Hey Friends! Please take this podcast survey and accept a $10 Amazon gift card as a token of my appreciation: https://forms.gle/oRqyaTokxxumnhy47

The show is only going to be getting better : )

Thanks,

Heather

Join Heather and NourishDocs founder Amita Sharma for a better understanding of how menopause impacts your mental health, marriage and sex life and what you can do to help yourself have a smooth transition in this phase of life.

Chapters:

00:00 Breaking the Silence on Menopause

02:39 Personal Journeys Through Perimenopause

05:39 Understanding Symptoms and Their Impact

08:14 Navigating Hormonal Changes

11:18 The Role of Education and Advocacy

14:00 Building a Supportive Community

17:02 Exploring Treatment Options

20:04 The Importance of Self-Care

22:49 Addressing Sexual Health and Relationships

25:32 Holistic Approaches to Wellness

28:32 The Future of Menopause Conversations

Find more about Heather and her services at https://HeatherShannon.co

Check out NourishDoc here! https://www.nourishdoc.com/

Keywords: menopause, perimenopause, PMS, hormone therapy, women's health, holistic wellness, self-care, community support, sexual health, education

In this episode, Heather guides listeners how to bring a sense of adventure and exploration to their sex lives.

Understanding Your Sexual Identity

• How to differentiate between what you think you "should" want versus what actually excites you
• Recognizing that preferences can evolve and change over time
• Moving past shame or judgment around desires that feel "different"

Communication and Exploration with Partners

• How to have conversations about fantasies and boundaries. Yes, no, maybe list. 
• Creating safe spaces for vulnerability and honesty
• Navigating mismatched desires or comfort levels

Solo Exploration Techniques

• Mindful masturbation and body awareness exercises
• Fantasy journaling or exploration
• Using erotica, audio content, or visual materials as discovery tools

Practical Adventure Planning

• Setting up "sexual dates" with yourself or a partner specifically for exploration. Kissing lab. Sensory night. Positions month. 10 toys to try. Create a kissing lab (pecks, open mouth, long and deep, short and repeated, lots of tongue, little tongue, trace partner's lips with tongue, teasing and breathing while keeping mouths close to each other)
• Creating the right environment (physical space, mindset, timing)
• How to debrief and integrate new discoveries

Overcoming Common Roadblocks

• Performance anxiety when trying new things. 
• Religious or cultural conditioning around sexuality
• Body image concerns that limit exploration
• Fear of rejection or judgment from partners

Building Sexual Confidence

• Celebrating small discoveries and wins
• Developing a growth mindset around sexuality
• Learning to advocate for your needs and desires

Check out Heather's Amazon Storefront for Books and Tools to Help You Explore! Heather Shannon, LCPC's Amazon Page

We Should Try It Couples Quiz - We Should Try It - online sex questionnaire for couples

Yes, No, Maybe List - https://www.sexedwithbyrd.com/yesnomaybelistfreebie

Do you sometimes wonder if porn and/or masturbation are having a negative impact on your actual sex life?

In this episode, Heather Shannon interviews Aaron Frazen, a sex and relationship coach, who shares his transformative journey from a successful tech entrepreneur to a passionate advocate for sexual health and intimacy. They delve into the complexities of masturbation and porn, discussing common misconceptions and the emotional signals behind sexual challenges. Aaron emphasizes the importance of understanding one's desires and urges, offering practical tools for listeners to cultivate a healthier relationship with their sexuality.

Aaron Frazin's Website - https://www.aaronfrazin.com/

Book The Quickie Coaching Package with Heather - Get Unstuck In Your Sex Life!

Heather discusses the importance of emotional intimacy and vulnerability in relationships, particularly in the context of sexual connections. She shares personal experiences and insights on how being vulnerable can enhance relationships, both romantic and platonic. The discussion also covers the connection between emotional and physical intimacy, the significance of communication, and practical steps to foster vulnerability in relationships.

In this conversation, Heather Shannon and Jessi Marino explore the concept of embodiment, discussing its significance in personal healing, relationships, and sexuality. Jessi shares her personal journey from dissociation to finding home in her body, emphasizing the importance of presence and the capacity to feel a wide range of emotions. They delve into societal teachings that view the body as a machine, the role of rituals and magic in daily life, and how cultivating a deeper connection with oneself can enhance intimacy and resilience. The discussion highlights the interplay between joy, pain, and the natural world, encouraging listeners to embrace their embodied experiences.

Find out more about Jessi - https://www.instagram.com/jessimagick

Book "The Quickie", a mini coaching package, with Heather - https://heather-shannon.mykajabi.com/quickie

TRANSFORM YOUR SEX LIFE & HAPPINESS

Apply for a free Intimacy Breakthrough Call to learn about Heather’s Pathway to Passion coaching method: https://heathershannon.co/new-clients/

In this episode of 'Ask a Sex Therapist,' I welcome Caitlin V, a renowned sex and relationship coach. Caitlin specializes in helping men with erectile dysfunction, performance anxiety, and premature ejaculation, and works with clients worldwide to resolve mismatched libidos and enhance sexual confidence. She shares insights from her journey, her viral content on YouTube, and her mission to foster a sex-positive world where pleasure is prioritized. We dive into her unique approach to sexual health, blending personal experience with evidence-based science, and discuss her new TV show, "Good Sex" on Discovery + and Max. Caitlin also introduces "Groove Thing," a new product aimed at enhancing pleasure, and we talk about its potential impact on the landscape of sexual enjoyment. You won't want to miss this one!

About Our Guest:

Caitlin V is a leading sex and relationship coach with a focus on men's sexual health and pleasure. A former sexual health researcher and policy analyst, she gained significant recognition through her viral videos on female pleasure. With millions of views and nearly a million subscribers on YouTube, she is a prominent voice in the field. Her expertise is further amplified through her TV show, "Good Sex," available on Discovery + and Max. Caitlin is dedicated to creating a sex-positive environment where pleasure is paramount.

Connect with Caitlin V.

Website: caitlinvneal.com

Instagram: caitlinvneal

Groove Thing: trygroovething.com/caitlin (Sign up for updates)

Book A Quickie (micro coaching package) - Get Unstuck In Your Sex Life!

Website - https://HeatherShannon.co

RATE & REVIEW US!

Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here. https://podfollow.com/AskASexTherapist

Hey all! I'm switching to every other week for June, July & August. If you've been listening and not making changes yet, sign up for a Quickie Coaching Package here --> Get Unstuck In Your Sex Life!

Take my Why You're Stuck In A Sex Rut quiz at https://TheBetterBedroom.com

Love ya'll! And look out for my guest episode with YouTuber Caitlin V next week : )

DEEPEN YOUR INTIMACY & WELL-BEING

Apply for a free Intimacy Breakthrough Call to learn about Heather’s Pathway to Passion coaching method: https://heathershannon.co/new-clients/

Unveiling the Secrets of Vaginal Microbiome Health with Wendy Strgar

In this episode of 'Ask a Sex Therapist,' I welcome Wendy Strgar, founder of Good Clean Love and Womankind Care. Wendy dives deep into her journey of creating products to improve vaginal health, emphasizing the crucial importance of a balanced vaginal microbiome. We discuss key topics like the role of osmolality, the surprising impact of many conventional products on your vaginal health, and her groundbreaking Bio-Match technology. Wendy also shares insights on the broader connections between vaginal issues and overall well-being, offering practical tips for maintaining a healthy microbiome. You won't want to miss this one!

About our guest:

Wendy Strgar is an award-winning, serial entrepreneur and the Founder of Good Clean Love, Vaginal Biome Science, and Womankind Care. Strgar's commitment to vaginal health led to the development of patented BioMatched technology, an innovative scientific approach applying biomimicry to the formulation of women’s health products. As CIO at Good Clean Love and CEO at Vaginal Biome Science and Womankind Care, she has developed a quantitative microbiota panel and the most advanced and effective product technologies to stabilize vaginal microbiome health and has effected change in both osmolality and animal testing requirements at the FDA.

Exclusive Offer:

Get 20% off Good Clean Love products with code (askasextherapist20)

Book A Quickie (micro coaching package) - Get Unstuck In Your Sex Life!

Website - https://HeatherShannon.co

RATE & REVIEW US!

Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here. https://podfollow.com/AskASexTherapist

Figure out why you're in a sex rut and how to overcome it by deeply understanding your relationship patterns. Take my free quiz at https://thebetterbedroom.com to figure out the number 1 reason you're feeling stuck in your sex life.

In this episode, we explore five main patterns people fall into:

1. The burned out body
2. The avoiders
3. Self-Censorship
4. The Awkward Initiators
5. The Split Path.

Your sex life is not rocket science. It's very fixable if you discover your pattern have a partner who is willing to work with you on it, you'll be on your way to feeling excited, turned-on and deeply connected.