“Stranger danger” has long been the go-to phrase for teaching kids about safety—but it’s outdated and misleading in many ways. In this episode of Unzipping Taboos, we talk about what really protects children—teaching them consent, trust, and situational awareness.

We talk about why giving children the correct names for their anatomy matters, how to create space for curiosity without shame, and what it looks like to empower kids with confidence rather than fear. Just as importantly, we explore how danger isn’t always about faceless strangers, but can come from people children know — which makes it even more critical that adults listen to kids when they say something feels off.

At the heart of this conversation is a shift from fear-based warnings to respect-based trust. Because when we empower kids to name their bodies, trust their instincts, and know they’ll be believed, we’re doing more than keeping them safe — we’re teaching them that their boundaries and voices matter.

If you have a story, thoughts and/or a topic or question for Dr. Sue and Charlie please share your ideas here:  ⁠Show suggestions

In this post-election episode, we take a breath—and a moment to celebrate. After the November elections, we found ourselves feeling something we hadn’t in a while: optimism. In this episode, we talk about what it means to hold onto that feeling and how to turn it into action.

We talk about the power of showing up and how to move from celebration to sustained action.  From reproductive rights to education, equality, and justice, we explore how real progress depends on everyday engagement, not just election cycles. Highlighting that inclusive education and community care, and everyday actions—big and small—can shift the conversation and create lasting change.

Hope isn’t passive—it’s a practice. And keeping it alive means continuing to question, challenge, and participate in shaping the world we want to live in.

If you have a story, thoughts and/or a topic or question for Dr. Sue and Charlie please share your ideas here:  ⁠Show suggestions

Not every parent or guardian has a Dr. Sue in their back pocket when questions about sex or sex health. And yet, kids are curious, their questions are valid, and the way adults respond can shape how they understand bodies, consent, and relationships for years to come.

In this episode of Unzipping Taboos, we call in both compassion and responsibility: What does it mean to give children honest, age-appropriate answers without shame? How do we dismantle outdated, fear-based approaches and replace them with respect, trust, and curiosity? We explore how parents or caregivers can step into the role of safe, trusted guides—even if they never got this kind of guidance themselves.

We also share practical tools and resources—like amaze.org and state-by-state curriculum guides—to help parents prepare for conversations that may happen anywhere, anytime: at the dinner table, in the car, or while watching TV together. At the heart of it all, we emphasize honesty, boundaries, and respect—because kids don’t just need facts, they need adults willing to listen and talk without shame.

To find out how your state scores on sex education, check out the SIECUS State Profiles 

If you want to see an overview for the requirements for sex education for your state, including requirements for parental notification check out Guttmacher’s State Laws and Policies

For resources for parents/caregivers to learn how to talk to kids about sex, check out amaze’s website

If you have a story, thoughts and/or a topic or question for Dr. Sue and Charlie please share your ideas here:  ⁠Show suggestions

We’ve all seen it on TV, in movies or porn: two people lock eyes, clothes fly off, and somehow it’s perfect. But here’s the truth—spontaneous sex might make for great entertainment, yet for most people (especially in long-term relationships), it’s not the everyday reality.

In this episode, we unzip the myth of spontaneous sex and explore the very real, very valid world of responsive desire—the kind that grows with connection, communication, and consent. We talk about how media and porn often set impossible expectations for instant passion, why those narratives can leave couples feeling “less than,” and how planned intimacy can be just as sexy—sometimes even more so—than in-the-moment encounters.

We share our thoughts on building emotional closeness, practicing empathy, and navigating changing sexual dynamics over time. The takeaway? Great sex isn’t about chasing camera-worthy moments—it’s about intention, understanding, and choosing each other, over and over again.

If you want to read more about different levels of arousal, check out the article that we talk about in the show: Giddy article

If you have a story, thoughts and/or a topic or question for Dr. Sue and Charlie please share your ideas here:  ⁠Show suggestions

In this episode of Unzipping Taboos, we dive into the intersection of respect, chivalry, and consent in our everyday interactions. We unpack how cultural expectations shape our understanding of respect, particularly through common gestures like holding doors open and using titles like "ma'am". We discuss the importance of honoring individual preferences when addressing others and explore how actions rooted in chivalry, while often intended as acts of kindness, can perpetuate power dynamics if they lack true mutual respect and consent.

Our conversation examines the delicate balance between chivalry and genuine respect, highlighting how even polite actions can sometimes be tied to outdated gender norms or cultural expectations. As we continue to challenge these norms, we emphasize the need for mutual understanding and communication in all interactions. Ultimately, it’s about respecting personal boundaries, preferences, and choices—no matter how big or small the gesture, and no matter who the gesture is directed towards.

If you have a story, thoughts and/or a topic or question for Dr. Sue and Charlie please share your ideas here:  ⁠Show suggestions

If you want to ask Dr Sue a sex question for the weekly Q&A you can submit it here: Ask a question

Stealthing—it sounds like something out of a spy movie, but in reality, it’s a serious violation of consent. In this episode, we unzip what stealthing really is: when someone removes a condom during sex without their partner’s knowledge or consent. It’s a practice that crosses every ethical line, yet it’s still only legally recognized as sexual assault in one state (California).

Together with our guest Dr. Jenn Evans, we dig into the legal gaps, the cultural double standards around contraception, and the toxic influence of “red pill” ideology that excuses men’s harmful actions while blaming women. We talk about the human impact—how stealthing robs people of their bodily autonomy—and why shifting societal attitudes about consent is as important as changing the laws.

This conversation also shines a light on broader gendered expectations: why women are still blamed for pregnancies despite using contraception, why men’s reproductive sabotage is minimized, and how harmful online communities groom young men into entitlement and misogyny.

At the heart of it all, this episode is about consent, power, and respect. Because no matter what the law says, removing someone’s choice is never okay.

If you or someone you know has experienced stealthing or any form of sexual assault, you are not alone—and support is available. You can reach out to RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline. They’re available by chat and phone 24/7.

If you have a story, thoughts and/or a topic or question for Dr. Sue and Charlie please share your ideas here:  ⁠Show suggestions

If you want to ask Dr Sue a sex question for the weekly Q&A you can submit it here: Ask a question

From Love Island to The Bachelor to Are You My First?, these types of reality shows turn love and sex into a competition. But what does that say about how we see relationships—and ourselves?

In this episode of Unzipping Taboos, we dive into the “gamification” of sex and relationships on reality TV. We unpack how these shows reinforce harmful beauty standards, perpetuate rigid gender roles, and normalize manipulation—all while being marketed as romance. We also explore the hypocrisy of a culture that politicizes marriage for some while turning it into a ratings game for others.

At the same time, we talk about what responsible viewing can look like: understanding media literacy, treating contestants as human beings (not villains), and remembering that real relationships don’t look like staged drama on a tropical island. Whether you watch these shows for fun, critique, or guilty pleasure, this conversation unzips what it means to be a thoughtful consumer of relationship “entertainment.”

If you have a story, thoughts and/or a topic or question for Dr. Sue and Charlie please share your ideas here:  ⁠Show suggestions

If you want to ask Dr Sue a sex question for the weekly Q&A you can submit it here: Ask a question

Why do people cheat? In this episode of Unzipping Taboos, we unzip the messy realities of infidelity. From unmet needs and boredom to revenge, immaturity, or even unresolved trauma, we unpack the many reasons someone might stray — including situations where cheating happens despite a seemingly “happy” relationship.

We also distinguish between cheating and consensual non-monogamy, explore the lasting impact on relationships, and ask what it really takes to heal if a couple chooses to stay together. Because at the end of the day, working through the “why” and the “what now” of infidelity comes down to communication, honesty, and self-awareness.

Whether you’ve been cheated on, have cheated yourself, or just want to better understand the psychology behind it, this candid conversation shines a light on one of the most painful and misunderstood experiences in relationships.

If you have a story, thoughts and/or a topic or question for Dr. Sue and Charlie please share your ideas here:  ⁠Show suggestions

If you want to ask Dr Sue a sex question for the weekly Q&A you can submit it here: Ask a question

In this episode of Unzipping Taboos, we unzip the tangled narratives around birth control, emergency contraception, and abortion. Too often, political headlines and misinformation blur these terms together — leaving people confused, misinformed, or even shamed for making decisions about their own bodies.

We break down the difference between preventing pregnancy and ending one, highlighting how methods like the pill, IUDs, and emergency contraception actually work — and how political rhetoric blurs those lines to push an agenda. We talk about why it matters that we get the science and terminology right, and we question why those who claim to be “pro-life” often fight against the very tools that prevent unplanned pregnancies like comprehensive sex ed and accessible contraception. 

Together, we call out the dangerous conflation of birth control and abortion, and emphasize the importance of accurate sex ed, and the importance of accountability from policymakers.

If you have a story, thoughts and/or a topic or question for Dr. Sue and Charlie please share your ideas here:  ⁠Show suggestions

If you want to ask Dr Sue a sex question for the weekly Q&A you can submit it here: Ask a question

“U.S. fertility rate hits an all-time low — less than 1.6 kids per woman…”  Sounds like an emergency that women are solely responsible for, right? Not so fast.

In this episode, we unzip the nuance behind those sensationalist headlines, breaking down the difference between infertility and national fertility rates — ahem, birth rates — and why conflating the two isn’t just misleading, it’s harmful for everyone.

We explore how the media often pins declining birth rates on women, while ignoring the real drivers behind reproductive decisions: restrictive laws, lack of parental leave, unaffordable childcare, rising maternal mortality, and — let’s be real — the fact that some people just don’t want kids And that’s valid.

Join us as we unzip what a headline about “fertility rate” really means — and why it’s time to stop blaming women for a trend that reflects a much bigger, more complex picture

If you have a story, thoughts and/or a topic or question for Dr. Sue and Charlie please share your ideas here:  ⁠Show suggestions