

Sleeping Around
Forever Dog
Therapy is expensive - try Sleeping Around! Sleeping Around offers a peek behind the curtain of modern sex therapy, couple's therapy, and sex and relationship research. Each week, Master of Counselling Psychology student and content creator Alayna Joy brings you conversation with experts and professionals in the field of sex and relationship psychology. Each interview offers listeners insights and information otherwise reserved for the therapy couch, bringing a unique and inclusive perspective on intimacy, attachment, and what it means to be in a relationship today.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 10, 2025 • 56min
The Secret Meaning Behind Your Sexual Fantasies with Dr. Justin Lehmiller
What do your fantasies really say about you? Go to https://regain.us/alaynajoy to get 10% off your first month of couples therapy!
In this season finale, Dr. Justin Lehmiller— social psychologist, Kinsey Institute researcher, and author of Tell Me What You Want joins Alayna to unpack the science of sexual fantasies: why we have them, what they mean (or don’t), and how they can actually strengthen relationships.
FOR THE EXTENDED EPISODE join the Patreon community here ✨: https://www.patreon.com/AlaynaJoy
Connect with Justin:
Sex and Psychology Podcast: https://sexandpsychology.com/podcasts
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justinjlehmiller/
Tell Me What You Want: https://amzn.to/4bSVT2j
Upcoming study abroad courses in Iceland: https://sexualhealthalliance.com/2025-reykjavik-study-abroad-with-sha
Spain: https://sexualhealthalliance.com/2025-barcelona-study-abroad-sha
Don’t forget to follow the podcast on social media: https://www.instagram.com/sleepingaroundpod and subscribe for more episodes. If you found this episode helpful, please leave a comment and share it with someone who might benefit from our discussion! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jun 24, 2025 • 56min
Can Couples Heal After Cheating? Where Therapy Gets It Wrong with Rebecca Stone
Rebecca Stone, a somatic and couples therapist, shares her expertise on healing after infidelity. She discusses betrayal trauma and critiques traditional therapy approaches that often overlook the unique pain of the betrayed partner. The conversation dives into the psychology behind cheating, emphasizing how unprocessed trauma can drive infidelity. Stone highlights that recovery is possible, focusing on accountability, communication, and the transformative power of shared experiences in rebuilding trust and intimacy.

Jun 17, 2025 • 1h 6min
Are We All Traumatized? A Conversation with Bhupie Dulay & Abby Chow
In this inspiring conversation, Alayna sits down with Abby and Bhupie—therapists and co-creators of Prospect Counselling + Training—to unpack the big, messy questions around trauma and healing. Are we all traumatized? What does healing actually look like, beyond the therapy room? And how do we unlearn harmful beliefs about what healing “should” be?
Whether you're in therapy, offering therapy, or dreaming of new models for care and community, this episode is for you.
Check out Prospect Counselling + Training : https://www.prospectcounselling.ca/
https://www.instagram.com/reflectingonjustice/?hl=enhttps://www.instagram.com/prospectcounselling/?hl=en
Email : connect@prospectcounselling.ca
Don’t forget to follow the podcast on social media: https://www.instagram.com/sleepingaroundpod and subscribe for more episodes. If you found this episode helpful, please leave a comment and share it with someone who might benefit from our discussion! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jun 11, 2025 • 57min
What Is Kink? Understanding BDSM with Stefani Goerlich
Stefani Goerlich, a certified sex therapist and author specializing in BDSM and kink, joins to unravel the world of kink and BDSM. She explains the components of BDSM, emphasizing that it's about consensual exchanges of control. Stefani shares tips for introducing kink to partners using media, and suggests beginner practices to ease into these dynamics. Breaking stereotypes, she reassures that desires are valid and discusses the key differences between consensual kink and abuse. A must-listen for anyone curious about exploring their fantasies!

May 27, 2025 • 58min
Coming Out Late with Robin Douglass
Check out Dossier Perfumes: https://dossier.co/ #dossier #dossierperfumes @dossierperfumes
“It’s better late than never—because it’s never too late.” – Robin Douglass
In this heartfelt conversation, Alayna is joined by Robin Douglass, an educator and coach who helps people come out later in life. Together, they explore what it means to question your identity as an adult, how to move forward without regret, and what to actually DO once you realize you yourself are a “late bloomer".
It’s a tender, empowering reminder that your truth is still yours—no matter when you find it.
This one’s for anyone figuring it out a little later. 💛
Connect with Robin:
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/209443717714063/
Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Gx7Yk9ZofJZWGzUZGDGgU
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/late.blooming.lesbian/?hl=en Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 20, 2025 • 41min
Couple’s Therapist Reveals Secret to Healthy Conflict
Why do even the best relationships get stuck in cycles of conflict? FOR THE EXTENDED EPISODE join the Patreon community here ✨: https://www.patreon.com/AlaynaJoy
In this episode, Alayna is joined by compassion-focused therapist and educator Michelle Becker to explore what really happens when we're triggered in relationships—and how we can bring more mindfulness, kindness, and connection into the moments that test us most.
From the science of the threat-defense system (a.k.a. fight, flight, freeze) to the emotional skills we wish we learned in school, Michelle shares clear, compassionate tools to help you move from reaction to repair. Whether you're struggling to set boundaries, communicate clearly, or just want to argue better, this conversation is for you. And don’t miss Michelle’s unexpected answer to how much conflict is too much—it might just change how you think about your relationship.
Check out her book Compassion for Couples: Building the Skills of Loving Connection
Well Connected Relationships podcast https://wisecompassion.com/
Don’t forget to follow the podcast on social media: https://www.instagram.com/sleepingaroundpod and subscribe for more episodes. If you found this episode helpful, please leave a comment and share it with someone who might benefit from our discussion! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 13, 2025 • 59min
Dating with Insecure Attachment: From Anxious to Avoidant with Heidi Priebe
Ever wonder why you get super anxious—or totally shut down—in relationships? FOR THE EXTENDED EPISODE join the Patreon community here ✨: https://www.patreon.com/AlaynaJoy
In this episode, Alayna is joined by writer, speaker, and attachment theory expert Heidi Priebe for a deep dive into the world of attachment styles: what they are, where they come from, and how they quietly (or not so quietly) shape the way we show up in relationship.
Together, they break down the basics of attachment theory in a way that’s actually relatable, and explore how to use this knowledge to build more secure, flexible, and connected relationships.
Connect with Heidi here:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HeidiPriebe1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 6, 2025 • 42min
Therapy in the Age of TikTok with Gabriel Ray-Contreras
FOR THE EXTENDED EPISODE join the Patreon community here ✨: https://www.patreon.com/AlaynaJoy
In this episode, we’re unpacking how therapy has changed in the age of TikTok, and what all the online advice is really doing to our understanding of mental health. Alayna is joined by Gabriel Ray-Contreras, who is a former medical doctor turned counsellor, educator, and podcaster. Together they explore how trauma is talked about, the rise of “Insta-therapy,” and how to know when it’s time to question the advice you’re seeing on your feed.
Some questions covered:
Is TikTok helping or hurting our understanding of mental health?
What’s the difference between a trauma response and a trauma disorder?
How do we know if a therapist is the right fit, or potentially doing harm?
What does it mean to be a trauma informed counsellor?
Listen to Therapy After Hours here: https://open.spotify.com/show/4wEjGRb96j4PIfOXBmAcms?si=ecc371cbbf32481c&nd=1&dlsi=d01b73ef81714b01 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Apr 29, 2025 • 36min
The Masc Shortage Is a Myth—and Other Queer Sexuality Lies with Eva Bloom
Join Eva Bloom, a non-binary queer sexuality educator, as they explore the complexities of queer intimacy and education. Discover what it means to be a late bloomer and why pleasure anatomy is often overlooked. Eva discusses the shortcomings of traditional sex education, urging for a pleasure-centered approach that benefits queer and trans people. They also delve into the biases of dating apps and share tips for building queer community offline. Plus, learn how to foster confident conversations around desire and consent!

Apr 8, 2025 • 52min
Why Sex Hurts (and What to Do About It) with Sara Reardon
In this episode of Sleeping Around, Alayna is joined by pelvic floor therapist Sara Reardon to talk all things pelvic health—and it’s way more than just kegels. They unpack common (but often unspoken) issues like pain during sex, painful periods, and how to know if your pelvic floor is actually functioning normally. Whether you're experiencing any of these concerns, pregnant, postpartum, or just curious about how your body works, this episode is packed with everyday tips and empowering advice to help you take charge of your pelvic health and advocate for yourself along the way.Since 2007, Dr. Sara Reardon has been caring for people’s pelvic floors as a board-certified pelvic floor physical therapist. She is the Founder of The V-Hive, an online pelvic floor workout platform for pregnancy, postpartum, menopause, painful sex, and pelvic floor strengthening. As The Vagina Whisperer on Instagram and TikTok, she has hundreds of thousands of followers. Sara lives in New Orleans, La. with her husband and two sons. FLOORED: A Woman’s Guide to Pelvic Floor Health at Every Age and Stage, available for pre-order and releasing June 10 2025, is her first book. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.


