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March 19, 2025 7 mins
How can kissing save your relationship? Addressing both cultural and biological aspects, Coach Kristen explains how kissing releases bonding hormones affects the body, enhances mood, and reduces stress. She also discusses how kissing can be a tool for assessing long-term compatibility.      00:00 Introduction: The Power of Kissing 00:56 The Science Behind Kissing 01:49 Kissing in Modern Dating 02:38 Kissing in Long-Term Relationships 03:57 Tips to Become a Better Kisser 05:27 Personal Stories  

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Episode Transcript

Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
.5454545455Did you know that how and when you kiss can determine your relationship success? Let's talk about how kissing matters more than you think. 2 00:00:08,677.2727272727 --> 00:00:09,337.2727272727 Hi everyone. 3 00:00:09,337.2727272727 --> 00:00:10,27.272727273 Welcome back. 4 00:00:10,87.272727273 --> 00:00:17,189.090909091 I'm Kristin Thomas, certified sex coach, writer, and all around intimacy enthusiast amongst other things.

(00:17):
Today we're diving into a topic that's near and dear to my heart and hopefully to your lips, and that is kissing. 6 00:00:24,73.636363636 --> 00:00:28,513.636363636 Smooching, locking lips, snogging, whatever you call it. 7 00:00:28,513.636363636 --> 00:00:30,193.636363636 Kissing is a big deal. 8 00:00:30,369.090909091 --> 00:00:36,599.051874609 In fact, anthropologists say that the more names there are for something, the more culturally significant it is. 9 00:00:36,609.090909091 --> 00:00:39,399.090909091 And we have a whole lot of words out there for kissing. 10 00:00:39,727.639526717 --> 00:00:41,17.639526717 In Western culture. 11 00:00:41,17.639526717 --> 00:00:47,737.639526717 A great kiss can make or break a romance, but there's so much more to kissing than just a first date test. 12 00:00:48,7.814994773 --> 00:00:52,777.814994773 Stick around because I've got some science, psychology, and a few juicy insights to share. 13 00:00:53,3.895966522 --> 00:00:56,573.895966522 And if you're not already subscribed, go ahead and click that button. 14 00:00:56,852.921060938 --> 00:00:59,132.921060938 All right, let's get a little nerdy here for a moment. 15 00:00:59,217.953302691 --> 00:01:13,656.63504475 What actually happens when you kiss someone? Your brain lights up, kissing releases, oxytocin, which is also known as the bonding hormone, along with serotonin and dopamine, which boosts your mood and makes you feel amazing. 16 00:01:14,110.25027554 --> 00:01:18,790.25027554 Oh, and kissing lowers cortisol, meaning it relieves stress. 17 00:01:19,300.25027554 --> 00:01:22,255.25027554 Who knew that making out was self care. 18 00:01:22,869.277724036 --> 00:01:25,239.277724036 But here's something even more interesting. 19 00:01:25,384.354636505 --> 00:01:30,514.354636505 Science shows that kissing actually helps us choose long-term partners. 20 00:01:30,644.655137059 --> 00:01:35,328.226571369 Researchers at Oxford found that we use kissing to assess compatibility, Okay. 21 00:01:35,328.226571369 --> 00:01:40,832.26383499 So a, good or bad kiss might be telling you more than you realize about your compatibility. 22 00:01:41,172.28699377 --> 00:01:42,792.28699377 Now kissing isn't universal. 23 00:01:42,792.28699377 --> 00:01:44,712.28699377 Some cultures don't do it at all. 24 00:01:44,725.99645008 --> 00:01:49,302.28699377 While in the western world, it's practically a requirement for a successful romance. 25 00:01:49,549.1088348 --> 00:02:08,312.29433671 But what about modern dating trends like is hookup culture and the rise of situation ships making kissing, lose any significance? I talked to a few of my friends and colleagues about kissing my girl, Chantal Hyde, who is Canada's dating coach, suggests not kissing for the first 90 days of dating. 26 00:02:08,732.29433671 --> 00:02:17,312.29433671 And some of you might think that that is absolutely wild, right? But her logic is that kissing releases all those fabulous chemicals we talked about in your brain. 27 00:02:17,612.29433671 --> 00:02:24,932.29433671 And as I said, those chemicals bond you, and that means they can make you commit to somebody before you really know them. 28 00:02:25,292.29433671 --> 00:02:25,412.29433671 So. 29 00:02:26,103.10109222 --> 00:02:34,944.2481227 if you've been dating and kissing a lot of frogs, when you thought you were kissing a prince charming, you know, you ended up with a guy who thought you were just being casual. 30 00:02:35,604.2481227 --> 00:02:38,634.2481227 I don't know, maybe her insights good off or something to you. 31 00:02:38,932.9800156 --> 00:02:40,852.9800156 Now let's talk about long-term relationships. 32 00:02:40,852.9800156 --> 00:02:45,202.9800156 So many people say that kissing often fades in long-term relationships. 33 00:02:45,472.9800156 --> 00:02:52,762.9800156 People say that it's because like they're tired, they're stressed, or they just forget, or they're, they're not feeling super connected, so they're holding back. 34 00:02:52,879.64668227 --> 00:02:53,599.64668227 But here's the thing. 35 00:02:53,747.23416599 --> 00:02:58,697.23416599 studies show that couples who kiss stay happier in their relationships. 36 00:02:58,697.23416599 --> 00:03:05,117.23416599 The Guttman Institute, in fact, recommends a six second kiss daily for relationship longevity. 37 00:03:05,461.85255717 --> 00:03:17,804.50086159 Could you kiss more often and longer if you knew it would help your relationship thrive? Now, another reason people often pull back on kissing and long-term relationships is what writer Michael Castleman calls genital preoccupation. 38 00:03:18,41.87064926 --> 00:03:36,882.37745561 We can become so focused on PIV or penetrative intercourse or in other regions, we either make kissing, lose its status, or we think that kissing must lead to sex So then one partner might start pulling back because if they're not wanting to have sex right now, they worry that kissing might send the wrong message. 39 00:03:37,152.37745561 --> 00:03:39,741.88109837 Like they Don't wanna lead their partner on. 40 00:03:40,50.26333669 --> 00:03:45,300.26333669 If it's been a while since you and your partner have had a good long make out session, my advice is just start. 41 00:03:45,450.26333669 --> 00:03:49,620.26333669 In fact, Chantal suggests starting with two five second kisses a day. 42 00:03:50,10.26333669 --> 00:03:54,600.26333669 And sure, I might feel awkward, but just trust the process. 43 00:03:54,660.26333669 --> 00:03:55,350.26333669 Trust the process. 44 00:03:56,230.21022011 --> 00:03:57,185.21022011 All right, let's get practical. 45 00:03:57,591.62768166 --> 00:04:02,151.62768166 How do you actually become a better kisser? First, I mean, consent if you're gonna practice the partner. 46 00:04:02,151.62768166 --> 00:04:09,591.62768166 Let's start with consent second, like what do you do with your hands? You might try cupping their face or running your hands through their hair, touching the smile of their back. 47 00:04:09,591.62768166 --> 00:04:11,61.62768166 Just make it feel sensual. 48 00:04:11,511.62768166 --> 00:04:14,181.62768166 Now also, you wanna be mindful about tongue pressure. 49 00:04:14,181.62768166 --> 00:04:17,391.62768166 You don't wanna feel like you're doing a washing machine motion in their mouth. 50 00:04:17,756.95393278 --> 00:04:22,646.95393278 Um, tongues when it's rated as like tooth, thumbs up, people usually share that. 51 00:04:22,646.95393278 --> 00:04:24,716.95393278 It's when it's like, nice, it's soft. 52 00:04:24,746.95393278 --> 00:04:26,936.95393278 The, the pressure, the speed, all the things got done. 53 00:04:26,936.95393278 --> 00:04:30,896.95393278 Also, their oral hygiene has been well taken care of. 54 00:04:31,447.20977125 --> 00:04:37,27.20977125 If you're really brave, ask your partner how you rate, but you better be willing. 55 00:04:37,298.91202203 --> 00:04:39,338.91202203 To give them feedback too and they be better. 56 00:04:39,338.91202203 --> 00:04:40,838.91202203 Be willing to hear that feedback. 57 00:04:41,438.91202203 --> 00:04:46,448.91202203 This is a give and take, right? Um, and instead of focusing on like, this part sucked, this part was good. 58 00:04:46,688.91202203 --> 00:04:50,78.91202203 Say, you know, I loved the way you used your tongue. 59 00:04:50,78.91202203 --> 00:04:53,18.91202203 The pressure was just right and the way you touched my neck, you hit that spot. 60 00:04:53,18.91202203 --> 00:04:54,818.91202203 That just drives me crazy. 61 00:04:55,388.91202203 --> 00:05:00,698.91202203 But if it turns out that one of you is doing something the other doesn't appreciate or finds. 62 00:05:01,88.91202203 --> 00:05:01,718.91202203 Distracting. 63 00:05:02,108.91202203 --> 00:05:07,868.91202203 Say something gently like, could we try again? And this time let's go a little softer. 64 00:05:08,192.34249664 --> 00:05:16,862.34249664 If you really want to level up, check out books like Mama Sutra by Natasha Ria Skai, or online courses like educated.com 65 00:05:16,862.34249664 --> 00:05:18,332.34249664 or bless plus.com. 66 00:05:19,52.34249664 --> 00:05:22,982.34249664 Because they actually have courses on kissing on those sites. 67 00:05:22,982.34249664 --> 00:05:27,452.34249664 Because this is a skill, not just a talent that you're born with. 68 00:05:27,733.15865672 --> 00:05:44,463.17661849 I hope this video gave you some fun insights into the power of kissing, but I wanna hear from you Is kissing important to you in a relationship? Is it important in your culture? Let me know in the comments and if you loved this video, here's how you can support my work and stay up to date on the upcoming events, workshops, and more. 69 00:05:44,770.50652027 --> 00:05:47,170.50652027 Consider becoming a patron on my Patreon. 70 00:05:47,200.50652027 --> 00:05:59,108.36104331 Your support helps me create more content like this, and you'll get exclusive perks For real, raw and deeper insights into sexuality and relationships, subscribe to the Dirty Bird. 71 00:05:59,198.36104331 --> 00:06:01,268.36104331 That's my Not Safe for Work newsletter. 72 00:06:01,741.4845844 --> 00:06:05,431.4845844 And if you are ready for support, book a session with me. 73 00:06:05,791.4845844 --> 00:06:08,761.4845844 I'd love to help you thrive in your intimate life. 74 00:06:09,421.4845844 --> 00:06:11,401.4845844 All the links are in the description below. 75 00:06:11,877.25692572 --> 00:06:12,897.25692572 Thanks for watching. 76 00:06:12,897.25692572 --> 00:06:18,957.25692572 Don't forget to like, subscribe and share this with someone who could use a kissing refresher. 77 00:06:19,497.25692572 --> 00:06:21,777.25692572 See you in the next video and happy kissing. 78 00:06:22,229.89478072 --> 00:06:23,9.89478072 I'm gonna practice for you. 79 00:06:24,179.89478072 --> 00:06:24,719.89478072 Kisses. 80 00:06:25,979.04559497 --> 00:06:26,579.04559497 Hey baby. 81 00:06:26,999.04559497 --> 00:06:27,299.04559497 Yeah. 82 00:06:27,389.04559497 --> 00:06:29,999.04559497 How would you rate me as a kisser? 11 out of 10. 83 00:06:30,734.04559497 --> 00:06:31,654.04559497 I would give you 11. 84 00:06:31,654.04559497 --> 00:06:32,214.04559497 Outta 10. 85 00:06:32,274.04559497 --> 00:06:33,374.04559497 Too cute. 86 00:06:34,144.04559497 --> 00:06:35,444.04559497 You're such a good kisser. 87 00:06:36,449.04559497 --> 00:06:37,368.28495981 You do all the things right. 88 00:06:37,413.72459497 --> 00:06:39,663.72459497 we, we were pretty good kissers right off the bat. 89 00:06:40,83.72459497 --> 00:06:40,413.72459497 Thank you. 90 00:06:40,596.02257896 --> 00:06:43,926.02257896 Can I tell them what you did to me the first time we kissed? Sure. 91 00:06:44,436.02257896 --> 00:06:46,596.02257896 He picked me up. 92 00:06:47,196.02257896 --> 00:06:51,666.02257896 He's taller than me clearly, so, but he just like scooped my ass up. 93 00:06:51,906.02257896 --> 00:06:53,586.02257896 He also asked for consent first. 94 00:06:53,586.02257896 --> 00:06:58,56.02257896 I think he, in fact, he said, I would be remiss if I didn't ask you for a kiss. 95 00:06:59,136.02257896 --> 00:07:00,491.02257896 And so that was so corny. 96 00:07:00,671.02257896 --> 00:07:01,771.02257896 No, it was so good. 97 00:07:02,151.02257896 --> 00:07:03,186.02257896 It was perfect. 98 00:07:03,306.02257896 --> 00:07:08,226.02257896 And then like we were kissing and he just kinda like, whoa, like picked me up, scooped me up. 99 00:07:08,346.02257896 --> 00:07:10,26.02257896 I did have to remind him that I was going home. 100 00:07:10,26.02257896 --> 00:07:11,556.02257896 I was not gonna stay the night, that night. 101 00:07:12,126.02257896 --> 00:07:14,496.02257896 'cause he tried to like twist me, like to go back to the bedroom. 102 00:07:14,496.02257896 --> 00:07:17,436.02257896 I was like, no, no, I had to go home. 103 00:07:18,756.02257896 --> 00:07:19,356.02257896 Not tonight. 104 00:07:20,261.59306225 --> 00:07:21,581.59306225 Uh, it worked. 105 00:07:22,991.59306225 --> 00:07:24,851.59306225 Whatever we both did that night, it worked. 106 00:07:27,200.44512171 --> 00:07:27,530.44512171 Okay. 107 00:07:27,980.44512171 --> 00:07:28,520.44512171 Thanks babe.
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