The Love Drive with Shaun Galanos

In this episode, Shaun is joined by Bay Area sex therapist Claire Perelman, aka Sex Clarified, for a candid and useful conversation about sex, desire, shame, and the stuff people are usually too awkward to say out loud.They get into monogamy, sexual compatibility, communication, squirting, pegging, orgasm pressure, porn habits, toys, libido differences, and the shame so many people still carry around pleasure.This episode is really about permission: to communicate clearly, stop performing, get curious about your body, and stop treating sex like a test you can fail.Send Shaun your questions at +1 (415) 494-9559 or email him at podcast@thelovedrive.com. Voicemails and voicememos are preferred, but texts/emails are OK too.To submit a guest, please do so here: https://shaungalanos.com/podcast/If you’re listening on Spotify or watching on YouTube, please leave a comment. Shaun loves hearing from you. And leave a review wherever you listen.Books and other mentions:She Comes First by Ian Kerner https://www.amazon.com/dp/0060538260/Slow Sex: The Path to Fulfilling and Sustainable Sexuality by Diana Richardson https://www.amazon.com/Slow-Sex-Fulfilling-Sustainable-Sexuality/dp/B0853DZL95Come As You Are by Emily Nagoski https://www.amazon.com/Come-You-Are-Surprising-Transform/dp/1476762090Squirting workshop https://heyplura.com/events/squirting-mayGuest links:Instagram - www.instagram.com/sexclarifiedTikTok - www.tiktok.com/@sexclarifiedWebsite – www.sexclarified.comSubstack - https://substack.com/@claireperelmanAll other relevant links - linktr.ee/sexclarifiedConnect with Shaun:Retreats and latest offerings: https://bit.ly/m/thelovedriveRead my blog: https://shaungalanos.substack.comThe Love Drive Podcast: https://shaungalanos.com/podcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelovedrive/More about Shaun: https://shaungalanos.com/about/Buy me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/thelovedrive

In this solo check-in, Shaun begins with a simple question that lands deeper than expected: how is your heart? From there, Shaun moves through a mix of life update, therapy reflection, sex question detour, and a deeper check-in on what it means to feel like you’re doing enough with your life.He talks about quitting nicotine, feeling more touched by life again, and replacing one habit with an alarming amount of gummy bears. He reflects on doomscrolling, discipline, and the small daily choices that can either ground you or pull you further away from yourself.At the center of the episode is a vulnerable therapy reflection on feeling unaccomplished at 43 and realizing that praise, money, and external validation can’t create self-worth for you. There’s also dating advice, some delightfully unhinged sex talk, and a sweet reminder that this podcast is meant to feel like a longer voice memo from a friend.If your sense of success has been tied to achievement and you’ve been feeling a little unmoored lately, this episode is for you. And if it speaks to you, share it with a male friend too. We’d love to have more men in these conversations.Timestamps:(02:54) Nicotine update and feeling more alive(05:23) Doomscrolling and wanting more discipline(07:01) These episodes as a voice note from a friend(07:27) Feeling unaccomplished at 43(12:27) Can money make you feel successful?(15:14) Deep throating, sore throats, and bruising(18:54) Allergic to semen?(19:41) Reviews, voicemails, and how to send questions(20:55) Sweet listener message and why more men should listen(25:44) Dating question: should you ask for another date?(29:58) Travel update and weekly Thursday releases(31:29) Next week: Claire Perelman on sex and questionsSend Shaun your questions at +1 (415) 494-9559 or email him at podcast@thelovedrive.com. Voicemails and voicememos are preferred, but texts/emails are OK too.To submit a guest, please do so here: https://shaungalanos.com/podcast/If you’re listening on Spotify or watching on YouTube, please leave a comment. Shaun loves hearing from you. And leave a review wherever you listen.Connect with Shaun:⁠Shaun's love camp⁠Retreats and latest offerings: https://bit.ly/m/thelovedriveRead my blog: https://shaungalanos.substack.comThe Love Drive Podcast: https://shaungalanos.com/podcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelovedrive/More About Shaun: https://shaungalanos.com/about/Buy me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/thelovedrive

Therapy Jeff joins Shaun for a conversation about men, therapy, emotional depth, and why so many relationships struggle when people cannot say what is actually going on inside them. They talk about the myth that men are “simple,” why emotional shutdown creates distance, and why gym, status, and success are not substitutes for real emotional growth. They also get into Jeff’s critique of Scott Galloway’s message to men, and the difference between chasing shortcuts and actually doing the work of becoming more emotionally mature.They talk about modern dating, rejection, approach anxiety, and what respectful flirting can actually look like now. If you’ve ever wondered why some men struggle to open up, why dating can feel so high-stakes, or what emotional maturity actually looks like in practice, this episode is for you.Timestamps:(00:20) Meet Therapy Jeff(02:46) Funeral family tension(08:30) Managing anxiety in real time(11:25) Why men struggle emotionally(20:03) Getting straight men into therapy(28:43) Therapy apps and stigma(29:11) Why we need male therapists(30:20) Small town dating dilemmas(33:44) Rejection and approaching women(42:45) First kiss and consent(46:22) Where to find Therapy Jeff(47:16) What love means todaySend Shaun your questions at +1 (415) 494-9559 or email him at podcast@thelovedrive.com. Voicemails and voicememos are preferred, but texts/emails are OK too.To submit a guest, please do so here: https://shaungalanos.com/podcast/If you’re listening on Spotify or watching on YouTube, please leave a comment. Shaun loves hearing from you. And leave a review wherever you listen.Resources mentioned in this episode:Jeff’s response to Scott GallowayShaun’s guest appearance on Jeff’s Problem Solved podcastJeff’s podcast, Problem SolvedFollow Jeff on Instagram and TikTok: @therapyjeffReferences:Notes on Being a Man by Scott GallowayFeeld appNonviolent Communication (NVC)Shaun’s love campConnect with Shaun:Retreats and latest offerings: https://bit.ly/m/thelovedriveRead my blog: https://shaungalanos.substack.comThe Love Drive Podcast: https://shaungalanos.com/podcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelovedrive/More About Shaun: https://shaungalanos.com/about/Buy me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/thelovedrive

In this solo episode, Shaun shares a personal confession that kicks off a real conversation about coping, cravings, and the oddly human ways we try to take the edge off.He also gets into self-soothing, emotional patterns, and what it means to actually give yourself what you need instead of just grabbing the nearest distraction. There’s also listener Q&A on sex, flirting, and gym crush energy, plus a few side roads that make this episode feel equal parts advice column, voice note, and comedy detour.If you like your relationship advice with heart, humor, and a little chaos, this episode is for you.Timestamps:(00:26) Welcome and teaser(00:59) What’s giving me chi(04:24) My dirty little secret(12:25) Inner child needs(16:46) Term: hobosexual(19:44) Sons Versus New Love(20:40) Engaged update reality check(22:56) Reviews, voicemails, and break(24:27) Sex curiosity and gym flirting(32:04) Taboo hookup and housekeepingSend Shaun your questions at +1 (415) 494-9559 or email him at podcast@thelovedrive.com. Voicemails and voicememos are preferred, but texts/emails are OK too.To submit a guest, please do so here: https://shaungalanos.com/podcast/If you’re listening on Spotify or watching on YouTube, please leave a comment. Shaun loves hearing from you. And leave a review wherever you listen.Links:He moved in after 8 days reelThe Feels — IRL singles events and mindful dating experiencesYes/No/Maybe worksheet for talking about sexShaun's love campConnect with Shaun:Retreats and latest offerings: https://bit.ly/m/thelovedriveRead my blog: https://shaungalanos.substack.comThe Love Drive Podcast: https://shaungalanos.com/podcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelovedrive/More About Shaun: https://shaungalanos.com/about/Buy me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/thelovedrive

Jennie Young, creator of the Burned Haystack dating method, joins Shaun to talk about how to stop wasting time on the wrong people and date with way more intention. They get into dating app red flags, boundary testing, bad first dates, manosphere code words, and why filtering harder might actually lead you to the right person faster. Jennie also reviews Shaun’s dating profile live and shares what it felt like to finally meet her own needle.And then, in a bonus post-recording tangent, Jennie has a message for Dan Savage: too many men are misusing “GGG” and “sex positive” to pressure women, and she is absolutely not having it.Timestamps:(00:00) The hidden red flags in dating profiles(00:24) The dating app problem no one admits(03:50) Why Burned Haystack dating took off(07:40) Dating in a small town without settling(17:55) The first boundary test tells you everything(41:35) The first date money debate(42:01) Jenny reviews Shaun’s dating profile live(43:05) The small profile changes that matter(48:28) Your photos might be hurting you(54:19) The manosphere language women should notice(59:32) Charm, banter, or just sexual pressure?(01:01:03) Jenny’s work and where to follow her(01:02:29) Why healthy chemistry can feel boring(01:05:07) Finding love later than you planned(01:05:49) Jennie has a question for Dan Savage about GGG(01:10:23) Wrap up, links, and final takeawaysLinks:Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/9116647515019601/Substack: https://burnedhaystack.substack.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/word_case_scenario/Order the book: https://www.jennieyoung.com/burn-the-haystack-bookReferenced: How to Not Die Alone by Logan UryLove Camp: https://shaungalanos.substack.com/p/summer-camp-isnt-just-for-kids-loveConnect with Shaun:Retreats and latest offerings: https://bit.ly/m/thelovedriveRead my blog: https://shaungalanos.substack.comThe Love Drive Podcast: https://shaungalanos.com/podcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelovedrive/More About Shaun: https://shaungalanos.com/about/Buy me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/thelovedrive

In this solo episode, Shaun shares what life has looked like over the last several months and why this season has felt especially hard. He talks about grief, heartbreak, instability, and what it has been like to live without a fixed home while still trying to keep moving forward.In this episode, Shaun opens up about the death of his father, losing his dog Roger, a romance that stirred up old wounds, and the strange discomfort of living in transition. He reflects on self-doubt, feeling untethered, and the pressure to be doing better when life feels messy and unresolved.He also answers listener questions about regretting the end of a good relationship, the difference between grief and self-forgiveness, fear, freezing, and how to speak honestly about hard things.This one is tender, funny, raw, and deeply human.Timestamps:(00:24) Welcome Back And Name Story(01:08) Recording On The Move(03:21) Episode Roadmap And Pep Talk(06:11) Heartbreak Grief And Losing Roger(14:02) Self Doubt And Finding Home(21:14) Build A Life Proud Of(23:06) Sweet Voicemail And Self Doubt(26:20) Stop Negative Self Talk(28:13) Breakup Regret And Hope(33:58) Crisis Hotline Lessons And WrapSend Shaun your questions at +1 (415) 494-9559 or email him at podcast@thelovedrive.com. Voicemails and voicememos are preferred, but texts/emails are OK too. To submit a guest, please do so here: https://shaungalanos.com/podcast/If you’re listening on Spotify or watching on YouTube, please leave a comment. Shaun loves hearing from you. And leave a review wherever you listen. Links & Resources:Farewell, Roger Substack postBay Area Women Against Rape (BAWAR)Dan Savage episodeUpcoming Summer Retreat - Love Camp. June 5 -7 at Kripalu Yoga Wellness Center in Western Massachusetts. Learn more and join: https://shaungalanos.substack.com/p/summer-camp-isnt-just-for-kids-loveConnect with Shaun:Retreats and latest offerings: https://bit.ly/m/thelovedriveRead my blog: https://shaungalanos.substack.comThe Love Drive Podcast: https://shaungalanos.com/podcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelovedrive/More About Shaun: https://shaungalanos.com/about/Buy me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/thelovedrive

Dan Savage is officially the first guest of The Love Drive relaunch and it's the perfect way to kick off the relaunch.Dan is a legend in the world of sex, love, and relationships. He is the host of the Savage Lovecast, the writer of the long-running Savage Love advice column, and someone whose work has shaped how many of us think and talk about sex.In this episode, Shaun shares the story of double texting Dan to beg him to be on the show, how he used to refer to himself as the ‘younger and straighter Dan Savage,” and gets into why he downloaded Grindr. They get into herpes stigma, Shaun’s personal experience, Dan’s GGG philosophy, polyamory, age-gap relationships, and the politics shaping modern dating. They also talk about why straight men are often judged more harshly for sexual curiosity, why erections do not always equal arousal, and Dan’s pushback on the Burned Haystack Dating Method.There is also a candid conversation about Shaun’s past work as an erotic masseur in San Francisco, along with detours into Heated Rivalry, sexual openness, and the campsite rule.This one is sexually explicit, very funny, and full of honesty.Timestamps:(00:42) Shaun introduces Dan Savage(04:12) Dan Savage joins The Love Drive(09:36) Herpes stigma and the truth about disclosure(15:54) Heated Rivalry and what straight people can learn(21:33) Why straight sex needs more honesty(25:05) Shaun’s erotic massage story(28:26) Sex work, loneliness, and human connection(33:38) Politics, masculinity, and modern dating(40:46) Burn the haystack or stay open to love(52:39) Why straight men are judged for curiosity(01:09:20) Age gaps, the campsite rule, and leaving people betterSend Shaun your questions at +1 (415) 494-9559 or email him at podcast@thelovedrive.com. Voicemails and voicememos are preferred, but texts/emails are OK too. To submit a guest, please do so here: https://shaungalanos.com/podcast/If you’re listening on Spotify or watching on YouTube, please leave a comment. Shaun loves hearing from you. And leave a review wherever you listen. Links:https://savage.lovehttps://www.instagram.com/dansavage/Love Camp: https://shaungalanos.substack.com/p/summer-camp-isnt-just-for-kids-loveConnect with Shaun:Retreats and latest offerings: https://bit.ly/m/thelovedriveRead my blog: https://shaungalanos.substack.comThe Love Drive Podcast: https://shaungalanos.com/podcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelovedrive/More About Shaun: https://shaungalanos.com/about/Buy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/thelovedrive

I’m both very excited and a tad nervous about relaunching my old podcast, The Love Drive.Excited because I love having conversations about sex, love, and relationships with other experts, thought leaders, and everyday people. Hosting a podcast is great fun, by the way. And I still have so much to learn about the subject.And, nervous because a lot has happened over the past few years, and my confidence in many areas isn’t where it used to be. I’ve also felt a lot of grief since my father passed a few years ago, and I’m feeling more tender and vulnerable ever since. And yet, here we go.Here's a sneak peek of what you can expect this month. New episodes on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the month of March. Thanks for being here, and enjoy!

The Love Drive podcast is back: a funny, no-nonsense podcast about sex, love, dating, and modern relationships - for hopeful romantics, love cynics, and everyone in between. Hosted by love coach Shaun Galanos.In this episode:• How this all started: A San Francisco taxi and real conversations about love. Check those out here. • What to expect: Raw, radically honest talks with guest experts, everyday names, and regular people, and solo Q&A episodes.• The vibe: Vulnerability, humor, curiosity, and healthy conversations about love, sex, and dating. Timestamps:(00:00) We're back, baby(02:27) What this show is really about(04:56) Raw truth, healthy masculinity, zero bro-nonsense(05:58) What you can expect(07:18) Call me: your voicemails fuel this show(08:50) Scared + stoked (both can be true)(11:42) Thank youAnd I’m over the moon to have author and sex advice columnist Dan Savage as our first guest. Join us this Thursday. Send me your questions at +1 (415) 494-9559 or email me at  podcast@thelovedrive.com. I prefer voicemails and voicememos, but texts/emails are OK too. To submit a guest, please do so here: https://shaungalanos.com/podcast/If you’re listening on Spotify or watching on YouTube, please leave a comment. I love hearing from you. And leave a review wherever you listen. Relevant LinksRetreats and latest offerings: https://bit.ly/m/thelovedriveRead my blog: https://shaungalanos.substack.comThe Love Drive Podcast: https://shaungalanos.com/podcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelovedrive/More About Shaun: https://shaungalanos.com/about/Buy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/thelovedrive

This is a final apology episode for ghosting you all, where you can find me, and a sneak peek of the first episode of my new project, Voicemails to Dad, where, you guessed it, I leave voicemails to my recently deceased father.  You can find my writing on substack here: https://shaungalanos.substack.com/ You can find the Voicemail to Dad podcast here: https://shaungalanos.substack.com/podcast Again, thank you all for being here.  Love, Shaun 

Hey friend. Thanks for being here.  Here are the links I promised: Getting Your Needs Met Course: http://www.gettingyourneedsmet.com Trusting Love 2023 Retreat: http://www.trustinglove2023.com In Bloom Love And Relationship Summit In-person tickets: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/in-bloom-a-love-and-relationships-summit-presented-by-real-love-ready-tickets-434006423897?aff=ShaunGalanos Virtual tickets:https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/in-bloom-a-love-and-relationships-summit-presented-by-real-love-ready-tickets-434035199967?aff=ShaunGalanos And, that's it for now. Have a lovely week. 

Nora McInerny is an award-winning podcast host of ‘Terrible, Thanks For Asking,’ speaker, and author of several books, including her new book “Bad Vibes Only.”  Shaun and Nora discuss vulnerability porn, their relationship with social media, and how they feel about posting everything online. What you'll learn (or why you should care): Toxic positivity and “good vibes only” mentality How to love people we deeply disagree with How to accept that people’s lives are not as perfect as we think Where to find Nora Buy her new book “Bad Vibes Only” Listen to her podcast Nora on Instagram Nora's website   Join The Lovebird Club A private community for those who value love, trust, and intimacy. Group support and weekly calls. For contributing lovebirds only: https://thelovedrive.com/thelovebirdclub    Learn more about The Love Drive Website https://www.shaungalanos.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thelovedrive 

Hey gang, here's a little update for you. ❤️   Application to be my social and course assistant: https://forms.gle/9DWxnXLJYBgazyFE7   Love Camp 2023: www.lovecamp2023.com

This episode guest is Vanessa Bennett, Codependency Expert and Holistic Psycho-Therapist and author of “It’s Not Me, It’s You”. Vanessa talks about what codependency is, if it’s always bad and how we can balance being dependent with another person without being “needy”. Shaun and Vanessa discuss how people have lost connection with their feelings, and offer examples for how to express feelings with someone who might not be comfortable with having such conversations.   What you'll learn (or why you should care): What to do if your partner is following hotties on IG What it’s like dating a therapist as a therapist Chemistry and attraction and their role in relationship building Where to find Vanessa Preorder her new book “It’s Not Me, It’s You” Vanessa on Instagram   Join The Lovebird Club A private community for those who value love, trust, and intimacy. Group support and weekly calls. For contributing lovebirds only: https://thelovedrive.com/thelovebirdclub    Learn more about The Love Drive Website https://thelovedrive.com/  Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thelovedrive 

Oh boy. Here's a stream of consciousness about the importance of spark, chemistry, and attraction when meeting a potential partner. 

Our guest is dating and love coach Damona Hoffman, who's been coaching people for over 15 years on online and offline dating. In this episode, Shaun and Damona share their best online dating practices, what to ask on a first date, and how to best screen for people who are a good match. Shaun and Damona answer some rapid-fire questions, including What are guys looking for during the first date? Who pays for the first date? What to do if he's a nine but follows 1000s of Instagram models? What you'll learn (or why you should care): Does sex on the first date change things?  Why guys who have dogs in their dating profiles get more matches How to make long-distance relationships work Where to find Damona Damona on Instagram Listen to Damona's podcast    Join The Lovebird Club A private community for those who value love, trust, and intimacy. Group support and weekly calls. For contributing lovebirds only: https://thelovedrive.com/thelovebirdclub    Learn more about The Love Drive Website https://thelovedrive.com/  Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thelovedrive  Newsletter https://thelovedrive.com/newsletter

A little pep talk on finding great people to love and that no, all the good ones aren't taken (and you should be careful about that belief - confirmation bias is a doozy!)

I'm excited to re-launch (and teach) one of my most popular courses: The Emotional Availability Course - Open up to Love   www.feelyouremotions.com   This course is for you if you want to: Become more emotionally available to those that matter Recognize emotional availability in others Experience more intimacy in your current relationship Learn to sit with and process emotional discomfort Turn towards intimacy with an open heart Learn to open up slowly to people who are safe and loving   You'll walk away with: Seven Ways to Identify Emotionally Available People How to Avoid Shutting Down When It Gets Too Intense Three Techniques to Release Emotional Anxiety and Fear How to Talk About Your Feelings With Courage (even if you're not sure what you're feeling) The Importance of Holding Space for Your Loved Ones The Four Types of Unavailability Preventing You From Finding Love   You'll get: 5 hours of live training with me All sessions recorded with English captions All your questions answered (through live recorded Q&A and written questions) Lifetime access to the session videos (download them after the course is over) Lifetime access to my private Facebook group Downloadable PDF of all techniques and scripts A 100% money-back guarantee if you're not happy with the course   www.feelyouremotions.com   We'll meet over four weeks starting August 11. All sessions are 90 minutes in length and recorded if you can't attend live.   Thursdays, August 11, 18, 25, and September 1 at noon PST / 3 PM EST / 7 PM GMT   Sign up before August 5 and get $50 USD off the course price and free access to the Simple Relationship Communication webinar ($77 value).   This month-long course starts on August 11. $247 before August 5, $297 after.   If this course resonates with you, I hope you join us.   www.feelyouremotions.com

Today's guest is Yana Tallon-Hicks, a past podcast guest on how to be an ethical hookup, ethical slut, sex writer, therapist, and author of ‘Hot and Unbothered: how to think about, talk about, talk about, and have the sex you really want.’ In this episode, Shaun and Yana talk about sex, shame in receiving feedback from our partner(s), and trying new things more than once. Shaun and Yana take listeners' questions all about sex, answering doubts such as, Will vibrators desensitize my clitoris? How to be more comfortable with my body? How to squirt, deal with premature ejaculation or erectile dysfunction, and more! What you'll learn (or why you should care): How to find new sex activities to try with yourself and your partner Porn and its role in sex education Why blowjobs are hard to give The Yes/No/Maybe List Where to find Yana Yana on Instagram Yana’s website  Order Yana's new book - Hot and Unbothered.   Join The Lovebird Club A private community for those who value love, trust, and intimacy. For contributing lovebirds only: https://thelovedrive.com/thelovebirdclub  Learn more about Shaun Galanos Website https://www.shaungalanos.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thelovedrive  Newsletter https://thelovedrive.com/newsletter

Seerut K. Chawla, an integratic psychotherapist discusses about the dangers of cancel culture and of “Instagram therapy”.  In this episode, Seerut and Shaun talk about the problems with dating in the modern world, why older men date younger women and the idea of being a forever-student.   What you'll learn (or why you should care): How consistency and hard work trump talent and the fallacy of the "overnight success" How to deal with short bouts of depression How to speak to yourself more kindly, while staying accountable   Where to find Seerut: Seerut on Instagram Seerut’s webiste Seerut on Twitter   Join The Lovebird Club A private community for those who value love, trust, and intimacy. Group support and weekly calls. For contributing lovebirds only: https://thelovedrive.com/thelovebirdclub    Learn more about The Love Drive Website https://thelovedrive.com/  Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thelovedrive  Newsletter https://thelovedrive.com/newsletter