The Hidden Blockers of Sexual Desire in Marriage + How to Move Past Them Together
The Intentional Parents Podcast
Intentional
4.9 • 1.6K Ratings
🗓️ 6 May 2026
⏱️ 71 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
We’re back with part two of our conversation on sex in marriage, this time getting into some of the hidden blockers of desire, along with a few practical ways to start moving past them. The goal isn’t just more sex, but a relationship where intimacy actually feels meaningful again.
A lot of what gets in the way isn’t obvious. Small, unresolved tensions can build up over time and create distance, even if nothing major is “wrong.” When those things go unaddressed, it’s hard to feel close in any sense.
On top of that, seasons change, but expectations don’t always keep up. Different life stages, stress, and even things like hormones can all affect desire. If those realities aren’t talked about, it can lead to frustration or quiet disappointment that slowly chips away at connection.
And then there’s what a lot of couples experience at some point: slipping into more of a roommate dynamic. Life inevitably gets full, attraction can fade or shift, and responsibilities and tasks can replace relationship and intimacy.
The good news is this stuff isn’t permanent. With some intention and healing, things can shift and grow in a healthy direction.
Practical Rhythms to Try:
- Take 10 minutes to have a “state of us” conversation, asking each other: “How can I show up for you today?” and “What is one thing I can do that will make you feel loved?”
- Repair within 24 hours.
- Rebuild playfulness.
Listen to Part 1, “Sex in Marriage: Communication, Connection + Healing Past Wounds Around Intimacy”: YouTube, Spotify + Apple Podcasts
Scripture Mentioned: Hebrews 12:15, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 + Colossians 3:12
Submit Questions: Send a voice recording to hello@intentionalparents.org, mentioning your name and where you’re from.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | You're listening to the Intentional Parents podcast, brought to you by Intentional. Intentional is all |
| 0:07.1 | about spiritual formation in the family. We desire to bring biblical hope and practical hope. Enjoy this |
| 0:14.0 | week's conversation. Welcome back to the Intentional, the hidden blockers of desire in marriage. |
| 0:28.1 | Today we want to talk about the three things that are hidden blockers in your marriage, |
| 0:33.6 | specifically regarding sex. |
| 0:35.5 | And interestingly enough, we did a part one of this, |
| 0:38.7 | and we didn't mean to ever do more than one part. But there was a lot of, how do we say, |
| 0:45.9 | communication and feedback, that this was something that a lot of you wanted to hear more of or |
| 0:51.5 | more thoughts on. And that's always really helpful. So thank you for doing that. And if this is helpful, and if you're like, hey, that's actually something I want to hear more of or more thoughts on. And that's always really helpful. So thank you for doing that. |
| 0:54.8 | And if this is helpful and if you're like, hey, that's actually something I want to hear more of. |
| 0:58.1 | Please also let us know again. You can always email hello at intentional parents.org or on social |
| 1:03.1 | media. But Elizabeth and I are here to talk about this topic because it would be awkward to talk |
| 1:07.7 | about that with your parents. Would you agree? Been there, done that. |
| 1:12.6 | Yes, very awkward. If you listen to the first episode, did we talk about that? No, but that's a great |
| 1:17.1 | story. Maybe we did. I can't remember. And also want to say thank you to so many of you who |
| 1:23.5 | have rated, subscribed, and even just left a comment. That is a gift. This helps the word get out in a huge way. And so when you do that, it actually lets more people know about the work we're doing with intentional. And it's a huge gift. So thank you. Also, if you want to watch this stuff, go to YouTube. You can watch all of this. It's there just as a reminder. We have a lot of things that are happening and there's going to be things that you'll be hearing throughout this episode. We obviously don't do any sort of advertisement except for letting |
| 1:48.2 | you know what's happening with intentional and there's going to be some stuff you'll be hearing. |
| 1:52.4 | So that's exciting. But I really want to talk about this from our conversation last time. |
| 1:57.7 | So we had this conversation and maybe some of you are, you had the conversation, |
| 2:01.6 | but nothing really changed. You listen to that last episode. You're like, this is awesome. |
| 2:06.3 | And even your spouse listened to it. And they were like, maybe that's awesome or not awesome. |
| 2:09.9 | So wherever you land in this, this is a part two-ish, but roughly, because we just want to kind of |
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