Sex and Psychology Podcast

Historically, medical research has done a disservice to women. In fact, for many years, scientists only studied men, assuming that all effects would generalize to women. But we now know that’s not true. In today’s show, we’re talking about how we can improve the state of science on women’s health, and how that begins with having a fuller understanding of the hormone shifts that occur during the menstrual cycle and...

It is well-known that PMS symptoms can deeply affect how women are feeling, including their mood, pain, and energy levels. But why exactly does this happen? Today, we’re going to dive into the science of sex hormones and the menstrual cycle, including how hormone levels affect women’s sexual motivation and tips for navigating sex at different phases of the cycle.

I am joined by Dr. Sarah Hill, the author of This is Your...

Holistic sexuality involves having a deep enough level of self-understanding that you can make choices that are aligned with your core needs and feel empowered to live out those choices in your own life. In today’s show, we’re going to talk about harnessing holistic sexuality in order to lead a more pleasure-filled life and be more in tune with our desires.

I’m joined once again by Dr. Juliana Hauser, a licensed marriage and family...

Who are you as a sexual person? In today’s show, we’re going to help you answer this question by introducing you to the concept of holistic sexuality, which is different from the way that most of us have been taught to think about sex. We’re going to dive into some of the key facets of holistic sexuality that are crucial to know for both self-understanding and for building up your sexual agency.

I’m joined by Dr. Juliana Hauser, a ...

A lot of people think that sex is just easy for men. But it’s not. A heck of a lot of guys are walking around with sexual anxiety and are worried about their body and/or performance. This can eat away at men’s confidence, leading them to avoid sex, or to have sex that’s less than pleasurable. In today’s show, we’re going to talk about how to build confidence in the bedroom and bust some common myths about male sex...

Surveys find that nearly half of men are dissatisfied with their penis size and wish they were larger. So let’s dive into the world of penile augmentation. In this episode, we’re going to talk about the various treatments that exist, which ones are supported by the science, the potential risks and side effects, and what you really need to know if you have penis size concerns.

I’m joined by Dr. Joshua Gonzalez, a board-certifi...

BDSM practitioners have mastered skills that many of us struggle with every day, including honest communication, clear boundaries, deep trust, and the courage to be vulnerable. In this episode, we’re exploring what we can learn from kinky folks about leading happier lives, both in and out of the bedroom.

I am joined once again by Alicia Walker and Arielle Kuperberg. Alicia is an associate professor of sociology at Missouri State Un...

Is kink just about whips and chains? Is it always about sex? Is everyone who’s into kink working through some type of trauma? In today’s show, we’re diving into the science of BDSM and debunking common myths about it. We’ll unpack what kink really looks like in practice, how consent and trust are at its core, and what it is that really draws people to BDSM in the first place.

I am joined by Alicia Walker and Arielle Kup...

The sex education we have in the United States today isn’t really working. And, unfortunately, it’s only set to get worse as a growing number of states are pushing to restrict what students can learn in these classes. So in today’s show, we’re going to talk about why it has been so difficult to make sex ed better and what we can actually do to change it.

I’m joined once again by Margaret Grace Myers, a writer, researcher, edu...

Sex education is highly controversial. Last year alone, 27 US states introduced bills aimed at restricting sex ed! However, this fight over what sex ed should cover (and whether it should even be taught at all) is nothing new. We’ve been having the same fights about sex ed for over a century, and that’s a big part of the reason why modern sex education still sucks.

I’m joined today by Margaret Grace Myers, a writer, res...

Why are some people straight while others are gay or bisexual? What determines our sexual orientation anyway? Today, we’re going to be diving into what we’ve learned about the biological origins of our sexuality from decades of scientific research. As you’ll see, there’s not a simple and easy story—it doesn’t boil down to something like a “gay gene.” It’s way more complex than that!

I am joined once again by Nathan Lents, a Profess...

Are human beings made for monogamy or non-monogamy? This is a popular subject of debate. While some argue that humans evolved for monogamy in order to ensure parental investment in our offspring, others argue that humans evolved to be non-monogamous because it increases the odds of reproductive success and genetic diversity in our species. So which is it? That’s what we’re going to be talking about today.

I am joined by Nathan Lent...

Erectile dysfunction is one of the most common sexual difficulties that men encounter, and it can be very distressing. But while ED is highly treatable, we really need to understand what causes it in the first place in order to treat it most effectively. In today’s show, we’re going to explore some of the psychological reasons why it occurs, including how early attachment wounds can manifest as erectile difficulties later in life.

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In long-term relationships, almost everyone will go through a sexual dry spell at some point. This is normal, and it doesn’t necessarily mean that there’s something fundamentally wrong with you or your relationship. However, the good news is that there’s a lot you can do to break the dry spell and get your intimate life back on track. Today, we’re going to explore the reasons why sex often disappears in relationships, and wha...

As many as 1 in 5 adults have visited an erotic camsite. However, the appeal of these sites goes far beyond sexual gratification. A new study of camsite users finds that they are often looking for emotional connection and fulfillment, too. But are they actually finding it? In today’s show, we’re diving into the data and exploring whether intimacy is really an experience that can be commodified.

I’m joined once again by ...

Everyone is talking about how artificial intelligence (AI) is going to fundamentally change almost every aspect of our lives, and that includes our intimate lives. So in today’s show, we’re going to explore the impact that AI is already having on the world of dating and relationships and whether it’s helping or hurting our chances of finding lasting love.

I am joined by Ellen Kaufman, a Senior Research Associate at the Kinsey...

A lot of the advice we hear about setting boundaries is just plain wrong. So in today’s show, we’re going to explore what you need to know about setting healthy boundaries. We’re also going to discuss why boundaries aren’t just important in our romantic and sexual relationships, but in all of the other relationships we have in our lives, too.

I am joined once again by KC Davis, the bestselling author of How to Keep House Whil...

Are good relationships supposed to be easy or hard? Is codependency inherently bad? Do you really need to love yourself before you can accept love from others? In today’s show, we’re talking about common things that people get wrong about romantic relationships.

I am joined by KC Davis, the bestselling author of How to Keep House While Drowning. A licensed therapist, she is the creator of the popular Struggle Care website and...

In today’s show, we’re exploring how kink and BDSM can potentially be therapeutic to persons with ADHD. Research finds that kink can help provide a supportive dynamic to people with ADHD through addressing sensory integration needs and cultivating an environment that reduces distractions and enhances attentional focus.

I am joined once again by Dr. Leann Borneman, a licensed clinical social worker, AASECT certified sex therap...