Sex For Couples with Heather Shannon

Curious about coaching with Heather? Request your free consultation call now: https://calendly.com/hshann1/igniteABOUT THIS EPISODECould reading smut help turbocharge your sex life? Certified sex therapist Heather Shannon welcomes Allison Whaley, founder of Bothered Stories, to explore how written erotica can spark desire, fuel sexual creativity, and help you discover what turns you on. They discuss how sexy stories offer a low-pressure way to reconnect with your erotic side—whether you’re struggling to get in the mood, feeling disconnected from your body, or craving something beyond your usual bedroom routine.Heather and Allison also explore how couples can use erotica to start conversations about fantasies without making either partner feel criticized or put on the spot. From understanding female desire to finding inspiration for dirty talk, this conversation highlights what makes a story sexy—and how those same ingredients can translate into real-life intimacy. You’ll also hear why enjoying a fantasy doesn’t necessarily mean you want to act it out, and how getting curious about what appeals to you can reveal desires worth sharing.In this episode, we cover:• How reading erotica can help you explore arousal at your own pace, without pressure to have sex.• Sharing a scene with your partner as an easier starting point for talking about turn-ons and fantasies.• What men can learn from stories that center female pleasure, anticipation, and emotional connection.• Why monster and alien romance appeal to some readers—and how fantasy can offer distance from body-image concerns.• Using smut as inspiration for dirty talk, power play, and exploring unfamiliar kinks.• How consent and check-ins can become part of the chemistry instead of interrupting it.• What an attraction to dark romance might reveal about wanting attention, devotion, or feeling deeply desired.Start Saving Time With Your Tovala Smart Oven For Only $69 with code HEATHER - https://tovala.pxf.io/AgDmKJ Join Beducated--the Netflix of sex education--For 50% Off With Code HEATHER - https://beducate.me/heatherCurious About Working With Heather As Your Coach? Click Below To Request Your Free Consultation For The Pathway To Passion Program: https://calendly.com/hshann1/igniteThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

What actually turns women on? The answer might surprise you—and it often starts long before you get to the bedroom. In this solo episode of Sex for Couples, certified sex therapist Heather Shannon explores three major turn-ons for women: emotional intelligence, feeling wanted, and consideration. Through real-life examples, she explains how everyday interactions can build emotional connection and help create the conditions for sexual desire.From staying present during a conversation to expressing attraction in ways your partner can receive, Heather shares practical ways to strengthen intimacy. She also explores how resentment, an unequal mental load, and struggles with body image can get in the way of desire. This isn’t a checklist that guarantees more sex: it’s an invitation to understand your partner and show up with the care, confidence, and thoughtfulness that make connection more appealing.Why seeing a partner being a patient, caring parent can spark sexual attraction.How listening, empathy, and managing your emotions help your partner feel safe and relaxed.The difference between kindness with healthy boundaries and being the “nice guy” who has none.How flirting, compliments, thoughtful gestures, and expressing attraction can help your partner feel wanted.Why body-image struggles can make it difficult to take in a partner’s affection and desire.How sharing the mental load—and anticipating needs without being asked—can help your partner feel considered.Why treating kindness or household responsibilities as a transaction for sex can undermine attraction.Start Saving Time With Your Tovala Smart Oven For Only $69 with code HEATHER - https://tovala.pxf.io/AgDmKJ Join Beducated--the Netflix of sex education--For 50% Off With Code HEATHER - https://beducate.me/heatherCurious About Working With Heather As Your Coach? Click Below To Request Your Free Consultation For The Pathway To Passion Program: https://calendly.com/hshann1/igniteThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Stuck in a sex rut? Take my free quiz: https://TheBetterBedroom.comHave you noticed that as you get older, what used to turn you on just isn't working anymore? In this episode of Sex for Couples, certified sex therapist Heather Shannon welcomes Suzanne Noble, host of Sex Advice for Seniors, for a candid conversation about sex after 50. Together, they explore changing desire, menopause, erection concerns, and the belief that your sex life has an expiration date.Suzanne shares her experiences with intimacy in later life, from navigating physical changes to building anticipation and getting creative with pleasure. We discuss why adapting your approach can help you feel more confident and less pressured, how to ask for what you need, and what getting older has taught Suzanne about her body and relationships. Expect practical ideas, honest stories, and plenty of humor.In this episode, we get into:• Myths about aging, sexual desire, and when people supposedly stop wanting sex• Suzanne's experiences with vaginal estrogen and testosterone, and advocating for care• Changing arousal patterns and why anticipation, touch, and scheduling can help• Erection concerns, performance anxiety, and pleasure beyond penetration• Adapting to mobility challenges with positioning, pillows, and creativity• Body confidence, communication, and giving yourself permission to take your time• Dating younger men and how Suzanne's relationship priorities have changedStart Saving Time With Your Tovala Smart Oven For Only $69 with code HEATHER - https://tovala.pxf.io/AgDmKJ Join Beducated--the Netflix of sex education--For 50% Off With Code HEATHER - https://beducate.me/heatherCurious About Working With Heather As Your Coach? Click Below To Request Your Free Consultation For The Pathway To Passion Program: https://calendly.com/hshann1/igniteConnect with Suzanne:Website and podcast: https://www.sexadviceforseniors.comSocial accounts and resources: https://linktr.ee/sexadviceforseniorsThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Get 50% off Beducated where you can learn the skill of great sex! Use promo code HEATHER for your discount: https://beducate.me/heatherWant expert help figuring out what’s getting in the way of your sex life? Sign up for a Quickie Assessment with me for personalized guidance and a clearer direction forward: https://heather-shannon.mykajabi.com/offers/pZLVQLgG/checkoutABOUT THIS EPISODEFeeling sexually frustrated or rejected in your relationship? In this solo episode of Sex for Couples, I’m breaking down three common mistakes I see men make when their female partners have less desire—and how those approaches can accidentally make connection harder. We explore why physical and emotional safety matter for female desire, how mental load and resentment can affect intimacy, and what it looks like to help your partner feel understood and supported.Your sexual needs matter, too. I share how to express them without turning sex into a negotiation, obligation, or another item on your partner’s to-do list. We also explore how repeated rejection can create a scarcity mindset, why low libido often has several overlapping causes, and how to move toward more confidence, curiosity, flirting, and fun. The goal is a sexual connection you both genuinely want.In this episode:Why emotional safety extends beyond physical boundaries to feeling heard, respected, and free from sexual pressure.How unequal mental load, decision fatigue, and a “project manager” dynamic can get in the way of desire.Practical ways to take initiative and share responsibility without making your partner assign every task.Why bargaining for sexual contact can create obligation and negative associations with sex.How to communicate your sexual needs and feelings while staying curious about your partner’s experience.What a sexual scarcity mindset looks like—and how to start rebuilding confidence when you’ve felt unwanted.How stress, health, hormones, relationship dynamics, and daily routines can overlap to affect libido.Wondering what’s keeping you stuck? Take my free quiz, Why You’re Stuck In A Sex Rut: https://TheBetterBedroom.comWant personalized support? Request a consultation for coaching with me at https://HeatherShannon.coThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Stuck in a sex rut? Take my free quiz to discover what could be keeping you stuck—and where to start: https://TheBetterBedroom.comWhat do you do when your partner comes out as asexual and you have a high sex drive? How do you get in the mood when life feels like an endless to-do list? In this listener Q&A episode of Sex for Couples, I’m answering your questions as an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist. We explore mismatched desire, different ways to experience intimacy, and how to stay curious about your options when your sex life takes an unexpected turn.I also discuss how hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and perimenopause can influence libido—and why hormones aren’t the whole picture. Plus, I share my advice for building a satisfying relationship from the beginning, including talking openly about sex, maintaining your individuality, and bringing more playfulness into your connection. Whether you’re navigating a desire discrepancy or simply feeling too busy for intimacy, this episode offers starting points for less pressure and more connection.In this episode, we cover:Navigating a relationship with an asexual partner, including conversations about boundaries, sexual needs, and shared intimacy.Why persistent, painful arousal deserves medical attention—and exploring the emotional needs that can accompany a desire for sex.Making room for intimacy when you’re overwhelmed, with mental foreplay, responsive desire, and small moments of connection.How menstrual cycles and life stages such as breastfeeding and perimenopause can affect sexual desire.Talking about sexual preferences and giving feedback in a positive, playful way—including trying a “kissing lab.”Keeping curiosity and attraction alive through individuality, novelty, emotional honesty, and a shared willingness to grow.Want personalized support with your sex life or relationship? Reach out to explore coaching with me at https://HeatherShannon.coThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp