The Sex Ed (Liz Goldwyn)

Catherine was involved in sex work from a very young age, at her family’s direction. Catherine talks about the life of a young sex worker, the sacrifices that she made for her family, and her journey out of alcohol addiction.

Today, our guest is Midori, a legendary sex educator, author, and artist. Midori wrote the classic rope bible, The Seductive Art of Japanese Bondage, which was the first English-language book on shibari. We chatted about bondage’s roots in warfare, incarceration, and slavery, 1940s erotic imagery in the US and Japan, being part of San Francisco’s sex positive movement in the 1980s and why, when tying up a lover for the first time, it’s important to maintain eye contact.

For more, follow us on IG @TheSexEd and visit thesexed.com.

No one person is an expert in love. So, for our season finale, Liz asked 50 strangers about LOVE: What is love? Does love hurt? Is love scary? Have you been in love? Their answers reflected a diversity of experiences and perceptions from young, old, single, happily partnered, divorced, polyamorous and currently heartbroken people.  From fears of dying alone and being eaten by cats, to a couple that have been together 47 years— this episode covers it all. Visit www.thesexed.com to stay up to date on Season 2!

Joey Soloway is the creator, writer, and director of the groundbreaking Amazon series TRANSparent, I Love Dick, and more. They are also the author of the bestselling memoir She Wants It: Desire, Power, and Toppling the Patriarchy. Liz and Joey talked about Hollywood power dynamics, the importance of being awkward; navigating their own #MeToo moment on set - and, of course, toppling the patriarchy. *In June of 2020, Soloway announced a preference to be referred to as Joey rather than Jill.* Be sure to follow us on IG @TheSexEd and visit thesexed.com for more!

Sunny Rodgers is a clinical sexologist, certified sex coach, sex educator, ordained minister, and, among many, many other things— a regular contributor to TheSexEd.com. In this episode, Liz and Sunny cover everything from non-gendered sex toys, to prostate pleasure to the healing power of sex. You can find Sunny on Twitter @SunnyRodgers or at coachsunnyrodgers.com.

Nina Hartley is a world-famous adult film actress, director, author, and educator. She first achieved mainstream recognition in the 80s and 90s for promoting sex-positive feminism. Today, she tours the country giving university lectures on self-love and sexual awareness. You can find Nina at her website, Nina.com, and follow her on Twitter where she’s @ninaland. To see more Nina, visit TheSexEd.com, where you can watch a video of a talk we had at The Hammer Museum in Los Angeles.

 Liz Goldwyn guides you through a meditation designed to help breathe your way to orgasmic bliss with this special edition release of The Sex Ed podcast. Access the pleasure power of your breath and pelvic floor muscles and learn to bring yourself to orgasm… hands free! Follow us on IG @TheSexEd and visit TheSexEd.com for more.

Kate Lister is a historian and author of A CURIOUS HISTORY OF SEX, a new book that covers her years of research into the history of sex and sexuality. She is also the brains behind the popular website and twitter account, Whores of Yore. In this week’s episode, Kate and Liz discuss their favorite historical slang; masturbating medieval gargoyles; and how the Victorians used bicycles to get off. Be sure to follow us on IG @TheSexEd and visit TheSexEd.com for more!

Carrie Wambach, M.D. is a board certified OB GYN with a speciality in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. At her private practice in Los Angeles, Dr. Wambach helps patients with fertility plans, egg freezing and hormone imbalances, as well as treating recurrent miscarriage and premature ovarian failure. In this episode Dr. Wambach and Liz discuss infertility, surrogacy and why there is such overwhelming cultural pressure to conceive.

Ramy Youssef is the Golden Globe-winning creator and star of RAMY on Hulu, which debuts its second season on May 29. Liz spoke with Ramy about faith and sex; observing Ramadan during quarantine; the differences between his fictional and real self; filling the void with emotional eating and porn; and how to find the middle ground between earthly desires and the divine. Be sure to follow us on IG @TheSexEd and visit TheSexEd.com for more!

Ana de la Reguera is an actress, producer and activist. Liz talked to Ana about her new semi-autobiographical TV show, ANA, which she created, wrote, produced and stars in; her experiences in the telenovela world; why you need to find someone who’s got check, chic and shock; and how she’s coming of age sexually in her 40s. Be sure to follow us on IG @TheSexEd and visit TheSexEd.com for more!

Rebecca Sugar is an animator, writer, musician, and creator of the groundbreaking animated series Steven Universe. They are the first non-male ever to create their own series on Cartoon network, which featured the first ever engagement and wedding between same-sex characters. Rebecca has won several GLAAD awards, a Peabody and has received multiple Emmy nominations. In this episode, Rebecca and Liz discuss the importance of making wholesome LGBTQ+ content; their role in educating children - and their parents - via entertainment; the censorship an internationally syndicated animated kid’s show faces and the upcoming Steven Universe movie. Be sure to follow us on IG @TheSexEd and visit thesexed.com for more!

For our Season 2 premiere, our guest is Violet Chachki— iconic drag queen, aerialist and burlesque performer! Violet is the winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 7 and a showgirl who tours the world. On this episode, Violet and Liz discuss Catholic school uniforms, breaking Drag Race taboos, being a fashion icon and working with Dita Von Teese. Be sure to follow us on IG @TheSexEd and visit TheSexEd.com for more!

Carrie Goldberg is a victim’s rights attorney and founder of C.A. Goldberg, a cutting edge law firm that helps victims fight pervs, assholes, psychos, and trolls. Some of her most prominent legal battles include ongoing cases against the New York Department of Education and Grindr. Carrie details her own experience with a vengeful ex which changed the course of her career; how the internet is outpacing law enforcement; what to do if you are being harassed online; and her new book, Nobody’s Victim, which is out now! Be sure to follow us on IG @TheSexEd for more!

Nick Kroll and Andrew Goldberg are life-long friends, as well as co- creators and writers of the hilarious Emmy-nominated animated Netflix show, BIG MOUTH. Liz, Nick and Andrew discussed writing comedy about the awkward stages of puberty; Hormone Monsters; enthusiastic consent; and how to be a woke man in the 21st century. Be sure to follow us on IG @TheSexEd and visit thesexed.com for more!

SEASON FINALE! Artificial Intelligence & SEX. What does sex, love, and consciousness look like in the digital age? What are the apps that we interact with daily doing with our most intimate information? How deep and dark can virtual reality get? For the Season 2 finale, Liz talks to three experts about the intersection of sex and artificial intelligence: Gray Scott, a techno-philosopher; Stephanie Dinkins, a visual artist working with revolutionary AI; and Bruce Duncan, the managing director of the innovative and mysterious Terasem Movement Foundation. Be sure to follow us on IG @TheSexEd and visit thesexed.com for more!

Erica Chidi is a doula, author and cofounder of LOOM— a center in Los Angeles that provides empowered education from periods to parenting. She has guided thousands of people in their transition from pregnancy to parenthood in her practice and through her book, Nurture: A Modern Guide to Pregnancy, Birth and Early Motherhood. Erica and Liz discuss doula care for patients through birth and abortion, how pregnancy effects sex drive and why there’s no such thing as the “best way” to give birth.

Dita Von Teese is known as The Queen of Burlesque. She re-popularized the art form in the 90s and remains its most well-known performer. She is also an author, model and designer. In this episode, real life bosom buddies Liz and Dita chat about the first time she discovered kink, how working strip clubs can prepare you for the real world and the unbridled joy of taking a pie to the face. Follow Dita @DitaVonTeese. To see more Dita, visit TheSexEd.com for a talk we had at The Hammer Museum in Los Angeles.

Lexington Steele is a world-famous hall of fame porn-star with three AVN Performer of the Year Awards—basically the Best Actor Oscar for porn—and is still going strong, two decades later. We discussed his transition from stockbroker to porn-star, intimacy, and how race and gender affect the different career paths of adult performers. Lex has been behind the camera as long as he's been in porn, establishing his first company, Mercenary Pictures in 2003, followed by co-founding Lexington Steele Media Group, with performer and director, Savana Styles, in 2017. Follow him on twitter @LexSteele11.

Today, our guest is Rabbi Denise Eger, who leads Congregation Kol Ami in West Hollywood. Rabbi Eger is one of the first lesbian Rabbis to work openly in the United States, and was the first queer President of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, which is the largest organization of Rabbis in the world. Rabbi Eger gives a blessing before beginning a conversation about sex and spirituality; the myth of Lilith; ordaining California’s first legal lesbian wedding and how she is leading her congregation to evolve past the gender binary. Be sure to follow us on IG @TheSexEd for more!

Gwen McClendon is a minister at Shabach Christian Fellowship Church in Los Angeles. She has also been a sex educator since 1969. With over 50 years of experience speaking to teenagers about sexuality, both in the public school system and as a Youth Pastor, Gwen understands first hand why abstinence only education doesn’t work. In this interview Gwen and Liz have a nuanced conversation about sex, love and God, as well as teenage hormones and the church’s responsibilities when it comes to sex education.

Alessandro Michele is Gucci’s Creative Director. To celebrate our partnership with Gucci, Liz sat down with Alessandro in Milan to talk about his erotic relationship to nature; why Rome is his mistress; moving beyond confining modes of masculinity; his passion for dressing like a 1950s granny and how he channels orgasmic energy every day. Be sure to visit thesexed.com and follow us on instagram @TheSexEd; for more about Gucci, visit Gucci.com.

Lou Paget is a certified sex educator who travels the world sharing accurate, practical information with honesty and accessibility. She’s also the bestselling author of 5 books on sexuality. In this episode, she shares her tips for the best cunnilingus and fellatio among other insights into the bedroom. You can find more Lou, including links to her books “Orgasms” and “How to Be a Great Lover,” at LouPaget.com. 

Asa Akira is a legendary porn star, podcaster, author of two memoirs Insatiable: Porn—A Love Story and Dirty Thirty, PornHub ambassador - and a new mom! Asa has performed in over 500 films, is known as the queen of anal, and in 2013 became the second Asian person ever to win AVN’s Performer of the Year award. Asa and Liz talk about her pregnancy and postpartum experiences and how they affected her sex drive; what it means to be a MILF; and how she’s navigating and winning the shifting landscape of the adult biz. Be sure to follow us on IG @TheSexEd and visit thesexed.com for more!

Dr. Rachael Ross is a sexologist, family physician, mother, and founder of the Dr. Rachael Institute where she certifies other sexologists. Dr. Rachael and Liz chat about the importance of age appropriate sex education, giving kids ownership over their bodies, getting back to the pleasure potential of sex, and how labels can confine us. Dr. Rachael also answered some questions submitted by our Sex Ed community! Be sure to follow us on IG @TheSexEd for more!

This week on The Sex Ed podcast, we're celebrating our 50th episode with an homage to Sex, Drugs & Rock'n'Roll of the 60s and 70s with legends Bebe Buell and Pamela Des Barres. 

Pamela Des Barres and Bebe Buell are icons who have written groundbreaking, NY Times bestselling memoirs about their wild times loving and leaving some of the biggest rock stars of their day. Liz spoke with Bebe & Pamela about double standards, STDs, "free love" and the innocence of days gone by. Here's to a summer of love and revolution!

Be sure to follow us on IG @TheSexEd and visit TheSexEd.com for more! 

This week’s episode features legendary fashion designer Jeremy Scott. Jeremy is the creative force behind his own label, Jeremy Scott, has had an ongoing collaboration with Adidas for over a decade, and is also the creative director of Moschino. His designs have been worn by icons such as Madonna, Lady Gaga, Cardi B, and Rihanna. Old friends Liz and Jeremy talk about letting his fashion freak flag fly as a teenager in Missouri; making it in Paris as a designer; and how gender identity and dress codes have been revolutionized over the last decade. For more, follow us on IG @TheSexEd and visit thesexed.com.

Harvey Guillén is a GLAAD-award winning actor and producer who currently stars as Guillermo on the FX TV show, What We Do In The Shadows. Harvey joined me to discuss pansexual vampires; fatphobia in the LGBTQ community; sneaking into the 18+ section of Circus of Books as a teenager; and what his dream Hollywood project is. Be sure to follow us on IG @TheSexEd and visit TheSexEd.com for more!

Karina Longworth is the creator of “You Must Remember This”, a podcast about the secrets and forgotten histories of early Hollywood and the author of the book, Seduction: Sex, Lies and Stardom in Howard Hughes’s Hollywood about the women whose careers and lives Hughes changed. Liz catches up with Karina during her book tour to discuss sex on the silver screen in cinema’s golden age and the long history of hollywood’s boys club.

Mykki Blanco is an internationally renowned performance artist, LGBTQ activist, and musician who’s worked with the likes of Bjork, Madonna, Kathleen Hanna, Major Lazer and more. Liz sat down with Mykki to chat about how transitioning has changed their sex life; sending letters to their heroes; the NYC art world; being HIV positive; and touring in the Middle East. Be sure to follow us on IG @TheSexEd and visit TheSexEd.com for more!

Alia Shawkat is an actress, producer, writer and artist. Among her many credits are starring roles on Arrested Development and Search Party. She also wrote, produced and starred in the modern erotic love story, Duck Butter, which was released in 2018 and blew Liz’s mind. Liz and Alia talk about navigating coming-of-age in Hollywood; her upbringing as a child of a strip-club owner; and how she is invested in changing depictions of sexuality on screen. Be sure to follow us on IG @TheSexEd and visit thesexed.com for more!

Today, our guest is Natasha Lyonne, actress, director, producer, writer and renaissance woman, whose most recent brainchild is the Netflix series Russian Doll. Longtime friends Natasha and Liz talk about the power dynamics of appearing nude on screen; their shared fascination with women like Mae West and Alla Nazimova; sexual appetite; and why the brain is a major turn-on. 

For more, follow us on IG @TheSexEd and visit thesexed.com.

Today, our guest is Imani Gandy, lawyer, senior legal analyst for Rewire.News and co-host of their Boom! Lawyered podcast. Imani is a self-described recovering attorney who founded and writes the award-winning blog Angry Black Lady Chronicles. Imani and Liz discuss the capitalistic history of abortion laws in the United States going back to the 1850s; the nuances of how our government can and does legislate abortion, and actionable ways we can support others as reproductive justice becomes increasingly restrictive. Be sure to follow us on IG @TheSexEd and visit thesexed.com for more!

This week’s podcast features Ashlee Marie Preston, who is an activist and journalist. Ashlee was the first openly trans person to run for state office in California, as well as the first trans person to become editor-in-chief of a nationwide publication. Ashlee and Liz talk about how tattoos have been a source of empowerment for her; life as a survival sex worker; and how transitioning, by it’s very definition, doesn’t follow a linear path.

Diana Winston is the Director of Mindfulness Education at UCLA's Mindful Awareness Research Center, aka “MARC.” MARC's mission is to foster mindful awareness across the lifespan of humanity to promote well-being and a more compassionate society. In this episode, Liz and Diana discuss what exactly mindfulness is, practical ways to integrate it in your daily routine, how to have more conscious sex, and— she leads Liz in a guided meditation which you can follow along.

Our latest guest is Tony Goldwyn. Tony is an actor, director, producer, activist and the brother of The Sex Ed host Liz!  Tony has starred on television as President Fitzgerald Grant on ABC’s SCANDAL for 7 seasons; directed feature films and appeared has on and off Broadway for over 25 years. Tony and Liz discuss male privilege; their father’s sometimes “tough love” advice; appearing nude onstage and on screen; what it was like to become a sex symbol at 50 and how intimacy evolves with age. Be sure to follow us on IG @TheSexEd and visit thesexed.com for more!

Dr. Joshua Gonzalez, MD, is a urologist specializing in Sexual Medicine. He has devoted his career to studying and treating sexual dysfunction, with a special concentration on LGBTQ+ issues. On this episode we discuss erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, birth control side effects, and a whole host of other medical mysteries that don’t get discussed enough in polite company. Find Dr. Gonzalez online at JoshuaGonzalezMD.com and on twitter @SexMedLA. Dr. Gonzalez is also a regular contributor to TheSexEd.com.

Alice Little is likely the top earning legal sex worker in America, where she is the #1 luxury companion at the Moonlite Bunny Ranch in Nevada. In 2018, she cleared more than $1.2 million and is on track to top that in 2019. Alice holds degrees in psychology, sociology, physiology and anatomy and is an advocate for legalized sex work and sex education. She also hosts her own educational podcast, blog, and YouTube channel. Alice and Liz talk about the logistics of legalized sex work, from licenses to law enforcement; the cornocopia of services she offers and clients she sees, and why we need to take down the whorearchy. Liz also asked her for tips on some of the most requested topics from the Sex Ed community! Be sure to follow us on IG @TheSexEd and visit thesexed.com for more!

Justin Simien is the creator of the incredible film and Netflix series DEAR WHITE PEOPLE, which is now in its third season, and the upcoming film BAD HAIR. Liz spoke to this renaissance man about queer black cinema; being the target of alt-right trolls; how he learned to market films before he made one; Buddhism; Carl Jung, Terence Nance and more. Be sure to follow us on IG @TheSexEd and visit TheSexEd.com for more!

Betony Vernon is a sexual anthropologist, mistress of the ropes, the author of The Boudoir Bible: The Uninhibited Sex Guide for Today, and the designer behind Jewel Tools—a line of haute couture erotic jewelry. In this episode, Liz and Betony discuss the time Betony professionally tied Liz up (!) as well as digital dating and how bondage can be a healing tool for trauma. Learn more at BetonyVernon.com. You can also see a video of a talk we had in London with MatchesFashion on TheSexEd.com.

Dr. Joycelyn Elders was the first African-American woman to hold the position of Surgeon General of the United States, from 1993-1994. During her short time in office, Dr. Elders stirred up trouble with her strong stances in favor of comprehensive sex education, drug legalization and expanded abortion access. Liz spoke to this sex ed icon about being the Condom Queen of Washington, DC; entering the White House shortly after the Anita Hill trial; growing up in Dust Bowl-era Arkansas; the potential benefits to passing out vibrators in nursing homes; and why she’s optimistic about the future of sex education. Be sure to follow us on IG @TheSexEd and visit TheSexEd.com for more!

Our guest this week is Mistress Velvet, Chicago’s premiere African domme Goddess. A practitioner of BDSM, Mistress Velvet often makes her cis, white subs read and write essays about black feminist theory. Liz talks with Mistress Velvet about the “whorearchy,” her post work self care routine, why sex workers are being excluded from traditional sex ed, and the ways in which her academic studies have overlapped with her professional life. Be sure to follow us on IG @TheSexEd for more!

Today, our guest is Barbara Carrellas, the founder of Urban Tantra, an approach to conscious sexuality that adapts and blends a wide variety of sacred sexuality practices from Tantra to BDSM. Barbara and Liz talk about conscious kink; that one time she had an energy orgasm in a tree; how Tantra can prepare you for death; and so much more. 

For more, follow us on IG @TheSexEd and visit thesexed.com.

 Liz Goldwyn is joined by sound healer Soulei Goe for a sound bath. A sound bath is a meditative experience that uses sound frequencies to induce a state of tranquility in the body and brain.Sound healing can bring our internal biorhythm into a deep state of rest, and help us turn inwards, dream, even have visions or strong meditative experiences. We encourage you to let go during this special edition release of The Sex Ed podcast, let the sound wash over you and flow with the experience…be sure to follow us on IG @TheSexEd and visit TheSexEd.com for more.

What do you imagine when you hear the word celibacy? A monk taking a vow of chastity? Someone denying themselves pleasure? Do you think of incels posting misogynistic threads to Reddit in the dark? Do you imagine someone saving themselves for marriage or God? Do you think that if you go too long without penetrative sex, you’ll grow cobwebs? Do you consider celibacy the absence of all orgasms - including masturbation? Have you ever gone through a period of self-imposed celibacy? For our season three finale, Liz dives deep into the topic of CELIBACY with the help of some friends: Dr. Kate Lister, Shan Boodram, Weezy & Mandii of the Whoreible Decisions Podcast, Money Mark, Carolyn Murphy, Ramy Youssef, Bebe Buell, Mykki Blanco, Joanna Angel, Riley Reid, Kenneth Play, Justin Simien, Brianda Agramonte, and Alessandro Michele. Be sure to follow us on IG @TheSexEd and visit TheSexEd.com for more! 

Peggy Orenstein is the author of the groundbreaking NY Times bestseller Girls & Sex, and its followup, Boys & Sex. Her byline has appeared in the NY Times, The Atlantic, Washington Post and more. Liz talked to Peggy about “feminist fuckboys”; teaching boys to embrace their vulnerability and process complex emotions; why hookup culture isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, regardless of gender; and what we can do to raise boys away from the shadow of toxic masculinity. Be sure to follow us on IG @TheSexEd and visit TheSexEd.com for more!

Paul Fishbein founded AVN Media Network, the adult film industry’s leading trade publication, and the annual AVN Convention and Awards Show in Las Vegas, otherwise known as the “Oscars of Porn.” Now Paul is producer of the Showtime Series “Submission” and “Sex With Sunny Megatron,” amongst others. In this episode Liz and Paul discuss how a college kid with no knowledge of porn ending up founding the industry giant, how he’s transitioned to making Hollywood product and why he considers himself a feminist.

Joel Kim Booster is a hilarious and talented comedian whose stand-up has been seen on CONAN, Netflix, and Comedy Central. He is also a writer for the animated show BIG MOUTH and THE OTHER TWO, amongst others. In this episode, Liz and Joel talk about growing up in an Evangelical household; his thoughts on the fertility industry as an adopted child; his leaked nudes; and the Jane Austen anal sex joke that he has tattooed on his body. Be sure to follow us on IG @TheSexEd and visit TheSexEd.com for more!

Our guest this week is Dr. Linda Mona, a highly honored clinical psychologist specializing in patients with chronic health conditions and disabilities. Dr. Mona works as a consultant to healthcare service providers, in addition to her private practice, where she focuses on the importance of sexual health as a means of improving overall quality of life. Dr. Mona and Liz talk about digital dating with a disability; her favorite sex toy reccomends and how a disability can in fact make you MORE creative in the bedroom. Be sure to follow us on IG @TheSexEd and visit thesexed.com for more!

Riley Reid is an adult superstar whose videos have been viewed over a billion times on PornHub. She’s won countless awards, including AVN’s Female Performer of the Year and XBiz’s Best New Starlet, amongst others. In this week’s episode, Riley and Liz talk about being the CEO of a porn brand with major millennial appeal; how YouTube is giving her a crossover fan base; porn and safe sex in the time of COVID-19; why she likes “vanilla” sex off camera and what she is learning about intimacy. Be sure to follow us on IG @TheSexEd and visit TheSexEd.com for more!

Dr. Wendy Cherry is a Sex Therapist and Executive Director and co-founder of the American Association of Couples and Sex Therapists (AACAST.) Dr. Cherry is also Co-Director of UCLA’s AACAST’s programming, for Medical residents, undergrads, licensed and practicing sex therapists. On this episode, Liz and Wendy cover what sex therapy is and how it works, how we can overcome internalized erotic shame, and how to break the ice to your partner when you want to address an issue in the bedroom.

Lykke Li is a singer, songwriter, mother and co-owner of Yola Mezcal. She has been on tour supporting her record SO SAD SO SEXY and follow-up EP, STILL SAD STILL SEXY, which came out in 2018 and 2019. Lykke and Liz talk about creating art from pain; motherhood in the music business; why she’s over music festivals and how her personal definitions of love have evolved.