108: BEST OF: The Sex Ed You Should Have Gotten with Rachel Coler Mulholland

Aug 26, 2024

In this engaging discussion, Rachel Coler Mulholland, a therapist renowned for her impactful sex education content for children, sheds light on the critical gaps in traditional sex ed. She explores how purity culture adversely affects teens and emphasizes the importance of ongoing conversations about consent and emotional health. Rachel's Four Pillars of Safe Sex—confirmation, communication, lubrication, and enthusiastic participation—are key takeaways. She also shares practical insights for parents on when and how to introduce these vital topics to their children.

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Intro

00:00 • 4min

The Impact of Inadequate Sex Education

04:17 • 7min

Empowering Young Bodies: The Need for Open Dialogue

10:47 • 7min

Redefining Sexual Education

17:26 • 11min

Talking to Kids About Bodies and Life

28:06 • 6min

Navigating Sensitive Conversations

34:01 • 7min

Navigating Parenting Without a Model

41:18 • 3min

🌟 Taking a Break! 🌟

Hey everyone! I am taking a short break for August to recharge and prepare exciting new content for you. I’ll be back in September with fresh episodes and engaging conversations. Thanks for your support and patience. Stay tuned for what’s coming next!

Today, we are covering an important topic today, but maybe not in the way you expect. I’m joined by Rachel Mulholland (aka Shug CM), a therapist whom I met on TikTok because of her incredible content around sex education for children. Today’s focus is on how our lives as adults are impacted if we don’t get comprehensive sex education as children. Join us for the conversation!

Show Highlights:

How KC’s story from her teenage years illustrates the gaps that most people have in their education about sex and the fact that sex ed is NOT a one-time conversation
How “purity culture” is impacting teenagers in certain places in the US in damaging ways
How even most comprehensive sex ed doesn’t address the pleasurable side of sex–and (for females) that the pleasure doesn’t have to come from another person
How sexual predators take advantage of the lack of information in sex ed from SAFE places
Why parents have real fear about talking to their kids about sex ed
The effects of NOT educating kids that sex and pleasure don’t always go together
Rachel’s Four Pillars of Safe Sex: confirmation, communication, lubrication, and enthusiastic participation
Why parents should be aware when their kids are ready to hear and learn–and begin at the most basic level appropriate for their age
How to answer those first little-kid questions around, “Where do babies come from?”
Why curiosity is a foundational part of body talk for kids–not just around sexuality
How parents can work through their own feelings around sex ed with their children
Why Rachel’s next project is a book about body talk

Resources:

Connect with Rachel: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Website (coming soon!)

Recommended by Rachel: How Do You Make A Baby by Anna Fiske

Connect with KC: TikTok, Instagram, and Website

Get KC’s book, How to Keep House While Drowning

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