What if the key to better sex isn’t new, but rooted in ancestral knowledge? In this episode, Shan sits down with storyteller, mythologist, and ancient erotica expert Seema Anand to explore the rich, and yes, deeply sexy, history of sexual liberation, and why it's never really been a modern idea. Together, they unpack what it means to reconnect with your desire through ancestry, ritual, and unapologetic self-expression. We talk sex positions (yes, the Kama Sutra makes an appearance), the role of ...
Jun 24, 2025•54 min•Season 2Ep. 125
Why do fuckboys… fuckboy? In this episode, we dig into the root of it. Just ahead of the release of his new single Permanent Vacation (dropping June 18), genre-bending artist Duckwrth joins Shan for a raw and revealing conversation on why some men detach, ghost, and repeat the cycle. Together, they unpack how fear of commitment, cultural conditioning, and childhood wounds can all contribute to the “Certified Loverboy” identity. Duckwrth opens up about his own evolution—from polyamory and emotion...
Jun 18, 2025•57 min•Season 2Ep. 124
Have you ever wondered where your libido went? In this episode we do a deep dive on sexual slumps, low libido and lack of sexual desire that is frustrating (lack of desire that is not frustrating is not a problem!). We get to have this conversation first from the lens of Emmy-winning journalist Tamsen Fadal whose journey with low libido started in perimenopause and peaked on her honeymoon! From hot flashes and brain fog in the newsroom to bedroom low sex drive, Tamsen has become treasured for pu...
Jun 11, 2025•54 min•Season 2Ep. 123
From fatphobia to racism to ageism and ableism, Kennedy challenges the norms around love, desirability, and who gets to be the “main character.” This one’s for anyone who's ever felt left out of the story — and is ready to take the pen back. Bestselling romance author Kennedy Ryan (Before I Let Go, Reel) sits down with Shan to talk about what happens when women stop shrinking themselves to be chosen. From rewriting the stories we’ve inherited about sex, love, and partnership — to questioning why...
Jun 04, 2025•51 min•Season 2Ep. 122
What kind of stories do we pass down through the way we love? Actor and mom Xosha Roquemore sits down with Shan to talk about sex, self-worth, and how becoming a mother shifted everything. It starts with one question she asked that stopped us both: “Have the kind of sex you’d be proud to tell your daughter about.” We talk about the early messages she got about sex, how sexual coercion showed up in her past, and why that experience still needs more language. She shares a fun one-night stand story...
May 28, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Season 2Ep. 121
Reclaiming Intimacy: Jessie Woo’s Journey Beyond Trauma. Comedian and media personality Jessie Woo joins Shan for a powerful conversation about healing, love, and rediscovering sexual joy after surviving sexual assault. Jessie shares her painful story of her assault and her joyful story of her relationship with Jay Allen aka Mr Easter. Now Jessie is on the path to reclaiming pleasure and building healthy relationships, offering hope and practical insights for anyone on their own journey of recov...
May 21, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Season 2Ep. 120
Nothing good lasts. Right? In this deeply moving episode, Canadian singer-songwriter Alessia Cara joins Shan Boodram to explore the connection between intimacy, loss, and the fear of death (thanatophobia). Inspired by her song "Subside" from Love and Hyperbole , Alessia opens up about her personal journey with grief and how it shapes the way she loves and creates. Together, they dive into universal questions: How do we hold on to love while letting go of control? How does the fear of loss impact...
May 14, 2025•54 min•Season 2Ep. 119
In this week’s episode, I sit down with Raven-Symoné and her wife Miranda Pearman-Maday for a refreshingly honest conversation about love and what it really takes to sustain a modern relationship. They share why they chose a sleep divorce, and how sleeping separately has deepened their emotional bond, sharpened their communication, and brought them even closer. This episode is a masterclass in emotional maturity and intentional partnership, an invitation to rethink what a healthy marriage can lo...
May 07, 2025•54 min•Season 2Ep. 118
In this week’s episode, I sit down with the legendary Cree Summer to talk about her journey through love, loss, and rediscovery in her 50s. Cree opens up about losing her sex drive during her marriage due to a lack of emotional shelter and the importance of finding a partner who provides safety and calm during life’s storms. We also dive into how her sex drive has improved post-menopause and what she’s looking forward to as she explores love again in her senior years. Whether you’re navigating r...
Apr 30, 2025•57 min•Season 2Ep. 117
This is a rare solo episode with just Shan behind the mic—no guests, no distractions. Just her, answering some of your most pressing, unfiltered questions. From personal reflections to deeper dives on topics you’ve been dying to hear her take on, this one’s intimate, insightful, and straight from the heart Join My Mailing List https://www.loversbyshan.com/newsletter Lovers Community If you’re interested in joining the Lovers community, click here to join the waitlist: https://www.loversbyshan.co...
Apr 23, 2025•41 min•Season 2Ep. 116
Are you ready to dive deep into the complexities of love, faith, and identity? In this thought-provoking episode, Shan Boodram sits down with B. Simone to discuss the transformative journey of embracing chastity, understanding soul ties, and exploring the nuances of identity and connection. While B. Simone does not identify as demisexual, Shan suggests the possibility during their candid conversation, sparking an insightful dialogue about emotional intimacy and sexual attraction. This episode un...
Apr 16, 2025•54 min•Season 2Ep. 115
Does a change in your intimate needs have to mean a change of heart? In this episode of Lovers Shan Boodram sits down with Karamo Brown, TV personality (Karama and Queer Eye), author, and culture expert, for a raw and revealing conversation about intimacy and growth. Karamo opens up about how his intimate needs evolved through his 20s, 30s, and 40s—both emotionally and in the bedroom. He shares how these changes led to the end of a past relationship, where his partner couldn’t accept his evolvin...
Apr 09, 2025•47 min•Season 2Ep. 114
Are You Loyal to Your Gender or Your Relationship? Shan Boodram sits down with Khadeen and Devale Ellis, the dynamic married duo known for their raw honesty, humor, and insights on love and relationships. Together, they share how they saved their marriage by breaking free from traditional gender roles and prioritizing their partnership above all else. Khadeen and Devale Ellis are actors, content creators, and authors of the best-selling book We Over Me: The Counterintuitive Approach to Getting E...
Apr 02, 2025•44 min•Season 2Ep. 113
Jessie Reyez joins the podcast to celebrate her new album, Paid in Memories and to dive into the complexities of boundaries and self-respect. Together, we unpack what it means to be labeled a "villain" (by both yourself and others) for setting boundaries and standing firm in your self-worth. Jessie shares her personal journey of choosing to stay single rather than settling for less in love, reflecting on the regret of taking too much accountability in her past relationship, and embracing her lov...
Mar 26, 2025•45 min•Season 2Ep. 112
In this episode of Lovers and Friends, Shan Boodram sits down with Deepica Mutyala, founder of Live Tinted and a trailblazing entrepreneur, for an honest and empowering conversation about being single, thriving in your 30s, and preparing for the love and family you deserve. Deepica shares her journey of building a successful career while staying true to her dreams of finding the right partner and creating a family. Together, Shan and Deepica discuss the challenges of dating when you’re successfu...
Mar 19, 2025•42 min•Season 2Ep. 111
Lena Waithe on Cuddling Over Climaxing In this episode of Lovers and Friends , Shan Boodram sits down with Emmy-winning writer, producer, and actress Lena Waithe ( Queen & Slim , Master of None , The Chi ) for an eye-opening conversation about intimacy, love, and meaningful connections. Lena shares why you should never have sex with someone unless you can imagine a positive aftermath for both of you. She dives into how cuddling can create a deeper emotional bond than sex, especially when the...
Mar 12, 2025•52 min•Season 2Ep. 110
What kind of relationship with sex do we want young people to have? In this episode myself and Tika Sumpter, known for her multifaceted career as an actor and creator, explore this question as parents and as people reparenting themselves. In this episode Tika shares her compelling personal story that shaped her approach to intimacy and education. Growing up in a Christian household, discussions about sex were often avoided or framed solely around negative consequences. This instilled fear and co...
Mar 05, 2025•45 min•Season 2Ep. 109
In this deeply personal episode presented by Bumble, singer Mario opens up about the profound impact of unresolved trauma stemming from his relationship with his mother. He shares how this pain shaped his early behavior towards women, leading to manipulation and broken connections. Mario takes us on his journey of self-reflection, healing, and ultimately embracing his inner feminine energy—a process that not only reshaped his relationships but also elevated his personal growth and artistry. As M...
Feb 26, 2025•52 min•Season 2Ep. 108
Beyond Pleasure: Three Keys to Truly Fulfilling Sex Sex is at the intersection of life and humanity. For the majority of us, it’s how we got here and for parents, it’s how we will continue on after we are gone. We often hear the term “better” sex, which begs two questions: what does that mean? And, why is the sex we are currently having not good enough? In this episode we will define the goal of sex - regardless of the stage of the relationship and we will also discuss what prevents us from havi...
Feb 21, 2025•39 min•Season 1Ep. 107
Kerry Washington, you read right. Award-winning actor, director, producer, and activist Kerry Washington. In support of the second season of her hit show UnPrisoned on Hulu Onyx Collective, Kerry stopped by Lovers and Friends to discuss what she learned from Paige, how learning that her biological father was a sperm donor changed her family for the better, therapy with her parents and husband, how real parents should get with their kids, her parenting philosophy and more. If you loved Kerry Wash...
Jul 26, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 106
Kelly Rowland, you read right. This is a CAN NOT MISS, special release Lovers and Friends episode with Shan Boodram AND it is best experienced after you watch Mea Culpa now streaming worldwide on Netflix. In this intimate, first-of-its-kind conversation Kelly Rowland shares how she went from a sexually repressed upbringing to living up to her pleasure potential as a sensualist, plus how her sexual awakening gave her the confidence to play Mea in Mea Clupa alongside Trevante Rhodes, whom she shar...
Feb 26, 2024•56 min•Season 1Ep. 105
Welcome to (some of) the best of Lovers and Friends the podcast. Hear from JESSIE REYES, MELISSA AND KEV OnSTAGE, ABBY DE LA ROSA, SHANOLA HAMPTON, TIM Chantrangsu aka DE LA GHETTO, DREW LOVE from THEY, RACHEL LINDSAY and GLO ATANMO during this special recap episode. THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR ONSEKIN Go to http://oneskin.co and 15% off with code LOVERS15 GLO ATANMO https://youtu.be/lbIaM09t0ZU?si=GtWZkCBspPlmUA8f https://open.spotify.com/episode/1W4xrpdCh0V3OwXZCYt1bO?si=mJNj1rxcQ7a333AUmgsqMA JESSI...
Dec 27, 2023•1 hr 28 min•Season 1Ep. 104
FUCK the fairytale! How does that land on you? Does it make you go FUCK YES we need to be realistic about love OR does it make you go FUCK NO I desire the fairytale and that’s what I’ll get. Well when dating coach Damona Hoffman suggests you F the Fairytale, she kinda wants you to feel both. Tired of the same old dating game and ready to find real, lasting love? Join us in this episode of FUCK the Fairytale as we explore what a true fairytale relationship looks like with expert dating coach Damo...
Dec 20, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 103
Are you ready to break free from outdated social norms and discover the real power of being true to yourself? Mal Wright from Netflix's The Ultimatum is here to share her story of why she chose to end her engagement, why gender has no place in sex, and the one thing her next partner must have. Don't miss this inspiring story and get ready to experience the liberating effects of embracing your true self! Follow Mal https://www.instagram.com/igobymal/ https://malwright.komi.io/ Thanks to Our Spons...
Dec 13, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 102
Are you curious why Vanessa and Xander, a happily married couple, chose not to have children? Find out by joining therapist Vanessa and her husband Xander as they share their personal story about why they chose to remain childfree. Tune in to learn more about their unconventional decision and how it has impacted their lives! Follow Vanessa and Xander Marin https://sextalksbook.com/ https://vmtherapy.com/ HelloFresh Go to http://HelloFresh.com/loversfree and use code loversfree for FREE breakfast...
Dec 06, 2023•45 min•Season 1Ep. 101
Becoming a Pro: Master These Kama Sutra Sex Moves and Take Things to the Next Level. Spend some quality time with Seema Anand as she guides you through the Kama Sutra to discover the perfect positions for your pleasure even if the penis is too big, too small, or not experienced enough. From beginner-friendly poses to more advanced options, you'll learn something new no matter your level. So if you haven't found your go-to position yet, tune in now and explore with Seema! Seema Anand is a London-...
Nov 29, 2023•56 min•Season 1Ep. 99
Today, we're joined by renowned guests from the popular podcast "Tonight's Conversation Podcast" – Ace Metaphor, Kita Rose, and Just Mike The Poet. This podcast is renowned for bringing together social media personalities, relationship experts, and therapists to explore themes related to love, dating, and relationships. Our discussion today centers on the dynamics of relationships, specifically focusing on the contrasting preferences of men and women in intimate settings. Additionally, we'll del...
Nov 22, 2023•58 min•Season 1Ep. 98
This episode is where raw opinions and humor collide! In this series, I sit down with James and Fuhad, the dynamic duo behind the top 5 Spotify podcast, ShxtsNGigs. Known for their unapologetically honest and often hilarious takes, these best friends have become a sensation among Gen Z audiences in the UK. Today we talk about what makes them different in a world of podcast about Sex/Relationships. Follow ShxtsNGigs : https://www.instagram.com/shxtsngigs/ Follow ShxtNGigs: https://www.youtube.com...
Nov 15, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 97
Are you young and attracted to mature men? Many younger women are dating older men, but is it really worth it? Anna Akana was in her twenties when she had a public relationship with Ray Williams Johnson, and she's here to tell us why it was a huge mistake. Hear her story plus the joys of dating older men today. Learn why Anna thinks women younger than 25 should be warned about the possible repercussions before taking the plunge. Plus, find out why she's so happy now that she's dating a man in hi...
Nov 08, 2023•55 min•Season 1Ep. 96
Do you want to understand hormones better? Dr. Jolene Brighten is here to demystify the power of hormones and how they can affect fertility, sex drive, ADHD, how long it takes to orgasm, and period pain. Tune in as she explains what hormones are, their function and role in our bodies, plus how they can be managed for improved health and wellness. Learn from the experts! Don't miss out on this insightful educational experience with Dr. Jolene Brighten. Thanks to our sponsors One Skin http://onesk...
Nov 01, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 95
