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Charting Toward Intimacy
Ellen Holloway
261 episodes
4 days ago
Make sure you're on our email list to be notified when the new program is available! In this episode of Charting Toward Intimacy, Ellen Holloway addresses one of the most common struggles Catholic wives face: not wanting sex. She explains the five most common desire blocks and how to identify which one may be affecting you. Ellen also teaches the three foundational pillars that create real, lasting sexual desire. If you've been stuck in cycles of obligation or shame, this episode offers a cle...
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Christianity
Religion & Spirituality,
Society & Culture,
Health & Fitness,
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All content for Charting Toward Intimacy is the property of Ellen Holloway and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
Make sure you're on our email list to be notified when the new program is available! In this episode of Charting Toward Intimacy, Ellen Holloway addresses one of the most common struggles Catholic wives face: not wanting sex. She explains the five most common desire blocks and how to identify which one may be affecting you. Ellen also teaches the three foundational pillars that create real, lasting sexual desire. If you've been stuck in cycles of obligation or shame, this episode offers a cle...
Show more...
Christianity
Religion & Spirituality,
Society & Culture,
Health & Fitness,
Relationships
Episodes (20/261)
Charting Toward Intimacy
How to Actually Want Sex | Ep. 253
Make sure you're on our email list to be notified when the new program is available! In this episode of Charting Toward Intimacy, Ellen Holloway addresses one of the most common struggles Catholic wives face: not wanting sex. She explains the five most common desire blocks and how to identify which one may be affecting you. Ellen also teaches the three foundational pillars that create real, lasting sexual desire. If you've been stuck in cycles of obligation or shame, this episode offers a cle...
Show more...
4 days ago
12 minutes

Charting Toward Intimacy
A Touched Out Body Can't Be A Turned On Body | Ep. 252
In this episode of Charting Toward Intimacy, Ellen Holloway and Kathleen Chovanes to explore the overwhelming experience of feeling "touched out." They dive into why this sensation happens, why husbands often don’t understand it, and how to clearly communicate your needs without causing disconnection. Practical tools like grounding techniques, body-awareness exercises, and the “10-minute unwind” are shared to help you shift from sensory overload to sexual readiness. ____________________...
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1 week ago
25 minutes

Charting Toward Intimacy
Disappointment and Your Sex Life | Ep. 253
In this episode of Charting Toward Intimacy, Ellen Holloway unpacks how disappointment can sabotage your sex life. She explores why unmet expectations, like not receiving the Christmas gift you hoped for, often lead to resentment and sexual withdrawal. Ellen offers practical mindset shifts and clear communication strategies to help you avoid turning sex into a transactional exchange. This episode equips you to protect intimacy in your marriage and show up fully, even when things don't go as p...
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2 weeks ago
13 minutes

Charting Toward Intimacy
NFP is Not the Problem | Ep. 251
Please rate and review Charting Toward Intimacy on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! In this episode of Charting Toward Intimacy, Ellen Holloway and Kathleen Chovanes explore the common belief that NFP is the problem in Catholic marriages. They share personal experiences and discuss how the true issue is often a lack of non-sexual intimacy. The conversation offers practical tools for cultivating emotional closeness and connection outside the bedroom, helping couples reconnect and feel united, even d...
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3 weeks ago
28 minutes

Charting Toward Intimacy
The Immaculate Conception is a Celebration of the Marital Act | Ep. 250
Please take a moment to rate and review Charting Toward Intimacy! It helps other women find the podcast and transform their marriages. In this episode of Charting Toward Intimacy, Ellen Holloway explores the Feast of the Immaculate Conception through a powerful and rarely considered lens: the sanctity of the sexual union that conceived Mary. She reflects on how Anne and Joachim’s openness to grace reveals God's profound affirmation of the dignity of sex within marriage. ________________...
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1 month ago
10 minutes

Charting Toward Intimacy
Stop Expecting Mind Reading | Ep. 249
Please rate and review Charting Toward Intimacy! It helps other women find the podcast and benefit from it! In this episode of Charting Toward Intimacy, Ellen Holloway dives into the damaging expectation that your husband should be able to read your mind (especially when it comes to emotional and sexual needs). She explores why this belief undermines true intimacy and reframes what genuine, loving actions look like in marriage. Ellen breaks down the importance of asking clearly for what you...
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1 month ago
7 minutes

Charting Toward Intimacy
When Pleasure Doesn't Feel Holy | Ep. 248
Last chance to get courses at Vines in Full Bloom. These will no longer be for sale after November 30, 2025 In this episode of Charting Toward Intimacy, Ellen Holloway and Kathleen Chovanes explore the difference between eroticism and holy sex, drawing insights from Dr. Gregory Popcak's book Holy Sex. They discuss how purity culture, shame, and cultural misconceptions distort our understanding of sexual pleasure and God's design. This conversation unpacks what it means to embrace your full se...
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1 month ago
28 minutes

Charting Toward Intimacy
How Do We Make Time for Sex? | Ep. 247
Vines in Full Bloom Courses right here! In this episode of Charting Toward Intimacy, Ellen Holloway dives into the struggle of making time for sex in the midst of a packed, modern-day schedule. She challenges the cultural norm of constant busyness and offers a clear, practical strategy for prioritizing intimacy. Ellen explains why spontaneity might be sabotaging your sex life and how intentional prioritizing can reignite desire and connection in marriage. _________________________...
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1 month ago
11 minutes

Charting Toward Intimacy
How Body Image Affects Your Sex Life | Ep. 246
Get the Catholic Sex Positions Guide right here! So many Catholic women secretly struggle with body image, but few realize how deeply it’s sabotaging their desire for intimacy. In this episode, Ellen and Kathleen unpack how negative thoughts about your body directly impact your sex life, why losing weight doesn’t automatically fix body image issues, and how to begin healing your mindset so you can show up more confidently and joyfully in the bedroom. They talk about the spiritual side o...
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2 months ago
29 minutes

Charting Toward Intimacy
When Abstinence is Long-Term | Ep. 245
When sex is completely off the table and there’s no end in sight, it can leave you feeling isolated, frustrated, and unsure of what God is doing in your marriage. In this episode of Charting Toward Intimacy, Ellen Holloway helps you understand how long term abstinence, whether from a high risk pregnancy, illness, or painful sex, can become an unexpected path to deeper connection. Learn how to find peace in God’s plan, grow closer to your husband without physical intimacy, and hold onto ...
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2 months ago
15 minutes

Charting Toward Intimacy
Modesty in Marriage | Ep. 244
Get the positions guide and try a new position tonight! You’re married now, so why do you still feel guilty wearing that flattering dress? In this episode, Ellen and Kathleen talk about what modesty really looks like after marriage, how purity culture messages can linger, and why your wardrobe might be quietly affecting your confidence and intimacy. We’re diving into how to find the virtuous middle ground, dress the body you have right now, and embrace your beauty as part of God’s design for ...
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2 months ago
29 minutes

Charting Toward Intimacy
Where Did My Libido Go? | Ep. 243
grab the Orgasm Course for Catholic Women right here In this episode, Ellen Holloway talks about why so many Catholic women struggle with sexual desire and what to do about it. She explains the difference between spontaneous and responsive desire and how understanding this can transform your experience of intimacy in marriage. You’ll learn practical ways to cultivate openness to arousal, strengthen emotional and spiritual intimacy, and align your approach to sex with Catholic teaching. This...
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2 months ago
14 minutes

Charting Toward Intimacy
Tips for Clean Up | Ep. 242
grab the Catholic Sex Positions guide here! Sex is messy, and that is completely normal. In this episode of Charting Toward Intimacy, Ellen Holloway and co-host Kathleen Chovanes get super practical about what to do after sex. From preventing UTIs, managing the inevitable drips, protecting your sheets, and handling lube cleanup, you will get down-to-earth tips to make post-sex cleanup less stressful. Whether you are a newlywed or have been married for years, this episode will help you feel mo...
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2 months ago
24 minutes

Charting Toward Intimacy
How to Get Back in the Mood When Sex Gets Derailed | Ep. 241
Check out the Orgasm Course for Catholic women right here! In this episode, Ellen Holloway explores what to do when intimacy is interrupted and sex gets derailed by everyday distractions like kids, pets, or sudden discomfort. She shares practical mindset strategies Catholic wives can use to manage intrusive thoughts, refocus their desire, and re-engage with their husbands. This episode provides clear guidance on strengthening intimacy, prioritizing your marriage, and approaching Catholi...
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3 months ago
14 minutes

Charting Toward Intimacy
What is Edging? | Ep. 240
Get the Orgasm Course for Catholic Women right here! In this episode of Charting Toward Intimacy, Ellen Holloway explores the concept of edging, a technique that can enhance pleasure, comfort, and unity in your sex life. She explains how edging works, its benefits for those seeking to extend intimacy or synchronize climaxes, and how it can help make sex more enjoyable and comfortable, especially for women who experience discomfort or have not yet reached orgasm. Ellen also discusses imp...
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3 months ago
8 minutes

Charting Toward Intimacy
What is the Male Equivalent of Flowers? | Ep. 239
Get the Catholic Sex Positions Guide right here! In this episode of Charting Toward Intimacy, Ellen and Kathleen explore the question: "What is the male equivalent of flowers?" They discuss the importance of pursuing your husband with small, thoughtful gestures that make him feel seen and loved, even if those gestures look different from traditional gifts like flowers. The conversation covers why flowers are meaningful to women, how men may appreciate simple things like snacks or a favorite m...
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3 months ago
26 minutes

Charting Toward Intimacy
What does the Church Teach About Female Orgasm? | Ep. 238
Check out the Orgasm Course for Catholic Women right here! In this episode, Ellen Holloway addresses the often confusing topic of female orgasm within Catholic teaching. She clarifies what is morally permissible, explains the importance of female pleasure in the context of marriage, and dispels common myths rooted in purity culture. Listeners will learn when and how female orgasm fits into the marital act, why it matters, and how both spouses can work together to foster unity and enjoyment. I...
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3 months ago
15 minutes

Charting Toward Intimacy
How Open to Life Do We Really Need to Be? | Ep. 237
Grab the Catholic Sex Positions Guide right here! In this episode, Ellen and Kathleen discuss the real-life challenges of fertility decisions and what it means to be "open to life" from a Catholic perspective, emphasizing that openness is a posture of the heart rather than a checklist of actions, and encouraging listeners to seek God’s will through prayer, discernment, and honest conversation with their spouse, trusting that peace and clarity will come in many forms—whether through family, ma...
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4 months ago
22 minutes

Charting Toward Intimacy
Arousal Doesn't Just Happen To You | Ep. 236
Stop dreading sex and take steps to get in the mood with the Getting in The Mood Guide right here! In this episode of Ellen Holloway breaks down the myth that arousal just happens on its own. She explains why arousal is an active process and shares practical strategies for inviting desire and enjoying intimacy more fully. Ellen discusses the importance of mindset, environment, and intentional actions in cultivating arousal, and encourages listeners to take positive steps to strengthen their m...
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4 months ago
15 minutes

Charting Toward Intimacy
What Do We Need to Figure Out to Make Sex Amazing? | Ep. 235
Check out the Catholic Positions Guide right here! Here's all the things you and your husband should figure out with sex so that it's amazing and you can avoid disagreements and dissatisfaction. Click Here to download a PDF of the questions we shared on the episode! ___________________________________ Did we mention a book on this week's episode? Click here for our recommended books! Reach out at instagram.com/chartingtowardintimacy/ or email us at ellen@vinesinfullbloom.com Ready ...
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4 months ago
38 minutes

Charting Toward Intimacy
Make sure you're on our email list to be notified when the new program is available! In this episode of Charting Toward Intimacy, Ellen Holloway addresses one of the most common struggles Catholic wives face: not wanting sex. She explains the five most common desire blocks and how to identify which one may be affecting you. Ellen also teaches the three foundational pillars that create real, lasting sexual desire. If you've been stuck in cycles of obligation or shame, this episode offers a cle...