After Peter Pan: Growing Up to Purpose

Does Porn Have a Place in a Meaningful Life? A Neuroscientist's Perspective


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Pat welcomes Dr. Nicole Prause, a neuroscientist and sexual psychophysiologist whose groundbreaking research challenges some of the most deeply held beliefs about pornography, addiction, and shame. In a world full of noise, judgment, and moral panic, Dr. Prause offers a data-driven lens on desire, compulsion, and the role of sexuality in a values-based life. Together, they explore the complexities of pleasure, the impact of guilt, and what it really means to grow up in relationship to our bodies and choices. It’s a conversation about embracing nuance, letting go of shame, and aligning our behavior with our deeper purpose.

What You’ll Learn:

  • Why the idea of porn “addiction” doesn’t hold up under neuroscience
  • How shame—not porn—may be the real source of suffering
  • The difference between impulsive vs. compulsive behavior, and why it matters
  • How to reconcile pleasure with purpose in a values-driven life
  • The surprising overlap between sexual arousal and meditative states
  • What the data actually says about porn, connection, and meaningful relationships

Social Media:

  • After Peter Pan Podcast: 
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • YouTube
  • Nicole Prause:
    • LinkedIn 
    • Today Show Segment - Studying the Healing Power of Sex
    • TedTalk

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After Peter Pan: Growing Up to PurposeBy Pat Tenneriello