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Want to re-eroticize your long-term relationship and keep the fires burning for the long-haul? Somatic Psychologist, and Sex Therapist Dr. Holly Richmond joins us with expert advice for couples. She gets practical with flirting techniques, understanding your sexual template, and the four things healthy couples do to have a thriving relationship in and out of the bedroom. Dr. Holly Richmond  is a licensed marriage and family therapist, certified sex therapist, and holds a PhD in Somatic Psychology, and is the associate director of Modern Sex Therapy Institutes. More on these topics: Pleasure after trauma episode with Holly Reclaiming Pleasure Book Review Partner desire discrepancies Desire styles How much does frequency matter? Erotic personas Erectile dissatisfaction vs Erectile dysfunction Affection and the 6 second kiss ORDER my Book Permission for Pleasure: Tending Your Sexual Garden JOIN my Newsletter: Good Education for Good Sex FOLLOW on Instagram @cindyscharkey VISIT my website and blog

Take a peek into the role of Intimacy Coordinator for Heated Rivalry, the TV show everyone’s talking about. Chala Hunter shares what an intimacy coordinator’s job is, and how she worked to create comfort and safety on set for the simulated sex scenes, nudity and all things intimacy. We discuss the cast and crew vibe while filming the show, and the intentionality around modeling safe, consensual and pleasurable sex. Learn why Director Jacob Tierney calls Chala, “The hero of this show!”  Learn more about Chala Hunter Visit our episode sponsor Uberlube, use code CINDY for 15% off ORDER my Book Permission for Pleasure: Tending Your Sexual Garden JOIN my Newsletter: Good Education for Good Sex FOLLOW on Instagram @cindyscharkey VISIT my website and blog

This season we are going to lean into deeper curiosity about our bodies, sex and pleasure. Through education and conversations with experts, we’ll increase our knowledge, and challenge ourselves to ask the burning questions. Let’s cultivate curiosity, give ourselves permission, and embrace more pleasure in and out of the bedroom. Welcome to Season Six! ORDER my Book Permission for Pleasure: Tending Your Sexual Garden JOIN my Newsletter: Good Education for Good Sex FOLLOW on Instagram @cindyscharkey VISIT my website and blog

Did you know that bone building starts to decline at age 30? That means for many of us, especially women in midlife, osteoporosis is a real concern. Registered Dietician, and Integrative & Functional Nutritionist Susan McCandless joins me to share what breaks down your bone health and what builds it up. She offers practical suggestions and guidelines to help you adjust your diet for strong, dense and flexible bones. You’ll come away feeling empowered to make bone health a priority for a confident and active life. Susan McCandless is a Functional Dietitian Nutritionist, and holds advanced certifications in digestive health, immunology, genetics, food sensitivities and intuitive eating. Board Certified in Integrativce and Functional Nutrition, Susan understands how body systems work together. She focuses on improving client function and performance by treating the root cause of nutrition imbalances.  ORDER my Book Permission for Pleasure: Tending Your Sexual Garden JOIN my Newsletter: Good Education for Good Sex FOLLOW on Instagram @cindyscharkey VISIT my website and blog

Dr. Jessica Vernon and I continue our conversation about transitioning to parenthood. In this episode we focus on postpartum sex, the challenges women face with their changing bodies, and creating intimacy with a partner. We also call out the common myths of motherhood that in reality are unattainable: the martyr, the goddess, the superwoman and the homemaker. Jessica Vernon, MD is an obstetrician, perinatal mental health expert, and author of “Then Comes Baby: An Honest Conversation about Birth, Postpartum, and the Complex Transition to Parenthood”  Mentioned in this episode: Sex After Baby Sexy in Survival Mode Postpartum Support International Sex and Pregnancy Sex and Postpartum and Breastfeeding Your Body after Baby Guide to lube Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy with Heather Jeffcoat, DPT Does a vaginal delivery ruin my vagina? Tips from my pelvic floor PT ORDER my Book Permission for Pleasure: Tending Your Sexual Garden JOIN my Newsletter: Good Education for Good Sex FOLLOW on Instagram @cindyscharkey VISIT my website and blog

Did you know that 45% of women report birth trauma? The ripple effects of that are often never talked about. Obstetrician, and perinatal mental health expert Dr. Jessica Vernon joins me for a straightforward conversation about her book, Then Comes Baby: An Honest Conversation about Birth, Postpartum, and the Complex Transition to Parenthood. We discuss sleep deprivation, baby blues, and how to recognize postpartum depression and anxiety. Learn more about Jessica Vernon MD More on this topic: Sex and Pregnancy Sex and Postpartum and Breastfeeding Your body after baby Sex After Baby Sexy in survival mode Postpartum Support International ORDER my Book Permission for Pleasure: Tending Your Sexual Garden JOIN my Newsletter: Good Education for Good Sex FOLLOW on Instagram @cindyscharkey VISIT my website and blog

Have you ever been curious to explore new ways to communicate through touch? Anne-Lorraine Selke, the creator of Touchcards, shares why she created a card deck that offers people ways to “rediscover the richness of touch with the people you love.” She gives us examples from intimate cards to playful ones, as we offer ways to bring more connection into your relationships through touch.  Find Touchcards and use my 10% discount PERMISSION Mentioned in this episode: Touch pleasure practice Touch lexicon: What are you saying with your touch Hillary McBride on embodiment Bedroom Games ORDER my Book Permission for Pleasure: Tending Your Sexual Garden JOIN my Newsletter: Good Education for Good Sex FOLLOW on Instagram @cindyscharkey VISIT my website and blog

Engage in flirty conversation to add some playful energy to your relationship. These “Would you rather” game questions offer you an easy way to play together and can spark meaningful discussion if something takes you by surprise! Use this episode on your next date night, long car ride or walk around the block. Mentioned in this episode: Bedroom Games Permission for Pleasure: Tending Your Sexual Garden on GoodReads Toys, Fantasy and Play in the Bedroom 24 Communication Starters and Questions When a Partner Wants to Try Something New ORDER my Book Permission for Pleasure: Tending Your Sexual Garden JOIN my Newsletter: Good Education for Good Sex FOLLOW on Instagram @cindyscharkey VISIT my website and blog

We talk a lot about the repercussions of purity culture for women, but what about men? This topic is often silenced, creating what sexuality educator Erica Smith calls a “fertile ground for shame.” She joins me to break the taboo, sharing the after effects men frequently encounter.  Erica Smith is an award winning sexuality educator and consultant with 25 years of experience. She developed the Purity Culture Dropout™️ Program to help people learn all of the sex education that they missed growing up in purity culture- sex ed that is accurate, queer inclusive, trauma informed, compassionate, and comprehensive.  More on this topic: Evolving out of purity culture Reclaim your arousal mindset Untangling sexual shame Masturbation - let’s dig in Masculinity narratives with Cam Fraser My letter to young women Misconceptions men believe about sex Embodiment and pleasure with Hillary McBride PhD ORDER my Book Permission for Pleasure: Tending Your Sexual Garden JOIN my Newsletter: Good Education for Good Sex FOLLOW on Instagram @cindyscharkey VISIT my website and blog

Is orgasm a learnable skill? My guest Dr. Erica Marchand outlines the necessary components women need to orgasm in this top 10 episode from Season One. We discuss faking O’s, ranking O’s, and the mind-body shift of allowing rather than making orgasm happen. Erica Marchand, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist offering individual, couples and sex therapy in Los Angeles. Learn more about these topics Answering your questions about orgasm Faking orgasm The clitoris - it's a network Stimulation of the clitoral hood Pleasure techniques with penetration ORDER my Book Permission for Pleasure: Tending Your Sexual Garden JOIN my Newsletter: Good Education for Good Sex FOLLOW on Instagram @cindyscharkey VISIT my website and blog

One of the most shared episodes on the podcast, this conversation about pleasure and embodiment offers a framework for understanding a healthier way to be in your body. Hillary McBride, PhD provides tools to help us untangle the cultural scripts we have taken in, along with gentle guidance for how we can reframe sensuality and learn to listen to our bodies.  Hillary McBride, PhD., is a therapist, researcher, speaker and author More on these topics: Mother's, Daughter's and Body Image, read my book review Dating your body with Aurora Reconnecting to yourself and to your body Slow Pleasure with Euphemia Russell Connecting with our bodies and nervous systems Healing journey with Ruthie Lindsay Coming home to yourself with Arielle Estoria ORDER my Book Permission for Pleasure: Tending Your Sexual Garden JOIN my Newsletter: Good Education for Good Sex FOLLOW on Instagram @cindyscharkey VISIT my website and blog

From logistics on positioning, to setting the stage before you step in - in this episode I talk you through the basics on how to add shower sex to your intimacy repertoire. Showering together has never been more fun, safe and intimate. Mentioned in this episode: Pleasure Practice Uberlube use code CINDY Shower sex for beginners on the blog ORDER my Book Permission for Pleasure: Tending Your Sexual Garden JOIN my Newsletter: Good Education for Good Sex FOLLOW on Instagram @cindyscharkey VISIT my website and blog

Catriona Boffard, a Clinical Sexologist, Psychotherapist, Sexuality Researcher, Podcaster and Author joins me to share her personal experience, and clinical expertise in a discussion about women and ADHD - how it can affect your brain, sex, and life. You’ll hear all about orgasms, medications, sexual cues and solutions to common communication challenges. Catriona Boffard is an expert in the field of sexual behavior, well-being, and mental health, and is particularly passionate about working with people who face difficulties in their sexual experience. She hosts the podcast Asking for a Friend and is an internationally recognized authority in the field of sexuality and relationships. Mentioned in this episode Anxiety, Perfectionism and Sex Mindfulness with Dr. Lori Brotto on the podcast Better Sex Through Mindfulness book review ADHD and Tips for Sex  ORDER my Book Permission for Pleasure: Tending Your Sexual Garden JOIN my Newsletter: Good Education for Good Sex FOLLOW on Instagram @cindyscharkey VISIT my website and blog

Continuing our conversation for the over 50 crowd with helpful tips including transition time, positions, pillows, vibrators and more. Listen in as we get creative with shifts in desire, and tools to accommodate our changing bodies. Learn ways to make sex more interesting.  More on these topics Desire styles Embracing your desire How curiosity fuels desire Vaginal estrogen, vaginal moisturizers, and lube for sex Erectile dissatisfaction vs. Erectile dysfunction Sexual adaptations and aids for all bodies Pain and Sex Arya intimacy concierge and scene guidance use code CS15 When a partner wants to try something new Positions with props Tabu Prim Pillow Why vibrators work for women and how to choose one Intimate Wellbeing use code CINDY15 Bedroom Games Coconu card game use code 30PLEASURE Naked At Our Age book review ORDER my Book Permission for Pleasure: Tending Your Sexual Garden JOIN my Newsletter: Good Education for Good Sex FOLLOW on Instagram @cindyscharkey VISIT my website and blog

Menopause doesn’t mean your sex life is over. In fact, you may find yourself having the best sex of your life! Join me for a chat specifically for the over 50 crowd. Let’s talk about desire, arousal, and changing things up as we change. Your pleasure matters! Visit our episode sponsor Uberlube, use CINDY for 15% off Mentioned in this episode: Guide to lube Perimenopause: Hormones and Symptoms Perimenopause: Treatment Options Everything we get wrong about initiation Two ways affection can deepen your connection Midlife and Menopause with Heather Sexual reset for midlife women ORDER my Book Permission for Pleasure: Tending Your Sexual Garden JOIN my Newsletter: Good Education for Good Sex FOLLOW on Instagram @cindyscharkey VISIT my website and blog