Sex and Psychology Podcast

Sara Reardon, a board-certified pelvic floor physical therapist and founder of The V-Hive, dives into the importance of pelvic floor health for sexual well-being. She discusses the proper techniques for Kegel exercises and emphasizes the need for pelvic floor relaxation. Reardon shares how these practices can relieve sexual pain and enhance pleasure, particularly after childbirth. The conversation also touches on common pelvic health issues, strategies for improvement, and the significance of openly discussing these topics for better wellness.

The pelvic floor is a really important set of muscles that plays a big role in sexual and reproductive function. However, most people don’t know much about it, including common signs that they might have a problem. In today’s show, I am joined by the “Vagina Whisperer” to discuss what you need to know about the pelvic floor I am joined by Sara Reardon, a board-certified pelvic floor physical therapist and founder of The V-Hive, an online, on-demand pelvic floor fitness platform. She is author of the new book FLOORED: A Woman’s Guide to Pelvic Floor Health at Every Age and Stage. Some of the specific topics we explore include: What exactly is the pelvic floor, and what are the main functions of it? How common are pelvic floor problems? What are some of the most common signs that you might have a pelvic floor issue? Why so do many medical professionals seem unprepared to help with pelvic floor issues? What happens when pelvic floor issues go untreated long-term? You can check our Sara’s website to learn more about her work. Got a sex question? Send me a podcast voicemail to have it answered on a future episode at speakpipe.com/sexandpsychology. *** Thank you to our sponsors!  Expand your sexual horizons with Beducated! Featuring more than 100 online courses taught by the experts, Beducated brings pleasure-based sex ed directly into your bedroom. Enjoy a free trial today and get 60% off their yearly pass by using LEHMILLER as the coupon code. To redeem this offer, visit: https://beducate.me/lehmiller-may  The Kinsey Institute at Indiana University has been a trusted source for scientific knowledge and research on critical issues in sexuality, gender, and reproduction for over 75 years. Learn about more research and upcoming events at kinseyinstitute.org or look for them on social media @kinseyinstitute. *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Bluesky to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Precision Podcasting (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

Carly Wolfer, a sex researcher and Ph.D. candidate, delves into the intriguing orgasm gap between women having sex with men versus women. She discusses how sexual scripts differ by partner gender, leading to increased pleasure when women are with women. Carly emphasizes the need for changes in sex education to enhance women’s sexual fulfillment and advocates for a shift towards equitable pleasure. Listeners will find insights on transforming societal norms and empowering sexual experiences for all.

Carly Wolfer, a sex researcher and health educator currently pursuing her Ph.D., dives into the intriguing dynamics of sexual pleasure. She discusses why women pursue orgasms less than men, highlighting societal scripts and perceptions of support in relationships. The conversation covers the importance of mutual pleasure and effective communication to bridge the orgasm gap. Carly emphasizes shifting focus from individual goals to collaborative enjoyment, encouraging listeners to navigate their sexual experiences with openness and respect.

Dr. Kate Balestrieri, a licensed psychologist and certified sex therapist, explores the complexities of parentified relationships where one partner takes on a caregiving role. She discusses key signs to identify this dynamic and its detrimental effects on intimacy and connection. Kate delves into how childhood experiences shape adult relationship roles, the emotional toll of gender expectations, and strategies to regain balance. The conversation highlights the importance of self-reflection and communication in fostering healthier partnerships and preventing relational burnout.

In this engaging chat with Dr. Kate Balestrieri, a licensed psychologist and certified sex therapist, listeners explore the intricate dynamics of desire in long-term relationships. Kate discusses why passion can wane and how couples might feel more like roommates than lovers. She emphasizes the significance of addressing anger constructively to reignite desire and the healing power of mindfulness and movement. Insights into stress and burnout reveal their detrimental effects on intimacy, offering practical advice for reclaiming lost connection and pleasure.

In the last episode, we talked about patients who fall in love with their therapists. Today, we’re taking about the flip side of things: when therapists develop sexual and/or romantic feelings toward their patients, a phenomenon known as erotic countertransference. Research suggests that this is surprisingly common, so we’re going to discuss why it happens and what to do in situations like this. I am joined once again by Alison McCleary and Jordan Pickell. Alison and Jordan are both Registered Clinical Counsellors and podcasters. Together, they co-host the Edge of the Couch podcast, which provides a space to have conversations about what it is actually like to be a therapist, including the conversations that are regularly missed during training programs. Some of the specific topics we explore include: What does the term erotic countertransference really mean? What is the psychology behind why therapists sometimes develop feelings for their patients? How common is it for therapists to become attracted to their patients? Why is the subject of erotic countertransference avoided in many therapy training programs? Is it ever ethically acceptable for a therapist and client to have sex or start a romantic relationship? You can check out the Edge of the Couch podcast to learn more. Got a sex question? Send me a podcast voicemail to have it answered on a future episode at speakpipe.com/sexandpsychology. *** Thank you to our sponsors!  Expand your sexual horizons with Beducated! Featuring more than 100 online courses taught by the experts, Beducated brings pleasure-based sex ed directly into your bedroom. Enjoy a free trial today and get 50% off their yearly pass by using LEHMILLER as the coupon code. To redeem this offer, visit: https://beducate.me/lehmiller-april Passionate about building a career in sexuality? Check out the Sexual Health Alliance. With SHA, you’ll connect with world-class experts and join an engaged community of sexuality professionals from around the world. Visit SexualHealthAlliance.com and start building the sexuality career of your dreams today. *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Bluesky to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Precision Podcasting (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

It’s surprisingly common for people in psychotherapy to develop sexual and/or romantic feelings for their therapists. This is a phenomenon known as erotic transference. It’s a form of projection that psychologists have recognized since the days of Freud. On today’s show, we’re going to explore the complex psychology behind why this phenomenon happens and what it really means. I am joined today by Alison McCleary and Jordan Pickell. Alison and Jordan are both Registered Clinical Counsellors and podcasters. Together, they co-host the Edge of the Couch podcast, which provides a space to have conversations about what it is actually like to be a therapist, including the conversations that are regularly missed during training programs. Some of the specific topics we explore include: What does erotic transference look like for patients who are experiencing it? Why does erotic transference happen in the first place? How common is erotic transference? Should patients who experience erotic transference tell their therapists about it? If so, how? How should a therapist respond if a client discloses sexual and/or romantic attraction? You can check out the Edge of the Couch podcast to learn more. Got a sex question? Send me a podcast voicemail to have it answered on a future episode at speakpipe.com/sexandpsychology. *** Thank you to our sponsors!  The Kinsey Institute at Indiana University has been a trusted source for scientific knowledge and research on critical issues in sexuality, gender, and reproduction for over 75 years. Learn about more research and upcoming events at kinseyinstitute.org or look for them on social media @kinseyinstitute. *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Bluesky to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Precision Podcasting (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

A few years back, there were a ton of media articles going around about how the pandemic killed the sex party scene. Flash forward to today, and sex parties are back with a vengeance. So what is it actually like to attend a sex party? In today’s show, we’re going to explore the world of sex parties and what you need to know if you’re thinking about attending one. I am joined once again by Dr. Tara, an associate professor of relational and sexual communication at California State University Fullerton. She is also a sex and relationship coach and host of the podcast Luvbites by Dr. Tara. Some of the specific topics we explore include: What does a sex party involve? What’s the atmosphere like? What’s the difference between a sex party and an orgy? How does consent work in a group setting? What are the typical rules or etiquette of a sex party? How do you even find a sex party to attend in the first place? What do you need to do to prepare for attending a sex party? You can check out Dr. Tara’s website to learn more about her work. Got a sex question? Send me a podcast voicemail to have it answered on a future episode at speakpipe.com/sexandpsychology. *** Thank you to our sponsors!  Expand your sexual horizons with Beducated! Featuring more than 100 online courses taught by the experts, Beducated brings pleasure-based sex ed directly into your bedroom. Enjoy a free trial today and get 50% off their yearly pass by using LEHMILLER as the coupon code. To redeem this offer, visit: https://beducate.me/lehmiller-april Passionate about building a career in sexuality? Check out the Sexual Health Alliance. With SHA, you’ll connect with world-class experts and join an engaged community of sexuality professionals from around the world. Visit SexualHealthAlliance.com and start building the sexuality career of your dreams today. *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Bluesky to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Precision Podcasting (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

In long-term relationships, sexual satisfaction usually starts dropping after the first year as the initial burst of passion begins to wear down. However, this decline in satisfaction is both preventable and reversible. In today’s show, we’re going to talk about how bring excitement back into the bedroom by exploring the biggest predictors of sexual satisfaction. My guest is Dr. Tara, an associate professor of relational and sexual communication at California State University Fullerton. She is also a sex and relationship coach and host of the podcast Luvbites by Dr. Tara. Some of the specific topics we explore include: How many people today are actually satisfied with their sex lives? What are the key factors that contribute to sexual satisfaction? What are some practical things we can do to boost sexual self-esteem? How can we learn to be more mindful during sex? What are some ways to make sexual communication easier? You can check out Dr. Tara’s website to learn more about her work. Got a sex question? Send me a podcast voicemail to have it answered on a future episode at speakpipe.com/sexandpsychology. *** Thank you to our sponsors!  Tap into your natural sex appeal, attract the person you’re looking for, cultivate meaningful connections, and re-ignite the spark in your relationship with The Art of Sex Appeal class by Shan Boodram on Masterclass. Sex and Psychology listeners can get an additional 15% off any annual Masterclass membership at masterclass.com/sexandpsychology Practice love every day with Paired, the #1 app for couples. Download the app at paired.com/justin to get a 7-day free trial and 25% off if you sign up for a subscription. *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Bluesky to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Precision Podcasting (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.