In this episode, Laurie and George explore a pattern they see often in therapy but rarely hear women talk about openly: growing up under-touched—not abused or mistreated, but raised with too little warm, affectionate contact. Many girls learn early to be “little adults,” self-reliant and emotionally contained, with parents who provided care but not soothing. Inside, they adapt by dialing down their need for touch and connection. As adults, these women often struggle with desire, sensuality, and responsiveness—not because they’re broken, but because their bodies never learned that touch is comforting, safe, or connecting.

Laurie shares her clinical insight that erotic shutdown can be a predictable outcome of emotional neglect and under-stimulation, especially for women who are socialized to mute their physical needs. George joins her in mapping how attachment deactivation, low interoceptive awareness, and a lifetime of caregiving roles shape many women’s sexual experiences. Together they offer hope and clarity: with attuned affection, emotional safety, and pressure-free touch, the erotic body can awaken. Desire isn’t missing—it’s been waiting for the right conditions to flourish.

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Erectile dysfunction in men 45 and older in a partnered relationship is a problem with solutions. Listen to Laurie and Tony distinguish physiological ED and partnered ED and offer approaches to solve this problem in this podcast spurred by a question from a listener. If you want Laurie and Tony to address a question you are concerned about, email [email protected].

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In today's episode, we discuss reinforcing positive cycles. There is a lot of talk about disconnection and negative cycles but what about when things are going well? Join hosts, Laurie and George to learn how to reinforce when it's going well to build out more positive interactions. A building block of attachment is adoration, to be looked at by a caretaker with sunshine in their eyes. This signals, you are good and you matter to me. This need never goes away and it is very important in adult intimate relationships. In sex, couples often make eye contact and signal this tenderness with their gaze. This episode will give you language and real life examples of how to make positive connections more explicit and reinforce that connection. Learn how to embrace the vulnerability around when things are going well and share it with the one you love! 

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Variety and creativity in sex can both make our sexual relationship sizzling, but it can also be a source of tension.  Join Laurie Watson, author of "Wanting Sex Again" and her co-host discuss variety!

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In today's episode we discuss finding the reframe; your partner's differing perspective that isn't always obvious. Emotions like irritation or frustration are often signs of disconnection in your emotional or sexual cycle. You feel you are lacking and more easily lose patience, create a negative meaning about your partner and get stuck in your move. The reframe helps you see what's happening from a different angle. You'll still be experiencing the disconnect but you'll have a better ability to communicate with your love about what is going on for you and learn what is happening for them. The reframe is one of our favorite tools to use in therapy and we know it will be so useful for you! Even Laurie gets in on the reframe action today as George helps her see another perspective in a current situation. Learn how to shift from a place of not having enough patience for your partner to understanding and openness. Keep it hot, brave lovers!

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What to do when your partner shuts down. In the second of Gottman's 'Four Horseman' series, Dr. Adam and Laurie address this destructive behavior and how to get through the seemingly unbreakable barriers of a silent a partner. 

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In today's episode, our hosts answer a listener's mailbag question. If the sex is good, why don't I want it more? Join George and Laurie as they help our listener answer this question and explore possible reasons behind this dilemma. Perhaps it's dissatisfaction, difference in desire, asexuality or emotional and sexual blocks. There are many avenues to consider and we approach the topic with lots of curiosity. We thank our listeners for being brave to send in these important mailbag questions and remind them that they are not alone in their struggles. Let us know what you learn from today's episode and don't hesitate to send us your very own mailbag question! We are here to help our audience and want you to always keep it hot y'all!

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The popular conception is that a larger penis results in better sex. Join author and certified sex therapist Laurie Watson and her co-host psychologist Dr. Adam Mathews as they talk about the real world impact of penis size on sexual satisfaction.

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In today's episode we are discussing receptivity and initiation. Receptivity is about receiving and responding to cues from your partner. Some partners may be sexually receptive or emotionally receptive meaning they need their partner to initiate the cues first and then they can respond. Join our hosts, George and Laurie as they breakdown what this looks like in relationships and the negative trap that it can sometimes create. If you often find that your partner doesn't initiate emotional conversations or sex negative meaning is often created, as "they don't care." Our hosts, warn that this pathway is a block to connection and it's more relational to remember that having to cue your partner is not always a bad thing. This conversation is sure to get you think about how you show up in your relationship and what you may need to do differently.

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Sounds pretty discouraging if your partner says she'd be fine never having sex again. Laurie and George discuss how to get to the root of what she's saying. Using an acronym O P L E A S F helps us organize what has obscured her libido. 

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