Sex and Psychology Podcast

One in five couples report that porn has become a problem in their relationship. So why is porn such a common source of conflict, and what can we do about it? In today’s show, we’re going to explore how many people in relationships use porn, what fights about porn are really about, as well as how to resolve issues with porn in relationships. I am joined once again by Ashley Weller. She is a Human Sexuality and Health Psychology Professor at Chapman University in Southern California. She also has a podcast called What’s your Position which tackles issues surrounding sexuality, relationships, life, and love from a comedic yet educational point of view. Some of the specific topics we explore include: Why do so many couples fight about porn? Are fights about porn a symptom of a deeper issue? Why is porn mostly an issue heterosexual, monogamous relationships but not so much in queer and non-monogamous relationships? How can we use porn in healthy ways in relationships? How can you have more productive conversations about porn with your partner? You can learn more about Ashley and check out What’s your Position 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!  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/july-justin 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.

How many people have you had sex with? In other words, what’s your “body count?” In this episode, we’re going to dive into the data. We’ll discuss the average number of sexual partners people report having, why men consistently report higher body counts than women, as well as why people seem to place so much emphasis on body count in the first place. I am joined by Ashley Weller. She is a Human Sexuality and Health Psychology Professor at Chapman University in Southern California. She also has a podcast called What’s your Position that tackles issues surrounding sexuality, relationships, life, and love from a comedic yet educational point of view. Some of the specific topics we explore include: Is there a better phrase than “body count” that we can use when referring to the number of partners we’ve had? What’s the average body count among adults today, and how has it changed over time? How does body count differ across gender? What are people really asking when they inquire about body count? Does body count actually tell you anything about someone else’s sexual health or competence? You can follow Ashley and check out What’s your Position 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!  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. 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.

In this engaging discussion, Caitlin V, a well-known sex and relationship coach with millions of YouTube views, tackles the age-old question of whether nice guys truly finish last. She explains how being overly agreeable can diminish attractiveness and emphasizes the importance of blending confidence with kindness. Topics range from the complexities of the 'nice guy' archetype to navigating sexual desires and boundaries. Caitlin also shares insights on enhancing intimacy and communication in relationships, advocating for authenticity in expressing needs.

Join Caitlin V, a renowned sex and relationship coach with a massive online following, as she provides actionable tips for men to enhance their skills as lovers. Discover how to build sexual confidence, shift focus from performance to pleasure, and why changing your masturbation habits can lead to better partnered experiences. Caitlin also emphasizes the art of communication and understanding desires for deeper intimacy. Learn the importance of vulnerability in confidence-building and practical techniques to master the art of touch.

Join Dr. Hilary Caldwell, a sex worker, academic, and author of 'Slutdom: Reclaiming Shame-Free Sexuality,' as she tackles the powerful implications of the term 'slut.' She discusses the critical importance of reclaiming this label for true sexual empowerment and gender equality. Hilary shares her transformative journey through societal stigma and how expressing sexual desires openly can liberate individuals. The conversation dives deep into the complexities of desire in relationships and advocates for a world where pleasure is pursued without fear or shame.

There’s a surprising amount of anti-masturbation content on social media, much of it suggesting that masturbation is bad for your health. In today’s show, we’re going to delve into whether abstaining from masturbation actually boosts testosterone, whether you can really become “addicted” to masturbating, what science says about the purported health benefits of semen retention, and more. In this episode, we’re revisiting a conversation with Dr. Eric Sprankle, which originally aired back in episode 275. Dr. Sprankle is an Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology and the co-director of the Sexuality Studies program at Minnesota State University, Mankato. He’s also a licensed clinical psychologist and AASECT-certified sex therapist, as well as author of the book, DIY: The Wonderfully Weird History and Science of Masturbation. Some of the specific topics we explore include: Why is the concept of semen retention increasingly popular? Are there any health benefits to abstaining from ejaculation? Is an orgasm obtained from self-pleasure really any different from an orgasm obtained through partnered sex? Can women become “addicted” to their vibrators? Is there an objective standard for what constitutes “too much” masturbation? You can check out Eric’s website to learn more about his 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!  Boost your sexual confidence and performance with Popstar Delay Spray. Save 20% off your first order by using “Justin” as the discount code at popstarlabs.com/justin.  I’m excited to announce a new online course I’m teaching on the topic of fantasies at the Kinsey Institute. Be sure to register for “The New Science of Sexual Fantasies” workshop, which will take place on July 19th, 2025. *** 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.

Men are much more likely to report having paid for sex than women; however, there are probably more women paying for sex than we think. In today’s show, we’re going to do a deep dive into the world of women who pay for sex. We’ll be exploring what their experiences are like, why some women see paying for sex as being safer than having casual sex, and more. My guest is Dr. Hilary Caldwell, a sex worker, author, academic, and sexologist. Her bold political memoir, Slutdom: Reclaiming Shame-Free Sexuality, challenges the enduring impact of slut shaming and argues for a world in which everyone can pursue pleasure without fear, stigma, or coercion. Some of the specific topics we explore include: Why is there less research on women who pay for sexual services relative to men? How common is it for women to have paid for sex before? Why do some women who patronize sex workers don’t consider themselves to have bought sex? What are some of the main motivations for women to purchase sexual services? What are women’s experiences with purchasing sex like? Do they tend to feel stigmatized? You can check out Hilary’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.

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.

In this enlightening discussion, Lindsay Jill Roth, an award-winning producer and author of 'Romances & Practicalities', shares her insights on modern relationships. She emphasizes the importance of initiating tough conversations to build deeper connections, tackling topics like finances, emotional intimacy, and personal values. Roth challenges traditional views on attraction, urging listeners to prioritize compatibility over superficial chemistry. By fostering open communication, she believes couples can navigate critical relationship conversations more effectively.

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.