Sex and Psychology Podcast

In this engaging discussion, Lindsay Jill Roth, an award-winning television producer and author of 'Romances & Practicalities', shares her insights on fostering authentic connections. She emphasizes the pitfalls of small talk and offers research-backed conversation starters to dive deeper with romantic interests. Lindsay also explores the importance of normalizing sexual conversations and provides tips for discussing intimate topics openly, helping to enhance both connection and chemistry in relationships.

The way that many of us are approaching romantic relationships is all wrong. We’re not prioritizing the things that really matter when selecting our partners. In today’s show, we’re going to talk about the conversations you need to be having with a potential partner in order to develop deeper connections and establish long-term compatibility. My guest is Lindsay Jill Roth, an award-winning television and live-events producer who has created and developed a wide variety of programming globally. She is also author of the new book Romances & Practicalities, which is based on a set of 250 research-backed questions designed to help you initiate tricky conversations and find lasting love. Some of the specific topics we explore include: What are we doing wrong when it comes to selecting relationship partners? How can being more pragmatic in your approach to relationships help to build a stronger foundation for love? Why is money management a vital issue to discuss with a potential partner? Beyond finances, what are some other key topics we should be discussing? How do you initiate conversations about topics that many people are uncomfortable discussing? You can check out Lindsay’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-june  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.

Dr. Lori Brotto, a leading expert in women’s sexual health and author of Better Sex Through Mindfulness, introduces eSense, a groundbreaking online platform aimed at treating low sexual desire and arousal. The discussion delves into the benefits of cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness in addressing these issues. Brotto highlights how online therapy can rival traditional methods, and explores the future of sexual health with AI and virtual reality technologies, potentially revolutionizing access to care for many.

The most common sexual problems that women experience center around low sexual desire and/or difficulty becoming aroused, formally known as female sexual interest/arousal disorder. In today’s show, we’re doing a deep dive into what this disorder looks like, where it comes from, and why it seems so hard for women to access treatment for it. I am joined by Dr. Lori Brotto, an internationally recognized leader in sexual health research. She is a Professor in the UBC Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, a Registered Psychologist, and Canada Research Chair in Women’s Sexual Health. She is also author of the book Better Sex Through Mindfulness. Some of the specific topics we explore include: What is “female sexual interest/arousal disorder?” How is it clinically defined? How common is this disorder? What do we know about its causes? Is it physical, psychological, or a bit of both? Why does it take an average of 5 years for women to access treatment for sexual desire and arousal problems? Why is it so hard to develop drugs and medications that stimulate sexual desire? You can check out Lori’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.

The number of adult virgins is growing and is actually at a record high. Many of these folks would like to be having sex, but cannot find a partner. In other words, they are involuntarily celibate, or “incels” for short. So what do we know about these individuals? A deeper look at the psychology of incels reveals a group that is struggling with complex mental health issues. In today’s episode, we’re revising my conversation with William Costello, which originally aired back in episode 133. This conversation will probably surprise you because it turns out that incels aren’t exactly who we think they are. Incels aren’t new either—they’ve actually always been around, but changes in the modern dating market seem to be creating a lot of more of them. Some of the specific topics we explore in this episode include: Why incels have always been around, and how modern incels are different. Why the incel population is growing. Why popular dating advice given to incels isn’t helpful. What the mental health of incels looks like. Whether incels are inherently prone to violence and misogyny. You can check out William’s body of research on ResearchGate. You can also read his latest paper on incels here. 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!  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.

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.