In Sleepless in Seattle , a woman hears a stranger’s voice on the radio and decides she has to be with him. A few cross-country flights, some light stalking, and one dramatic Empire State Building finale later— a recipe for true love? Or just another rom-com ignoring boundaries in the name of "destiny?" This week, Talia Koren ( Dating Intentionally ) joins DB to unpack the film’s gender dynamics, its borderline obsessive premise, and why rom-coms always overlook the stable, reliable guy. GUEST D...
Mar 05, 2025•37 min•Season 11Ep. 8
In The Wedding Planner , Steve and Mary never technically cross a physical line—but does that mean nothing shady is going on? If you’re emotionally invested in someone outside your relationship, is that cheating? This week, DB brings in feminist relationship theory from bell hooks, Esther Perel, and Adrienne Rich to unpack emotional infidelity—what it is, why it happens, and how relationship norms shape who gets away with it. Plus: why women are expected to tolerate emotional neglect, how to set...
Feb 28, 2025•12 min
J.Lo and Matthew McConaughey star in one of the most early 2000s rom-coms of all time, complete with a near-death meet-cute and a love triangle that ignores all workplace ethics. But is The Wedding Planner actually romantic...? Or just a lesson in emotional cheating? This week, comedian Liza Treyger joins DB to unpack the film’s messy gender politics, its weird obsession with wedding culture, and why Steve might be one of rom-com history’s most gaslight-y love interests. GUEST DETAILS Named one ...
Feb 26, 2025•30 min•Season 11Ep. 7
It’s a concept we all grew up with, and it’s certainly shaped the way Hollywood tells stories about sex, but have you ever stopped to ask where the idea of virginity even came from? In this bonus episode, DB breaks down the history of virginity as a social construct, how it’s been used to control women, and why the hymen was never a reliable “proof” of anything. What would sex look and feel like if it wasn’t about losing something? Let’s rethink the way we talk about first-time sex! Mentioned in...
Feb 21, 2025•12 min
The 40-Year-Old Virgin launched a comedy empire—but does it still hold up, or is it best left in the mid-2000s? From outdated jokes to cringeworthy gender politics, this Judd Apatow classic has a lot to answer for. This week, comedian and Bechdel Cast co-host Caitlin Durante joins DB to break down its virginity-obsessed premise, the way it treats female pleasure as a punchline, and why so many early 2000s comedies leaned on casual misogyny and homophobia for laughs. GUEST DETAILS Caitlin Durante...
Feb 19, 2025•43 min•Season 11Ep. 6
Dating is a minefield for all of us, but it comes with additional challenges for disabled folks. In this bonus episode, DB discusses the biggest challenges and what people should know about dating with a disability, featuring answers from Steve Way and Danny Kurtzman . From navigating first dates to dealing with misconceptions, they share their perspectives on love, sex, and relationships—plus what needs to change in how the world sees disability and dating. Mentioned in this episode: "Good Bad ...
Feb 14, 2025•11 min
This week on Rom-Com Vom, we’re switching things up! Instead of cringing our way through a rom-com relic, we’re talking about a brand-new release that’s changing the game and pushing the genre forward. Good Bad Things puts a disabled love story front and center—no pity, no clichés, just a rom-com that finally gets it right. Danny Kurtzman, the film’s star, co-writer, and producer, and Steve Way, executive producer, join DB to talk about breaking stereotypes, rewriting rom-com history, and what i...
Feb 12, 2025•34 min•Season 11Ep. 5
Juno frames adoption as the simple alternative to abortion—but is that really the case? In this bonus episode, Dr. Gretchen Sisson returns to answer more of our biggest questions about adoption, including why adoption isn’t the “solution” it’s often made out to be, how birth mothers experience relinquishment, and what her research for Relinquished uncovered about the realities of adoption in the U.S. Mentioned in this episode: "Juno": Adoption Politics and Teen Pregnancy Tropes (Rom-Com Vom) CON...
Feb 07, 2025•16 min
Juno is arguably the most well-known depiction of adoption in pop culture... but what messages does it really send about relinquishment, teen pregnancy, and reproductive justice? Is adoption truly the “perfect alternative” to abortion as Juno would have us believe, or does this charmingly complicated 2007 film gloss over the realities of birth mothers and family separation? This week, we’re joined by Dr. Gretchen Sisson, sociologist and author of Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Pr...
Feb 05, 2025•51 min•Season 11Ep. 4
So maybe you too need to get your groove back… we’ve got you. In this bonus episode, we’re talking all things libido—where it went, why it left, and how to invite it back to the party. Inspired by this week’s Rom-Com Vom episode on How Stella Got Her Groove Back , we’re breaking down the most common reasons desire fades, what can help reignite it, and why fluctuating libido is (spoiler alert!) completely normal. Mentioned in this episode: "How Stella Got Her Groove Back": The Age Gap That Shook ...
Jan 31, 2025•18 min
What can 1998's How Stella Got Her Groove Back teach us about love, age gaps, and black romance? DB and beloved return guest Dr. Candice Nicole Hargons dive into the film’s portrayal of intimacy, sisterhood, and the complexities of age-gap relationships. Plus: cringy accents, objectifying Taye Diggs, and the long-term cultural impact of this iconic rom-com. GUEST DETAILS Dr. Candice Nicole is an award-winning psychologist and associate professor at Emory University. She is author of Good Sex: St...
Jan 29, 2025•33 min•Season 11Ep. 3
Ever wondered what “sex work is work” really means? Or why criminalization makes life more dangerous for sex workers? Inspired by this week's episode about Pretty Woman , DB breaks down the most common misconceptions about sex work, why advocacating for sex workers is crucial for bodily autonomy, and how recent policy implementations are impacting the safety and rights of sex workers today. Plus, learn how organizations like the Red Umbrella Fund are leading the fight for change. Mentioned in th...
Jan 24, 2025•13 min
There’s plenty to love about the 1990s classic Pretty Woman … but just as much to cringe at. Savannah Hankinson, former assistant to rom-com royalty like Nancy Meyers and Rob Marshall, joins DB to unpack the good, the bad, and the downright creepy. From a disturbingly predatory George Costanza to the strange class politics bubbling under the surface, we break down whether this beloved rom-com classic still shines or if it’s better left on the streets! 05:58 First impressions of the film as kids ...
Jan 22, 2025•34 min•Season 11Ep. 2
Inspired by this week's Rom-Com Vom episode about Notting Hill , DB tackles a listener’s question: Is it even possible to take nudes safely? We're digging into how to protect your privacy online while still keeping it sexy. Don't miss it! CONNECT WITH US Instagram: @sexedwithdbpodcast TikTok: @sexedwithdb Twitter: @sexedwithdb Threads: @sexedwithdbpodcast YouTube: Sex Ed with DB ROM-COM VOM SEASON 11 SPONSORS: Lion's Den , Uberlube , Magic Wand , & Arya . Get discounts on all of DB’s favorit...
Jan 17, 2025•11 min
Join us as we kick off Season 11 with the first of a whole new series of Rom-Com Vom! DB and her mom and iconic return guest, Dr. Rebecca Levy-Gantt, dive into 1999's "Notting Hill." From awkward dinner parties to the problematic "I'm just a girl" speech, we unpack how this classic holds up in 2025. How much did this 90s gem make us vom? Listen to the end to find out! 07:52 The Taming of Successful Women 15:00 The Power Dynamic 20:47 Anna's Self-Diminishment 28:40 Rewriting Notting Hill for 2025...
Jan 15, 2025•37 min•Season 11Ep. 1
DB dives headfirst into a hilarious and informative conversation with sexologist Goody Howard, MSW, MPH about oral sex, confidence inside and outside of the bedroom, and the 18 different types of orgasms! Plus, they discuss how to build a small business as a sexual health educator and how science can help us understand pleasure. —— How Goody uses her academic background to build sexual confidence courses [00:15:45] Goody breaks down how sexual health is a public health issue [00:16:36] Goody sha...
Jan 08, 2025•57 min
New year, new you, new pleasure goals! Start 2025 by busting myths about one of the most misunderstood topics in human sexuality—masturbation. DB is joined by Dr. Eric Sprankle, acclaimed psychologist, to strip away stigma, crush falsehoods, and explore the evolution of sexual psychology. (0:17:42) - Masturbation Education (0:21:28) - Masturbation Myths and Motivations Explained (0:35:49) - Religious Views on Masturbation and Health (0:48:45) - The Evolution and Perception of Vibrators (0:52:11)...
Jan 01, 2025•1 hr 12 min
Our holiday gift to the lovely listeners of Sex Ed with DB? The keys to closing the orgasm gap! DB sits down with Dr. Laurie Mintz, psychologist and professor of human sexuality, to explore the pleasure-packed insights from her books and research. Unwrap the secrets to better relationships and more fulfilling intimacy this season! —— Masturbate for Science! Join The Magic Wand Study: the first-ever scientific study analyzing how using a vibrator—specifically the Magic Wand Rechargeable—can impro...
Dec 25, 2024•43 min
Ever wondered how to have orgasms that leave you breathless? Are you curious about how to turn up the volume of your pleasure? DB is here to help! This episode will guide you on how to strengthen your orgasms, stimulate your body with sex toys, and increase pleasure with lube. If you've ever felt like something is a little off with your sexual experiences, this episode is for you. —— Masturbate for Science! Join The Magic Wand Study: the first-ever scientific study analyzing how using a vibrator...
Dec 18, 2024•15 min
Masturbate for Science! Join The Magic Wand Study: the first-ever scientific study analyzing how using a vibrator—specifically the Magic Wand Rechargeable—can improve quality of life. 4,000+ people with vulvas have already signed up!!! If you're selected to participate, you'll get a FREE Magic Wand Rechargeable + a chance to win $250 for participating! Spots are limited—sign up now here: https://bit.ly/3Ddsl2g . P.S: mention that Sex Ed with DB sent you. :D...
Dec 12, 2024•9 min
In the season finale of Rom-Com Vom, DB teams up with Justine Kay and Natasha Scott-Reichel from 2 Black Girls, 1 Rose to break down How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days —the movie where Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey fake it all the way to happily-ever-after. Tune in for commentary on hard nips, love ferns, and a certain iconic yellow dress we’re still salivating over in 2024... —— SEXUAL HEALTH PROS! Check out DB’s workshop: Building A Profitable Online Sexual Health Brand ( https://www.sexedwith...
Dec 04, 2024•27 min
This week on Rom Com Vom , DB unpacks one of her all-time favorites with Dirty Lola : Never Been Kissed ! We dig into Drew Barrymore’s questionable return to high school, the ethics that didn’t make the cut, and the red flags hiding in plain sight. Join us as we dissect the weird age gaps, misguided romance, and all the moments that make this ‘90s classic a little harder to watch now… even though we love it. <3 —— SEXUAL HEALTH PROS! Check out DB’s workshop: Building A Profitable Online Sexua...
Nov 27, 2024•34 min
DB and Mariah from Sex Ed Files take on Love and Basketball , the romance that made “play me for your heart” a defining relationship move. They dive into Monica and Quincy’s chemistry, debate if love should ever be this competitive, and wonder… could Love and Basketball actually be one of the healthiest rom-coms out there? Thanks to our sponsor for this episode, carafem! Learn more about carafem here: https://carafem.org/ . Check out their abortion campaign in Times Square: https://www.tiktok.co...
Nov 20, 2024•34 min
DB teams up with Jill Lissner , go-to sex ed princess, to break down the veritable, undeniable fat-shaming mess that is Shallow Hal . It’s the vommiest of rom-coms, and we’re not holding back, folks! Join us as we dig into the dated humor, glaring double standards, and take a hard look at why fatness is treated like the ultimate punchline onscreen. It’s a rough watch, and we’re here to roast it all! Podcasts Mentioned https://open.spotify.com/episode/3AZBXG7ySoUtvksem7bc0S - Tony Robins Episode ...
Nov 13, 2024•34 min
In today’s bonus podcast episode, DB shares her reflections on the election and what it means for our reproductive rights, contraception access, and bodily autonomy. She also guides us on how we can fight back against Trump's administration to get the reproductive care we deserve. When you’re ready, listen in. <3 The education and advocacy work we do at Sex Ed with DB will continue, unwavering. Our commitment to inclusive, honest, and empowering sex education is stronger than ever. Donate to ...
Nov 06, 2024•9 min
DB and Bre Vergess dive into 50 First Dates , where Adam Sandler’s Henry courts Drew Barrymore’s Lucy… every single day. They break down the film’s take on love, consent, and the tricky territory of dating someone who can’t remember you. Is it sweet, or just deeply unsettling? —— Bre is a tech professional who has spent the last decade plus in Product development, and currently working to make mental health support more accessible through tech-enabled solutions. Passionate about leveraging techn...
Nov 06, 2024•32 min
DB and the delightful Florence Bark and Reed Amber from Come Curious dissect Twilight , the film that made eternal love seem… exhausting! They question the appeal of a 100-year-old high schooler, debate whether they’re Team Edward, Team Jacob, or just Team Therapy, and wonder if this series might be to blame for all our worst relationship choices. And despite all the cringe, our brave hosts ask... why does this stupid movie still turn us on?! —— SEXUAL HEALTH PROS! Check out DB’s workshop: Build...
Oct 30, 2024•32 min
In this episode of Rom Com Vom, DB and the hilarious Melissa Strype , comedian and director, tackle 10 Things I Hate About You, the 90s rom-com that gave us table dancing, horny principals, and a fine AF young Heath Ledger. Is Patrick Verona charming or just manipulative? What moments made DB and Melissa cringe the hardest? And seriously... what do all these boys see in Bianca? —— Melissa Strype is a comedian and director based in Los Angeles. She creates at the intersection of comedy and sexual...
Oct 23, 2024•33 min
In this episode of Rom Com Vom , DB and the incredible Logan Ury , dating coach and author, break down You’ve Got Mail , the 1998 rom-com that taught us all to fall in love through email (or did it?). They dive into the film’s exploration of online romance, corporate takeovers, and questionable meet-cute ethics, discussing what still warms our hearts and what belongs in the trash folder. —— Logan Ury is a behavioral scientist turned dating coach and the author of the bestselling book How to Not ...
Oct 16, 2024•32 min
Calling all sexual health professionals! You won’t want to miss this minisode. DB shares all the deets on building a thriving sexual health brand—from being authentic and creating buzz-worthy content to networking like a pro. She breaks down exactly what it takes to grow your audience and turn your passion into profit. Plus, get the inside scoop on her workshop for aspiring sexual health pros . Don’t miss out! —— Want to Win a $100 Lion’s Den Gift Card? We want to hear from YOU! Fill out our qui...
Oct 11, 2024•12 min
