Sex and Psychology Podcast

150 episodes listed below

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Research-minded sex education for adults.

The gist

Sex and Psychology Podcast brings a research-minded, interview-led approach to sexual health and relationships. Its episodes move from taboo fantasies and fetishes to disability access, consent, dating apps, and the psychology of pleasure.

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About Sex and Psychology Podcast

Sex and Psychology Podcast is built around the idea that sex becomes less confusing when people have better concepts for it. The show is candid from the start, but its tone is measured rather than provocative. Dr. Justin Laymiller leads guest conversations that translate sexuality research into language ordinary adults can actually use. A typical episode starts with a familiar belief, then tests it against psychology, lived experience, and social context. Monogamy, for example, becomes a way into partner-sharing fantasies, voyeurism, compersion, validation, and consensual power exchange. Consent becomes more precise when the show separates agreement from wantedness and asks why people sometimes say yes under pressure, obligation, ambivalence, or care for a partner. Dating becomes less algorithmic when attraction is framed as something that emerges through interaction rather than profile traits or self-reported preferences. Pleasure becomes broader when it is discussed as wanting, liking, and learning, not just orgasm. The show also makes room for topics often left out of mainstream sex education. Its episode on sex, disability, and barriers to care examines inaccessible clinics, limited provider training, family gatekeeping, and the risks created when people are denied basic sexual information. Other conversations trace how specific interests and practices enter culture, from the history of poppers to the mainstreaming of foot fetishes. These subjects are handled plainly, without euphemism, but also without cheap shock. The strongest episodes are explanatory loops: define the term, add a caveat, bring in an example, then widen the frame. Guests bring research, books, teaching experience, and cultural history into the conversation. The show suits adults who want sex education that can talk about taboo material while staying grounded in research and ethics. It is especially useful for people interested in desire, relationships, consent, sexual agency, inclusive care, and the limits of common dating advice. The editorial promise is simple: complex intimate life gets treated with curiosity, evidence, and respect.

Made for: For adults who want candid, evidence-informed conversations about sex, relationships, attraction, consent, pleasure, and sexual health. It especially suits listeners who prefer nuance over slogans and practical clarity over sensational framing.

What sets it apart: The show pairs frank subject matter with a disciplined psychological lens, making taboo topics feel discussable without making them feel trivial. Its strength is the steady movement from research finding to everyday implication.

In their own words

The Sex and Psychology Podcast is the sex ed you never got in school—and won’t find anywhere else. Kinsey Institute researcher Dr. Justin Lehmiller takes you on a journey through the psychology of sex and relationships, offering practical tips along the way that can help you take your intimate life to the next level. Learn more on Dr. Lehmiller’s blog at sexandpsychology.com

As heard by us

Based on 6 episodes we listened to · September 2026

Research-led guest conversations make sex, attraction, consent, and intimate relationships clearer without flattening their psychological or social complexity.

Sex and Psychology Podcast turns research on sex and relationships into clear, searching conversations. Dr. Justin Lehmiller gives each episode a defined question, then uses guest interviews to examine the assumptions beneath it.

Read our full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

A yes gets a second question here: did you actually want to say it?

Press play if you want

  • to sort out when agreeing to sex reflects desire and when it reflects pressure
  • to question whether better dating-app filters can predict the chemistry you want
Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →
sexual fantasiesconsent and wantednessdating apps and compatibilitypleasure and desirefetishes and sexual interestsdisability and sexual health carequeer sexual cultureinclusive sex education

Talks about

Best episodes of Sex and Psychology Podcast

Short reviews from the PlayNext desk, based on the episodes we processed.

Why So Many People Fantasize About Sharing Their PartnerApr 14, 2026

A measured look at partner-sharing fantasies, where voyeurism, validation, and chosen return all shape the charge.

Partner-sharing fantasies get handled here as a taboo with more range than easy stereotypes allow. Dr. Justin Laymiller, a social psychologist and research fellow at the Kinsey Institute, frames the appeal through novelty, excitement, visual arousal, compersion, consensual power…

Sex, Disability, And Barriers To CareApr 10, 2026

A clear look at how protective assumptions can block disabled people from sexual knowledge and care.

Sex education and sexual health care look most flawed when disabled people are treated as edge cases instead of expected participants. Dr. Justin Laymiller's conversation with Dr.

Why People Say Yes To Sex They Don't WantApr 7, 2026

A careful conversation about the space between consenting to sex and wanting it.

Consent and sexual desire often travel together, but the Sex and Psychology Podcast draws a useful line between them. Host Dr. Justin Lee Miller speaks with Dr.

How To Make Online Dating Work For YouMar 27, 2026

A practical, clear-eyed look at why dating filters can still miss face-to-face chemistry.

Dating apps promise a tidy kind of control: choose the right traits, swipe with purpose, and let the system narrow the field toward a better partner. This episode of Sex and Psychology Podcast is more interested in the messier truth beneath that promise. Dr. Justin A.

Why We're So Bad At Predicting Romantic CompatibilityMar 24, 2026

A research-led look at why romantic checklists often weaken once compatibility becomes an in-person experience.

Romantic compatibility can seem tidy in theory, then much harder to spot in an actual person. Dr. Justin Naimiller's conversation with Dr. Paul Eastwick sits in that gap, following how desirable traits become less stable once someone arrives as a full, uneven mix of qualities.

Do Sex Toys Ruin Sex? Myth Vs. Fact

A practical look at sex toys, pleasure myths, relationship insecurity, and getting started.

Sex toys become a useful way into the myths and worries that can gather around pleasure. Dr. Justin A. Miller, a social psychologist and research fellow at the Kinsey Institute, talks with Venus O'Hara, a pleasure educator, author, and content creator, about desensitization…

Sex And Intimacy After Trauma

A grounded conversation about trauma recovery, embodied consent, and rebuilding room for pleasure.

Sex And Intimacy After Trauma pushes back on the fear that sexual trauma has to end pleasure, desire, or the chance of trusting relationships. Dr. Justin A.

Podcasts like Sex and Psychology Podcast

Episodes

  1. 1

    Why People Have More Sex Around the Holidays

    ·32m
  2. 2

    How Parenthood Changes Your Sex Life

    ·31m
  3. 3

    Fantasy Confessions: Why Even Happy Couples Keep Secrets

    ·31m
  4. 4

    Should You Share Your Sexual Fantasies?

    ·36m
  5. 5

    How To Stop Negative Cycles (Essential Listen)

    ·32m
  6. 6

    A Definitive Guide To Better Oral Sex

    ·39m
  7. 7

    Why Women's Health Needs Better Science

    ·37m
  8. 8

    How Poppers Changed Sex

    ·26m
  9. 9

    How Feet Became A Popular Fetish

    ·28m
  10. 10

    How To Make Online Dating Work For You

    ·33m
  11. 11

    Why We're So Bad At Predicting Romantic Compatibility

    ·30m
  12. 12

    The Surprising History Of Fetishes And Porn

    ·32m
  13. 13

    Who's Responsible for Your Orgasm? (Essential Listen)

    ·31m
  14. 14

    Making Relationship Agreements That Work

    ·37m
  15. 15

    Building Secure Non-Monogamous Relationships

    ·37m
  16. 16

    Can Our Brains Handle Modern Dating?

    ·32m
  17. 17

    The Evolution Of Love And Desire

    ·30m
  18. 18

    Can Humor Make You Better In Bed?

    ·27m
  19. 19

    When Is Sex Funny? And When Is It Not?

    ·32m
  20. 20

    Testosterone And Women's Sexual Health

    ·30m
  21. 21

    The Bedroom Gap At MidLife

    ·36m
  22. 22

    How To Have More Pleasurable Sex

    ·38m
  23. 23

    The New Rules Of Intimacy

    ·39m
  24. 24

    The 5 Mindsets That Help Love Last

    ·32m
  25. 25

    Why Being Loved Doesn't Always Feel Like Love

    ·29m
  26. 26

    Letting Go Of Someone You Can't Let Go Of

    ·36m
  27. 27

    The Science of Romantic Obsession

    ·36m
  28. 28

    When The Unconscious Takes Over Your Sex Life

    ·31m
  29. 29

    What’s Beneath Your Sexual Problems Might Surprise You

    ·30m
  30. 30

    Why Are People Into That?

    ·30m
  31. 31

    What People Get Wrong About Kink

    ·30m
  32. 32

    What Sex-Positivity Is, And What It's Not

    ·31m
  33. 33

    What Sex Shops Teach Us About Sex (And Why It Matters)

    ·36m
  34. 34

    Stress, Connection, And LGBTQ Health

    ·42m
  35. 35

    How To Build Better Relationships In The New Year

    ·32m
  36. 36

    New Year, New Sex Life

    ·29m
  37. 37

    Why People Say Yes To Sex They Don't Want

    ·30m
  38. 38

    What 136,000 Erections Reveal About Men

    ·28m
  39. 39

    How Erections Really Work (And Why They Fail)

    ·26m
  40. 40

    Gay Men Who Have Sex With Women

    ·30m
  41. 41

    The Psychology Of Gay Men's Sexual Fantasies

    ·28m
  42. 42

    The New Rules Of Cheating

    ·33m
  43. 43

    How Ozempic Is Changing Sex And Dating

    ·32m
  44. 44

    The Secrets To A Successful Open Relationship

    ·37m
  45. 45

    What People Get Wrong About Open Relationships

    ·36m
  46. 46

    The Surprising Science Of The Clitoris (Essential Listen)

    ·34m
  47. 47

    The Weird History Of Masturbation

    ·43m
  48. 48

    The Real Cost of Abstinence Pledges

    ·35m
  49. 49

    Life After Purity Culture

    ·35m
  50. 50

    What It's Like To Be A Professional Sex Toy Tester

    ·36m
  51. 51

    Freak In The Head, Freak In The Bed?

    ·32m
  52. 52

    What Social Media Gets Wrong About Relationships

    ·36m
  53. 53

    Can Safer Sex Still Be Sexy?

    ·34m
  54. 54

    The Path Back To Each Other

    ·32m
  55. 55

    How Women's Brains Change On Their Periods

    ·40m
  56. 56

    Who Are You As A Sexual Person?

    ·34m
  57. 57

    How Men Can Build Sexual Confidence

    ·29m
  58. 58

    Is It Possible To Make Your Penis Bigger?

    ·32m
  59. 59

    Can Kink Help Us Live Happier Lives?

    ·34m
  60. 60

    What People Get Wrong About BDSM

    ·34m
  61. 61

    How We Can Make Sex Education Better

    ·30m
  62. 62

    Why Sex Ed Sucks (And Always Has)

    ·30m
  63. 63

    What Determines Our Sexual Orientation?

    ·35m
  64. 64

    Are Humans Made To Be Monogamous?

    ·35m
  65. 65

    The Hidden Causes Of Erectile Dysfunction

    ·29m
  66. 66

    How To Break A Sexual Dry Spell

    ·30m
  67. 67

    Digital Intimacy and the Rise of Erotic Camsites

    ·31m
  68. 68

    How AI is Changing Dating

    ·38m
  69. 69

    How To Set Boundaries In Relationships

    ·38m
  70. 70

    Common Relationship Myths, Debunked

    ·36m
  71. 71

    The Connection Between ADHD And Kink

    ·41m
  72. 72

    How ADHD Affects Women In The Bedroom

    ·37m
  73. 73

    The Science Of Dick Pics

    ·48m
  74. 74

    The Truth About Porn (Essential Listen)

    ·39m
  75. 75

    A Cultural History Of Kink

    ·31m
  76. 76

    When Did People Start Practicing Kink And BDSM?

    ·35m
  77. 77

    Debunking Myths About Men's Sexuality (Essential Listen)

    ·39m
  78. 78

    Is Porn Use A Problem In Your Relationship?

    ·40m
  79. 79

    Does "Body Count" Really Matter?

    ·41m
  80. 80

    Do Nice Guys Really Finish Last?

    ·39m
  81. 81

    How Men Can Become Better Lovers

    ·46m
  82. 82

    Reclaiming Shame-Free Sexuality

    ·30m
  83. 83

    What We Get Wrong About Masturbation (Essential Listen)

    ·45m
  84. 84

    Women Who Pay For Sex

    ·31m
  85. 85

    How To Move Beyond Small Talk And Connect Deeply

    ·36m
  86. 86

    The Secret To Finding A Compatible Partner

    ·35m
  87. 87

    A New Way of Treating Arousal and Libido Problems

    ·30m
  88. 88

    Women's Most Common Sexual Problems

    ·31m
  89. 89

    The Psychology of Incels (Essential Listen)

    ·52m
  90. 90

    How To Optimize Your Pelvic Floor

    ·34m
  91. 91

    Interview With The Vagina Whisperer

    ·34m
  92. 92

    Why Women Orgasm More With Female Partners

    ·28m
  93. 93

    Why Women Pursue Orgasm Less Than Men

    ·33m
  94. 94

    Are You Being a Parent to Your Partner?

    ·33m
  95. 95

    What Happened To My Sex Life?

    ·36m
  96. 96

    When Therapists Fall In Love With Their Patients

    ·36m
  97. 97

    When Patients Fall in Love With Their Therapists

    ·33m
  98. 98

    How To Unlock More Pleasure And Desire

    Dr.

    ·38m
  99. 99

    Do Sex Toys Ruin Sex? Myth Vs. Fact

    Dr.

    ·32m·3 clips
  100. 100

    Sex And Intimacy After Trauma

    Dr.

    ·34m·3 clips
  101. 101

    Why So Many People Fantasize About Sharing Their Partner

    Hidden gem

    The Sex and Psychology Podcast episode asks why fantasies about sharing a partner feel taboo even though they show up often in sexual fantasy data.

    Apr 14, 2026·37m·2 clips
  102. 102

    Sex, Disability, And Barriers To Care

    Hidden gem

    Dr.

    Apr 10, 2026·29m·2 clips
  103. 103

    Why People Say Yes To Sex They Don't Want

    Hidden gem

    Dr.

    Apr 7, 2026·30m·2 clips
  104. 104

    How Poppers Changed Sex

    Dr.

    Apr 3, 2026·26m
  105. 105

    How Feet Became A Popular Fetish

    Dr.

    Mar 31, 2026·28m
  106. 106

    How To Make Online Dating Work For You

    Hidden gem

    Justin A.

    Mar 27, 2026·33m·2 clips
  107. 107

    Why We're So Bad At Predicting Romantic Compatibility

    Hidden gem

    Compatibility is often built through repeated interactions, not found in a profile photo.

    Mar 24, 2026·30m·2 clips
  108. 108

    The Surprising History Of Fetishes And Porn

    Mar 20, 2026·32m
  109. 109

    Who's Responsible for Your Orgasm? (Essential Listen)

    Mar 17, 2026·31m
  110. 110

    Making Relationship Agreements That Work

    Mar 13, 2026·37m
  111. 111

    Building Secure Non-Monogamous Relationships

    Mar 10, 2026·37m
  112. 112

    Can Our Brains Handle Modern Dating?

    Mar 6, 2026·32m
  113. 113

    The Evolution Of Love And Desire

    Mar 3, 2026·30m
  114. 114

    Can Humor Make You Better In Bed?

    Feb 27, 2026·27m
  115. 115

    When Is Sex Funny? And When Is It Not?

    Feb 24, 2026·32m
  116. 116

    Testosterone And Women's Sexual Health

    Feb 20, 2026·30m
  117. 117

    The Bedroom Gap At MidLife

    Feb 17, 2026·36m
  118. 118

    How To Have More Pleasurable Sex

    Dr.

    Feb 13, 2026·38m
  119. 119

    The New Rules Of Intimacy

    Feb 10, 2026·39m
  120. 120

    The 5 Mindsets That Help Love Last

    Feb 6, 2026·32m
  121. 121

    Why Being Loved Doesn't Always Feel Like Love

    Feb 3, 2026·29m
  122. 122

    Letting Go Of Someone You Can't Let Go Of

    Jan 30, 2026·36m
  123. 123

    The Science of Romantic Obsession

    Jan 27, 2026·36m
  124. 124

    When The Unconscious Takes Over Your Sex Life

    Jan 23, 2026·31m
  125. 125

    What’s Beneath Your Sexual Problems Might Surprise You

    Jan 20, 2026·30m
  126. 126

    Why Are People Into That?

    Jan 16, 2026·30m
  127. 127

    What People Get Wrong About Kink

    Jan 13, 2026·30m
  128. 128

    What Sex-Positivity Is, And What It's Not

    Jan 9, 2026·31m
  129. 129

    What Sex Shops Teach Us About Sex (And Why It Matters)

    Jan 6, 2026·36m
  130. 130

    Stress, Connection, And LGBTQ Health

    Jan 2, 2026·42m
  131. 131

    How To Build Better Relationships In The New Year

    Dr.

    Dec 30, 2025·32m
  132. 132

    New Year, New Sex Life

    Dec 26, 2025·29m
  133. 133

    Why People Have More Sex Around the Holidays

    Dec 23, 2025·32m
  134. 134

    What 136,000 Erections Reveal About Men

    Dec 19, 2025·28m
  135. 135

    How Erections Really Work (And Why They Fail)

    Dec 16, 2025·26m
  136. 136

    Gay Men Who Have Sex With Women

    This episode challenges assumptions about sexual orientation by discussing gay men who have sex with women, exploring the complexity and nuance of human sexuality.

    Dec 12, 2025·30m
  137. 137

    The Psychology Of Gay Men's Sexual Fantasies

    Dec 9, 2025·28m
  138. 138

    The New Rules Of Cheating

    Dec 5, 2025·33m
  139. 139

    How Ozempic Is Changing Sex And Dating

    Dec 2, 2025·32m
  140. 140

    The Secrets To A Successful Open Relationship

    Nov 28, 2025·37m
  141. 141

    What People Get Wrong About Open Relationships

    Nov 25, 2025·36m
  142. 142

    The Surprising Science Of The Clitoris (Essential Listen)

    Nov 21, 2025·34m
  143. 143

    The Weird History Of Masturbation

    Nov 18, 2025·43m
  144. 144

    The Real Cost of Abstinence Pledges

    Nov 14, 2025·35m
  145. 145

    Life After Purity Culture

    Nov 11, 2025·35m
  146. 146

    Do Sex Toys Ruin Sex? Myth Vs. Fact

    Dr.

    Nov 7, 2025·32m
  147. 147

    What It's Like To Be A Professional Sex Toy Tester

    Nov 4, 2025·36m
  148. 148

    Freak In The Head, Freak In The Bed?

    Oct 31, 2025·32m
  149. 149

    What Social Media Gets Wrong About Relationships

    Oct 28, 2025·36m
  150. 150

    Sex And Intimacy After Trauma

    Oct 24, 2025·34m