Have you ever felt like your apologies just don't cut it? In today's episode we are discussing the formula on how to give a good apology. Repair is an essential component of a healthy relationship and often the standard, "I'm sorry," can do more harm than good. Join hosts Laurie and George to learn why your current attempts at apology fall flat and what a meaningful apology sounds like. You'll learn how to keep the focus on your partner, not you, express care and become skilled at repairing. Our expert demo clearly demonstrates a bad apology and the better route to apology. If you've ever struggled in this area this episode is for you! Like our episodes? Then you'll love our book! Make sure to pre-order a copy of our book 'Brave Love, Great Sex' on Amazon now. 

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FOREPLAY welcomes Emotionally Focused Therapy, founder Dr. Sue Johnson to talk with us about George's driving and the sexual cycle. We laughed together about their early relationship and more seriously about George asking for help after 9/11 with the couples he was seeing and Sue's generous response.  Sue gives us a keen example of a uber sexual pursuer and how his needs for attachment drive him even thought his behavior pushes his partner away. Listen up to our discussing with someone who has changed the world with her theory and life's work!

For an EFT Therapist or to purchase her bestselling books LoveSense or Hold Me Tight - contact Sue's organization: ICEEFT.com

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Hello Brave Lovers! Join us today in our conversation on how to self-regulate when you are in conflict with your partner. We often discuss the power of co-regulation; when partners can be there and ease the distress of one another. However self-regulation is a powerful and necessary tool when your partner isn't available or their attempts to soothe you become a step in the negative cycle. Listen to Laurie and George today as they share how to self-regulate, when is a good time to use the skills and what it looks like in practice. Self-regulation gives us the opportunity to reflect on our behavior, the impact it has on our partner and what the underlying need is. Our book, Brave Love, Great Sex is out on September 15th. Make sure to pre-order your copy on Amazon today! our own individual responsibility to work on the cycle

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Today we are celebrating the 400th episode of Foreplay Sex Therapy Podcast! The idea for the podcast originated after Laurie was told by commercial radio that she was too spicy for broadcast. Their loss is our gain. Join Laurie and George today as they celebrate this major accomplishment AND give us all the details on women's pleasure! Listeners will walk away with do's and don'ts and many new techniques to help yourself or the lady in your life achieve sexual pleasure. If you love our show please leave us some love by rating and reviewing the podcast wherever you stream episodes. We need YOU to help us spread the word about Foreplay. Help us keep it hot y'all!!

Thanking Joe our editor! Rebecca our faithful social media person, Krista - long-serving social advisor, SamGetsSocial, our new social media help!, Madison - our former social media person, Derek - our tech guru and Dr. Adam Mathews - friend and former co-host! Send you all love - couldn't have done it without you!!!

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Welcome Brave Lovers! In today's episode Laurie and George delve into the withdrawer's world and how their mission to get it right is so wrong. Inspired by a recent post from podcaster Steven Bartlett, they discuss the unrealistic expectations and pressure many withdrawers impose and the vicious avoidance cycle they get caught in when they can't meet those expectations. If you identify as a withdrawer in your negative cycle or you want more insight on your withdrawing partner this episode will teach you: what is happening and steps to take to break this habit. You'll learn how to set realistic expectations, reduce pressure and communicate clearly with your partner. It takes less than 10 minutes a day to create a better relationship! Take a page from our role play and address this in your relationship for a more secure connection. Our book Brave Love, Great Sex is now available for pre-order on Amazon. Secure your copy today! 

Support this episode's sponsor (and help the pod!):

Uberlube.com -- Laurie's long-time favorite personal lubricant! Use the code BraveLove for a discount!

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Keeping connected is easier when we're in green brain - when our brain says we are safe, cared about and even loved - when we can relax, talk, listen with openness. Red brains are escalated, tense, maybe angry or in total shut down. Listen to George and Laurie talk about pulling a partner in red brain into the calm connected place where sex and connection can happen.

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Welcome Brave Lovers! Have you ever lacked confidence about your body in bed? In today's episode, Laurie is joined by therapist Clare Stadlen, LCSW. Clare is the owner of CAS Counseling and an expert supporting individuals and families with eating disorders and body image concerns. Clare and Laurie engage in a rich conversation on intimacy and body image. They discuss the many ways women are conditioned to judge their bodies from an early age and how this can zap desire and increase criticism. Listen in for key tips on how to embrace your partner's gaze to increase confidence, intervene in the shame cycle around negative body image and unleash your inner goddess! For more information on Clare, visit www.CAScounseling.com

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Welcome listeners! This episode centers on using Viagra or other medication to help with erectile dysfunction and if they are addictive. Join George and Laurie as they discuss the prescription medication, the reasons behind erectile dysfunction and danger signs to look out for. A key theme of the episode is communication with your partner around the use of Viagra. Make sure to catch this episode to have your burning questions answered and hear Laurie shine as our resident Sexpert! What questions about sex and relationships do you have? Make sure to visit our website and submit questions to our mailbag. If you find our podcast helpful please make sure to leave us a review and share!

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Greetings Brave Lovers! Have you or your partner ever uttered this statement? This definitive declaration has been shared in our therapy offices many times and we are bringing it to today's episode to explore the reasons why and the ways to fix this issue. Join hosts Laurie and George as they get clear on what is going on for the sexual withdrawer that doesn't want to have sex. This is often a healthy response to relationship dysfunction but it becomes part of the negative cycle. Our hosts remind listeners that it is okay not to have sex if you don't want to but we need to be able to talk about it. Dive in with us as we share how to construct a healthy conversation, break through the avoidance and reduce the pressure this topic brings up. More pressure equals less sex and both partners need to work together to make interactions safer, better and less tense. George and Laurie's role play will give you the insight you need into your partner's world. Be Brave Lovers!

Support this episode's Sponsor (and help the pod!):

Uberlube.com -- Laurie's long-time favorite personal lubricant. Get some today!

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Grab your pen and notebook for this, you're going to want ALL the notes from this episode! George and Dr. Laurie answer a mailbag question from a longtime listener about bl*w jobs. More specifically, wanting to know how to talk to their spouse about feeling disappointed that this isn't happening in their sex life. We know that this might be a tense topic for some but our hosts do a fantastic job of equalizing this and addressing what stops oral sex from happening for either partner. Touch, taste, smell and thoughts around the physical aspects of the act are some of the reasons that block or*l sex from being a more regular part of your repertoire. Laurie and George give us some tips and tricks on how to improve basic genital hygiene. Most importantly, these experts discuss the communication issues that present and block partners from having a successful conversation about this topic. As always George reinforces, "if a couple can have a conversation about something then anything is possible." Learn how to work through this delicate conversation with your partner and strengthen the security in your sex life today!

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