Sex and Psychology Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 69: Designer Genitals – The Truth About Genital Enhancement Surgery Jan 14, 2022

Show notes

From penis enlargement to vaginal rejuvenation, modern medicine is offering those who are concerned with their genital appearance the opportunity to obtain “designer genitals.” In recent years, there has been an explosion in the number of people seeking genital augmentation surgery, as well as a growing number of procedures to choose from that promise to boost self-confidence and sexual desirability. But do all of these procedures really work as promised? Are they even safe? And is genital surgery really what we need, or do we just need better sex ed to help us appreciate our bodies?

To discuss the growing world of genital enhancement, I am joined by Dr. Rachel Rubin, a board-certified urologist and sexual medicine specialist. She is an assistant clinical professor of urology at Georgetown University and works in a private practice in the Washington DC region. Some of the topics we explore in this episode include:

What kind of genital enhancements are people looking for today and why?
Do procedures designed to increase penis size really work, and what are the risks?
How is Botox being used to enhance genital appearance and function?
What kind of procedures are people seeking to enhance their vulvas and vaginas? Do they work, and are they safe?
What does the growing trend of genital augmentation say about our culture and our sexuality?
Could better sex education help people to grow more comfortable and confident in their bodies without the need for medical intervention?

To learn more about Dr. Rubin, visit rachelrubinmd.com and follow her on social media @DrRachelRubin

This podcast was made on Zencastr. Join Zencastr today and receive 40% off of their professional plan for 3 months with my exclusive discount code: sexandpsych

Thanks to Promescent (promescent.com) and the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (modernsextherapyinstitutes.com) for sponsoring this episode!

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Credits: LEGIT Audio (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

Episode 68: What Do Singles Today Really Want? Jan 07, 2022

Show notes

Before the pandemic hit, the number of American adults living single was at a record high, while the marriage rate was at a record low. But that might all be about to change, according to results from the 11th annual Singles in America Survey from Match. This survey involved a demographically representative sample of 5,000 single adults aged 18-98, and the findings suggest that singles today are thinking very differently about sex, love, and relationships.

To break down the results, I spoke with Dr. Helen Fisher, a biological anthropologist, Senior Research Fellow at the Kinsey Institute, and Chief Scientific Advisor at Match. She has conducted extensive research and written six books on the evolution and future of sex, love, and marriage. We cover a lot of ground in this episode, including:

What singles today find attractive in a partner (hint: looks are out, emotional maturity is in).
Why singles today are open to dating a wider range of partners than they were in the past.
How online dating changed during the pandemic.
Tips for creating more chemistry on virtual dates.
Why singles today are sending fewer dick pics than they were before the pandemic.
Why men are more eager to start long-term relationships right now than women.
Whether the “three-date rule” is really a thing.

To learn more about Dr. Fisher, visit helenfisher.com and check out her latest book, Anatomy of Love.

Learn more about the latest Singles in America Survey at singlesinamerica.com

This podcast was made on Zencastr. Join Zencastr today and receive 40% off of their professional plan for 3 months with my exclusive discount code: sexandpsych

Thanks to Promescent (promescent.com) and the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (modernsextherapyinstitutes.com) for sponsoring this episode!

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Credits: LEGIT Audio (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

Episode 67: Resolutions For Better Sex In The New Year Dec 29, 2021

Show notes

As you ponder your New Year’s resolutions for 2022, think about things you can do to improve your sex life! With the right set of resolutions, you can address problem areas and tap into unfulfilled desires, which will allow you to enjoy the best sex of your life, boost passion in your relationship, and keep the spark burning all year long. Need some inspiration? I have you covered with this episode!

I spoke with Dr. Jessica O’Reilly about sexual New Year’s resolutions. Dr. Jess is a Toronto-based sexologist, author, speaker, and television personality. She is host of the Sex With Dr. Jess Podcast and the Intimately You program on CityTV. She is also the resident sexologist at Astroglide. We cover a lot of ground in this episode, including:

Why noisy sex is (usually) better sex, and how to be more vocal in bed if that’s something you don’t have much experience with.
How to break sexual routines and suggest new things to try with your partner.
Why it’s important to expand your definition of sex.
How resolutions to better your physical and mental health can boost your sex life.
How to be more “in the moment” during sex.
Practical ways to improve your sexual communication skills.
Why it’s important to incorporate more non-sexual touch into your relationship, and how this can improve your sex life.

To learn more about Dr. Jess and listen to her podcast, visit sexwithdrjess.com You can also follow her on social media @sexwithdrjess and find her online courses at happiercouples.com

Also, the episode of her podcast Dr. Jess mentions in the show about understanding your core erotic feeling is available here.

Here’s to a very happy–and sexy–year ahead!

This podcast was made on Zencastr. Join Zencastr today and receive 40% off of their professional plan for 3 months with my exclusive discount code: sexandpsych

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Credits: LEGIT Audio (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

Episode 66: Why The Holidays Make Us Horny Dec 22, 2021

Show notes

If you’re feeling extra horny right now, it’s not just you! The winter holidays are one of the times of year when sexual interest and behavior reliably increase. We see this in everything from a spike in condom sales to an increase in sexual injuries to a peak in STD rates early in the new year. So why is that? That’s what we’re going to explore in today’s episode.

I revisited my conversation with Dr. Patrick Markey from Episode 49, who analyzed Google search trends for sex and relationships over time and found that there’s a certain seasonality to when people are looking for sex-related content online. We discussed some of the biological, psychological, and social factors that underlie this trend. However, in this show, I take a deeper dive into holiday horniness. Some of the other topics I cover include:

Why does travel make us horny?
Why is there so much Santa Claus porn? What’s the sexual appeal of Santa?
Sexual interest rises around the holidays, but this time of year can also be really stressful. So how can you prevent stress from spoiling the mood?

I wish you all a very happy (and sexy) holiday season!

This podcast was made on Zencastr. Join Zencastr today and receive 40% off of their professional plan for 3 months with my exclusive discount code: sexandpsych

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Credits: LEGIT Audio (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

Episode 65: Understanding Asexuality Dec 17, 2021

Show notes

What does it mean to be asexual? This is something that different people have defined in different ways, and there are a lot of misconceptions about it. That’s why this episode of the podcast is all about understanding asexuality. We dive into what the science tells us about this subject and bust a lot of myths along the way. We also talk about helpful tips for navigating relationships in which one of the partners is asexual (lacking sexual attraction) and the other is allosexual (experiencing sexual attraction).

I am joined by Dr. Morag Yule, the founder and director of Ontario Sex Therapy, a private practice that offers sex therapy as well as clinical training and supervision out of Toronto, Canada. Dr. Yule has published extensively on human sexuality, but is especially recognized for her ground-breaking studies of asexuality.

Some of the topics we explore in this episode include:

How do sex researchers define asexuality, and how do they measure it in their studies?
What percentage of the population is asexual?
How is asexuality distinct from celibacy?
What have genital arousal studies told us about the sexual functioning of asexual persons?
Do asexual people masturbate and have sexual fantasies? How is solo sexuality similar or different for asexual and allosexual individuals?
Why is it important to view asexuality as a unique sexual orientation?
How does asexuality intersect with kink/BDSM and consensual non-monogamy?
How do you make a relationship work when asexual and allosexual people partner-up?

For more asexuality information and resources, check out the Asexuality Visibility and Education Network at asexuality.org

To learn more about Dr. Yule, visit ontariosextherapy.ca

This podcast was made on Zencastr. Join Zencastr today and receive 40% off of their professional plan for 3 months with my exclusive discount code: sexandpsych

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Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast!

Credits: LEGIT Audio (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

Episode 64: How Technology Can Save Your Sex Life Dec 10, 2021

Show notes

Most of us never got the sex education we really needed, which leaves us with a lot that we need to figure out all on our own. Fortunately, technology is making it easier than ever to fill in the gaps. In this episode, we’re going to explore an app that offers a step-by-step guide to sexual health that can also help you to build intimacy. In addition, we’ll be discussing common questions people have about sex and practical tips for cultivating a hotter and healthier sex life.

My guest is Isharna Walsh, founder and CEO of Coral, a sexual wellness app that offers evidence-based guides for better sex for all. We cover a lot of ground in this episode, including:

How can we better leverage technology to improve our sexual health and sex lives?
How does Coral work, and how is it different from everything else on the market?
How do you design a sexual wellness app that is accessible to a diverse audience?
What are the most common sexual and relationship questions among users of this app?
What can you do to build up your sexual self-confidence?
What are some practical ways to deepen your connection with your partner, or restore a connection that has faded in a long-term relationship?
How can you communicate more effectively about sex?

To learn more about Isharna, follow her on Instagram at @isharnawalsh and be sure to check out Coral at getcoral.app

Also, check out this sample exercise from Coral for a taste: Wholly Giving, Wholly Receiving

This podcast was made on Zencastr. Join Zencastr today and receive 40% off of their professional plan for 3 months with my exclusive discount code: sexandpsych

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Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast!

Credits: LEGIT Audio (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

Episode 63: A New Way of Thinking About Sexual Orientation Dec 03, 2021

Show notes

If you ask someone to describe their sexuality, odds are they’ll probably tell you something about the sex or gender of the people they’re attracted to. However, that’s just one of many aspects of sexuality that might be important to a given individual. Sexuality is multidimensional, and each of us has a unique constellation of factors that play a part in our attraction to others, from the number of partners we want to have, to the degree of support and nurturance we need, to the sexual roles we like to play.

In this episode, we’re going to be talking about a new way of thinking about sexuality known as Sexual Configurations Theory that can help us to better understand and measure sexual diversity. My guests are doctoral candidate Aki Gormezano and Dr. Sari van Anders, both from Queen’s University in Canada.

Some of the topics we discuss in this episode include:

What is Sexual Configurations Theory? Why is it important to expand our definition of sexual orientation beyond sex/gender-based attractions?
To what degree do our sexual fantasies, porn use, and in-person sexual behaviors overlap versus diverge? Why do some aspects of sexuality overlap more than others, and can this change over time?
Why is it problematic to assume that what people watch in porn necessarily reflects what they want to do in bed?
How should we measure someone’s sexuality in a research lab? Is genital arousal to porn really the “truest” measure of someone’s sexuality?
How can we do better, more inclusive sex research?

To learn more about Sexual Configurations Theory, check out the van Anders lab website. Also, be sure to follow my guests on Twitter @gormezaki and @sarivananders

This podcast was made on Zencastr. Join Zencastr today and receive 40% off of their professional plan for 3 months with my exclusive discount code: sexandpsych

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Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast!

Credits: LEGIT Audio (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

Episode 62: The Myth of the “Hormonal Woman” Nov 26, 2021

Show notes

Evolutionary psychologists have long argued that women’s sexual behavior is driven by hormonal changes that occur throughout the menstrual cycle, including everything from their desire for sex to their partner choice. This has fed the popular idea that hormones are really the driving force behind women’s sexuality. As it turns out, however, that’s not entirely true.

In this episode, we’re going to be deconstructing the myth of the “hormonal woman” with Dr. Tierney Lorenz, a former Kinsey Institute trainee who is currently an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Tierney studies the interaction between women’s mental, physical, and sexual health.

Some of the topics we explore in this episode include:

What role do hormones and the menstrual cycle really play when it comes to women’s sexual behavior?
Scientists have long argued that ovulation triggers changes in sexual behavior, but it turns out that having sex can actually trigger ovulation. So what does this mean for couples who are trying to get pregnant?
How does having sex impact how the immune system operates?
What is the key to boosting sexual desire? Can testosterone supplements help? What about medications?
How do sexual health, physical health, and mental health all intersect?
How can people with a history of sexual trauma go on to develop happier, healthier sex lives?

This interview blew my mind in several ways, so be sure to check it out! To learn more about Tierney, follow her on Twitter @tk_lorenz and follow her lab at @lab_wish

This podcast was made on Zencastr. Join Zencastr today and receive 40% off of their professional plan for 3 months with my exclusive discount code: sexandpsych

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Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast!

Credits: LEGIT Audio (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

Episode 61: “No Nut November” and the Science of Masturbation Nov 19, 2021

Show notes

Each November, media buzz around the annual abstinence challenge known as “No Nut November” seems to grow. This challenge involves men giving up ejaculation for the entire month. That means no sex and no masturbation—no orgasms of any kind. Those who participate do this for a wide range of reasons, but often with the intention of enhancing their health. But are there actually any health benefits to abstaining from orgasm for prolonged periods of time?

To dive into what the science says, I spoke with Dr. Joshua Gonzalez, a board-certified urologist who is fellowship-trained in Sexual Medicine. We give a research-based take on “No Nut November,” while also offering a crash course in “semenology” to answer common questions about ejaculation and orgasm.

Some of the topics we explore in this episode include:

Where does semen come from and what is it made of?
How many calories are in a single “serving” of semen? Is it really a source of protein?
Why are so many men concerned about their ejaculatory volume? And is there anything they can do to increase it?
Can abstinence from sex and masturbation enhance athletic performance?
What is the link between masturbation and health? In what ways can being sexually active (both solo and partnered) potentially boost health?
What are the most common sexual difficulties men experience, and what can they do to reduce their odds of developing them?
What do men need to know about having better sex?

To learn more about Joshua, visit his website at joshuagonzalezmd.com. You can also check out his supplement Popstar at popstarlabs.com and follow him on social media:

Instagram @JoshuaGonzalezMD
TikTok @JoshuaGonzalezMD
Twitter @SexMedLA

This podcast was made on Zencastr. Join Zencastr today and receive 40% off of their professional plan for 3 months with my exclusive discount code: sexandpsych

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Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast!

Credits: LEGIT Audio (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

Episode 60: The Science of Orgasms Nov 12, 2021

Show notes

What does it really mean to have an orgasm? Different people—and even different scientists—define “orgasm” in different ways, which makes this a surprisingly difficult subject to study scientifically. So how do you measure when someone has an orgasm in a research lab? For this episode, I spoke to an orgasm researcher who has figured out how to do it. Her methods and findings are absolutely fascinating and will change everything you think you know about orgasms!

My guest today is Dr. Nicole Prause, a licensed psychologist and sex researcher who founded the sexual biotechnology company Liberos. She is a former Kinsey Institute trainee and has published an extensive body of research on the neuroscience and psychophysiology of sex.

Some of the topics we explore in this episode include:

What technology do you need to study orgasms scientifically?
Orgasms have both a physiological and a psychological component—but they don’t always line up in the same way for everyone. So what does it mean when someone experiences one but not the other?
What does it actually mean to have multiple orgasms? Are we talking back-to-back orgasms with continued sexual stimulation? Can you take breaks? How much time can pass between each orgasm for it to count as “multiple?”
Is there really a gender difference in the ability to have multiple orgasms? (The answer may surprise you!)
Some people get sick every time they orgasm. What causes this post-orgasmic illness syndrome?
Are there really different “types” of orgasms, or are all orgasms technically the same process?
What happens inside the brain during an orgasm?
For people who have trouble orgasming, what can they do about it?

This podcast was made on Zencastr. Join Zencastr today and receive 40% off of their professional plan for 3 months with my exclusive discount code: sexandpsych

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Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast!

Credits: LEGIT Audio (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

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