Sex and Psychology Podcast

Oral sex is one of the most popular bedroom activities. However, while most people say that it can be highly pleasurable, it doesn’t always feels great. So in today’s show, we’re going to talk about how to make oral sex better. Specifically, we’ll explore tips and techniques from the Pleasure Mechanics for being both a good giver and receiver, including what to do if you find yourself getting bored giving oral sex. I am joined by Chris Maxwell Rose and Charlotte Mia Rose, co-creators of PleasureMechanics.com. They have devoted their lives to generating online resources to support folks in cultivating more erotic pleasure, joy, and connection. They also run a podcast called Speaking of Sex with the Pleasure Mechanics. Some of the specific topics we explore include: Why is the idea that there’s just one perfect “recipe” for oral sex a myth? How do you deal with common roadblocks that interfere with your ability to enjoy performing oral sex, like boredom or discomfort? What are some new positions or approaches that can elevate oral experiences? What should you do if oral sex feels like it has become a duty or obligation instead of something you love doing? What are the key factors that make oral sex great? To learn more, sign up for the Pleasure Mechanics Oral Sex Mastery course. 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-sept Load Boost is a supplement designed to improve the taste, volume, and overall health of your semen. If you want to elevate your sexual performance, check out Load Boost from VB Health. Visit loadboost.com to learn more and save 10% with code JUSTIN. *** 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, 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.

Historically, medical research has done a disservice to women. In fact, for many years, scientists only studied men, assuming that all effects would generalize to women. But we now know that’s not true. In today’s show, we’re talking about how we can improve the state of science on women’s health, and how that begins with having a fuller understanding of the hormone shifts that occur during the menstrual cycle and how they affect women’s brains and bodies. I am joined once again by Dr. Sarah Hill, the author of This is Your Brain on Birth Control. She has spent most of her 20+ year career studying women, relationships, and health. Her latest book is titled The Period Brain: The New Science of Why We PMS and How To Fix It. Some of the specific topics we explore include: What’s the problem with one-size-fits-all medical advice? How does the concept of PMS pathologize natural things that happen to women’s bodies? What’s the problem with using the male body as the “standard” in scientific research? What’s wrong with the way scientists typically treat the menstrual cycle in studies of women? How can we do research that actually serves women? You can check our Sarah’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!  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. 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. Be sure to register for the Sex and Aging Symposium, which will take place on October 4, 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, 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. Sarah Hill, a seasoned researcher and author of *The Period Brain*, sheds light on the intricate effects of menstrual-cycle hormones. She discusses the evolutionary reasons behind PMS and how hormonal fluctuations can affect women’s mood, energy, and sexual motivation. Learn why progesterone doesn't always enhance well-being during the latter cycle phases and how estrogen influences desire. With insights on navigating intimacy in sync with the menstrual cycle, this conversation offers valuable knowledge for understanding women's health.

Join Dr. Juliana Hauser, a licensed marriage and family therapist and expert in sexuality, as she discusses how to unlock more pleasure and desire in our lives. She reveals the importance of prioritizing pleasure daily and how our relationship with sexual desires can change over time. Dr. Hauser shares practical tips for embracing small joys, normalizing pleasure discussions, and navigating boundaries in intimacy. Discover how mindfulness and techniques like the Four Quadrants Exercise can empower personal exploration and enhance sexual agency.

Join Dr. Juliana Hauser, a licensed marriage and family therapist and renowned sex educator, as she explores the intriguing concept of holistic sexuality. Discover how this approach can enhance self-understanding and sexual agency. Juliana emphasizes the vital role of sensuality and guides listeners through an engaging touch exercise to connect with their bodies. She also tackles important topics like the impact of aging on sexuality and the legacy of Betty Dodson in promoting body curiosity. Tune in for insights that could transform your sexual journey!

A lot of people think that sex is just easy for men. But it’s not. A heck of a lot of guys are walking around with sexual anxiety and are worried about their body and/or performance. This can eat away at men’s confidence, leading them to avoid sex, or to have sex that’s less than pleasurable. In today’s show, we’re going to talk about how to build confidence in the bedroom and bust some common myths about male sexuality. I’m joined once again by Dr. Joshua Gonzalez, a board-certified urologist who is fellowship-trained in Sexual Medicine. He is a Sexual Health Advisor to Astroglide Lubricants, and one of the co-founders of the sexual wellness brand Popstar, which creates science-backed products to support male sexual health and pleasure. Some of the specific topics we explore include: What does it really men to be “sexually confident?” How do popular myths about male sexuality inhibit men’s confidence in the bedroom? Is more testosterone really the key to more confidence? What can men do if they want to increase their sexual stamina? When should you see a professional about sexual performance concerns? You can visit Joshua’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!  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. 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. Be sure to register for the Sex and Aging Symposium, which will take place on October 4, 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, 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.

Surveys find that nearly half of men are dissatisfied with their penis size and wish they were larger. So let’s dive into the world of penile augmentation. In this episode, we’re going to talk about the various treatments that exist, which ones are supported by the science, the potential risks and side effects, and what you really need to know if you have penis size concerns. I’m joined by Dr. Joshua Gonzalez, a board-certified urologist who is fellowship-trained in Sexual Medicine. He is a Sexual Health Advisor to Astroglide Lubricants, and one of the co-founders of the sexual wellness brand Popstar, which creates science-backed products to support male sexual health and pleasure. Some of the specific topics we explore include: What is the average penis size anyway? Can stretching make your penis bigger? Do penis pumps work to increase size? Are surgeries to enhance penis size worth the risks? Are there any pills or medications that can make your penis larger? You can visit Joshua’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!  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-sept 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, 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.

BDSM practitioners have mastered skills that many of us struggle with every day, including honest communication, clear boundaries, deep trust, and the courage to be vulnerable. In this episode, we’re exploring what we can learn from kinky folks about leading happier lives, both in and out of the bedroom. I am joined once again by Alicia Walker and Arielle Kuperberg. Alicia is an associate professor of sociology at Missouri State University and the author of The Secret Life of the Cheating Wife as well as Chasing Masculinity: Men, Validation, and Infidelity. Arielle is an associate professor of sociology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Together, they are co-authors of the new book Bound by BDSM: Unexpected Lessons for Building a Happier Life. Some of the specific topics we explore include: How does BDSM offer a way for people to explore their creative side? What can we learn from BDSM practitioners about vulnerability and intimacy? How can BDSM allow us to explore pleasure beyond traditional sexual scripts? What can we learn from kinky folks about having realistic expectations in the bedroom? You can click here to order Alicia and Arielle’s new book. 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!  A bad mattress can ruin your intimate life. If you want to upgrade your sleep, check out Brooklyn Bedding, where you can try a 120-night comfort trial. Go to brooklynbedding.com and use my promo code JUSTIN at checkout to get 30% off sitewide.  Soaking Wet from VB Health is the world’s first probiotic specifically designed for vaginal and vulva health and wellness. It’s a doctor formulated blend of prebiotics, probiotics, and vitamins specifically designed to restore balance down there and increase lubrication. Visit soakingwet.com and use code JUSTIN for 10% off. *** 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.

Alicia Walker and Arielle Kuperberg, both sociology professors and co-authors of "Bound by BDSM," explore the fascinating world of kink. They debunk myths surrounding BDSM, emphasizing that it's not solely about sex or trauma. The discussion reveals the emotional benefits and community aspects of BDSM, shedding light on how consent and trust are fundamental. They also touch on why BDSM is notably prevalent in the LGBTQ+ community and discuss the wide spectrum of practices beyond common stereotypes.

Margaret Grace Myers, a writer, researcher, and educator from Maine, discusses the pressing issues in U.S. sex education. She highlights the lack of federal mandates and the ongoing battle for comprehensive curricula. The conversation reveals surprising bipartisan support among parents for better sex ed and contrasts U.S. practices with effective models from other countries like the Netherlands. Myers emphasizes the need for continuous education and grassroots activism to empower communities and improve youth health outcomes.