacy Show,” intimacy expert, Laura M. Brotherson, addresses common complaints, and suggests “kissing lessons” for wives to share with their husbands to change the kissing dynamics in the relationship.
Many couples have lost that lovin’ feeling when it comes to kissing and making out. In this episode #026 “The Bliss of a Kiss -- Restoring the Lost Art of Kissing, Part 1" on “The Marital Intimacy Show,” intimacy expert, Laura M. Brotherson, addresses common complaints, and suggests “kissing lessons” for wives to share with their husbands, so that she especially can more fully enjoy the bliss of a kiss.
Everyone feels loved differently. In this episode #025 “What You Need to Know about Loving Your Spouse" on “The Marital Intimacy Show,” intimacy expert, Laura M. Brotherson, teaches the importance of loving one’s spouse in the way they need to be loved. www.TheMaritalIntimacyShow.com www.StrengtheningMarriage.com
In this episode #024 “The Blissful Caress" on “The Marital Intimacy Show,” intimacy expert, Laura M. Brotherson, suggests that couples add this Blissful Caress to their intimate moments to sensually energize their lovemaking. The Blissful Caress is great sexual therapy for both husband and wife! www.TheMaritalIntimacyShow.com www.StrengtheningMarriage.com
Music adds variety to lovemaking. In this episode #023 “Mood Music -- Q&A" on “The Marital Intimacy Show,” intimacy expert, Laura M. Brotherson, encourages couples to create their own bedroom music and see how it can help fuel their fires and enhance their sexual relationship. www.TheMaritalIntimacyShow.com www.StrengtheningMarriage.com
In this episode #022 “Where Do I Start in Strengthening My Marriage Intimately? -- Q&A" on “The Marital Intimacy Show,” intimacy expert, Laura M. Brotherson, answers an email she received about where a wife might start to improve her intimate marital relationship, and how to be a part of our work of strengthening marriages intimately. Click here to connect with us: http://strengtheningmarriage.com/blog/connectsubscribe/ www.TheMaritalIntimacyShow.com www.StrengtheningMarriage.com
In this episode #021 “Overcoming Obstacles of the Big ‘O’ -- Part 3" of “The Marital Intimacy Show,” intimacy expert, Laura M. Brotherson, addresses: (5) Touch, (6) Technique, (7) Transcendence, and (8) Time helping couples identify and overcome obstacles of female orgasm.
In this episode #020 “Overcoming Obstacles of the Big ‘O’ -- Part 2" of “The Marital Intimacy Show,” intimacy expert, Laura M. Brotherson, addresses: (1) Thoughts, (2) Tenderness, (3) Teasing/Playfulness, and (4) Talk helping couples identify and overcome obstacles of female orgasm.
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