Brave Love Great Sex – Couples Therapy Podcast

Grab your pen and notebook for this, you're going to want ALL the notes from this episode! George and Dr. Laurie answer a mailbag question from a longtime listener about bl*w jobs. More specifically, wanting to know how to talk to their spouse about feeling disappointed that this isn't happening in their sex life. We know that this might be a tense topic for some but our hosts do a fantastic job of equalizing this and addressing what stops oral sex from happening for either partner. Touch, taste, smell and thoughts around the physical aspects of the act are some of the reasons that block or*l sex from being a more regular part of your repertoire. Laurie and George give us some tips and tricks on how to improve basic genital hygiene. Most importantly, these experts discuss the communication issues that present and block partners from having a successful conversation about this topic. As always George reinforces, "if a couple can have a conversation about something then anything is possible." Learn how to work through this delicate conversation with your partner and strengthen the security in your sex life today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome Brave Lovers! In this week's episode, Laurie is joined by guest Juliane Maxwald. Juliane is a psychotherapist based in NYC and shares with us great insight from her book; Psychoanalytic Sex Therapy: Exploring the Unconscious Life of Sexuality. Listen in for this great conversation on integrating depth psychology and behavioral therapy. Taking what we know about ourselves and moving it into action! Our therapist listeners will love this episode, but couples alike will be encouraged when Juliane dives into sexual fantasies and ways to discuss them with your partner. For more information on Juliane visit www.julianemaxwald.com and grab a copy of her book. Link included on our instagram! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Warning this episode is NSFW and you might want to sit down for this one! Is dirty talk part of your love making repertoire? Dirty talk is defined as talking explicitly about sex with your partner. These explicit words run the gamut and can either be a major turn ON or turn OFF. Join our hosts today as they not only give us a list of dirty words to use during sex but discuss how to artfully bring up this HOT topic with your love. This is an area that you want to approach thoughtfully. Moving too fast has the potential to ruin the fun that dirty talk could bring to your sex life. Here are some great questions to ask if you want to test the waters in this arena: "How do you want to talk about our sex?" "Is there a specific name or language you want me to use about your body parts, our moves during lovemaking?" "What ways can we create comfort and also turn up the heat?" Find out how your partner wants to hear it and learn what it does or doesn't do for them. Getting to know your partner better is always a good thing! Keep it hot y'all! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode, we are joined by Dr. James Hawkins, certified EFT couples therapist and trainer from The Joshua Center in Arkansas. Listen in as we tackle the tough topic of how to bridge the current political divide in partnerships. We are seeing the effect of division rampant in relationships across the nation and we come together here to discuss why this is happening from an attachment lens and how we can begin to ease the tension. Listeners will take away how the cycle shows up, attachment fears that drive deep seeded disconnection and actionable steps to start finding common ground. Our relationships are a great source of strength and we are far more alike than we are different. We hope you join us today in this important discussion and be brave in beginning to step closer to the ones you feel far away from. You can find Dr. Hawkins online at dochawklpc.com and on Instagram at @doc_hawk_lpc where he discusses more on these topics! Check out this episode's sponsor (and help the pod!): Uberlube.com -- Laurie's favorite personal lubricant! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Boring is a signal and it's a sign that something needs to change! A complaint about monogamy is that the line between responsibility and desire often gets blurred and it is responsibility and safety that win out. Long-term couples come to therapy with a complaint that sex is predictable and had become boring. Join our hosts in this episode as they explore what might be lying under the surface. Are you simply disengaged from life? Or is there a relational dynamic that has caused a couple to disengage from desire and their ability to express desire to each other. Our hosts remind us that sex is an exciting adventure and the safety of a long-term partnership invites us to take even more risks. If you have been thinking that sex with your honey has been a little stale, you'll certainly want to download this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode we are exploring the shadow cycle; how our partner's experience often mirrors ours in a different cycle. Join hosts Laurie and George as they walk listeners through the five steps to explore and understand the shadow cycle. This key exercise can help bring awareness to each partner's perspective, slow down the negative cycles and use curiosity rather than defensiveness. If you and your partner keep getting stuck, make sure to listen and share to learn how to tap into each other's worlds through a different and healthier lens. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Sometimes popping two gummies on vacation helps us have really great sex!" "I really need that glass of wine to get me in the mood!" "Smelling alcohol on your breath is such a turnoff!" As couples and sex therapists, we've talked to thousands of partners about how alcohol and substances affect their relationships. Sometimes couples report that alcohol is a major block to sexual connection, others share that it can help them get out of their heads and make sex more enjoyable. In your relationship, is alcohol a gas pedal or a brake? Meaning it turns you on and helps with desire, arousal, orgasm or it shuts you down and you withdraw from sex. If seeing your partner drunk is a sexual brake, you may feel rejected by their advances because they wouldn't typically act like that sober. If alcohol is a gas pedal, you may feel your inhibition lower and it's more comfortable to access thoughts about sex and connection to your body. Listen to this episode as George and Laurie discuss the function of alcohol in sex and relationships and what you may need to explore underneath if it is a gas pedal or brake. Our hosts approach this topic with non-judgement and are explicit that alcohol and substance use runs on a wide spectrum and affects people in many ways. We know this may open up myriad reactions from our listeners and we welcome your feedback! As always, thank you for listening and keep it hot, y'all! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode, Laurie and George discuss how improving caretaking in your relationship can lead to better sex. If you've felt bogged down by the mental load or have heard your partner make complaints about it this is a must listen episode. Join us as we guide you through 'four ways to be a better caregiver.' Learn how recognizing your partner's needs, taking action before asking, and making the little things important will increase and improve your sexual connection. Make sure to check out our NEW website www.bravelovegreatsex.com for updates on our upcoming book release and other ways you can support your relationship. We're on a mission to help our brave lovers have great sex! Check out this episode's sponsor (and help the pod!): Uberlube.com -- Laurie's long-time favorite personal lubricant! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Picture this, you walk in from a hard, stressful day at work and finally see your partner--your person. You say to them, "Honey, today was such a hard day. Everything went wrong. It was really bad." Your partner replies with, "Well, look on the bright side you're home and your job helps us keep this beautiful roof over our heads." Your body deflates a little. Your partner just brightsided you when you were really hoping for a little sympathy and comfort. This is defined as 'Toxic Positivity': an experience where someone shares something along a negative vein and the responder replies with the brightside, silver lining or overt positivity. In this episode, George and Laurie discuss how toxic positivity affects interactions between partners, why partners might anchor towards using it and how it causes disconnection in relationships. Listeners will take away intent v. impact, and how partners can shift from avoidance of negative emotion to connection through it and end up on the bright side together. If this shows up in your relationship either as the doer or receiver this episode is sure to spark a great conversation! Thanks for listening and keep it hot y'all! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode, hosts Laurie and George are taking listeners to the islands! Islands of Security explores the places where secure attachment lives—those small but powerful moments where partners feel safe, seen, and able to find each especially during times of struggle. You'll walk away from this show with great ideas on how to develop more islands of security through intentional connection, imperfect action, meeting caregiving needs and managing the high and low roads. Set your calendars for September 2026 to pick up a copy of our book Brave Love, Great Sex and make sure to follow us on our socials @BraveLoveGreatSex Please check out our wonderful sponsors (and support the pod!):WE-VIBE.com and use code BRAVELOVE for 20% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome Brave Lovers! In today's episode, Laurie and George take a deep dive into low testosterone--how to spot it, the effects it can have on a relationship and how to treat it. Listen in to learn how to address this with your healthcare providers and manage it within your partnership. Get the step by step process on how to diagnose it and conversations to have with your love. Don't let low T be a silent villian in your sex life! Make sure to follow our socials @BraveLoveGreatSex to stay up to date with our upcoming book release! Please check out this episode's sponsors (and help the pod!):cozyearth.com and use code FOREPLAY for 20% offWE-VIBE.com and use code BRAVELOVE for 20% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode we are joined by Meygan and Casey Caston, founders of Marriage 365. Marriage 365 is a comprehensive relationship program designed to give couples tools to improve their marriages immediately. Born out of the need to fix their own failing marriage, Meygan and Casey have been coaching couples for over a decade to move from disconnection and dissatisfaction to closeness and intimacy. Listen as they share the 10 essential habits to improve your marriage from their upcoming book, "The Marriage Habit." Pre-orders available now on their website www.marriage365.com and make sure to follow us on @BraveLoveGreatSex for more!   Support this episode's sponsors (and help the pod!): cozyearth.com -- use code FOREPLAY for 20% off WE-VIBE.com -- use code BRAVELOVE for 20% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is the G-Spot real? Does every woman have one? Where is it? How to stimulate it? Join certified sex therapist Laurie Watson and psychologist Dr. Adam Mathews discuss the elusive G-Spot and how to discover it, and employ it in your sex life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can sex ever be “owed” in a relationship? On today's episode of Brave Love, Laurie and George explore how expectations sabotage intimacy - and how to communicate desire in a way that invites connection, not resistance. Includes a step-by-step role play you can try today. Join us on socials under our new name @BraveLoveGreatSex. Support this episode's sponsor (and support the pod!): WE-VIBE.COM and use code BRAVELOVE for 20% off! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

George wants men to have a method to improve their sexual game in 3 zones—pre-sex, during sex and post-sex in 4 different areas: heart, mind, body, and genitals. Twelve variables for guys who like stats to measure their self progress. George gets into specific numbers for the average Joe in each area and has a plan for what they can do if they don't like their own assessment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome Brave Lovers! In today's episode, our hosts interviewed couples therapist and author of the upcoming book 'The Cost of Quiet', Colette Fehr. Colette shares her wisdom and years of experience with us on the true cost of conflict avoidance in a relationship. She defines avoidant behavior as actions that prevent connection from yourself or your partner. Colette bravely shares with us how the end of her first marriage led her to examine her own conflict avoidance and conditioning that quiet and keeping the peace was best but ultimately a silent relationship killer. In her book, Colette shares the ABCs every couple needs to practice: Acting in the face of fear, Be vulnerable and Communicate assertively. If these aren't skills you possess or are sometimes hard to come by, she reminds us that they can be strengthened through practice and repetition. The more we do something we are afraid of the less scary it feels! Visit her website www.colettejanefehr.com to pre-order a copy and for more free resources on ways to improve communication with your love! Lovers be brave! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the new year, the podcast gets a new name! Brave Love Great Sex! The same great content, the same great hosts! We're aligning the podcast with our new book that will be out in 2026 from Penguin Random House. Pre order it today. Check out this episode's sponsors (and help the pod!): RexMD.com/foreplay -- Discrete, convenient support for ED. Shipped directly to you. Use the link for up to 95% off your first order. Uberlube.com -- Laurie's all time favorite personal lubricant. If you haven't tried it yet, it's a new year! Use the code 'BRAVELOVE' to get 10% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We invite you into a thoughtful reflection about what is happening in YOUR sex life. Bring your spirit of curiosity and stay with us in the discovery mode as our “client” played by the brave volunteer - George - answers this first set of questions. Pull back the curtain and hear what Laurie thinks about his answers as a sex therapist. Think about these beginning questions, (not easy questions) like… What would you want your partner to know about you sexually? Laurie reflects on how important vulnerability is when communication with your lover the deeper aspects of these questions. Our patient acknowledges his anxiety and how most of the time he communicates in frustration with his partner instead of coming from his heart’s longing. We ask: What is going on in your sex life now? Can you describe the problems? When did things change between you or when did the problems start? What have you tried to resolve these issues. Do you and your partner have desire for each other? What turns you on the most? When do you feel most erotic with your partner? What are your 3 most important expectations in bed? We gratefully acknowledge the work of EFT founder Dr. Sue Johnson, EFT Supervisor Mike Moran in the development of this sexual questionnaire as well as the work of Dr. Zoya Simakhodskaya, Ph.D for pioneering the understanding of the integration of the sexual cycle into the couple emotional cycle in emotionally focused therapy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode, we are focusing on tending to the 'Ghost of Christmas Present' so the 'Ghost of Christmas Future' can reap the relational benefits! Join our experts, Dr. Laurie and George Faller, hosts of the newly branded Brave Love, Great Sex podcast for this fun episode on resolution and renewal. Our hosts use an example of their role play couple, Joey and Maria to illustrate just what it looks like when the negative cycle is cooled off and they have a better way to move forward. In this stage repair is easily initiated and partners can move forward from conflict in a more positive way. George and Laurie share some active ways couples can continue to strengthen connection and intimacy at this time. This looks like identifying triggers, planning time to connect during busy periods, sharing small moments like morning coffees or kisses goodbye, being explicit with appreciation. We hold out for couples stuck in negative cycles that this place of connection does exist! As the New Year approaches, this is a perfect time to consider what relationship resolutions to set and how to renew and refresh as you step into 2026.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the average Joe and average Jane so different in their approach to sex and the ways and timing of arousal, what can a couple do to close the arousal gap? Join sex therapist and author Dr. Laurie Watson and couples therapist George Faller as they talk about how to negotiate the differences. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices