Pleasure Project: Sex and Relationships

Latest Episodes:

Stress & Sex | Szn. 1 Ep. 22 Nov 30, 2023

Show notes

In this episode Dr. Jenn talks about stressors and how they affect your sex life. This is a great podcast to listen to as a couple.

The episode begins with a mapping exercise to help you identify both your motivations and your barriers to intimacy. It is important to look at stress management in a practical way and figure out these dynamics present obstacles that thwart your desire and connection (to self and partner).

Many stressors are out of your control, but your reaction and your commitment to staying resourced is within your sphere of influence.

If we can manage our stress, we will typically have more access to our sexuality. Tune in and let Dr. Jenn know what you think!

Do you have interest in unpacking your own relationship to body or sexuality? Contact Dr. Jenn for therapy. There is also upcoming⁠⁠⁠ Pleasure Circle⁠⁠⁠ offerings. You can find out more or sign up at ⁠⁠⁠Pleasure Project⁠⁠⁠. 💋

#podcast #sexuality #sexeducation #aging #education #sexualhealth #pleasureproject #empowerment #drjennkennedy #menopause #midlife #bodyempowerment #stress #stressmanagement #couplescounseling #couplestherapy #therapy

Sex & Religion w/ Dr. Lisa Rayburn | Szn. 1 Ep. 21 Nov 09, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, Dr. Jenn interviews Dr. Lisa Rayburn, Esq. about a topic that comes up time and time again as a sex therapist and a sex addiction therapist: the intersection of sex and religion.

Dr. Lisa Rayburn is a theologian, attorney, and leadership educator. She leads individuals and groups through change. As an attorney and business executive, she was trained to think strategically. Her life has also been largely dedicated to helping people spiritually.

They discuss hot button topics like:

The complexities of sex and religion
Sexual shame and ways to work to release it
The difference between shame and guilt
What the religious texts are actually saying in regard to sex
The role of procreation
Where does pleasure come in?
Masturbation
Marriage
Differing beliefs

This is a much needed conversation and we'd love to know what you think. You can find Dr. Rayburn on LinkedIn & @lisarayburn

#podcast #sexuality #sexeducation #aging #education #sexualhealth #pleasureproject #empowerment #drjennkennedy #religion #menopause #midlife #bodyempowerment #religionandsex

Turn-Ons & Turn-Offs 💋 | Szn. 1 Ep. 20 Oct 25, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, Dr. Jenn unpacks turn-ons and turn-offs. She discusses how important it is to examine both your excitors and those things that inhibit you. Oftentimes, people know exactly what they dislike, and if the turn-offs go unaddressed, it can be very challenging to move past them.

Dr. Jenn teaches you how to tune into your senses and make a solid list in both categories to help you gain insight. How can you address your turn-ons and turn-offs if you can’t identify them?

What excites you?
What gets you into that playful s*xy space?
What grosses you out?
What shuts you down?
What fears do you have?

Tune in, give this a try, and let us know what you learned! We’d love to hear your feedback.

Do you have interest in unpacking your own relationship to body or sexuality? Contact Dr. Jenn for therapy.You can find out more or sign up at ⁠⁠⁠Pleasure Project⁠⁠⁠⁠. 💋

If you’re feeling ready to join the conversation or have topics you want to hear more about, send Dr. Jenn Kennedy an email with questions and she may address it in a future Pleasure Project Blog⁠⁠⁠⁠.

#podcast #drjennkennedy #pleasureproject #pleasureprojectpodcast #sexuality #couplestherapy #sextherapy #personalgrowth #education #therapy #sexualhealth #feminism #couplescounseling #sexpositive #feminism

Aging Body Liberation w/ Deb Benfield | Szn. 1 Ep. 19 Oct 12, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, Dr. Jenn interviews Deb Benfield, MEd, RDN/LDN, RYT of @agingbodyliberation.

Deb invites women to blaze a liberating new path to a respectful, nurturing relationship with their aging body. She has helped hundreds of women heal their relationship with food, eating, and their bodies in her more than 35-year career as a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist and Registered Yoga Teacher specializing in preventing and treating disordered eating.

Now in her 60s, Deb focuses her research, training, clinical, and lived experience on the intersection of pro-aging and body liberation.

Her work is rooted in helping women and this episode addresses:

How to shift your relationship with your body from “life project” to “life partner”
How to nourish your body in midlife and beyond to support growing older in alignment with your values
Recognizing internalized ageism and ending it
Untangling and separating from the mess of diet/wellness culture

You can find Deb at ⁠@agingbodyliberation⁠ and at her ⁠website⁠.

Do you have interest in unpacking your own relationship to body or sexuality? Contact Dr. Jenn for therapy. There is also upcoming⁠⁠ Pleasure Circle⁠⁠ offerings. You can find out more or sign up at ⁠⁠Pleasure Project⁠⁠. 💋

If you’re feeling ready to join the conversation or have topics you want to hear more about, send Dr. Jenn Kennedy an email with questions and she may address it in a future ⁠⁠Pleasure Project Blog⁠⁠.

#podcast #sexuality #sexeducation #aging #education #sexualhealth #pleasureproject #empowerment #drjennkennedy #agingliberation #menopause #midlife #bodyempowerment

Couples Therapy | Szn. 1 Ep. 18 Sep 27, 2023

Show notes

In this episode Dr. Jenn talks about the magic of couple’s therapy. This includes typical reasons why couples come in, the most common problems encountered, and what couples therapy tends to look like structurally.

Some of the most common goals for couples coming into therapy include:

Communication skills and support
Perpetual problems
Low desire
Infidelity and betrayal
Learning to negotiate their needs
Conflict resolution: fighting fair

If you’re curious about any of these topics or thinking about couple’s therapy, this is the episode for you.

Do you have interest in couples work? Contact Dr. Jenn at Riviera Therapy to see who might be a good fit for you. If you'd like to spice your Sex Life check out Dr. Jenn's other passion: Pleasure Project⁠⁠⁠⁠. 💋

If you’re feeling ready to join the conversation or have topics you want to hear more about, send Dr. Jenn Kennedy an email with questions and she may address it in a future⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Pleasure Project Blog⁠⁠⁠⁠.

#podcast #sexuality #couplestherapy #sextherapy #personalgrowth #education #therapy #sexualhealth #pleasureproject #feminism #couplescounseling

Self Talk | Szn. 1 Ep.17 Sep 14, 2023

Show notes

In this episode Dr. Jenn talks about the dynamic of self talk and how it relates to s*x.

Self talk is that (often) incessant chatter that monitors your every thought and subsequent behavior. You might not be aware that you're doing it, but you almost certainly are. This inner voice combines conscious and unconscious--often automatic thoughts, beliefs and biases to create an internal monologue throughout the day. Now imagine how all of this hijacks your s*x life! Your desire struggles to happen amongst the peanut galley that is your self talk.

In in the episode, Dr. Jenn discusses four common negative cognitions that show up in self talk and derail your good time:

Personalizing - basically when “It’s not you, it’s me”. If something bad occurs, you automatically blame yourself. Examples: Our chemistry is off b/c I’m not their type or I don’t orgasm fast enough.

Filtering - you magnify negative and filter out positive parts of an interaction. Ex: The kissing was hot, but the sex was clumsy and felt mechanical.

Catastrophizing - you automatically expect the worst will happen. Ex: I’m going to look, act awkward or not be a good lover.

Polarizing - you see things only as either good or bad—black and white thinking. It’s the feeling that you have to be perfect or you're a total failure. Ex: I can’t let them see my stomach in any position that shows folding skin. Or, they bit me and I didn’t like it so it’s off.

There is no single, easy switch, but rather noticing and interrupting your go-to self talk.

Do you have interest in unpacking your own relationship to body or sexuality? Contact Dr. Jenn for therapy. There is also an upcoming⁠⁠⁠ Pleasure Circle⁠⁠⁠ offering. You can find out more or sign up at ⁠⁠⁠Pleasure Project⁠⁠⁠. 💋

#podcast #sexuality #sexeducation #sextherapy #personalgrowth #education #therapy #sexualhealth #pleasureproject #feminism #couplescounseling

When to See a Sex Therapist | Szn. 1 Ep 16 Aug 17, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, Dr. Jenn discusses when you should seek support from a sex therapist specifically. What is the difference between a sex therapist and a general therapist? What are the most common issues that bring people into sex therapy? Dr. Jenn also discusses two cases, including presenting issues and treatment. If you have been debating whether or not sex therapy is the right choice or if you are just curious - this episode is for you.

If you’re feeling ready to join the conversation or have topics you want to hear more about, send Dr. Jenn Kennedy an email with questions and she may address it in a future ⁠⁠⁠Pleasure Project Blog⁠⁠⁠.#podcast #sexuality #sexeducation #therapy #personalgrowth #education #sexualhealth #pleasureproject

Guide to Sex Ed w/ Trish Hecker | Szn. 1 Ep. 15 Jul 27, 2023

Show notes

Dr. Jenn interviews Trish Hecker from Open Door Support: a resource for whole-life sexual health education for parents, caregivers, educators, and healthcare providers. They work in the community through the classroom using California Healthy Youth Act approved curriculum, and also through parent workshops, one-on-one consulting, and customized training for teachers and healthcare professionals.

They dive into:

Sexual health education– particularly for youth
Sex ed in California & controversy surrounding sexual ed
How to have the harder conversations regarding sex, consent, health
Self-love and the relationship we have with ourselves
Body autonomy
The age breakdown - what is appropriate sex education at different ages?
Shifting from shame to curiosity

You can find Trish on Instagram at @opendoorsupported and on her website.

#podcast #sexuality #sexeducation #parenting #education #sexualhealth #pleasureproject

Sexual Rejection | Szn. 1 Ep. 14 Jul 13, 2023

Show notes

Sexual rejection feels bad all the way around. Energy leading to a sexual interaction requires a degree of vulnerability. We let our guard down to want the other person—to communicate verbally or nonverbally how we want to touch or be touched—how we want to experience pleasure. And when that gets thwarted, it feels not just disappointing, but also personal.

There was hope of temporary merger through the connection, and anticipation of the release that has transmuted into a sadness of two individuals retreating to their silos.

Dr. Jenn discusses:

How it feels to say no or to hear no
Factors that cause sexual rejection
Case examples of couples with high/low desire
Importance of curiosity with self and partner to address rejection

Do you have interest in unpacking your own relationship to body or sexuality? Contact Dr. Jenn for therapy. There is also upcoming⁠ Pleasure Circle⁠ offerings. You can find out more or sign up at ⁠Pleasure Project⁠. 💋

If you’re feeling ready to join the conversation or have topics you want to hear more about, send Dr. Jenn Kennedy an email with questions and she may address it in a future ⁠Pleasure Project Blog⁠.

#podcast #pleasure #sexuality #womenspleasure

Vulva Education & Empowerment w/ Viki Krug | Szn. 1 Ep. 13 Jun 28, 2023

Show notes

Dr. Jenn interviews Viki Krug, an Austrian artist with a mission to educate on vulva anatomy and diversity. Krug uses a special type of body casting to create a copy of the participant’s vulva. The casting is then turned into a beautiful statue for the participant to keep. Anonymous photos of the statues are published and used to celebrate vulvas for how they are: different, normal and beautiful.

They discuss Krug's journey, anatomy, creating safe spaces, body ownership and celebration.

You can find Viktoria at www.vulvarium.com and @vulvacasting

Do you have interest in unpacking your own relationship to body or sexuality? Contact Dr. Jenn for therapy. There is also upcoming Pleasure Circle offerings. You can find out more or sign up at Pleasure Project. 💋

If you’re feeling ready to join the conversation or have topics you want to hear more about, send Dr. Jenn Kennedy an email with questions and she may address it in a future Pleasure Project Blog.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Pleasure Project: Sex and Relationships

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected