Foreplay Radio – Couples and Sex Therapy

We invite you into a thoughtful reflection about what is happening in YOUR sex life. Bring your spirit of curiosity and stay with us in the discovery mode as our “client” played by the brave volunteer - George - answers this first set of questions. Pull back the curtain and hear what Laurie thinks about his answers as a sex therapist. Think about these beginning questions, (not easy questions) like… What would you want your partner to know about you sexually? Laurie reflects on how important vulnerability is when communication with your lover the deeper aspects of these questions. Our patient acknowledges his anxiety and how most of the time he communicates in frustration with his partner instead of coming from his heart’s longing. We ask: What is going on in your sex life now? Can you describe the problems? When did things change between you or when did the problems start? What have you tried to resolve these issues. Do you and your partner have desire for each other? What turns you on the most? When do you feel most erotic with your partner? What are your 3 most important expectations in bed? We gratefully acknowledge the work of EFT founder Dr. Sue Johnson, EFT Supervisor Mike Moran in the development of this sexual questionnaire as well as the work of Dr. Zoya Simakhodskaya, Ph.D for pioneering the understanding of the integration of the sexual cycle into the couple emotional cycle in emotionally focused therapy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode, we are focusing on tending to the 'Ghost of Christmas Present' so the 'Ghost of Christmas Future' can reap the relational benefits! Join our experts, Dr. Laurie and George Faller, hosts of the newly branded Brave Love, Great Sex podcast for this fun episode on resolution and renewal. Our hosts use an example of their role play couple, Joey and Maria to illustrate just what it looks like when the negative cycle is cooled off and they have a better way to move forward. In this stage repair is easily initiated and partners can move forward from conflict in a more positive way. George and Laurie share some active ways couples can continue to strengthen connection and intimacy at this time. This looks like identifying triggers, planning time to connect during busy periods, sharing small moments like morning coffees or kisses goodbye, being explicit with appreciation. We hold out for couples stuck in negative cycles that this place of connection does exist! As the New Year approaches, this is a perfect time to consider what relationship resolutions to set and how to renew and refresh as you step into 2026.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the average Joe and average Jane so different in their approach to sex and the ways and timing of arousal, what can a couple do to close the arousal gap? Join sex therapist and author Dr. Laurie Watson and couples therapist George Faller as they talk about how to negotiate the differences. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The holiday season is here and in today's episode we are talking about giving and receiving gifts in your relationship. What does this ritual mean to you and which are you more comfortable with? George and Laurie share their thoughts and some of their favorite gifts and memories over the years. Laurie suggests that partners keep a running list of their loved ones' likes so when it comes time to get a gift you already have ideas handy. It's best if gifts are thoughtful and have your partner feel seen rather than buying something just because. Intentional gift-giving can spark connection and provide lasting memories. On the other hand, gifts that don't consider your partner or create pressure can lead to a negative cycle. What is one holiday gift or ritual that makes you feel good and inspires connection? Share with us on our instagram page! We wish all our listeners a happy holiday season and thank you for your continued  support! We hope you continue to listen in the new year and celebrate as we transition to our new brand Brave Love, Great Sex! Keep it hot and ho, ho, ho, y'all! Check out this episode's sponsors (and help the pod!): RexMD.com/foreplay -- Reliable, discrete ED support! RexMD offers a simple, private path to get ED meds like Viagra, Cialis, or generics. RexMD is giving up to 95% off during the holidays! Call them today. Uberlube.com -- Laurie's long-time favorite personal lubricant! Simply the best! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The expectations in relationship and in our culture for what it means to be a man often comes down to a big erection that works every time. The prevalence of porn has communicated unrealistic ideas about sex and sexuality. Join sex therapist and popular author Laurie Watson and couple’s therapist Dr. Adam Mathews as they explore the complexity of male sexuality. Sponsor Visit rexmd.com/FOREPLAY to get started today – that’s rexmd.com/FOREPLAY and you’ll receive up to 95% off this holiday season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We may know what the big turn offs are but there are many small things that kill desire. In today's episode we are discussing invisible turn offs that end up taking sex off the table without you even realizing it. Join our expert hosts, Dr. Laurie Watson and George Faller, LMFT as they review these 'microfractures', signals that you don't know you're sending. Stress, feeling hangry, irritability can all signal to your partner that they aren't important to you. Cell phones, social media and distracted minds dilute connection between partners and quickly eliminate connection. Our hosts share how familiarity of your partner can sometimes cause rejection. The more predictable you are to one another the less curious you will be. So what can you do? Start to notice your partner, pay attention to them with intentionality. Put your phone DOWN and connect with your love. Spend time giving each other prolonged kisses, longer gazes and more attention. These little actions can lead to big connections, decreasing turn offs and increasing turn ons! Keep it hot, y'all! Please checkout this episode's sponsor (and help the pod!): RexMD.com -- Discrete, confidential, online treatment for ED. Use the link to get up to 95% off your first order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Recovery from an Affair – The delicate process of recoveringfrom an affair; what works best for restoring the relationship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode we are discussing sex and spirituality. Sex and religion are often clashing ideals that can be shaming, rigid and rule-based. We invite listeners to explore the space between, where sex is an intimate connection between partners. Where people can create their own slice of heaven. Join our hosts, Laurie and George as they peel back the complicated layers between sex and spirituality and cite various views of sex from different religions. Many religious teachings try to show partners how to love one another better, honor their sexual connection as a way to be closer to God and provide boundaries to keep that connection sacred. There is no right or wrong answer in this discussion, rather a thought-provoking conversation to see where spirituality and the connection to the spirit and soul shows up in your intimate connection. Do you consider sex a place to transcend with your partner?  Let us know what you think and share your comments on our instagram @bravelovegreatsex Check out this episode's sponsor (and suport the pod!): Uberlube.com -- Laurie's absolute long-time favorite lube, from way before the podcast began! Use the code 'foreplay' to get your 10% discount. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you always having what feels like the same fight? Does the negative cycle leave you feeling frustrated and angry? Or misunderstood and like you're failing? Can you see what your partner does clearly but not see how what you do is contributing to the problem? George and Laurie use and acronym T.E.M.P.O. to help organize your thinking so you can be less reactive. Getting to know your feelings, what your body is communicating and how you are making sense of it all can give you emotional intelligence. Find the "space" that can change the pattern so you can help each other in these difficult moments and stay connected. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Laurie and George explore a pattern they see often in therapy but rarely hear women talk about openly: growing up under-touched—not abused or mistreated, but raised with too little warm, affectionate contact. Many girls learn early to be “little adults,” self-reliant and emotionally contained, with parents who provided care but not soothing. Inside, they adapt by dialing down their need for touch and connection. As adults, these women often struggle with desire, sensuality, and responsiveness—not because they’re broken, but because their bodies never learned that touch is comforting, safe, or connecting. Laurie shares her clinical insight that erotic shutdown can be a predictable outcome of emotional neglect and under-stimulation, especially for women who are socialized to mute their physical needs. George joins her in mapping how attachment deactivation, low interoceptive awareness, and a lifetime of caregiving roles shape many women’s sexual experiences. Together they offer hope and clarity: with attuned affection, emotional safety, and pressure-free touch, the erotic body can awaken. Desire isn’t missing—it’s been waiting for the right conditions to flourish. Check out this episode's sponsor (and support the pod!): cozyearth.com -- the softest sheets and blankets you'll ever experience! Use the code 'foreplay' at checkout to get up to 40% off in their Black Friday sales while supplies last! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices