Sex and Psychology Podcast

When did college “hookup culture” actually begin? Who is it helping, and who is it hurting? And what can people today do to navigate hookup culture and casual sex in healthy ways? For the answers to these questions, I spoke with Dr. Lisa Wade, an associate professor of sociology and gender and sexuality studies at Tulane University. She is also the author of the book, American Hookup: The New Culture of Sex on Campus. Some of the topics we explore in this episode include: What does the term “hookup culture” actually mean? When did college hookup culture first begin? Who is hookup culture helping? Who is it hurting? What does hookup culture look like for the LGBTQ+ community? How can young adults more successfully navigate hookup culture? How do you have good and healthy casual sex? How has the COVID-19 pandemic changed hookup culture? To learn more about Lisa and her work, visit her website at lisa-wade.com and check out her book, American Hookup. 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 *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. 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.

Why do humans have sex? To many, the answer to this question might seem obvious—but the truth is that our reasons for sex are many and varied, and some of the reasons people cite might very well surprise you! For this episode of the podcast, I spoke with Dr. Cindy Meston, a Professor of Clinical Psychology and Director of the Female Sexual Psychophysiology Laboratory at the University of Texas at Austin. She has studied humans’ motivations for sex extensively and is the author of the book Why Women Have Sex: Understanding Motivations from Adventure to Revenge (and Everything in Between). Some of the topics we explore in this episode include: What are the most common reasons humans have sex? What are the least common reasons? How do reasons for sex differ across men and women? Do our reasons for sex change as we age? Why is it that genital arousal and psychological arousal don’t always line up? And what does this mean? What effect does Viagra have in women? Are there any women for whom it can offer therapeutic benefits? How does sexual arousal change sexual decision-making? How do you build and maintain a career studying sex when there’s very little research funding for it? To learn more about Cindy and her work, visit her website at mestonlab.com and check out her book, Why Women Have Sex! 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 *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. 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.

Dr. Patrick Markey, a psychology professor and co-author of F*ck Divorce, studies relationships, sexuality, and recovery. He discusses coping with divorce stress, how to support someone splitting up, whether to stay friends with an ex, protecting kids during separation, when to date again, tips for online dating, and how sexual interest shifts with seasons and politics.

Emily Nagoski, sex educator and researcher with a PhD and bestselling author of Come As You Are, explains how brains shape sexual response. She breaks down the Dual Control Model of accelerator and brake, why desire can be spontaneous or responsive, and how stress, context, and body image affect arousal. Practical tips include identifying personal triggers and completing the stress cycle to restore desire.

Testosterone is one of the most misunderstood and maligned hormones in the human body. It gets blamed for toxic masculinity, sexual assault, aggression, and more. That’s why this episode of the Sex and Psychology podcast covers what you really need to know about testosterone and how it affects us. I spoke with Dr. Carole Hooven, who is a lecturer and codirector of undergraduate studies in the Department of Human Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University. She earned her PhD at Harvard, studying sex differences and testosterone, and has taught there ever since. Dr. Hooven is the author of the fascinating new book T: The Story of Testosterone, the Hormone that Dominates and Divides Us. Some of the topics we explore in this episode include: To what extent are sex differences a product of hormones and biology vs. socialization? How does testosterone affect sexual behavior in men and women? What can transgender persons taking hormone therapy teach us about how testosterone affects all of us? What is the link between testosterone and sexual orientation? Does abstaining from masturbation really increase testosterone in men? How can a more scientifically informed understanding of testosterone benefit all of us? To learn more about Carole and her work, follow her on Twitter @hoovlet and check out her latest book T: The Story of Testosterone, the Hormone that Dominates and Divides Us. *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. 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.

It’s time to reimagine sex education and start giving people the sex ed they need—and deserve. So what should that look like? That’s the subject of my latest podcast with special guest Dr. Kristen Mark. We talk all about the sex ed that does and doesn’t work and explore tips on cultivating happier and healthier sex lives and relationships, including how to keep the spark alive and how to work through sexual trauma. Dr. Mark is the Joycelyn Elders Endowed Chair and Professor in Sexual Health Education at the Institute for Sexual and Gender Health at the University of Minnesota Medical School. She is also a sex and relationship researcher and therapist, and an AASECT certified sex educator. Some of the topics we explore in this episode include: What does sex education look like around the world? Which models work, and which ones don’t? Beyond reducing STIs and unwanted pregnancies, how can better sex education make society healthier overall? Why should pleasure be a central focus of sex ed? How can people in long-term relationships keep the spark alive? What should you do if you and your partner want different amounts of sex? How do you bridge that divide? How can bisexual people cultivate healthy relationships in the face of bisexual stigma? How do you cultivate a satisfying sex life if you have a history of sexual trauma? To learn more about Kristen and her work, visit her website at kristenmark.com and follow her on Twitter @Kristen_Mark *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. 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.

Marriage is hard. And, in many ways, it’s harder today than it was in the past because what we’re asking of our partners now is so dramatically different than it was before. Whereas marriage used to be about meeting basic survival needs, it’s become more about self-actualization. And so if we want to understand how to make the institution of marriage better, we have to look at it in the context of our ever-changing needs and expectations. That’s why this episode of the podcast is all about the science of marriage and how to cultivate happier and healthier marriages. I interviewed Dr. Eli Finkel, a professor at Northwestern University, with appointments in the psychology department and the Kellogg School of Management. He is also the author of one of my favorite books, The All-or-Nothing Marriage: How the Best Marriages Work. Some of the topics we explore in this episode include: How and why have our expectations for marriage changed over the last century? How do we manage conflicting needs in our relationships, such as the need for excitement and surprise vs. the need for stability and security? Can opening up a monogamous marriage help to save it? How has the pandemic shaped marriage and relationships, for better or for worse? How can we make marriage better? What can you do to keep it healthy and strong? Should we be asking less of our partners? How do you keep sex healthy and hot in a long-term relationship? To learn more about Eli and his work, visit his website at elifinkel.com and check out his book, The All-or-Nothing Marriage. *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram.  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.

Dr. Richard Sprott, a developmental psychologist and co-author of "Sexual Outsiders," dives into the science of kink, BDSM, and fetishes. He debunks myths linking kink to mental illness and trauma, revealing that many kinky individuals are psychologically healthy. Richard discusses how kink can have therapeutic benefits, promoting self-acceptance and deeper connections. He also explores the origins of kinky interests, noting they can often be familial and change with age. Is kink a sexual orientation or just a leisure activity? The discussion is insightful and eye-opening!

People’s interest in polyamory is growing. For example, Google trends reveal that searches related to polyamory have risen significantly over the last decade. However, while interest is climbing, myths and misconceptions abound, which is why this episode of the Sex and Psychology Podcast offers a deep dive into the world of polyamory. I interviewed Dr. Heath Schechinger. He is a Counseling Psychologist at the University of California Berkeley and also maintains a private practice. Heath is the Founding Co-Chair of the Committee on Consensual Non-Monogamy within Division 44 of the American Psychological Association, and he is the Co-Founder of the Polyamory Legal Advocacy Coalition. Some of the topics we explore in this episode include: Who’s into polyamory and what are the different “shapes” that a polyamorous relationship might take? What is “solo polyamory” and how does it work? What are the unique benefits of consensual non-monogamy? What are the unique benefits of monogamy? If you’re polyamorous and seeking relationship counseling, how do you go about finding an affirming therapist? What are the most common issues that come up in sex and relationship therapy with polyamorous clients? If you’re curious about exploring polyamory, what do you need to know? If you’re polyamorous, what do you need to know about maintaining healthy relationships? What’s the future of polyamory and consensual non-monogamy? Will we eventually have legal recognition of multi-partner relationships? To learn more about Heath and his work, visit his websites at drheathschechinger.com and polyamorylegal.org *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. 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.

Getting into a relationship is much easier than getting out of one. People have a tendency to slide into relationships without putting in a lot of thought. But when it comes to getting out of a relationship, people may deliberate for months, perhaps years—decades even. So why is that? This episode of the Sex and Psychology Podcast is all about how we make relationship decisions. I interviewed Dr. Samantha Joel, an Assistant Professor at Western University. Her research examines how people make the decisions that grow or break apart their romantic relationships. Sam has a fascinating body of work that I am so excited to share with you! Some of the topics we explore in this episode include: Can computer programs predict who we’re going to be attracted to before we ever even meet someone? Can these programs also predict which relationships are going to stand the test of time? What are the factors that predict relationship happiness? What predicts when couples decide to break up? Are people more afraid of missing out on an opportunity for love or being rejected? Why do so many of us have such a hard time rejecting romantic prospects who aren’t a good match for us? Is having sex with an ex-partner a good or bad idea? Does ex-sex prevent you from moving on? Why is it easier to get into a relationship than to get out of one? What happens when a couple decides to open up their relationship? Does it change the quality of that relationship over time? To learn more about Sam, visit her website and follow her on Twitter @datingdecisions *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. 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.