Learn how to overcome your mind drama to finally reach Orgasm In this episode, Ellen guides listeners through a powerful mental exercise to help envision and step into the version of themselves with the amazing sex life they desire. She emphasizes that the gap between your current self and your "future you" is often smaller than you think—it's all about shifting your thoughts and beliefs. ___________________________________ Did we mention a book on this week's episode? Click here for our recomme...
Jun 30, 2025•15 min•Ep. 227
In this episode, Ellen and Kathleen discuss why the Catholic Church opposes permanent sterilization methods such as vasectomies and tubal ligation. They explore deeper meanings behind the church’s teachings, the natural design and purpose of sex, and the importance of trust and intimacy in marriage. The episode also addresses medical concerns and distinctions between direct and indirect sterilization while emphasizing the moral and spiritual implications of these decisions. _____________________...
Jun 23, 2025•38 min•Ep. 226
Check out the Orgasm Course fort Catholic Women In this episode, Ellen discusses the concept of 'spectator mode' during sex, where overthinking and analyzing can hinder genuine enjoyment. She explains how common it is, especially for women, and offers practical steps to become fully present and improve intimacy with your spouse. Topics include recognizing spectator mode, focusing on sensations, and engaging in conversation during sex. ___________________________________ Did we mention a book on ...
Jun 16, 2025•10 min•Ep. 225
Transform your sex life in just one hour with the Orgasm Course for Catholic Women In this episode, Ellen and Kathleen dive into the four temperaments—choleric, sanguine, melancholic, and phlegmatic—and explore how these personality types can influence your sex life and relationships. They break down the core traits of each temperament, discuss common challenges and strengths, and share practical advice for embracing your unique personality in marriage. Ellen and Kathleen also reflect on their o...
Jun 09, 2025•35 min•Ep. 224
Check out the Orgasm Course fort Catholic Women Ellen addresses a listener's question about having sex after a vasectomy now that they understand Catholic Church teachings on permanent sterilization. She explains the forgiveness received through confession, the lack of requirement for a vasectomy reversal by the Church, and the psychological journey of fully accepting God's grace. Ellen discusses the emotional impact of sin and offers insights on how to handle lingering discomfort and seek furth...
Jun 02, 2025•11 min•Ep. 223
Check out the Orgasm Course fort Catholic Women Ellen and Kathleen discuss the challenges of recognizing our own faults in marriage and how focusing on self-improvement can positively impact our relationships. They explore the importance of grace, self-reflection, and honest communication. The hosts emphasize that while it’s easy to pinpoint our spouse's shortcomings, acknowledging and working on our own flaws can lead to a happier, more virtuous marriage. ___________________________________ Did...
May 26, 2025•31 min•Ep. 222
Check out the Orgasm Course fort Catholic Women Experiencing painful sex? Check out this 11 minute video on healing painful sex from a Catholic perspective In this episode, Ellen shares a simple yet effective tip to help women reach orgasm by focusing on breathing. Ellen explains how holding your breath can create muscle tension, hindering the ability to relax and receive sexual pleasure. She discusses different breathing techniques such as 4-4-6 and box breathing, which help in regulating the n...
May 19, 2025•6 min•Ep. 221
Get the Orgasm Course for Catholic Women right here! In this episode, Ellen and Kathleen discuss the challenging topic of navigating sex and intimacy after a fight. They provide insights on balancing the physical and emotional aspects of intimacy, recognizing the importance of the sacrament of marriage, and the choice to be intimate despite lingering feelings of hurt. They also emphasize the significance of prayer, sacraments, and spiritual growth to strengthen marriage. Ellen and Kathleen share...
May 12, 2025•28 min•Ep. 220
Check out the Orgasm Course fort Catholic Women In this episode, Ellen delves into the complex issue of whether one should always say yes to their spouse in a marital context. Drawing parallels with the Annunciation, where Mary freely chose to say yes, Ellen offers a practical meditation to help navigate these feelings of obligation. The episode encourages listeners to reflect on their decisions without overthinking and to seek inspiration from Mary's example of a joyful and grace-filled yes. __...
May 05, 2025•9 min•Ep. 219
Get Let's Talk About "It" right here and transform your marriage and sex life This episode delves into the common experience in marriages where one spouse feels they are giving more than the other, particularly in the context of sex life and overall marital responsibilities. Ellen and Kathleen discuss the myth of a 50/50 marriage and share personal stories of times when they and their spouses bore unequal burdens. They highlight how these imbalances are a part of life’s seasons and encourage foc...
Apr 28, 2025•28 min•Ep. 218
Get Let's Talk About "It" Right HERE! Ellen discusses the concept of marital debt and the perceived obligation for married couples to have sex. She explores this in the context of Catholic teachings on attending Sunday Mass and Holy Days of Obligation. Ellen argues that the true essence of these obligations lies not in mere obedience but in a deep, life-giving desire. Just as attending Mass should stem from a genuine yearning to connect with God, marital intimacy should be driven by a desire for...
Apr 21, 2025•10 min•Ep. 217
Check out the Getting in the Mood Guide! In this episode Ellen and Kathleen explore the challenges and frustrations often associated with Natural Family Planning (NFP). They delve into the importance of choosing positive thoughts and gratitude, even in difficult circumstances, to improve one's marital intimacy and overall outlook on NFP. Through practical advice and thought-provoking insights, Ellen and Kathleen encourage listeners to shift their perspective, recognize NFP as a gift, and find st...
Apr 14, 2025•35 min•Ep. 216
Check out our courses and guides at Vinesinfullbloom.com/courses In this episode Ellen addresses the common concern of finding time for sex in the midst of busy modern lives filled with jobs, kids, and various commitments. Ellen emphasizes that we find time for what we prioritize, comparing the scheduling of sex to the commitment of attending Mass. She encourages listeners to evaluate their weekly activities, prioritize sex, and follow through on these priorities to enhance their marital intimac...
Apr 07, 2025•15 min•Ep. 215
Need help with how to actually say what you want to your husband? Get Let's Talk About "It"! This episode addresses the common struggle of figuring out personal sexual desires within a marriage, particularly from a Catholic perspective. The hosts discuss the importance of communicating needs, such as specific types of foreplay, to one's spouse while maintaining boundaries. The conversation emphasizes the power of positive thoughts and the importance of setting an appropriate time and atmosphere ...
Mar 31, 2025•31 min•Ep. 214
Need help getting in the mood for sex. Your answer is the getting in the mood guide, right here Ellen discusses the challenge of staying present during sex and introduces the concept of storytelling as a helpful technique. She clarifies the difference between storytelling and role-playing, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the dignity of the act in accordance with Catholic faith. Ellen provides examples of how couples can use their imagination to create engaging scenarios and memories to...
Mar 24, 2025•7 min•Ep. 213
Check out the Getting in the Mood Guide Here! In this episode, Ellen and Kathleen discuss the appropriateness of Catholic women consuming romance novels and PG-13/R-rated media like Bridgerton and Game of Thrones. They explore the potential negative impact such content can have on brain chemistry, intimacy, and marital relationships. The hosts offer practical advice on recognizing and eliminating detrimental media from one's life, emphasize the importance of using one's imagination positively, a...
Mar 17, 2025•31 min•Ep. 212
Get the FREE Foreplay Foundations Course right here! In this episode, Ellen discusses the challenges of communicating and embracing the Church's teachings on Natural Family Planning (NFP) and marital intimacy. She reflects on a personal conversation with a family member who acknowledged that NFP is a 'hard sell.' Ellen delves into the difficulties of living out these teachings, the role of suffering in the Christian life, and how enduring these challenges can ultimately lead to spiritual growth ...
Mar 10, 2025•14 min•Ep. 211
Transform your sex life with 7 essential conversations - Get Let's Talk About "It" In this episode Ellen and Kathleen discuss the ease with which marriages can become disconnected and offer strategies to counteract this. They emphasize the importance of intentional habits and routines in fostering connection, particularly in the context of marriage and intimacy. The conversation also explores the need for persistence in these efforts and compares these habits to continual prayer, highlighting th...
Mar 03, 2025•29 min•Ep. 210
Get the FREE Foreplay Foundations Course Here! Ellen addresses common questions and concerns about sexual desire within marriage. She discusses the significance of sex as a renewal of wedding vows and as a way to image the Trinity, emphasizing the importance of intentionality and respect toward the sexual union in marriage. Ellen explores how apathy towards sex can harm relationships and underscores the holy and essential nature of sex within a Catholic marriage. ________________________________...
Feb 24, 2025•17 min•Ep. 209
Get Lovemaking at Ave Maria Press! Use code Ellen10 to get 10% off! In this episode, we welcome Monica and Renzo Ortega to discuss their new book titled 'Lovemaking.' Drawing from personal experiences and mentorship to young couples, they emphasize the importance of communication and real conversations in marriage. They also read an excerpt from their book and elaborate on how it addresses sensitive topics such as sexual intimacy and marital challenges. Their book aims to guide newlyweds and cou...
Feb 17, 2025•29 min•Ep. 208
Transform your sex life with 7 essential conversations - Get Let's Talk About "It" Ellen and Kathleen tackle the common misconceptions about sex and intimacy within marriage, particularly the idea that sex should be effortless. ___________________________________ 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 to improve your sex life and take it to the next leve...
Feb 10, 2025•41 min•Ep. 207
NEW Course Let's Talk About "It" is available NOW! Ellen addresses the question of whether it is okay for couples to make out while trying to avoid pregnancy during the fertile window. She explains the role of sexual arousal in preparing the body for sex and discusses the potential physical and emotional discomfort of arousing each other without the intention to have sex. ___________________________________ Did we mention a book on this week's episode? Click here for our recommended books! Reach...
Feb 03, 2025•7 min•Ep. 206
Get Jackie Angel's new book Memorize Scripture here (use code ELLEN10 for 10% off!) In this episode Ellen is joined by Jackie Angel to discuss her new book, Memorize Scripture . They explore how memorizing scripture can enhance prayer life, and ultimately improve relationships, especially in marriage and sex life. Jackie shares her journey in ministry, the inspiration behind the book, and practical advice for integrating scripture memorization into daily life. The conversation dives deep into th...
Jan 27, 2025•26 min•Ep. 205
Get the FREE 5-day Foreplay Foundations Course today! Ellen explores why sexual pleasure is so elusive. Discussing perspectives from Karol Wojtyla's 'Love and Responsibility,' Ellen explains how pleasure is collateral and not the primary end of human action. This episode covers the importance of focusing on love and self-giving actions rather than directly seeking pleasure, which can make it elusive. Ellen emphasizes that this elusiveness is actually beneficial, helping to ensure that spouses do...
Jan 20, 2025•11 min•Ep. 204
Get the Orgasm Course for Catholic Women right here! In this episode, Ellen and Kathleen discuss perseverance in enhancing marital intimacy. They emphasize reframing thoughts around sex and intimacy, offering practical advice on trying again and tweaking approaches when efforts seem to fail initially. The conversation also delves into the emotional and spiritual aspects, highlighting the importance of patience, mindset shifts, and prayer in overcoming challenges and achieving sexual pleasure. Li...
Jan 13, 2025•29 min•Ep. 203
Check out the FREE Five Day Foreplay Course! In this episode, Ellen addresses common questions about foreplay and the Church's teachings on it. Covering topics such as the physiological effects of sexual arousal, the necessity of foreplay in intercourse, and the moral guidelines surrounding orgasms for both men and women, this episode provides a comprehensive overview. ___________________________________ Did we mention a book on this week's episode? Click here for our recommended books! Reach ou...
Jan 06, 2025•16 min•Ep. 202
In this episode, Ellen and guest Mike 'Gomer' Gormley discuss the issue of sexual passivity in marriages, specifically through a Catholic lens. They explain what sexual passivity is, how it impacts relationships, and practical ways to combat it. Ellen emphasizes the importance of non-sexual touch and mutual understanding, while Gomer shares insights from his experience in parish ministry and personal anecdotes. They dive into the complexities of male and female perspectives on sex and intimacy, ...
Dec 30, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 201
In this special 200th episode, Ellen and Kathleen delve into their personal experiences with Natural Family Planning (NFP) and their fertility journeys over the past year +. They reflect on the impact of these experiences on their marriages and share heartfelt conversations about the challenges and blessings they've encountered. Tune in for an intimate and honest discussion on faith, family, and marital intimacy. ___________________________________ Did we mention a book on this week's episode? C...
Dec 23, 2024•33 min•Ep. 200
Getting distracted during sex not your only struggle with sex? That's why we created the Catholic Sex Course for Women, check it out here! In this episode, Ellen and Kathleen discuss the common issue of getting distracted during sex. They provide practical tips and strategies for staying present, such as using grounding techniques, involving your senses, and communicating with your spouse. They also emphasize the importance of cultivating a positive mindset towards sex and how sharing this strug...
Dec 16, 2024•29 min•Ep. 199
Get the Catholic Sex Positions Guide right here! Stop right now and listen to episode 162 of this podcast before you listen to this episode! In this episode, Ellen addresses the common issue of women experiencing low sexual desire during their infertile periods while using Natural Family Planning (NFP). She provides practical tips to help navigate this challenge, starting with the importance of sleep, adequate nutrition, and stress management outlined in episode 162. Ellen suggests techniques su...
Dec 09, 2024•14 min•Ep. 198
