Foreplay Radio – Couples and Sex Therapy

In today's episode we are defining longings in a relationship. George and Laurie identify two different types of longing. The first seen as a more physical and emotional pain around an unmet need. These are longings that have to do with not being seen, or heard and require comfort and reassurance to restore safety. The second type of longing centers on growth and expansion. It is where we work to express our desire, pleasure and fantasies to one another. When there has been a prolonged negative cycle, longings typically are about safety and many couples struggle with longings that promote pleasure. What does the idea of longings bring up in you? Are yours more focused on safety or growth? Make sure to listen and share this episode with your love to learn more about what your longings are and how to express them in your relationship.  Check out this episode's sponsor (and help keep it hot!): Uberlube.com -- Laurie's long-time favorite personal lubricant! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 30 May 2025

There can be so much disappointment even shame when a couple is in a sexlessness marriage. Couple can tune out and shut down their need for flesh on flesh and over time it gets harder and harder to get back. They don’t know how to repair or even talk about normal failure and so they ignore the failures. This doesn’t happen just with aging. It’s people who resign themselves to not talking about it and both withdraw. George and Laurie talk about how to get back in bed! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 26 May 2025

In today's episode, we explore taking sex from a chore to a desired event. It's common for one partner to see sex as a way to please the other but forget about themselves. While individuals do have different levels of sexual desire, physical intimacy is still a need. Laurie and George invite sexual withdrawers to consider themselves, and their needs and wants in the sexual relationship rather than just making their partner happy. Through awareness, mindset shift and fantasy withdrawers will learn how to uncover and share their sexual needs to create more desire and want in your sexual relationship.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 23 May 2025

Confidence is essential for a great relationship. But how to you grow in confidence if you've lost it or never had much of it? Confidence is the end result of a string of successes. We discuss moves you can make to help yourself -- and your partner -- build their confidence by how you interact, particularly in the difficult conversations. Learn new moves to help you be successful -- and grow your confidence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 19 May 2025

Time to head back to school listeners! In this 'School of Love' episode we are defining attachment styles and how they show up in the bedroom. We focus on secure, anxious and avoidant attachment styles and why partners might fall into patterns based on their sexual attachment. Join hosts George and Laurie in this conversation on how your sexual attachment style affects your love life and what you can do about it. An anxiously attached sexual pursuer might crave connection to soothe themselves, an avoidantly attached partner might shut off emotions during sex and see it as a stress reliever. Why is this important? If you can see how and why you are showing up the way you are in your sexual relationship you can do something about it! Remember it's not just about you, this is an intimate connection and we want to aim to make this relationship as secure as possible. We hope you take lots of notes in class today!  Check out this episode's sponsor: Uberlube.com -- Laurie's favoritist personal lubricant! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 16 May 2025

Oral sex - you like it. You don’t like it. What works. What doesn’t work. Laurie and George talk about it all. They role play a couple who gets stuck in retaliation - if you don’t go down on me; I won’t go down on you. Then, they demo how a couple might talk to help each other work through their difficulties with oral sex. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 12 May 2025

In today's episode we are joined again by Dr. Ryan Rana, director of the Joshua Center in Arkansas and partners with George in the online EFT school for therapists, 'Success in Vulnerability.' Ryan joins our hosts in an in depth conversation discussing how to be more vulnerable in your sexual relationship. A relationship that centers on logistics and mechanics functions but doesn't access the power of attachment energy. To risk being seen, heard and understood deepens connection and harnesses a powerful energy. This 'soul connection' is the benefit from taking risks to be vulnerable with your partner by expressing feelings and needs. Come along with us today to learn more about what it looks like to be more vulnerable, how vulnerability can take your sex life from drab to fab and why deep connection with your partner is one of life's greatest stress reducers. Vulnerability can feel scary but on the flipside of feeling scared is feeling excited! Vulnerability is a major turn on! Check out this episode's sponsor (and help the pod!): OneSkin - Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 9 May 2025

Touch is vital for intimate communication. We learn so much with touch - pleasure, safety, exploration and curiosity! So often we don’t put it into words and then we find ourselves in intimate relationship with a partner without really explaining what we need and want. For instance, tickling may be fun and erotic or triggering. There are lots of ways me might miss each other in the conversation but Laurie and George explore people’s reservations and offer ideas of how to communicate about intimate touch better. #EFT #Couples #Marriage #Sex #SexPodcast #SecureSexualAttachment Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 5 May 2025

In today's episode, George and Laurie welcome fellow EFTer and relationship expert Dr. Ryan Rana. Ryan is the director of the Joshua Center in Arkansas, EFT trainer and co-host of "The Leading Edge" podcast. Ryan joins us today for a great conversation on how beliefs about ourselves become cemented and the damage this can cause to relationships. You may have caught yourself saying before, "I'm just no good with money." and then when your pockets are empty and the bills are due, you've just consolidated this belief. Now evidence piles on evidence and this becomes a fixed idea. These beliefs are comforting on some level because they create predictability but they are relationship killers! Fixed ideas leave no room for curiosity and as you'll hear in this episode "once we become curious, we can start changing again." This great conversation will get you thinking about these limiting beliefs, where they came from and how to change them to stop the damage and start getting more hopeful and engaged. For more information on Dr. Rana and The Joshua Center visit www.thejoshuacenter.com. Help the pod by supporting this episode's sponsor: Uberlube.com -- Laurie's favorite personal lubricant! Bar none! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 2 May 2025

Most of us grew up not talking about sex. But the more detailed you get, the more power you can have to change things. Go play-by-play and have more choice and agency about shaping your experience and connecting with each other. One woman’s grimace during oral sex or another person’s turning of their head during sexual intercourse send messages to their partner that in our example are indeed misinterpreted. Knowing exactly what happens - the detail- helps the couples discover what is really going on. A look, a certain touch, a sigh may turn us on. Or these very same actions can be misinterpreted We can get triggered into the negative cycle. Join Laurie and George as they talk about getting down to the nitty-gritty details when you counsel someone or when you communicate with your partner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 28 April 2025

Did you know that most people will have two marriages in their lifetime? Would you believe us if you could have two marriages to the same person? Join us today as we explore the unconscious (first) and conscious (second) marriage. What seems like a crisis and end to a marriage may actually be a great opportunity for both partners. Your original contract may no longer be working and this is a chance to create a new one as who you are now. People evolve and change over time and the marital relationship can be updated. What once worked in our 20s will most likely not align in our 70s. In the sexual cycle, changing hormones and bodies challenge us to learn new ways to make love. In a healthy relationship, this second marriage is an essential step to growth and partners often find it more fulfilling. George and Laurie walk listeners through an excellent role play on how this conversation would go and how to engage your partner in this work. Keep it hot y'all all through the years! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 25 April 2025

Through the three trimesters of pregnancy, a woman's body changes in different ways, but that doesn't mean that sex can't be good. Join author and certified sex therapist Laurie Watson and psychotherapist Dr. Adam Mathews as they talk about the changes in a woman's body at the different stages of pregnancy and how to keep sex alive and hot during pregnancy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 21 April 2025

Inspired by the work of Esther Perel, we are opening up a conversation around women being more narcissistic lovers. What does this even mean? According to experts, women tend to be more focused on their partner's experience in bed and less focused on their own pleasure. The caretaking cycle remains engaged, leaving many women disconnected and disengaged from their own sex lives. Join Laurie and George today for this riveting conversation on healthy ways women can be more selfish, self-focused and engaged during sex. This episode will have you thinking about what you actually like, find pleasure in, create more desire and assert your needs to your partner. What makes you feel desired, hot and fully in your sexual cycle, not the nurturer you are in day-day life? Both men and women will take away some great tips from this episode and really start to know what makes and keeps it hot!  Please visit this episodes sponsor (and help the pod!) Uberlube.com -- Laurie's favorite, long-term, awesome personal lubricant! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 18 April 2025

Some couples are faced at times with relating over a long-distance, whether due to business travel, being in the military, school, etc. Join author and sex therapist Laurie Watson and psychotherapist Laurie Watson talk through how to survive long-distant relationships both sexually and emotionally in a committed relationship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 14 April 2025

In today's episode we are talking about the act and art of touch. Touch is one of our primary attachment needs and we need it from cradle to grave. Touch is often a hot button issue between couples. Distance and disconnection in the relationship can create anxiety and pressure around touch. What stops touch from happening between you and your partner? Ask yourself is there a cycle that comes alive when one of us is seeking touch and what can we learn from it? Laurie and George share more about how vulnerable it can be to receive touch and that a key to safety in this area is non-sexual touch. Increasing affection that isn't centered around sex but strengthening the attachment need in the relationship. It's important to reduce the pressure here, work on relational safety and get curious with each other. You'll take away ideas on how to promote non-sexual touch, exercises that stimulate pleasure and little ways to enjoy more touch together. Special announcement for all couples therapists who want more EFT and Sex training. Join George on April 16th for his masterclass through Nicabm. Don't worry if you can't make it live. You will receive a recording with your registration. George Faller: EFT & Sex Training for Therapists Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 11 April 2025

Next to relational distress, a negative body image is the biggest disruptor for derailing sex and desire. While this has traditionally been a woman's struggle, increasingly it is also an isue for men. Join sex therapist Laurie Watson and couples therapist Dr. Adam Mathews as they talk about body image issues. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 7 April 2025

In today's episode, our hosts interview Dr. Polly Watson. Dr. Watson is an expert on menopause and focuses on holistic treatment methods, creating life changing results for her patients. Join us for this fascinating conversation on the causes and solutions of sexual pain. Did you know that during the transition to menopause 75% of women experience discomfort during sex due to hormonal changes? We discuss all things regarding hormone replacement therapy, pelvic floor therapy and how male partners can support their spouses better. There is no shame in this transitional time, yet too many women struggle in silence and we are sharing this message today. You are not alone, there is hope and treatment that can improve conditions. Sex should be enjoyable, not painful! You, along with George will learn so much in this episode and will feel empowered about the pathway forward. To learn more about Dr. Watson visit her website here: https://hormonewellnessmd.com/  You can also get great insights from her podcast, Menopause Rescue. Check out this episode's sponsor (and thereby support the pod!): Uberlube.com -- Laurie's long-time favorite personal lubricant to Keep It Hot! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 4 April 2025

Relationships have three broad areas of relating: the mundane details that must be done in live, sexual intimacy, and being friends -- liking our partner, enjoying their company, sharing the details of our inner worlds. The best relationships manage to have all three work; imbalance among them leads to problems. Join sex therapist and author Laurie Watson and couple's therapist Dr. Adam Mathews as they talk about balancing these three essential arenas of relationship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 31 March 2025

In today's episode, we are discussing how to forgive what hasn't been. Fights are more obvious times to work on forgiveness but what about the missed bids for connection and absence of touch? Join our hosts as they share how to have healing conversations about the lost connection. Laurie and George relay that this experience is grief and a deep pain that needs to be shared in partnership. Often a conversation like this may activate the negative cycle as the hurt partner might fear further rejection and begin by criticizing. Their advice is to get into the pain and begin to ask your partner for their help to heal. As the listener, sex might have been off the table for a variety of reasons and you may notice a defensive reaction. George shares something that works in his relationship, to take a pause and keep the focus on his partner. Healing is sequential and can't happen all at once. Slow and steady, remaining focused on one partner's pain can shift a couple into forgiveness as resentment from missed moments is heard, seen and cared for. What has been missing from your relationship that has caused you pain? Today's episode will help you and your partner get started on the path to forgiveness.  Support the pod by supporting this episode's sponsor! Addyi.com -- the only FDA-approved treatment for certain women with low libido. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 28 March 2025

Dr. Adam and Laurie discuss the complicated relationship between sex and depression in both men and women. They discuss symptoms and how to stay connected when your relationship is impacted by this all too common mental health issue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 24 March 2025

Dr. Adam and Laurie discuss the complicated relationship between sex and depression in both men and women. They discuss symptoms and how to stay connected when your relationship is impacted by this all too common mental health issue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 24 March 2025

Is your sex life a little too vanilla? Maybe you want to try something new but want just the right amount of spice? Grab your lover and join us for today's episode as we discuss how to get comfortable with getting more kinky. Inspired by an article in Glamour Magazine, hosts Laurie and George share ideas to get things heated up. Laurie calls the list 'kink light' but it's sure to help you take things up a notch. Remember here, consensual is key! Both partners need to communicate and have safety to be able to take more sexual risks. Suggestive texts, dirty talk, sexy outfits or none at all, using a mirror, switching normal roles, teasing. Hooked yet? Hop on over to our instagram @foreplay_sextherapy and let us know what you would add to the list. Keep it kinky, y'all!  Please support the pod by checking out this episodes sponsor: Addyi.com -- the only FDA-approved treatment for certain women with low libido. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 21 March 2025

Contempt, one of the most dangerous emotions in a relationship. This episode covers the markers of contemptuous behavior and why it's so destructive to a marriage. Laurie and Dr. Adam offer advice on recognizing this powerful emotion and how to bring the humanity back into your relationship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 17 March 2025

Contempt, one of the most dangerous emotions in a relationship. This episode covers the markers of contemptuous behavior and why it's so destructive to a marriage. Laurie and Dr. Adam offer advice on recognizing this powerful emotion and how to bring the humanity back into your relationship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 17 March 2025

We are all deserving of touch. It awakens the senses, provides comfort, reassurance and then as adults pleasure. In today's episode, our hosts open up a conversation about your relationship with touch. Did you grow up in a household where physical affection was withheld, conditional, unsafe or just not available? If so, you may be suffering from touch neglect. This can show up in the sexual cycle as anxiety, discomfort or full on avoidance at even the thought of touch. This episode will help you understand the power or touch, how neglect shows up in adult relationships and how to begin a safe conversation with your partner describing your needs. And yes, we ALL have needs related to touch! The great news also, is that with safety, and vulnerability these needs can be expressed in your adult relationships and you can begin to feel more comfort around touch and go from neglected needs to needs met. You deserve it!  Please support this episode's sponsor (and help the pod!): Addyi.com -- the only FDA-approved treatment for certain women with low libido! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 14 March 2025

In this episode, Laurie and George discuss insights from Daniel Watter’s book, The Existential Importance of the Penis: A Guide to Understanding Male Sexuality. They explore sexual disorders like low desire, erectile dysfunction, and vaginismus—not just as issues but as signals from our bodies about anxiety, relationship challenges, or life transitions, like becoming parents. Enjoy this thought-provoking episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 10 March 2025

In this episode, Laurie and George discuss insights from Daniel Watter’s book, The Existential Importance of the Penis: A Guide to Understanding Male Sexuality. They explore sexual disorders like low desire, erectile dysfunction, and vaginismus—not just as issues but as signals from our bodies about anxiety, relationship challenges, or life transitions, like becoming parents. Enjoy this thought-provoking episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 10 March 2025

In today's episode we are spending time focusing on when it goes well. As therapists we look for these 'glimmers' as a way to retrain the brain and body to focus on progress, not just the problem. It's common for couples to get bogged down by what doesn't go well. This is the brain's way to keep you safe and protected but it also makes it hard to let progress take hold. Join Laurie and George today in this great conversation focused on glimmers of eroticism in your relationship. There are two great ways to hone in on glimmers. One is to recall past positive sexual experiences in the relationship. The other is to dig below the surface of the complaint and listen to the request being made. Is your partner giving you the clues for a glimmer that you might be missing? More glimmers help us feel more hopeful and united against the negative cycle. Take a moment today to look back at your past week and explore what went well in your sexual relationship. Even the slightest change is worth noting and sharing with your love. Keep it hot y'all! Check out this episodes sponsors (and help the pod!) Addyi.com -- FDA-approved treatment for certain women with low libido! Uberlube.com -- Laurie's favorite personal lubricant! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 7 March 2025

Having kids can radically change sex for couples and can complicate our sex lives for a number of reasons. Join author and sex therapist Laurie Watson and couples therapist Dr. Adam Mathews as they work through the issues around sex after kids. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 3 March 2025

Having kids can radically change sex for couples and can complicate our sex lives for a number of reasons. Join author and sex therapist Laurie Watson and couples therapist Dr. Adam Mathews as they work through the issues around sex after kids. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 3 March 2025

Greetings Foreplay listeners! We are so excited for today's episode, featuring Dr. Peggy Kleinplatz, a clinician and sex researcher that broke the code on the key components to magnificent sex. In her book of the same title, Dr. Kleinplatz breaks down the findings from her studies and shares what makes lovers great. She is a mentor to our hosts and continues to train therapists around the world to help lovers have better sex. We are honored to have her as a guest on this episode. Our conversation investigates how you define intimacy in your relationship, exploring your erotic cues, and being embodied during sex. Equally important and exciting is that sex can get better as you age and could be the best sex yet! Listeners will walk away feeling encouraged and excited by this interview. We all have the capacity to be magnificent lovers and Dr. Kleinplatz has the science to prove it!  Check out this episode's sponsor and help the pod! Addyi.com -- the only FDA-approved treatment for certain women with low libido! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 28 February 2025

Masturbation is often a charged topic with many individuals and couples. The messages we receive about masturbation can influence our current sexual relationships. Join popular author and sex therapist Laurie Watson and psychologist Dr. Adam Mathews as they discuss masturbation through adolescence and into adulthood, as well as it's impact on coupled sex. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 24 February 2025

Masturbation is often a charged topic with many individuals and couples. The messages we receive about masturbation can influence our current sexual relationships. Join popular author and sex therapist Laurie Watson and psychologist Dr. Adam Mathews as they discuss masturbation through adolescence and into adulthood, as well as it's impact on coupled sex. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 24 February 2025

In this episode, we dive into the psychology of "the ick", that unsettling feeling when sudden attraction shifts to repulsion. In the Psychology Today article, The "Ick" Factor: The Science Behind Sudden Attraction Shifts, author Gary Lewandowski shared insights from the social media trend and George and Laurie break them down. We explore why seemingly small, annoying behavior can cause this drastic turn-off. We discuss why sometimes this can lead to breakups after just one unpleasant moment and better ways to communicate about the icks. We also touch on those that stand out for men and women and what gives our hosts the ick. Whether it's a behavior that’s just too irritating or something that triggers deeper instincts, this episode shares the science behind why we suddenly can’t stand the person we were once so attracted to. Join us to find out what causes the ick and why it’s more common than you might think! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 21 February 2025

Having your desire synced with your partner's may sound ideal, but rare in practice. Find out how to get back in the game when you are not in the mood. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 17 February 2025

Having your desire synced with your partner's may sound ideal, but rare in practice. Find out how to get back in the game when you are not in the mood. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 17 February 2025

How good are you at loving yourself? What do you say to yourself when things don't go your way, you mess up or you're out of sorts? Chances are you may be overly critical and say negative things, to you, about you. This is a common experience for many and an opportunity to highlight where you need to do some healing. Join us today as we move the conversation beyond the power of co-regulation to the art and practice of self-regulation. George and Laurie walk listeners through the concept of self-love, healing and soothing strategies to practice individually. Their expertise provides us with great examples on how to see, hear and validate ourselves all in an effort to create a more positive and connected relationship with YOU! If you've been wanting to learn how you can be more compassionate, loving and understanding of your own experience you won't want to miss this show. Share it with your partner, a friend or anyone you know could benefit from getting better at loving themselves! Check out this episode's sponsor (and help the pod!): addyi.com FDA-approved treatment for certain women with low libido! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 14 February 2025

Involuntary celibacy (going more than 6 months without intercourse) within a committed relationship occurs more frequently than you would imagine. Join sex therapist and author Laurie Watson and couple's therapist Dr. Adam Mathews as they explore the reasons behind involuntary celibacy and what couples can do to address (and avoid) it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 10 February 2025

Involuntary celibacy (going more than 6 months without intercourse) within a committed relationship occurs more frequently than you would imagine. Join sex therapist and author Laurie Watson and couple's therapist Dr. Adam Mathews as they explore the reasons behind involuntary celibacy and what couples can do to address (and avoid) it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 10 February 2025

Ever wonder how Laurie and George navigate a couple's distress? They use a map (mutual attachment patterns)! In today's episode, our experts share the map they use to help couples see the larger picture in their conflict. The emotional and sexual cycles interact and influence connection between partners. A missed bid for connection in the emotional cycle creates a ripple in the sexual cycle and a missed bid for physical intimacy can cause emotional shut down. When partners are able to zoom out and look at the map together they have a better opportunity to see where they made a wrong turn and how they can get back on course. Here are some self-reflection questions to use on your map: "Who have I been to my partner over the past few days? How have I been coming across? If my bid wasn't taken, how did I react? Have I missed something important to my partner?" We all get lost from time to time, work with your partner to use the map to connection. Keep it hot, y'all! Check out this episode's sponsors: Addyi.com -- A prescription for women -- the little pink pill! Uberlube.com - Laurie's favorite personal lubricant! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 7 February 2025

We’ve talked about what turns women on… let’s hear about men!! It might not be what you expect... We’re borrowing from Michael Castleman’s insightful research on male libido. Contrary to popular belief about what turns men on – a supermodel, beauty, lingerie… the research actually says there are much bigger, deeper factors. The #1 factor? Desire, feeling wanted. Let’s talk about some of the main factors that impact male libido... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 3 February 2025

We’ve talked about what turns women on… let’s hear about men!! It might not be what you expect... We’re borrowing from Michael Castleman’s insightful research on male libido. Contrary to popular belief about what turns men on – a supermodel, beauty, lingerie… the research actually says there are much bigger, deeper factors. The #1 factor? Desire, feeling wanted. Let’s talk about some of the main factors that impact male libido... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 3 February 2025

"Am I a pursuer or a withdrawer? I want to connect emotionally but I avoid sexual intimacy. Why does this happen?" In today's episode, our hosts address the reasons partners may switch roles in the emotional and sexual cycles. Join in as Laurie and George address why you show up as the pursuer in the emotional cycle and the withdrawer in the sexual cycle and vice versa. They detail the three attachment styles, why they matter and how they show up in the respective cycles. Partners may be confused at their flip-flopping in the cycle and our hosts remind us to get curious with ourselves and avoid judgement and criticism. Ask yourself, why might this behavior make sense, what did my blueprint for connection look like, how did I look for connection and feel safe? Laurie soothes the audience as she reminds these patterns are healable and flexibility to have more choices is achievable. Have a question you want our experts to answer in an episode? Call in to the Foreplay Voicemail and leave us a message!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 31 January 2025

The erogenous zones and beyond. Talking about how to get your lover hot! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 27 January 2025

The erogenous zones and beyond. Talking about how to get your lover hot! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 27 January 2025

Join Laurie and George today as they talk about the Care Giving cycle and how important it is for our partners and relationships to respond with care to our partner's needs, both expressed and unexpressed. Check out this episode's sponsor: Uberlube.com -- Laurie's favorite personal lubricant! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 24 January 2025

Different sex positions have different pluses and minuses in different situations. Join sex therapist and author Laurie Watson and couples therapist Dr. Adam Mathews as they discuss different positions for sex and where they each shine! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 20 January 2025

Different sex positions have different pluses and minuses in different situations. Join sex therapist and author Laurie Watson and couples therapist Dr. Adam Mathews as they discuss different positions for sex and where they each shine! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 20 January 2025

In this episode, we explore the psychological and emotional effects of the ongoing Ukraine conflict on sexual intimacy for both those directly affected by the war and those living in its shadow. George recently visited Ukraine and heard first hand the issues couples are experiencing, thus inspiring today's show. Join us as we delve  into some challenges couples face in war-torn regions and the sexual discrepancies that can arise during times of unrest. Laurie and George examine the emotional toll the war has taken on intimacy, from changes in desire and communication to the impacts of PTSD, stress, and grief on partners. While war in other parts of the world might seem distant for some of our listeners, we are all touched by global conflicts, traumatic events, natural disasters or even careers as first responders. Here we consider how partners navigate physical and emotional closeness when faced with uncertainty, loss, and fear. The episode offers great insights on ways couples and individuals can navigate intimacy in challenging times, with expert advice on maintaining connection and emotional support in the face of ongoing trauma and instability. The power of connection and relationship can create resiliency during difficult times and this episode asks the question: does sex still matter while there is a war going on? Please support the pod by supporting this episode's sponsor: Uberlube.com -- Laurie's favorite personal lubricant. Get 10% off with the code 'foreplay' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 17 January 2025

Wanna spice it up? What have you fantasized about doing? It takes vulnerability to tell each other about ideas for novelty and change. Are you willing to risk? Laurie and George talk about how couples choose to spice things up - ways that novelty can be gas petals or brakes for different couples often dividing the couple themselves. Porn, gummies, alcohol, vibrators, handcuffs, feathers, etc… and other toys might add to arousal or block connection! Knowing that you’re gonna have a glass of wine, you’re gonna loosen up, you’re gonna feel less inhibited…. some of it is simply the ritual, the getting ready, looking forward to a bit of change that can create a little fun. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 13 January 2025