Exploring the path to erotic wholeness often begins with a deep, embodied understanding of self. Clare Sente sits down with Darshana Avila, a trauma-informed somatic educator and sexological bodyworker, to dive into her unique approach that champions erotic embodiment and personal agency. Darshana explains the necessity of addressing the nervous system first through somatic experiencing before moving on to crucial aspects like consent and detailed communication about intimate desires. She offers practical advice for cultivating a mindful, body-aware sexual life, offering ways to navigate trauma and foster a state of relaxed arousal. This discussion illuminates the journey toward continual self-discovery and embracing the boundless nature of erotic wholeness.

Christianity focuses a lot on how to nourish yourself spiritually, but it condemns anything about bringing pleasure to oneself. Being sex positive is seen as taboo by many Christians – but do we really need to see it in such a negative light? Author and public theologian Rev. Beverly Dale disagrees, and she joins Clare Sente to discuss why pleasure-focused Christianity is not an impossibility. She explains how Church Fathers and “empire thinking” are to blame for our deeply ingrained displeasure with pleasure itself, as well as the widespread sexual ignorance and repression. Rev. Dale also talks about her work as the founder of Incarnation Institute for Sex & Faith, where she teaches health professionals and fellow clergy on making sex and pleasure empowering, healing, and liberating.

Even though it is a natural occurrence in any woman’s life, talking about menopause is still widely considered taboo. When women experience a decline in intimacy in their sex lives because of it, they tend to blame themselves. Janet McGeever is here to put an end to this unhealthy mindset. She joins Clare Sente to talk about the book she co-authored with Diana Richardson, Tantric Sex and Menopause. Janet discusses the importance of presence and mindfulness in intimacy to address the negative impact of menopause, which is actually a conditioning issue that affects even the men. She also emphasizes the need to shift from high-sensation sex to more sensitive approach centered on energetic polarities.

Dr. Joli Hamilton, a relationship coach and research psychologist, discusses her sixteen-year personal journey and twenty-year expertise in non-monogamous relationships. She emphasizes the importance of understanding and managing jealousy, which she terms an "elephant in the room." Joli's doctoral research focused on the archetypal nature of jealousy in polyamorous relationships. She highlights the need for self-awareness, communication, and community support in navigating these complex dynamics.

Joli's "Year of Opening" program, which she co-leads with her husband, helps couples and individuals explore and develop their relationships through a year-long educational process. She also offers resources like the "Jealousy Roadmap" and her podcast, "Playing with Fire," to provide guidance and support.

Anyone should be able to rewrite their sexual script and story if they so desire. Lauren Rogers, a certified holistic sexuality educator, discusses her journey from a strict religious upbringing to becoming an empowered sexuality coach. She emphasizes the importance of rewriting one's sexual story and overcoming sex-negative beliefs. Lauren shares her method of helping clients reconnect with their pleasure through active imagination exercises and solo sex practices. She highlights the role of guilt and shame in sexual dissatisfaction and the need for compassion and curiosity in healing. Lauren also discusses the broader impact of individual sexual healing on communities and families, advocating for a holistic approach to sexual health.

Sarah Rose Bright and Graeme Waterfield, a couple of over seven years, discuss their approach to "making love" as a transformative practice for deeper intimacy and pleasure. Sarah, a love, sex, and intimacy coach, and Graeme, a tai chi and meditation teacher, emphasize the importance of conscious, mindful sex over performance-based intercourse.

They highlight the benefits of this approach, including better connection, pleasure, and overcoming issues like menopause-related pain. They suggest practices like self-pleasure, breathing exercises, and open communication to enhance sexual experiences. They also mention their upcoming retreats and online classes for couples to explore these techniques further.

Dr. Tina Schermer Sellers, a licensed sex therapist and author, discusses the impact of sexual shame on intimacy and well-being. She highlights her book Shameless Parenting, which addresses raising shame-free, confident kids and healing parental shame. Dr. Tina explains how sexual shame begins in interpersonal relationships and is exacerbated by societal and cultural norms. She emphasizes the importance of medically accurate sex education, storytelling, and self-acceptance in healing. Dr. Tina also shares practical strategies like framing, naming, claiming, and aiming to create a new sexual legacy. She offers free resources like her Reclaiming Your Sexual Legacy worksheet and emailing her if you cannot afford her books to receive audiobook codes to make them accessible.

Susan Morgan Taylor, a somatic sex therapist, discusses her approach to helping couples navigate mismatched libidos and sexless marriages. She emphasizes the importance of removing orgasm as the goal and focusing on direct pleasure through noticing, naming, and negotiating sensations.

Susan shares her personal journey from a sexless marriage to discovering full-body orgasms and the transformative impact of embracing emotions. She highlights the significance of women taking responsibility for their own pleasure and the benefits of somatic sex therapy in fostering deeper connections. Susan offers resources like her monthly master class and eBook on her website, Pathway to Pleasure.