Podcasts about modern sex therapy institutes

Our guest this time is Dr. Daniel N. Watter. Dan is an existential sex therapist and he has so much to say about appreciating sexuality as we age instead of extolling the virtues of youthful sexuality. He has a fresh approach to the connection between death anxiety and sexuality. Dan talks with us about the existential importance of the penis and the idea that the penis is speaking but sometimes in a whisper. Dr. Watter is the author of more than 30 professional articles and book chapters on topics such as sexual function and dysfunction, and ethics in healthcare practice. He most recently completed the new book, The Existential Importance of the Penis: A Guide to Understanding Male Sexuality and a new article about men, sex, and aging for the Journal of Sexual Medicine. Dan has been a practicing clinical and forensic psychologist and certified sex therapist for more than 35 years. He is licensed as both a psychologist and a marital and family therapist. In addition, he is Board Certified in Sex Therapy by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT), and the American Board of Sexology (ACS), of which he also holds Fellowship status. Dr. Watter is an AASECT certified sex therapy supervisor and has been elected to Fellowship Status in the International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health (ISSWSH). In addition to his clinical practice, he is a faculty member at the University of Michigan School of Social Work's Sexual Certification Program and the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes. He has taught at a number of colleges, universities, and medical schools in the past. Dr. Watter is a member of several professional organizations and has been elected to leadership positions in many including the New Jersey Psychological Association's Ethics Committee, the Society for Sex Therapy and Research (SSTAR), and AASECT. He's been the Chair of the AASECT Ethics Advisory Committee and President of SSTAR. You can reach Dan Watter here. And you can check out his new book here. If you'd like to read any of the other books we discussed, you can find Irvin Yalom's work here, and Peggy Kleinplatz's book, Magnificent Sex: Lessons from Extraordinary Lovers  here. If you want to catch up on other shows, just visit our website and please subscribe! We love our listeners and welcome your feedback, so if you love Our Better Half, please give us a 5-star rating and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. It really helps support our show! As always, thanks for listening!  

This episode is being re-released for your enjoyement. Please enjoy the episode. Natasha Helfer interviews Richard and Lawrence Siegel, in the continuing discussion of why the framing of sexual issues as addiction is problematic. What are the neurological/medical explanations currently taking place within the sexual field? What are the diagnostic implications? What is the research that has been happening for the last 20 years on these issues? Is research interpreted and applied correctly? What do many of the terms being thrown around even mean? And can evidence-based/peer-reviewed research truly be found to support the addiction model for treating sexual problems? What happens when we look at our sexual behavior from the lens of it being broken, and even diseased? How does this affect such things as personal and relational trust? What are some of the issues that we should be talking or concerned about when it comes to sexual functioning? How should we treat and address sexual problems if we are not going to use an addiction model? Richard M. Siegel, LMHC, CST is a Florida-licensed Mental Health Counselor, Director of the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes, a Florida Board Certified Sex Therapist and Qualified Supervisor, and an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, Supervisor of Sex Therapy, and Provider of Continuing Education. He has a rich experiential background, including over 20 years as a sexuality educator and fifteen years in private sex therapy practice. In addition to his private practice in Boca Raton, Florida, Mr. Siegel is an adjunct faculty member at Palm Beach State College and enjoys a national reputation as a respected trainer, supervisor and conference presenter. Lawrence Siegel, MA is a Clinical Sexologist and sexuality education consultant. He is the founder and serves on the Board of Directors of Sage Institute for Family Development, a non-profit training and counseling center in Florida. Larry sits on the faculties of several colleges, universities and training institutions, and is nationally recognized as a leader in the fields of sexuality, sexual development, sexual pharmacology, and medical sexology. To help keep this podcast going, please consider donating at natashahelfer.com and share this episode. To watch the video of this podcast, you can subscribe to Natasha's channel on Youtube and follow her professional Facebook page at natashahelfer LCMFT, CST-S. You can find all her cool resources at natashahelfer.com. This podcast addresses many topics around mental health and sexuality and may not be suitable for minors. Some topics may elicit a trigger or emotional response so please care for yourself accordingly. The views, thoughts and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or feelings of Natasha Helfer or the Natasha Helfer Podcast. We provide a platform for open and diverse discussions, and it is important to recognize that different perspectives may be shared. We encourage our listeners to engage in critical thinking and form their own opinions. The intro and outro music for these episodes is by Otter Creek. Thank you for listening. And remember: Symmetry is now offering Ketamine services. To find out more, go to symcounseling.com/ketamine-services.

Dr. Holly Richmond joins Something For Everybody this week. Dr. Holly is a licensed marriage and family therapist, certified sex therapist, holds a PhD in Somatic Psychology, and is the Associate Director for Modern Sex Therapy Institutes. Dr. Richmond is one of North America's leading sex therapists, serving women, men, couples and gender-diverse individuals for relationship and sexuality issues.  In this conversation, Dr. Holly Richmond and I explore the complexities of discussing sex, the nuances of sexual trauma, and the importance of understanding and labeling experiences. They delve into the reactions to trauma, the long journey to healing, and the impact of societal norms on perceptions of sexual experiences. The discussion also touches on the role of psychedelics in healing, the challenges of reporting sexual trauma, and the significance of self-pleasure in understanding one's sexuality. Throughout, we emphasize the importance of awareness, understanding, and the need for open conversations about sex and trauma. - See discounts for all the products I use and recommend: https://everybodyspod.com/deals/   Shop For Everybody  Use code SFE10 for 10% OFF

Dr. Holly Richmond is a Somatic Psychotherapist, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Certified Sex Therapist and AASECT Certified Sex Therapy supervisor with an expertise in the recovery of sexual health after sexual trauma.In addition to sex therapy, sexual wellness coaching and co-facilitating international sexual health retreats utilizing psychedelics, Dr. Holly sits on the Clinical Board of Directors for Dame Products, and is the Associate Director of Modern Sex Therapy Institutes.Her book and online course, Reclaiming Pleasure, are innovative platforms that look at both somatic and psychological factors in survivors' erotic recovery.Here's where to find more:drhollyrichmond.com reclaimingyourpleasure.com @drhollyrichmond___________________________________________________________Welcome to The Unforget Yourself Show where we use the power of woo and the proof of science to help you identify your blind spots, and get over your own bullshit so that you can do the fucking thing you ACTUALLY want to do!We're Mark and Katie, the founders of Unforget Yourself and the creators of the Unforget Yourself System and on this podcast, we're here to share REAL conversations about what goes on inside the heart and minds of those brave and crazy enough to start their own business. From the accidental entrepreneur to the laser-focused CEO, we find out how they got to where they are today, not by hearing the go-to story of their success, but talking about how we all have our own BS to deal with and it's through facing ourselves that we find a way to do the fucking thing.Along the way, we hope to show you that YOU are the most important asset in your business (and your life - duh!). Being a business owner is tough! With vulnerability and humor, we get to the real story behind their success and show you that you're not alone._____________________Find all our links to all the things like the socials, how to work with us and how to apply to be on the podcast here: https://linktr.ee/unforgetyourself

Themes: Sex, Partnership, Relationships, ADHD, Neurodiversity, Self Empowerment, Intimacy, Love Charmaine Ensinger LMFT (she/her) - Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, ADHD-Certified Clinical Services Provider, Certified Sex Therapist with AASECT and IBOSP, AAMFT Approved SupervisorAs a certified sex therapist and a marriage and family therapist, Charmaine Ensinger is uniquely suited to understand complex relationships in all areas of life. Charmaine enjoys working with people of every ethnic, gender, and sexual background and finds a special connection with people who feel misunderstood, marginalized, or like an “outsider.” As an ADHD-certified clinical services provider, she is poised to address the complexities of ADHD symptoms and management. Charmaine is currently enrolled in the Clinical Sexology Ph.D. program at Modern Sex Therapy Institutes, where her doctoral project is focused on sex therapy and ADHD.  Additionally, she teaches Human Sexuality as an adjunct professor at Rowan University.For those looking to empower their sex and their relationships!  In this informative and fascinating podcast, host Daniel Cordua speaks with Charmaine Ensinger on these topics:- What is sex therapy?  And how could it be helpful to our lives & our relationships?- Demystifying The scripts about sexuality we learn at a young age- How couples can get stuck into a pattern of a sexless relationship- & How couples can bring sexual connection back into a relationship when it is lost- Sex and ADHD- Creating more mutual pleasure and awareness in our sexuality- Exploring our sexuality with more fullness & play- How our sexuality shifts in a partnership over time - Key sexual empowerment practices ... and so much more!Connect with Charmaine here*Connect with Daniel for your Free Discovery Session -  for individuals + couples who are ready to explore, illuminate + empower their lives & their relationshipsPartnership Full of Possibility for 2024 - for couples ready to up-level their partnership and create more intimacy + deeper connection.Empowered Connection MEN'S CIRCLE starts in-person, in Philadelphia, PA on Saturday September 14th at 2pm.  Email me to register - empoweredconnection.me@gmail.com.  Online Men's Circle starting soon!!Find Daily Relationship Tools + Tips & Self Growth + Empowerment Practices with Damodar on Instagram - @empoweredconnection.me*Sponsored by our adored, organic and hand-crafted with intention healing product line Bhava Wellness - RECEIVE 15% OFF  by using the code EMPOWEREDCONNECTION (one word, all caps) at checkout!EMPOWERED CONNECTION

Today's episode features Natassia Miller founder of Wonderlust. Wonderlust launched in 2022 with its iconic intimacy card deck, which makes it easy for couples to talk about sex. Natassia's first product went viral multiple times, and she is now launching online courses driven by her passion for education. Her work is focused on cisgender, straight couples in long-term relationships, which she specializes in through her certification as a sexologist with Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (as an educator, not a therapist). She is on the path to building a library of accessible courses for you to design the sex life and relationship you want. In this episode, we discuss: Thinking about how you want to spend time after sex Common problems in long-term couples Natassia's game, Wonderlust Approaching your partner about mixing things up in bed How traditional gender roles factor into asking for the sex you want The importance of touch without sex Finding a balance in the frequency of sex and desire discrepancies Normalizing positive sexual discussions and complimenting your partner regarding sex Receive 15% off when you purchase Wonderlust Mindful Intimacy Deck with code: HEADSOUTH15 You can find Natassia here: wonderlust.co | @natassiamiller | @joinwonderlust Please support Natassia's  foundation of choice:  Planned Parenthood provides reproductive and sexual healthcare, and sexual education in the United States and globally Let's connect: @headsouth.world | @headsouthradio | @Kittycatmeyer

#ActuallyAutistic podcast hosts, Dr. Angela Lauria and Matt Lowry, LPP, interview Dr. Kade Sharp to discuss the ways that kink fits into Autistic culture. * What is kink (spoiler: it's not necessarily sexual!), what are some common kinks, and are “kinksters” dangerous or ill?* The fundamental flaws in most research methods that explore Autistic sexuality.* Stereotypes and misunderstandings that most people have about the kink community.* Kinky spreadsheets and other Autistic systems of communicating comfort and consent.* Honoring sensory differences, connecting through SPINs, defined expectations, and other ways that the kink community appeals to so many autistics.* How kink helps neurodivergent folks to feel empowered—regardless of whether or not they identify as a kinkster. * Tips on exploring kink with partners, finding kinky folks to explore with, and getting kinky solo.“I think I just found out I'm kinky.”“I think a lot of your listeners are going to find that out today.”“Someone asked if he was my biological son. And I said, ‘why, yes.' And somebody was like, ‘well, how did you make him?' And…It occurred to me while answering this question: there is a big myth out there that we do not have the sex.”“Kink is not just sexual. So, in fact, a good proportion of the folks that responded to my eligibility survey for the study were on the aro/ace spectrum.”“There's so much unspoken stuff and so much resentment because allistic partners say, ‘You should know what I want,' or that kind of nonsense. But when you explicitly negotiate and have spreadsheets regarding everything from eye contact to butt stuff, it makes relationships run a lot smoother.”Are you an Autistic kinkster? How does kink help empower you? Share in the comments! #AutisticCultureCatchGuest Bio:Dr. Kade Sharp (he/they) is an autistic transgender Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker practicing in Richland, Washington, at Spectrum Counseling, his private practice, where he sees therapy clients, supervises clinicians working toward licensure, and provides case consultation for colleagues. Kade is also a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor and a certified Child Mental Health Specialist. He has his PhD in Clinical Sexology through Modern Sex Therapy Institutes. Kade has a clinical focus on working with autistic and trans folks of all ages, especially those with anxiety challenges. His volunteer work over the past ten years has been with local LGBTQ+ youth centers, Pride organizations, the Diversity Equity Inclusion team at a local school district, and serving on the WA state chapter of the Association for Play Therapy board.  Resources:* A Kink in the Spectrum (Kade's dissertation)* Dr. Erin Findley (dissertation chair)* Dr. Amy Pearson (dissertation committee member)* Dr. Nick Walker (dissertation committee member) * Neurokink (Kade's side project & mailing list)* Mojoupgrade (digital kink checklist)* Bex Talks Sex's Super Powered Yes/No/Maybe List (printable)* Thrive (an annual virtual BDSM & Mental Health Conference)* Dr. Faith G Harper's publications on sex, kink, & mental health* Dr. Emily Nagoski's publication on sex* Dr. Katie Munday's research and advocacy* FetLife (kink social media)* Hiki (autistic dating app)Similar episodes:* Episode 35: Sex is Autistic* Episode 56: Lessons in Chemistry is Autistic* Episode 59: Pregnancy is AutisticReady for a paradigm shift that empowers Autistics? Help spread the news!Follow our new Instagram page!Rate and review us on Apple podcasts and SpotifyMatt's website: Matt Lowry, LPPJoin Matt's Facebook group: Autistic Connections Facebook GroupFind Angela at: AngelaLauria.com and Difference PressFollow Angela on: Twitter and TikTokTACP's autism-affirming merch shop This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.autisticculturepodcast.com/subscribe

Social media has completely changed the landscape of relationships. It gives couples a lot of gray area to consider when thinking about what constitutes as cheating or even little boundary violations. How does social media affect relationships? Can it offer any benefit? How do you talk to your partner about boundaries regarding social media use? We are going to chat about all of that and more in today's episode. I'm joined by my friend and colleague, Dr. Rachel Needle. Dr. Needle is a Licensed Psychologist and Certified Sex Therapist in private practice as well as an Adjunct Professor of Psychology at Nova Southeastern University. She is the founder and CEO of the Advanced Mental Health Training Institute and Co-Director of Modern Sex Therapy Institutes which provides continuing education to Mental Health and Medical professionals and Sex Therapists around the world. She has been featured in a number of popular magazines such as Glamour and Cosmopolitan.If you like what you hear, don't forget to leave me a five-star review. Your positive feedback helps me grow so that we can continue having these engaging, informative, and fun conversations. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow & subscribe so that you'll be notified when a new episode is released.If you have a question or a story you would like to share, you can submit it at www.loveandlibido.com. You can either email in your story or you can record your submission, whatever is easier for you. We always give you the option to have your voice professionally disguised with our fancy editing software, so no worries if you would like to remain anonymous. Or if you're loud and proud, and you want to tell us who are as you share your question, that is fine too. We are also collecting story submissions as well. You can follow me across all the social media channels @dremilyjamea. That's usually the best place to see what information we are looking for as it relates to topics we are discussing on the show.Exciting news! You can now pre-order my book, "Anatomy of Desire: Five Secrets to Create Connection and Cultivate Passion," from your favorite book retailers. Don't miss out on securing your copy early!And don't forget to check out my online workshop, Anatomy of Desire: 5 Secrets to Lasting Intimacy. Visit www.emilyjamea.com/workshop for your free sample. Subscribers can use code HALFOFF for 50% off.

On this episode of #mensexpleasure, I chat with Dr. Holly Richmond. Dr. Richmond is a Somatic Psychotherapist, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT), Certified Sex Therapist (CST) and Certified Sex Therapy Supervisor. She sits on the Clinical Board of Directors for Dame Products, and is the Associate Director of Modern Sex Therapy Institutes. This unique combination of credentials enables her to focus on clients' cognitive processes as well as mind-body health. Her book Reclaiming Pleasure: A Sex-Positive Guide for Moving Past Sexual Trauma and Living a Passionate Life is an innovative look at both somatic and psychological factors in survivors' erotic recovery. Key points: - Dr. Richmond introduces herself - Sexual health and pleasure - Trauma and gender differences - Practices for reclaiming pleasure - Supporting a partner after trauma - Advice for couples Relevant links: Dr. Richmond's website: www.drhollyrichmond.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cam-fraser/message

This episode is a bonus episode, brought to you in partnership with Nyoo ("New") Health. Nyoo hosts the "What's Nyoo!" series, with monthly events that bring together women and experts to have engaging, honest, and educational conversations about women's health, and this one is all about Pelvic Health. This event blew us away, and we knew we had to share it. Special thanks to Priya Bathija - CEO of Nyoo - for allowing us to share this recording. We hope you enjoy it just as much as we did!Remember to like, rate and subscribe and enjoy the episode!Guest biosPriya Bathija is a nationally-recognized healthcare leader, attorney, and policy expert. She is currently Founder and CEO of Nyoo Health, an organization dedicated to improving health and healthcare for women. Previously, she was at the American Hospital Association where she led policy efforts and strategic initiatives on value, health equity and maternal health. She started her career as a healthcare attorney and served as in-house counsel and a member of the leadership teams at ProMedica and MedStar Health. Priya is also a Distinguished Practitioner in Residence at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and an adjunct professor at Loyola University Chicago School of Law. In addition, she serves as a public board member for the American Board of Medical Specialties, the largest physician-led specialty certification organization in the U.S.Carine Carmy is CEO and Co-Founder at Origin, the leading provider of pelvic floor and women's physical therapy. She has focused her career on increasing access to products and services that improve lives, from healthcare to 3D printing. Carine's passion for women's health started in her twenties, when she struggled with painful sex for nearly a decade.  Following years of misdiagnoses, ineffective treatment options, and hearing “that's just the way it is,” Carine discovered the power of pelvic floor physical therapy to treat, not only pelvic pain, but dozens of conditions and symptoms that impact some 40 million U.S. women and individuals with vaginal anatomy, every year. Already a go-to-market leader in healthcare and technology — with leadership roles at Amino, Shapeways, MarketspaceNext and Monitor Group — she felt compelled to help make pelvic health the norm for women across the country. Outside of Origin, Carine is an avid writer and has been published in MIT Technology Review, Forbes, Ad Age, and PSFK, and serves as an advisor to startups and nonprofits in support of diversity and economic equality.Dr. Somi Javaid is a board-certified OB/GYN, leading women's sexual health thought leader, and menopause advocate. She is the Founder and Chief Medical Officer of HerMD, a team on a mission to make women's healthcare exceptional by educating, advocating for, and empowering patients to take control of their health concerns. Dr. Javaid has been featured in Forbes, Vogue, Well+Good, InStyle, Parents, Refinery29, Mashable, Adweek, and Popsugar. In August 2020 Dr. Javaid spoke about Gender Bias and the Female Sexual Health Revolution on the TEDx mainstage, and in January 2021 she was featured in Women on Topp for her work as a trailblazer and pioneer in women's sexual health.Dr. Rachel Rubin is a board-certified urologist and sexual medicine specialist. She is an assistant clinical professor of Urology at Georgetown University and owns her private practice in the Washington DC region. She is one of only a handful of physicians fellowship trained in male and female sexual medicine. Dr. Rubin is a clinician, researcher, and vocal educator in the field of sexual medicine. In addition to being education chair for the International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health (ISSWSH), she also serves as an Associate Editor for the Journal Sexual Medicine Reviews. Her work has been featured in the NYT and PBS.Emma Schmidt, PhD, is a doctor in Clinical Sexology, a Professional Clinical Counselor, Supervisor, and Certified Sex Therapist, Supervisor through the American Association for Sex Educators Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) as well as the American Board for Christian Sex Therapists (ABCST). She is the owner of Emma Schmidt and Associates in Cincinnati, Indian and Kentucky, a therapy group practice which focuses on sex and relationship therapy. Dr. Schmidt received her Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies and Psychology as well as a Master of Arts in Counseling from Cincinnati Christian University. She received her Doctorate from Modern Sex Therapy Institutes. Her research and publications have focused on female sexual pain.Organization bioNyoo Health provides strategic and advisory support to startups, investors, providers, and others as they grow and scale new ways of delivering health and healthcare to women. Beyond that, Nyoo Health is building a movement that will redefine women's health and investing in women as they advocate for themselves in the healthcare system.FemTech Focus Podcast bioThe FemTech Focus Podcast is brought to you by FemHealth Insights, the leader in Women's Health market research and consulting. In this show, Dr. Brittany Barreto hosts meaningfully provocative conversations that bring FemTech experts - including doctors, scientists, inventors, and founders - on air to talk about the innovative technology, services, and products (collectively known as FemTech) that are improving women's health and wellness. Though many leaders in FemTech are women, this podcast is not specifically about female founders, nor is it geared toward a specifically female audience. The podcast gives our host, Dr. Brittany Barreto, and guests an engaging, friendly environment to learn about the past, present, and future of women's health and wellness.FemHealth Insights bioLed by a team of analysts and advisors who specialize in female health, FemHealth Insights is a female health-specific market research and analysis firm, offering businesses in diverse industries unparalleled access to the comprehensive data and insights needed to illuminate areas of untapped potential in the nuanced women's health market.Episode ContributorsPriya BathijaLinkedIn: @Priya Bathija Carine CarmyLinkedIn: @Carine Carmy & @OriginInstagram: @carinerachelle & @theoriginway Dr. Somi JavaidLinkedIn: Somi Javaid, MD & HerMDInstagram: @somijavaidmd & @hermdhealth Dr. Rachel RubinLinkedIn: @Rachel RubinInstagram: @drrachelrubin Dr. Emma SchmidtLinkedIn: @Dr. Emma SchmidtInstagram: @heyemmatherapy Nyoo HealthWebsite: https://www.nyoohealth.com/LinkedIn: @Nyoo HealthInstagram: @nyoohealth  Dr. Brittany BarretoLinkedIn:  @Brittany Barreto, Ph.D.Twitter: @DrBrittBInstagram: @drbrittanybarreto FemTech Focus PodcastWebsite: https://femtechfocus.org/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/femtechfocusTwitter: @FemTech_FocusInstagram: @femtechfocus FemHealth InsightsWebsite: https://www.femhealthinsights.com/LinkedIn: @FemHealth Insights

Dr. Holly Richmond is a Somatic Psychologist, Certified Sex Therapist, and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. This unique combination of credentials enables her to focus on clients' cognitive process as well as their somatic health. She works from a sex-positive approach, meaning: “all sex is good sex as long as it's consensual and pleasurable.” An international authority on contemporary sexuality, Dr. Richmond offers a fresh, yet authoritative perspective on today's sexual challenges and tomorrow's erotic evolutions. Seen as a pioneer in bridging the gap between sexual health and technological development, her work positively impacts individual, relational, and societal beliefs regarding sexuality. As a trusted authority on sexual health issues, with a significant media following, Dr. Richmond has appeared on national and international talk shows, and is regularly quoted in publications and media outlets, including the New York Times, CNN, Wired, Forbes, NBC, Vice, Los Angeles Magazine, The Daily Mail, The New York Post, Men's Health, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Allure, and Health. Dr. Richmond's experiential, therapeutically-driven perspective will legitimatize, normalize, demystify, and remove pathological ideology from today's common sexual concerns. Hey everyone! Welcome to today's episode of the Wright Conversations Podcast! For today's episode, I'm joined by Dr. Holly Richmond to talk about sexual trauma, the parameters of reclaiming healthy sexuality, and when it's the right time to share the details of our stories. We also talk about the common misconceptions around sexual trauma, working through the trauma with the perpetrator, and where survivors can start on their journey of recovery. Let's delve in!   In this Episode You'll Learn: [02:21] A bit about Dr. Richmond. [03:22] Getting into sexual trauma. [07:26] Reclaiming healthy sexuality. [13:10] When it's a good time to share the history with a new person. [18:19] BDSM, Power play, and sexual trauma. [21:32] Common misconceptions. [25:18] Working with victims and their perpetrators. [27:48] Where to start your journey.   Quotes: “Most survivors of sexual trauma, and I'm going to say most people in general, have no idea what turns them on.“ [09:36] “Sexual trauma does not happen by ourselves. Sexual trauma happens in relationship, therefore it has to be healed in relationship.” [11:20] “Over 85% of sexual trauma is perpetrated by someone known to the survivor, and it is not violent.” [22:10]   Connect with Dr. Holly Richmond Website:            drhollyrichmond.com. Instagram:          @drhollyrichmond. Twitter:              @drhollyrichmond. LinkedIn:            Dr. Holly Richmond.     Connect with Rachel Wright Website:            https://rachelwrightnyc.com Instagram:          @thewright_rachel Twitter:              @thewrightrachel   Resources Reclaiming Pleasure. RAINN. Modern Sex Therapy Institutes.   Get a 1-day FREE Trial and 40% OFF A Yearly Subscription at Beducated! Use Promo Code: WRIGHTCONVERSATION.   Get 20% OFF Your First Order at The Honey Pot! Use Promo Code: Rachel20   WIN A FREE INTIMACY AFTER DARK DECK!   Get 30% OFF the NEW After Dark Deck! Use Promo Code: Rachel   Get your Zumio Discount!   Call to Action Please, if you love this episode, share it with your friends and others. To help this podcast grow, please leave a review, and don't forget to subscribe.

“Sexuality and sensuality have a lot in common -- but they're not the same thing. What is the difference between being sexual and being sensual, and how do the two relate to each other? “Sexual” is pretty straightforward: When people talk about sexual activity, they're usually referring to the process of physical intimacy between consenting adults. Sometimes, though, the idea of being “sensual” is lumped in with being sexual. “I think people often use 'sensual' when trying to say [or imply] 'sexual-light,' when it would be so much more helpful to remember that 'sensual' simply means ‘of the senses'-- sight, smell, sound, taste, and touch,” says Richard M. Siegel, PhD, a licensed mental health counselor and co-director of Modern Sex Therapy Institutes in West Palm Beach, FL. You can choose to tap into your sensual self as part of a sexual encounter, as part of an intimate encounter that isn't necessarily going to lead to sex, or just because it feels good with no thought of anything sexual at all. “Sensuality is the basis of how we experience our bodies, other bodies, and the world around us,” says Rosara Torrisi, PhD, a certified sex therapist, founding director of The Long Island Institute of Sex Therapy, and co-host of the podcast Our Better Half about sexuality and older adults. “What I do a lot as a sex therapist is help people with their sensual self.” In other words, being sexual pretty much always involves being sensual -- could you have sex without engaging any of your five senses? But being sensual does not have to involve being sexual. It's much bigger than that.” “Sensuality is a way to positively inhabit the body, through pleasure and joy and fun and celebration,” she adds. “Enjoying your body can be a revolutionary act when you are not objectified or subjected to another person, and you own your pleasure and your time.” --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/antonio-myers4/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/antonio-myers4/support

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes when porn is filmed? There's a lot more that goes into it than you might think! In today's show, I'm going to interview a porn director about her process, including where she gets her ideas about what kinds of films to make in the first place. We'll also talk about all the work and conversations that happen long before people ever strip down and start having sex, what it's like to be on a porn set, how long it takes to film a scene, as well as what happens after filming ends. My guest today is Paulita Pappel, a Spanish filmmaker and feminist pornographer. She is the founder of Lustery, a platform dedicated to the sex lives of real-life couples from around the world, as well as the co-director of HardWerk, a hardcore film studio creating cinematic and tailored gangbangs. She also co-organizes and curates the Pornfilmfestival Berlin. Paulita works as a producer, director, performer and intimacy coordinator, and is an advocate for a sex-positive, consent-based culture. Some of the topics we discuss in this episode include: What is it like to be on the set of an adult film? Is the sex scripted/choreographed, or does it occur organically? What's going on inside a director's mind during filming? Is making adult films an arousing experience? What does aftercare look like in the world of porn? Be sure to check out more on Paulita's website, and follow her on Twitter and Instagram to stay connected. Thank you to our sponsors! The Modern Sex Therapy Institutes is one of the leading sex therapy certification programs in the world, meets all AASECT certification requirements, has 12 other specialty certifications, and a Ph.D. program in Clinical Sexology. Visit modernsextherapyinstitutes.com to learn more. *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Precision Podcasting (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

While it might be tempting to assume that people who cheat aren't in very satisfying relationships, it turns out that even people who are very happy and in love with their partners sometimes commit infidelity, too. So why is that? Let's talk about it. I recently released a few episodes of the show looking at women who have affairs (Eps 190 and 191), so we're going to focus more on men today. Specifically we're going to look at a new study of Ashely Madison users, a website that facilitates affairs and has a mostly male audience. We're going to discuss why men (including those in happy relationships) have affairs and how it affects their primary relationships. I am joined by Dr. Dylan Selterman, a social/personality psychologist and an Associate Teaching Professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Johns Hopkins University. Dylan is a TEDx speaker and has written for The Washington Post, National Geographic, and Psychology Today. He also co-hosts a podcast called A Bit More Complicated. Some of the topics we discuss on this episode include: How are sexual and relationship satisfaction linked to infidelity? How many Ashley Madison users are in open relationships vs. committing infidelity? What motivates men to seek affairs? How do they feel about their affairs ? What predicts whether an affair becomes a breaking point for a relationship? Be sure to check out Dylan's website and follow him on Twitter to stay connected. You can also check out our recent blog post about this study to learn more. Thank you to our sponsors! The Modern Sex Therapy Institutes is one of the leading sex therapy certification programs in the world, meets all AASECT certification requirements, has 12 other specialty certifications, and a Ph.D. program in Clinical Sexology. Visit modernsextherapyinstitutes.com to learn more. *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Precision Podcasting (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

In 2017, the world's first sex doll brothel opened its doors. Since then, several others have opened up in major cities around the world.  These brothels exist in a gray legal zone and a lot of governments don't want them around, which makes it tricky not just to set up shop, but to actually stay in business. So what is a sex doll brothel actually like? Who visits these establishments, what are they looking for, and how much does it cost? Let's take an inside look at Cybrothel, a very unique sex doll brothel in Berlin where customers pay to have sex with a doll while a human sex worker provides the doll's voice to make the client's fantasies come to life. I am joined once again by Dr. Kenneth Hanson, an Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Wyoming in the Department of Criminal Justice and Sociology. Using qualitative and mixed methods, his work has examined social issues related to artificial intelligence, sexuality, emotions, and sex toys. He has published papers about dating apps, the sex tech industry, Reddit, and sex doll owners. Some of the topics we discuss include: How is a sex doll brothel different from a traditional brothel? How common are sex doll brothels around the world? Where are they located? What is it like to serve as the voice for a sex doll? Who is the clientele for these brothels? What does it cost to visit a sex doll brothel? How does this compare to rates for in-person sex work? Will sex doll brothels eventually replace in-person sex work, or are they serving different audiences? Be sure to check out Kenneth's website to learn more, and follow him on Twitter to stay connected. Thank you to our sponsors! The Modern Sex Therapy Institutes is one of the leading sex therapy certification programs in the world, meets all AASECT certification requirements, has 12 other specialty certifications, and a Ph.D. program in Clinical Sexology. Visit modernsextherapyinstitutes.com to learn more. *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Precision Podcasting (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

Rates of infidelity have risen over the last half-century; however, if you break the data down by gender, it turns out that men's rate of infidelity has remained relatively stable, whereas women's has increased. So what's behind the rise in female infidelity? And what are the implications of this for modern-day marriages and relationships? Let's talk about it! I am joined today by author Susan Shapiro Barash. She has written thirteen nonfiction books on women's issues. She also writes fiction under her pen name Susannah Marren. Susan's latest book is titled A Passion for More: Affairs that Make or Break Us. In this book, Susan presents three decades of research she conducted on heterosexual women in monogamous relationships who committed infidelity. Some of the specific topics we discuss include: Are women today actually cheating more, or are they just more willing to admit to it than they were in the past? What role does technology play in women's infidelity? How is age related to having an affair among women? In what ways do women say that affairs made their relationships or marriages better? At what point do affairs become a catalyst to leave a relationship? Be sure to check out Susan's website to learn more. Thank you to our sponsors! The Modern Sex Therapy Institutes is one of the leading sex therapy certification programs in the world, meets all AASECT certification requirements, has 12 other specialty certifications, and a Ph.D. program in Clinical Sexology. Visit modernsextherapyinstitutes.com to learn more. Support sex science by becoming a friend of the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University. Visit kinseyinstitute.org to make a donation to support ongoing research projects on critical topics. You can also show your support by following the Kinsey Institute on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Precision Podcasting (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

Asexuality is a broad umbrella term that refers to individuals who do not experience sexual attraction to others, or who only do so under rare or limited circumstances. Growing research in this area is helping to shed important light on the nature of asexuality because there are a lot of misconceptions about it, such as the idea that asexuality is a sexual dysfunction. But that's not the case—and that's what we're going to be talking about today. We're going to be exploring a new study that looks at sexual arousal and response in asexual men. The results are fascinating and help to give us a better understanding of what asexuality is and is not. I am joined once again by Dr. Malvina Skorska, a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Toronto Mississauga and at Brock University. She is also in training to become a psychotherapist in order to bridge both research and clinical work. Her research focuses on sexual orientation and gender dysphoria and has been published in leading scientific journals. Some of the specific topics we discuss include: How is asexuality defined scientifically? Why is it important to study asexual person's sexual response and function? What can studying asexual persons' sexual response and function tell us about the nature of asexuality? When showing people erotic films, how are asexual men's sexual responses similar to or different from those of gay and heterosexual men? How are the fantasies of asexual men different from men of other sexual orientations? What do we know about sexual arousal and response in asexual women? Be sure to check out Malvina's website to learn more. Thank you to our sponsors! The Modern Sex Therapy Institutes is one of the leading sex therapy certification programs in the world, meets all AASECT certification requirements, has 12 other specialty certifications, and a Ph.D. program in Clinical Sexology. Visit modernsextherapyinstitutes.com to learn more. Check out FirmTech, awarded "most innovative sex toy of the year" by XBIZ! FirmTech's Performance Ring is designed to boost your sexual stamina and give you harder, longer-lasting erections, while also enhancing pleasure. Their Tech Ring has the added benefit of tracking your erectile health. Visit myfirmtech.com and be sure to use my exclusive discount code Justin20 to save 20% off your purchase.  *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Precision Podcasting (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

Where does a person's sexual orientation come from? Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of studies have attempted to answer this question. This research suggests that there isn't a simple explanation and that two people might develop the same sexual orientation for very different reasons. In today's show, we're going to talk about the current state of the science, including what we know about the roles of immunological, hormonal, and genetic factors. We're also going to discuss why we know less about the development of sexual orientation in women than in men, as well as some of the complexities inherent in studying the origins of human sexuality. My guest is Dr. Malvina Skorska, a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Toronto Mississauga and at Brock University. She is also in training to become a psychotherapist in order to bridge both research and clinical work. Her research focuses on sexual orientation and gender dysphoria and has been published in leading scientific journals. Some of the specific topics we discuss include: Why is it important to study how sexual orientation develops? How is sexual orientation defined in scientific research, given that sexual attraction, behavior, and identity do not overlap perfectly? Why are men with more older brothers more likely to be gay? How is testosterone exposure in the womb related to sexual orientation? Is there such a thing as a "gay gene?" Be sure to check out Malvina's website to learn more about her work. Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/SEXANDPSYCH and get on your way to being your best self. The Modern Sex Therapy Institutes is one of the leading sex therapy certification programs in the world, meets all AASECT certification requirements, has 12 other specialty certifications, and a Ph.D. program in Clinical Sexology. Visit modernsextherapyinstitutes.com to learn more. Check out FirmTech, awarded "most innovative sex toy of the year" by XBIZ! FirmTech's Performance Ring is designed to boost your sexual stamina and give you harder, longer-lasting erections, while also enhancing pleasure. Their Tech Ring has the added benefit of tracking your erectile health. Visit myfirmtech.com and be sure to use my exclusive discount code Justin20 to save 20% off your purchase.  *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Precision Podcasting (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

Dr. Holly Richmond is a Somatic Psychotherapist, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) and Certified Sex Therapist (CST). She sits on the Clinical Board of Directors for Dame Products and is the Associate Director of Modern Sex Therapy Institutes.  This unique combination of credentials enables her to focus on clients' cognitive processes as well as mind-body health. In addition to teaching numerous sexual health-related subjects, she works with women, men, couples, and gender-diverse individuals on relationship and sexuality issues.  Her treatment specialties include low libido, sexual dysfunction, compulsive sexuality (often called “addiction”), desire discrepancies in couples, recovery from sexual trauma, and alternative/non-traditional sexual expression.  Her book Reclaiming Pleasure: A Sex-Positive Guide for Moving Past Sexual Trauma and Living a Passionate Life is an innovative look at both somatic and psychological factors in survivors' erotic recovery.  Dr. Holly is regularly quoted in publications and media outlets including The New York Times, CNN, Shape, NBC, Wired, Forbes, Oprah, Men's Health, Cosmopolitan and Women's Health.  Each interlinked facet of her work is grounded in a sex-positive perspective: all sex is good sex as long as it is consensual and pleasurable. This non-judgmental position allows her to assist clients in discovering their true needs, desires, and personal path to wellness. www.drhollyrichmond.comwww.next-sex.com Dr. Kate and Dr. Richmond discuss finding pleasure after sexual trauma. They highlight triggers that can surface years after the trauma such as pregnancy, birth, and major events. They also talk about when and if to tell your partner about your sexual trauma history.Website: www.modernintimacy.com Dr. Kate Balestrieri Modern Intimacy

Research on pornography's effects points to a fascinating paradox: the people who report the most problems stemming from porn use are often the ones using the least porn! How is that possible? That's what we're going to be discussing today. This is the third installment in a four-part series on the science of porn. In this show, we're going to dive into what's known as moral incongruence, which is when people engage in sexual behaviors, like porn use, that conflict with their moral values. We're also going to explore how porn affects both religious and non-religious persons, as well as how therapists treat problems relating to moral incongruence. I am joined by Dr. Joshua Grubbs, a clinical psychologist and associate professor in the Clinical Psychology program at Bowling Green State University. Josh will soon be joining the faculty in the Clinical Science PhD Program at the University of New Mexico and the Center for Alcohol, Substance use and Addiction. He conducts research on addiction, personality, and morality, he has published more than 100 peer-reviewed articles. Some of the specific topics we discuss include: What is meant by the term "moral incongruence" and what are some of the ways that this might play out? How is moral incongruence related to whether individuals self-identify as "porn addicts?" Do religious people have more porn problems than non-religious people, or do their problems just stem from different causes? What is the impact of moral incongruence on people's sex lives and relationships? Clinically, how do you help a person who experiences a conflict between their sexual interests and personal values? Learn more about Josh on his website, and follow him on Twitter @JoshuaGrubbsPhD. Thank you to our sponsors! The Modern Sex Therapy Institutes is one of the leading sex therapy certification programs in the world, meets all AASECT certification requirements, has 12 other specialty certifications, and a Ph.D. program in Clinical Sexology. Visit modernsextherapyinstitutes.com to learn more. Check out FirmTech, awarded "most innovative sex toy of the year" by XBIZ! FirmTech's Performance Ring is designed to boost your sexual stamina and give you harder, longer-lasting erections, while also enhancing pleasure. Their Tech Ring has the added benefit of tracking your erectile health. Visit myfirmtech.com and be sure to use my exclusive discount code Justin20 to save 20% off your purchase.  *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Precision Podcasting (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

The growing anti-porn movement has fueled the rise of an entire industry centered around selling people on the idea of masturbatory abstinence. Often referred to as a “reboot,” these programs encourage men to forego self-pleasure and orgasm for prolonged periods of time, which they say is necessary to reset the brain and boost testosterone. But do these programs work as advertised? This is the second installment in a 4-part series on the science of porn and, today, we're going to go inside the world of porn addiction recovery programs. I'm joined once again by Dr. Nicole Prause, a licensed psychologist and sex researcher, founder of the sexual biotechnology company Liberos, and a scientist in the Department of Medicine at UCLA. Nicole has studied the experiences of hundreds of men who tried reboot programs, and the results suggest that these programs may actually be causing harm and taking a toll on men's mental health. Some of the topics we discuss include: Where is the rise in anti-porn sentiment coming from? What might a typical reboot program look like? What does a "relapse" mean in the context of a reboot? How common is this kind of relapse? How do men engaged in reboot programs fare in terms of their mental health and sexual function? For individuals who feel distressed about their porn usage, what can they do? Learn more about Nicole and her work over at Liberos and follow her on Twitter @NicoleRPrause. Thank you to our sponsors! The Modern Sex Therapy Institutes is one of the leading sex therapy certification programs in the world, meets all AASECT certification requirements, has 12 other specialty certifications, and a Ph.D. program in Clinical Sexology. Visit modernsextherapyinstitutes.com to learn more. On display now in the Kinsey Institute's Beebe Gallery on the IU Bloomington campus: Universal Language: The Legacy of Sexual and Gender Diversity in the Kinsey Institute Collections. Open to the public on the 3rd floor of Lindley Hall 9:30am - 4pm Monday to Friday. Learn more about upcoming events at kinseyinstitute.org or follow the Kinsey Institute on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Precision Podcasting (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

Although the Southern United States is often seen as a bastion for conservative sexual values, it has a very deep and rich sexual history worth exploring, especially when you consider a city like Atlanta. Often described as “the strip club capital of America,” Atlanta has long been a home to sex work, as well as LGBTQ nightlife. And these "vice" establishments actually played a vital role in the city's tremendous growth, both as a place to live and visit. In today's show, we're going to pull back the cover on Atlanta's fascinating sexual history. I am joined once again by writer and historian Martin Padgett. His is the author of A Night at the Sweet Gum Head, which tells the story of Atlanta's gay revolution in the 1970s. He is also working on a new book titled The Many Passions of Michael Hardwick, which tells the story of what is arguably the most important gay rights case in history. Some of the topics we discuss include: How did a burgeoning sex scene develop in in the middle of what has historically been a very conservative state? How did the sex scene it Atlanta set the stage for the city's growth? What made Atlanta a popular home and destination for the LGBTQ community? How did the nightlife scene in Atlanta help to galvanize the gay rights movement? How can visiting so-called "vice" establishments also be a virtue in terms of promoting self-acceptance and sex-positivity? Find out more about Martin on his website. Thank you to our sponsors! The Modern Sex Therapy Institutes is one of the leading sex therapy certification programs in the world, meets all AASECT certification requirements, has 12 other specialty certifications, and a Ph.D. program in Clinical Sexology. Visit modernsextherapyinstitutes.com to learn more. Visiting Miami? Check out two art exhibitions from the Kinsey Institute on display at the Wilzig Erotic Art Museum located in the heart of South Beach at 1205 S Washing Ave. Open Monday to Saturday 11am - 6pm. Also, on display now in the Kinsey Institute's Beebe Gallery on the IU Bloomington campus: Universal Language: The Legacy of Sexual and Gender Diversity in the Kinsey Institute Collections. Open to the public on the 3rd floor of Lindley Hall 9:30am - 4pm Monday to Friday. Learn more about upcoming events at kinseyinstitute.org or follow the Kinsey Institute on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Precision Podcasting (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

Until 1960, sodomy was illegal throughout the entire United States. While this technically made oral and anal sex illegal for everyone, these laws were largely enforced only when sodomy occurred between persons of the same sex. Sodomy laws have since been repealed in most states and, since 2003, they are no longer enforceable anywhere in the country. But does this mean that sodomy laws are gone for good? In the wake of the Roe v Wade reversal, one Supreme Court justice called to revisit the issue, which is setting off alarm bells. So today's show is all about the past, present, and future of sodomy laws. I am joined by writer and historian Martin Padgett. His is the author of A Night at the Sweet Gum Head, which tells the story of Atlanta's gay revolution in the 1970s. He is also working on a new book titled The Many Passions of Michael Hardwick, which tells the story of what is arguably the most important gay rights case in history. Some of the topics we discuss include: The story of Michael Hardwick, who was arrested for having consensual sex with another man in the 1980s and appealed his case to the highest court in the land. The 1986 Bowers v Hardwick Supreme Court case that upheld sodomy laws. The 2003 Supreme Court case that declared sodomy laws unconstitutional. How the reversal of sodomy laws paved the way for same-sex marriage and non-discrimination laws. Current attempts to revive old laws that infringe on sexual and reproductive freedom. The future of sodomy laws in the U.S. Learn more about Martin on his website. Thank you to our sponsors! The Modern Sex Therapy Institutes is one of the leading sex therapy certification programs in the world, meets all AASECT certification requirements, has 12 other specialty certifications, and a Ph.D. program in Clinical Sexology. Visit modernsextherapyinstitutes.com to learn more. Check out FirmTech, awarded "most innovative sex toy of the year" by XBIZ! FirmTech's Performance Ring is designed to boost your sexual stamina and give you harder, longer-lasting erections, while also enhancing pleasure. Their Tech Ring has the added benefit of tracking your erectile health. Visit myfirmtech.com and be sure to use my exclusive discount code Justin20 to save 20% off your purchase.  *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Precision Podcasting (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men are increasingly finding sexual partners through apps such as Grindr. These apps haven't just changed the way people find partners, though, they've also changed queer men and gay culture in major ways, some of which have been positive, while others have been negative. So let's talk about the good, bad, and ugly of gay hookup apps. I am joined once again by Zachary Zane, a Brooklyn-based sex writer. He is the sex and relationship columnist for Men's Health, where he writes Sexplain It. He is the co-author of the book Men's Health: Best. Sex. Ever. Zach's latest book is titled Boyslut: A Memoir and Manifesto. Some of the topics we discuss include: How are apps like Grindr different from apps that cater more to a heterosexual audience, like Tinder? What are some of the ways in which these apps have had positive effects on queer men and the gay community? Did Grindr really kill the gay bar? Do hookup apps make it easier to get the kind of sex you want? How can we reduce toxic behavior on hookup apps? How can individuals use these apps in healthy ways that don't take a toll on their mental health? Content advisory: This episode contains very frank discussion of sexual matters. Check out more about Zach on his website, and be sure to follow him on Twitter and Instagram @ZacharyZane_. Thank you to our sponsors! The Modern Sex Therapy Institutes is one of the leading sex therapy certification programs in the world, meets all AASECT certification requirements, has 12 other specialty certifications, and a Ph.D. program in Clinical Sexology. Visit modernsextherapyinstitutes.com to learn more. Check out FirmTech, awarded "most innovative sex toy of the year" by XBIZ! FirmTech's Performance Ring is designed to boost your sexual stamina and give you harder, longer-lasting erections, while also enhancing pleasure. Their Tech Ring has the added benefit of tracking your erectile health. Visit myfirmtech.com and be sure to use my exclusive discount code Justin20 to save 20% off your purchase.  *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Precision Podcasting (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

How do we prevent sex crimes from happening in the first place? Today, we're going to talk about some of the things that do (and don't) work. This is the second episode in a two-part series about sexual offending. In the previous show, we discussed what motivates people to sexually offend, so now that we have a sense of that, let's discuss issues of treatment and prevention. Dr. Michael Seto is back for this episode. He is a registered clinical and forensic psychologist and a research director with the Royal Ottawa Health Care Group. He is also a Professor in Psychiatry at the University of Ottawa. Michael has published extensively on the subject of sexual offending, which includes the books Pedophilia and Sexual Offending Against Children and Internet Sex Offending. Some of the topics we discuss include: Why punishment isn't enough when it comes to stopping sexual offending. Whether sex offender registries are an effective deterrent to sex crimes. The most effective treatment approaches for reducing rates of sexual re-offending. Whether we can get people at risk of committing sex crimes to voluntarily seek treatment before committing an offense. How training in the fiend of psychology can be improved to prevent sexual violence. The role of comprehensive sex education in preventing sexual violence. Make sure to follow Michael on Twitter @MCSeto and learn more about his research here. Thank you to our sponsors! Support sex science by becoming a friend of the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University. Visit kinseyinstitute.org to make a donation to support ongoing research projects on critical topics. You can also show your support by following the Kinsey Institute on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The Modern Sex Therapy Institutes is one of the leading sex therapy certification programs in the world, meets all AASECT certification requirements, has 12 other specialty certifications, and a Ph.D. program in Clinical Sexology. Visit modernsextherapyinstitutes.com to learn more. *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Precision Podcasting (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

The stereotype we often hear about singles in the popular media is that they're sad. In reality, however, a lot of them are thriving and living their best lives, which we talked all about in the previous episode. But being single isn't sunshine and rainbows for everyone, though. For some, being single just sucks. So let's talk about it. In this episode, we're going take a look at when and why people struggle with single life and the factors that can make it a negative experience, including social exclusion, attachment anxiety, social pressure to be in a relationship, and more. I am joined once again by Dr. Yuthika Girme, an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Simon Fraser University in Canada, who has conducted extensive research on singlehood. Some of the topics we discuss include: In what ways are singles stigmatized or "singled out" in modern society? What is the role of family and culture in shaping people's experiences with being single? How is singlehood experienced similarly or differently for men and women? How does sexual orientation factor into experiences with singlehood? How does attachment style impact one's feelings about being single? Check out  the SECURE lab to learn more about Yuthika's research, and be sure to follow her on Twitter. Thank you to our sponsors! The Modern Sex Therapy Institutes is one of the leading sex therapy certification programs in the world, meets all AASECT certification requirements, has 12 other specialty certifications, and a Ph.D. program in Clinical Sexology. Visit modernsextherapyinstitutes.com to learn more. *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Precision Podcasting (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

In the previous episode, we talked all about the pelvic floor, including what it is, the important role it plays in sexual function, as well as what you need to know about Kegel exercises. Today, we're going to be continuing our conversation on pelvic health by exploring the world of pelvic floor physical therapy. Pelvic floor therapy can potentially help to resolve everything from painful intercourse in women to erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation in men. So how do you know whether pelvic floor physical therapy is right for you, and what does this kind of therapy actually look like? For today's episode, I am joined once again by Dr. Alicia Jeffrey-Thomas, an experienced pelvic floor physical therapist who works with patients of all genders and ages with pelvic health diagnoses. She is known for spreading evidence-based pelvic health information in humorous and relatable ways on social media through @ThePelvicDanceFloor, which has over 1 million combined followers between Instagram and Tiktok. Some of the topics we discuss include: Who is pelvic floor physical therapy for? How do you know if it's right for you? How do you find a provider, and is this kind of therapy usually covered by insurance? What does a typical therapy session consist of? What sexual health issues can pelvic floor physical therapy help with? Beyond Kegels, what other kinds of exercises can help with pelvic health issues? Make sure to check out Alicia on TikTok and Instagram @ThePelvicDanceFloor. Thank you to our sponsors! The Modern Sex Therapy Institutes is one of the leading sex therapy certification programs in the world, meets all AASECT certification requirements, has 12 other specialty certifications, and a Ph.D. program in Clinical Sexology. Visit modernsextherapyinstitutes.com to learn more. Put a "ring" on it with FirmTech's Performance Ring, which is designed to boost your sexual stamina and give you harder, longer-lasting erections, while also enhancing pleasure. Their Tech Ring has the added benefit of tracking your erectile health. Visit myfirmtech.com and be sure to use my exclusive discount code Justin20 to save 20% off your purchase.  *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Precision Podcasting (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

A lot of people struggle with sexual initiation. In fact, this is one of the most common topics that readers and listeners ask me about! So why is sexual initiation so hard, and what can we do to make it easier? Let's talk about it! For today's show, I am joined once again by Vanessa Marin, a licensed psychotherapist specializing in sex therapy, as well as Xander Marin, a self-described "regular dude" who left a cushy career in tech once he realized it was more fun to talk about sex with his wife all day. They co-host the "Pillow Talks" podcast and co-authored the new book, Sex Talks: Five Conversations That Will Transform Your Love Life. Some of the topics we discuss include: Why does initiating sex feel so hard for people? What should you do (and what should you avoid) when it comes to sexual initiation? What are the six different sexual initiation styles? How can individuals navigate sex when they have different initiation styles? How do you say "no" to a partner's initiation attempt without hurting their feelings? What are some things you can do to encourage your partner to initiate sex more? Make sure to check out Vanessa and Xander's website, and visit their Youtube, Instagram, and TikTok to learn more. And be sure to get a copy of Sex Talks! Thank you to our sponsors! The Modern Sex Therapy Institutes is one of the leading sex therapy certification programs in the world, meets all AASECT certification requirements, has 12 other specialty certifications, and a Ph.D. program in Clinical Sexology. Visit modernsextherapyinstitutes.com to learn more. Put a "ring" on it with FirmTech's Performance Ring, which is designed to boost your sexual stamina and give you harder, longer-lasting erections, while also enhancing pleasure. Their Tech Ring has the added benefit of tracking your erectile health. Visit myfirmtech.com and be sure to use my exclusive discount code Justin20 to save 20% off your purchase.  *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Precision Podcasting (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

What can you do to build stronger and healthier relationships in the New Year with everyone in your life? Let's talk about it! In today's episode, we're going to discuss a wide range of relationships, starting with friendships, including how you can have an easier time both making and maintaining friends. We're also going to talk about tips for starting new romantic connections (including how to get better at online dating), tips for strengthening romantic relationships new and old, as well as what you need to know about building a healthier relationship with yourself. I am joined once again by Dr. Juliana Hauser, a licensed marriage and family therapist and licensed professional counselor who specializes in relationships, sex, and sexuality. In addition to running a private practice, Dr. Juliana is a nationally known expert in this area whose work has appeared all over in the media. This is the second episode in a two-part series on sex and relationship resolutions, so be sure to check out the first part of our conversation if you haven't already listened yet. Some of the topics we discuss today include: What are some new ways of making friends in the coming year? How can you maintain strong friendships without causing friction with your romantic partner? What can we do to become better online daters this year? What kind of communication skills do you need to cultivate in order to help your relationship thrive in the long term? For people in long-term relationships, how can they resolve to maintain a healthy level of autonomy and independence? What resolutions can men make to better themselves? To learn more about Juliana, visit dr-juliana.com, follow @drjulianahauser on IG, and be sure to check out her RESTORED program, a weekly support group for professional helpers. Thank you to our sponsors! Give the gift of pleasure with Beducated! They have a whole library of online courses to teach you what you need to know. Treat yourself or a loved one to a subscription this holiday season and get 40% off their yearly pass by using my last name - LEHMILLER - as the coupon code. Sign up now at: http://beducate.me/pd2251-lehmiller The Kinsey Institute's (kinseyinstitute.org) 75th anniversary is underway and you are invited to join in the celebration! Follow @kinseyinstitute on social media to learn more about upcoming events. Also, please consider a gift or donation to the Institute to support sex research and education. Click here to donate. The Modern Sex Therapy Institutes is one of the leading sex therapy certification programs in the world, meets all AASECT certification requirements, has 12 other specialty certifications, and a Ph.D. program in Clinical Sexology. Visit modernsextherapyinstitutes.com to learn more. *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Precision Podcasting (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

The end of another year is rapidly approaching, and that means a lot of people are soon going to start making resolutions for self-improvement. Oftentimes, those resolutions revolve around improving one's physical health through exercise and diet, or bettering one's mental health through finding better work-life balance or setting new boundaries. However, as you ponder your own resolutions for the new year, consider resolving to have better sex. With the right set of sexual resolutions, you can start to enjoy the best sex of your life! I am joined today by Dr. Juliana Hauser, a licensed marriage and family therapist and licensed professional counselor who specializes in relationships, sex, and sexuality. In addition to running a private practice, Dr. Juliana is a nationally known expert in this area whose work has appeared all over in the media. Some of the topics we discuss include: What are some practical things people can do to develop a greater sense of sexual empowerment? What are some resolutions people can make to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being that can also boost sexual performance and sexual satisfaction, too? How can partners break out of sexual routines and introduce more novelty into their sex lives in the new year? How can you learn to be more "present" during sex so that you can fully enjoy the experience? What does a "sex plan" involve, and how could you benefit from developing your own sex plan? Are there any sexual resolutions you shouldn't make that might be counterproductive? To learn more about Juliana, visit dr-juliana.com, follow @drjulianahauser on IG, and be sure to check out her RESTORED program, a weekly support group for professional helpers. Thank you to our sponsors! The Modern Sex Therapy Institutes is one of the leading sex therapy certification programs in the world, meets all AASECT certification requirements, has 12 other specialty certifications, and a Ph.D. program in Clinical Sexology. Visit modernsextherapyinstitutes.com to learn more. Get hard for the holidays with FirmTech! FirmTech's Performance Ring is designed to boost your sexual stamina and give you harder, longer-lasting erections, while also enhancing pleasure. Their Tech Ring has the added benefit of tracking your erectile health. Visit myfirmtech.com and be sure to use my exclusive discount code Justin20 to save 20% off your purchase.  *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Precision Podcasting (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

Dr. Holly Richmond is a Somatic Psychotherapist, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT), and Certified Sex Therapist (CST). She sits on the Clinical Board of Directors for Dame Products and is the Associate Director of Modern Sex Therapy Institutes. This unique combination of credentials enables her to focus on clients' cognitive processes as well as mind-body health. In addition to teaching numerous sexual health-related subjects, she works with women, men, couples, and gender-diverse individuals on relationship and sexuality issues, offering sex therapy and sexual health coaching nationally and internationally. Her treatmentspecialties include low libido, sexual dysfunction, compulsive sexuality (often called“addiction”), desire discrepancies in couples, recovery from sexual trauma, and alternative/non-traditional sexual expression. Her newly released book Reclaiming Pleasure: A Sex-Positive Guide for Moving Past Sexual Trauma and Living a Passionate Life (New Harbinger, Oct. 2021) is an innovative look at both somatic and psychological factors in survivors' erotic recovery.Dr. Holly is regularly quoted in publications and media outlets, including The New YorkTimes, CNN, Shape, NBC, Wired, Forbes, Oprah, Men's Health, Cosmopolitan, and Women's Health. She is a sought-after consultant in the sex tech industry. She is seen as a pioneer in the clinical exploration of sex and technology and how they work together as human sexuality evolves in the 21 st century. Each interlinked facet of her work is grounded in a sex-positive perspective: all sex is good sex as long as it is consensual and pleasurable. This non-judgmental position allows her to assist clients in discovering their true needs, desires, and personal path to wellness.www.drhollyrichmond.comwww.next-sex.comSupport the show

Sex scenes are common in movies and on TV, but have you ever stopped to think about everything that goes into bringing one of those scenes to life? It's a unique situation, and it puts the actors and in highly vulnerable position. For example, what if your scene partner goes off script and does something that you did not previously consent to? Or what if the director asks you to do something you aren't comfortable with? In the past, issues like these weren't given a lot of consideration, but that has all changed with the rise of intimacy coordinators. These are the folks who work to carefully choreograph sexual and intimate scenes to ensure respect and safety for the performers. This is the first episode in a two-part series all about what it takes to coordinate sex on screen. I am joined by Marci Liroff, who has worked as a casting director, producer, and acting coach for more than 40 years. Her extensive credits span more than 60 films and television series. In 2019, she completed an extensive training course and is now a Certified Intimacy Coordinator. Today, our conversation focuses on the evolution of on-screen sex scenes and the rise of intimacy coordinators. Some of the topics we discuss are: What are the power dynamics like on set, and how does this influence actors' ability to advocate for themselves? How were sex scenes typically navigated before intimacy coordinators? When did intimacy coordinators first come onto the scene and what prompted studios to start hiring them? What are some of the things that people get wrong about intimacy coordinators, and how do we make production teams more receptive to the idea of bringing them on board? What is the certification process like to become an intimacy coordinator? Do intimacy coordinators have specializations? Or, do they need to be prepared for virtually any intimate scenario? Be sure to check out Marci's website at marciliroffic.com to learn more about her work, and follow her on Twitter @marciliroff. Thank you to our sponsors! The Modern Sex Therapy Institutes is one of the leading sex therapy certification programs in the world, meets all AASECT certification requirements, has 12 other specialty certifications, and a Ph.D. program in Clinical Sexology. Visit modernsextherapyinstitutes.com to learn more. Level-up your intimate life with Beducated, the Netflix of better sex! They have a whole library of online courses to teach you what you need to know. Enjoy a free trial today and get 40% off their yearly pass by using my last name - LEHMILLER - as the coupon code. Sign up now at: http://beducate.me/pd2249-lehmiller  The Kinsey Institute's (kinseyinstitute.org) 75th anniversary is underway and you are invited to join in the celebration! Follow @kinseyinstitute on social media to learn more about upcoming events. Also, please consider a gift or donation to the Institute to support sex research and education. Click here to donate. *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Precision Podcasting (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

It is well known that depression (and certain drug treatments for depression, notably SSRIs) can lower sexual interest, desire, and activity levels. However, it turns out that the story of how depression and sex are connected is more complicated than this. Depression is one of those things that can affect different people in very different ways. In fact, research actually finds that depression has the potential to both increase and decrease sexual desire and behavior. So how do we explain this pattern of results? Let's talk about it.  I am joined by JoEllen Notte, a writer, speaker, and mental health advocate whose work explores the impact of depression on sex and relationships. Since 2012 she has written about sex, mental health, and how none of us are broken on her award-winning site, The Redhead Bedhead. JoEllen is the author of The Monster Under The Bed: Sex, Depression, and the Conversations We Aren't Having as well as the upcoming book In It Together: Navigating Depression with Partners, Friends, and Family. Some of the topics we discuss include:  Why depression may lower sexual interest in some people, but increase libido for others. The sexual side effects of various antidepressant treatments. How to take control of your sexuality when you're depressed. How to work with your healthcare provider(s) to minimize side effects of depression medication and treatment. How to communicate with a partner about sex when you're depressed. Learn more about JoEllen at redheadbedhead.com. Thank you to our sponsors! The Modern Sex Therapy Institutes is one of the leading sex therapy certification programs in the world, meets all AASECT certification requirements, has 12 other specialty certifications, and a Ph.D. program in Clinical Sexology. Visit modernsextherapyinstitutes.com to learn more. The Kinsey Institute's (kinseyinstitute.org) 75th anniversary is underway and you are invited to join in the celebration! Follow @kinseyinstitute on social media to learn more about upcoming events. Also, please consider a gift or donation to the Institute to support sex research and education. Click here to donate. *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Precision Podcasting (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

In recent years, a growing number of women of reproductive age have started walking away from the birth control pill. In fact, one survey found that 70% of those who were using the pill said they had either stopped taking it or were thinking about going off of it in the last three years. Why are so many Gen Z and millennial adults going off the pill? What contraceptives are they using instead? And how is the U.S. Supreme Court's reversal of Roe v. Wade going to impact all of this? Let's talk about it. I am joined once again by Dr. Sarah Hill, an award-winning research psychologist and professor. She is author of the fascinating book Your Brain on Birth Control, The Surprising Science of Women, Hormones, and the Law of Unintended Consequences. Some of the topics we discuss include: The factors prompting a decline in birth control use among young women. Common myths about hormonal birth control. The rise of fertility-tracking apps, and what users need to know about them. Where we are in the search for a male equivalent of the pill. How changing access to reproductive rights is changing the conversations we're having around contraception. Learn more about Sarah at sarahehill.com and be sure to get a copy of Your Brain on Birth Control. Thank you to our sponsors! The Modern Sex Therapy Institutes is one of the leading sex therapy certification programs in the world, meets all AASECT certification requirements, has 12 other specialty certifications, and a Ph.D. program in Clinical Sexology. Visit modernsextherapyinstitutes.com to learn more. The Kinsey Institute's (kinseyinstitute.org) 75th anniversary is underway and you are invited to join in the celebration! Follow @kinseyinstitute on social media to learn more about upcoming events. Also, please consider a gift or donation to the Institute to support sex research and education. Click here to donate. *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Precision Podcasting (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

When it comes to birth control pills, there's more than meets the eye. Hormonal contraception can have wide-ranging effects on both body and mind, to the point where who you are on the pill might actually be quite different from who you are off the pill. The way your body responds to stress, the people you're attracted to, your overall desire to have sex---these are just a few of the many ways that hormonal contraceptives might impact someone. So, let's talk about! My guest today is Dr. Sarah Hill, an award-winning research psychologist and professor. She is author of the fascinating book Your Brain on Birth Control, The Surprising Science of Women, Hormones, and the Law of Unintended Consequences. Some of the topics we discuss include: How common is it for hormonal contraception to lower sexual desire, and why does this happen? How do birth control pills change the types of men that heterosexual women are attracted to? And what does this mean for their sex lives and relationships? How does hormonal contraception affect the body's stress response, and what are the implications of this? Why does hormonal birth control increase the risk of depression, and is this part of the reason women why have higher rates of depression than men? Do all hormonal contraceptives have similar side effect profiles? Birth control clearly has many positive implications for people's lives, but also a number of unintended side effects. What do people need to know when it comes to making an informed decision about which contraceptive to use? Learn more about Sarah at sarahehill.com and be sure to get a copy of Your Brain on Birth Control. Thank you to our sponsors! Level-up your intimate life with Beducated, the Netflix of better sex! They have a whole library of online courses to teach you what you need to know. Enjoy a free trial today and get 60% off their yearly pass by using my last name - LEHMILLER - as the coupon code. Sign up now at: https://beducated.com/f/black-friday-2022/? Advance your training in human sexuality at the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes! Visit modernsextherapyinstitutes.com to explore programs and certifications in sex therapy and education. *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Precision Podcasting (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

Want to lead a better life in the bedroom and beyond? This episode is for you! I asked six experts for their favorite pieces of sex advice, relationship advice, and life advice. These bonus interviews come from a stellar line-up of previous guests on the show, including: Sex researcher, educator, and therapist Dr. Kristen Mark (who appeared on Episode 46) Sex writer Tracy Clark-Flory (who appeared on Episode 24) Author and sex guru Emily Nagoski (who appeared on Episode 48) Sex therapist and author Martha Kauppi (who appeared on Episode 35) Sex researcher and author Brian Earp (who appeared on Episode 23) Physician and sex educator Ina Park (who appeared on Episode 39) All of these folks have amazing wisdom to share that will give you a new outlook on leading a good life! Enjoy! Thank you to our sponsors! Level-up your intimate life with Beducated, the Netflix of better sex! They have a whole library of online courses to teach you what you need to know. Enjoy a free trial today and get 60% off their yearly pass by using my last name - LEHMILLER - as the coupon code. Sign up now at: http://beducate.me/pd2244-lehmiller FirmTech's Performance Ring is designed to boost your sexual stamina and give you harder, longer-lasting erections, while also enhancing pleasure. Their Tech Ring has the added benefit of tracking your erectile health. Visit myfirmtech.com and be sure to use my exclusive discount code Justin20 to save 20% off your purchase.  Advance your training in human sexuality at the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes! Visit modernsextherapyinstitutes.com to explore programs and certifications in sex therapy and education. *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Precision Podcasting (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

What was the most popular porn search term last year? According to Pornhub, it was hentai. This term refers to a form of animated or cartoon porn and it seems to be on the rise. So how did hentai come to be such a popular thing in the first place? And why do some people prefer animated porn to live action porn? Let's talk about it! Sexuality educator Ashley Weller returns for this show. Ashley is a professor at Chapman University who runs a podcast called What's your Position? that tackles issues surrounding sexuality, relationships, life, and love from a comedic yet educational point of view. Some of the topics we explore include: The origins of hentai and its surprisingly long history. How legal restrictions on pornography production and consumption paved the way for the rise of animated porn. Who watches hentai, and how its appeal differs based on gender and sexual orientation. How personality and attachment style relate to interest in animated porn. How many people fantasize about cartoon or anime characters. The impact of hentai porn consumption vs. mainstream porn on audiences. To learn more about Ashley, check out her podcast What's your Position? and follow her on Instagram @whatsyourpositionpodcast Thank you to our sponsors! The Handy, made by Sweet Tech, is an automatic stroker designed for self-pleasure. Pair it with your sleeve of choice to mimic realistic sensations of different partnered activities with precise speed and stroke control. Visit https://link.thehandy.com/sexandpsych-1 to learn more and use my exclusive discount code (sexandpsych) to get 10% off your order. Advance your training in human sexuality at the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes! Visit modernsextherapyinstitutes.com to explore programs and certifications in sex therapy and education. *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Precision Podcasting (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

When it comes to buying and selling sex, people most commonly think of men as the buyers and women as the sellers. However, while men are indeed far more likely than women to report having paid for sex, recent media reports suggest that the number of women buying sex may be on the rise. So, let's talk about it. I am joined by Hallie Lieberman, a sex historian and journalist who has written extensively about sex work. She is also author of the book Buzz: A Stimulating History of the Sex Toy, which we discussed back in episode 21 of this show. Some of the topics we discuss include: Who are the women who pay for sex sex? What are the most common reasons women pay for sex? Why do so many women feel that paying for sex is safer than having casual sex? Who are the men who sell sex to women? What are the main reasons men become gigolos? Where do gigolos usually work, and what kinds of services do they sell? To learn more about Hallie, follow her on the socials @hallielieberman and be sure to pick up a copy of her book, Buzz. Thank you to our sponsors! Level-up your intimate life with Beducated, the Netflix of better sex! They have a whole library of online courses to teach you what you need to know. Enjoy a free trial today and get 40% off their yearly pass by using my last name - LEHMILLER - as the coupon code. Sign up now at: http://beducate.me/pd2243-lehmiller Advance your training in human sexuality at the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes! Visit modernsextherapyinstitutes.com to explore programs and certifications in sex therapy and education. *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Precision Podcasting (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

Most of us have had a kinky fantasy at some point in our lives, and many of us have actual experience with kink in the bedroom as well. In fact, nationally representative US surveys find that at least one-third of adults have engaged in some kind of BDSM. However, despite how common kink and BDSM are, myths and misconceptions abound. So let's talk about kink! I am joined by Stefani Goerlich, award-winning author of The Leather Couch: Clinical Practice with Kinky Clients. Stefani recently published a sequel to this book called Kink-Affirming Practice: Culturally Competent Therapy from The Leather Chair. Some of the topics we discuss include: What does the term "kink" actually mean? Why obsessing over the origins of kink can be problematic. What's the connection between kink and sex? Is BDSM always sexual? What to do when your sexual fantasies and desires conflict with your political values. The kink spectrum: from dark and brooding to fun, playful, and silly. What counts as fetishization, and when does it cross a line? Common things people get wrong about kink and BDSM. Thanks to the Scarlet Society (scarletsociety.com) and Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (modernsextherapyinstitutes.com) for sponsoring this episode! The Scarlet Society is here to help you explore what it is that brings you pleasure and cultivate the relationships you deserve. It's your new home for trusted resources aimed at helping women navigate sex and love after age 40. Visit scarletsociety.com to learn more and liberate your sexuality. Visit modernsextherapyinstitutes.com to explore programs and certifications in sex therapy and education. *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Precision Podcasting (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

Contrary to popular belief, genital stimulation isn't absolutely necessary when it comes to orgasm. Many people have experiences with "non-genital orgasms," which are orgasms that result from something other than stimulation the penis or vulva. This can include a lot of different things, from nipple and ear stimulation to getting a tattoo or piercing to exercise and taking a bumpy car ride. So what do we know about all of these non-genital orgasms? Let's talk about it! I am joined by Dr. Barry Komisaruk, a Distinguished Professor of Psychology at Rutgers University-Newark. Barry has published more than 180 research articles and has co-authored and edited five books, including The Science of Orgasm. Some of the topics we discuss include: The fascinating connection between pleasure and pain. It turns out that losing the ability to experience pain also results in a loss in the ability to experience pleasure. What women who can think themselves to orgasm are thinking about. Whether non-genital orgasms look the same physiologically as genital orgasms. Why stimulation of the nipples or ears alone can sometimes trigger orgasm. Why some people have reported experiencing orgasm during childbirth or defecation. This is a fascinating episode you won't want to miss. Check it out! Thanks to the Scarlet Society (scarletsociety.com) and Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (modernsextherapyinstitutes.com) for sponsoring this episode! The Scarlet Society is here to help you explore what it is that brings you pleasure and cultivate the relationships you deserve. It's your new home for trusted resources aimed at helping women navigate sex and love after age 40. Visit scarletsociety.com to learn more and liberate your sexuality. Visit modernsextherapyinstitutes.com to explore programs and certifications in sex therapy and education. *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Precision Podcasting (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

Some people want to have sexual and romantic relationships but are unable to do so. They are involuntarily celibate. For some, this perceived inability to form and maintain sexual and romantic relationships becomes a defining feature of the self---a social identity known as "incel." In the popular media, incels tend to be characterized as misogynists and male supremecists who are prone to violence. However, the truth about incels is more complex, and it turns out that the incels aren't exactly who we think they are. So let's take a look inside the minds of incels. I am joined by William Costello, a PhD student at the University of Texas at Austin, where he is a member of Dr. David Buss's Evolutionary Psychology lab. He holds a Masters in Psychology, Culture, and Evolution from Brunel University London and his dissertation investigated the psychology of incels. Some of the topics we discuss include: Why incels have always been around, and how modern incels are different. Why changes in the mating market are creating more incels. What do people who identify as incel look like? Do they match up with the stereotypes (i.e., young, White, conservative)? Why popular dating advice given to incels isn't helpful. What the mental health of incels looks like. Are incels inherently prone to violence? To learn more about William, follow him on Twitter @CostelloWilliam Thanks to the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (modernsextherapyinstitutes.com) and the Kinsey Institute (kinseyinstitute.org) for sponsoring this episode! Visit modernsextherapyinstitutes.com to explore programs and certifications in sex therapy and education. The Kinsey Institute's (kinseyinstitute.org) 75th anniversary is underway and you are invited to join in the celebration! Follow @kinseyinstitute on social media to learn more about upcoming events. Also, please consider a gift or donation to the Institute to support sex research and education. Click here to donate. *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Precision Podcasting (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

Flirting and seduction can be tricky business. For example, when you want to let someone else know you're interested, what do you even say? And how can you tell when someone is just being polite and friendly vs. actually flirting with you? Let's talk about it! Today's episode will tell you what you need to know about leveling-up your flirting game (in a non-sleazy way!), how read other people's flirting cues, how to deal with rejection, and more. I am joined by Dr. Alison Ash, a trauma-informed intimacy coach and educator, Stanford University Lecturer, author, and founder of TurnON.love. Some of the topics we discuss include: Tips for ethical flirting. The fine line between expressing attraction and desire for someone vs. manipulation. How you can tell whether another person is really into you and isn't just being nice--and how this is different when you're flirting online vs. in person. How to build up your confidence so that you're not second-guessing yourself when you flirt. How to de-escalate when someone flirts with you and you're not into it. How to cope with rejection in the dating marketplace. To learn more about Dr. Aly, visit TurnON.love and follow @TurnON.love on Instagram. For information on Dr. Aly's upcoming Sexual and Emotional Intimacy Skills Mastercourse starting in January 2023, visit TurnON.love/intimacy Thanks to FirmTech (myfirmtech.com) and the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (modernsextherapyinstitutes.com) for sponsoring this episode! FirmTech's Performance Ring is designed to boost your sexual stamina and give you harder, longer-lasting erections, while also enhancing pleasure. Their Tech Ring has the added benefit of tracking your erectile health. Visit myfirmtech.com and be sure to use my exclusive discount code Justin20 to save 20% off your purchase.  Visit modernsextherapyinstitutes.com to explore programs and certifications in sex therapy and education. *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Precision Podcasting (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

Most people have had a sexual fantasy about something that would be illegal to do in reality. That's normal. But talking about those fantasies sometimes gets people into a lot of trouble because law enforcement may look at fantasy as a sign of criminal intent. But does having a fantasy about doing something illegal and talking about it with others necessarily mean that you're likely to do it? This is just one of many fascinating and complicated questions that arises in the area where sex, psychology, and the law intersect. Let's talk about forensic psychology! I am joined once again by Dr. Lucy Neville, a Lecturer in Criminology at the University of Leicester. Some of the topics we explore in this show include: What does the work of a forensic psychologist actually entail? What sex scientists can bring to legal cases that center around sex crimes, and how pseudoscience hinders our ability to seek justice. What is the role of sexual fantasy in sexual offending? How do you determine whether sexual consent was present when disputes arise in legal proceedings? When consensual kink becomes a sex crime. How do you determine whether someone is likely to offend or reoffend? The role of forensic psychologists in working with victims. Check it out! To learn more about Lucy, visit her academic page here, follow @blue_stocking on Twitter, and get a copy of her book Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys. Thanks to FirmTech (myfirmtech.com) and the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (modernsextherapyinstitutes.com) for sponsoring this episode! FirmTech's Performance Ring is designed to boost your sexual stamina and give you harder, longer-lasting erections, while also enhancing pleasure. Their Tech Ring has the added benefit of tracking your erectile health. Visit myfirmtech.com and be sure to use my exclusive discount code Justin20 to save 20% off your purchase.  Visit modernsextherapyinstitutes.com to explore programs and certifications in sex therapy and education. *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: LEGIT Audio (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

A lot of people in long-term relationships lose desire for sex and start thinking there's something wrong with them. But, in many cases, the problem isn't that they lack desire per se--it's that they've simply been having bad sex. They lost interest in sex because it just wasn't worth having, which means that getting desire back isn't about taking some pill or medication; rather, it's about making sure that you've having sex that's worth having. So let's talk about how to make the shift from bad sex to good sex. My guest today is Dr. Kelly Casperson, a urologist, sex educator, author, and podcaster whose mission is empowering women to live their best love lives. She is author of the new book You Are Not Broken: Stop Should-ing All Over Your Sex Life. Some of the topics we discuss include: The three main types of "bad sex." Why you need to stop approaching sex by thinking about what you "should" do. Why it's a bad idea to use sex as a bargaining tool in a relationship. What it means to have good sex. Why perfection shouldn't be the goal of sex and we should be aiming for "good-enough sex." How to stop having bad sex. Tips for having good (or at least good-enough) sex. To learn more about Kelly, follow @kellycaspersonmd on Instagram and check out her book You Are Not Broken. Thanks to the Cozy Earth (cozyearth.com) and the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (modernsextherapyinstitutes.com) for sponsoring this episode! Discover bedtime bliss with Cozy Earth's bamboo sheet set and loungewear. Their temperature regulating and moisture wicking fabric will keep you cool and comfortable all night long--any time of year. Visit cozyearth.com and get 35% off sitewide when you use my exclusive discount code: SEXANDPSYCHOLOGY Visit modernsextherapyinstitutes.com to explore programs and certifications in sex therapy and education. *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Precision Podcasting (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

When it comes to sex, you deserve to get what you want and to be in control of your body, your pleasure, and your sexual health. However, in order to do that, you have to be sexually empowered. You have to know what it is that you want in the first place, and be able to communicate about that. This is something that a lot of us really struggle with, so let's talk about sexual empowerment. Today's show is all about building up your sexual self-confidence, learning how to ask for what you want, and being able to say no when there's something you don't want. Dr. Tara is back to give us tips on sexual empowerment. She is an associate professor of relational and sexual communication at California State University Fullerton, a sex and relationship coach, and host of the podcast Luvbites. Some of the topics we discuss include: What it means to be sexually empowered. Where to start when it comes to building up sexual self-confidence. How to stop judging your own fantasies and desires. How to tell your partner what you want. How to say no to things you don't want. The role of contraception and abortion rights in sexual empowerment. The difference between sexual empowerment and attention-seeking behavior. Check it out! To learn more about Dr. Tara and listen to her Luvbites show, visit luvbites.co Thanks to the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (modernsextherapyinstitutes.com) and the Kinsey Institute (kinseyinstitute.org) for sponsoring this episode! Visit modernsextherapyinstitutes.com to explore programs and certifications in sex therapy and education. The Kinsey Institute's (kinseyinstitute.org) 75th anniversary is underway and you are invited to join in the celebration! Follow @kinseyinstitute on social media to learn more about upcoming events. Also, please consider a gift or donation to the Institute to support sex research and education. Click here to donate. *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Precision Podcasting (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

The state of sex education is poor for American adolescents—but you probably already knew that. However, what you may not realize is that the state of sex ed for adults entering fields like medicine, psychology, and nursing isn't all that great, either. There's no universal standard for how sexuality should be taught in most healthcare training programs, nor is there even a requirement that it be taught at all! The sex ed deficit in medical education is hurting all of us, so let's talk about how to make it better. Dr. Rachel Needle is back to talk about advanced sex ed. She is a a licensed psychologist, certified sex therapist, and founder of the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes. Some of the topics we discuss include: Why we can't look at physical, mental, and sexual health as completely separate things. How making sexual health a core component of primary healthcare stands to benefit public health. How much training doctors and other healthcare professionals are actually getting in sexual health. How current healthcare providers can increase their sexual knowledge. What a "sexual attitude reassessment" is and how it can help providers to check their own biases. How healthcare providers can start productive conversations about sex in the office. How patients can find knowledgable and affirming providers and talk to their doctors about sex. Thanks to the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (modernsextherapyinstitutes.com) and the Kinsey Institute (kinseyinstitute.org) for sponsoring this episode! Visit modernsextherapyinstitutes.com to explore programs and certifications in sex therapy and education. The Kinsey Institute's (kinseyinstitute.org) 75th anniversary is underway and you are invited to join in the celebration! Follow @kinseyinstitute on social media to learn more about upcoming events. Also, please consider a gift or donation to the Institute to support sex research and education. Click here to donate. *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Jonathan Raz (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

Our dating lives are a mess. Nationally representative US surveys conducted prior to the COVID-19 pandemic found that about two-thirds of single Americans said their dating lives weren't going well. Today, a majority of them say that the pandemic has only made things worse. So why is modern dating so hard? And how can we make things better? That's what today's episode is all about. My guest is Dr. Tara, an associate professor of relational and sexual communication at California State University Fullerton. She is also a sex and relationship coach and host of podcast Luvbites by Dr. Tara. Some of the topics we discuss include: Why the rapid transition to online dating has made dating more challenging. How to get "dating clarity" and figure out what it is that you're really looking for. Tips for creating a successful online dating profile. Low-stress conversations starters for both online and offline connections. How to deal with dating rejection. General tips for better dating outcomes. Check it out! To learn more about Dr. Tara and listen to her Luvbites show, visit luvbites.co Thanks to FirmTech (myfirmtech.com) and the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (modernsextherapyinstitutes.com) for sponsoring this episode! FirmTech's Performance Ring is designed to boost your sexual stamina and give you harder, longer-lasting erections, while also enhancing pleasure. Their Tech Ring has the added benefit of tracking your erectile health. Visit myfirmtech.com and be sure to use my exclusive discount code Justin20 to save 20% off your purchase.  Visit modernsextherapyinstitutes.com to explore programs and certifications in sex therapy and education. *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Jonathan Raz (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

Let's get kinky! Today's episode is a compilation of some of my favorite clips about the psychology of kink, BDSM, and fetishes. We're going to revisit my interviews with Dr. Richard Sprott (Episode 44), Dr. Jim Pfaus (Episode 56), filmmaker and former professional dominatrix Stavroula Toska (Episode 72), and sex therapist Shamyra Howard (Episode 8). Some of the topics we explore in this show include: What does the term kink really mean anyway? And what's the difference between kink, fetish, and BDSM? Where do kinky interests come from in the first place? Is kink always about sex? What are some other reasons people are drawn to kink? What are the most common issues that come up in sex and relationship therapy with kinky folks? How do you navigate consent and kink to ensure everyone's boundaries are respected? Check it out! Thanks to The Handy (thehandy.com) and the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (modernsextherapyinstitutes.com)  for sponsoring this episode! The Handy, made by Sweet Tech, is an automatic stroker designed for self-pleasure. Pair it with your sleeve of choice to mimic realistic sensations of different partnered activities with precise speed and stroke control. Visit https://link.thehandy.com/sexandpsych-1 to learn more and use my exclusive discount code (sexandpsych) to get 10% off your order. *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Chris Sowa (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

Think about a secret you're keeping right now. Odds are, it shouldn't take long for something to come to mind. We all keep secrets. In fact, the average person is keeping roughly 13 secrets at any given point in time! So what exactly are we hiding, and why are we hiding so much? Today's episode offers a deep dive into the psychology of secrets. We'll explore why secrecy is such a pervasive part of our lives, the psychological effects of secrecy, how to deal with the burdens of secrecy, and much more. My guest today is Michael Slepian, an Associate Professor of Leadership and Ethics at Columbia University. His latest book is titled The Secret Life of Secrets: How Our Inner Worlds Shape Well-Being, Relationships, and Who We Are. Some of the topics we discuss include: The difference between secrecy and privacy. The difference between secrecy and lying. The most common things people keep secret (hint: sex and relationships are pretty high on the list!). How your personality affects the number of secrets you keep--and how good you are at keeping them. The potential positive and negative effects of secrecy on our mental health. How keeping other people's secrets is different from keeping your own secrets. What to do when secrecy becomes really burdensome. Check it out! To learn more about Michael, check out his website at michaelslepian.com, take the secrets survey at keepingsecrets.org, and check out The Secret Life of Secrets. Thanks to FirmTech (myfirmtech.com) and the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (modernsextherapyinstitutes.com)  for sponsoring this episode! FirmTech's Performance Ring is designed to boost your sexual stamina and give you harder, longer-lasting erections, while also enhancing pleasure. Their Tech Ring has the added benefit of tracking your erectile health. Visit myfirmtech.com and be sure to use my exclusive discount code Justin20 to save 20% off your purchase.  *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Jonathan Raz Audio (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

All too often, political debates about abortion are full of myths and misconceptions. For this reason, a better understanding of abortion is crucial. So that's what today's episode is all about. We're going to discuss common things that people get wrong about abortion, why abortion bans don't work as intended, and why comprehensive sex education and improved access to contraceptives are the keys to reducing abortion rates. I am joined by Dr. Rachel Needle, a licensed psychologist and certified sex therapist. She is the founder of the Whole Health Psychological Center, the Advanced Mental Health Training Institute, and the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes. Some of the topics we discuss include: The most common reasons women seek abortion. The difference between emergency contraception and abortion. The stage of pregnancy at which most abortions occur. The effects of pregnancy and abortion on women's health. The psychological impact of abortion. How abortion bans, comprehensive sex education, and contraceptive access affect abortion rates. The future of sex and relationships in a post-Roe v Wade world. Thanks to the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (modernsextherapyinstitutes.com) and the Kinsey Institute (kinseyinstitute.org) for sponsoring this episode! The Kinsey Institute's (kinseyinstitute.org) 75th anniversary is underway and you are invited to join in the celebration! Follow @kinseyinstitute on social media to learn more about upcoming events. Also, please consider a gift or donation to the Institute to support sex research and education. Click here to donate. *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Jonathan Raz Audio (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

We're often our own worst enemies when it comes to having the sex we really want. Shame, secrecy, self-doubt, fear of failure—all of these things have a way of interfering with our ability to pursue pleasure. In order to have great sex, we need to change our entire sexual mindset. So that's what this episode is all about: how to feel hot, but unbothered. I am joined by Yana Tallon-Hicks, a relationship therapist and sexuality educator. She is author of the new book, Hot and Unbothered: How to Think About, Talk About, and Have the Sex You Really Want. Some of the topics we discuss include: How to cope with "sexual imposter syndrome." How to overcome fear of sexual failure. How to build up your sexual self-confidence. How to learn what it is that you really want from sex. How to "hear no like a pro" (i.e., what to do when you and your partner aren't on the same page about sex). What to do when your sex drive gets out of synch with that of your partner. Check it out! To learn more about Yana, visit yanatallonhicks.com and follow @the_vspot on Instagram. Also, be sure to check out her new book, Hot and Unbothered. Thanks to the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (modernsextherapyinstitutes.com) for sponsoring this episode! *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: LEGIT Audio (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

According to some sources, a majority of all marriages in the world are arranged. Despite how common this practice is, little research has been conducted on the subject—and there are a lot of myths and misconceptions out there regarding what arranged marriages actually look like and how they work (including the idea that arranged marriage necessarily equates to "forced marriage"). So that's what we're going to be talking about today. I am joined by Dr. Sharon Flicker, a clinical psychologist who researches intimate relationships. She is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at California State University - Sacramento. Some of the topics we explore include: How does the purpose of marriage differ across cultures? What does an arranged marriage actually look like? Who arranges an arranged marriage? Do the spouses have a say? Are people happier on average in couple-initiated vs. arranged marriages? What do people tend to get wrong about arranged marriages and how they work? Check it out! To learn more about Sharon, you can visit her lab website or follow her on Twitter @smflicker1 Thanks to the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (modernsextherapyinstitutes.com) and the Kinsey Institute (kinseyinstitute.org) for sponsoring this episode! The Kinsey Institute's (kinseyinstitute.org) 75th anniversary is underway and you are invited to join in the celebration! Follow @kinseyinstitute on social media to learn more about upcoming events. Also, please consider a gift or donation to the Institute to support sex research and education. Click here to donate. *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Jonathan Raz Audio (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

If your romantic partner were to become sexually or romantically interested in someone else, how would you feel? Jealousy is often presumed to be the default response, especially in monogamous relationships. However, in consensually non-monogamous relationships, people often experience happiness, pleasure, or other positive feelings--a phenomenon known as compersion. So how are jealousy and compersion linked? Can you experience both at the same time? Can you learn to experience compersion if it's something you've never felt before? That's what we're going to be talking about today. I am joined by Dr. Sharon Flicker, a clinical psychologist who researches intimate relationships. She is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at California State University - Sacramento and has recently co-authored a series of papers on the subject of compersion. Some of the topics we explore include: What does it really mean to experience compersion? What are the kinds of things that make it easier to feel compersion? What makes it harder? Is compersion a trait that you either have or don't have, or is it something you can teach yourself to feel? Are compersion and jealousy mutually exclusive, or can you experience both simultaneously? In polyamory, how do the relationships you have with your partner's partners influence compersion? Is the experience of compersion necessary for successful polyamory? To learn more about Sharon, you can visit her lab website or follow her on Twitter @smflicker1 Thanks to the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (modernsextherapyinstitutes.com) for sponsoring this episode! This podcast was made on Zencastr. Join Zencastr today and receive 40% off of their professional plan for 3 months with my exclusive discount code: sexandpsych *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Jonathan Raz Audio (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

Survey studies find that about 1 in 5 people say they're been in some type of sexually open relationship before. Despite how common consensual non-monogamy is, research, data, and information on it is pretty limited. And, oftentimes, it's not addressed at all in psychology training programs. So, for today's episode, we're going to explore what you need to know about sexually open relationships. I am joined by Dr. Michelle Vaughan, an Associate Professor in the School of Professional Psychology at Wright State University. She is the co-editor of the soon to be released Handbook of Consensual Non-Monogamy. Some of the topics we explore in this episode include: What attitudes toward consensual non-monogamy look like today and how they're changing. The key strengths of those who practice consensual non-monogamy. How to identify and lean into your own strengths in order to improve your relationship(s). Tips and advice for navigating sexually open relationships. How to know if consensual non-monogamy is right for you. Common issues that arise in sexually open relationships (e.g., jealousy) and how to deal with them. How to find an affirming therapist if you're in an open relationship. To learn more about Michelle and her work, visit her Google Scholar page, follow her on Twitter @MichelleDVPhd, and check out the Handbook of Consensual Non-Monogamy (or order on rowman.com and use discount code RLFANDF25 to save 25%). Thanks to Promescent (promescent.com) and the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (modernsextherapyinstitutes.com) for being sponsors of this episode! This podcast was made on Zencastr. Join Zencastr today and receive 40% off of their professional plan for 3 months with my exclusive discount code: sexandpsych *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: LEGIT Audio (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

College students tend to be stereotyped as a pretty horny bunch who are hooking up every chance they get. But are today's college students really having more sex than ever? That's what we're going to be exploring in this show. Are they as sexually active as popular media depictions suggest? How is the sex that they're having changing? And what do college students today need to know about navigating and cultivating healthy sexual and romantic relationships? I am joined by Dr. Nicole McNichols, an Associate Teaching Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Washington. Nicole is the co-author of the textbook Human Sexuality In A Diverse Society and she has a popular Ted Talk titled "Students On Top: A Vision for 21st Century Sex Education.” Some of the topics we explore include: What are students' sex education experiences like before they get to college? How many college students today are sexually active? Are they having sex earlier or later than previous generations? How is the sex they're having different? Why is choking during sex on the rise? How are college students being influenced by porn and the #MeToo movement? Why do college students seem to find dating and relationships to be so challenging? To learn more about Nicole, visit nicolethesexprofessor.com and follow her on Instagram @nicole_thesexprofessor Thanks to Promescent (promescent.com) and the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (modernsextherapyinstitutes.com) for being sponsors of this episode! This podcast was made on Zencastr. Join Zencastr today and receive 40% off of their professional plan for 3 months with my exclusive discount code: sexandpsych *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: LEGIT Audio (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

Bestselling author Lisa Taddeo has put women's stories front and center in all of her books. Her work explores how women navigate sexual desire, sexual trauma, and sexual double standards--and it is utterly fascinating and captivating. For today's episode, I sat down with Lisa to talk about these prominent themes in her writings and what they tell us about women's sexuality. Lisa's first nonfiction book, Three Women, was an instant #1 New York Times bestseller and is currently in production as a series at Showtime with Shailene Woodley set to star. This book takes a deep dive into the sex lives and relationships of three American women who live in different parts of the country. Following Three Women, Lisa published her debut fiction novel Animal, which tells the story of Joan, a woman who has endured a lifetime of cruelty from men—and eventually forges the power to strike back. Lisa's latest book, Ghost Lover, is a collection of short stories that feature a series of women who are searching for—and frequently struggling to find—fulfillment in their lives. We discuss all three of Lisa's books, including where she drew her inspiration, the major themes (including why sex and death run through all of them), and some of the sexist criticism her work has evoked. To learn more about Lisa, visit lisataddeo.com and follow her on Instagram @lisadtaddeo Thanks to Promescent (promescent.com) and the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (modernsextherapyinstitutes.com) for being sponsors of this episode! This podcast was made on Zencastr. Join Zencastr today and receive 40% off of their professional plan for 3 months with my exclusive discount code: sexandpsych *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Chris Sowa (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

In the classic film When Harry Met Sally, Meg Ryan famously said, “Most women at one time or another have faked it.” And she was right. But it turns out that women aren't the only ones who do this. Fake orgasms are surprisingly common across genders. So why do so many people feign the peak of pleasure? And is pretending to climax a good thing or a bad thing? That's why we're going to be talking about today. I am joined by Ashley Weller, a professor at Chapman University in Southern California who teaches human sexuality courses. Ashley has more than 15 years of experience in sex education and runs a podcast called What's your Position? that tackles issues surrounding sexuality, relationships, life, and love from a comedic yet educational point of view. Some of the topics we explore in this show include: How many people have ever faked an orgasm before? Why do people fake orgasms, and do men's and women's reasons for doing it differ? What do people actually do when they pretend to climax? Is it always a bad idea to fake orgasms? What should you do if you're been faking it but don't want to do that anymore? What should you do if you suspect your partner of faking orgasms? To learn more about Ashley, check out her podcast What's your Position? and follow her on Instagram @whatsyourpositionpodcast Thanks to Promescent (promescent.com) and the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (modernsextherapyinstitutes.com) for being sponsors of this episode! This podcast was made on Zencastr. Join Zencastr today and receive 40% off of their professional plan for 3 months with my exclusive discount code: sexandpsych *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Chris Sowa (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

It is hard to believe, but we have reached episode 100 of this podcast! So how do you celebrate 100 episodes of a sex show? I've put together a compilation featuring some of the most fascinating and mind-blowing facts about sex we've covered so far. Specifically, we're going to revisit my interviews with Hallie Lieberman (Episode 21), Dr. Ina Park (Episode 39), Dr. Lisa Dawn Hamilton (Episode 53) and Dr. Nicole Prause (Episode 60). Some of the things we cover in this episode include: Why butt plugs used to be marketed as a cure for asthma (no joke!). Whether sexually transmitted infections can hijack our brains and change our sexual behavior in order to make them more infectious. How a study of a cow's clitoris became the basis for what we think we know about the human clitoris. Why some people get sick every time they orgasm. Thank you for supporting the show! If you listen on Apple Podcasts, please consider a paid subscription to Sex and Psychology Premium to help keep the show going and to receive new episodes ad-free. Cheers to the next 100 episodes! Thanks to Promescent (promescent.com) and the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (modernsextherapyinstitutes.com) for being sponsors of this episode! This podcast was made on Zencastr. Join Zencastr today and receive 40% off of their professional plan for 3 months with my exclusive discount code: sexandpsych *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Chris Sowa (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

The impact of religion on our sex lives is complex—it is neither uniformly negative nor positive. The way that religion affects sexuality really depends upon how sexuality is situated within a given religion. But when religiosity and sexuality conflict, how do you navigate this? That's what we're going to be talking about today. How do sex therapists balance religious and sexual identity in the therapeutic process when conflicts arise? Is it possible to resolve this in a way that doesn't require sacrificing one or the other? Dr. Eric Sprankle returns for this episode (he was a previous guest on Episode 96: The Wonderfully Weird History and Science of Masturbation). Eric is an Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology and the co-director of the Sexuality Studies program at Minnesota State University, Mankato. He is also a licensed clinical psychologist and AASECT-certified sex therapist. Some of the topics we explore in this show include: How often do people seek sex therapy for issues relating to religiosity, and what kinds of issues are they usually experiencing? How do you balance religious identity and sexual identity (or desire) in the process of sex therapy? How can we make sex education something that is more inclusive of religious diversity? In what ways can religiosity have a positive impact on sexuality? If you're struggling with issues of religiosity and sexuality, how can you find a therapist who is affirming of both? Check it out! To learn more about Eric, visit his website at drsprankle.com and follow him on Twitter or Instagram @DrSprankle Thanks to Promescent (promescent.com) and the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (modernsextherapyinstitutes.com) for being sponsors of this episode! This podcast was made on Zencastr. Join Zencastr today and receive 40% off of their professional plan for 3 months with my exclusive discount code: sexandpsych *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Jonathan Raz (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

When you're feeling that intense passion in the early stages of a relationship, having great sex is usually pretty easy. However, those feelings don't tend to stick around very long. It's normal for passion to begin fading after a year or two. But it doesn't have to disappear entirely. It's very much possible to get the spark back--and keep it going--with a little bit of effort. So let's talk about how to do it! For today's episode, I am joined by Dr. David Frederick, an Associate professor of Health Psychology at Chapman University in Southern California. Dr. Frederick has taught more than 70 courses on human sexuality and gender. Some of the questions we explore include: What typically happens to sexual frequency and satisfaction over time in long-term relationships? Why is trying new sexual activities crucial to boosting passion? And what kinds of novel activities have the biggest impact? How many new things do you need to try sexually in order to experience a boost in passion? Are the factors that predict sexual satisfaction the same for lesbians and heterosexual women? What about for gay versus heterosexual men? What can lesbians teach heterosexual women about closing the "orgasm gap?" Besides trying new sexual activities, what are some other tried and true ways of reinvigorating passion in a long-term relationship? To learn more about David, check out his website here and visit his Google Scholar page here for more information on his research. Thanks to Promescent (promescent.com) and the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (modernsextherapyinstitutes.com) for being sponsors of this episode! This podcast was made on Zencastr. Join Zencastr today and receive 40% off of their professional plan for 3 months with my exclusive discount code: sexandpsych *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: LEGIT Audio (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

Masturbation is something that most people do, but many of us have a complicated relationship with it. For example, some people are under the impression that masturbation is an unhealthy or even "addictive" activity. Given that we're in the midst of Masturbation Month, now seems like the perfect time to set the record straight on solo sex and tell you what you really need to know about it. My guest today is Dr. Eric Sprankle, an Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology and the co-director of the Sexuality Studies program at Minnesota State University, Mankato. He is also a licensed clinical psychologist and AASECT-certified sex therapist, and author of the forthcoming book, DIY: The Wonderfully Weird History and Science of Masturbation. Some of the topics we explore in this episode include: How long have human beings been masturbating? What makes masturbation in humans unique compared to other species that do it? Where did this idea that masturbation is unhealthy come from? What kinds of masturbation "cures" were used in the past to discourage this behavior? (This is some weird and wacky stuff!) Is there any truth to the idea that masturbatory abstinence can improve your health or boost testosterone? Is masturbation really an "addictive" behavior? Can women really become "addicted" to their vibrators? How can we develop a healthier relationship with solo sex? Check it out! To learn more about Eric, visit his website at drsprankle.com and follow him on Twitter or Instagram @DrSprankle Thanks to Promescent (promescent.com) and the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (modernsextherapyinstitutes.com) for being sponsors of this episode! This podcast was made on Zencastr. Join Zencastr today and receive 40% off of their professional plan for 3 months with my exclusive discount code: sexandpsych *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Jonathan Raz (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

As someone who studies the science of sexual fantasies, every time I think I've heard it all, I discover something new. Human beings are endlessly inventive and flexible when it comes to their sexuality, which means that our fantasies are sometimes truly fantastical and may reflect things that wouldn't even be physically possible in reality. While these fantasies may strike many people as "strange" or "weird," however, a deeper analysis of them reveals that they aren't so unusual after all. They're actually just creative variations on the things that turn most of us on. In this episode, we're going to explore four uncommon sexual fantasies I've encountered over the course of my research and consider the psychology behind them. To help me put this show together, I invited Rose Caraway to narrate the actual fantasies that my participants provided. Rose is a writer, editor, and publisher who runs the Kiss Me Quick's Erotica Podcast. She also served as the narrator for Dr. David Ley's fantastic book, Insatiable Wives, which was the subject of Episode 70 of this program. The fantasies we dive into in this show come from my book Tell Me What You Want, and they include: The Human Cow (or HuCow) The Human Doll Getting Eaten Alive (Vorarephilia) Taken By Tentacles I walk you through the main themes behind each of these fantasies and the common threads that run through all of them. I also discuss who tends to have more of these fantastical fantasies and why. This is a truly fascinating episode you're not going to want to miss. Check it out! The Kinsey Institute's (kinseyinstitute.org) 75th anniversary is underway and you are invited to join in the celebration! Follow @kinseyinstitute on social media to learn more about upcoming events. Also, please consider a gift or donation to the Institute to support sex research and education. Click here to donate. Thanks to the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (modernsextherapyinstitutes.com) for sponsoring this episode! *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: LEGIT Audio (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

Relationships are hard for everyone, but they can be especially hard when you're living with a mental health issue such as depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Psychological struggles can heighten the anxiety around sex, dating, and intimacy in ways that can make relationships feel inherently unsatisfying, even hopeless. But there is hope! Today, we're going to explore how mental health issues can pose unique relationship challenges, but also consider practical tips and tools for overcoming them. I am joined by Allison Raskin, a mental health advocate and New York Times bestselling author. Her latest book is titled: Over-Thinking About You: Navigating Romantic Relationships When You Have Anxiety, OCD, and/or Depression. Some of the topics that we explore include: How do you even bring up the subject of mental health with someone you're dating or in a relationship with? How can you tell whether something you're worried about is a valid relationship concern vs. a symptom of your disorder? How do you take care of both your mental health and your relationship at the same time when some mental health treatments carry sexual side effects? How can you learn to be "in the moment" during sex and block out distracting thoughts? How can you make online dating less anxiety-inducing? How can you handle breakup in healthier ways? How can you be a supportive partner to someone who has mental health struggles? To learn more about Allison, visit allisonraskin.com. Also, be sure to check out her latest book Over-Thinking About You and follow her on Instagram @emotionalsupportlady Thanks to Promescent (promescent.com) and the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (modernsextherapyinstitutes.com) for being sponsors of this episode! This podcast was made on Zencastr. Join Zencastr today and receive 40% off of their professional plan for 3 months with my exclusive discount code: sexandpsych *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: LEGIT Audio (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

Sexual difficulties are common, and they can be highly distressing. They don't have to mean the end of your sex life, though. Fortunately, most difficulties can be resolved and you can get back to having satisfying sex. However, people often don't know where to begin when it comes to dealing with sexual difficulties, from telling a partner about it to finding a solution. So, let's talk about it! I am joined today by Dr. Natalie Rosen, an Associate Professor in the Departments of Psychology and Neuroscience and Obstetrics & Gynaecology at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Natalie is a sex and relationship therapist who has published over 125 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters on sexual dysfunction. Some of the topics we explore in this episode include: How to start healthy and productive conversations about sexual difficulties with a partner. How to manage low sexual desire. How to deal effectively with sexual pain. How to reset your beliefs around sex in a way that can improve sexual function. How to prevent porn from becoming a problem in your relationship. How to better manage emotions in a relationship so that they don't interfere with sexual satisfaction or contribute to sexual difficulties. Check out Natalie's previous appearance on the show in Episode 88, where we discuss how to navigate sex during pregnancy and parenthood. To learn more about Natalie or participate in one of her upcoming studies, visit natalieorosen.com. The Kinsey Institute's (kinseyinstitute.org) 75th anniversary is underway and you are invited to join in the celebration! Check out their show, "Intimate Forms," featuring the work of Emilio Sanchez at the Cook Center on Indiana University's campus. Or catch the show "Psychopathia Sexualis," featuring the work of Austin Osman Spare at Iceberg Projects in Chicago. Thanks to the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (modernsextherapyinstitutes.com) for sponsoring this episode! This podcast was made on Zencastr. Join Zencastr today and receive 40% off of their professional plan for 3 months with my exclusive discount code: sexandpsych *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Jonathan Raz (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

This week Cami Hurst and Braxton Dutson are reviewing She Comes First: The Thinking Man's Guide to Pleasuring a Woman by Ian Kerner. Cami and Braxton highly recommend this book to anyone looking to better understand the clitoris or cunnilingus. Written for a male audience, this book still has information that everyone will find useful. Researchers at Modern Sex Therapy Institutes are interested in understanding how certain behaviors and experiences may impact the individual woman and her relationship. This survey has a particular focus on sexual experiences and their long-term outcomes. To participate, you must be an adult women over 30, residing in the US, who speaks fluent English, who does not have a history of sexual abuse or sexual violence, who has experienced a committed relationship lasting longer than three years, and has experienced consenting to unwanted sexual experiences in that relationship. The survey is expected to take participants 15-45 minutes to complete.Link to survey:https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CTPWSZN

Relationships can be a source of tremendous joy. But they can also be a source of tremendous pain, especially when they come to an end that we just weren't ready for. When a valued relationship suddenly ends and that parter disappears from your everyday life--whether through death, divorce, or breakup--the resulting grief can make it difficult to move on, especially in terms of your intimate life. When is the right time to start dating or having sex again? What if you haven't been on the dating scene for years and it has fundamentally changed? Also, what if you're dating someone who is grieving a relationship loss? Let's talk about it. I am joined by Joan Price, a self-described advocate for ageless sexuality. Joan is the author of four books, including Sex After Grief: Navigating Your Sexuality After Losing Your Beloved. Joan was the guest on my previous episode, where we covered Tips For Better Sex at Any Age. It's well worth a listen if you haven't checked it out already! Some of the topics we explore in this show include: Why there isn't one "right" way to grieve and how everyone's post-grief intimacy journey is different. How to know when it's the right time to re-engage with your sexuality. How to get back on the dating scene if you haven't been on it for a long time. What to do when you find your "pilot light lover," or the next person who re-sparks your arousal. Why self-discovery and self-exploration are essential in the healing process. Things you should and shouldn't do when dating someone who is grieving a relationship loss. To learn more about Joan, visit joanprice.com and be sure to check out all of her amazing books, including Sex After Grief. Thanks to Promescent (promescent.com) and the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (modernsextherapyinstitutes.com) for being sponsors of this episode! This podcast was made on Zencastr. Join Zencastr today and receive 40% off of their professional plan for 3 months with my exclusive discount code: sexandpsych *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Legit Audio (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

For decades, social scientists warned that living together before marriage increased the odds of later divorce. However, this runs contrary to conventional wisdom. In fact, most American adults today think that cohabiting first should actually strengthen marriages by serving as a compatibility test. So what's the deal? Is living together before marriage a good or bad idea? Let's explore what the science really says and discuss practical tips and considerations for partners looking to move in together. I am joined by Dr. Arielle Kuperberg, an Associate Professor of Sociology and Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Arielle has studied cohabitation and its effects extensively and is here to help us settle the popular debate. Some of the topics we explore include: How many people today live together before marriage, and how this trend has changed over time. Why cohabitation and divorce are linked, and how the association between them has changed. Why the age at which you get married is a key factor in predicting divorce. How people who cohabit before marriage differ from those who move directly into marriage. How to know when it's the right time to move in together. How to set yourself up for cohabiting success. Check it out! To learn more about Arielle, follow her on Twitter @ATKuperberg and visit her website here. Get confidence where it counts with BlueChew! Their online service delivers the same active ingredients as Viagra and Cialis in chewable tablets at a fraction of the cost. Listeners can try BlueChew FREE by using promo code PSYCH at checkout; just pay $5 shipping. Visit https://bluechew.com to learn more. This podcast was made on Zencastr. Join Zencastr today and receive 40% off of their professional plan for 3 months with my exclusive discount code: sexandpsych Thanks to Promescent (promescent.com) and the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (modernsextherapyinstitutes.com) for being sponsors of this episode! *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Jonathan Raz (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest and HiveBoxx on Unsplash.

Many of us feel sexually insecure in some way. For example, you might be concerned about your body shape or size, the appearance of your genitals, and/or your sexual skills or performance. We are often our own harshest critics, and this can be incredibly detrimental to our sex lives. Insecurity can make it difficult to relax during sex, to experience pleasure, and even to experience desire for sex. So how can you overcome sexual insecurity and build up sexual self-confidence? That's what we're going to be talking about today. I am joined by Dr. Jennifer Gunsaullus, a sociologist, relationship and communication coach, and author of the book From Madness to Mindfulness: Reinventing Sex for Women. Some of the topics we explore include: How you can learn to love your body. How to feel more confident in your genital appearance. How to let go of negative self-talk during sex and be in the moment. Why focusing on orgasm as the goal of sex can reduce pleasure for everyone. How to feel more confident in your sexual turn-ons and share them with a partner. How to communicate your sexual boundaries. What to do when you're partnered with someone who is sexually insecure. Check it out! Also, be sure to get a copy of Jennifer's book, From Madness to Mindfulness, and visit her website at drjennsden.com Get confidence where it counts with BlueChew! Their online service delivers the same active ingredients as Viagra and Cialis in chewable tablets at a fraction of the cost. Listeners can try BlueChew FREE by using promo code PSYCH at checkout; just pay $5 shipping. Visit https://bluechew.com to learn more. This podcast was made on Zencastr. Join Zencastr today and receive 40% off of their professional plan for 3 months with my exclusive discount code: sexandpsych Thanks to Promescent (promescent.com) and the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (modernsextherapyinstitutes.com) for being sponsors of this episode! *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: LEGIT Audio (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

Human beings have been practicing birth control for thousands of years. Today, there are dozens of different contraceptives available, many of which are highly effective and increasingly convenient to access. However, there's still room for improvement, and the future of birth control promises to be fascinating. It's becoming increasingly high-tech, and an equivalent of the birth control pill for men appears to be on the horizon. So let's talk about it! My guest today is Dr. Jennifer Lincoln, a board-certified OB-GYN and author of the book, Let's Talk About Down There: An OBGYN Answers All Your Burning Questions Without Making You Feel Embarrassed for Asking. Jennifer also runs a popular sex ed channel on TikTok (@drjenniferlincoln) with more than two million followers. In this episode, we discuss the future of birth control, common contraception myths, and how to choose the method that's right for you. Specifically, we explore: How are the birth control options available to women likely to change in the future, both in terms of methods and accessibility? Why hasn't there been a lot of research to date in the area of male birth control? What does the future of birth control for men look like? What are the most promising methods in development? Will future birth control methods also offer protection against STIs? How reliable is the pull-out or withdrawal method in preventing pregnancy? Are condoms really 98% effective at pregnancy prevention? Do you have to take birth control pills at the same time every day in order for them to work? Do you need to take occasional breaks from hormonal birth control to let your body "reset?" With all of the options available, how do you choose the contraceptive that's right for you? Check it out! And in case you missed the first part of my conversation with Jennifer, check out Episode 81, where we explore myths and facts about vaginal health. Get confidence where it counts with BlueChew! Their online service delivers the same active ingredients as Viagra and Cialis in chewable tablets at a fraction of the cost. Listeners can try BlueChew FREE by using promo code PSYCH at checkout; just pay $5 shipping. Visit https://bluechew.com to learn more. This podcast was made on Zencastr. Join Zencastr today and receive 40% off of their professional plan for 3 months with my exclusive discount code: sexandpsych Thanks to Promescent (promescent.com) and the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (modernsextherapyinstitutes.com) for being sponsors of this episode! *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Jonathan Raz (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest and Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition on Unsplash.

We're going back to the brothel in today's episode! This is the second part of a two-part series of interviews I conducted in a sex club in Amsterdam during a recent study abroad course I taught for sex therapists. We invited several folks who work in the sex industry to come speak with us in small groups, and it was absolutely fascinating! In this episode, you'll be hearing from a Dutch sex educator (Anna Jansen) who teaches teachers how to talk about sex, as well as a social worker (Renée Brouwer) who works with victims of human trafficking in the sex work industry. Some of the topics we'll explore include: The distinction between sex work and sex trafficking. Why so much sex work in the Netherlands occurs underground outside of the legal system. How sex trafficking can still occur even with a legalized, government-regulated system. Legal changes that could make sex work safer. What sex education looks like in the Netherlands. How to make sex education work for everyone. Why attitudes toward sex in the Netherlands aren't as liberal people on the outside think. If you haven't listened to the first part of this series, check out Episode 79 for interviews with two Dutch sex workers. Get confidence where it counts with BlueChew! Their online service delivers the same active ingredients as Viagra and Cialis in chewable tablets at a fraction of the cost. Listeners can try BlueChew FREE by using promo code PSYCH at checkout; just pay $5 shipping. Visit https://bluechew.com to learn more. This podcast was made on Zencastr. Join Zencastr today and receive 40% off of their professional plan for 3 months with my exclusive discount code: sexandpsych Thanks to Promescent (promescent.com) and the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (modernsextherapyinstitutes.com) for being sponsors of this episode! *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: LEGIT Audio (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest and Markus Winkler on Unsplash.

I taught a study abroad course on sex and culture in Amsterdam a few months ago for a group of sex therapists and, as part of that class, we visited a brothel. To be clear, we didn't go for sex--we went for sex education! We invited several people who work in the sex industry in some way to come speak with us in small groups. In this episode and the next, I'm going to be sharing some of the fascinating things we learned. In today's episode, you'll be hearing two interviews I did with Dutch sex workers. First is Jennifer Jonker, who worked in the brothel we visited for several years. Jennifer now runs a coaching business focused on helping women who want to transition out of the sex work industry to find other forms of employment. Second is Tikka Stardust, a current social worker and sex worker who primarily works with clients who have physical and/or psychological disabilities. Some of the topics we explore in this episode include: How does sex work actually work in the Netherlands? What does it look like in terms of cost and services provided? How is working in a brothel different from working in the "quick service" area of Amsterdam's Red Light District? What are the positive and negative sides of sex work in a country where it is legal? To what degree is sex work about sex versus intimacy? What are attitudes toward sex work like in the Netherlands? Is it really as open and accepting as people on the outside think it is? For women who want to exit the sex work industry, what does that process look like? And how do you deal with the stigma associated with sex work? Do government subsidies for sex work really exist in the Netherlands for persons with disabilities? Stay tuned for our return visit to the brothel next week! In the next show, I'll be speaking with a Dutch sex educator who teaches teachers how to talk about sex, as well as a social worker who works with victims of human trafficking in the sex work industry. Get confidence where it counts with BlueChew! Their online service delivers the same active ingredients as Viagra and Cialis in chewable tablets at a fraction of the cost. Listeners can try BlueChew FREE by using promo code PSYCH at checkout; just pay $5 shipping. Visit https://bluechew.com to learn more. This podcast was made on Zencastr. Join Zencastr today and receive 40% off of their professional plan for 3 months with my exclusive discount code: sexandpsych Thanks to Promescent (promescent.com) and the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (modernsextherapyinstitutes.com) for being sponsors of this episode! *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: LEGIT Audio (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest and Markus Winkler on Unsplash.

Sexting has become so common that it's not a stretch to call it the new "first base" in developing sexual relationships. For many people, sexting is now an integral part of how they connect with others sexually in the modern world, and it occurs in both casual and committed relationships. However, while sexting can be a handy way to boost arousal, communicate interest, and share your fantasies, it can also occur in ways that are coercive or harassing. In this episode, we talk about the good, bad, and ugly of sexting. My guest is Dr. Michelle Drouin, a professor of Psychology at Purdue University—Fort Wayne and a Senior Research Scientist at the Parkview Mirro Center for Research and Innovation. She has published an extensive body of research on the psychology sexting and is author of the book Out of Touch: How to Survive an Intimacy Famine. Some of the topics we explore include: What counts as sexting and how many people have done it before. What people's experiences with sexting are usually like. The link between sexting and relationship satisfaction. How to practice "safe sexting." Why so many men send unsolicited dick pics. When sexting becomes a form of coercion or harassment. Deception in online dating. How to spot scam artists like the Tinder Swindler. To learn more about Dr. Drouin, visit drmichelledrouin.com and be sure to check out her latest book, Out of Touch. Also, check out Episode 77 for part one of my conversation with Dr. Drouin, where we discuss tips for online dating and creating love that lasts. Get confidence where it counts with BlueChew! Their online service delivers the same active ingredients as Viagra and Cialis in chewable tablets at a fraction of the cost. Listeners can try BlueChew FREE by using promo code PSYCH at checkout; just pay $5 shipping. Visit https://bluechew.com to learn more. This podcast was made on Zencastr. Join Zencastr today and receive 40% off of their professional plan for 3 months with my exclusive discount code: sexandpsych Thanks to Promescent (promescent.com) and the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (modernsextherapyinstitutes.com) for being sponsors of this episode! *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: LEGIT Audio (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest and Markus Winkler on Unsplash.

Modern technology has made us more connected than ever, but at the same time, many of us feel increasingly disconnected. We just aren't getting the intimacy we're craving. We're starving for a type of intimacy that technology isn't well-suited to provide. So how can we better meet our need for connection in a digital world? To answer this question, I spoke with Dr. Michelle Drouin, a behavioral scientist and expert on technology, relationships, and sexuality. She is a professor of Psychology at Purdue University—Fort Wayne and a Senior Research Scientist at the Parkview Mirro Center for Research and Innovation. Her latest book is Out of Touch: How to Survive an Intimacy Famine. Some of the topics we explore include: How technology is contributing to an “intimacy famine.” Tips for navigating online dating, including what to do if you aren't getting any matches and also what to do if you feel overwhelmed by too many options. Whether having more sex can make us happier. Why bedtime routines are crucial to relationship satisfaction. How to cultivate love that lasts. To learn more about Dr. Drouin, visit drmichelledrouin.com and be sure to check out her latest book, Out of Touch. Get confidence where it counts with BlueChew! Their online service delivers the same active ingredients as Viagra and Cialis in chewable tablets at a fraction of the cost. Listeners can try BlueChew FREE by using promo code PSYCH at checkout; just pay $5 shipping. Visit https://bluechew.com to learn more. This podcast was made on Zencastr. Join Zencastr today and receive 40% off of their professional plan for 3 months with my exclusive discount code: sexandpsych Thanks to Promescent (promescent.com) and the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (modernsextherapyinstitutes.com) for being sponsors of this episode! *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: LEGIT Audio (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

Relationships and marriages aren't just hard--they're harder than ever because the expectations around them have changed so much. What worked in the past isn't working anymore, so it's time for a new approach. We need to figure out what works for us as individuals and create custom relationship agreements that reflect our wants and needs. But what goes into creating an ideal relationship agreement? That's what we're going to be discussing today. My guest is Dr. Tammy Nelson, a certified sex and relationship therapist. She is host of The Trouble with Sex podcast and the author of several books, including Open Monogamy: A Guide to Co-Creating Your Ideal Relationship Agreement. Some of the topics we discuss include: Why maintaining long-term monogamy today is more challenging than ever. How to know if an open relationship is right for you. When it's a good idea to open up, and when it isn't. Why empathy is key to having healthy relationship communication. How to navigate difficult conversations with a partner, and what to do when you have different wants and needs. The key ingredients of relationship agreements. How often you should revisit your relationship agreement. Common problems that can arise in open relationships, and how to deal with them. To learn more about Dr. Nelson, visit drtammynelson.com and be sure to check out her book, Open Monogamy. Get confidence where it counts with BlueChew! Their online service delivers the same active ingredients as Viagra and Cialis in chewable tablets at a fraction of the cost. Listeners can try BlueChew FREE by using promo code PSYCH at checkout; just pay $5 shipping. Visit https://bluechew.com to learn more. This podcast was made on Zencastr. Join Zencastr today and receive 40% off of their professional plan for 3 months with my exclusive discount code: sexandpsych Thanks to Promescent (promescent.com) and the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (modernsextherapyinstitutes.com) for being sponsors of this episode! *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: LEGIT Audio (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

More than 60% of American adults say they've had sex with a friend in the past year, a number that has increased considerably over the last two decades. Despite the fact that sex between friends is so common, it's not something people often discuss. Can you go back to being just friends afterwards? And how do you approach sex with a friend without anyone getting hurt? Today's show is all about making "friends with benefits" work. My guest is Dr. Jesse Owen, a Professor in the Counseling Psychology Department at the University of Denver. He is a licensed psychologist with clinical specializations in couple and family therapy and multicultural therapy. Some of the topics we explore in this episode include: What does it mean to be "friends with benefits" and what do these relationships tend to look like? Do people of different genders and sexual orientations approach friends with benefits in different ways? What are the main reasons people start having sex with their friends? How long do friends with benefits usually last, and what happens when these relationships end? Can friends with benefits go back to being just friends? Can they also turn into healthy romantic relationships? What questions should you ask yourself before jumping into a friends with benefits arrangement? What kinds of rules or boundaries should you consider if you have a friend with benefits in order to stay safe and prevent things from getting complicated? Learn more about Dr. Owen here. Level-up your intimate life with Beducated, the Netflix of better sex! They have a whole library of online courses to teach you what you need to know. Enjoy a free trial today and get 70% off their yearly pass by using my last name - LEHMILLER - as the coupon code. Sign up now at: http://beducate.me/pd2201-lehmiller-kink  This podcast was made on Zencastr. Join Zencastr today and receive 40% off of their professional plan for 3 months with my exclusive discount code: sexandpsych Thanks to Promescent (promescent.com) and the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (modernsextherapyinstitutes.com) for being sponsors of this episode! *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: LEGIT Audio (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

Sex education in the United States leaves a lot of people on the sidelines, from racial and ethnic minorities to LGBTQ+ youth to persons with disabilities. Part of the reason for this is that just nine (!) states require sex ed to be delivered in an unbiased and culturally appropriate way. So how can we make sex education work for everyone? My guest today is Dr. Tanya Bass, an award-winning sexuality educator who teaches at North Carolina Central University's Department of Public Health Education. She also founded the North Carolina Sexual Health Conference. We talk all about sex ed and how sex is depicted in the media—the good, the bad, and the very ugly of it all, and how we can improve it. Some of the topics we explore include: Who's currently being left out of sex ed and what this means for their sexual health. Why representation is important in sex education, and how can we make sex ed more accessible to diverse audiences. The importance of language in sex ed (and why we need to stop talking about race as a "risk factor" for STDs). What we can do to promote better, more equitable sex ed for everyone. Which TV shows and movies are getting depictions of sex right, and which ones are getting it wrong. How popular media portrayals of sex influence our behavior. How we can use media depictions of sex as teachable moments. Learn more about Dr. Bass at tanyambass.com and follow her on the socials at @DrTanyaMBass Level-up your intimate life with Beducated, the Netflix of better sex! They have a whole library of online courses to teach you what you need to know. Enjoy a free trial today and get 70% off their yearly pass by using my last name - LEHMILLER - as the coupon code. Sign up now at: http://beducate.me/pd2201-lehmiller-kink  This podcast was made on Zencastr. Join Zencastr today and receive 40% off of their professional plan for 3 months with my exclusive discount code: sexandpsych Thanks to Promescent (promescent.com) and the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (modernsextherapyinstitutes.com) for being sponsors of this episode! *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: LEGIT Audio (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

How can you tell if you're in lust or in love? Is "love at first sight" real? When is the right time to say "I love you" in a relationship? And how do you keep love alive long-term? Today's episode is all about the science of love, and we're going to talk about so many important and fascinating questions! My guest is none other than "The Love Doctor" herself, Dr. Terri Orbuch. Terri is a distinguished professor at Oakland University and a research scientist at the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research. She has been studying the science of love and relationships for more than three decades and her latest book is called Secrets to Surviving Your Children's Love Relationships. We cover a lot of ground in this show, including: The four signs that distinguish love from lust. How to get the lust back in your relationship after the initial passion starts to decline. The truth about the "5 love languages" (is there any actually any science behind this idea?). Tips for maintaining happy, healthy, loving relationships for the long haul. When it's the right time to make your relationship "official" and to say "I love you" to a partner. When too much closeness becomes a problem, and how to maintain your individuality in a relationship. Tips for dialing down the pressure on Valentine's Day and enjoying a stress-free holiday. How parents can help their kids to cultivate healthy relationships. This is such an important (and fun!) episode! To learn more about Terri, visit drterrithelovedoctor.com and be sure to check out her latest book, Secrets to Surviving Your Children's Love Relationships. Level-up your intimate life with Beducated, the Netflix of better sex! They have a whole library of online courses to teach you what you need to know. Enjoy a free trial today and get 70% off their yearly pass by using my last name - LEHMILLER - as the coupon code. Sign up now at: http://beducate.me/pd2201-lehmiller-kink  This podcast was made on Zencastr. Join Zencastr today and receive 40% off of their professional plan for 3 months with my exclusive discount code: sexandpsych Thanks to Promescent (promescent.com) and the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (modernsextherapyinstitutes.com) for being sponsors of this episode! *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: LEGIT Audio (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

At one time or another, almost everyone has had a BDSM fantasy of some type. Despite its widespread popularity, however, BDSM is a subject that remains widely misunderstood and stigmatized. It's a taboo topic in broader society that people are often reluctant to discuss out of fear of being judged. So let's talk about it! One of the biggest things that changed the way I think about BDSM was having the opportunity to interview a professional dominatrix a few years back. I'm bringing her onto the show today to give you an inside look at this world and what I learned. My guest is Stavroula Toska, an award-winning filmmaker who has received honors from the Sundance Film Festival and countless other festivals around the globe. Stavroula has a reputation for authentic storytelling that pushes boundaries and explores human nature from a unique point of view. Among her many compelling works is a web series called SWITCH, which chronicles her years of experience working in the BDSM scene. Some of the topics we explore in this episode include: What it's like to be a professional dominatrix, and how being a dominatrix changed the way Stavroula sees herself. Who visits a professional dominatrix, and why. Whether there's any truth to the idea of powerful men wanting to be submissive in the bedroom. Whether BDSM is always about sex. Why Home Depot is a one-stop shop for professional dominatrixes (I love this part!). How the pandemic changed the world of professional domination. Why the stigma around BDSM persists. What people who want to explore BDSM for the first time need to know. To learn more about Stavroula, visit https://thetoskamatrix.com and check out her web series SWITCH at https://switchtheseries.com Level-up your intimate life with Beducated, the Netflix of better sex! They have a whole library of online courses to teach you what you need to know. Enjoy a free trial today and get 70% off their yearly pass by using my last name - LEHMILLER - as the coupon code. Sign up now at: http://beducate.me/pd2201-lehmiller-kink  This podcast was made on Zencastr. Join Zencastr today and receive 40% off of their professional plan for 3 months with my exclusive discount code: sexandpsych Thanks to Promescent (promescent.com) and the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (modernsextherapyinstitutes.com) for being sponsors of this episode! *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: LEGIT Audio (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

Space travel is a rapidly expanding industry. In the near future, people are going to be traveling and maybe even living outside of Earth's atmosphere for prolonged periods of time. This raises a lot of interesting questions about how we can make life in outer space compatible with human needs, including our sexual and intimate needs. However, space organizations aren't talking about sex in space, and they aren't studying it either. But if we're going to build spacefaring societies, this is something we need to understand. So what are the potential benefits and risks of sex in space, and how can we overcome the challenges? This episode is going to take you to the final frontiers of sex. We're not only going to explore what we know about space sex, but also sex with robots. My guest is Simon Dubé, a Public Scholar and PhD candidate in psychology at Concordia University specializing in human sexuality, sextech, and erobotics, which is the study of human-machine erotic interaction and co-evolution. He is a student representative of the International Academy of Sex Research and a general co-Chair of the International Congress on Love & Sex with Robots. Some of the topics we explore include: Why is there so much resistance to studying sex in space and sex with robots? What are the potential benefits and risks of sex in space? How can we overcome the challenges of sex in space in order to maximize the benefits? Should space crews and missions only consist of members of the same sex? What are the potential benefits and risks of sex with robots? What do modern sex robots look like, and how much do they cost? How does the issue of consent work when it comes to sex robots? Can sex robots help us to become better lovers for human partners? To learn more about Simon, follow him on Twitter @SciDub11 If you'd like to take part in some of Simon's research on erobotics, email sextechstudy2@gmail.com to learn about current and upcoming participation opportunities. This podcast was made on Zencastr. Join Zencastr today and receive 40% off of their professional plan for 3 months with my exclusive discount code: sexandpsych Thanks to Promescent (promescent.com) and the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (modernsextherapyinstitutes.com) for sponsoring this episode! *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: LEGIT Audio (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

Cuckolding refers to a sexual practice in which someone finds it arousing to watch their partner have sex with another person. I first learned about cuckolding nearly a decade ago and, in the years since, its popularity has exploded. Google searches for it are on the rise, it's increasing mentioned and depicted in the popular media, and it regularly emerges among the top porn searches in the world year in and year out. There's even a new annual tradition called #CuckWeek, aimed at celebrating the cuckold lifestyle. So why are so many people into cuckolding? For insight, I spoke with Dr. David Ley and Rose Caraway. David Ley is a clinical psychologist, sex therapist, and author of the book Insatiable Wives: Women Who Stray and the Men Who Love Them, which was just released on audiobook. Rose narrated the audiobook for Insatiable Wives and is host of Kiss Me Quick's Erotica Podcast. Some of the topics we explore in this show include: How cuckolding can be sexually empowering for women. The diverse motivations behind why men want to watch their partners have sex with other people (there isn't just one reason!). How common cuckolding fantasies are, and who's most likely to have them. How cuckolding is distinct from cheating. How cuckolding relationships tend to work out. What people who are thinking about exploring cuckolding need to know. How to bring sex to life as an audiobook narrator. For more on cuckolding, be sure to check out the new audiobook for Insatiable Wives! This podcast was made on Zencastr. Join Zencastr today and receive 40% off of their professional plan for 3 months with my exclusive discount code: sexandpsych Thanks to Promescent (promescent.com) and the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (modernsextherapyinstitutes.com) for sponsoring this episode! *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: LEGIT Audio (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

We all know that sexual relationships with clients is a big no-no, and yet sexual boundary crossing with clients tends to be in the top 3 issues that get reported to licensing Boards. In this informative episode with Dr. Daniel Watter, an AASECT Certified Sex Therapy Supervisor, we talk about how therapists can go from knowing this clear cut boundary to sitting on an ethics Board's disciplinary committee as a result of having crossed that line. In this episode, he talks about steps mental health practitioners can take to self-reflect and get support if they recognize growing feelings for clients. Want to connect with Dr. Daniel Watter? Dr. Watter is a psychologist and a marital and family therapist. He is Board Certified in Sex Therapy by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT), and the American Board of Sexology (ACS). Dr. Watter is an AASECT certified sex therapy supervisor, and he is a faculty member at the University of Michigan School of Social Work's Sexual Certification Program and the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes. He has completed two terms on the New Jersey Psychological Association's Ethics Committee where he spent two years as the Committee's chairperson. From 2019-2021 he was the Chair of the AASECT Ethics Advisory Committee. You can find him at: http://www.morrispsych.com/ (http://www.morrispsych.com/ ) Want to connect with the Protecting Your Practice Co-Hosts? Find us at: protectingyourpractice.com FB: @protectingyourpractice IG: @protectingyourpractice To work with Dan if you're a mental health practitioner in Maryland, go to: https://danielmayerlaw.com/ (https://danielmayerlaw.com/ ) To consult with Melissa about your private practice and group practice questions, go to: intentionalpractice.net