MS and SEX (Cara Griswold)

In today's episode, I talk about the History of the Anatomy of the Clitoris and why it matters. The topic is packed with information, comical, and dark all at the same time. Then at about 17:00 minutes into the program, I give you a rapid-fire, super-condensed, summary of the innervation of the female genitals. I do this so that you can have some basic knowledge before I come back with some answers from my interview with Dr. Claire Yang.

This is a special edition of our most downloaded episode, it is packed with thought-provoking content. I also add a personal story about how a lack of fact-based comprehensive sex ed affected me. For this episode, we sat down with Dr. Don Lucas, a professor of Psychology at Northwest Vista College in San Antonio Texas. He is also the dynamic host of "5 MI Weekly" on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQFQ0vPPNPS-LYhlbKOzpFw/playlists In the episode I also promise a link to learn more about the Harlow Monkey study, here it is: https://www.psychologicalscience.org/publications/observer/obsonline/harlows-classic-studies-revealed-the-importance-of-maternal-contact.html Thank you for listening! I am so grateful that you gave me 34 minutes of your time, I hope you felt that it was time well spent. Your feedback is invaluable to me, please take a moment to rate, review and share the podcast. I cannot tell you how much this will help me as I develop further content.

Ritual Cutting with Phoenix B is the first in our series on Transformation through Extreme Ritual. Get ready to think outside the box as you learn the ways that other people practice communal, ritualized healing.

Implicit bias is a fancy way of saying "having an attitude about something or someone because they are unfamiliar".  In this episode, you'll get a better grasp of the concept and we'll meet one of the researchers who helped develop the very first kink implicit bias scale for mental healthcare practitioners. Dr. Vanessa Brown talks about the kink bias that some patients face from mental healthcare workers. She also addresses the lack of support that those practitioners face as they strive to provide good mental healthcare. When we are confronted with the unknown, we automatically feel suspicious; this is a protective behavior that all creatures have developed over time. As humans, we get to choose if we want to use our substantial cerebrum to make a different choice. This research team came up with the first implicit bias scale to help these practitioners identify their biases around the topic of kink so that they can change their reactions if they so choose.  Their scale will be publicly available soon and I'll post a link when it is. Until then, here is a helpful link to "Kink Guidelines: Clinical Best Practices". As a patient, you can see that you have a right to expect complete acceptance of your choices and as a practitioner, you'll find helpful information about how to assist your clients who practice or want to practice consensual kink.  Here is a link to the Kink Aware Professionals list. On October 28th at 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Dr. Brown, Lexi Gird, and other research team members will join us for a live Q&A to discuss their work. I encourage you to join us if you are a patient, a healthcare practitioner, a sex educator, or a researcher.  This is going to be a fantastic panel! Here is the LINK, and the passcode is 219308.

First, I had to migrate to another podcast host so forgive any glitches as I learn the new platform. Ugh. We may not have a movie star body or the sex drive of a twenty-year-old but WE get to decide what sensuality and sexuality means to us in any given moment. This month on the podcast I talk about a tool we can use to quiet our minds and return to the sensations of the body. Focusing on your own experience of sensation is not the same as being selfish. It is a powerful tool that can ultimately lead to greater connection. This month I’m thinking a lot about empowerment. Chronic conditions can rob us of confidence and self- worth professionally, personally, and sexually. Those demons arise internally and externally. It’s hard to feel like a badass when fatigue has nailed you to the floor. It’s a struggle to feel sexy when you live in a culture that cringes at your presence or simply looks past you in a search for something else to focus on, some vision that doesn’t remind them of the frailty of life as a bent or struggling body does. I’m bombarded with those internal and external negative messages too. I can only encourage you to seek out those who uplift you and see you not as a weakened body hobbling along but as a person with battle scars that have made you stronger, yet filled you with humility and compassion for those that don’t fit the “normal” mold. The fact is that normal is an irrelevant concept when it comes to bodies and sexuality. Alfred Kinsey conducted massive quantitative research in the mid 1900’s; one of his greatest contributions was proving that there is no “normal.” Their data concluded that up to 25% of people are at the “extreme ends” of sexual behavior. ((Extreme being anything that isn’t PIV Sex) One can’t just count the middle 50% as “normal” when there is another 50% that is one extreme or the other. Duh. So, flush that idea of normal down the toilet like it’s a memo from the Trump administration. Listen to this episode and join us on September 20th at 5 PM pacific time for a live Q&A. You can ask questions, share your thoughts and experiences about the “touching for interest” exercise, and we can try out the “three minute game”. Here are a couple of resources to find Sex therapists or counselors, AASECT: https://www.aasect.org/referral-directory. NCSF KAP list: https://www.kapprofessionals.org/kap_directory/13575/kink-affirmative-therapist-4/ I used this book as a reference for much of the content: https://www.draveryclark.com/sensate-focus-sex-therapy-illustrated-manual/

I'm grateful to writers and researchers like Dr. Sarah Rainey Smithback because their words expose me to new perspectives and challenge me to rethink my perception of reality. I had a dramatic lightbulb moment about surrendering to vulnerability while reading "The Pleasures of Care: Love, Sex, and disability". In this bonus episode, I talk about one section in the book that spurred this revelation. You'll also hear a conversation between my partner Susan and me; we talk about a wheelchair conflict we had several years ago. It's a discussion about shame, resistance, and control. We're all a work in progress; all we can do is take steps every day to challenge ourselves and enrich our relationships. Vulnerability is scary for everyone but braving this emotion makes you a superhero in your own story. Be sure to join us for a live Q&A with Dr. Sarah on January 20th at 5:00 PM Pacific Time. Go to www.MSexualHealth/podcast.com to reserve your spot in the conversation. Or sign up on my calendar to get a link to the event. Here are some resources: Dr. Sarah Rainey Smithback Website Resources and Support through the National MS Society And finally, as promised, here is a link to Gillian's website. She worked magic with my new website; if you need web work done, contact her. Do it! She's fantastic.

The charming and delightful Chelsey Storteboom is my guest this month. She seems to have dealt with her autoimmune diagnosis with an "eyes wide open bravery that I could not muster when I was diagnosed. Her podcast is "My Immune System Hates Me!" In this engaging podcast, she not only gets real about her own diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis but she interviews other folks with autoimmune disorders.

This is another special episode of The Pleasure Principle Podcast. I am producing this series for the people in my life who are fighting off the COVID-19 virus right now. All my meditations will be based on scientific fact, though some of them will indulge in more artistic license silliness than others. My two main sources of information for this episode are posted below; one is a link from the National Institute of Health (NIH) and one is from the Radio Lab podcast which is an episode that focuses on breath. As I witness the tragedy of this pandemic unfold in the United States of America, it has dawned on me that we will have a large population of people experiencing the long-term effects of illness brought on by the COVID-19 virus. Because many of the long-term side effects are neurologically based, I have some understanding of what their struggles will feel like. Fatigue, brain fog, weakness; these are all symptoms I deal with daily. It is my hope that disabled and chronically ill folks who have learned to deal with these disheartening symptoms will be a resource for those who may suffer some amount of long-term covid. I wish you all a rapid recovery and good health. Everyone, get vaccinated so this madness can end. Resources: NIH: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/how-lungs-work Radio Lab: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/radiolab/id152249110?i=1000525199233

We need connection, kindness, and communication now more than ever. It is time to end the anxieties around sexuality that drain our energy, distract us from what is important, and distance us from our innate connection to the world around us. Brian Gibney is a licensed, professional Surrogate Partner Therapist. In this episode, he explains the importance of the life-changing work that he does and dispels the myths that surround this specialized therapeutic modality. On January 21st, Brian will join us in our community for a live Q&A session. He will share more information about the benefits of his work (because 30 minutes is not enough), and he will teach us some exercises that we can use in our lives to enrich our relationships and strengthen our communication skills. He will also talk about what he liked and what he didn't like about the film "The Sessions", which is the only reference point that many folks have about this type of therapy. This is the final episode of Season One of The Pleasure Principle Podcast. We will be back on March 15th as we continue to explore what Sex-Positive Consciousness means to each one of us and how we can use this shift in awareness to create a new, more compassionate world. Here are some links related to the content from today's episode: AASECT International Professional Surrogates Association Surrogate Partner Therapy Resources

I talk with the author of "ADHD After Dark: Better Sex, Better Relationships" about how problems with focus and ADHD can affect our sexual well-being. And we cover solutions!

This is a juicy conversation about being honest with yourself and your partner. You'll learn how to dive into that fundamental question: "What IS sex?", and we talk about MS and sexual self-worth

Today we are talking about how cancer affects our sexuality and how the medical community can help us deal with the challenges brought on by the course of the disease as well as the treatments. Dr. Boatman's specialty is the AYA population, or Adolescents and Young Adults- this means anyone from 15-39 years old. However, you can benefit from this information at any age!

Today we are talking about how cancer affects our sexuality and how the medical community can help us deal with the challenges brought on by the course of the disease as well as the treatments. Dr. Boatman's specialty is the AYA population, or Adolescents and Young Adults- this means anyone from 15-39 years old. However, you can benefit from this information at any age!

You're getting a quicky from me this month. But, sometimes, that's just the thing. It allows us to stay connected and hopefully we'll both feel like our needs are being met. Let me know!

Bonus! Here is an Embodiment Meditation guided by India Harville. I had a COVID-19 scare last week (YIKES!) and so I listened to my body and took a few days off. Drift away on the dulcet tones of India's voice, go back and listen to the second "Prolly Gonna Cut that Out" with Roz Dischiavo, and go to https://www.filmsforaction.org/watch/a-letter-from-the-virus-listen/ to watch a really beautiful short film that will give you hope. That should keep you busy until I have the full episode up in just a few days. Remember to rate, review and subscribe! Here's India's Website: www.lovingtheskinyouarein.com

Join us in part two of our series on the dreaded herpes virus as we talk with STIgma slayer Rae Kennedy, RN about her herpes support group Positive Results. Get ready to learn more about herpes than you ever thought you wanted to know and prepare to be deputized as a Herpes Stigma SLAYER. Find Rae on her website HERE In Part I of this series, we talked about the medical facts and myths about this virus. In Part II, we examine the emotional and social implications of a herpes diagnosis; including when and how to disclose. How do you have that conversation with family, friends, and potential lovers? More importantly, how do you turn that talk into one that is empowering for you and your relationships? Believe it or not, you're going to really enjoy this episode! I promise. Join us in our community on December 20th at 5pm PST for a live Q&A with Rae You can always get more information here on our website We are only one of the innumerable creatures inhabiting this planet; currently, there is a particular virus strain that has captured our attention and is a daily topic of conversation. Unfortunately, the general phobia around sexuality and the aversion to talking about genitals (with the appropriate terminology prevents us from having productive conversations about the microbes that cause Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in the same open manner. Like it or not, the herpes virus is a ubiquitous presence in our lives and though it is not generally life-threatening, along with HIV, it has the dubious honor of being the most feared and stigmatized sexually transmitted infection of all. At this point, there is no cure, so once you are infected with HSV-1 or HSV-2, it never leaves you. However, the virus itself is very manageable, it is the stigma around herpes that causes real devastation. I've been thinking a lot about microbes, in general, a lot lately. How they influence us, create or end relationships, how we couldn't live without them, yet sometimes they lead to our demise. In this episode, I mention Dr. Nicolas Christakis, and his research and books. I highly recommend them! (I confess he is one of my current fantasy guests so I'm putting this request out into the universe so that someday- I'll have the courage to contact him for an interview. I know he'd have a lot to say about how microbes affect our sexual relationships and our attitudes about sex.)

September of 2021 is the month that I shift my focus from general sex education to Holistic Sex Education in the context of M.S. and other chronic illnesses. I know from experience that multiple sclerosis and other chronic illnesses affect our connection to our bodies and our sexuality. I also know that it is difficult if not impossible to get supportive, evidence-based answers to these challenges from our healthcare providers. It has taken me decades to get real with myself about having a progressive and incurable disease; but I have learned a lot along my stumbling path forward and I am committed to helping others find answers, empowerment, and a sense of peace. So as always..."Get ready. Don't flinch!" Get to our live Q&A through this link: https://linktr.ee/Joyful_Sex_Ed

A little input from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, some gratitude for our narrator from the last episode, and an update on the new format that begins in June. Here is where you can find more info about my creative website designer, Julian Maltby. Thank you for your fabulous voice and your creative mind. https://formacuento.com/

This episode will expand your mind and heart. Join us for a deep dive into the interconnectedness of sexuality and the evolution of consciousness. We hear more from Dr. Dischiavo, then jump down a rabbit hole as we ponder Jean Gebser's theory of evolution and how it relates to our sexual nature and where we might be after we emerge from this pandemic. Here are some links to check out: The Institute for Sex Education and Enlightenment: https://instituteforsexuality.com/ "The Evolution of Consciousness According to Jean Gebser" by Ulrich J, Mohrhoff: https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/8280/da861df9889a5f8f8ec210b3c50803cd3197.pdf American Association of Sexuality Educators Counselors and Therapists https://www.aasect.org/ Sex Ed for Social Change: https://siecus.org/ Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality http://sexscience.org/ Brene Brown clip on the power of vulnerability: http://sexscience.org/ I also want to thank Julian Maltby for reading the part of Jean Gebser. He did this while redesigning our website and updating our logo. I highly recommend him for web and graphic work. Who knows? Maybe he'll do some narration for you if you ask nicely. Here is is website: https://formacuento.com/ Join us on our Facebook page at Joyful Sex Education and our website: www.JoyfuSexEd.com

In part two of "Why is Sex Education Important?", we spend time talking with Dr. Rosalynn Dischiavo. She is the director of ISEE, the president elect of AASECT, and the author of "The Deep Yes, the lost art of true receiving". The links to these organizations and her book are below. Don't forget to offer feedback on our Facebook page or take the time to rate, review and share this podcast. Thank you! The Deep Yes: https://www.amazon.com/Deep-Yes-Lost-True-Receiving-ebook/dp/B01COCGE74 The Institute for Sex Education and Enlightenment: https://instituteforsexuality.com/ AASECT: https://www.aasect.org/about/about

Jennifer Erickson is a Ph.D. candidate in the Social/Industrial-Organizational Psychology program at Northern Illinois University. Her primary research interests include the positive consequences of pain, altered states of consciousness, extreme rituals, and sadism. As part of the Science of BDSM research team, Jen has presented her work at several academic conferences and has presented workshops at several BDSM-community conferences and clubs. Erickson is part of the research team that Phoenix B mentioned in our April interview. She talks to us about the research methodology used to study the hook pull ritual and why they chose those methods. We talk about a few different ways they gathered data, what that data tells us, and why these results are relevant for the broader population. I practice saying "Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory"; I never did get it right but Jen explains what this important measurement means. We also learn the terms "flow" and "transient hypo-frontality". We talk about the chemical and brain wave changes a person goes through during these events, and she teaches us the difference between everyday sadism and pro-social sadism. We dive into a discussion about the extreme rituals/intense events we experience in life, such as birth, how these experiences affect us, and we ponder why these powerful events are cloaked in suspicion and fear. To join us for a live QA& on May 20th at 5:00 PM PDT, go to Our Website and click "Join our Community". Everyone is welcome and it's a free community, but joining as a supporting member gives you access to all the Q&A recordings and extended versions. I had to cut out 25 minutes of thought-provoking information from this fascinating conversation. Here is a link to the Science of BDSM Research team's publications and presentations.

Today, I will outline the three categories of M.S. effects on sex: primary, secondary, and tertiary. This is an overview that will get us started on an interesting, reassuring, and exciting path to sexual health and well-being. After listening, join us on October 20th at 5 PM for a live Q&A. We'll talk in more detail about the causes of sexual dysfunction in MS patients and then we'll cover some solutions.

Female Bodies can have erectile dysfunction too! This topic has been a bit frustrating for me. True true, I loved reading about the anatomy, innervation, and vasculature of the clitoris. Perhaps more than a normal person would. But when it came down to looking into established medical solutions for MS-related sexual dysfunction in female-bodied people I ran into dead ends and got a lot of helpless shrugging. But there are solutions and I talk about them in this episode. I promise to keep looking for more and this is an ongoing topic.

This is the second part of my MS story. I again talk about my new direction and replay a portion of a previous episode with some additional thoughts about how that terrible 2008 episode made me very vulnerable to manipulation and domestic violence. So, be aware that I go into that topic and take care of yourself if you need to.

Dr. Sarah Rainey Smithback helps us learn to reframe the idea of caregiving from a burdensome task to an intimate, and even sexy experience. Listen in, you may just experience a major shift when you hear us talk about the "reciprocity of care".

"You don't have to be disabled to experience ableism." Who gets to define ABILITY? Historically, who has deemed certain people valuable while telling others to stay quiet and in the background? How does this affect the culture that we live in? So many questions! In today's episode we learn about ableism, and I'll talk about how internalized ableism has affected my wellbeing. I introduce you to concepts from some folks in the disability justice community including Stacy Milburn, Rabbi Rose Kukla, and Dr. Angel Love Miles. I'll also interview Joleen Nevers. She is an instructor at ISEE and teaches the Sexability class that blew my mind and exposed me to the ways in which I had been hating on myself and my disability. I hope that it will introduce you to some ideas that will spark some excitement and hope within you. Here is a small list of resources that I think you might find interesting: Ten Principles of Disability Justice: https://www.sinsinvalid.org/blog/10-principles-of-disability-justice · Joleen Nevers: https://instituteforsexuality.com/about/faculty/joleen-nevers/ · Crip Camp: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crip_Camp · Stacy Milburn writings: https://disabilityvisibilityproject.com/2020/05/23/staceytaughtus-syllabus-work-by-stacey-milbern-park/?fbclid=IwAR3V7_0NNUrhQ9G_dIBiLughybipeYMs0jwN9Kju8UVzs7ekLxFQDya4zyQ · Patrick Cokely: https://galtfoundation.org/martin-luther-king-jr-inclusive-disability-community-1 · Habin Girma: https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2019/11/excerpt-from-the-deafblind-woman-who-conquered-harvard-law/ · The Ultimate Guide to Sex and Disability: (Cory Silverberg, one of the authors of this book, acknowledges that though there is fantastic information to be found within its pages, he has grown and learned that there is a huge portion of disability justice values missing. He notes that there were no black contributors involved in writing this and so it is important to reach out to the broader community to gain a more holistic understanding of disability and sexuality. Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good https://www.akpress.org/pleasure-activism.html

We talk about the nature of relationships and rethink whether monogamy protects us from jealousy. And really, is the green-eyed monster inherently dangerous after all? Revisit jealousy. Rethink how you process this powerful emotion. Keeping relationships healthy is one of the best things you can do to keep your body healthy. Listen to this encore episode and get ready to talk to Joli and her husband Ken in July. He has MS and I KNOW this couple will have some powerful things to say about living life with a chronic condition.

First, if you haven't listened to the first episode in the "Why is Sex education Important?" series, please listen to that first. Then come back to this one. Resources used in this episode: Field, T. (2010). Touch for socioemotional and physical well-being: A review. Developmental review, 30(4), 367-383. Green, L. (2017). The trouble with touch? New insights and observations on touch for social work and social care. British Journal of Social Work, 47(3), 773-792. The relationship resource I have for you is the Gottman institute. We've attended a couple's weekend based on their work and it has been very helpful in strengthening our communication skills. https://www.gottman.com/blog/category/love-relationships/ If you have a therapist, see if they are doing remote sessions, and if you don't have one, search for therapists in your area. I can guarantee that you'll find people who are going remote. There are also a number of platforms that are app based, a therapist friend of mine recommended Fast Company: https://www.fastcompany.com/90440201/this-app-matches-marginalized-communities-to-therapists-who-share-their-background Another friend said that the therapists at her clinic use an app called "Mend". You can find that in the app store. Here are some DV resources: Domestic violence hotline: 1-800-799-7233 Here are a couple of books: "The Verbally Abusive Relationship" by Patricia Evans "Why does he DO that?" by Lundy Bancroft DV is increasing around the world during this pandemic, you are not alone. Here are a couple of articles: https://theintercept.com/2020/04/13/coronavirus-lockdown-domestic-violence/ https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/06/world/coronavirus-domestic-violence.html Finally, in this episode I point out that it is good to keep in mind that some people are struggling more than others with shelter, food, and safety. Beyond "keeping them in mind", which is kind of like "thoughts and prayers", we can donate to organizations that are helping people. I'm going to donate a portion of my "fuck you trump check" to a local food pantry, and another portion to a local women's shelter. So, if you are in good shape financially, you might think about googling organizations that are in a position to make a difference to make a little donation.

What can the Leather Community teach us? Toni Solenne is a sex positive social activist warrior! We talk with her about what the leather community means to her; we hear about her new book- "Women in Leather: Shaping Our Own Identity. Have you ever wondered what those kinky people are all about? In this interview, you will hear from a Leatherdyke about what this concept means to her and why she was drawn to this community. Not into kink? That's okay! These words of wisdom are for you too. You can find Toni's book on Amazon, search for "Women in Leather: Shaping Our Own Identity" by Toni Solenne

This is a featured episode of "My Immune System Hates Me!". Chelsey produces a great podcast where she interviews folx with autoimmune disorders, and in this episode she interviews me. As someone who has been on the other side of the mic stand/camera for decades- this felt vulnerable and like a loss of control. Interestingly, this is one of the many topics we covered in this interview. I talk about what M.S. is, my diagnosis, and how I took denial so far it could have cost me my life. We talk about the ways in which chronic illness can affect sexuality and ways that we can deal with those challenges; including how some kink activities may be helpful for those suffering from chronic illness. If you do not have a disability or chronic illness, then you are a TAB and this episode is for you as well. (tune in to learn what a TAB is) Find Chelsey on her website: MyImmuneSystemPod.com. You can find out about her RA warriors group there as well as order a copy of the upcoming book that features her essay. Follow her on Instagram and FB @MyImmuneSystemPod Don't forget to follow, rate and review our podcasts!

When you have tried other options for ED and nothing has worked, or if you just want to shake things up in the bedroom a bit prosthetic penis sleeves might be just what you need. This is a fascinating conversation and regardless of whether you're in the market for a device like the x-1000, this conversation will open your mind to possibilities you have likely never considered.

Last month, I talked about the primary, secondary, and tertiary effects that MS has on our sexuality. This month, I'm going to talk specifically about how our sexual self-worth is affected.

I talk with the author of "ADHD After Dark: Better Sex, Better Relationships" about how problems with focus and ADHD can affect our sexual well-being. And we cover solutions!

We talk about how traumatic memories are formed and most importantly, how you can rewire your brain so that this past adverse experiences lose their grip on your life.

Sometimes, life gets hard. In these times, we need to look to others and learn from their experience and individual wisdom. India Harville is an African American, femme queer, disabled, Access-Centered Movement dancer, choreographer, bodyworker, and social justice educator. The unifying thread in India's work is facilitating people working with their bodies as a vehicle for personal and collective growth and transformation. She is fantastic! You will love her velvety voice and her words of wisdom. I will also talk about my brush with death with "The M.S. Episode that was Never Supposed to Happen to Me". Here is India's website: www.lovingtheskinyouarein.com I also mention a very important book I am reading with many folks from around the world. It is "My Grandmother's hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies. Try to buy the hardcopy from a local bookstore but I believe they are on backorder. I got a kindle version on Amazon. Remember to click the "Subscribe" button; all that does is send you the next episode when it's available. Enjoy!

We are only one of the innumerable creatures inhabiting this planet; currently there is a particular virus strain that has captured our attention and is a daily topic of conversation. Unfortunately, the general phobia around sexuality and the aversion to talking about genitals (with the appropriate terminology prevents us from having productive conversations about the microbes that casue Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in the same open manner. Like it or not, the herpes virus is a ubiquitous presence in our lives and though it is not generally life threatening, along with HIV, it has the dubious honor of being the most feared and stigmatized sexually transmitted infection of all. At this point, there is no cure, so once you are infected with HSV-1 or HSV-2, it never leaves you. However, the virus itself is very manageable, it is the stigma around herpes that causes real devastation. Join us in part one of our series on the dreaded herpes virus as we talk with STIgma slayer Rae Kennedy, RN about her herpes support group Positive Results. Get ready to learn more about herpes than you ever thought you wanted to know and prepare to be deputized as a Herpes Stigma SLAYER. Find Rae on her website HERE In Part I of this series, we talk about the medical facts and myths about this virus. In Part II, we examine the emotional and social implications of a herpes diagnosis; including when and how to disclose. How do you have that conversation with family, friends and potential lovers? More importantly, how do you turn that talk into one that is empowering for you and your relationships? Believe it or not, you're going to really enjoy this episode! I promise. Join us in our community on December 20th at 5pm PST for a live Q&A with Rae You can always get more information here on our website

Revisit jealousy. Rethink how you process this powerful emotion. Keeping relationships healthy is one of the best things you can do to keep your body healthy. Listen to this encore episode and get ready to talk to Joli and her husband Ken in July. He has MS and I KNOW this couple will have some powerful things to say about living life with a chronic condition.

This month's episode contains explicit language. For a beeped version, email me at JoyfulSexEd@gmail.com to request a beeped version. I'll be happy to do that for you. This month's episode is lighthearted and inspiriational. I thought we could all use a bit of laughter and fun right now. So- Here you go! From Dawn's Website: "I specifically work with conscious sexuality, pleasure positivity, and manifesting (what I like to call femifesting) with pleasure because I have found that all these combined have gotten my clients and myself the best results for truly living the life they want. Pleasure is meant to be a safe, sacred experience, and living in pleasure creates a life that we flourish in instead of hiding from. This is the work I hope to achieve in this lifetime. I look forward to talking to all about the benefits from pleasure, the helpful ways you can apply pleasure to life and business, and specifically how to use pleasure to live a full and prosperous life." After you listen to this interview, write down your questions about Erotic Blueprints, Intentional Orgasms, Femifesting, and any other magical tips and tricks you'd like to learn from this Bada$$ Fairy Godmother. Then join us on Friday, December 4th from 5-6:00 PM PST and you can ask Dawn those brilliant question face to face. Click HERE to join our online community for that discussion Here's our website Here is Dawn's website

This month we talk about some of the causes of ED for folks with chronic conditions. Then we cover a few common treatments and introduce Cody from Choice Designs Pro. He produces a product that offers a solution you may not have heard of. Listen to the MS and Sex Podcast for a promotional code that will get you a stiff discount on a non-invasive option that is giving people serious results.

An MS Diagnosis is given to the whole family, not just the individual. We all deal with it differently so hearing how others navigate the challenges gives us inspiration and hope. Ken and Joli experienced a "gap in intimacy" but they closed that gap and in this episode, you'll learn how.

Episode Notes for "Jealousy Destigmatized with Dr. Joli Hamilton" Make peace with the Green-Eyed Monster, Jealousy. Dr. Joli Hamilton talks about the history of marriage, defangs the complex emotion of jealousy, tells us what we can gain from talking about this taboo topic, offers a fundamental understanding of the alternative family structure of polyamory, turns us on to the magical word "numinous", offers a lesson on the archetypal framework of jealousy, recounts some dramatic moments in Greek mythology that educate us about the power of this emotion, discusses how we can end the tragedy of extramarital affairs, and help facilitate a positive direction as the world experiences a shift in consciousness. Whew! It's a loaded episode and this shortened version will get you started. To hear the longer version, sign up on a waitlist for our Joyful Sex Education Community. Don't forget to click subscribe so that you are updated each time an episode comes out. If you love the guests on this podcast as much as I do, please rate and review! Here is a link to the Intercepted Podcast episode that ties in perfectly with this episode. Find out more about Dr. Joli Hamilton here. Here is a link to her informative and readable dissertation. If you want to dive deeper into this topic, here is a list of publications she recommends: Jealousy in the context of polyamory: · Cathy Labriola's Jealousy Workbook · Kitty Chambliss's The Jealousy Survival Guide For Polyamory: · Sophie Lucado Johnson's Many Loves (memoir and more) · Carrie Jenkin's What Love Is and What it Could Be (philosophy but so readable!) For non polyamorous jealousy, Dr. Hamilton recommends: · Ayala Malach Pines, "Romantic Jealousy: causes, symptoms, and Cures" (though Dr. Hamilton says, "I would NEVER use the word cure in relation to jealousy, however many people do and Pines handles the topic extremely well."

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Awareness is important because acknowledgment of the problem is the first step on the path to change. Surprisingly, this topic does tie into multiple sclerosis.

Cognitive issues are a real thing with MS. This month we talk about how this can affect your sexual health. In this bonus episode, we are talking about some of the causes of cognitive decline and then we cover a few things we can do to combat this devastating symptom. There are solutions! 1) Reducing stress with mindfulness, meditation, and getting enough sleep. 2) Nutrition 3) Exercise (a good hard workout can actually make your hippocampus increase in size!) I recommend checking out The MS Gym. He offers exercise videos designed just for folks with MS. 4) Cognitive Stimulation 5) Socialization After you listen to this episode and have an idea of the physiological causes behind cognitive decline, tune back in on the 15th to hear my conversation with Dr. Ari Tuckman who is the Author of ADHD after dark. Join us on February 8th at 5 PM pacific time for a FREE presentation on the basics of how MS affects sexual health. www.MSexualHealth Here are a few resources I promised: · Why the Brain uses so much Energy · The Shrinking Hippocampus · Cortisol Research · Research that backs up the benefits of masturbation before bed!

Get ready for episode #1 (Part One and Two) of "Why is Sex Education Important. How do you get ready? By listening to this introduction, checking out the links I have included in the description, calling 1-888-569-3854 to ask questions or share your experiences. Then- share the link to this podcast. Please! Dr. Don Lucas and his series "Human Sexuality Education": https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrr7zGRzgYQ_jm19XXHkL-e1X-E0zbiMY Dr. Rosalyn Dischiavo and her "Institute for Sexuality Education and Enlightenment": https://instituteforsexuality.com/about/director-founder/ Thank you for listening!

This month we are so lucky to have the opportunity to spend time with Joan Price; she has been "Talking Out Loud about Senior Sex for 15 years". Find Joan and all she offers at: www.joanprice.com Joan Price calls herself an advocate for ageless sexuality. She is the author of four books about sex and aging, including the award-winning Naked at Our Age: Talking Out Loud about Senior Sex and Sex after Grief: Navigating Your Sexuality After Losing Your Beloved. Joan's blog (https://joanprice.com/blog) has been offering senior sex news, views, and sex toy reviews from a senior perspective since 2005. At age 77, Joan Price continues to talk out loud about senior sex -- partnered or solo - in speeches, workshops, and webinars. She writes the Sex at Our Age column for www.SeniorPlanet.org and is the "resident senior sexpert" for the Senior Sex Hub at www.HotOctopuss.com. Joan is the co-creator of the film, "jessica drake's Guide to Wicked Sex: Senior Sex," which won AASECT's AV Award 2020. Find Joan and her books and blog at https://joanprice.com. This is also the month we are launching our online community for seniors, anyone who plans to be a senior someday, or anyone who knows and loves a senior, here at www.community.joyfulsexed.com. On October 24th we will be hosting an open house so that you can come in and get a feel for what this space will offer. I'll offer a tease of my Power of Pleasure workshop, we'll have a virtual sit down, face to face conversation with Dr. Don Lucas, Toni Solene, and Dr. Joli Hamilton. If you haven't listened to these three episodes, go back and do it- because this is your chance to ask them questions and tell them how much you enjoyed their wise words. We'll also have a social hour at the end of the evening so that y'all can get a chance to meet each other. This is going to be an enriching and supportive community that offers the safety and confidentiality that FB cannot. Please join us on Saturday, October 24th from 5-8 eastern time, I know you'll love it!

We talk about the nature of relationships and rethink whether monogamy protects us from jealousy. And really, is the green-eyed monster inherently dangerous after all? Revisit jealousy. Rethink how you process this powerful emotion. Keeping relationships healthy is one of the best things you can do to keep your body healthy. Listen to this encore episode and get ready to talk to Joli and her husband Ken in July. He has MS and I KNOW this couple will have some powerful things to say about living life with a chronic condition.

I'm reposting my MS story as a part of my new focus on "MS and Sex". (It's not "The Pleasure Principle" anymore; however, never fear, we'll still talk plenty about pleasure.) In this episode, I talk about my new focus on MS again and then replay a portion of my MS story that aired way back in 2020. (that seems like a decade ago doesn't it?) We all have a diagnosis story and many of us have had MS long enough to have a story about "the bad one". Part One covers my diagnosis in 1993, and Part Two covers "the MS episode that was never supposed to happen to me". If you or someone you love has MS, please reach out to me at info@MSexualHealth.com. I'm gathering stories! We all have unique tales to tell and they are treasures that help listeners and storytellers alike. www.MSexualHealth.com

Pelvic Floor Health, Birth, Death, and Sex. Join us for this interesting, sometimes funny, sometimes serious conversation.

We are excited to share our first full episode of The Pleasure Principle, "Why is Sex Education Important?". For this episode, we sat down with Dr. Don Lucas, a professor of Psychology at Northwest Vista College in San Antonio Texas. He is also the dynamic host of "5 MI Weekly" on You Tube. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQFQ0vPPNPS-LYhlbKOzpFw/playlists In the episode I also promise a link to learn more about the Harlow Monkey study, here it is: https://www.psychologicalscience.org/publications/observer/obsonline/harlows-classic-studies-revealed-the-importance-of-maternal-contact.html Thank you for listening! I am so grateful that you gave me 34 minutes of your time, I hope you felt that it was time well spent. Your feedback is invaluable to me, please take a moment to rate, review and share the podcast. I cannot tell you how much this will help me as I develop further content. I look forward to our next episode! Remember to keep an eye out for this week's companion episode: "Prolly Gonna Cut This Out", where I will talk about one thing that stuck out at me in this interview. I'll also share a great exercise for you to do as you shelter in place. Until next time, stay safe and well.

Kailey Larson talks to us about using mindfulness and other aspects of DBT to help us release sexual shame and anxiety. This will allow us to be more comfortable with ourselves, find deeper intimacy with our partners, and have the relationships and sexual experiences that will lift us up!