Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The Soft Science

Medical trauma isn’t always a procedure. Sometimes it’s disbelief.

In this episode, we talk about what happens when women are cast as unreliable narrators of their own bodies—and how to reclaim the story. From birth injury dismissal to neurodivergent ableism, this is about power, authorship, and refusing to let someone else define your pain.

You are not a faulty narrator.

Sam Altman says 2025 is the year people start using ChatGPT for their emotional lives — to process relationships, rehearse hard conversations, and even find comfort. So what happens when your clients start doing therapy with an algorithm?

In this crossover episode of TwoX Labs x The Soft Science, Dr. Erika Miley breaks down: 🧠 What AI actually is (and isn’t) — and why it can sound empathetic without ever understanding you. 💬 How clients are turning to AI for emotional support — and what needs that really meets. ⚠️ Why therapists must start asking about AI use the same way we ask about coping skills. 🛑 What harm reduction looks like when AI becomes part of the therapy process. 🧩 How professional associations need to protect the field — before insurance companies decide AI can replace human care.

This episode is for therapists, clients, and anyone trying to navigate the messy new frontier where care meets code.

Where pleasure is data, shame gets dissected, and your executive dysfunction is just another reason to question everything you've been told.

I'm Dr. Erika Miley—licensed therapist, clinical sexologist, professor, and your favorite neurodivergent bisexual MILF with a brain that won't shut up and a mouth that refuses to cooperate (ask any teacher I've ever had).

This space is for:

• The curious and the kinky
• The overstimulated and the over it
• Women over 35 who are done playing small

We're talking about sex without purity politics, trauma without making it your whole identity, and desire without a single apology.

Because here's what I know: So many of us are living in bodies that were never taught to rest, feel, or want. We're out here raising kids, running businesses, surviving late-stage capitalism, and trying to remember what turns us on besides iced coffee and morally grey book boyfriends.

The Soft Science is where we unpack all of it—your mental health, your sexual health, and everything in between. No shame, no bullshit, just research-backed real talk for women who are ready to reclaim their pleasure.

Previously known as Sex Talk with Erika Miley—now evolved, expanded, and even less filtered.

Let's get into it. 💋

Does research in sex tell us what women want when it comes to pleasure? Dr. Meredith Chivers shares her 20 years of research. Join me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/sextalkwitherikamiley

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Let’s talk about how money impacts your sex life, relationships, and power dynamics. Featuring the awesome Kate Dorman. | Join Patreon

Erika and Erica talk about how things seen as “woo woo” can really help you have a better sex life. Help support this podcast by joining my Patreon: https://patreon.com/sextalkwitherikamiley 

Bisexuality, what is it and what are the myths around it. Featuring Dr. Lindsey Brooks, a licensed sex therapist. Want more content? Join me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/sextalkwitherikamiley 

Masturbation is a healthy activity and the data just shows that there's no benefit to stopping. Do you help with sexual compulsion (addiction)? : https://mentalandsexualhealth.com 

Don't forget the lube: https://amzn.to/3AeuB4U

Patreon: https://patreon.com/sextalkwitherikamiley 

Let's talk about Sex Talk: The Next Generation. Join me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/sextalkwitherikamiley 

Episode 155: Kenneth joins us today to give us a deeper understanding of sexual pleasure and take us through some parts of his book, Beyond Satisfied: A Sex Hackers Guide to Endless Orgasms, Mind-blowing Connection, and Lasting Confidence, with his unique way of using highly directive images in his course. Click here for full show notes.

Episode 154: We have Merely Ashley with us, a cybersecurity advocate for women in the cybersecurity industry. Ashley joins us today to share her journey as a cybersecurity advocate for women and also more about the concept of cybersecurity in general. Tune in for this and many other exciting topics. Click here for full show notes.

Episode 153: How do you get into, or even survive the emotional rollercoasters associated with polyamorous relationships? In this episode, we speak to Keera Joel, a kinky author, and a narrator who has been supporting the BDSM group for some time. Click here for full show notes.

Dr. Rachel Allyn joins us to expound on the disconnection within our bodies and how to overcome it through body activities such as yoga, breathing exercises, and dynamic body movements. Click here for full show notes.

In this episode, we talk to Searah Deysach, a sex educator and the owner of the Early To Bed sex toys shop. With a mission to create a space where people could freely walk into the store, confidently get information, and purchase sex toys, Searah decided to launch her shop, which now celebrates it's 20-year anniversary. Click here for full show notes.

In this episode, co-authors of Women and Kink, Jennifer Rehor and Julia Schiffman join us to talk about their book.

Click here for full show notes.

Janel Vitale joins Erika to share about the different desire archetypes, how to know your category, and how it can help you fulfil your desires by finding the compatible match. Click here for full show notes.

Mistress Natalie King reveals to Erika how BDSM is one of the greatest life hacks to help with mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Click here for full show notes.

Erika wraps up this season and this year, 2021.

Click here for full show notes 

On this episode, Erika Miley talks to De-Andrea Blaylock-Solar; she is a sex therapist, artist, and published author. De-Andrea is excited to be included as an author of the chapter of a fantastic book to be published in December 2021 with the title “An intersectional approach to sex therapy - Centering the lives of indigenous racialized people of color”. Click here for full show notes 

Erika welcomes to the show Holly Hartman, life & transformation and trauma & recovery coach, domestic violence advocate, international best selling author of How To Release The Shame Of Narcissistic Abuse, and the founder of Solo Date Challenge. Trigger Warning: Discussions of sexual trauma and narcissistic abuse. Click here for full show notes. 

Erika welcomes back to the show, Vanessa Carlisle! They're discussing Vanessa's new book, Take Me with You, and sex work in fiction. They also touch on Vanessa's venture into the world of being a death doula and what that means. Click here for full show notes. 

In this episode, Erika chats with award-winning feminist author, certified sex coach, sexologist and sex educator, Gigi Engle. They're exploring what it means to be a "big sister" to women, helping them understand their bodies, love, sex, and life. Click here for full show notes. 

In this episode, Erika introduces the next, incredible mental health therapist at The Center for Mental and Sexual Health, Dr. Sohna Shook! The conversation is all about the varied issues that Sohna sees in her office and the people that she loves to help. Click here for full show notes.

Erika talks to listeners "1-on-1" in this episode about her ongoing PhD research, which focuses on how ADHD specifically impacts the sex lives of vulva owners. Click here for full show notes.

In this episode, Erika is joined by Cassie Willnauer, licensed therapist that works in the Kansas City area, host of the podcast Sex At Every Size. The ladies are discussing the impact of diet culture on people's minds, bodies, and intimacy. Click here for full show notes

In this episode, Erika introduces Jennifer Adair from the Center for Mental and Sexual Health (Erika's own practice). They talk about how therapy works and working with clients who question their own worth. Click here for full show notes.

Erika has Heather McPherson from Practice Outside the Lines on the show to talk all about vulvas and desire discrepancies. As professionals, they go over the patterns they hear about vulvas on a regular basis. What is typical? How do we tease apart the why of arousal? Does culture influence the disconnection women (vulva owners) have with their bodies?

Full show notes: www.sextalkwitherika.com/138

A lot of us don’t realize that we even have bodies, we don’t pay attention to feeling them and being aware of them. Practice being in your body by consciously making a mental connection to one random and particular part of your body, then moving to another part, and another. This same notion of awareness is also important to our sexual experiences.

Somatics is a different way of addressing the client’s needs. We’re not necessarily looking for what’s “wrong”, as in some traditional forms of therapy, but just assessing what’s “present”.

Perhaps, we need to rethink our culture around viewing bodies with a lens of shame and incorporate somatics into clinical practice alongside intellectual/ cognitive methods.

I have the wonderful Teena Love on my show today. Teena is a media personality and Podcast Host of “The Lovers’ Lounge“. Teena Love is extremely passionate about educating singles and couples regardless of sexuality, racial and ethnic backgrounds and or socioeconomic status about topics related to love, relationships and sex! 

We’re talking about how an abusive relationship can alter your entire life.  We’re talking about co-dependency, your sexual self, your mental health, and recovery. 

In this episode, Erika talks about how the move to a seasonal format was the best thing and sometimes a little quieting for her mind. She goes over how the season went, and where the podcast goes from here. Hint: It's just going to get better! Click here for full show notes.

In this episode, the ever amazing Jane Boon joins me to talk about her book, Edge Play. Find the full show notes here.

Today we're talking to the wonderful Joan Price all about sex at any age, including seniors! We go over the concerns from folks who are aging and their sexual health. We also touch on the emotional and physical changes that they're usually unprepared for. Check out the full show notes here.

Bianca Laureano joins me in this episode to talk about the trauma going on in the US, especially after an attempted coup by white supremacists. We talk about how power and intersectionality impacts our sex lives. Full show notes here.

In this episode, Ricky Siegel joins me to talk about anxiety and it's impact on sex. We reflect on what anxiety and the state of the world in 2020, cruising into 2021, has done to our sex lives and our bodies generally. This episode was recorded before the 2020 US Election, so you already know the outcome folks. More about Ricky and the full show notes are here.

Happy belated New Year 2021 and this episode means something different doesn’t it… I went back and listened to our last episode with Susan Bratton… We were so hopeful, we were excited… Now here we are none of our plans happened! Ugh!

That's okay because I brought back the ever wonderful, amazing, trusted hot sex advisor to millions, Susan Bratton. Full show notes here.

Hey folks! Today I interview Ola Midzynska, CEO & Founder of Sx Tech from Berlin, Germany! We chat about the punk rock journey of fighting for pleasure using technology. We also talk about the impact of a pandemic on creativity, entrepreneurialism, and burnout. Find the show notes here.

Today we talk all about the book and history behind The Masculine in Relationship, with our amazing guest GS Youngblood! We talk about the understanding of masculinity and it's impact on the sexual dynamic. Super interesting stuff! Full show notes here.

This week we're talking about the connection between our cultural understanding of masculinity and infidelity. We also take time to dive into her latest book, Chasing Masculinity: Men, Validation, and Infidelity. Find the full show notes here.

Hey folks! I wanted to do a podcast/video series about sex across the world.  Think Rick Steve meets Sex Nerd. This episode is the introduction to this series, and I want to hear from you. I want to hear from folks across the world how they are having sex, what education did they get, and what are your cultural processes that are different? Full show notes here.

Welcome back folks for our second episode of season 4, how exciting! I'm joined by Mistress Harley, a financial dominatrix, in this episode. What is financial domination you ask? Well, you'll just have to listen in! We'll talk about how Mistress Harley became a dominatrix, and how she connected with this particular niche. And if you're not ready to listen yet, let me just say, make sure you listen to hear about her new album, 10 Pimpstress Commandments. Check out the full show note here.

We're back! Season 4 of Sex Talk with Erika Miley! I'm so excited to have the amazing Shawna Potter from the band War on Women, and author of Making Spaces Safer! We're diving into Sex, Drugs, & Rock n' Roll, I think topics near and dear to many of our hearts! War on Women has a new album that debuted October 31, 2020. Check out the full show notes here! 

Erika and Dr. Nazanin Moali decided to do a crossover Halloween episode for you!  They talk about 5 things to spookify your sex life!  You get to hear two very nerdy sex experts spend time talking about every body's favorite thing, sex!  Do not miss this one. Check out the full show notes here.

Have you ever felt like all you are is a diagnosis?  This episode is for you, Erika talks with Dr. Melvin Lee Phillips, who specializes in sexual issues for those who deal with chronic illness.  In their conversation they tackle common misconceptions and how pleasure can be restorative when dealing with illness.  Full show notes here.

Abby Rolf, mental health therapist specializing in transgender knowledgeable and inclusive care. Check out the full show notes here.

I work with a lot of female identified folks.  Your work around sex and context informs that work a lot.  As you have been writing, researching, podcasting, thoughts around how context matters for female identified folks now. Full show notes here.

In this episode, we get to talk about what it means to try the "butt stuff" or anal play or anal sex. Full show notes here.

Join my Patreon here www.sextalkwitherika.com/patreon 

Erika talks about upcoming changes to the podcast, and the much needed break she is taking from recording. It won't be a forever break, just enough to recharge, refocus and reformat. Find the full show notes here.

Howdy, folks! I have the privilege, this week, of talking with Shawna Potter. She is the front-person for War On Women, musician, and author of the book titled “Making Spaces Safer”. We get into sexism, harassment, and what it is like to be a woman in the world today. Find the full show notes here.

Welcome folks! I'm sitting with the absolutely fabulous, and unconquerable, pleasure positive sex and relationship coach, Celine Manning. Today we’re talking all about enthusiasm in bed!  We’re also going to tackle preparing for sex and how each of these impacts the context of our sexual experiences. Find the full show notes here.