Sexology

Welcome to episode 199 of the Sexology Podcast! Today I'm delighted to welcome Dr. Tina Schermer Sellers to the podcast. In this episode Dr. Tina speaks with me about overcoming religious shame around sex, taking a look at the historical context of abstinence and learning how to remain within your religion whilst having a healthy sex life.     Dr. Tina is a vibrant thought leader around issues of sexuality, intimacy, and spirituality. Her life’s work is centered around rooting out the causes of sexual shame and providing tools that disarm and demystify all the negative messages that we receive in American culture and so often in religious circles. She regularly speaks at events, conferences, intimacy retreats, churches, and universities around the country.     Dr. Tina is a sex therapist, former professor of Marriage and Family Therapy at Seattle Pacific University, founder of the Northwest Institute on Intimacy, AASECT-certified supervisor, mother, wife, and author. She is currently doing work o

Welcome to episode 198 of the Sexology Podcast! Today I'm delighted to welcome Dr. Rebecca Gibson to the podcast. In this episode Rebecca speaks with me about sex robots, how people become attracted to them, why they won’t help you with relational skills and what the future holds as technology and AI continue to improve.   Rebecca Gibson is an adjunct professor at American University and Indiana University South Bend. Her published works include "Desire in the Age of Robots and AI: An Investigation in Science Fiction and Fact" (Palgrave Macmillan 2019) and "The Corseted Skeleton: A Bioarchaeology of Binding" (Palgrave Macmillan 2020).   She holds a PhD in Anthropology from American University, and when not writing or teaching can be found reading mystery novels amidst a pile of stuffed animals.      In this episode, you will hear:  What are sex robots?   How did Rebecca become interested in this line of work?  Why is there a lack of male sex robots?  Looking at the reasons

Welcome to episode 197 of the Sexology Podcast! Today I'm delighted to welcome Dr. Stephen Diamond to the podcast. In this episode Dr. Diamond talks to me about how we can best use the daimonic in our lives, analyzing the underlying reasons for our sexual fantasies and different ways we can engage with our fantasies.     Dr. Stephen Diamond is a licensed clinical and forensic psychologist practicing in Los Angeles, CA. A former pupil and protégé of existential psychoanalyst Rollo May, he is the author of Anger, Madness, and the Daimonic: The Psychological Genesis of Violence, Evil, and Creativity (State University of New York Press, 1996). Dr. Diamond has contributed chapters to the bestselling anthology Meeting the Shadow: The Hidden Power of the Dark Side of Human Nature (1990), Spirituality and Psychological Health (2005), the Encyclopedia of Psychology and Religion (2009), Writing Music (2018), a chapter titled "Existential Therapy: Confronting Life's Ultimate Concerns" to the textboo

Welcome to episode 196 of the Sexology Podcast! Today I'm delighted to welcome Cyndi Darnell to the podcast. In this episode Cyndi talks to me about dating in the time of coronavirus, exploring your sexuality during a pandemic and improving intimacy during this challenging time.    Cyndi Darnell is a NY based, internationally renowned sex & relationships therapist & clinical sexologist. Originally from Australia, her approach spans the clinical to the esoteric. Her academic work is published in the Journal of Sex Education (UK) & Sexual & Relationship Therapy (UK).     She holds a board affiliate position for the University of Wisconsin - Stout Graduate Certificate in Sex Therapy Program. She’s a clinical associate with Pink Therapy UK and faculty on Pink Therapy's Foundation Certificate in Gender, Sexuality & Relationship Diversity Therapy and at New York’s Omega Institute.     Her online courses  and podcast The Erotic Philosopher meet today’s adult sex education nee

Welcome to episode 195 of the Sexology Podcast! Today I'm delighted to welcome Erika Ettin to the podcast. In this episode Erika talks to me about online dating, the best practices you can use to meet people online and things to consider for yourself and the person you’re engaging with when dating online.     Erika Ettin is the Founder of A Little Nudge, a consulting company that helps people navigate the world of online dating, from first click to first date. She is also the author of the book Love at First Site and the co-host of the popular dating podcast So, We Met Online…     Erika studied economics at Cornell University and received her MBA from Georgetown. She started A Little Nudge in 2011 (after a seven-year career as an economist). She is responsible for many relationships, marriages, and the confidence some people simply need to “get out there.”     A Little Nudge has been featured in media around the country, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, NPR, Good Day Philade

Welcome to episode 194 of the Sexology Podcast! Today is a solo episode where I answer your questions about ways in which you can improve your sex life. We’ll look at issues such as sexual trauma re-enactment, improving your sex life after the honeymoon period and the importance of intimacy after sex.      In this episode, you will hear:     Why we engage in trauma re-enactment and ways to overcome those behaviors  Learning to confront what happened in the past  The importance of body work that can be healing   How power play and BDSM can help overcome trauma  Looking at the dynamics of bisexuality   Understanding when the right time is to start taking medication  Improving your sex life after the “Honeymoon Period”   The importance of communicating effectively and directly with your partner about what you want sexually   How masturbation can affect our sleep cycles   Using masturbation as a crutch to get better sleep  The importance of intimacy after sex   Looking at cultural differenc

Welcome to episode 193 of the Sexology Podcast! Today it’s my pleasure to welcome Ariel Watriss to the podcast. In this episode, Ariel speaks to me about how she became involved working around the STIs, misconceptions people still have about STIs and analyzing the risks around sex.     Ariel Watriss (she/hers) is a nurse practitioner currently working in college health at Tufts University Health Services. She started there in 2013 and in June 2018 was promoted to be the Sexual health specialist for the clinic.      She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from the MGH Institute of Health Professions School of Nursing in 2011. Prior to her time at Tufts, she worked at the Fenway Community Health Center in their research department, the Fenway Institute. She was the primary clinician providing care to study participants and performed medical procedures in multiple HIV prevention biomedical studies, including HIV PrEP studies.      Before attending nursing school, she ran the HIV 

Welcome to episode 192 of the Sexology Podcast! Today it’s my pleasure to welcome back Amir Mohebbi to the podcast. In this episode Amir and I talk about medical treatments for sexual dysfunctions, looking at the issues that cause sex to be painful and learning to change your lifestyle to improve your sex life.      Amir Mohebbi is a proud Iranian-American currently completing his psychiatry residency at St. Louis University. He trained under mentorship from world-renowned forensic psychiatrists, Drs. William J. Newman and Brian J. Holoyda, whom co=authored a review related to his interests in sleep medicine and forensics entitled “Sexsomnia as a Defense in Repeated Sex Crimes”.     Amir presented his work alongside an expert panel consisting of forensic psychiatrists at the American Psychiatric Association 175th Annual Meeting in San Francisco, CA. He earned his medical degree from St. Louis University and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of California, Irvine.   

Welcome to episode 191 of the Sexology Podcast! Today I’m excited to welcome Dr. Kelli Palfy to the podcast. In this episode Dr. Palfy talks to me about male sexual abuse, the stigma around this issue and understanding that recovery is possible.     Dr. Palfy has a unique background in working with victims of sexual abuse.  She obtained her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Alberta in 2016. When conducting her doctoral research, she examined the reasons why males do not commonly disclose sexual abuse. She was well-prepared to research this topic from the experience she gained in her prior profession in law enforcement. From 1995 - 2011 when she was a respected member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. During this, her prior career she focused on sex crimes investigations and specialized in the global sexual victimization of children where she gained experience in identifying the sophisticated grooming tactics used by perpetrators.       Dr. Palfy brings the many facets of her u

Welcome to episode 190 of the Sexology Podcast! Today I’m excited to welcome Tim Norton to the podcast. In this episode Tim speaks with me about erectile dysfunction, ways in which you can begin to tackle this issue, connecting with how sex feels rather than how we perceive it to be and myth busting the idea that bigger is always better when it comes to penis size.     Tim Norton is a Los Angeles-based sex therapist working in private practice, and host of a podcast on erectile issues and male sexuality - Hard Conversations. He obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Southern California.     Tim is a proud member of American Association of Sex Counselors, Educators, and Therapists (AASECT), the Los Angeles Sexological Association, and works part-time with the Pain Psychology Center in Beverly Hills.        In this episode, you will hear:     Distinguishing between erectile dysfunction and dissatisfaction   The psychological barriers that can get in the wa

Welcome to episode 189 of the Sexology Podcast! Today I’m excited to welcome GS Youngblood, to the podcast. In this episode GS Youngblood talks to me about leading from your masculine core, the importance of sexual leadership and understanding the masculine blueprint.     GS Youngblood coaches men in relationships on how to live, love, and lead from their Masculine core. He specializes in “nice guys” who are with strong women. His teachings combine deep embodiment work with the framework of the Masculine blueprint from his book “The Masculine in Relationship”. Learn more at gsyoungblood.com.     His writings are filtered through the laboratory of his and his clients’ real-world, long term relationships (including the successes and spectacular failures) to see what actually works and what doesn’t. Through this lens of Masculine leadership, he also pulls in principles from a variety of fields: psychology, martial arts, tango, meditation, and BDSM.     Reception to the book has been phenomenal. Both

Welcome to episode 188 of the Sexology Podcast! Today I’m excited to welcome Dr. Lanae St. John, to the podcast. In this episode Dr. Lanae speaks with me about how to have better conversations with our kids around sex, empowering them with the tools and knowledge they will need and how parents can better understand sexual orientation and gender identity.     Dr. Lanae St John, known as The MamaSutra, is a board-certified sexologist, certified sex coach, and sexuality educator. She is author of “Read Me: A Parental Primer for “The Talk”. Lanae lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her significant other and two daughters.    In this episode, you will hear:     The hurdles we face talking to our kids about sex   Being aware and noticing the issues around you   How a shame spiral can easily develop   The importance of talking to your partner about sex   Taking a genital self-exam   Overcoming issues of using sexual language with kids   How Dr. Lanae turned the narrative around  Looking

Welcome to episode 187 of the Sexology Podcast! Today I’m excited to welcome Dr. Stephen Snyder to the podcast. In this episode Dr. Snyder talks to me about having better sex in long term monogamous relationships, creating better psychological arousal and recommendations to improve your sex life.     Stephen Snyder MD — sex therapist, relationship therapist, and sexual medicine specialist — has dedicated his entire career to helping individuals and couples with sex and relationship concerns. Over 30+ years, he’s helped over 1,500 individuals and couples regain closeness and satisfaction in their relationships.     Dr. Snyder is Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City and the author of one of the most acclaimed sex and relationship books of our time, LOVE WORTH MAKING: How to Have Ridiculously Great Sex in a Long-Lasting Relationship (St Martin’s Press, 2018).        As an MD sex therapist, Dr. Snyder has a unique combination of sk

Welcome to episode 186 of the Sexology Podcast! Today I’m excited to welcome Dr. Lyndsey Harper to the podcast. In this episode Dr. Harper talks to me about how to increase your sexual desire at any stage in life, evidence-based ways to increase your libido and we take a look at her wonderful app – Rosy.     Lyndsey Harper, MD is the Founder and CEO of Rosy, an app for women with decreased sexual desire. Dr. Harper created Rosy out of frustration when she couldn’t find a modern and accessible resource to help her many patients with this problem. Rosy is a resource to connect the 25 million women in the US with decreased sexual desire with hope, community, and research-backed solutions to improve their lives.     Dr. Harper completed Ob/Gyn residency in 2011 at Baylor Scott & White Health in Dallas, Texas, and Dr. Harper saw patients in private practice for seven years and now is a hospitalist. Dr. Harper is Associate Professor of Ob/Gyn for Texas A&M College of Medicine, a Fellow of The Ameri

Welcome to episode 185 of the Sexology Podcast! Today I am delighted to welcome Dr. Peyman Raoofi to the podcast. In this episode Dr. Raoofi speaks with me about the Madonna and whore complex, its complexities for relationships, how we can learn to adjust our own behaviors and learning to see your partner in a different light.     Dr. Peyman Raoofi, licensed clinical psychologist in California, holds a Doctorate and Master's degree in Clinical Psychology from Alliant International University and a Bachelor's degree in psychology from California State University, Northridge with Summa Cum Laude Honors.     He is currently working in his own private practice with individuals, couples and families. In addition Dr. Raoofi is contracted with multiple Long Term Care Facilities and Nursing Homes as consultant psychologist.     He has many years of experience working with children on the spectrum of Autism/Asperger, and Mental Retardation. Throughout his trainings for intense psychosocial interve

Welcome to episode 184 of the Sexology Podcast! Today I am excited to welcome Janis Roszler & Donna Rice to the podcast. In this episode they speak with me about their new book Intimacy & Diabetes, the common challenges people face around sexuality and diabetes, removing shame from diabetes and navigating your sense of fun and spontaneity with a chronic illness.    Romantic relationships play an important role in our everyday lives. But when diabetes enters the picture, it can complicate even the most loving and open relationships. Many people don’t know that diabetes can impact physical and emotional intimacy—and intimacy-related issues can be especially difficult to discuss with a partner or a doctor. But don’t let diabetes hinder the romance! Intimacy & Diabetes is here to give you practical information and expert advice to tackle this sensitive subject. This comprehensive, interactive guide covers everything you need to know to enjoy a fulfilling sexual and emotional life despite the chal

Welcome to episode 183 of the Sexology Podcast! Today I am delighted to welcome Miss Couple to the podcast. In this episode Miss Couple speaks to me about wax play, incorporating wax play into your sexual make-up and maintaining your connectivity to sexuality.    Described by Playboy as “equal parts Betty Grable and ‘90s Ani DiFranco,” Miss Couple is a Sexual Empowerment Coach known for class, professionalism, and a forward-thinking mindset.     Miss Couple has been interviewed as an authority in the field by Cosmopolitan, VICE, People Magazine, The Daily Beast, Huffington Post, and numerous other media outlets.     She is best known for her psychological perspective on intimacy and her ability to make others feel comfortable discussing difficult topics. Miss Couple comes to the field of coaching with a diverse background and draws from the skill-sets that she has accumulated through her education in psychology, time as an award-winning ballroom dancing instructor, and experience as a world-renow

Welcome to episode 182 of the Sexology Podcast! Today I am delighted to welcome back Dr. Rhoda Lipscomb to the podcast. In this episode Dr. Rhoda speaks with me about open relationships, recommendations on how you can start your journey into an open relationship and maintaining sexual safety.     Dr. Rhoda Lipscomb has been counseling and coaching individuals and couples in the area of human sexuality for over 28 years and in private practice for over 14 years specializing in open relationship styles (polyamory, swinging, designer relationships), BDSM, ABDL, kink and fetishes. She received her PhD in clinical sexology, is an AASECT certified sex therapist, clinical sexologist, and sexuality coach specializing in areas of alternative sexuality.      She published her first book in 2017 called, No More Hiding: Permission to love your sexual self. It is an innovative guide for those seeking help on how to be their authentic sexual self.     In 2019 she launched a training/coaching program called Mon

Welcome to episode 181 of the Sexology Podcast! Today I am delighted to welcome Tristan Taormino to the podcast. In this episode Tristan speaks with me about anal pleasure, how we can start our journeys into the world of anal play, recommendations on sex toys and understanding to not put pressure on yourself as you start this journey.      Tristan Taormino is a sex educator, media maker, and speaker. She is the author of eight books and editor of 25 anthologies including the award-winning The Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Women and The Ultimate Guide to Kink. She keynotes, lectures, and teaches workshops around the world on sexual pleasure and health, relationships, and social justice. She is the host of the long-running podcast Sex Out Loud. She is the creator of Sex Educator Boot Camp, a professional training program, and she runs a coaching and consulting business for sexuality professionals.     In this episode, you will hear:     How can you introduce anal pleasure into your sexual life?

Welcome to episode 180 of the Sexology Podcast! Today I am pleased to welcome Dr. Sunny Motamedi to the podcast. In this episode Dr. Motamedi talks to me about how religion affects people’s sexuality, the connection between shame and religion and steps you can take to heal sexual shame.      Dr. Motamedi is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and has been blessed to be conducting therapy for 20 years. She has a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology and additional training in Marriage and Family Therapy. Throughout her training she has received training in a vast array of areas within psychology including trauma therapy, couples therapy, sex therapy and mindfulness.      Growing up in Iran, Dr. Motamedi has had a lifelong interest on the effects of culture and religion on sexuality.  She developed her unique method of body work that she uses on her clients, known as the Sunny Healing Method, a bottom-up approach.  She uses the body to release t