Permission for Pleasure

Do you have a hidden desire killer happening within your relationship? Researcher Dr. Candice Nicole Hargons is back to discuss one of her latest studies about the consequences of replacing partnering with supervising in a relationship. Hear how caretaking and correcting each other can be the enemies of eroticism, and how to fix it.

Find Dr. Candice Nicole Hargons

Mentioned in this episode
Arya use code CS15
How much does frequency matter with Dr. Candice
Self-pleasure and women’s wellness with Dr. Candice
Talking with a partner about sex
5 questions every couple should answer
Sexual communication
Communication, Couples and Sex

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Do you experience a dynamic of push-and-pull in your relationship? Or a cycle of one partner pursuing sex and one partner withdrawing? These common scenarios are explained by my guest Laurie Watson, PhD, a leading expert in sexual attachment. She shares how your attachment style affects your sexual relationship, including how to work toward a secure attachment for great sex. As Laurie says, “Great sex isn’t about technique, but about attunement.” 

Laurie’s Love and Sex Quiz
Brave Love Great Sex

More on these topics:
Keeping it hot in long term relationships
Practices for positive relationships
Sexual communication
Want better sex? Ask yourself these questions
Five questions for couples
Why don't I want sex as much as my partner

ORDER my Book: Permission for Pleasure: Tending Your Sexual Garden
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Many people don’t take ownership of their own pleasure. Whether you don’t feel deserving, feel like it’s a partner’s responsibility, were taught it’s selfish, or just never thought about it in this way - my guest Brooke Bralove wants you to know you deserve pleasure. Join us as we delve into taking ownership of your own pleasure and the steps to get you there.

Visit our episode sponsor Uberlube and use discount code CINDY

Find Brooke Bralove

Mentioned in this episode:
Mindfulness with Dr. Lori Brotto
What are you saying with your touch with Dr. Sara Nasserzadeh
Embracing your desire and sexual agency
The pleasure crisis and why good sex matters

ORDER my Book: Permission for Pleasure: Tending Your Sexual Garden
JOIN my Newsletter: Good Education for Good Sex
FOLLOW on Instagram @cindyscharkey
VISIT my website and blog

In long term relationships it’s easy to fall into a sexual routine. When sex becomes boring, it’s hard to stay interested! Listen in to hear how to create minor risks, introduce an element of unpredictability and generate sexual excitement for an enduring sex life.

Mentioned in this episode:
Affection and Touch
How Curiosity Fuels Desire
Positions with Props
Kink Curious
Coital Alignment Technique
Vanilla with a Cherry on Top
Embracing Your Desire
Keeping it Hot in Long Term Relationships

ORDER my Book: Permission for Pleasure: Tending Your Sexual Garden
JOIN my Newsletter: Good Education for Good Sex
FOLLOW on Instagram @cindyscharkey
VISIT my website and blog

Women’s pain is often dismissed, especially pelvic pain and painful periods. Mallory Stuparich MD joins me to talk about endometriosis and how to advocate for yourself. We discuss symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options for women suffering from what’s often referred to as the “invisible disease.” 

Find @MalloryStuparichMD on socials

Mentioned in this episode:
Tips from my pelvic floor therapist
Stretched out vaginas and other myths
Pelvic health and pelvic pain

ORDER my Book: Permission for Pleasure: Tending Your Sexual Garden
JOIN my Newsletter: Good Education for Good Sex
FOLLOW on Instagram @cindyscharkey
VISIT my website and blog

Pairing clitoral stimulation with penetrative sex is often the route for more pleasure and orgasms for women. In this episode, learn about a technique called Coital Alignment. This is a variation on the missionary position that incorporates pairing and rocking techniques. 

Mentioned in this episode:
Pleasure techniques on the blog
Pleasure techniques episode
What you need to know about the clitoris
Cliteracy
Becoming Cliterate book review

ORDER my Book: Permission for Pleasure: Tending Your Sexual Garden
JOIN my Newsletter: Good Education for Good Sex
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Pleasure is good for you! Researcher Dr. Candice Nicole Hargons joins me to discuss the data on the wellness benefits of masturbation. Learn some suprising upsides for your sleep, confidence and stress level with the results of this study on self-pleasure and vibrator use.

Learn more about Dr. Candice

Mentioned in this episode:
Dr. Candice in Season Five
Masturbation with August McLaughlin
Researcher Debby Herbenick on the podcast: Rise in rough sex
Why vibrators work for women and how to choose one
Community questions: Vibrators, Edging and Anal Sex
Natural health benefits of orgasms
The pleasure crisis and why good sex matters

ORDER my Book: Permission for Pleasure: Tending Your Sexual Garden
JOIN my Newsletter: Good Education for Good Sex
FOLLOW on Instagram @cindyscharkey
VISIT my website and blog

It’s time to unlock your erotic potential with somatic psychotherapist and sex therapist Carly Mountain. She joins me to talk about her newest book, Untamed Pleasure: Unleash Your True Erotic Nature. Learn about embodied pleasure, why women need relaxed arousal, and how the cervix can be a powerful portal of orgasmic potential. 

Learn more about Carly Mountain

In this episode:
Embodiment and pleasure
Just how much does frequency matter
Keeping it hot in long term relationship
Untangling sexual shame
Women’s Anatomy of Arousal  book review
Tips for multiple orgasms

ORDER my Book: Permission for Pleasure: Tending Your Sexual Garden
JOIN my Newsletter: Good Education for Good Sex
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Vanilla sex is loved by many, but for some it can get a little mundane. Have you ever wanted to add a touch of variety? Nothing too crazy or complicated but something to spark curiosity? In this episode I share four easy ideas to add a cherry on top of vanilla sex.

Visit our episode sponsor Uberlube and use code CINDY

Mentioned in this episode:
Ten tips to a better bedroom on the blog
Sexify your space episode
Guide to lube
Using your senses for pleasure
Foreplay 101
Turn up the volume on your sex life
Positions with props
Kink curious
Five questions for couples

ORDER my Book: Permission for Pleasure: Tending Your Sexual Garden
JOIN my Newsletter: Good Education for Good Sex
FOLLOW on Instagram @cindyscharkey
VISIT my website and blog

Women often feel burnout from taking care of everyone around them before caring for themselves. The term self-care is trending, but how can we go about doing it? Therapist Jen Hershey joins me to share her perspective, including ideas around alignment and learning to listen to your inner authority. This conversation is an invitation to move through life with more trust, clarity and intention.

Learn more about Jen Hershey, LMFT

ORDER my Book: Permission for Pleasure: Tending Your Sexual Garden
JOIN my Newsletter: Good Education for Good Sex
FOLLOW on Instagram @cindyscharkey
VISIT my website and blog