Podcasts about intimacy

In this episode,I give examples of what it means for you to "play it safe" with your woman. Why you play it safe What it sounds like to stop playing it safe, and why this is so important for your connection and sex life!Do you resonate with this and you're ready to do something about it? Apply for a Sex Audit. Let's see if we're a good fit to work together. I'd love to help you!

There are things God reveals in the secret place

Reflecting on the nature of relationships.

Do you judge people who are emotionally attached to their chatbots? Bridget Todd used to read stories about people forming intimate relationships with AI and think, “That’s so pathetic. That is so sad. That could never be me.” But when she needed support during a hard time, AI was there for her. Bridget Todd, host of There Are No Girls on the Internet and author of Love at First Prompt: AI and the Future of Intimacy, joins Oz to explain what’s really happening in these human-machine relationships – and why human connection reigns supreme.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if the secret to lasting intimacy isn't one big romantic gesture—but intentionally choosing your relationship again and again? Dr. Sonia and her partner have made a commitment to take 100 honeymoons over the course of their relationship. They're currently on number 16. But a honeymoon doesn't have to mean Paris, Hawaii, or two weeks in the Maldives. Sometimes it's one night away. Sometimes it's a simple date. What makes it a honeymoon isn't the destination. It's the intention. In this episode, Dr. Sonia shares the hilarious moment her partner informed her that their upcoming family vacation did not qualify as their next honeymoon—and why that conversation revealed something much bigger about relationships. Intimacy rarely disappears overnight. More often, it gets slowly deprioritized as children, careers, aging parents, responsibilities, and everyday life take over. And then, years later, couples look at each other and wonder: Who are you? And how did we get here? In This Episode, You'll Learn:

What is killing the sexual intimacy in your marriage? For many couples, intimacy doesn't disappear overnight. It slowly gets pushed aside. Resentment builds. Schedules get packed. Phones get more attention. Conflict goes unresolved. Emotional connection begins to disappear. And eventually, what happens outside the bedroom starts affecting what happens inside it. In Episode 310 of the Family Meeting Podcast, Thomas and Lysandra Osterkamp discuss five common sex killers that can damage physical and emotional intimacy in marriage: bitterness, busyness, technology, unresolved conflict, and emotional neglect. In this episode, we discuss: How bitterness and resentment affect sexual intimacy. Why busyness can slowly push your marriage to the bottom of your priorities. How phones, screens, and technology compete for your spouse's attention. Why unresolved conflict often follows couples into the bedroom. How emotional neglect creates physical distance. Practical ways to protect and rebuild intimacy in your marriage. A healthy sex life isn't only about what happens in the bedroom. How you speak to each other matters. How you handle conflict matters. How much attention you give each other matters. Whether your spouse feels emotionally connected to you matters. If physical intimacy has become difficult, infrequent, or nonexistent in your marriage, don't only focus on sex. Look for what may be happening underneath the surface. What is creating distance between you? What resentment hasn't been addressed? What conflict hasn't been resolved? What has become more important than your relationship? And when was the last time your spouse genuinely felt pursued by you? Whether you're currently struggling with sexual intimacy or simply want to protect the connection you already have, this episode will help you identify some of the biggest threats to intimacy and begin doing something about them. Subscribe for weekly conversations on marriage, parenting, and faith. Bonus Resource: Send an email to info@familymeeting.org for our Marriage Intimacy Killers Assessment. For more information: https://linktr.ee/familymeeting

Have you ever wondered why you and your husband feel more disconnected... even though you love each other?Maybe intimacy feels harder than it used to. Maybe your sex drive isn't what it once was, and you're wondering how to rebuild the emotional connection, romance, and desire you miss.What if one small communication habit is quietly creating emotional distance in your marriage—and you don't even realize you're doing it?In this episode of Midlife Marriage Makeover, we're uncovering one of the biggest hidden communication mistakes that can slowly erode emotional connection, intimacy, romance, and desire in midlife marriage.You'll discover:Why being "helpful" can sometimes feel like criticism to your husband.How emotional safety rebuilds intimacy and strengthens connection.Five simple ways to communicate with more respect while creating deeper emotional connection.Why encouragement opens the door to greater romance, trust, and desire.How one small mindset shift can completely change the atmosphere of your marriage.If you've ever thought:"We're often in different worlds.""I feel disconnected from my husband.""I want to rebuild intimacy and emotional connection.""I want to feel close sexually again.""I miss the romance we used to have."...this episode is for you.Friend, I don't believe your best years of marriage are behind you. I believe God is still writing your story. Sometimes the breakthrough you've been praying for isn't found in a big change—it's found in one small shift that helps your husband feel seen, respected, and emotionally safe again.

One of the most common pieces of relationship advice is, “You just need more date nights.” But what if you're already spending plenty of time together and still feel disconnected? Dinner, vacations, concerts, movies, and weekends away can all be fun, but simply being in the same place doesn't automatically create connection. In this episode, Kimberly and Roberto explore the difference between spending time together and actually connecting, why date nights can sometimes become a Band-Aid for deeper relationship issues, and what creates the emotional intimacy and presence couples are really craving. In This Episode, We Cover: why spending time together isn't necessarily connection how date nights can become a distraction from deeper relationship issues why presence is essential for emotional connection why connection should be a daily practice instead of a weekly event how we create connection in our everyday relationship why connection with your partner begins with connection to yourself Ready to Go Deeper? If you're spending plenty of time together but still feeling disconnected, this is exactly the kind of work we explore inside our Couples Retreats. Our next intimate Couples Retreat is September 17–21 at our private lakeside sanctuary in North Kawartha, Ontario. Over four days, we help couples slow down, reconnect, deepen intimacy, strengthen communication, and learn practical connection skills they can continue using at home. Reserve your retreat spot here:

Learn tips on how to stop relationship and marriage arguments, increase your passion, and also helping you with your dating life. Weekly LIVE Q&A on Marriage, Love, Relationship, Dating and Sex from a Licensed Professional! PLEASE LIKE, SHARE and COMMENT! Thank you!

Julie and Chris spend the full show unpacking Kim Schadt's list of more than 20 practical ways to love your husband and renew your marriage, encouraging listeners to pick just one or two habits a week rather than trying to do everything at once. Prayer and Spiritual Life The hosts start with the spiritual foundation: praying for your husband daily, offering the Eucharist on his behalf, protecting his own devotional life without pushing him to pray your way, and praying a decade of the Rosary together — specifically the second luminous mystery, where Jesus turns water into wine. Everyday Acts of Love and Affirmation Small, consistent gestures matter most — a hidden act of service, a daily word of affirmation, ten minutes of undivided attention, and fifteen minutes of quiet decompression time when he first gets home from work. Julie and Chris share how these habits have played out in their own marriages, including a nightly cup of chocolate milk and a decompression phone call on the drive home. Communication, Intimacy, and Forgiveness The hosts also cover harder topics with honesty: physical intimacy as a renewal of wedding vows, communicating through wounds or difficulty in that area, asking your husband directly about his needs instead of assuming, and the humility of asking "will you forgive me?" after a disagreement. Marriage-Strengthening Resource: Free Will Iowa Catholic Radio has partnered with My Catholic Will to offer listeners a free legal will, created in as little as fifteen minutes. Learn more at My Catholic Will. Read the Full Article This episode is based on Kim Schadt's article on Catholic-Link, "Over 20 Practical Ways to Love Your Husband and Renew Your Marriage." Learn more at IowaCatholicRadio.com. #CatholicMarriage #CatholicWomenNow #LoveYourHusband #CatholicWife #MarriageAdvice #CatholicFaith #IowaCatholicRadio #CatholicPodcast Listen Live · Program Schedule · Our StationsLINKSYou can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Tiktok! More on our website.If you would like to support Iowa Catholic Radio you can donate Here! More from Iowa Catholic Radio:Sunday Dive with Katie PatrizioMan Up! with Joe StopulosCatholic Women Now with Chris Magruder and Julie NelsonThe Uncommon Good with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud MarrBe Not Afraid with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce RiebeBe Not Afraid en Español con el P. Fabián MoncadaMaking it Personal with Bishop William JoensenFaith and Family Finance with Gregory WaddleThe Great Men of the Bible with Joe Stopulos Liturgy & DevotionsThe Daily Gospel Reflection with Fr. Nick SmithThe Daily Mass from St. Francis of AssisiThe Daily Mass from St. Pius XThe Daily Mass from St. TheresaSunday Mass from the Basilica of Saint JohnWant to support your favorite show? Click Here Iowa Catholic Radio - Connecting People to Christ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  'ask dorothy' Speak Your Truth How Honest Conversation Can Deepen Intimacy In Your Relationship The WISDOM Podcast with Dorothy Zennuriye Juno   How well can someone truly know us if we aren't allowing ourselves to be fully known? Two people can love one another, build a life together and share decades of experiences — and still hold back parts of themselves. Not necessarily secrets. Sometimes it's a preference. A disappointment. Something you need. Something you want but haven't asked for. Something you've changed your mind about. Something your partner does that bothers you. Something you think or feel but decide is easier not to say. In this episode of The WISDOM Podcast, we explore what it means to speak your truth in an intimate relationship — and why honest conversation can become an invitation into deeper intimacy. Speaking your truth isn't about saying everything that enters your mind or using honesty as permission to be insensitive or cruel. Relational honesty asks for something more: ownership, care and a willingness to let another person know what is true for you. We explore why some of us learn to accommodate rather than speak, how seemingly small moments of withholding can accumulate over time, and why there is an important difference between peace and simply avoiding the truths that might disturb one another. You'll also learn a simple practice for beginning these conversations: giving your truth a preface — helping your partner understand that you're not trying to attack or necessarily asking them to fix something; you're practising allowing yourself to be known. And because intimacy requires both speaking and listening, we turn the question around: Am I someone my partner can be honest with? Can I become curious before I become defensive? Can I hear my partner's preference without interpreting it as rejection? Can I make room for their experience even when it differs from mine? Because the goal isn't always agreement. Perhaps it is something more intimate: Two people willing to know — and to be known.   ✨ In This Episode We explore: What it really means to speak your truth in a relationship Why truth without ownership and care can become hurtful rather than intimate How to use a preface when honest communication is new for you or your relationship Why years of accommodation can quietly hide parts of who we are The difference between relational honesty and indiscriminate honesty What it means to have the courage to become knowable How small truths can become seeds for deeper conversation Why receiving your partner's truth is as important as speaking your own How curiosity can help us listen without immediately becoming defensive Why intimacy doesn't require agreement How two people can continue discovering one another even after decades together  

Learn about the words that matter and how what you say to your spouse can shape your connection. | “Encouragement is oxygen to the soul.” —George Adams Is it really possible to rekindle the spark and restore the “like-new” connection in your marriage? Yes it is! In the 6 Pillars of Intimacy, you will discover secrets that have transformed countless marriages. Its ideas are simple, practical, and powerful. You'll be inspired to look at your marriage through a new lens and be encouraged by its commonsense approach. Alisa and Tony DiLorenzo's proven approach to building intimacy in marriage will help you experience deeper and richer levels of intimacy with your spouse – starting today. Click HERE to get your copy today! Links from today's episode: Apply for Marriage Coaching The 6 Pillars of Intimacy® Certified Coaching Program Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This talk was given by Matthew Brensilver on 2026.09.01 at the Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City, CA. ******* Video of this talk is available at: https://youtube.com/live/xWMSCyocSJk. ******* For more talks like this, visit AudioDharma.org ******* If you have enjoyed this talk, please consider supporting AudioDharma with a donation at https://www.audiodharma.org/donate/. ******* This talk is licensed by a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License

Why are the very people we long to be closest to also the ones who hurt us the most? The paradox of intimacy is that our yearning for closeness often puts us at risk of pain, creating a delicate dance between connection and self-protection. As we draw near to those we love, our natural defenses can surface—sometimes in ways that inadvertently push each other away, leaving us feeling misunderstood or isolated even in our most important relationships. In this episode, the conversation dives into this very dilemma, exploring how our protective instincts can unintentionally create distance within our most cherished bonds. Listeners will discover why vulnerability feels so risky, how to recognize when their own "bodyguards" are at play, and practical paths to move from defensiveness back toward genuine connection. Through relatable stories and actionable guidance, the episode offers tools to nurture intimacy, strengthen repair, and foster lasting emotional safety in partnership. Dr. James Cordova, Professor of Psychology at Clark University, is the developer of The Relationship Checkup, a relationship healthcare intervention designed to be the relationship health equivalent of an annual physical checkup. Dr. Cordova is the founder and president of Arammu Inc., a university-based relationship healthcare company created to disseminate The Relationship Checkup and evidence-based relationship healthcare throughout both military and civilian populations. He is also the author of the recently published book, The Mindful Path to Intimacy.   Episode Highlights 04:08 Porcupine nature and need to snuggle. 08:12 Learning to stay vulnerable and mitigate defenses. 10:05 Fight, flight, and the challenge of staying connected. 16:10 Finding humor and forgiveness in everyday annoyances. 17:09 Little hurts, unspoken needs, and the risk of disconnection. 23:39 Curiosity and compassion for your partner's inner world. 30:43 Understanding personal defense mechanisms. 31:29 Choosing vulnerability over protection. 37:14 The high cost of disconnection and misinterpretation. 38:52 Making relationship health proactive, not reactive. 43:55 Annual relationship checkups for lasting connection.   Your Checklist of Actions to Take Identify Your Bodyguards: Become aware of your instinctive protective responses in relationship conflicts so you can notice when they're taking over. Acknowledge Vulnerability: Accept that vulnerability will always feel risky, but that authentic connection requires it. Communicate Softly When Hurt: When you feel hurt, express it in a clear and vulnerable way instead of becoming reactive or defensive. Seek Repair Quickly: If a rupture occurs, prioritize reaching out for repair—apologize, listen, and reconnect as soon as possible. Stay Curious About Your Partner: Practice ongoing curiosity and seek to understand your partner's experience and changing needs. Offer and Receive Forgiveness: When mistakes happen, forgive yourself and your partner, recognizing the common humanity in imperfection. Practice Regular Relationship Checkups: Engage in annual or periodic relationship assessments to stay proactive about relational health. Value Connection Over Pride: Make a conscious choice to value closeness and repair more than being "right" or protecting your ego.   Mentioned The Mindful Path to Intimacy (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) Marriage, Divorce, and the Immune System (*PubMed Central) (article) Janice Kiecolt-Glaser 12 Relationship Principles to Strengthen Your Love (free relationship guide)   Connect with Dr. James Cordova Website: arammu.com Facebook: facebook.com/RelationshipCheckup Instagram: instagram.com/relationshipcheckup LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/arammu  

Sunday August 16, 2026: In this teaching from The Lordship of the Spirit, Pastor Matt finishes walking through Romans 8 and the fruit that accompanies a life governed by the Holy Spirit.Romans 8 gives us more than theology—it gives us a picture of what life looks like when the Spirit is Lord. Freedom from condemnation. Life and peace. Beloved identity. Freedom from fear. Intimacy with the Father. A life increasingly formed from within by the Spirit of God.This isn't about striving to become more spiritual. It's about surrendering to the One who already lives within us and allowing His life to become evident through ours.The fruit reveals the government.

Struggling with performance anxiety or curious about intimacy in an open lifestyle? Let's explore it together!

Your bedroom habits might be doing far more for your body than you think, potentially even adding years to your life.Beyond just pleasure and connection, regular intimacy acts as a powerful, natural indicator of your overall longevity and well-being. In this episode, you will discover the surprising medical benefits of sex and how simple routine changes can protect your physical and mental health. You will also uncover the science-backed frequency target that triggers optimal wellness and what subtle changes in your drive might signal about your future vitality.Hit play now to discover how taking charge of your intimate wellness can completely transform your long-term health.--------------Key TakeawaysRegular sexual activity is clinically linked to lower overall mortality and increased longevity.Maintaining intimacy at least once per week is associated with reduced risks of cancer and stroke.Frequent sex supports cardiovascular recovery and long-term survival after heart events.Intimacy acts as moderate exercise that helps naturally lower blood pressure and improve sleep quality.Regular physical intimacy triggers endorphin release to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.Consistently engaging in sexual health routines supports immune function and mood regulation.Meeting the recommended frequency of one to three times per week provides optimal mind-body benefits.A decline in sexual frequency can serve as an early warning sign for hidden cardiovascular issues.Modern cardiology guidelines now recognize sexual wellness as an essential marker of heart health.--------------Resources mentioned:Modern Man CribMediterranean DietGood Morning Wood SmoothieRenew with Dr. Anne--------------Curious about how you can boost your bedroom game and build lasting confidence? Check out the course at getwoodnow.com and start your journey to feeling like yourself again!--------------If you enjoyed this episode and want to learn more and get more tips, subscribe to The Modern Man newsletter for exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox! https://dranne.co/themodernman--------------Follow Me On:InstagramTwitterFacebookTikTokYouTube--------------For all links and resources mentioned on the show and where to subscribe to the podcast, please visit https://truongrehab.com/sex-heart-longevity-health-benefits--------------Want to regain control of your sex life? It's time to reverse the effects of ED on your life. Join the Modern Man Club and embark on your journey to complete recovery and community.--------------Reveal the FREE treatment most men ignore that solves thousands of erectile dysfunction cases every year, plus the 5 biggest mistakes you must avoid if you want to say goodbye to your ED. Uncover it all in my free eBook, available to download now.https://dranne.co/ebook

God's design for sex.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode I cover a bit about what I did over the Summer and I talk about a major life change. Support the showhttps://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

Have you ever been told your workplace is "like a family"? In this episode, sociologist Dr. Sarah Mosseri joins us to discuss her book, Trust Fall: How Workplace Relationships Fail Us. She exposes how employers leverage emotional intimacy and relational trust to mask systemic inequity, burnout, and lack of real safety nets—a trap that disproportionately impacts women and marginalized workers performing heavy emotional labor.

Get the 200+ Page Optimal Living Daily Workbook (PDF) - Free. Want to turn today's episode into an actionable plan? Join the Optimal Living Weekly newsletter and I'll send you our 200-page digital workbook immediately. It's packed with the best takeaways from the show, formatted for easy reading and implementation at home. Get your free PDF workbook here: https://oldpodcast.eo.page/join Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com Episode 3125: Anita Chlipala explains how couples drift from loving talk into logistical talk without noticing, and offers ten open-ended questions that reopen the conversation, covering childhood memories, unmet needs, private worries, unfulfilled dreams, and physical intimacy. She notes that the couples who stay connected are simply deliberate about it, setting aside twenty distraction-free minutes and letting themselves be vulnerable rather than staging grand gestures. It is small, repeatable relationship advice for keeping a marriage close over the long run. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.gottman.com/blog/10-questions-happy-couples-constantly-asking-one-another/ Quotes to ponder: "Too many couples become emotionally disconnected and they never saw it coming." "Let yourself be vulnerable. It's a pathway to intimacy and it helps you build and maintain trust." "Intimacy suffers when people stay focused on the things that aren't going well or take the good things for granted." Optimal Relationships Daily is a daily relationship advice podcast where we narrate the best articles on healthy relationships, dating, marriage, and parenting, read to you by a professional narrator so you can strengthen your closest connections a little more every day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I share why so many married couples ruin desire by treating sex like a performance, then show how a playful mindset brings freedom back. We trade judgment for curiosity, build safety with boundaries, and start creating a sex life that fits us instead of chasing someone else's standard. • why pressure turns sex into scorekeeping and shuts down desire • how “play” changes the goal from performing to exploring together • why sexual chemistry is built and rebuilt across seasons of marriage • replacing judgmental questions with curiosity that invites honesty • taking turns leading connection and intimacy to create variety • why boundaries and an easy “no” make experimentation possible • talking about sex when nothing is expected to happen • the weekly mission question that sparks playful change • how the Hotter Together challenge turns insight into action • a preview of next week's topic on entitlement versus responsibility If you want some help making your connection more playful, go to: https://monicatanner.com/hotter and join the Hotter Together 14-day couples challenge. If this conversation encouraged you, would you do me a favor and share it with someone you love? Your spouse, a friend, or another couple who could use a little hope today. Send us Fan Mail

Send us Fan MailWhat does it mean to truly see yourself as a daughter of God?In this heartfelt conversation, Robin Blumenthal sits down with Melanie Sunukjian to explore how our relationships with our earthly fathers can shape the way we experience God as our Heavenly Father.Melanie shares her own journey of recognizing what was missing in her relationship with her dad, seeing his willingness to grow, and learning to recognize the ways God has been loving, nurturing, and caring for her all along.Together, Robin and Melanie talk about father wounds, the power of healthy community, women in Scripture, and the difference between constantly doing for God and learning to simply sit at His feet.If you have ever struggled to understand what it means to be loved as a daughter, this conversation is an invitation to discover the intimacy of a good Father. Stay Connected with Melanie at www.melaniesunukjian.comInstagram: @melaniesunukjianFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/melanie.sunukjian/Here are two FREE Ebooks for you! 1. Shame Off You: 10 steps to shattering shame in your life, HERE. 2. ABC's: CLICK HERE for a FREE E-book to help you combat lies and replace them with God's truth.  For more encouragement, check out some of our offerings at www.reclaimedstory.comDid you know we have a jewelry line that speaks to your identity in Jesus? CLICK HERE to shop. Every purchase helps support our mission to provide healing and hope to women worldwide. Would you partner with us to spread the message of hope and healing? You can DONATE HERE.  Living the Reclaimed Life is a Reclaimed Story, Inc. podcast, An Arizona non-profit corporation. If you would like to connect with a safe group of women doing real-life together, join our private Facebook page, “Living the Reclaimed Life” or on  Facebook  or Instagram 

What is the difference between intimacy and eroticism? While many people use the two words interchangeably, Lauren and Trey open this episode by separating them completely. Grounding their definitions in both basic research and clinical framework, they define intimacy as the realm of safety, emotional closeness, and deep trust, while eroticism belongs to the world of sexual arousal, play, fantasy, and vibrant vitality.Through an unfiltered look into their own marriage, Lauren and Trey reveal how true intimacy thrives on holistic acceptance, from sharing vulnerable moments like being taken care of while sick to letting go of the false need for "secrecy" in long-term relationships. They explore the psychology behind why some partners push intimacy away to maintain a false sense of "mystery" or projection, and they dive into the Jungian concept of Shadow Contracts, the rigid, childhood rules we subconsciously write that dictate how we love, protect, and defend ourselves in adult partnerships.Key Takeaways & Concepts Explored:• Intimacy vs. Eroticism: Intimacy equals safety, emotional vulnerability, and deep trust; eroticism equals arousal, play, passion, fantasy, and aliveness.• Referencing Esther Perel's work with Holocaust survivors, Lauren explains how harnessing play, sex, and vitality serves as a profound tool for thriving after trauma.• Privacy vs. Secrecy: Understanding the critical distinction in partnership. Privacy honors sacred individual space (like solo practice or processing ideas), whereas secrecy relies on withholding information that causes detriment or deprives a partner of informed consent.• Childhood Shadow Contracts: Exploring the subconscious "I will never..." promises made in youth. Lauren and Trey break down how these outdated contracts show up as perfectionism, self-directed rage, or defensiveness in primary partnerships.• Rewriting Gender Scripts: A preview into breaking down patriarchal expectations so men can feel safe being cared for and women can be fully championed in their eroticism.Ready to rewrite outdated scripts, build authentic intimacy, and cultivate high-heat eroticism in your relationship?Request your free 15-minute consult at sexedforyou.com/freeconsult.About ThemLauren and Trey are partners living in Central Virginia, where Lauren owns and operates Sex Ed for You. She provides comprehensive sexuality education and embodied coaching to individuals, partners, and parents.Through a biopsychosocial approach, Sex Ed for You works to restore positive and respectful approaches to sexuality and sexual relationships, while increasing the possibility of pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination, and violence (World Health Organization).Sexual health is fundamental to the overall health and well-being of individuals, couples, and families, as well as to the social and economic development of communities and countries (World Health Organization). When individuals are blocked from sexual health, they are often stunted in their ability to develop sensual play, embodied connection, and enjoyment.Learn More & ConnectLearn more about Sex Ed for You: ⁠https://www.sexedforyou.com⁠Schedule a FREE CONSULT with Lauren: ⁠https://www.sexedforyou.com/freeconsult⁠Learn more about partnered communication and relational education on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/sex_ed_for_you/⁠Subscribe to the YouTube channel for conversations about sex, partnership, communication, and love: ⁠https://youtube.com/@thepartnershippodcast⁠Important RemindersThis is not a “how to” podcast, but rather a “how they” podcast. Lauren and Trey share personal experiences, perspectives, and reflections, inviting listeners to learn from what resonates, question what doesn't, and decide what feels aligned for their own lives.Lauren is not a therapist. She is a Certified Holistic Sexuality Educator and Embodied Intimacy and Relationship Coach.

What if the relationships in our lives are not just relationships but mirrors showing us the places within ourselves that are asking to be seen, healed, and transformed?In this deeply nourishing conversation, I'm joined by Justin Chandler Peters to explore the powerful connection between self-healing, relationships, emotional awareness, and soul-level growth.We talk about why the relationship we have with ourselves becomes the foundation for every relationship we create with others and how our partners can become some of our greatest teachers and mirrors. Instead of asking, “Why are they doing this to me?”, we explore what happens when we begin asking, “What is this showing me? What am I being invited to heal or learn?”We dive into:Relationships as mirrors — how our partners can reflect our wounds, patterns, triggers, and the parts of ourselves that still need love.Coming home to yourself — letting go of the identities, beliefs, and conditioning we've collected so we can reconnect with our own truth and inner wisdom.Nervous system regulation and emotional safety — why learning to sit with our emotions and create safety within ourselves can completely transform the way we connect with others.Intimacy and vulnerability — what it takes to create relationships where we feel safe enough to open our hearts, be seen, and truly connect.The healing journey — understanding that healing isn't about becoming someone new, but about removing the layers that have disconnected us from who we have always been.Men, emotions and vulnerability — an important conversation about how men can begin breaking free from the conditioning that taught them to suppress their emotions and instead become more connected, present and emotionally available.Following your soul's wisdom — learning to quiet the mind, create space through practices like meditation, and listen to the deeper voice within.Taking your power back — moving from blame and victimhood into curiosity, awareness and personal responsibility.One of the most beautiful reminders from this conversation is that we don't necessarily need to add more to ourselves—we may simply need to let go of what no longer serves us.Our relationships can be some of our greatest opportunities for growth. The moments that trigger us can become invitations. The people who challenge us can become mirrors. And the deeper we are willing to look within, the more we can return to our truth.If you're on a journey of healing, deepening your relationship, reconnecting with your intuition, or simply learning to come home to yourself, this conversation is for you.Because sometimes the person standing in front of you isn't just showing you who they are they're showing you something within you that is ready to be healed.Listen in and discover how your relationships can become a pathway to deeper self-awareness, intimacy, healing, and soul-level growth.Connect with Justin:Instagram: @justnthemomentWebsite: The Growth ClubConnect with me:Instagram: @Pam_RoccaTik Tok: @Pam_RoccaWebsite: www.pamrocca.comWork with me:Book a Free 15-minute Clarity Call:https://calendly.com/divinehealth/15minBook an Initial Consultation: https://calendly.com/divinehealth/90minIntuitive Oracle Reading: https://calendly.com/divinehealth/60-minute-intuitive-oracle-card-readingIntuitive Reiki Session or Distance Reiki Session:https://calendly.com/divinehealth/in-person-intuitive-reiki-healing-session-60-minsEnergy Work Sessions - Energy Healing: https://calendly.com/divinehealth/energy-healing-sessionSoul and Transformation Coaching: https://calendly.com/divinehealth/3-month-coaching-packageIf you enjoyed this episode, please let me know so I can create more of the content you love. Also, please share the podcast with anyone you know who would love this community, these tools, information, and free resources. Have the most love-filled week and shine on, my friends.Support the show

In this episode, we get vulnerable about a major shift God has been calling us to make. For years, we've created marriage and relationship content designed to grab attention, generate clicks, and reach millions of people. But recently, God began challenging us with a difficult question: Are we creating content that gets views, or content that actually advances the Kingdom?We talk openly about stepping away from lukewarm Christian content, marriage clickbait, intimacy-focused hooks, and anything that may generate attention without pointing people deeper toward Jesus Christ.This conversation is about obedience over influence, purpose over popularity, and Kingdom impact over social media numbers.If you're a Christian creator, entrepreneur, husband, wife, leader, or believer wrestling with God's calling on your life, this episode will challenge you to examine your motives. Are you willing to sacrifice views, followers, money, or success if God asks you to?We believe Christian marriage content should do more than improve relationships. It should make disciples, strengthen families, transform marriages, and lead people closer to Jesus.Views aren't the mission. Jesus is.Desire to become a High Level Husband who is on Fire, Free, and Followed? click the link below!https://www.highlevelhusband.com/bmr-blueprint

We hope that you enjoy this sermon from our Associate Pastor, Jon Meo.

No Agenda Episode 1899 - "Asymmetric Intimacy" Asymmetric Intimacy" Executive Producers: Stuart Greene Jessica Greene Sir Sala Hauser Sir Ty of God's Flat Earth Eric Wilka Dr. Sir OneAwesome Jason PhD. Tom Beben Katherine Nicholas Sir JoFo Peter Bickford Raymond Lee (switcheroo from Indy NA Meetup) Indy NA Meetup The Sydney No Agenda Meetup Mob — Sir Chris Wilson Associate Executive Producers: Manuka Gold Family — manukagold.com (code TREASURE) Eli The Coffee Guy — Gigawatt Coffee Roasters (code ITM20) Annette Miller (switcheroo from Indy NA Meetup) Indy NA Meetup Linda Lupatkin — Imagemakers Ink, Duchess of Jobs Knights and Dames: Stuart Greene > Sir Troubleshooter Raymond Lee > Sir Raymond Jessica Greene > Dame Doula at your Cervix Annette Miller > Dame Near Perfect Order of the Ant: Stuart Greene Jessica Greene Sir Sala Hauser Sir Ty of God's Flat Earth Eric Wilka Dr. Sir OneAwesome Jason PhD. Tom Beben Katherine Nicholas Sir JoFo Peter Bickford Raymond Lee End of Show Mixes: Jus Baker (Where's The Beef) Jus Baker (All-In Jason Calacanis) Jus Baker (The Biggest Oil Deal) Art By: Tyler Brown Mark van Dijk - Systems Master Ryan Bemrose - Program Director Back Office Jae Dvorak Chapters: Dreb Scott Clip Custodian: Neal Jones Clip Collectors: Steve Jones & Dave Ackerman No Agenda Peerage RSS Podcast Feed Last Modified 08/30/2026 15:55:34 by Freedom Controller

21st Sunday A 

There is a sentence here from St. Isaac that overturns almost everything we are inclined to think about asceticism: You suppose these things were ordained simply to oblige you to labor. We imagine the vigil primarily as something difficult. Sleep is surrendered. The body is constrained. Psalms are prayed while the world sleeps. Nature protests and the monk remains standing before God. Looked at from the outside, it appears to be an extraordinary act of discipline. But Isaac tells us that if this is all we see, we have not yet understood the vigil. The question is not how much a man can endure for God. The question is what begins to happen within the heart of a man who desires God enough to seek Him in the night. Something is born there. This is why Isaac speaks so fiercely about the following day. The tragedy would not simply be that we failed in some ascetical rule. The tragedy would be that we received something precious and then lived carelessly enough to lose it. Seeking the One Who Has Already Come to Us The night vigil is born from desire. The monk rises because Someone is there. This is what distinguishes Christian asceticism from mere religious exertion. We are not trying to force our way toward an absent God. We are responding to the God who has already drawn near, already called us, already awakened desire within us. The Beloved has come seeking us. And eventually the heart begins seeking Him. There comes a moment in the spiritual life when prayer is no longer adequately described as obligation. The language of duty becomes too small. A man discovers within himself a hunger for silence because silence allows him to hear more clearly. He desires solitude because solitude removes the thousand competing claims upon his attention. He rises in the night because there are hours when the world has become quiet enough for the heart to recognize what it has always desired. Isaac knows this experience. This is why he speaks of Scripture as well. Reading is not merely preparation for prayer or the acquisition of religious knowledge. Scripture “sows” something within the soul. It gathers the scattered mind. It irrigates prayer. It plants the remembrance of God. It makes the understanding subtle enough to perceive things that previously escaped it. Scripture, silence, prayer, vigil—all begin converging upon the one thing necessary. Christ Himself. And once the heart begins to taste this, the whole ordering of life must change. The Day Must Become the Guardian of the Night Here Isaac becomes extraordinarily demanding. What sense is there, he asks, in sowing throughout the night only to scatter the seed during the day? We stand before God in darkness, struggling to gather the mind. Perhaps after a long while the thoughts settle. Something softens. The Name descends more deeply. Scripture opens itself in a way that cannot easily be explained. A stillness appears that we could never manufacture. Then morning comes. And we throw ourselves back into dispersion. Conversation. Curiosity. News. Opinions. Tasks that did not need to be done. Encounters that did not need to occur. Words that did not need to be spoken. The endless grazing of the mind among things. Isaac's question is devastatingly simple: Why would you do this? Why labor through the night to gather what you willingly scatter during the day? This reveals something essential about the monastic heart. Vigil cannot be isolated from the rest of life. There cannot be one life before God and another life afterward. Isaac says that we must place “no wall of separation” between the night and the day. That phrase is astonishing. The stillness of the night is meant to flow into the day. The remembrance of God cultivated in darkness must become the hidden atmosphere in which we move beneath the light of the sun. The silence of the cell must follow us. The Name must remain near. Our encounters, our speech, our work, even the manner in which we allow ourselves to think must begin to be governed by one question: Will this help me remain with the One whom I have found? This is not narrowness. It is love. Love Makes a Man Careful When something becomes precious to us, we become careful around it. This perhaps explains Isaac's asceticism better than almost anything else. The Fathers guard the senses because something precious has been entrusted to the heart. They guard speech because words can disturb what silence has gathered. They flee unnecessary encounters because the mind can quickly become populated by images, arguments, memories, anxieties, and judgments. They restrain curiosity because the heart cannot gaze simultaneously in every direction and remain simple before God. From outside, such a life may appear severe. From within, it is tenderness. A man in love does not experience every renunciation as deprivation. Some things simply become less interesting because something infinitely more beautiful has appeared. This is why the ascetical life is so counterintuitive. We ordinarily construct our days around what must be accomplished and then attempt to fit prayer somewhere within them. Isaac reverses the order. Order the day around what must not be lost. What if the most important thing that happened today occurred while the world was sleeping? What if the deepest work was not something we accomplished but the quiet gathering of the heart before God? What if the purpose of tomorrow were, in part, simply not to lose it? Then discernment changes. We begin asking not merely whether something is sinful, permissible, useful, interesting, or productive. We begin asking whether it preserves the heart's capacity for God. This is a much more demanding question. “You Would Have Embraced Jesus' Bosom” And then Isaac says something almost unbearably beautiful. Had the monk allowed his daytime life to correspond to the meditation of the night, had he placed no division between them, Isaac says that “in a short time you would have embraced Jesus' bosom.” Here the entire meaning of vigil is unveiled. Not achievement. Not spiritual heroism. Not mastery over sleep. The bosom of Jesus. Communion. Intimacy. Rest in the Beloved. Everything else exists for this. We constrain ourselves because we desire freedom from everything that prevents love. We become silent because we desire to hear. We remain awake because we desire to see. We read because we desire the mind of Christ. We guard ourselves because we have discovered something worth guarding. Even the night itself becomes sacramental in this sense. The darkness strips things of their urgency. The machinery of the world slows. The identities we carry during the day become less important. There is less to perform and less to defend. There is simply the creature before the Creator. The beloved before the Beloved. And the Name. Lord Jesus Christ. The New Life Begins in the Night Isaac finally speaks of those who desire “knowledge of the new life.” That is what vigil opens before us. A new life. Not merely a more disciplined version of the old one. Perhaps this is why the call to stillness can become stronger rather than weaker as the spiritual life deepens. The field of vision narrows. Things once regarded as indispensable reveal themselves as secondary. Activities that once seemed important begin to feel strangely weightless. Even good works must find their proper place. Not because love has diminished. Because desire has become concentrated. One thing is necessary. The night teaches this with a clarity the day rarely permits. And so perhaps Isaac's teaching on vigil reaches far beyond the question of how many hours we sleep. He is teaching us how to construct an entire life around the remembrance of God. Receive the night as gift. Read until the mind is gathered. Call upon the Name. Stand before God when nothing seems to be happening. Remain. And when something begins to awaken within you—some tenderness, some compunction, some clarity, some quiet awareness of the One who has been waiting for you—do not rush away from it. Guard it. Carry it into the morning. Let your speech become quieter because of it. Let your choices become simpler. Let unnecessary things fall away. Let the day itself become an extension of the vigil. For the purpose of the vigil was never simply that we should remain awake. It was that we should awaken. And having awakened, that we should refuse to return to sleep. The Fathers went into the night because they had begun to glimpse the astonishing truth hidden beneath all asceticism: God is worth seeking. God is worth waiting for. God is worth arranging an entire life around. And once the heart has begun to discover Him in the silence, wisdom consists largely in learning not to lose during the day what Love has given us in the night. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:21:49 Ambrose Little: It's supposed to make your head hurt.

Interactive Livestream - Spring Online Intensive - April 11, 2020 Morning. The surprising discovery of the apparent emptiness of intimacy opens a profound conversation about what intimacy really is, and its connectivity with everything and everyone. Dialogues with John de Ruiter bring you into your heart, and into the depths of your being, where the meaning of life opens up in awareness.    For more information about John de Ruiter go to www.johnderuiter.com

What happens when two wheelchair users fall in love, get married, build careers, travel the world and navigate life together? Apparently, people have questions. After sharing more of their life as a disabled couple online and seeing an overwhelming response, Alycia Anderson brings her husband, Marty Anderson, back to Pushing Forward with Alycia for a lighter, candid and often hilarious Q&A about their nearly 15 years of marriage. Who is more stubborn? Who notices an accessibility problem first? Who takes longer to get ready? Who carries more disability-related gear? And when the world is not designed for two wheelchair users, how do they figure it out? As Alycia and Marty quickly discover, the answers lead to much bigger conversations about disabled relationships, wheelchair accessibility, accessible travel, independence, interdependence, ableism and belonging. Two Disabled People. One Very Normal Marriage. One of the biggest misconceptions Alycia and Marty encounter is the assumption that when disability exists in a relationship, one person must automatically become the caregiver. Their reality is much different. They help each other. Sometimes that means Marty holding Alycia's wheelchair during a transfer or Alycia grabbing onto Marty's chair for a tow. Sometimes it means reviewing an email, figuring out a business decision or helping each other navigate a difficult moment. And sometimes it simply means knowing somebody is standing beside you. As Alycia puts it, having Marty on her team makes her feel braver in the actions she takes in her life. Their partnership illustrates something much bigger: support in a relationship does not always move in one direction. When Accessibility Assumes Disabled People Are Alone Some of the funniest stories in the episode expose something decidedly less funny: much of the world is still designed around the assumption that a wheelchair user will be accompanied by a nondisabled caregiver. Movie theaters may provide one wheelchair space and one companion chair. Venues may offer accessible seating without considering that two wheelchair users might actually want to sit beside each other. Transportation systems may have accessibility policies but still create frustrating or alienating customer experiences. Hotels may technically meet accessibility standards while still making everyday tasks difficult. Alycia and Marty have spent years navigating those gaps together. Their solution is often the same: Figure it out. For Alycia, that mindset is deeply connected to disability itself. When the world is not designed for you, creativity and adaptation become part of everyday life. The Airport Shuttle Stress Is Real Accessible travel gets its own unofficial therapy session in this episode. Alycia and Marty talk about one of their biggest travel stressors: getting from the airport to the rental car facility. Wheelchair-accessible shuttle experiences can be unpredictable. Ramps may not work. Drivers may approach wheelchair passengers differently. Other travelers may board while wheelchair users are still waiting. Policies can sometimes override a simple conversation about what actually works best for the individual passenger. The frustration is not always about the equipment. It is about the experience. Marty describes accessibility as something that should create a feeling of being invited rather than treated like an exception. That distinction between technical access and true belonging sits at the center of much of Alycia's work. Accessible Parking Is More Complicated Than It Looks Alycia and Marty also tackle one of disability culture's perennial hot topics: accessible parking. They are quick to point out that disability does not have one appearance. Someone using an accessible parking space may have a completely legitimate non-apparent disability. But they also raise an important distinction around van-accessible spaces and access aisles. Those striped areas next to certain spaces are not extra parking. They provide the room someone may need to deploy a wheelchair ramp, transfer from a vehicle, use a walker or maneuver mobility equipment. It is another example of how accessibility education can make systems work better for everyone. What Do Nondisabled Couples Take for Granted? Their answer? Sometimes, spontaneity. Traveling without researching accessibility. Accepting an invitation to someone's house without wondering whether you can enter. Booking a rideshare without thinking about whether a wheelchair will fit or whether the driver will refuse the trip. Checking into a hotel without wondering whether the mirror can actually be seen from a wheelchair. These may seem like tiny details individually. Collectively, they shape whether people can participate fully and independently in everyday life. Disabled Relationship Myth Busting Perhaps the biggest misconception Alycia and Marty challenge is the belief that two disabled people somehow live a fundamentally different kind of relationship. Their marriage has accessibility logistics and mobility adaptations, yes. It also has careers. Finances. Intimacy. Arguments. Love. Partnership. Medical challenges. Travel. Laughter. And almost fifteen years of figuring life out together. Disability is part of their relationship. It is not the entirety of it. Marriage Is Still Marriage Near the end of the episode, Marty asks Alycia what nearly fifteen years together has taught her that has nothing to do with disability. Her answer becomes one of the episode's most beautiful moments. Marriage, she says, is one of the hardest things she has ever committed to, but also one of the very best. Creating a life with another person remains one of the accomplishments she treasures most. And after several heavy weeks for the Anderson household, their final Pushing Forward Moments are wonderfully simple. Marty's: Take life a little lighter. Have some fun. Everything does not have to be serious. Alycia's: All you need is love. Sometimes pushing forward means solving the accessibility problem. Sometimes it means advocating for change. And sometimes it means laughing with the person sitting beside you while you figure everything else out. IN THIS EPISODE Alycia and Marty discuss: What life is actually like for two married wheelchair users Who is more stubborn about asking for help Why asking for help can be difficult when independence has been ingrained in you Who notices accessibility barriers first Wheelchair travel and airport shuttle frustrations Accessibility versus genuine hospitality and belonging Why Alycia carries more disability-related supplies while traveling When they speak up about inaccessible environments How two disabled partners physically and emotionally support each other The assumption that every disabled person has a nondisabled caregiver Why theaters and entertainment venues often fail wheelchair-using couples Disability, marriage and intimacy Accessible parking and non-apparent disabilities Why van-accessible spaces serve a specific purpose Rideshare and transportation discrimination Why accessible hotel rooms should not have thick carpet How disability creates everyday problem-solving skills Automatic doors and universal access Spontaneity and the hidden planning involved in disability What nearly fifteen years of marriage has taught them Finding more fun, light and love in everyday life KEY THEMES

Jim O'Day hosts Mike and Alicia Hernon of the Messy Family Project to discuss the messiness of family life, the importance of authenticity, and practical advice for strengthening marriages and family relationships. They share insights on overcoming struggles like pornography, fostering intimacy, and building a resilient family culture. For more information check out messyfamilyproject.org   Messy is part of the growth Marriage is not the medication for porn habits Intimacy starts at the breakfast table

Enid Almanzar of Bible Media Group talks about the new Visual Scripture Series that links the text of the Bible with videos that help you better see and understand the world of the Bible.  Monica Ritchie, author of "Fashioned by Faith," talks about the changed that happened in her when she saw her spiritual disciplines as not a check list, but as ways to deepen her relationship with God and being formed to be like Him.  The Reconnect with Carmen and all Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here  

Do you miss feeling emotionally connected, excited about intimacy, and close sexually?Maybe you've been trying harder to create closeness. You've prayed, read the marriage books, worked on your communication, and done everything you know to do. Yet something still feels missing.What if rebuilding emotional connection, intimacy, and desire isn't about trying harder... but about trusting God more?In this episode of Midlife Marriage Makeover, I'm kicking off a brand-new series called "Let Him... and See What Happens." Before you dismiss the title, this isn't about becoming passive or losing your voice. It's about trusting God more deeply, letting go of control, appreciating your husband's strengths, and discovering how those simple shifts can rebuild emotional connection, awaken desire, and breathe new life into your marriage.In this episode you'll discover:3 simple shifts to rebuild emotional connection, intimacy, and desire in midlife marriage.Why trying to carry everything can quietly create distance between you and your husband.How surrendering control helped me experience more peace, romance, attraction, and intimacy.The unexpected lesson God taught me through a simple conversation about cooking that transformed our marriage.How trusting God more can soften your heart, deepen emotional connection, and help you fall in love with your husband all over again.Friend, your marriage isn't broken, and your best years don't have to be behind you. I believe your future can be bigger than your past, and sometimes the breakthrough you've been praying for begins with one simple shift—not trying harder, but trusting God more.If you're ready to rebuild emotional connection, intimacy, romance, and desire in your Christian midlife marriage, you're in the right place.Come join my private Facebook community, Empty Nest Wives: Rebuilding Intimacy & Connection, where Christian wives are learning how to create marriages filled with emotional connection, lasting intimacy, romance, and joy.I'm so glad you're here. Let's build the marriage you've always hoped was possible. ❤️

Grab the GET OUT OF YOUR OWN WAY Prompt Vault HERE Welcome back to another episode of the You Can Call Me Bossy Podcast! Join us today as we welcome Stacey Ann, an extraordinary psychic and multimillionaire, for a transformative custom hypnosis session. Stacey Ann opens up about releasing the identities of shame and struggle that helped her build success, and embracing a new chapter of self intimacy, peace, and true ownership of her journey as a leader, CEO, and creator. Listen as she shares the beliefs guiding her next level evolution and invites listeners into her vivid vision of abundance, belonging, and inner strength. Whether you're building your own empire or looking to unlock deeper self trust, this episode is a must listen for women ready to step boldly into their power. Key Takeaways: You get to define what wealth and success look like for yourself. Your journey is uniquely yours; you don't have to fit any stereotype or external expectation. Release old identities to make space for new abundance. Create your own rooms professionally and personally. If you don't feel like you belong somewhere, create a room that does fit. Abundance flows when you claim your space and confidently own your leadership. Episode Resources Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_wealth_seer Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stacyann.thompson If you enjoyed this episode and are excited for more, please be sure to SUBSCRIBE and write a review to help build momentum and support the show (5-stars would be AWESOME!)_____________________________________________ JOIN US IN - THE CLUB - An annual membership where high-achieving women come together to unapologetically OWN THEIR “BOSSY” in order to rise to the top, make massive impact, and not burn out while doing it. Join TODAY to get access to all past workshop replays and past group coaching calls - always incredible takeaways and AHA moments from reviewing these sessions! Grab your spot in THE CLUB today by CLICKING HERE! _____________________________________________ LET'S FREAKING GO! GRAB THIS FREE DOWNLOAD: GRAB 100 FREE JOURNAL PROMPTS TO OWN YOUR BOSSY BY CLICKING HERE LET'S CONNECT: Follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, or join my STAND IN YOUR POWER FACEBOOK GROUP Grab a signed copy of my bestselling book STAND IN YOUR POWER HEREWatch my TEDx Talk “The Wisdom of Your Ancestors Should Be Ignored” HERE

Midlife can be one of the biggest relationship stress tests couples will ever face. Your body changes. Your children grow up. Parents age. Careers shift. Health and retirement become more important. And somewhere along the way, you may realize you've spent years surviving, achieving, and taking care of everyone else without truly connecting with yourself or your partner. In this episode, we get personal about their own midlife journeys and explore why this season can bring old wounds, burnout, relationship patterns, and deeper questions about purpose and happiness to the surface. Because midlife doesn't necessarily destroy relationships.It often reveals them. And what gets revealed can become an opportunity to heal, reconnect, and intentionally create what comes next. In This Episode, We Cover: Why midlife can be such a major stress test for relationships What happens when the life you built no longer feels fulfilling What were our personal midlife wake-up calls How childhood experiences and old wounds continue showing up in relationships What happens when survival mode stops working Why midlife often brings questions about purpose, authenticity, and what really matters How slowing down can create space for deeper intimacy and connection Why you don't have to spend the next 20 or 30 years repeating the last 20 or 30 Ready to Go Deeper? If midlife has you looking at your relationship and thinking, Something needs to change, this is exactly the kind of work we explore inside our Couples Retreats. Our next intimate Couples Retreat is September 17–21 at our private lakeside sanctuary in North Kawartha, Ontario. Over four days, we help couples step away from everyday life, reconnect, deepen intimacy, rebuild trust, communicate differently, and reignite the connection between them. Reserve your retreat spot here:

We spend a lot of time preparing our bodies for the next 30 or 40 years.Strength. Mobility. Sleep. Recovery. Longevity.But almost nobody prepares for how sex, desire, intimacy, and pleasure may change over that same stretch of time.In this conversation, I speak with Joan Price, one of the best-known voices on sex and aging, about what changes, what can actually get better, and what we should understand long before we think we need to.Joan is 82, but much of what she shares may be most useful in your thirties, forties, and fifties.We talk about physical changes, why exercise matters, how desire evolves, why communication becomes more important, and how intimacy can adapt as we age.This is a conversation about the next 40 years of your body — and a part of longevity we rarely prepare for.Note: This episode includes frank discussion of sex, sexual function, grief, and intimacy.Joan's Books & ResourcesJoan's books include Naked at Our Age, Sex After Grief, The Ultimate Guide to Sex After 50, Better Than I Ever Expected, and Ageless Erotica.Learn more about Joan's books, webinars, newsletter, and other resources at JoanPrice.com. If you'd like to buy one of her books, consider purchasing through her website: joanprice.com/books 

Union with Christ is more than you turning over a new leaf or making a decision to live a better life. It's the life of Jesus Christ flowing into you by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Why are so many sincere Christians feel spiritually exhausted despite knowing more about God than ever before? Have we unintentionally made the Christian life more complicated than Jesus intended? Have we lost the difference between knowing about God and experiencing God? Could this be why people who love God sometimes feel so far from Him? How do we rediscover intimacy with Christ and develop lifelong rhythms for spiritual growth and transformation?The answers to these questions and more as Allen Ratta takes us into his new book ‘Spiritual Simplicity.' Spiritual Simplicity Bruce T Davis Allen Ratta Allen Ratta is a pastor, author, speaker, and pioneer in Christian discipleship and spiritual formation. For more than two decades he has served as a lead pastor and ministry leader, helping people deepen their relationship with God and experience authentic spiritual transformation.Allen founded ConnectionPower, an innovative church networking platform that was later acquired by a NASDAQ company. He has trained church leaders across the nation, spoken at conferences and seminars, served in national ministry leadership, and published the PowerGrowth newsletter, which reached more than 67,000 subscribers.He is the author of Spiritual Simplicity: The Great Commandment, the Lord's Prayer, and the Way Home; The Way Home: A Daily Spiritual Simplicity Journal for Prayer and Intimacy; the Spiritual Simplicity Small Group Leader's Guide; Making Spiritual Progress (InterVarsity Press); The Optimized Church; and the inspirational novel The Encouragers.Allen's current focus is helping Christians move beyond spiritual busyness into a life of intimacy with God through a simple, biblical pathway rooted in Jesus' Great Commandment and the Lord's Prayer. His Spiritual Simplicity message is helping individuals and churches rediscover the joy, freedom, and transforming power of loving God wholeheartedly, loving others deeply, and abiding daily in Christ.Allen lives in Montana, where he continues to write, teach, speak, and equip believers to experience lasting spiritual renewal.Spiritual Simplicity: The Great Commandment, the Lord's Prayer, and the Way Home is a transformational discipleship resource designed to help Christians move beyond spiritual busyness, religious performance, and information overload into a deeper, more intimate relationship with God.Drawing from more than two decades of pastoral ministry and discipleship leadership, author Allen Ratta presents a simple yet powerful framework rooted in Jesus' two most foundational teachings: the Great Commandment and the Lord's Prayer. The book demonstrates how these teachings provide a practical pathway for spiritual growth, emotional healing, renewed intimacy with God, and lifelong transformation.At a time when many believers feel spiritually exhausted despite unprecedented access to Christian resources, Spiritual Simplicity offers a refreshing return to the heart of following Jesus—loving God wholeheartedly, loving others deeply, and learning to abide daily in Christ.Website

Learn about how often married couples have sex at different ages and how to determine the frequency that works for the season your marriage is in. | “Your marriage doesn't need to match any statistic. It needs to work for the two of you.” —Anonymous Is it really possible to rekindle the spark and restore the “like-new” connection in your marriage? Yes it is! In the 6 Pillars of Intimacy, you will discover secrets that have transformed countless marriages. Its ideas are simple, practical, and powerful. You'll be inspired to look at your marriage through a new lens and be encouraged by its commonsense approach. Alisa and Tony DiLorenzo's proven approach to building intimacy in marriage will help you experience deeper and richer levels of intimacy with your spouse – starting today. Click HERE to get your copy today! Links from today's episode: Apply for Marriage Coaching The 6 Pillars of Intimacy® Certified Coaching Program Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zach steps out of the host chair for this one. In a swap with Heather Shannon of Sex for Couples, Zach is the guest, and the conversation goes straight at a question most couples never ask out loud: what is sex actually for, and does that answer change over the life of a marriage? Zach, who's been married almost thirty years, and Heather dig into why frequency becomes the default target when quality and clarity would serve couples better.The conversation moves through the different eras a long marriage passes through, the anthropological reasons couples tend to hit a reset every few years, and the idea that any long marriage is really four or five different marriages stitched together. Zach shares specific, practical scenes from his own relationship, including a three hour float down a river with his wife where they talked about sex without ever touching, and describes a couple in his practice who solved their standoff by simply negotiating who gets what on which night. Heather brings in patterns she sees in her own client work, particularly the tendency to take sexual disconnection personally and the exhausting decision fatigue around initiating. Together they name two questions Zach uses to open nearly every session on this topic: what's it for, and what counts.The takeaway isn't a technique. It's a shift in framing, from sex as an obligation or a performance with a pass or fail outcome, to sex as something couples can actually get better at on purpose, the same way they'd get better at any skill they cared about. For anyone who's felt the pressure of "we should be having more sex" without ever stopping to ask what sex is supposed to accomplish, this conversation gives language for that gap, and permission to define it differently.Key TakeawaysFrequency is the wrong target. The better question is whether the sex you're having is actually good, and whether you're willing to get better at it on purpose.Sex is a skill, not a talent you either have or don't. It can be learned, practiced, and improved the same way any hobby can.Ask "what counts?" Narrow definitions of sex (intercourse only, simultaneous orgasm only) create a lot of ways to fail and very few ways to succeed.Intimacy is broader than sex. Physical closeness that isn't sexual, and sexual conversation that isn't physical, both count and both matter.Spontaneity is a myth for anything you actually care about. Couples plan meals, workouts, and sleep. Sex deserves the same intentionality.When you don't want sex, get specific about what you don't want. It's rarely your partner. It's more often boredom, exhaustion, or feeling obligated.A long marriage isn't one marriage. It's several different eras, and checking in roughly every three years, with a therapist or a trusted person, helps couples pivot into the next one.The most durable relationship habit isn't avoiding conflict, it's getting good at repair, and doing more of what your partner likes while doing less of what they don't.Guest InfoThis episode centers on a conversation between Zach and Heather Shannon, LCPC, CST (she/her), an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist and host of the podcast Sex for Couples. Heather refers to working directly with clients around sex and communication in relationships throughout the conversation.Listen to Sex For Couples: podfollow.com/askasextherapistWebsite: HeatherShannon.coSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The newborn season can leave couples exhausted, overwhelmed, and struggling to find the time or energy for intimacy, but it doesn't have to mean losing connection with one another. In this episode, we talk about spiritual, emotional, and physical intimacy and how husbands and wives can pursue one another, give grace, and stay connected while navigating the chaos of a new baby.Discussion Questions:1. Which type of intimacy (spiritual, emotional, or physical) has been hardest for us to maintain in this season? Why?2. What is one thing I could do that would help you feel more seen, known, and cared for right now?3. What rhythms or “little rituals” could we create to protect our emotional connection, even when we don't have much time?4. How has our relationship with God changed since entering the newborn season? Where do we need to pursue Him together more intentionally?5. Are there ways either of us has been viewing intimacy primarily through the lens of our own needs? What would it look like to “outdo one another in showing honor”?6. How can we communicate honestly about physical intimacy without either spouse feeling pressured, rejected, or ashamed?7. What is one thing about our marriage in this season that we can choose to be grateful for?8. Instead of trying to get back to the way our marriage was before kids, what might God be inviting us to build in this new season?

I'm talking about the famous “You complete me” line and explaining why it can be beautiful as a sentiment but damaging as a marriage blueprint. I show how owning our own happiness, stopping the quiet quit, and making small bids for connection can bring warmth back fast. • the difference between sharing a richer life and feeling incomplete without your partner • how “you complete me” turns into emotional outsourcing and resentment • a personal example of craving validation and learning self validation • why happiness is an inside job even in an interdependent marriage • the signs of quietly quitting a marriage and why “why bother” is a red flag • the third option between forcing change and giving up: showing up differently • “try again” versus “try harder” and how to go first without carrying everything If you feel like you might be quietly quiting in some aspect of your marriage and would like my help being more intentional, I created a 14-day simple challenge. Go to: https://monicatanner.com/hotter to check it out.If this conversation encouraged you, would you do me a favor and share it with someone you love? Send us Fan Mail

What if the thing you're craving isn't actually sex?Maybe you want to be held. Maybe you want a real conversation. Maybe you want to feel seen, understood, safe, or connected to somebody again.This week, I'm joined by spiritual intimacy coach and sensual alchemist Inez Powell for a conversation about what intimacy really looks like beyond the bedroom.We talk about why so many of us confuse sex with intimacy, how stress and disconnection affect our relationships, why communicating what we need can feel so damn hard, and the different ways we experience connection that have nothing to do with sex.I also had a realization during this conversation: sometimes when I thought I wanted sex, what I really wanted was intimacy. A hug. Some affection.To be the little spoon and get my head rubbed.And for men especially, why can asking for something that simple feel so difficult?This conversation goes places I wasn't expecting, including men's emotional health, vulnerability, boundaries, kink, communication, and how the way we were raised affects our ability to connect as adults.Maybe the problem isn't that we need more sex.Maybe we need to get better at recognizing and asking for the intimacy we're actually missing.In This EpisodeWhy sex and intimacy aren't the same thingHow emotional, intellectual, physical, and experiential connection show up in relationshipsWhy affection doesn't always have to lead to sexLearning how to ask for the touch and connection you needHow communication can make or break intimacyWhy men aren't always given space to express vulnerabilitySetting boundaries and communicating desires without shameHow childhood messages about masculinity can follow men into adulthoodWhy reconnecting with yourself matters before trying to connect with somebody elseAbout Inez PowellInez Powell is a spiritual intimacy coach, sensual alchemist, yoga instructor, massage therapist, and Reiki practitioner whose work explores intimacy, energy, connection, and personal growth.Connect with Inez on Instagram at @blacklistenyogi.DAMN ChallengeSlow down long enough to check in with yourself.What kind of connection do you actually need right now?Before looking for someone else to fill that need, take some time to reconnect with yourself. Get outside. Touch some grass. Breathe. Rest. Play. Do something that pours back into you.Because sometimes becoming more connected to other people starts with becoming more connected to yourself.

Intimacy plays a central role in our lives, yet it often remains shrouded in silence. Join me, Lisa Foster, on the Real Life Momz podcast as I welcome Keri Green, a clinical sex therapist, to unpack the truth about sex and relationships. In this enlightening episode, we get into the practical and vulnerable realities of long-term partnership. We tackle the "mismatched libido" dilemma head-on and how couples can bridge the gap when desire levels differ. If you've ever felt isolated in your relationship struggles, this episode provides a fresh, expert-backed perspective to reassure you that you're not alone. By the end of this episode, you'll be equipped with valuable tools and insights to enhance your relationships. Tune in to transform your approach to intimacy! About Keri Green:Website: https://kerigreenlmft.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/keri_green_lmftAbout the Host:Real Life Momz on Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/reallifemomz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Real Life Momz on Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.facebook.com/reallifemomzpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@reallifemomzpodcast4048?si=jj5bQ_Afhyl0ZNi7⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠We're excited to share that Real Life Momz now has an ⁠Amazon storefront⁠! Every product featured here has been carefully selected based on recommendations from our expert podcast guests, focusing on development, self-care, and personal growth. Shop with confidence, knowing that each item comes with a genuine endorsement. It's your time to prioritize yourself. Check out our storefront and discover the perfect products to support your journey!⁠ ⁠https://www.amazon.com/shop/reallifemomz⁠

This week we're talking about the things couples don't always want to hear.Ego. Mentorship. Loyalty. Money. Accountability. Compromise. Growth. Intimacy. And whether your spouse should simply accept you—or challenge you to become better.We get into whether your spouse should always take your side, why telling the truth can sometimes hurt more than protecting someone's feelings, when loyalty becomes enabling, and why money arguments can quickly become arguments about everything.We also get real about keeping affection alive after years together, changing vs. growing with your spouse, and the difference between wanting someone and needing someone.Because after 20+ years of marriage, one thing we've learned is this:Your partner should be your safe place—but they should also be willing to challenge you.And sometimes the person who loves you the most is the person who is willing to tell you what you DON'T want to hear.This is MTMJ Podcast w/the Wife.Real marriage. Real conversations. No filter.Question for you: Would you rather have a partner who agrees with you or makes you better?Follow MTMJ Production everywhere and join the conversation.

In this episode of the Ultimate Intimacy Podcast, Nick and Amy dive into the critical connection between mutual respect and sexual intimacy in marriage. While it is common for husbands to seek greater physical connection and wives to crave emotional connection, a lack of respect often creates a disconnect that impacts both areas. We emphasize that a passionate, fulfilling intimate life is built on a foundation of daily respect, teamwork, and intentional effort.They outline 10 practical ways couples can demonstrate respect to strengthen their bond, cultivate trust, and ultimately improve their intimate relationship:Speak Kindly During Conflict: Maintain a smooth tone and avoid yelling or lashing out when frustrated to ensure your spouse feels safe opening up.Listen Without Immediate Defense: Resist the urge to interrupt, assign blame, or jump straight to self-defense when your partner shares their feelings.Speak Well of Your Spouse Publicly: Protect your partner's dignity by avoiding criticism, snarky comments, or making them the punchline of a joke in front of others.Keep Your Promises: Build trust by following through on both major commitments and everyday requests.Respect Their Time and Energy: Share the mental load and household responsibilities as equal partners rather than letting one person burn out.Include Them in Important Decisions: Approach life and marriage as a unified team rather than making key choices independently.Respect Personal Boundaries: Honor your spouse's need for personal space, self-care, or time away without taking it personally.Protect Their Dignity in Arguments: Avoid name-calling, threats, or bringing up past mistakes that have already been healed and forgiven.Show Affection and Appreciation: Consistently offer non-sexual physical touch, warm greetings, and verbal appreciation to make your spouse feel valued.Choose Your Spouse Publicly and Privately: Maintain complete loyalty and integrity in your actions, attention, and online habits, ensuring your partner feels prioritized above all else.By actively treating marriage as something deeply valuable, prioritizing each other's emotional and physical needs, and putting in daily work, couples can eliminate resentment and cultivate a thriving, intimate relationship.

Go to https://surfshark.com/404Media or use code 404Media at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark! Tech companies want you to believe that the chatbots they profit from are the always ready, never judgemental, constantly affirming friend in our pockets. But are the people using them as companions under some kind of deep self-delusion? Or are they seeking something else?  This week I'm joined by Bridget Todd. Among many other projects and accomplishments, Bridget is the creator and host of the award winning podcast There Are No Girls on the Internet, is a Fellow at the MacArthur Foundation, and an affiliate at Harvard University's Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society. Her new audiobook, Love at First Prompt: AI and the Future of Intimacy, launched in July with coauthor Michael Amato. We talk about her work interviewing people who use chatbots to fill an emotional need, how people who engage in romantic, intimate and erotic roleplay with LLMs are mocked for it, and how tech companies are implicated in all of this. In her new book, you'll hear from experts in the field of AI companionship, but also from people who have nuanced, interesting interactions with chatbots every day. Bridget's book is her most vulnerable work yet: She unpacks and critiques her own use of ChatGPT during a crisis, and reveals what she learned about herself, her friendships and real-life relationships, and what it means to maintain human connections in a world where tech companies are constantly trying to exploit our innermost worlds. Love at First Prompt: AI and the Future of Intimacy New Study Reveals the Manipulative ‘Dark Patterns' of AI Chatbots ‘It's Hurting Like Hell': AI Companion Users Are In Crisis, Reporting Sudden Sexual Rejection ChatGPT's Hail Mary: Chatbots You Can Fuck Youtube Version: https://youtu.be/qCk-7r7lp8Y Subscribe at 404media.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The tech writer and podcaster Bridget Todd was sure she'd never get attached to A.I. chatbots. She was suspicious of the companies behind them, and when she saw articles popping up about people who said they loved their bots, she said she found their situations sad and potentially dangerous. Besides, Bridget didn't have an empty hole in her life to fill. She had a supportive human partner. She had friends and a tight knit family. But then Bridget's life started to unravel. After the death of her parents, she was flooded with fear, grief and a kind of isolation she was not prepared for. That's when she started telling A.I. what she couldn't tell the people in her life. Its responses filled a void. In this episode of “Modern Love,” Bridget tells its host, Anna Martin, what happened when the boundary between human and digital companion got fuzzy, and what life looks like for her on the other side.  Bridget's audio book, “Love at First Prompt: AI and the Future of Intimacy,” is out now. Here's how to submit a Modern Love essay.  Here's how to submit a Tiny Love Story. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.