Foreplay Radio – Couples and Sex Therapy

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

Erectile dysfunction in men 45 and older in a partnered relationship is a problem with solutions. Listen to Laurie and Tony distinguish physiological ED and partnered ED and offer approaches to solve this problem in this podcast spurred by a question from a listener. If you want Laurie and Tony to address a question you are concerned about, email info@foreplayrst.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode, we discuss reinforcing positive cycles. There is a lot of talk about disconnection and negative cycles but what about when things are going well? Join hosts, Laurie and George to learn how to reinforce when it's going well to build out more positive interactions. A building block of attachment is adoration, to be looked at by a caretaker with sunshine in their eyes. This signals, you are good and you matter to me. This need never goes away and it is very important in adult intimate relationships. In sex, couples often make eye contact and signal this tenderness with their gaze. This episode will give you language and real life examples of how to make positive connections more explicit and reinforce that connection. Learn how to embrace the vulnerability around when things are going well and share it with the one you love!  Check out this episode's sponsor (and help the pod!): cozyearth.com -- The softest sheets we've every tried! Black Friday is starting early! Get up to 40% off while supplies last by using the code 'foreplay'. uberlube.com -- Laurie's long-time favorite personal lubricant! Try it if you haven't! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Variety and creativity in sex can both make our sexual relationship sizzling, but it can also be a source of tension.  Join Laurie Watson, author of "Wanting Sex Again" and her co-host discuss variety! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode we discuss finding the reframe; your partner's differing perspective that isn't always obvious. Emotions like irritation or frustration are often signs of disconnection in your emotional or sexual cycle. You feel you are lacking and more easily lose patience, create a negative meaning about your partner and get stuck in your move. The reframe helps you see what's happening from a different angle. You'll still be experiencing the disconnect but you'll have a better ability to communicate with your love about what is going on for you and learn what is happening for them. The reframe is one of our favorite tools to use in therapy and we know it will be so useful for you! Even Laurie gets in on the reframe action today as George helps her see another perspective in a current situation. Learn how to shift from a place of not having enough patience for your partner to understanding and openness. Keep it hot, brave lovers! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Explore the complexities of stonewalling in relationships. Learn how silent treatment and withdrawal can harm connections. Discover the motives behind this behavior, from power struggles to emotional avoidance. The hosts break down how physiological responses can lead to shutting down instead of engaging. They provide practical steps for self-soothing and effective communication strategies. Gain insights on how to navigate these dynamics and reassure your partner after a conflict.

In today's episode, our hosts answer a listener's mailbag question. If the sex is good, why don't I want it more? Join George and Laurie as they help our listener answer this question and explore possible reasons behind this dilemma. Perhaps it's dissatisfaction, difference in desire, asexuality or emotional and sexual blocks. There are many avenues to consider and we approach the topic with lots of curiosity. We thank our listeners for being brave to send in these important mailbag questions and remind them that they are not alone in their struggles. Let us know what you learn from today's episode and don't hesitate to send us your very own mailbag question! We are here to help our audience and want you to always keep it hot y'all! Check out this episode's sponsor: Uberlube.com -- Laurie's long-time favorite personal lubricant! Check it out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices