In today’s episode, Kelly is joined by relationship and sex therapy specialist, Amie Latta. She believes you deserve to feel alive in your relationships, loved in your body, and vibrant in all areas of your life. Amie is helping alleviate pain in sex, bring about education, and dismantle shame derived from past narratives among faith-based communities. If you have pain during sex, struggle with telling your partner what you desire, or are just looking to learn more about owning your sexual experience, this episode is for you.  

Today on Higher Sex: 

• Navigating painful sex and ways to heal  
• The difference between the experience of sex versus the act of sex 
• Dismantling shame and clearing past sex narratives within faith-based communities
• Becoming a co-creator in your sex life and verbalizing your sexual desires

Resources: 

• https://bliss-therapy.org
• Connect with Amie Latta

This show is produced by Soulfire Productions

Today, Kelly is joined by Dr. Laurie Mintz. She is a tenured college professor at the University of Florida, a licensed psychologist and certified sex therapist with over 30 years of experience working with private clients, on both general and sexual issues. She is the author of two books aimed at empowering women sexually: Becoming Cliterate and A Tired Woman’s Guide to Passionate Sex. In today’s conversation, they explore sexual scripts, the orgasm gap and much more! So, if you are looking to become Cliterate, hit play because this is another juicy one! 

Today on Higher Sex:

• Exploring the orgasm gap and how to close it  
• Ways to change your sexual script for passionate sex 
• Dr. Laurie’s visions around an improved sex-education system 
• Strategies to help you reclaim your sexual desire

Resources: 

• https://bliss-therapy.org
• Becoming Cliterate 
• A Tired Woman’s Guide to Passionate Sex 

This show is produced by Soulfire Productions

Are you curious about the best ways to talk about sex? Whether you are a parent anxious about having the dreaded sex talk or wanting to understand sexual desires and health better, this episode is for you. Stacey Jacobs is a sex educator, and no topic is off-limits when she is in the room. 

Today on Higher Sex:

•  How to talk to your children about sex 
•  Creative sex-talk conversation starters for consent, relationships, and sex for parents 
•  Different ways to discuss and model consent 
•  How the global pandemic has amplified skin hunger and feeling touched out

Resources: 

• https://bliss-therapy.org

This show is produced by Soulfire Productions

Curious about the ways sex changes during and after pregnancy? How do we do it? When do we do it? Should we do it? Ashley Mariani is a clinical social worker and psychotherapist specializing in perinatal, mental, and sexual health. She helps clients navigate the necessary conversations around sex, pleasure, intimacy, and more.  

Today on Higher Sex:

• How Ashley found her passion in perinatal, sexual, and mental health work
• Explore the ways sex can change during and after pregnancy 
• How to express sexual desires with your partner
• Explore orgasmic birth 
• A reminder to stay patient and trust that sexual normalcy will return

Resources: 

• Instagram: @mindonlinetherapy 
• Website: https://www.mindonline.ca/ 

This show is produced by Soulfire Productions

Did you know your back, abdominal, or hip pain could actually be caused by your pelvic floor? Keri Martin Vrbanac is a pelvic therapist and is here to educate and normalize the conversation around pelvic health, exploring the topics of painful intercourse, Kegels, prolapses, and options to consider before opting for surgery.

Today on Higher Sex:

• Body pain stemming from the pelvic floor
• Normalizing and de-stigmatizing pelvic health conversations
• Painful intercourse: it is not normal
• How Keri helps new moms & preps women for childbirth
• Validating your clients’ pain
• When Kegels are not the right exercise for you
• Symptoms and types of prolapses
• Options to try before surgery for pelvic health

Resources:

• Website: pelvichealthsolutions.ca 

This show is produced by Soulfire Productions

The insatiably curious sexologist and psychotherapist Kelly McDonnell-Arnold hosts this playful and intellectually thought-provoking podcast bringing you next level education on sexuality, intimacy, and relationships. It’s time to elevate the conversation around sex and say what no one else is willing to, but everyone is thinking. Welcome to Higher Sex.

Are you someone who struggles to climax? Do you wish you knew how to orgasm more than one time? Do you feel confident, curious, and explorative with your partner? Not everyone knows what they are doing in the bedroom, what they truly desire, or how to reach their ultimate sexual potential and that is exactly why Kelly brought Carlyle Jansen onto the show for today’s episode. Carlyle is a Canada-based licensed sex therapist, author, and founder of Good For Her. She got her start when she gave an impromptu sex toys seminar at her sister’s bridal shower in 1995 and has been a pioneer in the space ever since. Hit play to come play with Kelly and Carlyle. 

Today on Higher Sex:

• The story of when Carlyle learned how to orgasm 
• The importance how of creating a gender-safe space for the exploration of sex techniques, tools, and resources 
• Using workshops to reinvigorate your sexual curiosity, potential, and creativity 
• Normalizing the use of tools to enhance your sexual experience

Resources: 

• https://bliss-therapy.org
• www.goodforher.com 
• Ethical Based Porn 
• Work with Carlyle Jansen 

This show is produced by Soulfire Productions

Does sensuality feel inaccessible for you? Do you assume sensuality and sexuality are the same thing? Are you struggling to drop into your body, slow down, and stay present amidst your empire-building, fast-paced, work-centric life? Do you find yourself saying “I’m not in the mood for sex” more times than not? If so, then this episode is for you! Kelly has Dr. Cat Meyer, LMT on the show today! Dr. Cat is a licensed therapist, sexologist, sensual yoga teacher, podcast host, and more. Listen to the way Dr. Cat Meyer explains how even eating blueberries, drinking tea, or applying lotion can be a transitional moment rooted in sensuality that creates the mood and energy for emotion-filled, dripping wet sex. 

Today on Higher Sex: 

• Understanding the difference between sensuality and sexuality 
• How to make sensuality more accessible to you 
• Recognizing the power of transitional moments 
• How emotions amplify orgasmic potential 
• Embracing the power of community

Resources: 

• https://bliss-therapy.org

Connect with Dr. Cat Meyer 

• Instagram: @sexloveyoga
• Podcasts: Eat.Play.Sex. | Erotically Wasted 
• Website: http://catmeyer.com/
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This show is produced by Soulfire Productions

Did you know that a key foundation to intimacy is the quality of your communication? The problem is, your partner is not a mind-reader so you have to not only understand your own sexuality and desires but then know how to communicate those to your partner or partners. Don’t worry, your two favorite sexologists, Kelly and Jo are here to spill all the secrets, tips and tricks. Hit play and let’s get intimate. 

Today on Higher Sex:

• Why communication is essential for great sex 
• Why scheduling time for physical and emotional intimacy is important  
• How to understand and navigate rejection  
• Better understanding you own sexuality 

Resources: 

• https://bliss-therapy.org
• Work with Jo Flannery

This show is produced by Soulfire Productions

Don’t be another couple that waits too long to get into therapy. Tammy Benwell is a colleague of Kelly’s at Bliss Counseling in Waterloo, where she specializes in individual and relationship therapy, sex therapy, and a master's level of social work. Tammy explains the benefits of starting couple’s therapy sooner than you may think. She has a beautiful way of articulating why you may be feeling unheard, pushed aside, or unaroused in your relationship. And even if you are that couple who “never fights,” you’ll want to listen to this one because there is a massive invitation of growth here for you too! 

Today on Higher Sex:

• The benefits to starting couple’s therapy before the relationship crisis 
• Common communication challenges and traps that couples find themselves in 
• How to better voice opinions with your partner(s)
• Fun and creative ways to nurture and prioritize your relationship 

Resources: 

• https://bliss-therapy.org
• Work with Tammy Benwell

This show is produced by Soulfire Productions

Are you still navigating seasons of desire discrepancy and feeling lost out at sea? If so, today’s episode is for you. Kelly brought Jo Flannery, the desire discrepancy expert, and sexologist, back to the show for a steamy, playful and informative conversation. They discuss three different ways to engage in sex, how to cultivate desire, and more! 

Today on Higher Sex:

•  Three different ways to engage in sex 
•  The importance of context when cultivating desire  
•  Ways mental and physical health play a role in your sex life 
•  How to have “vacation sex” anywhere

Resources: 

• https://bliss-therapy.org
• Work with Jo Flannery

This show is produced by Soulfire Productions

Do you have a mindfulness practice? If not, you will want to create one after listening to this episode. Kelly has sex therapist, Lindsay Kenna on today. She believes in the power of bringing mindfulness to the bedroom and has tons of great tips for you in today’s show. 

Today on Higher Sex:

• The importance of getting clear on what sex means for you 
• Exploring sex beyond penetration 
• Suggestions for improving communication, comfort, and pleasure around sex
• Establishing a mindfulness practice for life and how it helps in the bedroom

Resources: 

• https://bliss-therapy.org
• Connect with Lindsay: @sessionswithlinz
• Work with Lindsay

This show is produced by Soulfire Productions

So you are looking to learn more about kink, pleasure, and sexploration huh? Well, you came to the right place. Kelly and her steamy guest, Luna Matatas will tell you all you need to know in this episode of Higher Sex. Luna is a sex and pleasure educator with over 10 years of experience in sexual health and wellness internationally and locally. She creates a down-to-earth, safe, non-judgemental space that promotes sexual curiosity and exploration with erotic imagination. No topic is off-limits for these two so what are you waiting for? Hit play! 

Today on Higher Sex: 

• How to share your sexual fantasies with your partner
• The power of curiosity and sexploration 
• Viewing masturbation for self-care and sexual wellness 
• Using ritual and kink to spice up your sex life
• Deep dive into ass worship through butt stuff

Resources: 

• https://bliss-therapy.org
• Connect with Luna: https://lunamatatas.com/

This show is produced by Soulfire Productions

Are you sensing a bit of desire discrepancy in your sex life? Kelly and her guest, Jo Flannery, are here to normalize this. In this episode, they discuss how to navigate desire discrepancy and rejection, the importance of knowing your own body, and embracing self-pleasure. Jo Flannery is a sex therapist specializing in desire discrepancy at Bliss Chicago Psychotherapy in Illinois. 

Today on Higher Sex:

• Normalizing sexual desire discrepancy in relationships
• The natural progression of spontaneous, sexual, and responsive desire 
• The importance of understanding your sexual accelerators and brakes
• How to navigate rejection 
• The importance of maintenance sex

Resources: 

• https://bliss-therapy.org
• Sign up for Jo + Kelly’s May Cause Desire Workshop
• Work with Jo Flannery

This show is produced by Soulfire Productions