Sex Ed Shouldn't Suck

This week we chat with Michael Timlin – comedian, butcher, and host of the podcast Work Sucks, I Know. We start off discussing his classic school sex ed experience (complete with P.E. teacher and all) and end the episode discussing what we've learned from people we've talked to on the pod. Does anyone anywhere ever get good sex ed?? Maybe, maybe not. You'll have to listen to find out.

Follow Michael's Twitter to read more of his brain thoughts and definitely check out his podcast, Work Sucks, I Know (pssst if you're not tired of hearing Kaylee talk yet, you can listen to her episode here).

This week we talked to Cyndi Darnell, author and sex therapist from Australia, all about her new book "Sex When You Don't Feel Like It." She tells us about how her clients inspired her to research pleasure and desire, offers sage advice on how to talk to intimate partners, and basically gives us both a free therapy session on the pod! 

If you like this episode of the podcast, definitely go purchase and read a copy of Cyndi's book, "Sex When You Don't Feel Like It." For a chance to win a free copy, check out our Instagram for a giveaway during the month of December (2022)!

In part 2 of our interview with Jeff Eaton from the Christian Rightcast, we talk through the history of the purity movement in detail. We account for how it changed over time, from AIDS being treated as a moral issue to True Love Waits. We also discuss biblical masculinity, Bill Gothard and the Duggars, and the motivations of leaders in the purity movement. 

This incredible interview with Jeff Eaton, co-host of the Christian Rightcast, is split into two episodes. In this episode, we discuss Jeff's upbringing as a Christian homeschooler in the 1980s. Jeff tells us all about his experience in purity culture, from the earnestness that he felt for the cause to his eventual deconstruction. We talk about the destructive pitfalls of purity culture and how consent is not only an avoided topic, but actually toxic to the ideology of purity culture.

This week, we got to talk to some teens who are in the midst of their sex education in school: Disha and Sara. These two are working on an incredible program called Project AdoleSENSE. Their mission revolves around bringing better sex education to young people in India, where they both live. Disha and Sara talk to us all about what sex ed is like in India, what inspired them to start Project AdoleSENSE, and how you can help support their work.

Follow them on Instagram or send them an email at [email protected].

We're back for part 2 of the abortion conversation. In this episode, we talk about our experiences learning about abortion (mostly from church) in the 90s and early 2000s. Kaylee recounts her slow journey from anti-abortion to pro-choice in hopes of illuminating the path from anti-abortion to pro-choice. We end the episode by discussing what common ground there is between anti-abortion and pro-choice people. Hint: it's better sex education.

If you're in need of some light and fun reading, Guttmacher Institute has a fact sheet on abortion statistics in the United States.

We're back from our mid-season break and finally ready to talk about all the crazy anti-abortion bullsh*t that's been going on in the United States. First, Kaylee outlines the legal history of abortion in the United States, from the national ban in 1910 to the passing of Roe v. Wade in 1973. Next, we discuss how abortion became a hot button issue for conservative Christians. Finally, Jen walks through what has changed state-by-state since the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

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We had the pleasure of talking to the wonderful Melissa Fabello: sex & relationship educator, life coach, and support group aficionado. Talking points include queering your life, relationship anarchy, and Gaylor Swift. Be sure to follow Melissa on Instagram to stay up to date on all her latest and greatest work.

It's Pride Month 2022 and folks, it is the year of the bisexual. Jen and Kaylee talk about being extremely bisexual, the difference between being bisexual vs pansexual vs queer, and all of the best bi stereotypes. The episode ends with a talk about how sex education could be more inclusive of the extremely bisexual. If you take anything away from this episode, please remember that being bisexual is an inclusive identity! 

This week we got the privilege of interviewing Alex Liu, who just released a documentary all about sex education called A Sexplanation (streaming now!). The doc covers how lacking sex ed is in America and facilitates some difficult conversations with people from across the political spectrum, as well as Liu’s parents.

In our convo with Alex, we discuss our favorite moments of the documentary, why he decided to make it, and then launch into a wonderful discussion about how to help people—especially people in favor of abstinence-only sex ed—see the value of comprehensive sex education.