Sex is where so many couples' abilities to communicate, be vulnerable, be expressive, and navigate each other's needs gets tested. Now, this can be a great thing—it can also be where things fall apart. This week, I sat down with Dr. Laurie Watson to get her insight on some of the bigger challenges men and couples face sexually: sexless marriages, expressing your desires effectively, and the straight-up differences in how men and women approach sex. This was a thoroughly enjoyable conversation, so if you're with a partner, I hope you listen together and maybe open up some dialogue! Laurie Watson, Ph.D., MA, LMFT, LCMHC, Director of Awakenings, certified sex therapist, certified EFT therapist, certified addictions specialist from IICS, has thirty years of experience working with couples and individuals about love and sex. Laurie says, “I’ve never seen a couple who I didn’t feel hope for about their healing and happiness.” Laurie is the host of the popular podcast, FOREPLAY RADIO, ranked in the top 10 on iTunes under Sexuality. Laurie authored her first book Wanting Sex Again—How to Rediscover Desire and Heal a Sexless Marriage in December 2012.  She’s a popular blogger, with over 15 million reads between her WebMD blog and Psychology Today Online. Laurie also lectures physician residents, PAs, and PTs at Duke’s and UNC Chapel Hill’s medical schools on sexual function and dysfunction.  She has been published or quoted in almost every nationally popular media resource including the New York Times, Buzzfeed, HuffPo, WebMD, Glamour, Women’s Health, Men’s Health, Cosmopolitan, etc. A popular media figure, she has appeared on the Katie Couric Show and  Vogue Weddings and is regularly on radio and television in Raleigh and Greensboro. Director/owner of Awakenings, Counseling for Couples and Sexuality, Laurie supervises 11 clinicians in both Raleigh and Greensboro.  Connect with Laurie -Website: https://lauriewatson.com/ -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaurieWatson.CouplesTherapy/ -Podcast: Foreplay Radio: https://www.foreplayrst.com/ Did you enjoy the podcast? If so, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser. It helps us get into the ears of new listeners, expand the ManTalks Community, and help others find the self-leadership they’re looking for. Are you looking to find purpose, navigate transition, or fix your relationships, all with a powerful group of men from around the world? Check out The Alliance and join me today.  Check out our Facebook Page or the Men's community. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts  | Spotify For more episodes visit us at ManTalks.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Laurie Watson, an expert in relationships and sexual attachment, shares insights on the sexual attachment cycle, push-pull dynamics in relationships, creating secure sexual attachment, gender disparities in hookups, overcoming blocks in a sexless relationship, and rebooting sex after a period of intimacy absence. Laurie emphasizes the importance of emotional connection and communication in maintaining desire and intimacy within secure relationships.