RIP IT OFF | CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE, BIBLICAL INTIMACY, CHRISTIAN SEX, KINGDOM MARRIAGE, CHRISTIAN WOMEN

The Hidden Way Christian Women Quench the Holy Spirit // 34

You love Jesus. You're doing "all the right things." But something feels... off. 😔Could it be that in all the busyness, you’ve unintentionally quieted the very voice that’s meant to guide you?
In this quiet-time-inspired episode, Michelle shares a Holy-Spirit conviction straight from 1 Thessalonians 5:19 that stopped her in her tracks: “Do not quench the Spirit.”Friend, it’s not rebellion—it’s distraction. It’s noise. It’s excess. And it might be blocking your intimacy with God and your husband.💔🔥
🎧 Episode Summary:
In this special bonus episode straight from her quiet time, Michelle unpacks one powerful verse—1 Thessalonians 5:19—and how many of us are unknowingly quenching the Holy Spirit in the name of obedience, productivity, and good intentions.
Through a relatable kitchen analogy, an honest confession about Instagram overload, and her ongoing journey to remove spiritual noise, Michelle invites us to stop “doing” and start listening. If you’ve been feeling disconnected, overwhelmed, or emotionally numb—this episode is a tender nudge back to presence, sensitivity, and hearing God again.
It’s not about adding something new.It’s about removing what’s crowding out His voice.
✨ What You’ll Learn:
What it really means to “quench” or “stifle” the Holy Spirit 🔥
Why your spiritual disconnection isn’t rebellion—but noise
A real-life picture of how busyness blocks sensitivity to God
Why intimacy with your husband is worship, too 💗
A bold question to ask God in this season of quieting the excess
📣 Call to Action:
This week, don’t add something new.Ask God what He wants you to let go of.Then listen—and don’t rush past what He shows you. 🙏
💡 Michelle Recommends
💖 Instagram: @itsmemichellecastro
📬 Email: ripitoffpodcast@gmail.com
☕ Support the Show: buymeacoffee.com/itsmemichellecastro
💸 Budget Besties: budgetbesties.com/michelle (Save 10%!)
💗 Naked & Unashamed: bit.ly/31dayjourney (Use code SAVE10)

Why You're Exhausted (And Why Trying Harder Isn't the Answer) // 33

Exhaustion isn’t always about doing too little—it’s often about carrying way too much. 😩 If you’re worn down, burned out, and secretly believing that if you don’t do it all, it’ll all fall apart… this episode is your wake-up call wrapped in grace.
It’s not your hormones. It’s not your planner. It’s not that you need another system. You need space. You need rest. And it starts by removing the excess that’s killing your intimacy, your energy, and your joy—one brave choice at a time. 💔➡️💗
🎧 Episode Summary:
This week, Michelle rips off the deep-rooted lie that your exhaustion is because you’re not trying hard enough. The truth? You're doing too much, carrying too much, and refusing to put anything down.
In this heartfelt episode, she breaks down how the belief that “if I don’t do it, it won’t get done” is silently stealing peace, patience, and intimacy—especially in your marriage. Michelle shares her personal word of the year ("REST") and redefines it through a gospel lens:R.E.S.T. = Remove Excess So God Can Transform. 💥
If your home is cluttered, your mind is racing, and your marriage feels like an afterthought—you’re not broken. You're buried. And this episode gives you permission to lay it all down.
✨ What You’ll Learn:
The real reason behind your constant exhaustion 😩
The lie that you must “do it all” to keep life from falling apart
How mental and emotional clutter kill connection in your marriage
Why overcommitment steals intimacy—and what to do instead
A fresh, biblical definition of rest that actually transforms 💡
What glass jars, Pig Pen, and your libido have in common (yes, really!)
One powerful question to ask yourself before you carry anything into 2026
💡 Michelle Recommends
💖 Instagram: @itsmemichellecastro
📬 Email: ripitoffpodcast@gmail.com
☕ Support the Show: buymeacoffee.com/itsmemichellecastro
💸 Budget Besties: budgetbesties.com/michelle (Save 10%!)
💗 Naked & Unashamed: bit.ly/31dayjourney (Use code SAVE10)

You Don’t Have to Do It All This January // 32

Tired of the "New Year, New You" hustle? 😤 If you're already feeling overwhelmed by planners, routines, and that pressure to do ALL the things… this episode is your holy permission slip to BREATHE. Let's kick off 2026 by trading the burnout for peace—and yes, you can do it in just 10 intentional minutes a day. 🙌💗
🎧 Episode Summary:
In this honest, freeing, and refreshingly simple New Year episode, Michelle rips off the lie that hustle equals holiness. She opens up about why she’s done with overcommitting in the name of self-improvement and shares the beautiful truth that doing less on purpose can actually lead to deeper joy, presence, and peace.
Instead of stacking goals and chasing unrealistic routines, Michelle introduces the life-giving rhythm of “10 intentional minutes a day”—a practical, grace-filled approach that’s changing how she shows up in her home, marriage, and faith walk. This isn’t about giving up. It’s about showing up faithfully, not frantically.
Whether you’re drowning in to-dos or just looking for a gentler way to grow in this season, this episode will encourage your heart and equip your hands with something you can actually do—starting today.
✨ What You’ll Learn:
The toxic New Year lie we all need to rip off 🙅‍♀️
Why doing less can lead to more peace, not less purpose
How 10 focused minutes can shift your home, heart, and habits
Michelle’s real-life examples of using this practice in marriage, motherhood, and everyday life
A loving reminder that faith is built through small, steady acts—not massive overhauls
📣 Call to Action:
Let’s walk into 2026 with intention—not intensity. Choose less. Live deeper. 💫
➡️ Download Michelle’s “10 Minutes a Day” idea list to help you take that first step:Download the Free Resource Here
💌 Get on Michelle’s email list for more weekly encouragement:bit.ly/ripitoffwelcome

When Desire Isn’t There: How to Rebuild Intimacy and Hope // 31

Desire didn’t die—you just got buried.Under the laundry, the trauma, the resentment, the kids, the hormones, and the weight of silence. This episode is for the woman who feels broken, disconnected, or afraid she’s just not "into it" anymore. You’re not broken. But there is something asking to be healed.
✨ EPISODE SUMMARY:In this raw and redemptive finale of the intimacy reboot series, Michelle speaks directly to the woman who’s wondering if desire is gone for good. Whether it vanished after babies, stress, hormones, trauma—or it never really showed up in the first place—this conversation will help you stop blaming yourself and start moving toward healing.
With biblical clarity and deep compassion, Michelle names the real culprits behind low desire (hint: it’s not just hormones), and walks you through the 7 steps to rebuilding s*xual intimacy when it feels out of reach. You are not disqualified. Your marriage is not doomed. And your story isn’t over.
🎧 WHAT YOU'LL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE:
Why low desire isn’t a moral failure—but also not a free pass
8 sneaky culprits that block intimacy (and how to spot them)
The truth about trauma, shame, resentment, and body image
A biblical view of healing that holds both compassion and responsibility
7 realistic steps to begin rebuilding desire
Why you can’t wait your way back into intimacy—you have to participate
A sneak peek at Michelle’s upcoming book (this chapter? 🔥🔥🔥)
📣 CALL TO ACTION:Friend, healing is possible. Desire can be rebuilt. And you are not broken.If this episode stirred something in your heart, don’t wait. Join the email list to get updates on the book and behind-the-scenes encouragement that’s too raw for the ‘gram.💌 Sign up here: bit.ly/ripitoffwelcome

The Missing Piece in Marriage: Why Physical Intimacy Matters // 30

You can love your husband, have a “good” marriage, and still feel like something’s missing. Why? Because connection isn’t just spiritual or emotional—it’s physical, too. And when that piece goes quiet for too long, everything else starts to fray.
✨ EPISODE SUMMARY:In this honest and eye-opening episode, Michelle breaks down the real reason so many Christian marriages feel emotionally off—even when things look “fine” on the outside. She explains how intimacy isn’t one thing—it’s a braid of three: emotional, spiritual, and physical. And when any one of those gets neglected, the whole thing starts to unravel.
This one is full of gentle truth, real-life examples, and practical steps to reconnect, even if the spark has dimmed. You were made for unity, not just survival. And physical intimacy plays a powerful role in bringing hearts back together.
🎧 WHAT YOU'LL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE:
Why you can have a good marriage and still feel disconnected
How emotional, spiritual, and physical intimacy work together—and why missing one affects the others
The “braid” analogy that helps reframe what intimacy really looks like
What to do when emotional blocks are killing physical connection
How s*x can soften resentment (yes, seriously)
Why planning intimacy doesn’t make it fake—it makes it intentional
Simple weekly rhythms to rebuild trust, touch, and closeness
📣 CALL TO ACTION:Connection takes effort—but it doesn’t have to be complicated. Start with one conversation, one prayer, one small act of affection. And if this episode gave you a holy jolt (the good kind), don’t miss what’s coming next week as we wrap up the series with a powerful episode on rebuilding desire. 💌 Get on my email list to stay in the loop and be the first to know when the book drops!👉 bit.ly/ripitoffwelcome

Why Christian Women Should Talk About Pleasure Without Shame // 29

Pleasure wasn’t Satan’s idea—and it sure as heck isn’t dirty.Christian women have been discipled into silence, fear, and shame when it comes to s*xual pleasure. But what if the very thing you’ve been trained to whisper about is something God blessed on purpose? It’s time to rip off the lie that pleasure is unholy and start reclaiming what God designed for your good.
✨ EPISODE SUMMARY:In this bold and biblically grounded episode, Michelle goes full truth-teller on one of the most hushed-up topics in the church: pleasure. She unpacks how the silence around s*x has shaped Christian women into confused, ashamed, and disconnected wives—and how that ends today. From scripture to science to the literal design of your body (hello, clitoris 👀), this episode calls out the lie that talking about pleasure is dirty and invites you to see it as holy, healthy, and God-ordained.
If you’ve ever felt embarrassed by your desire—or felt none at all—this one is for you. It’s packed with truth, grace, and practical steps to start reconnecting with your body and your husband… without shame.
🎧 WHAT YOU'LL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE:
Why the Church’s silence on pleasure created confusion, not holiness
What the Bible actually says about pleasure (hint: Song of Solomon is not a metaphor)
The purpose of the clitoris (and why its design is no accident)
Why pleasure isn’t lust, and desire isn’t dirty
The difference between enjoying s*x and idolizing it
How connection is the goal—and pleasure is part of the process
Practical steps to begin redeeming pleasure without feeling gross or guilty
A reminder: You're not broken, you're becoming who God designed you to be
📣 CALL TO ACTION:You were created for connection, not confusion. For joy, not shame. For delight, not denial.If this episode made something in you come alive, don’t stop here. Join the email list to get first access to my book and stay in the loop as we keep pulling back the curtain on biblical, God-blessed intimacy.💌 Sign up here: bit.ly/ripitoffwelcome
 

Why Overwhelm Is Killing Your Intimacy—and How to Reclaim It // 28

You're not broken. You're maxed out.If desire feels MIA—even though you love Jesus, love your husband, and want to want it—this episode is a holy reality check. Spoiler: it’s not your hormones. It’s your nervous system, and it’s begging for a reset.
✨ EPISODE SUMMARY:In this brutally honest episode, Michelle pulls the curtain back on one of the biggest intimacy killers in Christian marriages: stress. We’re talking spiritual exhaustion, emotional burnout, and the invisible load that Christian wives are carrying every single day. And guess what? Your body knows it.
Desire can’t thrive where your nervous system is drowning. But before you slap a “this is just how marriage is” label on it—stop. You are not stuck. You can restore capacity, create margin, and make space for intimacy to breathe again. This episode walks you through what that looks like—practically, spiritually, biologically.
🎧 WHAT YOU'LL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE:
Why your nervous system, not your hormones, is wrecking your desire
How Christian women were discipled into martyrdom, not margin
What “I gave at the office” might be hiding in your marriage
The cortisol-adrenaline crash that keeps you in survival and out of intimacy
Why being “too tired for sex” might be your body’s SOS—not sin
Real talk about the emotional avoidance we mask with busyness
A bold call to create capacity—not excuses—for connection
Practical ways to regulate your nervous system and revive desire
📣 CALL TO ACTION:Desire grows in safety—and safety can be cultivated. You're not powerless. You’re not too far gone. And you don’t have to “manage marriage” like it’s just another chore. If this episode hit home, make sure you're on my email list for the inside scoop on the book that's tackling all of this (and more) with zero fluff and full freedom.💌 Join here: bit.ly/ripitoffwelcome

We Hit 10,000 Downloads! Here’s What Comes Next… // 27

Can we take a PAUSE and celebrate?! 🎉 10,000 downloads of the Rip It Off podcast—and it’s ALL because of you. Sis, whether you’ve been here since day one or just hit play for the first time, this moment is ours. But this isn’t just a numbers thing—this is kingdom work, and it’s only just beginning.
🎧 Episode Summary:
In this deeply personal and joy-filled bonus episode, Michelle shares a behind-the-scenes look at the heart and hustle behind 10,000 downloads. From fuchsia hair and unmade beds to bold conversations about biblical intimacy, she reflects on what God has done through this podcast—and what He’s preparing next.
She’s not just marking a milestone—she’s inviting YOU to help shape what’s coming. This is your space too, friend. What do you need to hear more of? What conversation around Christian marriage, sex, shame, or healing is missing from the mic? Michelle is all ears—and she's made it super easy for you to speak up, anonymously or otherwise. Plus, she shares exciting updates on her new book, how to support the show, and the wild, beautiful ways God is using this message to reach women like you.
🔥 What You’ll Hear:
Why 10,000 downloads is so much bigger than a number
How YOU are shaping the future of this podcast
The top 3 ways to support the show (hint: they’re free + powerful!)
A sneak peek into Michelle’s upcoming book—and why it’s basically a written podcast episode
How to submit anonymous feedback on the topics you care about most
Why your simple share might be the breakthrough someone else is waiting for
The holy rebellion of fuchsia hair, tattoos, and talking boldly about sex 🙌
💌 Call to Action:
Friend, this podcast is for you and because of you. Let’s keep ripping off the lies and walking in truth together:
📣 Send Michelle your questions or topic ideas:Anonymous form → bit.ly/riotalktomeEmail → itsmemichellecastro@gmail.comDM her → @michellecastrounscripted on Instagram
📝 Leave a review – It takes 30 seconds and helps the message reach more women hungry for biblical truth on marriage, intimacy, and healing.
📲 Share this episode with a friend, small group, or fellow wife who’s ready for real talk rooted in Jesus.
📚 Want updates on the book + behind-the-scenes goodies?Join the list → bit.ly/ripitoffwelcome

The Science of Connection: Why Your Body Isn’t the Problem // 26

You’ve been blaming your body for a lack of desire like it’s defective. But what if your body is actually trying to help you? What if it’s not broken—it’s just overwhelmed? This episode flips the shame script and shows you how your biology is wired for connection… not dysfunction.
✨ EPISODE SUMMARY:In this fast and fiery 10-minute truth sesh, Michelle tackles the real reason your desire might feel MIA—and spoiler: it’s not because you're high-maintenance or “not spiritual enough.” From bonding hormones to biblical wisdom, she explains how God-designed chemistry shapes connection… but doesn’t excuse avoidance. If s*x has felt complicated, heavy, or “meh,” this episode will remind you that your body is speaking on purpose—and you’re more empowered than you think.
This one’s part science, part soul check—and all about rebuilding desire from the inside out.
🎧 WHAT YOU'LL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE:
Why low desire isn’t a sign you’re broken—it’s a signal you’re overwhelmed
The three powerful bonding chemicals God built into your body (and how they work)
How stress tanks dopamine—and what that means for your s*x life
The truth about oxytocin, vasopressin, and desire that grows in safety, not pressure
Why you’re not a toaster or a brick wall—and what that says about your capacity for intimacy
Practical connection-building tips (that aren’t about just getting in the mood)
A biblical reminder: Your hormones are not your holiness
📣 CALL TO ACTION:You’re not powerless, sis. You’re hormonally human and spiritually equipped to move toward intimacy—imperfectly, intentionally, one step at a time. Start by getting on my email list for the inside scoop on my new book (it’s 🔥 and it’s for YOU).💌 Join here: bit.ly/ripitoffwelcome

Sex Was Never Meant to Be a Chore — It Was Meant to Be Connection // 25

Somewhere along the line, Christian wives were sold the lie that s*x is just another task on the to-do list—like folding laundry or unloading the dishwasher. But girl, that’s not God’s design. You were made for connection, not performance. If you’ve ever felt more like a duty-doer than a desire-driven wife… this episode is for you.
✨ EPISODE SUMMARY:In this raw and straight-up 10-minute truth drop, Michelle dismantles the belief that s*x is a marital obligation and replaces it with God's actual design for intimacy: connection, joy, and unity. She calls out the spiritual (and cultural) messaging that trained women to comply instead of connect—and reminds you that desire blooms where safety lives, not where pressure thrives. If you've ever asked, “What’s wrong with me?”... pause. Rewind. And ask, “Where am I craving connection?”
This one’s not just permission—it’s freedom.
🎧 WHAT YOU'LL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE:
Why treating s*x like a chore kills emotional and physical connection
The difference between obligation and true, mutual desire
A powerful reframe: s*x as a bonding rhythm, not a duty
Biblical truth from Genesis 2 and 1 Corinthians 7 (without the shame trip)
How pressure and performance hijack your nervous system—and what to do instead
A sneak peek into Michelle’s upcoming book for Jesus-loving women craving real freedom in the bedroom
How connection (not just chemistry) creates space for true intimacy
📣 CALL TO ACTION:Ready to rebuild connection—with God, your body, and your husband? Make sure you’re on my email list so you don’t miss a page of the behind-the-scenes journey as I write the most honest thing I’ve ever created (hint: it’s a book 👀).💌 Join here: bit.ly/ripitoffwelcome