What happens when a relationship feels safe… but no longer feels alive? In this episode, Dr. Jenn Kennedy sits down with sexual empowerment coach Jocelyn Silva for a conversation about shame, desire, authenticity, and what it really takes to create intimacy that feels both secure and deeply turned on. Together, they unpack: How purity culture and religious shame shape adult sexuality Why so many couples have sex but never actually talk about sex The hidden ways shame shows up in relationships...
May 17, 2026•48 min•Season 4Ep. 17
Ever find yourself needing your partner to reassure you that you’re okay, desirable, or enough? That’s emotional outsourcing —and it quietly drains intimacy and desire. In this episode, Dr. Jenn Kennedy sits down with Bea Victoria Albina to unpack how this pattern forms, why it shows up in both daily life and the bedroom, and how it can keep you stuck in cycles of disconnection . Together, they explore what it really means to take your power back—by reclaiming your voice, setting boundaries that...
May 04, 2026•49 min•Season 4Ep. 16
Is scheduled sex sexy… or does it kill the vibe? In this episode, I’m breaking down one of the most common (and quietly controversial) topics that shows up in long-term relationships: putting sex on the calendar. Because when life gets full—kids, careers, stress, exhaustion— spontaneity doesn’t just disappear… it gets crowded out. So what happens when you stop waiting to “feel in the mood” and start creating the conditions for desire instead? We’re talking about: Why desire naturally shifts in l...
Apr 19, 2026•26 min•Season 4Ep. 15
Most people think desire should just show up. And when it doesn’t? They assume something’s wrong. In this episode, Dr. Jenn Kennedy sits down with Sex Therapist Brooke Bralove to challenge one of the biggest myths about sex: that desire is supposed to be spontaneous. Together, they unpack: Who actually experiences spontaneous desire (hint: fewer people than you think) Why long-term sex often becomes predictable—and what to do about it The role of novelty in keeping desire alive The patterns coup...
Apr 05, 2026•54 min•Season 4Ep. 14
Perhaps you’ve questioned if you have a “libido issue,” but really it’s more of a self-abandonment problem. In this episode, Dr. Jenn Kennedy explores how people pleasing shows up in the bedroom and quietly erodes desire. If your sex life feels tense, mismatched, or confusing … if one partner is always pursuing while the other pulls away… this conversation will challenge the assumption that it’s simply a “desire discrepancy.” What if it’s not about libido at all? I unpack: The subtle ways you o...
Mar 22, 2026•23 min•Season 4Ep. 13
There’s a moment in many relationships that rarely gets named. It’s when you stop initiating, not because you don’t want intimacy, but because rejection has started to feel predictable. You tell yourself you’ll try again later. You try to be patient. Low pressure. Understanding. But quietly something shifts. You start wondering: Is it me? Am I asking for too much? Does wanting closeness make me the problem? In this episode, I’m unpacking the emotional experience of the high desire partner, the o...
Mar 01, 2026•25 min•Season 4Ep. 12
You did everything right. You built the career. The family. The life you were supposed to want. From the outside, it works. So why does it feel like something inside you has gone quiet? In this episode, Dr. Jenn sits down with executive coach Fernanda Bressan to explore what really happens in midlife, when success no longer feels satisfying , when performance replaces presence , and when the spark you once felt starts to dim. Together, they unpack: Why midlife isn’t a breakdown, it’s a reclamati...
Feb 15, 2026•59 min•Season 4Ep. 11
In this episode, Dr. Jenn Kennedy interviews Dr. Shreya Hessler , a clinical psychologist, speaker, and founder of The Mindset Center, to discuss how anxiety, perfectionism, and self-worth shape intimacy in young adulthood and how this affects relationships of all structures. Together, they explore rejection sensitivity, shifting social norms, and how embracing imperfection can deepen connection. If you’ve ever felt anxious about dating, love, or being truly seen, this conversation offers fresh ...
Feb 01, 2026•47 min•Season 4Ep. 10
We all assume we know why people have sex, pleasure, love, connection. But when you actually ask people, the answers are far more nuanced and, at times, surprising. Some people have sex to feel close. Others to avoid conflict, boost their ego, satisfy curiosity, reclaim power, or even get revenge. In this episode, Dr. Jenn Kennedy pulls back the covers on the real motivations behind why humans have sex and why understanding your personal “why” can fundamentally change how you experience intimacy...
Jan 18, 2026•28 min•Season 4Ep. 9
What if better sex isn’t about more tricks—but more presence? 💫 In this episode, Dr. Jenn Kennedy sits down with tantric holistic sex coach Emma Galland to explore how slowing down, tuning in, and connecting to your body can reignite desire and deepen intimacy. They unpack what it means for men to be embodied lovers, how to elongate pleasure and performance without pressure, and even how to access multiple orgasms. Discover how ancient tantric wisdom can transform modern relationships—and keep ...
Dec 29, 2025•54 min•Season 4Ep. 8
Are you the one chasing closeness… or the one hiding in the bathroom for “just five more minutes”? In today’s episode, I break down one of the most common, and most misunderstood relationship dynamics: the pursuer–distancer pattern. Whether it's about sex, money, conflict, or parenting, many couples find themselves stuck in this painful loop of one partner reaching while the other retreats. I dive into where these patterns come from, how attachment plays a role, why both partners actually want t...
Dec 14, 2025•27 min•Season 4Ep. 7
What if better sex isn’t about doing more, but about softening, slowing down, and coming home to yourself? In this episode, Dr. Jenn Kennedy is joined by trauma-informed somatic practitioner and psychedelic microdosing guide Leslie Draffin to explore how intentional plant medicine can open new pathways to healing and pleasure. From releasing shame to deepening intimacy, they dive into how microdosing and mindful embodiment practices like breathwork can reconnect you with your body and your desir...
Nov 30, 2025•39 min•Season 4Ep. 6
Think desire should just happen ? Think again. 🔥 In this episode, Dr. Jenn Kennedy unpacks the myth of spontaneous desire —that Hollywood fantasy where passion strikes out of nowhere. In real life, desire often builds slowly, through connection, safety, and intention. If you’ve ever wondered, “What’s wrong with me?” for not feeling instantly turned on, this episode is for you. You’re not broken—you just haven’t learned how to turn yourself on yet. Tune in to discover how to rekindle your erotic...
Nov 09, 2025•23 min•Season 4Ep. 5
What if healing your relationships isn’t about changing your partner, but reclaiming the parts of yourself you’ve disowned? Dr. Jenn Kennedy sits down with therapist and author Dené Logan to explore how masculine and feminine energies shape our relationships, what it means to be out of balance, and how to move from wounded dynamics into sovereign love. They dive into letting go of control, leading with curiosity, and holding love with open hands instead of grasping for certainty. Dené shares how...
Oct 26, 2025•53 min•Season 4Ep. 4
We think we know why we have sex — for love, pleasure, or connection. But the truth is often much more complicated. In this episode, Dr. Jenn Kennedy pulls back the covers on the real reasons humans get it on — from seeking closeness to conflict avoidance, ego boosts to revenge — and explores how understanding your why can transform the way you experience intimacy. This isn’t just about sex. It’s about what drives us during our most intimate moments with one another. Tune in and discover what re...
Oct 12, 2025•27 min•Season 4Ep. 3
Forget everything you’ve been told about aging and sex. In this episode, Dr. Jenn talks to Dr. Nicole Marcione—a gerontologist and professional dominatrix —to dismantle old myths and open up bold new pathways to pleasure, power, and confidence . From an unforgettable field trip to a dungeon to surprising parallels between kink dynamics and the way many of us move through daily life, this conversation will change the way you think about desire at every age. Tune in to expand your ideas of what is...
Sep 28, 2025•41 min•Season 4Ep. 2
Welcome to Season 4! 💥 In this solo episode Dr. Jenn dives into one of her core, guiding ideas: “I’m with you." She notes , " When couples come to me for sex therapy, they often come in saying they want more sex—they want the desire, attention, or physical gratification they get from the act. But more often than not, what they truly want is intimacy . " Communicating I'm with you offers a felt sense of belonging, support, witnessing and nonjudgmental love. More and more couples are feeling disc...
Sep 15, 2025•25 min•Season 4Ep. 1
Curious about what really happens to your sex life during perimenopause and beyond? In this episode, I sit down with endocrinologist Dr. Gillian Goddard to unpack what’s going on inside your body — from hormones to blood flow , from estrogen to testosterone , and how it all impacts desire, arousal, and pleasure. We talk about vaginal atrophy (yes, it’s a thing), pelvic health , and the real changes that happen as you move through this stage of life. Dr. Goddard breaks down the science in a way t...
Aug 24, 2025•52 min•Season 3Ep. 18
Wondering what it’s like to attend a retreat focused on sexual pleasure, body awareness and opening up in deeper way? I sat down with Pamela Madsen , who’s been running Back to the Body retreats for 15 years — a space devoted to helping women reclaim sexual pleasure on their own terms. We dive into what it really means to tune into your body beyond just sex: understanding your physical, emotional, and psychological needs. Pamela shares how women from their 40s to 80s come to explore desire, plea...
Aug 11, 2025•39 min•Season 3Ep. 17
Intimacy and sex are not one and the same—and knowing the difference can shift everything in your relationships. Both are valuable, but they serve different needs. This episode invites you to reflect: What does sexuality mean to you ? When do you choose to engage sexually, and when do you seek emotional closeness instead? How do you let others in, and what role does intimacy play in your erotic life? Whether you're partnered or solo, this is a space to get curious—not judgmental—about the way yo...
Jul 26, 2025•19 min•Season 3Ep. 16
Have you ever thought about what it means to have sex — completely sober — for the rest of your life? In this episode, Dr. Jenn sits down with Kim Litton, LCSW CSAT, to unpack sex and intimacy in recovery. Together, they explore how sobriety impacts dating, long-term relationships, and what it takes to navigate pleasure, connection, and communication without substances. Whether you’re in recovery yourself or love someone who is, this conversation offers a clear, clinical look at what gets in the...
Jul 13, 2025•37 min•Season 3Ep. 15
Without Sleep, You Can’t Regulate I got a coveted hour with Dr. Jessica Payne, a neuroscientist, who studies sleep, to ask all the questions you've probably wondered about but never had the chance to explore. We get into what the brain actually does during sleep and dreaming , how exercise , caffeine , alcohol , and sex affect your rest, and why good sleep matters for your relationship. Dr. Payne tells me, “It’s hard to draw on resources for empathy or connection when people are not rested.” Thi...
Jun 23, 2025•47 min•Season 3Ep. 14
In this episode, I explore the intersection of chronic illness and sexuality. Focusing on type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and multiple sclerosis—three common conditions affecting people ages 45 to 70—I break down how symptoms and diagnoses impact couples' erotic and relational life. You’ll hear a candid discussion of how chronic illness can disrupt your intimacy, what your partnership might experience as the illness progresses, and how to adapt and reconnect. If chronic illness, aging, ...
Jun 09, 2025•28 min•Season 3Ep. 13
In this episode, Dr. Jenn Kennedy sits down with parenting expert Kristi Miller, LMFT to explore the often-overlooked challenges couples face in maintaining intimacy after having a baby. From the early postpartum months to the demanding years of parenting, many couples struggle to stay connected. Dr. Jenn and Kristi dive into the emotional, relational, and hormonal shifts that impact intimacy, offering insight from their work as couples and intimacy therapists. Whether you're a new parent or yea...
May 25, 2025•41 min•Season 3Ep. 12
Dr. Jenn Kennedy explores the very human need for closeness and challenges of touch starvation—something she’s seeing more often in both singles and people in relationships who are experiencing increased distance and disconnection. In this episode, she unpacks why so many are feeling deprived of physical connection and what it means for your emotional and relational health. The Pleasure Circle Self Paced Course: OUT NOW! Purchase here! #TouchStarvation #SexTherapy #RelationshipHealth #Emotional...
May 12, 2025•21 min•Season 3Ep. 11
Buying a home can bring up more than financial questions—it often reveals deeper dynamics in a relationship. In this episode, Dr. Jenn talks with seasoned broker Amy Baird about what really happens between couples during the home-buying process. They explore the explicit and unspoken negotiations, shifting priorities, and emotional stressors that show up in every stage of home buying and escrow. Whether it’s your first house or your fifth, this episode offers insight into how to stay connected w...
Apr 27, 2025•31 min•Season 3Ep. 10
In this episode Dr. Jenn sits down with Max Carey, filmmaker of the documentary, tOuchkink . Together they delve into the intriguing world of kink , exploring the various roles individuals take on and the diverse motivations that inspire their interests. Through thoughtful discussions, listeners will uncover the complex power dynamics at play and discover that kink often transcends mere sexual arousal. With a focus on the emotional connections and intrigue that accompany kink, this podcast revea...
Apr 23, 2025•48 min•Season 2Ep. 19
In this episode, Dr. Jenn is joined by Jessa Zimmerman, a certified sex therapist and couples counselor who specializes in helping couples who are avoiding sex due to stress, disappointment, or pressure. Jessa, the author of Sex Without Stress and host of the Better Sex Podcast , shares her expertise on how to overcome the challenges of low desire in relationships. Together, they explore the struggles faced by low-desire partners —often marked by shame , guilt , and resentment —and how these emo...
Apr 07, 2025•43 min•Season 3Ep. 9
In this episode, Dr. Jenn is joined by Dr. David Wohlsifer to discuss autism and sexuality. As experienced couples therapists, they unpack the unique challenges faced by autistic individuals in relationships , whether they're single or in long-term partnerships. The conversation explores dating, anxiety, social pressures, emotional dynamics, and the impact of autism on personal connections. Dr. Wohlsifer shares case examples that are composites of several cases (to protect patient confidentialit...
Mar 31, 2025•40 min•Season 3Ep. 8
In this episode, Dr. Jenn Kennedy dives into the complexities of open relationships through the stories of three different clients. From a couple exploring new dynamics to individuals—one man and one woman— each story offers a unique perspective on the challenges, outcomes, and emotional balancing involved in opening up a relationship. Tune in as Dr. Kennedy discusses the diverse experiences and the personal journeys that unfold when couples and individuals choose this path. The Pleasure Circle ...
Mar 19, 2025•25 min•Season 3Ep. 7
