What Science Reveals About Lifelong Intimacy

Intimate Covenant Podcast

Intimate Covenant Podcast
What Science Reveals About Lifelong Intimacy
Mar 09, 2026
Intimate Covenant -- Matt & Jenn Schmidt

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We explore  findings from three recent scientific studies that show how flexible expectations, strong relationships, and emotional meaning shape a lifetime of sexual satisfaction in marriage. 

  • Bouchard KN, Cormier M, Huberman JS, Rosen NO. Sexual script flexibility and sexual well-being in long-term couples. Journal of Sexual Medicine. 2023. 
  • Tavares IM, Rosen NO, Heiman JR, Nobre PJ. Longitudinal associations between relational and sexual well-being. Family Process. 2024. 
  • Henninger W, Heinz M, Taylor N. Love, Sex & Aging. Social Sciences. 2025.

Warning: We cover necessary and important topics about the marriage relationship and sex. We use frank language without being crude or crass. Our approach is biblical and wholesome, but not intended for singles — especially not for children.


Additional info:

Ladies, make your voice and experience heard, take part in new sex research: The Lived Experience of Marital Sex: Women's Perspectives -- www.surveymonkey.com/r/QRWQPWK

Join us at the Intimate Covenant Annual Marriage Retreat -- details and registration: www.intimatecovenant.com/retreat

RiverHills Retreat Marriage Enrichment Weekend -- Hayden, Alabama; April 18th. Register here: intimatecovenant/alabama


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 To send your comments, questions and suggestions, go to our website: www.intimatecovenant.com/podcast and click on the button: “Contact the Podcast” for an ANONYMOUS submission form. Or, send an email: podcast@intimatecovenant.com
 
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Episode Artwork What Science Reveals About Lifelong Intimacy 36:40 Episode Artwork The Conflicts of Pursuit, Response & Rejection 32:41 Episode Artwork Marriage Retreat Live Q&A - keeping secrets; defining virginity; aging; and more... [180] 46:47 Episode Artwork Q&A - creating a community for porn recovery; unity despite differing passions; and more...[179] 38:33 Episode Artwork Darwin, Freud, & Holy Sex -- Unmasking the Roots of Sexual Taboo in Christianity, part 3 [178] 42:22 Episode Artwork Medieval Sex -- Unmasking the Roots of Sexual Taboo in Christianity, part 2 [177] 36:30 Episode Artwork It's Greek to Me! -- Unmasking the Roots of Sexual Taboo in Christianity, part 1 [176] 44:52 Episode Artwork Spicing Up Your Sex Life [175] 38:14 Episode Artwork Difficult Conversations [174] 44:43 Episode Artwork Organic Sex [173] 42:28 Episode Artwork Encore: What Do I Want From My Marriage? [172] 43:38 Episode Artwork “Should I sacrifice my desire for sex?” ...and other live Q&A (171) 37:18 Episode Artwork Your Questions, Our Answers (talking about sex, prioritizing beauty, sleeping naked, asking for touch) [170] 42:48 Episode Artwork More PDA? -- Retreat Q&A pt 2 [169] 27:59 Episode Artwork How does sex glorify God? Retreat Q&A [168] 43:42 Episode Artwork Who Initiates? [167] 38:35 Episode Artwork Have a Category-5 Sex Life: lessons from a hurricane [166] 37:25 Episode Artwork When a Pursuer Stops Pursuing [165] 38:45 Episode Artwork 7 Shocking Results From Viral Relationship Tests [164] 48:20 Episode Artwork Separate Bedrooms & Separate Bedtimes [163] 50:53 Episode Artwork Lessons from China [162] 30:30 Episode Artwork Q&A (low sexual desire; body shame; reluctant spouse…) [161] 25:46 Episode Artwork Laughter & Tears [160] 16:02 Episode Artwork Q&A Tampa -- Sex During Conflict [159] 34:37 Episode Artwork Keeping Secrets from a Spouse [158] 39:25