Foreplay Radio – Couples and Sex Therapy

In today's episode, George and Laurie welcome fellow EFTer and relationship expert Dr. Ryan Rana. Ryan is the director of the Joshua Center in Arkansas, EFT trainer and co-host of "The Leading Edge" podcast. Ryan joins us today for a great conversation on how beliefs about ourselves become cemented and the damage this can cause to relationships. You may have caught yourself saying before, "I'm just no good with money." and then when your pockets are empty and the bills are due, you've just consolidated this belief. Now evidence piles on evidence and this becomes a fixed idea. These beliefs are comforting on some level because they create predictability but they are relationship killers! Fixed ideas leave no room for curiosity and as you'll hear in this episode "once we become curious, we can start changing again." This great conversation will get you thinking about these limiting beliefs, where they came from and how to change them to stop the damage and start getting more hopeful and engaged. For more information on Dr. Rana and The Joshua Center visit www.thejoshuacenter.com. Dr. Ryan Rana's website is ⁠Ryanranatraining.com⁠. He can be reached at ryanranaphd@gmail.com and on Facebook at Ryan Rana Professional training. Help the pod by supporting this episode's sponsor: Uberlube.com -- Laurie's favorite personal lubricant! Bar none! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most of us grew up not talking about sex. But the more detailed you get, the more power you can have to change things. Go play-by-play and have more choice and agency about shaping your experience and connecting with each other. One woman’s grimace during oral sex or another person’s turning of their head during sexual intercourse send messages to their partner that in our example are indeed misinterpreted. Knowing exactly what happens - the detail- helps the couples discover what is really going on. A look, a certain touch, a sigh may turn us on. Or these very same actions can be misinterpreted We can get triggered into the negative cycle. Join Laurie and George as they talk about getting down to the nitty-gritty details when you counsel someone or when you communicate with your partner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you know that most people will have two marriages in their lifetime? Would you believe us if you could have two marriages to the same person? Join us today as we explore the unconscious (first) and conscious (second) marriage. What seems like a crisis and end to a marriage may actually be a great opportunity for both partners. Your original contract may no longer be working and this is a chance to create a new one as who you are now. People evolve and change over time and the marital relationship can be updated. What once worked in our 20s will most likely not align in our 70s. In the sexual cycle, changing hormones and bodies challenge us to learn new ways to make love. In a healthy relationship, this second marriage is an essential step to growth and partners often find it more fulfilling. George and Laurie walk listeners through an excellent role play on how this conversation would go and how to engage your partner in this work. Keep it hot y'all all through the years! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Through the three trimesters of pregnancy, a woman's body changes in different ways, but that doesn't mean that sex can't be good. Join author and certified sex therapist Laurie Watson and psychotherapist Dr. Adam Mathews as they talk about the changes in a woman's body at the different stages of pregnancy and how to keep sex alive and hot during pregnancy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Inspired by the work of Esther Perel, we are opening up a conversation around women being more narcissistic lovers. What does this even mean? According to experts, women tend to be more focused on their partner's experience in bed and less focused on their own pleasure. The caretaking cycle remains engaged, leaving many women disconnected and disengaged from their own sex lives. Join Laurie and George today for this riveting conversation on healthy ways women can be more selfish, self-focused and engaged during sex. This episode will have you thinking about what you actually like, find pleasure in, create more desire and assert your needs to your partner. What makes you feel desired, hot and fully in your sexual cycle, not the nurturer you are in day-day life? Both men and women will take away some great tips from this episode and really start to know what makes and keeps it hot! Please visit this episodes sponsor (and help the pod!)Uberlube.com -- Laurie's favorite, long-term, awesome personal lubricant! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some couples are faced at times with relating over a long-distance, whether due to business travel, being in the military, school, etc. Join author and sex therapist Laurie Watson and psychotherapist Laurie Watson talk through how to survive long-distant relationships both sexually and emotionally in a committed relationship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Touch is an essential attachment need, vital for emotional and physical connection throughout life. It can create anxiety in relationships, especially when couples struggle with intimacy. The dialogue emphasizes the importance of non-sexual touch in reinforcing bonds and reducing pressure. Through personal stories, they explore how mindfulness fosters mutual satisfaction. Additionally, the role of touch in family dynamics is addressed, highlighting its emotional benefits. Communication and awareness are key to enhancing comfort and intimacy between partners.

Body image issues can severely disrupt sexual desire and relationships, affecting both genders. The discussion highlights cultural beauty standards and their impact on self-esteem. It explores how negative self-image hinders intimacy for women while contrasting it with men's experiences. Mindfulness is proposed as a strategy for enhancing body awareness and intimacy, with breathing techniques and Kegel exercises introduced as practical tools. Ultimately, the conversation advocates for body positivity and the empowering role of partner support in fostering fulfilling sexual experiences.

Dr. Polly Watson, a menopause expert and founder of Hormone Wellness MD, dives deep into the often-taboo topic of sexual pain during menopause. She highlights that 75% of women face discomfort due to hormonal shifts and shares practical solutions involving hormone replacement and pelvic floor therapy. Dr. Watson emphasizes the importance of support from partners and the role of healthcare providers in addressing these concerns. With empowering insights, she reminds listeners that they are not alone and that enjoyable intimacy is achievable.

Discover the humorous connection between room temperature and intimacy! Explore how balancing friendship and sexual attraction can strengthen romantic partnerships. Learn the importance of nurturing individual interests and cultivating space for each other’s passions. Hear insights on treating your partner with the same respect you’d offer a friend, which can lead to deeper connections. Delve into the power of companionship, teamwork, and loyalty, essential for overcoming challenges and enhancing intimacy in relationships.