Today we’re diving into a topic that feels both radical and beautifully simple: the connection 

between joy and sex. We often think of sex as physical, and joy as emotional — but what if 

the two are inseparable? What if cultivating a practice of pleasure could actually enhance joy 

in every corner of our lives? This conversation is about reclaiming sex as something more

than performance or expectation. It’s about presence, healing, play, and the radical act

of choosing joy.

 

To explore this, I’m joined by Dr. MaryCatherine McDonald — researcher, and the voice

behind The Joy Reset: 6 Ways Trauma Steals Your Happiness and How to Win It Back

Today, she’s here to help us unpack why joy isn’t just a fleeting feeling, but a practice —

and how pleasure, especially sexual pleasure, can be one of its most powerful

pathways.

 

So let’s get into it.

 

Dr. MaryCatherine McDonald is a PhD researcher, author, and trauma specialist with over 15 years of

experience. She has written extensively about trauma, grief, and the power of the human spirit to heal.

Through her writing, courses, and coaching, she helps people reframe trauma from a strength-based

perspective and reclaim joy after hardship. Her latest book, The Joy Reset, explores barriers that prevent

us from accessing joy and how to recalibrate in order to welcome positive emotions back in. When she’s

not working, she can be found dancing in the kitchen, walking in nature, or helping others rediscover

their inner light.

 

WHERE TO FIND MARYCATHERINE MCDONALD:

 

Website: https://www.drmcmcdonald.com/

Instagram & TikTok: @mc.phd

 

BOOKS:

 

The Joy Reset: Six Ways Trauma Steals Happiness and How to Win It Back

Unbroken: The Trauma Response Is Never Wrong And Other Things You Need to Know to Take Back Your Life  

 

If this episode stirred something in you, I’d love to hear about it. You can join the conversation at ellechase.com or share your thoughts on the Instagram page @thereveal_podcast with the hashtag #TheRevealPodcast.

And if you want to go deeper into these kinds of questions, make sure you're subscribed. There’s so much more to explore.

Podcast Page: www.ellechase.com/podcastEmail: [email protected] Mailing List: https://www.ellechase.com/mailing-list-sign-up Instagram: @thereveal_podcast and @theellechase #TheRevealPodcast

 

THE REVEAL PODCAST WITH ELLE CHASE IS PRODUCED BY: Jonathan David at Track Cult and Emma Chasin at Elle Chase

 

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