Dr. Nicole McNichols ’97 is a professor whose work explores sex, intimacy, and how people connect.

In this episode, Nicole breaks down what’s actually happening in modern dating and relationships — why so many people feel disconnected, how expectations around sex have shifted, and what the research really says about pleasure, desire, and communication. 

Drawing from both her classroom and her own work, she explains the myths we’ve absorbed, the pressure people feel to “get it right,” and what actually leads to more connected experiences.

Nicole also reflects on her journey from Cornell to leading the most popular undergraduate course in the history of the University of Washington, and shares key ideas from her book, You Could Be Having Better Sex, about what helps people feel more confident, connected, and fulfilled.

She's incredibly fun and she's gone viral on social media - here's where you can find her:

Instagram and TikTok: nicole_thesexprofessor

Sign up for her newsletter at: https://nicolethesexprofessor.com/

Her book is sold wherever you buy books starting February 3, 2026

And thank you to past guest and author Alli Frank for the introduction.

Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University