Get Your Marriage On! with Dan Purcell

Has sex started to feel more like a responsibility than something you actually look forward to? Somewhere along the way, many couples stop playing together. Sex becomes serious, intimacy feels like work, and differences in desire create pressure instead of connection. In this episode, Dan sits down with returning guest and relationship coach Tammy Camp to talk about building an adult playground in your marriage—a place where both spouses feel free to explore, laugh, and enjoy each other. You'll discover why play matters in a healthy sexual relationship, how to bring back the fun when you have different desires, and simple ways to make intimacy feel less like an obligation and more like an invitation. Because great intimacy isn't just about what you do together. It's about how you feel together. Register for one of our retreat options: Virtual Retreat or In-Person Retreat Disclaimer: The opinions and values expressed by guests on the Get Your Marriage On! podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and values of the host. Appearance on the podcast does not imply an endorsement of the guest or their products by Get Your Marriage On or its host. While we work hard to bring you quality and valuable content, listeners are encouraged to use their own best judgment in applying the information or products discussed on this podcast.

What if your sex life is good—but you still sense there could be something more? Sex therapist Dr. Emily Jamea kept hearing this question from couples who had overcome their sexual struggles but still longed for the passion and intensity they once felt. Her search for answers led her to study sexual flow—the experience of becoming so immersed in intimacy that distractions disappear and time seems to stand still. In this episode, Dr. Emily shares five research-backed skills that can help couples move beyond "good enough" and experience deeper connection, greater pleasure, and sex that may be even better than the honeymoon stage. Want help putting these ideas into practice? Get my free eight-page guide to the five steps of sexual flow here. or Register for one of our retreat options: Virtual Retreat or In-Person Retreat Check out Dr. Emily Jamea's book: The Art of Desire Disclaimer: The opinions and values expressed by guests on the Get Your Marriage On! podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and values of the host. Appearance on the podcast does not imply an endorsement of the guest or their products by Get Your Marriage On or its host. While we work hard to bring you quality and valuable content, listeners are encouraged to use their own best judgment in applying the information or products discussed on this podcast.

Does sex in your marriage ever feel like a race toward intercourse or orgasm? Dr. Lisa Elieson calls this "baseball sex"—rushing around the bases instead of enjoying where you are. In this episode, she joins Dan to explore sexuality as a creative art: something two people build together, moment by moment, without knowing exactly where it has to lead. You'll learn how slowing down, letting go of a predetermined outcome, and making room for each partner's unique desires can reduce pressure and create more pleasure, connection, and play. They also discuss the anxiety both higher- and lower-desire spouses may carry, why emotional safety matters, and what it means to become emotionally as well as physically naked with your spouse. Want more practical help creating intimacy that works for both of you? The 2026 Intimacy Vault includes our brand new interactive Intimacy Menu, along with Dr. Lisa Elieson's Common Gender Differences in Desire and more than a dozen other resources for deeper emotional and sexual connection. It's only available through September 30, so explore the Vault while you can. Other Resources: Learn more about Lisa on her website Check out our couples retreat coming up this spring! Check out our intimacy and relationship apps! Disclaimer: The opinions and values expressed by guests on the Get Your Marriage On! podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and values of the host. Appearance on the podcast does not imply an endorsement of the guest or their products by Get Your Marriage On or its host. While we work hard to bring you quality and valuable content, listeners are encouraged to use their own best judgment in applying the information or products discussed on this podcast.

Why does one spouse keep reaching for more sexually while the other feels responsible for keeping things safe? Dr. Roy Myers, author of Playful Practice, shares what his research with long-term couples revealed about this common dynamic. We explore the relationship between faith and sensuality, why many couples don't actually have a communication problem, and what Roy means when he tells couples to "build a sex room." Resources Learn more about Dr. Roy Myers and his work at ChristianSexuality.net Learn about Roy's book, Playful Practice: Exploring God's Love and Christian Sexuality, on his website Join the free Sextember challenge in the Intimately Us app Learn more about our Couples Retreat Disclaimer: The opinions and values expressed by guests on the Get Your Marriage On! podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and values of the host. Appearance on the podcast does not imply an endorsement of the guest or their products by Get Your Marriage On or its host. While we work hard to bring you quality and valuable content, listeners are encouraged to use their own best judgment in applying the information or products discussed on this podcast.

Welcome to Marriage Undressed—a live Q&A where Dan Purcell and marriage coach Tammy Camp answer real, anonymous questions about sex, intimacy, and marriage. In this bonus episode, they discuss what to do when one spouse wants more adventure in the bedroom, how to express a desire without creating pressure, and how to handle differences in physical affection without constantly feeling rejected. They also answer candid questions about oral sex, including whether it's necessary for a fulfilling sex life and what to do when one spouse wants it but the other feels uncomfortable. Finally, they discuss rebuilding play and healthy desire when pornography has affected a marriage. Throughout the conversation, Dan and Tammy return to one central principle: great intimacy isn't created by pressuring your spouse to become more like you. It grows when both spouses have the freedom to be honest, make real choices, and create a sexual relationship that belongs to both of them. Want to submit your own anonymous question? Join us for the next live Marriage Undressed event September 23! Register for the retreat and the men's and women's only groups (starting September 8!): https://getyourmarriageon.com/events/

Is masturbation okay in a Christian marriage? It's a common question, but one many couples are afraid to ask—and few people answer directly. In this episode, Dan offers two practical tests to help you and your spouse decide what is right for your marriage. He also explores the difference between masturbation, lust, and fantasy; potential benefits for intimacy and body awareness; and how to navigate the conversation when you and your spouse disagree. This isn't about handing every couple the same answer. It's about replacing fear and shame with wisdom, openness, and honest communication.

For years, I asked my wife to initiate sex more often because I wanted to feel chosen and desired. Instead, my requests created pressure, scorekeeping, and a cycle that made genuine desire even harder. In this episode, I explain why I stopped asking, what I misunderstood about responsive desire, and how shifting from initiating sex to initiating connection transformed our intimate relationship. We'll talk about desire discrepancies, obligation sex, sexual entitlement, emotional connection, and how to express what you want without treating your spouse's body—or desire—as something you're owed. Resources: Couples Retreat Waitlist Men's and Women's Only Coaching Spark'd App Intimately Us App