Sex and Psychology Podcast

In this discussion, Dr. Justin Mogilski, an associate professor at the University of South Carolina Salkehatchie and expert in consensual non-monogamy (CNM), tackles common myths surrounding open relationships. He clarifies the difference between CNM and infidelity, emphasizing communication over deception. Mogilski also uncovers the stigma against CNM, redefines jealousy as a signal for communication, and explores the health practices in CNM relationships. Get ready to rethink what you know about non-monogamy!

Dr. Maria Uloko, a board-certified urologist and founder of VULVAi, dives deep into the often-misunderstood world of the clitoris. She reveals the historical neglect surrounding its anatomy and highlights Dr. Helen O'Connell's groundbreaking work mapping its true 3D structure. Uloko discusses the staggering number of nerve endings—over 10,000—and the implications for sexual health and pleasure. She also explores the differences between clitoral and vaginal orgasms, and the significant role of testosterone in clitoral wellness.

Join Dr. Eric Sprankle, an Associate Professor and co-director of the Sexuality Studies program, as he unpacks the fascinating and often bizarre history of masturbation. He explores how views about self-pleasure shifted from normalcy to sinfulness, influenced by religious narratives. Discover the origins of social media backlash against masturbation and how misinformation perpetuates anxiety. Eric highlights the need for better sex education to counteract shame and misconceptions—an enlightening dive into a topic that remains highly relevant today!

Think back to your sex education for a moment. Were you advised to “save yourself for marriage?” Were you asked to sign a “purity” pledge? For millions of people, that was their experience. In this episode, we’re taking a closer look at abstinence pledges, including how they became so widespread, whether they actually work as intended, and the unseen consequences they leave behind. I am joined once again by Lauren Elise Rogers, a Certified Holistic Sexuality Educator and Embodied Intimacy & Relationship Coach. Lauren brings an empathetic and non-judgmental approach, offering practical tools that empower her clients to take ownership of their pleasure and grow in confidence and connection. Some of the specific topics we explore in this episode include: What does a typical abstinence pledge look like? How common are abstinence pledges today? Do abstinence pledges actually delay sexual activity? How might abstinence pledges make people less prepared for sex and relationships? What happens when people “break” their pledge? You can visit Lauren’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!  If you’re ready to ditch the shady stuff and choose a libido supplement that’s effective and that you can feel confident about, it’s time to check out Drive Boost.  Visit vb.health and use code JUSTIN for 10% off. 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.

In this discussion, guest Lauren Elise Rogers, a certified holistic sexuality educator and relationship coach, dives into the complex terrain of purity culture. She reflects on how these teachings can instill shame about desire and lead to significant emotional fallout, especially for those who marry with a lack of sexual education. Lauren offers tools to reclaim pleasure and addresses the potential for faith to coexist with a positive view of sexuality. Her insights empower listeners to navigate their sexuality and rebuild their values beyond restrictive norms.

Venus O'Hara, a pleasure educator and Spain's first professional sex toy tester, joins the conversation to debunk widely-held myths about sex toys. She explains how vibrators don’t desensitize you, and reassures listeners that toys can enhance partnered experiences without insecurity. Venus advocates for inclusivity, stressing that sex toys are for everyone, and offers beginner-friendly recommendations like the Satisfyer Pro 2. She also highlights safety tips, addressing potential injuries and the importance of choosing quality products.

A sex toy is so much more than just a fun gadget. Toys can help us to explore our bodies, rekindle the connection in a relationship, improve sexual communication, and more. In this episode, we’re going behind the scenes of how sex toys are designed and developed. We’re also going to talk about what makes a toy truly great, as well as how to tell which toys are worth your money and which ones aren’t. I am joined by Venus O’Hara, a pleasure educator, author, and content creator. She became Spain’s first professional sex toy tester, and since 2014 has tested and reviewed over 1,000 products from leading sexual wellness brands worldwide. She is the author of Orgasmic Manifestation and hosts the podcast, The Orgasmic Lifestyle. Some of the specific areas we explore in this show include: What does it mean to view sex toys as experiences rather than products? What all goes into designing and developing a new sex toy? How can you tell the good sex toys from the bad? In what ways can sex toys help us to improve our sex lives? Learn more about Venus by checking out her website 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 65% off their yearly pass by using LEHMILLER69 as the coupon code. To redeem this offer, visit: https://beducate.me/pd2546-lehmiller  The Kinsey Institute is where the world turns to understand sex and relationships. You can help continue its expert-led research by donating to the Kinsey Institute Research Fund. Learn more and make a donation here: https://give.myiu.org/centers-institutes/I380010749.html  *** 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.

From sayings like “freak in the head, freak in the bed” to the hot/crazy matrix to memes about “daddy issues,” the internet is full of content suggesting that mentally and emotionally unstable people make for hotter sex partners. But is that really true? In this episode, we’re breaking down some of the biggest myths about sex and relationships that dominate social media. I am joined once again by Joe Nucci, a licensed psychotherapist, writer, and social media influencer. His debut book, Psychobabble: Viral Mental Health Myths & the Truth To Set You Free, is available wherever books are sold. Some of the specific topics we explore in this episode include: Why are people with psychopathic characteristics often rated as more attractive? How are mental health conditions associated with sex drive and sexual behavior? Are people with “daddy issues” more eager to please in bed? Will therapy make you ready for a relationship? You can check out Joe’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!  If you’re ready to ditch the shady stuff and choose a libido supplement that’s effective and that you can feel confident about, it’s time to check out Drive Boost.  Visit vb.health and use code JUSTIN for 10% off. Head to https://paired.com/JUSTIN and download the #1 app for couples to start maintaining your lasting love 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.

Social media has turned therapy into a language that almost everyone seems to speak these days, which is why your feed is probably full of posts about topics like trauma, boundaries, and gaslighting. In this episode, we’re taking a closer look at the rise of “therapy speak” and how, for better or for worse, it’s reshaping the way we talk about emotions, conflict, and relationships. I am joined by Joe Nucci, a licensed psychotherapist, writer, and social media influencer. His debut book, Psychobabble: Viral Mental Health Myths & the Truth To Set You Free, is available wherever books are sold. Some of the specific topics we explore in this episode include: What are some of the problems with overusing therapy speak? How is social media changing the way people think about and approach relationships? What does the term “love-bombing” actually mean? How do you know the difference between something like love-bombing and just moving fast in a relationship? You can check out Joe’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!  If you’re ready to ditch the shady stuff and choose a libido supplement that’s effective and that you can feel confident about, it’s time to check out Drive Boost.  Visit vb.health and use code JUSTIN for 10% off. The Kinsey Institute at Indiana University is where the world turns to understand sex and relationships. Now, you can help continue its expert-led research. This month, the Match Group is offering an incredible 2:1 match for all gifts to the Kinsey Institute Research Fund. Learn more and make a donation here: https://knsy.in/giftmatch  *** 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.

All too often, survivors of sexual violence are treated as though they’re permanently broken. However, healing and recovery are possible. My guest today has written a new book that explores how survivors reclaim sex, intimacy, and desire after assault. It’s unlike most other books on trauma because it dares to ask not just how people survive, but also how they thrive again. I am joined by Katie Simon (they/them), a sexuality journalist and author of Tell Me What You Like: An Honest Discussion of Sex and Intimacy After Sexual Assault. Their writing has previously appeared in The New York Times, New York Magazine, Vogue, The Washington Post, Playboy, and Women’s Health. Some of the specific topics we explore in this episode include: What is the role of self-exploration in navigating sex and intimacy after sexual assault? What are some practical things that can potentially help survivors of sexual assault? What does the concept of post-traumatic growth look like in practice? How can helping professionals become better-equipped to serve survivors? You can visit Katie’s website to learn more about their 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. *** 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.