Permission for Pleasure

<p>A podcast to educate and equip women with the information and confidence they need to express, experience and enjoy their sexuality. Cindy Scharkey RN, BSN, brings her 35+ years of experience as a healthcare professional to open the doors to healthy conversations about sex. This is a community where you can listen and learn to give yourself permission for pleasure. Visit www.cindyscharkey.com for educational blogs and newsletter.</p>

Two Ways Affection Can Deepen Your Connection

Wrapping up Season 4 with two proven ways affection can deeper your connection. Use the practices of kissing for 6 seconds and hugging for 30 seconds to strengthen your relationships.Limited time 20% discount BOOK orderPermission to GrieveORDER my BookJOIN my Newsletter CommunityFOLLOW on InstagramVISIT my Blog

12-25
10:43

*Sneak Peak* Permission for Pleasure the BOOK!

Great sex is a mind and body experience. To truly enjoy the sex you're having - you have to be paying attention to the sex you are having! In this episode, I read you a short excerpt from my book Permission for Pleasure: Tending Your Sexual Garden focused on strengthening your mind-body connection. My book is available now for pre-order with a special 20% holiday discount through the month of December. Holiday PRE-ORDER discount!More on this topicBetter Sex Through Mindfulness Book Revi...

12-11
12:20

How Curiosity Fuels Desire

Research shows that greater curiosity outside the bedroom leads to higher sexual satisfaction. Sex therapist and author Dr. Emily Jamea joins me to talk about her book Anatomy of Desire: Five Secrets to Create Connection and Cultivate Passion. Learn how novelty works as a key component for fueling your desire. Learn more about Emily JameaMore on these topicsPracticing Flow State Sex with Emily JameaUnderstanding Your Desire StylePartner desire discrepanciesWant better sex? Ask yourself t...

11-27
38:48

Vaginal Estrogen, Moisturizers, and Lube for Sex

Learn the difference between vaginal estrogen, vaginal moisturizers, and lube for sex. This quickie episode outlines what each one is, when their use is appropriate and a few frequently asked questions about each. Bite size education for everyone, but especially for those in perimenopause and the menopause transition.Visit our episode sponsor Uberlube and use code CINDY for 15% offMore on this topic:Guide to LubeLube Lube Lube Perimenopause 101: Hormones and SymptomsPerimenopause 101: Treatme...

11-13
08:41

Connecting With Our Bodies and Nervous Systems for More Pleasurable Sex

Our nervous systems play a critical role in connection and the sensory experience of sex. Aurora Allen, a somatic experiencing practitioner and nervous system educator shares practical steps to connect our bodies and nervous systems for more satisfying sex. Learn more about Aurora Allen More on this topic:Dating Your Body with AuroraLearning to Listen to Your BodyPermission to GrieveReconnecting to Yourself and to Your BodyORDER my BookJOIN my Newsletter CommunityFOLLOW on InstagramVISIT...

10-30
48:29

Everything We Get Wrong About Initiation

Need better ways to initiate sex in your relationship? Vanessa and Xander Marin join me to discuss everything we are getting wrong about initiation and tips to do it better. She's a sex therapist with 20 years of experience, he's a regular dude and together they wrote Sex Talks: The Five Conversations That Will Transform Your Love Life. Tune in and learn to change the communication of initiation in your relationship.Visit our episode sponsor UBERLUBE - use code CINDY for 15% offLearn more abo...

10-16
42:15

When the Problematic People Are the Ones We Love with Brit Barron

Author Brit Barron joins me to discuss her new book, Do You Still Talk to Grandma? When the problematic people in our lives are the ones we love. Listen in as we talk about the role social media plays, our desire for belonging, and the importance of embracing both nuance and boundaries as a way forward.Learn more about Brit BarronMore from Brit on the podcastEvolving Out of Purity CultureORDER my BookJOIN my Newsletter CommunityFOLLOW on InstagramVISIT my Blog

10-02
31:14

Free Up Mental Space and Improve Your Sex Life

You know that running to do list in your head? It's called the mental load. Although it is often invisible, it has a big impact on our relationships, sexual desire and stress level. Bringing back an impactful episode from the archives with Dr. Morgan Cutlip. You’ll hear communication starters and practical tips to help you ‘off-load’ and free up mental space for a healthier you and strengthened relationships.Learn more about Dr. Morgan CutlipORDER my BookJOIN my Newsletter CommunityFOLLOW on ...

09-18
36:19

Practices for Positive Relationships

Dr. Jenn Gunsuallus joins me to share practical tools for positive relationships. Listen in for her 4 point approach to generous listening and ways to answer bids for connection. Celebrate World Sexual Health Day with these tools that all couples can use to foster healthy connection.Jennifer Gunsaullus, Ph.D. is a Sexologist, Sociologist, Relationship Coach, Author, and International Speaker. More on this topicThe Truth About Desire: Mindfulness and the Value of VarietyConversation Sta...

09-04
43:20

Bedroom Games: Fun and Flirty Ideas

Get ready to discover some cheeky and charming ways to turn up the fun and connection between you and a partner! Whether you're looking to bring a little fun into your sexy time or just have a laugh, I’ve got a lineup of games that'll make your bedroom into a playground. More on this topic:The Pleasure Crisis and Why Good Sex MattersOrgasm is a Big Brain EventTemperature PlayExploring Erogenous Zones: Pleasure PracticeORDER my BookJOIN my Newsletter CommunityFOLLOW on InstagramVISIT my Blog

08-21
10:04

The Rise in Rough Sex

Dr. Debby Herbenick wants us to know that today's trend for rough sex is different than what we might expect. Her research, as detailed in her book Yes, Your Kid: What Parents Need to Know About Today’s Teens and Sex, shows a rise in aggressive and risky behavior, often lacking the crucial communication necessary between partners. Listen in as we unpack the rise in rough sex - specifically choking. We also discuss nude images, digital safety, and the importance of having conversations around ...

08-07
39:40

Permission to grieve

I have lost my beloved. There are hardly any words for me right now. I have tried to give you the few I could manage in the midst of this deep grief over the sudden death of the love of my life.ORDER my BookJOIN my Newsletter CommunityFOLLOW on InstagramVISIT my Blog

07-24
03:44

Reconnecting to Yourself and to Your Body

This week I'm joining Kara Ryska, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast and sharing our conversation on reconnecting to your body and redefining sensuality. Listen in as we cover some practical ways to build a practice around connecting with yourself, your needs and the sensations in your body.Find out more about Kara Ryska and The Special Needs Mom PodcastORDER my BookJOIN my Newsletter CommunityFOLLOW on InstagramVISIT my Blog

07-10
49:53

Three Things I Would Tell My Younger Self

To celebrate my 60th birthday this week, I want to share three key insights that have significantly influenced my journey towards sexual wellness. These discoveries are crucial in helping you find the freedom to express, experience, and enjoy your sexuality. Plus, I have an exciting announcement to share!Visit our episode sponsor UBERLUBE and use code CINDY for 15% offMore on these topics:All About LubePain and SexLube. Lube. Lube.Pelvic Health and Painful SexLearning to Listen to Your BodyOR...

06-26
13:50

Embracing Your Desire

Embrace your desire. Own your wanting and gather your sexual agency. Doing this will help you change your relationship with desire. Dr. Juliana Hauser joins me to talk about reframing desire and how to get in touch with your vibrancy. You’ll hear practical ways to figure out what you want sexually and ideas for approaching and trying new things. Learn about the four quadrant exercise, a no thank you bite, and why Dr. Juliana believes safety is the strongest aphrodisiac.Learn more about Dr. Ju...

06-12
49:39

Do women ejaculate? What is squirting?

Are you curious about female ejaculation and squirting? Tune in as I answer your frequently asked questions. Yes - women ejaculate, and yes women can squirt. However, they are not the same thing. Learn the where, why and how in this - all about the fluids episode.Visit our episode sponsor UBERLUBE and use code CINDY for 15% offMore on these topicsEjaculation and Squirting blogFemale Anatomy of Arousal book reviewFemale Anatomy 101Clitoris - it's a networkAll About LubeG spot (area)Why F...

05-29
11:49

What Are You Saying With Your Touch?

Loving behaviors is one of the six ingredients Dr. Sara Nasserzadeh has found necessary to build a lifetime of love. In this second part of our conversation, we talk about the importance of touch and developing a touch lexicon within your relationship. We get specific about all the ways to touch and how to make sure the touch given is received as intended. Sara also shares her distinction between sexual chemistry and sexual harmony, to help couples create desire and arousal as relationships e...

05-15
24:18

What do you call your genitals?

The names we do or don’t call our genitals are fascinating. Where do these terms come from? What about the silence around our private parts? Dr. Sara Nasserzadeh, who specializes in the fields of human sexuality and relationships, joins me to share her research about genitals around the world. From what we call them and how we groom them, to our relationship with them. We discuss practices around pubic hair, beauty standards, penis size and more. At the end of the episode, Sara shares an exer...

05-01
33:23

Turn Up the Volume on Your Sex Life

Scientists have found that sexual noises go hand in hand with enhanced pleasure. Whether you hum, purr or moan - giving voice to what your body is feeling may make sex better. Bonus- it also serves as non-verbal communication and positive reinforcement to your partner! Make some noise on the blogORDER my BookJOIN my Newsletter CommunityFOLLOW on InstagramVISIT my Blog

04-17
05:42

Masturbation - Let's dig in

People masturbate for all kinds of reasons including pleasure, exploration, sleep and pain relief. For women who have never experienced orgasm, self-pleasure is the most scientifically supported sex therapy technique to learn the stimulation needed to climax. August McLaughlin, a journalist, author and host/producer of Girl Boner Radio, joins me to share her insights, and personal journey with masturbation. We discuss some practices and tips, as well as debunk a few common myths around solo s...

04-03
43:43

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