Dear Sugars

In this conversation, Ashley C. Ford, a talented writer and speaker known for her poignant personal essays, shares her journey with body image and romance. She discusses how her diagnosis of PCOS affected her self-acceptance and relationships. The dialogue explores societal pressures regarding desirability, emphasizing that confidence often outweighs appearance. Ashley encourages open communication between partners about body changes and highlights the beauty of loving and accepting oneself, regardless of size. Ultimately, she affirms that all bodies are deserving of love.

Love can be complicated, and doubt often creeps in. Relationship advice covers when to expect 'I love you' before moving in, and how to navigate different emotional languages. The hosts tackle issues like attraction versus beauty standards and the significance of honesty when facing infidelity. They also discuss the thrill of a long-distance fling and the fears that accompany commitment. Ultimately, they suggest that doubt can serve as a valuable guide in relationships, helping to clarify feelings and decisions.

This episode was originally released on October 28th, 2017. Sex-starved, meet sex-hounded. Recently, the Dear Sugars inbox was flooded with responses to the two-part episode “Sexless Relationships” with Esther Perel. In those episodes, the Sugars answered letters from people who were longing for sexual intimacy with their partners. But many readers asked why we didn’t address the other side of sexless relationships: the people who want less sex than their partners. In today’s episode, we hear from a letter writer who feels pressured by her partner to have sex. “Every night — EVERY NIGHT — when we get in bed, he rubs my back to see if he can arouse me,” writes the letter writer." "Enough is enough.” Cheryl Strayed and Steve Almond dig into the power dynamics that play out when one partner constantly demands sex. Then, they attempt to answer the question, “Is there such a thing as wanting too much sex?”

In this encore "rapid fire" episode, the Sugars give brief answers to a handful of letters. This time, they challenge each other to make the call -- one way or the other -- on the questions they're discussing, rather than offer open-ended guidance. This episode was originally released on September 30, 2016. 

Buzz Bissinger, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of Friday Night Lights, opens up about his debilitating spending addiction, revealing he spent over $600,000 on leather goods. He shares his journey to rehab, discussing the stigma surrounding spending addictions and the misconceptions that trivialize them. Buzz offers practical strategies to resist urges and emphasizes the importance of addressing underlying mental health issues. His insights on leveraging harmed relationships as motivation for recovery resonate deeply, shedding light on a often-minimized struggle.

This episode was originally released on May 25th, 2018. When two women in their sixties start losing interest in sex, their sex-starved partners become increasingly frustrated. Both women blame old age for their waning libidos. But is their diminished sex drive because of age or something else? The erotic lives of senior citizens are typically made invisible by our culture, which can lead to confusion and misinformation. Dr. Pepper Schwartz, the love and relationship columnist for AARP, joins the Sugars to dispel certain myths about sex and aging: Do libidos change after menopause? How does the aging body affect the way we feel about sex? Should medical interventions be considered for a declining sex drive? Dr. Schwartz is a professor of sociology at the University of Washington and has written more than 25 books on love and sexuality. She’s also an on-air expert for Lifetime TV’s “Married at First Sight.” The Sugars Recommend “Our Souls at Night,” by Kent Haruf “Scary Old Sex,” by Arlene Heyman

This episode was originally published on August 11th, 2018. Privilege comes in many forms: socio-economic privilege, gender privilege, heterosexual privilege, to name a few. In this episode, the Sugars reply to two letter writers who are facing different forms of privilege. They discuss with Catrice M. Jackson, a leading voice for racial justice.

Today, we’re sharing a special episode from the new miniseries “The C-Word: Stories of Cancer” from Say More, a podcast from The Boston Globe Opinion. In the first part of this series, host and award-winning columnist Shirley Leung talks for the first time about her breast cancer diagnosis. She opens up about the personal and professional impact of her illness, and why now felt like the right time to tell her story. Follow Say More wherever you get your podcasts: https://link.chtbl.com/SayMore?sid=dearsugars

Leslie Bell, a psychotherapist and sociologist, discusses the tug-of-war between love and career aspirations. She offers insights on prioritizing personal goals without sacrificing relationships. The conversation reveals the importance of communication and mutual support in navigating choices, especially for women facing societal pressures. They explore real dilemmas about pursuing career dreams while maintaining connections, highlighting that it's possible to achieve balance and growth in both areas. It's a thought-provoking dive into the complexities of modern relationships.

Discover the groundbreaking approaches of psychedelic therapy as Dr. Hillary McBride guides clients through transformative healing journeys. Hear Donovan's powerful story of confronting childhood trauma and the profound impact of ketamine-assisted sessions. Explore the emotional complexities of navigating trauma, flashbacks, and personal growth. The conversation intertwines lighthearted discussions on fitness with deeper reflections on connection and disconnection, making for a compelling blend of insight and hope.