Sex and Psychology Podcast

When people hear about certain kinks, the reaction is often one of confusion or judgment. The question that comes up again and again is, “Why would anyone be into that?” Today, we’re exploring some lesser-known and often misunderstood kinks, not to sensationalize them, but to understand the psychology behind why different people are drawn to different things.

I am joined once again by Gigi Engle, a certified sex and relationships psychotherapist, and sex educator. Gigi is an associate clinician at The Therapy Yard, where she specializes in work with gender, sexuality, and relationship diverse clients. She is als...

When people hear the word “kink,” they often imagine something extreme. However, kink is actually far broader and more common than most people realize. In today’s show, we’re unpacking what kink is, what it isn’t, and why people want what they want. If you’ve ever wondered “why are people into that?”, this episode is for you.

My guest is Gigi Engle, a certified sex and relationships psychotherapist, and sex educator. Gigi is an associate clinician at The Therapy Yard, where she specializes in work with gender, sexuality, and relationship diverse clients. She is also the author...

“Sex-positive” is a term that gets used a lot these days, but it doesn’t always mean the same thing to everyone. Sometimes it’s about sexual openness or enthusiasm, other times it’s about respect for sexual diversity, and sometimes it’s even used in coercive ways. In this episode, we explore what sex-positivity actually is, and what it isn’t.

I am joined once again by Dr. Carol Queen, the staff sexologist, Company Historian, and Curator of the Antique Vibrator Museum at Good Vibrations. A noted cultural sexologist whose work has been widely published, she’s written and ed...

Sex shops are more than just retail spaces. In fact, they’re often where people actually learn about sex. When formal sex ed fails, sex shops step in to answer questions about bodies, pleasure, and desire. In this episode, we’re exploring how sex shops became unexpected sex educators, and what we can learn from that.

My guest is Dr. Carol Queen, the staff sexologist, Company Historian, and Curator of the Antique Vibrator Museum at Good Vibrations. A noted cultural sexologist whose work has been widely published, she’s written and edited several books, including The Sex & Pleasu...

A lot has changed very quickly lately, and nowhere is this more evident than in LGBTQ+ health. In just a short period of time, we’ve seen shifts in research funding, data collection, public health infrastructure, and the broader social climate, all of which have real, measurable consequences for people’s mental, physical, and sexual well-being.

In today’s episode, I’m joined by two experts who study how stress, stigma, and uncertainty affect LGBTQ+ people, and what these rapid changes mean for health and resilience right now.

I am joined today by Dr. Lisa Diamond...

What can you do to build stronger, happier, and healthier relationships in the coming year? In today’s show, we’re going to explore practical resolutions for strengthening your connection, reducing conflict, and breaking out of the ruts and routines that often make relationships feel stale.

I am joined once again by Ashley Weller. She is a Human Sexuality and Health Psychology Professor at Chapman University in Southern California. Ashley also has a podcast called What’s Your Position that tackles issues surrounding sexuality, relationships, life, and love from a comedic yet educational point of view.

Some...

Most New Year’s resolutions fail, but it doesn’t have to be this way. In this episode, we’re going to explore how to set sexy goals that actually stick. Learn how to turn intention into intimacy and make this your best year yet for connection and pleasure, whether you’re in a relationship or flying solo.

My guest is Ashley Weller. She is a Human Sexuality and Health Psychology Professor at Chapman University in Southern California. Ashley also has a podcast called What’s Your Position that tackles issues surrounding sexuality, relationships, life, and love from a com...

If you’re feeling hornier than usual right now, it’s not just you! The winter holidays are a time 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.

Some of the specific topics we’re discussing include:

Erectile dysfunction has long been treated with guesswork and one-size-fits-all solutions. But new technology is changing that by making erections measurable. In this episode, we explore the FirmTech TechRing, a wearable that tracks erection data during sleep and sex, and what insights from over 136,000 erections reveal about erectile fitness, overall health, and the future of data-driven sexual medicine.

I am joined once again by Dr. Elliot Justin, the CEO and founder of FirmTech, a sextech company focused on keeping men fit and firm for a lifetime of lovemaking. He is an Emergency Medicine specialist and health care...

What actually has to happen inside the body for an erection to occur? And what is the most common cause of erectile dysfunction (ED)? In today’s show, we’re diving into the science of how erections work, as well as why men sometimes struggle to get or maintain them. We’ll also unpack some common misconceptions about ED and discuss why the standard “just take a pill approach” overlooks a bigger issue.

My guest is Dr. Elliot Justin, the CEO and founder of FirmTech, a sextech company focused on keeping men fit and firm for a lifetime o...

Most people think men’s sexual orientation is pretty straightforward: if you’re gay, you only sleep with men, and if you’re straight, you only sleep with women. But things aren’t always that simple. In today’s show, we’re exploring a reality that doesn’t fit the script—gay men who are out and confident in their identity, but who sometimes sleep with women.

I am joined once again by Dr. Joe Kort, the clinical director and founder of The Center for Relationship and Sexual Health in Royal Oak, Michigan. He is a board-certified clinical sexolog...

Although gay men are often seen as being pretty uninhibited when it comes to sex, their fantasy lives tell a more complex story. Like everyone else, many gay men experience shame, confusion, or conflict around their fantasies. In today’s show, we’re diving into common themes that show up in gay men’s fantasies, the psychology behind them, and how to drop the shame.

My guest is Dr. Joe Kort, the clinical director and founder of The Center for Relationship and Sexual Health in Royal Oak, Michigan. He is a board-certified clinical sexologist and author of multip...

People’s definitions of cheating are evolving. Infidelity isn’t just about physical betrayal anymore. It’s emotional, it’s digital, and sometimes it doesn’t even involve another human at all. In today’s show, we’re diving into the new rules of cheating. We’re also going to talk about how modern technology is making it harder than ever to keep infidelity a secret.

I am joined once again by Dr. Amanda Gesselman a research scientist and head of the VIBES research team at the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University. Digital intimacy is a major focus of her rese...

Popular GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound aren’t just transforming weight loss. They’re also changing our intimate lives in surprising ways. In today’s show, we’re diving into results from a new national study finding that a majority of people taking one of these medications reported a change in their sex and dating lives, for better or for worse.

My guest is Dr. Amanda Gesselman a research scientist and head of the VIBES research team at the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University. Digital intimacy is a major focus of her research, including how people us...

How do you make a non-monogamous relationship work? In today’s show, we’re diving into a brand-new study that set out to map the most common and effective relationship practices for consensually non-monogamous (CNM) people. We’re going to discuss the key strategies that help people maintain multiple partners with intention, stability, and harmony.

I am joined once again by Dr. Justin Mogilski, an associate professor of psychology at the University of South Carolina Salkehatchie, where he teaches courses on human sexuality, the psychology of marriage, and evolutionary psychology.

Some of the specific topics we exp...

Consensual non-monogamy (CNM) is something everyone seems to have an opinion on, but many people’s views are decidedly negative. For example, people often say things like “open relationships never work,” and “how is that any different than cheating?” In today’s show, we’re going to dive into common CNM myths and misconceptions and separate fact from fiction.

My guest is Dr. Justin Mogilski, an associate professor of psychology at the University of South Carolina Salkehatchie, where he teaches courses on human sexuality, the psychology of marriage, and evolutionary psychology.

Some of the specific topics we expl...

Many parts of female sexual anatomy have long been misunderstood, but the clitoris is chief among them. Throughout history, the clitoris is something that has repeatedly been discovered, described, and then forgotten. In today’s show, we’re going revisit one of my favorite conversations from the archives and talk all about the history and science of the clitoris.

My guest is Dr. Maria Uloko, a board certified urologist specializing in comprehensive sexual health, reconstruction and prosthesis. A former clinical professor at the University of California San Diego, Dr. Uloko is now the CEO of MUMD Sexual Medi...

It’s November again, and that means a bunch of people on the internet are giving up masturbation for the month. While “No Nut November” is a relatively recent phenomenon, it actually has deep roots and reflects humans’ longstanding and very complicated relationship with self-pleasure. In this show, we’re talking about the history of masturbation and why people are so conflicted over it.

My guest 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’s also a licensed clinical psychologist and AASECT-certi...

Think back to your sex education for a moment. Were you advised to “save yourself for marriage?” Were you asked to sign a “purity” pledge? For millions of people, that was their experience. In this episode, we’re taking a closer look at abstinence pledges, including how they became so widespread, whether they actually work as intended, and the unseen consequences they leave behind.

I am joined once again by Lauren Elise Rogers, a Certified Holistic Sexuality Educator and Embodied Intimacy & Relationship Coach. Lauren brings an empathetic and non-judgmental approach, offering practical tools that empower her clients to take ow...

For a lot of people who grew up in religious or conservative environments, they learned to fear sex and/or feel ashamed of. Purity culture teaches folks that their personal value is tied to their sexual choices: “good” people wait to have sex, while “bad” people don’t. In this episode, we’re going to talk about what it’s like to grow up in purity culture, how to move past it, and whether it’s possible to still hold onto your faith while letting go of purity culture.

My guest is Lauren Elise Rogers, a Certified Holistic Sexuali...

Have you ever heard that vibrators will desensitize you and ruin partnered sex forever? That sex toys are just for women, singles, or kinky folks? Or that if you need a toy, something must be wrong with your sex life or relationship? These are common beliefs, but they’re not grounded in reality. So let’s set the record straight.

My guest is Venus O’Hara, a pleasure educator, author, and content creator. She became Spain’s first professional sex toy tester, and since 2014 has tested and reviewed over 1,000 products from leading sexual wellness brands worldwide. She is the a...

A sex toy is so much more than just a fun gadget. Toys can help us to explore our bodies, rekindle the connection in a relationship, improve sexual communication, and more. In this episode, we’re going behind the scenes of how sex toys are designed and developed. We’re also going to talk about what makes a toy truly great, as well as how to tell which toys are worth your money and which ones aren’t.

I am joined by Venus O’Hara, a pleasure educator, author, and content creator. She became Spain’s first profession...

From sayings like “freak in the head, freak in the bed” to the hot/crazy matrix to memes about “daddy issues,” the internet is full of content suggesting that mentally and emotionally unstable people make for hotter sex partners. But is that really true? In this episode, we’re breaking down some of the biggest myths about sex and relationships that dominate social media.

I am joined once again by Joe Nucci, a licensed psychotherapist, writer, and social media influencer. His debut book, Psychobabble: Viral Mental Health Myths & the Truth To Set You Free, is available wherever books are...

Social media has turned therapy into a language that almost everyone seems to speak these days, which is why your feed is probably full of posts about topics like trauma, boundaries, and gaslighting. In this episode, we’re taking a closer look at the rise of “therapy speak” and how, for better or for worse, it’s reshaping the way we talk about emotions, conflict, and relationships.

I am joined by Joe Nucci, a licensed psychotherapist, writer, and social media influencer. His debut book, Psychobabble: Viral Mental Health Myths & the Truth To Set You Free, is available wherever...

All too often, survivors of sexual violence are treated as though they’re permanently broken. However, healing and recovery are possible. My guest today has written a new book that explores how survivors reclaim sex, intimacy, and desire after assault. It’s unlike most other books on trauma because it dares to ask not just how people survive, but also how they thrive again.

I am joined by Katie Simon (they/them), a sexuality journalist and author of Tell Me What You Like: An Honest Discussion of Sex and Intimacy After Sexual Assault. Their writing has previously appea...

When it comes to sex, we often think about safety and pleasure as being at odds with one another. But it doesn’t have to be this way. In this episode, we’re talking about some new Kinsey Institute research looking at people’s experiences with Lorals for Protection, a product designed to offer both protection and pleasure during oral sex.

I am joined by Dr. Cynthia Graham, a senior scientist at the Kinsey Institute. She is editor-in-chief of the Journal of Sex Research and conducts research on a number of important sexual health topics.

Some o...

Most people in long-term relationships think their sex life could be better. So what can you do if you and your partner don’t really seem to be in synch anymore when it comes to sex? In today’s show, we’re going to explore how to respark your sexual connection. We’ll also dive into the topic of sexual initiation, including how we can learn to initiate in ways that are actually going to stimulate desire in our partners.

I am joined once again by Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy, an AASECT-certified sex therapist who helps couples navigate...

Becoming a parent changes everything in your life, including your sex life. It’s common for new parents to struggle with desire, let alone finding time for intimacy. So what can parents do to get things back on track? In today’s show, we’re talking all about how parenthood changes sex and tips for reigniting intimacy.

My guest is Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy, an AASECT-certified sex therapist who helps couples navigate sex, desire, and connection. She is also author of the new book Parents in Love: A Great Guide to Sex After Kids.

Some of the...

Even in the happiest relationships, people don’t always share their fantasies and desires. And sometimes that’s because people are worried about rocking the boat. For example, what if you share a fantasy your partner isn’t into and it reveals an incompatibility? In this episode, we’re going to explore the factors that predict people’s willingness to open up about their fantasies, and why we sometimes decide to keep them to ourselves.

I am joined once again by Matthew Kimberley, a lecturer in Psychology at Birmingham City University. He researches sexual fantasies and also leads the...

What happens when people decide to share their sexual fantasies? How does it usually go? In today’s show, we’re going to explore how many people have ever shared their fantasies with a partner before, the five most common reasons that people decide to open up about them, as well as how partners usually react to fantasy disclosure.

I am joined by Matthew Kimberley, a lecturer in Psychology at Birmingham City University. He researches sexual fantasies and also leads the Gender, Sexuality and Intimate Relationships Research Lab.

Some of the specific topics we explore incl...

Long-term partners often find themselves having the same fight over and over again. This repetitive, unproductive conflict is known as a negative cycle–and it can ultimately be very damaging to the relationship. So in today’s show, we’re going to discuss how to identify negative cycles in your own relationship, and how to break the pattern.

My guest is Julie Menanno, a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in Emotionally Focused Therapy for couples. She also provides insight and advice for couples at @TheSecureRelationship on Instagram, with over one million followers. Julie’s latest book is title...

Oral sex is one of the most popular bedroom activities. However, while most people say that it can be highly pleasurable, it doesn’t always feels great. So in today’s show, we’re going to talk about how to make oral sex better. Specifically, we’ll explore tips and techniques from the Pleasure Mechanics for being both a good giver and receiver, including what to do if you find yourself getting bored giving oral sex.

I am joined by Chris Maxwell Rose and Charlotte Mia Rose, co-creators of PleasureMechanics.com. They have devoted their lives to generati...

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 how they affect women’s brains and bodies.

I am joined once again by Dr. Sarah Hill, the author of This is Your Brain on B...

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 Brain on Birth Control. She has spent most of her 20+ year career studying women, relationships, and health. Her latest book is titled The...

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 therapist and licensed professional counselor. In addition to running a successful virtual private practice, Dr. Juliana is a nationally known sex ex...

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 licensed marriage and family therapist and licensed professional counselor. In addition to running a successf...

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 sexuality.

I’m joined once again by Dr. Joshua Gonzalez, a board-certified urologist who is fello...

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-certified urologist who is fellowship-trained in Sexual Medicine. He is a Sexual Health Advisor to Astroglide Lubricants, and one of the co-foun...

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 University and the author of The Secret Life of the Cheating Wife as well as Chasing Masculinity: Men, Validation, and Infidelity. Arielle is an associate professor of so...

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 Kuperberg. Alicia is an associate professor of sociology at Missouri State University and the author of The Se...