Sex and Psychology Podcast

Step into the sex lab

The Sex and Psychology Podcast, hosted by Kinsey Institute Research Fellow Dr. Justin Lehmiller, is here to help you understand the most important sex organ in the entire body: your brain. Each episode offers a deep dive into the psychology of sex and relationships, drawing upon expert interviews and Dr. Lehmiller’s extensive body of research. The Sex and Psychology Podcast is the sex ed you never got in school–and won’t find anywhere else. Catch up with the latest episodes below, and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform to keep up to date.

1 Million+ Downloads in 2022

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“Top 5 sexuality podcasts”

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Latest Episodes

September 29, 2023

Episode 228: The Rise of Pegging

In both porn and pop culture, we're increasingly seeing women strapping on dildos and anally penetrating men, a sex act known as pegging. So what’s behind this growing trend? Let's talk about it. In the last episode, we discussed the ins and outs of anal sex generally. Today, we’re going to dive further into the subject by exploring the popularity of pegging, the role of the prostate in sexual pleasure, tips for using sex toys during anal play, as well as what you need to know when it comes to douching and finding the right lube. I am joined once again by Dr. Thomas Gaither, a physician who is currently finishing up his urology residency at UCLA. In addition to conducting research on LGBT health and sexual medicine, he is an active TikTok creator teaching the masses about sexual health. You can find him on TikTok at that_prostate_doc. Some of the topics we explore include:
  • Why is prostate stimulation such a big part of anal pleasure for men?
  • What are some of the reasons why women might enjoy anal sex?
  • What is the appeal of pegging to heterosexual men?
  • How might someone introduce the idea of anal play to a relationship partner?
  • If you're worried about anal sex potentially being messy, what can you do about that?
To learn more, you can check out Tom's linktree and follow him on TikTok. Thank you to our sponsors! Expand your sexual horizons with BeducatedFeaturing more than 100 online courses taught by the experts, Beducated brings pleasure-based sex ed directly into your bedroom. Enjoy a free trial today and get 40% off their yearly pass by using my last name - LEHMILLER - as the coupon code. Sign up now at: https://beducate.me/pd2338-lehmiller  Explore the intersection of sex and technology at this year’s Security Sexuality Conference, which will be held October 19th and 20th in Detroit, MI. Securing Sexuality is the premier conference for people passionate about promoting sex positive, science-based, and secure interpersonal relationships. Continuing education credits are available for qualified professionals. Purchase your pass at securingsexuality.com ***

Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on FacebookTwitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram.

Listen and stream all episodes on AppleSpotifyGoogle, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast!

Credits: Precision Podcasting (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.
Sex and Psychology Podcast
Sex and Psychology Podcast
Episode 228: The Rise of Pegging
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September 26, 2023

Episode 227: The Ins and Outs of Anal Sex

Despite the fact that anal sex has become an increasingly common sexual activity, it’s a subject that continues to be ignored in almost all sex education. As a result, people generally have to learn about it all on their own, and there can be a bit of a learning curve. In today’s show, we’re going to explore how to approach this activity in ways that are safe and pleasurable, as well as some common myths and misconceptions surrounding it. My guest is Dr. Thomas Gaither, a physician who is currently finishing up his urology residency at UCLA. In addition to conducting research on LGBT health and sexual medicine, he is an active TikTok creator teaching the masses about sexual health. You can find him on TikTok at that_prostate_doc. Some of the topics we explore include:
  • How many people practice anal sex?
  • Why do people engage in anal sex? What do they get out of it?
  • Is there any truth to the idea that anal sex causes long-term damage to the body?
  • What should someone do if they experience pain during this activity?
  • If someone is interested in trying anal sex for the first time, what do they need to know?
To learn more, you can check out Tom's linktree and follow him on TikTok. Thank you to our sponsors! Are you passionate about building a career in sexuality? Check out the Sexual Health Alliance. With SHA, you'll connect with world-class experts and join an engaged community of sexuality professionals from around the world. Visit SexualHealthAlliance.com and start building the sexuality career of your dreams today. Support sex science by becoming a friend of the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University. Visit kinseyinstitute.org to make a donation to support ongoing research projects on critical topics. You can also show your support by following the Kinsey Institute on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram. ***

Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on FacebookTwitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram.

Listen and stream all episodes on AppleSpotifyGoogle, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast!

Credits: Precision Podcasting (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.
Sex and Psychology Podcast
Sex and Psychology Podcast
Episode 227: The Ins and Outs of Anal Sex
/

September 22, 2023

Episode 226: What It’s Like To Work In A Sex Shop

It's one thing to visit a sex shop, but it's quite another to stand behind the counter! Working in one of these stores can be a very fulfilling and rewarding experience, but it can also be challenging due to the wide range of customers. A lot of the people walking through the door might be feeling embarrassed. Some might have a complicated relationship with their own sexuality. And others will be rude or immature. So what’s it actually like to work in a sex shop? In today's show, we're going to explore the good, bad, and ugly of it all. I am joined once again by Fancy Feast, a Brooklyn-based burlesque performer, writer, and sex educator whose work has been profiled on NPR, Refinery29, and The Huffington Post. Her new book, Naked: On Sex, Work, and Other Burlesques, was the focus of the previous episode. Some of the topics we explore include:
  • How is working in a sex shop like being an amateur sex therapist?
  • What kind of training and sex ed do these shops provide to employees?
  • What are some of the most fun and rewarding aspects of working at a sex shop?
  • How does a lack of sex ed contribute to poor customer behavior in these shops?
  • How can selling sex toys be a liberating experience, both for the seller and customer?
  • How did the arrival of 50 Shades of Grey change what it's like to work in a sex shop?
To learn more, you can check out Fancy Feast's website, and stay connected on Instagram and Twitter. Thank you to our sponsors! Explore the intersection of sex and technology at this year’s Security Sexuality Conference, which will be held October 19th and 20th in Detroit, MI. Securing Sexuality is the premier conference for people passionate about promoting sex positive, science-based, and secure interpersonal relationships. Continuing education credits are available for qualified professionals. Purchase your pass at securingsexuality.com ***

Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on FacebookTwitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram.

Listen and stream all episodes on AppleSpotifyGoogle, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast!

Credits: Precision Podcasting (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.
Sex and Psychology Podcast
Sex and Psychology Podcast
Episode 226: What It's Like To Work In A Sex Shop
/

September 19, 2023

Episode 225: An Inside Look at the World of Burlesque

At the beginning of the 20th century, burlesque shows featuring stripteases took the United States by storm. They played on Broadway and were popular across the country. By the end of the century, though, they had all but disappeared. However, burlesque has since made a comeback and is arguably more popular than ever. So let's dive into the world of modern burlesque! I spoke with a burlesque performer about how she got into the business, the role and meaning of nudity in her performances, how audiences react to her shows, and so much more. My guest is Fancy Feast, a Brooklyn-based burlesque performer, writer, and sex educator whose work has been profiled on NPR, Refinery29, and The Huffington Post. Her debut book, Naked: On Sex, Work, and Other Burlesques, is set for release next month. Some of the topics we explore include:
  • At its core, what makes something a burlesque performance?
  • What are some of the different meanings of nudity for burlesque performers, and how is this communicated to the audience?
  • What does the process of preparing for a burlesque show look like?
  • How do local laws limit what performers can do in their acts?
  • How (and why) do people's opinions about burlesque differ from other forms of sex work?
To learn more, you can check out Fancy Feast's website, and stay connected on Instagram and Twitter. Thank you to our sponsors! Are you passionate about building a career in sexuality? Check out the Sexual Health Alliance. With SHA, you'll connect with world-class experts and join an engaged community of sexuality professionals from around the world. Visit SexualHealthAlliance.com and start building the sexuality career of your dreams today. Support sex science by becoming a friend of the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University. Visit kinseyinstitute.org to make a donation to support ongoing research projects on critical topics. You can also show your support by following the Kinsey Institute on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram. ***

Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on FacebookTwitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram.

Listen and stream all episodes on AppleSpotifyGoogle, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast!

Credits: Precision Podcasting (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.
Sex and Psychology Podcast
Sex and Psychology Podcast
Episode 225: An Inside Look at the World of Burlesque
/

September 15, 2023

Episode 224: The Appeal of the MILF

MILF is one of the most searched for terms on popular porn sites year after year. So why are so many heterosexual guys drawn to hot, middle-aged mother figures? In the previous episode, we talked a bit about why older women are drawn to younger guys; so in this show, we’re going to explore the opposite perspective. We’re also going to dive a little further into the reality series MILF Manor and discuss why you can make a show about older women seeking younger guys, but you could never make a show about older men seeking younger women. I am joined once again by Ashley Weller, a Human Sexuality and Health Psychology Professor at Chapman University in Southern California. She also has a podcast called What's Your Position which tackles issues surrounding sexuality, relationships, life, and love from a comedic yet educational point of view. Some of the topics we explore include:
  • Why do so many young guys find MILFs to be so hot?
  • What actually makes someone a "MILF" anyway? Is it about age? Confidence? Something else?
  • Why are age-gap relationships becoming more acceptable when the older partner is a woman, but less acceptable when the older partner is a man?
  • We also explore the wide range of reactions the male contestants had to being on MILF Manor, what this show tells us about sex ed and sexual communication, the sexual double standard, and more.
You can find Ashley on Instagram and check out her Linktree to stay connected. Thank you to our sponsors! Expand your sexual horizons with BeducatedFeaturing more than 100 online courses taught by the experts, Beducated brings pleasure-based sex ed directly into your bedroom. Enjoy a free trial today and get 40% off their yearly pass by using my last name - LEHMILLER - as the coupon code. Sign up now at: https://beducate.me/pd2337-lehmiller Explore the intersection of sex and technology at this year’s Security Sexuality Conference, which will be held October 19th and 20th in Detroit, MI. Securing Sexuality is the premier conference for people passionate about promoting sex positive, science-based, and secure interpersonal relationships. Continuing education credits are available for qualified professionals. Purchase your pass at securingsexuality.com ***

Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on FacebookTwitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram.

Listen and stream all episodes on AppleSpotifyGoogle, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast!

Credits: Precision Podcasting (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.
Sex and Psychology Podcast
Sex and Psychology Podcast
Episode 224: The Appeal of the MILF
/