

Sex and Psychology Podcast
Dr. Justin Lehmiller
The Sex and Psychology Podcast is the sex ed you never got in school—and won’t find anywhere else. Kinsey Institute researcher Dr. Justin Lehmiller takes you on a journey through the psychology of sex and relationships, offering practical tips along the way that can help you take your intimate life to the next level. Learn more on Dr. Lehmiller’s blog at sexandpsychology.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 27, 2024 • 31min
Episode 270: Penis Enlargement – What Does (And Doesn’t) Work
Exploring the persistent concern of men regarding penis size, the podcast dives into various methods for penile augmentation. Debunking myths around pills and lotions, it also discusses the risks and minimal gains associated with enlargement techniques. The episode sheds light on the lack of substantial evidence supporting dramatic results and emphasizes the importance of cautious consideration before opting for surgical interventions.

Feb 23, 2024 • 31min
Episode 269: The Keys to a Pleasure-Filled Life
Discover the keys to a pleasure-filled life with Dr. Shemeka Thorpe as we explore the benefits of seeking pleasure, shifting our mindset, being present in pleasurable moments, and enhancing our sex life. Learn how to make pleasure a priority without guilt and find joy in everyday activities.

Feb 20, 2024 • 34min
Episode 268: Sex-Positive Sexuality Research
Discussing sex-positive sexuality research on Black women, exploring sexual pleasure, pain, and desires. Examining racial disparities in sexual fantasies and the importance of equitable sex education and research. Recommendations for conducting more inclusive and mindful sex research.

Feb 16, 2024 • 50min
Episode 267: The Science of Love (Essential Listen)
Dr. Terri Orbuch, The Love Doctor, discusses the difference between lust and love, the value of love languages, how to make sure your partner knows you love them, when to announce a new relationship, and how to make Valentine's Day feel fun instead of work.

7 snips
Feb 13, 2024 • 40min
Episode 266: The Secrets To Sexual Satisfaction
The podcast explores the keys to sexual and relationship satisfaction backed by scientific data. Topics discussed include the frequency of sex for relationship happiness, the link between closeness and desire, debunking the idea of 'happy wife, happy life', and the importance of boundaries and verification in relationships.

Feb 9, 2024 • 30min
Episode 265: Living Single And Living Your Best Life
Explore the world of solos, individuals who prefer to live on their own terms. Learn about the distinction between being solo and being single. Discover different types of solos and how they navigate relationships. Find out the keys to living a remarkable solo life, including community and personal growth.

Feb 6, 2024 • 32min
Episode 264: The Rise of Single Living
Over the last half-century, we’ve seen a dramatic change in people’s living and relationship arrangements. Specifically, more adults are living on their own, and fewer are getting married. In today’s show, we’re going to dive into the rapid rise in single living around the world. We’ll take a look at the numbers and explore how attitudes towards singlehood and marriage are evolving.
I am joined by Peter McGraw, a business school professor at the University of Colorado Boulder. He hosts the podcast Solo—The Single Person’s Guide to a Remarkable Life, he writes for Single Insights—The Science of Solos, and he hosts The Solo Salon. In 2014, Peter co-authored a book called The Humor Code. His latest book is titled Solo.
Some of the topics we explore in this episode include:
How have rates of marriage and single living changed in the US (and across the world) in the last 50 years?
Which countries today have the most singles?
What factors are propelling more people into singlehood?
Why have traditional relationship models fallen out of favor?
How much stigma is still attached to being single?
Make sure to check out Peter’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
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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.
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Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit 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.

Feb 2, 2024 • 35min
Episode 263: Let’s Talk About Sexual Fantasies
Almost everyone has sexual fantasies—and has them often. But most of us have questions about our fantasies, including what they really mean, how to share them with a partner, and how to go about turning them into reality. In this episode, we’re going to do a deep dive into the world of fantasies. Among other things, we’ll discuss what to do when you have shame or trauma connected to your fantasies, how you can use technology to facilitate open communication about fantasies, as well as what you need to know if you’re thinking about acting on your fantasies.
I am joined once again by Rena Martine, a women’s intimacy coach, former Sex Crimes Deputy District Attorney for the Los Angeles County D.A.’s Office, and author of The Sex You Want: A Shameless Journey to Deep Intimacy, Honest Pleasure, and a Life You Love.
Some of the questions we explore in this episode include:
What is the difference between a sexual fantasy and a sexual desire?
Do fantasies need to be elaborate or “fantastical” in order to count as fantasies?
How can we get rid of the shame we may have surrounding our fantasies?
What are some ways we can make sure our sexual needs and desires are prioritized?
How can a newbie who is interested in threesomes or kink start exploring these fantasies?
Make sure to check out Rena’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
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Thank you to our sponsors!
Flure Dating App: Explore & Own Your Desires – https://flure.com
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.
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Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit 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.

Jan 30, 2024 • 33min
Episode 262: How To Get The Sex Life You Want
There’s the sex life you have, and then there’s the sex life you want. So how do you actually get the one that you want? This is something a lot of people struggle with, so that’s what we’re going to be talking about today. We’re going to explore tips for changing the relationship we have with ourselves, tips for changing the relationships we have with other people, as well as ways of simply making sex more fun.
My guest is Rena Martine, a women’s intimacy coach, former Sex Crimes Deputy District Attorney for the Los Angeles County D.A.’s Office, and author of The Sex You Want: A Shameless Journey to Deep Intimacy, Honest Pleasure, and a Life You Love.
Some of the topics we explore include:
What is the “27 things” exercise, and how can it help you to get clarity on what you want from your intimate life?
How can we better manage body image issues that are hindering desire for and enjoyment of sex?
How can we avoid hopping on the “relationship escalator” with a partner who might not be meeting our needs?
What are some ways to make planned sex good sex?
How can we bring the fun back into sex?
Make sure to check out Rena’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
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Thank you to our sponsors!
I’m excited to announce a new edition of my textbook, The Psychology of Human Sexuality! This is the third edition of the book, and it’s the biggest and best version yet. The Psychology of Human Sexuality is a comprehensive guide to the major theories and perspectives on sexuality and the vast diversity in sexual attitudes and behaviors that exist around the world. You can check it out here.
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Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit 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.

5 snips
Jan 26, 2024 • 32min
Episode 261: Breaking Negative Cycles In Relationships
In this podcast, the hosts discuss how to break negative cycles in relationships. Topics include the importance of vulnerability, co-regulation, and avoiding traps that lead to negative cycles. They also talk about repairing relationships after a negative cycle and provide resources for deeper relationship issues.


