Human beings spend about one-third of their lives asleep. We do this because sleep is an essential body function. When we don't get enough sleep, we suffer in a lot of ways--and that includes our sex lives. That's why today's episode is all about the important connection between sex and sleep. As you'll learn, getting better sleep is one of the keys to having better sex. But it's also the case that having a great sex life can help you get better sleep. The connection between sleep and sex goes both ways! I am joined by Dr. Michele Lastella, a senior lecturer at Central Queensland University and a global leader in sleep research in athletes. He has 70 peer-reviewed publications related to sleep, sport psychology, psychological well-being and more. Some of the topics we address in this episode include:

• Why do we often feel tired or sleepy after sex?
• How does sex impact the quality of the sleep we get? Does masturbation affect sleep in the same way?
• Does the impact of sex on sleep depend on whether or not orgasm occurs?
• Does sex affect sleep in the same way for men and women?
• How do both temporary and chronic sleep disruptions (such as sleep apnea and insomnia) affect our sexual health and well-being?
• Why do penile and clitoral erections occur during sleep?
• What are some practical tips for getting better sleep so that you can have better sex?

Check it out! To learn more about Michele, check out his Google Scholar profile and follow him on Twitter @sleeppsyc

Thanks to 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.

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

When you go out on a date with someone, who should pay for it? When two people of the same sex or gender go out, they’ll often split the bill—but when it’s a man and a woman, more often than not, the man pays. So there's still a lot of chivalry present in dating between men and women, despite the fact that we have increasingly moved away from traditional gender roles and norms in many ways. So what's up with that? How do men and women really feel about this issue? And how can be better navigate financial issues and dating? For today's episode, Dr. David Frederick returns. David was a previous guest on Episode 97 (Keeping Passion Alive in Long-Term Relationships). He is an Associate professor of Health Psychology at Chapman University in Southern California, and has taught more than 70 courses on human sexuality and gender. In this show, we explore some of David's research on money and dating in the context of men and women going out together. Some of the questions we get into include:

• When men and women go out on a date, who usually pays? And how do things change the longer they date each other?
• How often do women offer to pay when they go out with a man? How do they feel if their date refuses the offer?
• How do men feel about women paying for dates?
• Do people feel that paying for dates and sexual activity are linked in any way?
• Where does this expectation that men should pay on the first date come from? Is it cultural? Evolutionary?
• Is there a better way to navigate this fraught issue?

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 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.

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 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.

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

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

Have you ever fantasized about being ‘forced’ to have sex? If so, you’re not alone. Fantasies about being taken against one’s will (also known as 'ravishment fantasies' and 'consensual non-consent fantasies') are actually quite common. But just how many people report having had them? And why? That's what we're going to be exploring in today's episode. I'll be sharing five examples of forced sex fantasies that have emerged in my research to illustrate what these fantasies tend to look like, and also to explore the psychology behind them.  To help me put this show together, Rose Caraway returns to narrate the actual fantasies. 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 amazing 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:

• Ravished By My Lover
• Kidnapped and Forced to Have Sex
• Animalistic Sex With an Alpha Male
• Banged By the Bachelorettes
• Taken By a Warrior Princess

I walk you through the main themes behind each of these fantasies and the common threads that unite them, while also considering similarities and differences in how these fantasy scenarios play out for men and women. I also discuss who is most likely to have fantasies of this nature and why. This is a fascinating episode. Be sure to check it out!

Thanks to The Handy (thehandy.com) and the Kinsey Institute (kinseyinstitute.org) for being sponsors of 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.

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.

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.

When it comes to sex, we could all benefit from a few pointers because great sex is usually something we have to figure out on our own. On previous episodes of the show, we've talked about things like expanding your definition of sex, learning how to communicate what you want, and building up your sexual self-confidence. We're going to take it a step further today and talk about some of the finer details. We’re going to explore how you can get even more pleasure from several specific sexual activities, from masturbation to oral sex to intercourse to kink. I am joined once again by Dr. Emily Jamea, an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist and host of the Love and Libido podcast. Some of the topics we explore in this episode include:

• How mixing up your masturbation routine can unlock new sources of pleasure and enhance partnered sex.
• How to have better oral sex.
• How to make penile-vaginal intercourse more pleasurable and increase the odds of mutual orgasm.
• How to have comfortable and pleasurable anal sex.
• How to make role-play fun and enjoyable instead of stressful and awkward.
• What you need to know about sharing and acting on sexual fantasies.
• Why it's important to step out of your comfort zone from time to time.

Check it out! To learn more about Emily, visit her website at emilyjamea.com As a special deal for listeners, Emily is offering 50% off her online sex ed workshops (available on her website) with the coupon code: HALFOFF

One of the keys to great sex is being in the right headspace and allowing yourself to be totally immersed in the experience. If you’re not fully into it, it’s easy for your mind to start wandering and to get distracted. Divided attention can make it hard to stay aroused and to reach orgasm. So how can you get in the right mental space for great sex? That’s what we’re going to be talking about today. We’re going to be discussing a mental state called flow and share practical tips for getting into this state of mind so that you can have the best sex of your life. I am joined by Dr. Emily Jamea, an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist and host of the Love and Libido podcast. Some of the topics we explore in this episode include:

• What does it mean to be in a state of "flow?"
• How is flow similar to or different from practicing mindfulness?
• How can being in a flow state enhance sexual satisfaction?
• What is the role of flow in kinky sex?
• Do some people naturally have an easier time getting into flow states than others?
• How can you open yourself up to experiencing flow during sex?
• How can flow boost sexual desire and help people to deal with sexual difficulties?

Check it out! To learn more about Emily, visit her website at emilyjamea.com As a special deal for listeners, Emily is offering 50% off her online sex ed workshops (available on her website) with the coupon code: HALFOFF

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

Until very recently, the sight of a penis in film or on television was a rarity. And when it happened, it was a big deal. The promise of even a fleeting glimpse would overshadow everything else. For example, remember when Gone Girl came out? It seemed like all anyone could talk about was Ben Affleck's member. Today, however, penises seem to be popping up everywhere, and Hollywood keeps upping the ante. Case in point: there's a scene in Euphoria featuring nearly 30 dongs. So what's up with that? What's behind the rise of male full-frontal nudity on screen? That's what we're going to be talking about today. We're also going to discuss why most of the penises you see are actually prosthetics, and you're going to learn how the sausage gets made. Literally. I am joined by Matthew Mungle, an Academy Award winning artist specializing in Make-up Effects and Prosthetics. With over 250 film and television projects to his credit, Matthew is regarded as one of Hollywood’s top masters of makeup effects illusion. Odds are, you've seen his work--and maybe even some of the penises he's created. Some of the topics we explore include:

• Why male full-frontal nudity is a growing trend.
• The first time Matthew was ever approached to make a penile prosthetic.
• Why most of the penises we see on screen are prosthetics.
• How producers decide what a prosthetic penis will look like for a given actor/character.
• How prosthetic penises are made (it's both an art and a science!).
• Whether prosthetic penises are contributing to unrealistic perceptions of penis size.
• Average penis size and whether size really matters anyway.

Check it out! To learn more about Matthew's work, visit his website at wmcreationsinc.com and check out his IMDB page to learn about the many amazing film and TV projects he has contributed to.

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

During pregnancy and parenthood, it’s not uncommon for sex to decrease and/or become less pleasurable. When this happens, it can potentially spill over and create broader relationship and intimacy issues. So how can you maintain satisfying sex lives and relationships during the transition to parenthood? Let's talk about it! This episode is all about common sexual questions and concerns that arise during pregnancy and parenthood and how you can keep the spark alive once kids enter the picture. I am joined 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:

• Is it usually safe to have sex during pregnancy?
• What do you need to know when it comes to maintaining sexual satisfaction during pregnancy?
• When can you start having sex again after giving birth? And what do you need to know about sexual health and function in the postpartum period?
• How can new parents navigate discrepancies in sexual desire?
• How are men and women similar vs. different in terms of the sexual concerns they have during parenthood?
• How do you make space (and time) for sex once you have kids?
• When is it time to consult a sex or relationship therapist, and how do you find a competent professional?

To learn more about Natalie or participate in one of her upcoming studies, visit natalieorosen.com. And for more resources and information on navigating sex and parenthood, visit postbabyhankypanky.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. 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/pd2215-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.

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.

When people think about what their sex lives will look like as they get older, they usually don’t see much to look forward to. They tend to think about problems that might arise and how sex may become more challenging. However, this line of thinking is all wrong. Sex can actually get better with age. In fact, many seniors report that they're having the best sex of their lives! And many of the tools and strategies that they're using can be helpful at any age for reigniting passion, improving sexual communication, and having more pleasurable sex than ever before. So today we're going to be exploring tips for better sex no matter where you are in your life. My guest is Joan Price, a self-described advocate for ageless sexuality. Joan is the author of four books about senior sex, including the award-winning  Naked at Our Age: Talking Out Loud about Senior Sex. She is a popular public speaker and sex educator who has been expanding our minds about sex and aging since 2005. Some of the topics we explore in this show include:

• How (and why) sex can get better with age.
• How to start healthy conversations about sex, whether you're in a new or long-term relationship.
• How to talk about sex with your doctor or healthcare provider.
• How redefining sex can open the door to more pleasure.
• What to do when the old ways of approaching sex just aren't working for you anymore.
• Why sex toys are an essential component of satisfying sex, especially as we get older.
• How you can set yourself up for having great sex for your entire life.

Check it out! To learn more about Joan, visit joanprice.com and be sure to check out all of her amazing books, including Naked at Our Age. 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/pd2215-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.

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.

People’s sexual identities and behaviors don’t always line up in the way that you might expect. For example, a lot of people who identify as heterosexual or straight report having had partners of the same sex or gender. And there are a lot of different reasons for this! My guest today has identified at least six different types of people who identify as heterosexual, but engage in same-sex behavior. So, we're going to break it down for you. 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 recently published a study about heterosexually-identified college students who reported same-sex hookups and we explore her key findings. Among the topics we discuss are:

• Why sexual identity and sexual behavior don't always match up.
• Which heterosexual people who engage in same-sex behavior are likely to change their sexual identity labels in the future.
• The roles of college culture and alcohol in sexual self-exploration.
• Why some heterosexual people engage in same-sex behavior for attention or performance.
• The influence of religion and politics on sexual identity.
• Why we need to measure more than sexual identity if we really want to understand someone's sexuality.

Check it out! To learn more about Arielle, follow her on Twitter @ATKuperberg and visit her website 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/pd2215-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.

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

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.

There is a huge industry built around making women feel insecure about their genitals in order to sell them so-called "feminine hygiene products." They've convinced many women that their vaginas and vulvas are "dirty" and in need of constant cleaning. But is it even healthy to use these products? And what do you really need to know when it comes to maintaining vaginal health? I spoke with a gynecologist to find out--and to bust some common myths about vaginas and vulvas. 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. Some of the topics we explore in this episode include:

• Where does this idea that vaginas and vulvas are "dirty" come from anyway?
• What should and shouldn't be part of a vaginal and vulvar self-care routine?
• What should you do if you're concerned about the smell or taste of your genitals?
• What's the safest way to remove pubic hair to avoid risk of injury and infection?
• Can a doctor actually tell if a woman has had sex by inspecting her genitals?
• Do vaginas really become "looser" with frequent sex?
• Is it really true that if you have an STI, you'll know it?
• How do you boost low sexual desire?

Check it out! And be sure to check out Jennifer's book Let's Talk About Down There and follow her on TikTok. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 we can 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

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 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.

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

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.

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.

Before the pandemic hit, the number of American adults living single was at a record high, while the marriage rate was at a record low. But that might all be about to change, according to results from the 11th annual Singles in America Survey from Match. This survey involved a demographically representative sample of 5,000 single adults aged 18-98, and the findings suggest that singles today are thinking very differently about sex, love, and relationships. To break down the results, I spoke with Dr. Helen Fisher, a biological anthropologist, Senior Research Fellow at the Kinsey Institute, and Chief Scientific Advisor at Match. She has conducted extensive research and written six books on the evolution and future of sex, love, and marriage. We cover a lot of ground in this episode, including:

• What singles today find attractive in a partner (hint: looks are out, emotional maturity is in).
• Why singles today are open to dating a wider range of partners than they were in the past.
• How online dating changed during the pandemic.
• Tips for creating more chemistry on virtual dates.
• Why singles today are sending fewer dick pics than they were before the pandemic.
• Why men are more eager to start long-term relationships right now than women.
• Whether the “three-date rule” is really a thing.

To learn more about Dr. Fisher, visit helenfisher.com and check out her latest book, Anatomy of Love. Learn more about the latest Singles in America Survey at singlesinamerica.com

As you ponder your New Year's resolutions for 2022, think about things you can do to improve your sex life! With the right set of resolutions, you can address problem areas and tap into unfulfilled desires, which will allow you to enjoy the best sex of your life, boost passion in your relationship, and keep the spark burning all year long. Need some inspiration? I have you covered with this episode! I spoke with Dr. Jessica O’Reilly about sexual New Year's resolutions. Dr. Jess is a Toronto-based sexologist, author, speaker, and television personality. She is host of the Sex With Dr. Jess Podcast and the Intimately You program on CityTV. She is also the resident sexologist at Astroglide. We cover a lot of ground in this episode, including:

• Why noisy sex is (usually) better sex, and how to be more vocal in bed if that's something you don't have much experience with.
• How to break sexual routines and suggest new things to try with your partner.
• Why it's important to expand your definition of sex.
• How resolutions to better your physical and mental health can boost your sex life.
• How to be more "in the moment" during sex.
• Practical ways to improve your sexual communication skills.
• Why it's important to incorporate more non-sexual touch into your relationship, and how this can improve your sex life.

To learn more about Dr. Jess and listen to her podcast, visit sexwithdrjess.com You can also follow her on social media @sexwithdrjess and find her online courses at happiercouples.com Also, the episode of her podcast Dr. Jess mentions in the show about understanding your core erotic feeling is available here. Here's to a very happy--and sexy--year ahead!

If you're feeling extra horny right now, it's not just you! The winter holidays are one of the times of year when sexual interest and behavior reliably increase. We see this in everything from a spike in condom sales to an increase in sexual injuries to a peak in STD rates early in the new year. So why is that? That's what we're going to explore in today's episode. I revisited my conversation with Dr. Patrick Markey from Episode 49, who analyzed Google search trends for sex and relationships over time and found that there's a certain seasonality to when people are looking for sex-related content online. We discussed some of the biological, psychological, and social factors that underlie this trend. However, in this show, I take a deeper dive into holiday horniness. Some of the other topics I cover include:

• Why does travel make us horny?
• Why is there so much Santa Claus porn? What's the sexual appeal of Santa?
• Sexual interest rises around the holidays, but this time of year can also be really stressful. So how can prevent stress from spoiling the mood?

I wish you all a very happy (and sexy) holiday season!

What does it mean to be asexual? This is something that different people have defined in different ways, and there are a lot of misconceptions about it. That's why this episode of the podcast is all about understanding asexuality. We dive into what the science tells us about this subject and bust a lot of myths along the way. We also talk about helpful tips for navigating relationships in which one of the partners is asexual (lacking sexual attraction) and the other is allosexual (experiencing sexual attraction). I am joined by Dr. Morag Yule, the founder and director of Ontario Sex Therapy, a private practice that offers sex therapy as well as clinical training and supervision out of Toronto, Canada. Dr. Yule has published extensively on human sexuality, but is especially recognized for her ground-breaking studies of asexuality. Some of the topics we explore in this episode include:

• How do sex researchers define asexuality, and how do they measure it in their studies?
• What percentage of the population is asexual?
• How is asexuality distinct from celibacy?
• What have genital arousal studies told us about the sexual functioning of asexual persons?
• Do asexual people masturbate and have sexual fantasies? How is solo sexuality similar or different for asexual and allosexual individuals?
• Why is it important to view asexuality as a unique sexual orientation?
• How does asexuality intersect with kink/BDSM and consensual non-monogamy?
• How do you make a relationship work when asexual and allosexual people partner-up?

For more asexuality information and resources, check out the Asexuality Visibility and Education Network at asexuality.org To learn more about Dr. Yule, visit ontariosextherapy.ca

Most of us never got the sex education we really needed, which leaves us with a lot that we need to figure out all on our own. Fortunately, technology is making it easier than ever to fill in the gaps. In this episode, we’re going to explore an app that offers a step-by-step guide to sexual health that can also help you to build intimacy. In addition, we’ll be discussing common questions people have about sex and practical tips for cultivating a hotter and healthier sex life. My guest is Isharna Walsh, founder and CEO of Coral, a sexual wellness app that offers evidence-based guides for better sex for all. We cover a lot of ground in this episode, including:

• How can we better leverage technology to improve our sexual health and sex lives?
• How does Coral work, and how is it different from everything else on the market?
• How do you design a sexual wellness app that is accessible to a diverse audience?
• What are the most common sexual and relationship questions among users of this app?
• What can you do to build up your sexual self-confidence?
• What are some practical ways to deepen your connection with your partner, or restore a connection that has faded in a long-term relationship?
• How can you communicate more effectively about sex?

To learn more about Isharna, follow her on Instagram at @isharnawalsh and be sure to check out Coral at getcoral.app Also, check out this sample exercise from Coral for a taste: Wholly Giving, Wholly Receiving

If you ask someone to describe their sexuality, odds are they’ll probably tell you something about the sex or gender of the people they’re attracted to. However, that’s just one of many aspects of sexuality that might be important to a given individual. Sexuality is multidimensional, and each of us has a unique constellation of factors that play a part in our attraction to others, from the number of partners we want to have, to the degree of support and nurturance we need, to the sexual roles we like to play. In this episode, we’re going to be talking about a new way of thinking about sexuality known as Sexual Configurations Theory that can help us to better understand and measure sexual diversity. My guests are doctoral candidate Aki Gormezano and Dr. Sari van Anders, both from Queen’s University in Canada. Some of the topics we discuss in this episode include:

• What is Sexual Configurations Theory? Why is it important to expand our definition of sexual orientation beyond sex/gender-based attractions?
• To what degree do our sexual fantasies, porn use, and in-person sexual behaviors overlap versus diverge? Why do some aspects of sexuality overlap more than others, and can this change over time?
• Why is it problematic to assume that what people watch in porn necessarily reflects what they want to do in bed?
• How should we measure someone’s sexuality in a research lab? Is genital arousal to porn really the “truest” measure of someone’s sexuality?
• How can we do better, more inclusive sex research?

To learn more about Sexual Configurations Theory, check out the van Anders lab website. Also, be sure to follow my guests on Twitter @gormezaki and @sarivananders

Evolutionary psychologists have long argued that women’s sexual behavior is driven by hormonal changes that occur throughout the menstrual cycle, including everything from their desire for sex to their partner choice. This has fed the popular idea that hormones are really the driving force behind women’s sexuality. As it turns out, however, that’s not entirely true. In this episode, we’re going to be deconstructing the myth of the “hormonal woman” with Dr. Tierney Lorenz, a former Kinsey Institute trainee who is currently an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Tierney studies the interaction between women’s mental, physical, and sexual health. Some of the topics we explore in this episode include:

• What role do hormones and the menstrual cycle really play when it comes to women’s sexual behavior?
• Scientists have long argued that ovulation triggers changes in sexual behavior, but it turns out that having sex can actually trigger ovulation. So what does this mean for couples who are trying to get pregnant?
• How does having sex impact how the immune system operates?
• What is the key to boosting sexual desire? Can testosterone supplements help? What about medications?
• How do sexual health, physical health, and mental health all intersect?
• How can people with a history of sexual trauma go on to develop happier, healthier sex lives?

This interview blew my mind in several ways, so be sure to check it out! To learn more about Tierney, follow her on Twitter @tk_lorenz and follow her lab at @lab_wish 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.

Each November, media buzz around the annual abstinence challenge known as “No Nut November” seems to grow. This challenge involves men giving up ejaculation for the entire month. That means no sex and no masturbation—no orgasms of any kind. Those who participate do this for a wide range of reasons, but often with the intention of enhancing their health. But are there actually any health benefits to abstaining from orgasm for prolonged periods of time? To dive into what the science says, I spoke with Dr. Joshua Gonzalez, a board-certified urologist who is fellowship-trained in Sexual Medicine. We give a research-based take on “No Nut November,” while also offering a crash course in “semenology” to answer common questions about ejaculation and orgasm. Some of the topics we explore in this episode include:

• Where does semen come from and what is it made of?
• How many calories are in a single “serving” of semen? Is it really a source of protein?
• Why are so many men concerned about their ejaculatory volume? And is there anything they can do to increase it?
• Can abstinence from sex and masturbation enhance athletic performance?
• What is the link between masturbation and health? In what ways can being sexually active (both solo and partnered) potentially boost health?
• What are the most common sexual difficulties men experience, and what can they do to reduce their odds of developing them?
• What do men need to know about having better sex?

To learn more about Joshua, visit his website at joshuagonzalezmd.com. You can also check out his supplement Popstar at popstarlabs.com and follow him on social media:

• Instagram @JoshuaGonzalezMD
• TikTok @JoshuaGonzalezMD
• Twitter @SexMedLA

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.

What does it really mean to have an orgasm? Different people—and even different scientists—define “orgasm” in different ways, which makes this a surprisingly difficult subject to study scientifically. So how do you measure when someone has an orgasm in a research lab? For this episode, I spoke to an orgasm researcher who has figured out how to do it. Her methods and findings are absolutely fascinating and will change everything you think you know about orgasms! My guest today is Dr. Nicole Prause, a licensed psychologist and sex researcher who founded the sexual biotechnology company Liberos. She is a former Kinsey Institute trainee and has published an extensive body of research on the neuroscience and psychophysiology of sex. Some of the topics we explore in this episode include:

• What technology do you need to study orgasms scientifically?
• Orgasms have both a physiological and a psychological component—but they don’t always line up in the same way for everyone. So what does it mean when someone experiences one but not the other?
• What does it actually mean to have multiple orgasms? Are we talking back-to-back orgasms with continued sexual stimulation? Can you take breaks? How much time can pass between each orgasm for it to count as “multiple?”
• Is there really a gender difference in the ability to have multiple orgasms? (The answer may surprise you!)
• Some people get sick every time they orgasm. What causes this post-orgasmic illness syndrome?
• Are there really different “types” of orgasms, or are all orgasms technically the same process?
• What happens inside the brain during an orgasm?
• For people who have trouble orgasming, what can they do about it?

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.

Most people say that their ideal relationship would be monogamous. Despite this, however, a lot of people seem to have a really hard time maintaining monogamy. So why is that? And if monogamy is what you want, how can you most successfully maintain it and reduce the risk of infidelity? For the answers to these questions, I spoke with Dr. Lucia O’Sullivan, a Professor of Psychology at the University of New Brunswick. She has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles on sexual and romantic relationships and is an Associate Editor of the Journal of Sex Research. Some of the topics we discuss in this episode include:

• What does it mean to be “monogamous?” Do different people define monogamy in different ways?
• Why is it a bad idea to assume monogamy in a relationship?
• What works and what doesn’t when it comes to maintaining monogamy? Is there anything you can do to “cheat-proof” your relationship?
• What happens when someone in a monogamous relationship develops a crush on someone else? When is this harmless, and when does it become a threat to the relationship?
• Are some people better equipped to maintain monogamy than others?
• What happens when someone “poaches” a partner from another relationship? How do those relationships tend to work out?
• What does sex education look like around the world?

To learn more about Lucia, check out her Psychology Today blog “At First Blush” and her website SexMeetsRelationships.com 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.

What do the sex lives of college students today look like? And how have they changed over time? I spoke with a sex educator who has amassed more than 30 years’ worth of data from students taking her university human sexuality courses. In total, she surveyed nearly 7,000 students and has obtained unique insights into how everything from kink to faking orgasms to condom use has changed since the 1990s. My guest today is Dr. Sandra Caron, a Professor of Family Relations and Human Sexuality at the University of Maine. She is an AASECT Certified Sexuality Educator and a licensed therapist. Her latest book is titled The Sex Lives of College Students. Some of the topics we explore in this episode include:

• Has the rise of abstinence-only sex education affected the age at which young people start having sex?
• What is the average number of sexual partners a college student has?
• Why are fake orgasms on the rise among both college men and women alike?
• Are college students masturbating more today than they were in the past?
• Have college students gotten kinkier over time?
• How have same-sex behavior and sexual identity changed among young people?
• Are college students today taking more sexual risks or are they practicing safer sex?

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.

A lot of people think about sexual orientation and gender as stable characteristics of the self--they think that people are just born a certain way. While it's certainly true that many people do demonstrate stability in these traits throughout their lives, not everyone does. Many people experience some degree of sexual and/or gender fluidity, which can manifest in unexpected shifts in identity and expression over time. To be clear, this isn't to say that sexuality and gender are conscious choices that people can simply change at will at any time, nor is it to say that sexual orientation and gender identity have no genetic or biological basis; rather, it's just that sexuality and gender can be more dynamic across the lifespan than you might think. For this episode of the podcast, I took a deep dive into the science of sexual and gender fluidity with Dr. Lisa Diamond, a Professor of Psychology and Gender Studies at the University of Utah.  She is author of the incredible book Sexual Fluidity. Some of the topics we explore in this episode include:

• How common is sexual fluidity, and what does it look like?
• What is gender fluidity, and how is it similar to or different from being nonbinary or transgender?
• How do sexual and gender fluidity intersect? Are people who are fluid in one way more likely to be fluid in others?
• Where does fluidity come from, and is it possible that fluidity (as opposed to stability) is the really the norm?
• Are essentialist arguments, such as the "born this way" concept, necessary and helpful in the pursuit of LGBTQ+ rights?
• What does it mean to have a "sexual orientation?" Is it inherently about sex/gender-based attractions? Or do we all have multiple orientations, with sex/gender being just one type of orientation?

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.

People can develop sexual fetishes for virtually anything. In fact, it’s not a stretch to say that if you can think of it, somebody probably has a fetish for it. So why is that? How do fetishes develop in the first place? Are some people more likely to develop them than others? And what role does porn play in all of this? For the answers to these questions, I spoke with Dr. Jim Pfaus, a researcher in behavioral neuroscience in the Department of Psychology and Life Sciences at Charles University in Prague and with the Czech National Institute of Mental Health. Jim has conducted some fascinating research on animals that sheds important light on how fetishes might develop in humans. His studies show that rats can learn to associate sex with everything from articles of clothing to specific odors (including very aversive smells). Some of the topics we explore in this episode include:

• What does it mean to have a sexual fetish?
• How can learning theory help to explain the development of fetishes?
• How do people’s early sexual experiences affect their sexual turn-ons?
• Are some people more predisposed to developing fetishes than others?
• In what ways does pornography shape our sexual interests?
• How has porn (and what kind of porn people find to be arousing) changed over time?

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.

Today’s youth are facing a complicated landscape when it comes to sex. They live in a world where sex is all around and porn is more easily accessible than ever before, but they’re not being educated about it and they’re receiving a lot of mixed messages. So are young adults getting what they want out of sex and relationships? What do their intimate lives look like? And what can parents and schools do to better support them? For insight into these questions, I spoke with Peggy Orenstein, author of The New York Times best-sellers Boys & Sex and Girls & Sex. Her TED Talk, “What Young Women Believe About Their Own Sexual Pleasure,” has been viewed over 5 million times. Peggy conducted in-depth interviews with dozens of teens and college students about their intimate lives for her recent books, and the results were fascinating. Some of the topics we explore in this episode include:

• How do today’s youth define the terms “sex” and “virginity?”
• Young women today have been empowered in many ways compared to generations past, but that doesn’t seem to be translating into sexual empowerment. Why is that?
• Why does pleasure need to be a central focus of sex education? How does sex ed need to change more broadly?
• How are young people today navigating conversations around consent?
• How do young men feel about “hookup culture?” Is hookup culture disenfranchising everyone?
• How are LGBTQ youth faring in all of this?
• How can parents have more effective and productive conversations about sex with their kids?

To learn more about Peggy and her work, visit peggyorenstein.com

Have you ever heard that there are 8,000 nerve endings in the clitoris, or that the clitoris has twice as many nerve endings as the penis? These statements appear as facts in countless social media posts, news articles, and books. There’s just one problem with them, though—they’re wrong. It turns out that so many of the things we think we know about sex and that we hear repeated over and over just aren’t true.

That’s why this episode of the podcast is all about what we don’t know about sex. To help us set the record straight, I spoke with Dr. Lisa Dawn Hamilton. She is an associate professor of Psychology at Mount Allison University in Sackville, where she teaches about sex, gender, and neuroscience. Lisa Dawn also has a fantastic podcast called Do We Know Things? that corrects common misconceptions about sex.

Some of the topics we explore in this episode include:

• What is the G-spot, really?
• Do we actually know what the average penis size is?
• Can men have multiple orgasms, too?
• Does peeing after sex really reduce your risk of getting urinary tract infections?
• What is the real purpose of pubic hair, and how is public hair removal related to STD risk?
• How do hormones like testosterone and oxytocin really affect us?
• How do the brains of monogamous and non-monogamous men differ?
• What’s the connection between sexual arousal and disgust? Why does disgust sometimes become a sexual turn-on?

To learn more about Lisa Dawn and her work, visit doweknowthings.com

Everyone’s brain is a little different when it comes to sex—and understanding how your sexual brain works is one of the keys to unlocking more pleasure and improving your sex life. That’s why this episode is all about the brain mechanisms that underlie sexual response, and it’s going to change the way that you think about sex.

I interviewed Emily Nagoski, the New York Times bestselling author of the books Come As You Are and The Come As You Are Workbook. She is also co-author of Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle. She combines sex education and stress education in her work to teach women to live with confidence and joy inside their bodies.

Some of the topics we explore in this episode include:

• What is the Dual Control Model of Sexual Response and why is it crucial to understanding our own sexuality?
• Why do many people (but especially women) sometimes experience a disconnect between genital arousal and psychological arousal?
• What’s the difference between spontaneous desire and responsive desire?
• What can people do to boost sexual desire? And is there any role for medication in this?
• How can you better manage stress so that it doesn’t kill desire?
• What are some practical ways to improve your body image? And how can changing the way you see yourself give your sex life a boost?

To learn more about Emily and her work, visit her website at emilynagoski.com and check out her books Come As You Are, The Come As You Are Workbook, and Burnout.

***

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.

Testosterone is one of the most misunderstood and maligned hormones in the human body. It gets blamed for toxic masculinity, sexual assault, aggression, and more. That’s why this episode of the Sex and Psychology podcast covers what you really need to know about testosterone and how it affects us.

I spoke with Dr. Carole Hooven, who is a lecturer and codirector of undergraduate studies in the Department of Human Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University. She earned her PhD at Harvard, studying sex differences and testosterone, and has taught there ever since. Dr. Hooven is the author of the fascinating new book T: The Story of Testosterone, the Hormone that Dominates and Divides Us.

Some of the topics we explore in this episode include:

• To what extent are sex differences a product of hormones and biology vs. socialization?
• How does testosterone affect sexual behavior in men and women?
• What can transgender persons taking hormone therapy teach us about how testosterone affects all of us?
• What is the link between testosterone and sexual orientation?
• Does abstaining from masturbation really increase testosterone in men?
• How can a more scientifically informed understanding of testosterone benefit all of us?

To learn more about Carole and her work, follow her on Twitter @hoovlet and check out her latest book T: The Story of Testosterone, the Hormone that Dominates and Divides Us.

***

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.

It’s time to reimagine sex education and start giving people the sex ed they need—and deserve. So what should that look like? That’s the subject of my latest podcast with special guest Dr. Kristen Mark. We talk all about the sex ed that does and doesn’t work and explore tips on cultivating happier and healthier sex lives and relationships, including how to keep the spark alive and how to work through sexual trauma.

Dr. Mark is the Joycelyn Elders Endowed Chair and Professor in Sexual Health Education at the Institute for Sexual and Gender Health at the University of Minnesota Medical School. She is also a sex and relationship researcher and therapist, and an AASECT certified sex educator.

Some of the topics we explore in this episode include:

• What does sex education look like around the world? Which models work, and which ones don’t?
• Beyond reducing STIs and unwanted pregnancies, how can better sex education make society healthier overall?
• Why should pleasure be a central focus of sex ed?
• How can people in long-term relationships keep the spark alive?
• What should you do if you and your partner want different amounts of sex? How do you bridge that divide?
• How can bisexual people cultivate healthy relationships in the face of bisexual stigma?
• How do you cultivate a satisfying sex life if you have a history of sexual trauma?

To learn more about Kristen and her work, visit her website at kristenmark.com and follow her on Twitter @Kristen_Mark

***

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.

Marriage is hard. And, in many ways, it’s harder today than it was in the past because what we’re asking of our partners now is so dramatically different than it was before. Whereas marriage used to be about meeting basic survival needs, it’s become more about self-actualization. And so if we want to understand how to make the institution of marriage better, we have to look at it in the context of our ever-changing needs and expectations. That’s why this episode of the podcast is all about the science of marriage and how to cultivate happier and healthier marriages.

I interviewed Dr. Eli Finkel, a professor at Northwestern University, with appointments in the psychology department and the Kellogg School of Management. He is also the author of one of my favorite books, The All-or-Nothing Marriage: How the Best Marriages Work.

Some of the topics we explore in this episode include:

• How and why have our expectations for marriage changed over the last century?
• How do we manage conflicting needs in our relationships, such as the need for excitement and surprise vs. the need for stability and security?
• Can opening up a monogamous marriage help to save it?
• How has the pandemic shaped marriage and relationships, for better or for worse?
• How can we make marriage better? What can you do to keep it healthy and strong?
• Should we be asking less of our partners?
• How do you keep sex healthy and hot in a long-term relationship?

To learn more about Eli and his work, visit his website at elifinkel.com and check out his book, The All-or-Nothing Marriage.

***

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.

There are a lot of things people get wrong about kink, including the idea it’s inherently rooted in trauma and mental illness, that it’s abusive, and that kinky people can’t develop healthy relationships. That’s why this episode of the Sex and Psychology Podcast is all about the science of kink, BDSM, and fetishes!

I interviewed Dr. Richard Sprott, who studies identity development, health, and well-being in alternative sexualities and non-traditional relationships. He currently teaches at California State University, East Bay and he is co-author of the book Sexual Outsiders: Understanding BDSM Sexualities and Communities.

Some of the topics we explore in this episode include:

• What’s the difference between kink, BDSM, and fetishes anyway?
• How common are kinky sexual interests?
• What is the link between kink and mental health?
• What’s the truth about how kink and sexual trauma are connected?
• In what ways can kink be healthy, or even therapeutic?
• Where do kinky sexual interests come from? Do they run in families?
• Do kinky sexual interests change with age?
• How should we think about kink—is it a sexual orientation or a leisure activity?

To learn more about Richard and his work, visit tashra.org

***

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.

People’s interest in polyamory is growing. For example, Google trends reveal that searches related to polyamory have risen significantly over the last decade. However, while interest is climbing, myths and misconceptions abound, which is why this episode of the Sex and Psychology Podcast offers a deep dive into the world of polyamory.

I interviewed Dr. Heath Schechinger. He is a Counseling Psychologist at the University of California Berkeley and also maintains a private practice. Heath is the Founding Co-Chair of the Committee on Consensual Non-Monogamy within Division 44 of the American Psychological Association, and he is the Co-Founder of the Polyamory Legal Advocacy Coalition.

Some of the topics we explore in this episode include:

• Who’s into polyamory and what are the different “shapes” that a polyamorous relationship might take?
• What is “solo polyamory” and how does it work?
• What are the unique benefits of consensual non-monogamy? What are the unique benefits of monogamy?
• If you’re polyamorous and seeking relationship counseling, how do you go about finding an affirming therapist?
• What are the most common issues that come up in sex and relationship therapy with polyamorous clients?
• If you’re curious about exploring polyamory, what do you need to know? If you’re polyamorous, what do you need to know about maintaining healthy relationships?
• What’s the future of polyamory and consensual non-monogamy? Will we eventually have legal recognition of multi-partner relationships?

To learn more about Heath and his work, visit his websites at drheathschechinger.com and polyamorylegal.org

***

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.

Getting into a relationship is much easier than getting out of one. People have a tendency to slide into relationships without putting in a lot of thought. But when it comes to getting out of a relationship, people may deliberate for months, perhaps years—decades even. So why is that?

This episode of the Sex and Psychology Podcast is all about how we make relationship decisions. I interviewed Dr. Samantha Joel, an Assistant Professor at Western University. Her research examines how people make the decisions that grow or break apart their romantic relationships. Sam has a fascinating body of work that I am so excited to share with you!

Some of the topics we explore in this episode include:

• Can computer programs predict who we’re going to be attracted to before we ever even meet someone? Can these programs also predict which relationships are going to stand the test of time?
• What are the factors that predict relationship happiness? What predicts when couples decide to break up?
• Are people more afraid of missing out on an opportunity for love or being rejected?
• Why do so many of us have such a hard time rejecting romantic prospects who aren’t a good match for us?
• Is having sex with an ex-partner a good or bad idea? Does ex-sex prevent you from moving on?
• Why is it easier to get into a relationship than to get out of one?
• What happens when a couple decides to open up their relationship? Does it change the quality of that relationship over time?

To learn more about Sam, visit her website and follow her on Twitter @datingdecisions

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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.