Permission for Pleasure

Cyclical living is the practice of paying attention to your menstrual cycle and adjusting your daily routine to care for yourself accordingly. More and more women are embracing this way of living. Dani Coleman joins me to share her transformative journey with her body and how she goes about daily life with each phase of her cycle. Hear how to pay more attention to each phase of menstruation, and build trust with your body.Find Dani Coleman on InstagramMentioned in this episodeEmbodiment and PleasureReconnecting to yourself and your bodyUntangling Sexual Shame Unlearning body shame and understanding consentPractices for living a more embodied lifePainful periods, Pelvic pain and EndometriosisFeeling at home in your bodyConnecting with our body and nervous systemORDER my Book: Permission for Pleasure: Tending Your Sexual GardenJOIN my Newsletter: Good Education for Good SexFOLLOW on Instagram @cindyscharkeyVISIT my website and blog

Most people have a hard time talking about both sex and grief, but Joan Price isn’t one of them. As an author, speaker and advocate for ageless sexuality, Joan brings her wisdom and experience to this conversation about her book: Sex After Grief. We talk about the reality of grief making pleasure feel inaccessible, the health benefits of masturbation and navigating intimacy with someone new. You’ll also hear about Joan’s sex baskets, and her communication tips for sex at every age and stage of life.Find Joan PriceVisit our episode sponsor Uberlube and use code CINDYMentioned in this episode:Permission to grieveNaked at Our Age: My book reviewCyndi Darnell on Want Better Sex QuestionsHealth benefits of orgasmGuide to LubeWhy vibrators work for women and how to choose oneSelf-Pleasure and Women’s WellnessORDER my Book: Permission for Pleasure: Tending Your Sexual GardenJOIN my Newsletter: Good Education for Good SexFOLLOW on Instagram @cindyscharkeyVISIT my website and blog

Vaginismus isn’t often talked about in mainstream conversation, and it certainly doesn’t show up in romance novels. Drawing from her own health journey, Hayley Fleming dives in head first with her debut novel Thighs Wide Shut. In this episode, you’ll learn more about vaginismus through the author's story, her advice to other women, and how to advocate for yourself. Find Hayley on InstagramMentioned in this episodePain and SexPainful sex and pelvic healthStretched out vaginas and other mythsTips from my pelvic floor physical therapistORDER my Book: Permission for Pleasure: Tending Your Sexual GardenJOIN my Newsletter: Good Education for Good SexFOLLOW on Instagram @cindyscharkeyVISIT my website and blog

Do you have a hidden desire killer happening within your relationship? Researcher Dr. Candice Nicole Hargons is back to discuss one of her latest studies about the consequences of replacing partnering with supervising in a relationship. Hear how caretaking and correcting each other can be the enemies of eroticism, and how to fix it.Find Dr. Candice Nicole HargonsMentioned in this episode Arya use code CS15 How much does frequency matter with Dr. CandiceSelf-pleasure and women’s wellness with Dr. Candice Talking with a partner about sex5 questions every couple should answerSexual communicationCommunication, Couples and SexORDER my Book: Permission for Pleasure: Tending Your Sexual GardenJOIN my Newsletter: Good Education for Good SexFOLLOW on Instagram @cindyscharkeyVISIT my website and blog

Do you experience a dynamic of push-and-pull in your relationship? Or a cycle of one partner pursuing sex and one partner withdrawing? These common scenarios are explained by my guest Laurie Watson, PhD, a leading expert in sexual attachment. She shares how your attachment style affects your sexual relationship, including how to work toward a secure attachment for great sex. As Laurie says, “Great sex isn’t about technique, but about attunement.” Laurie’s Love and Sex QuizBrave Love Great SexMore on these topics:Keeping it hot in long term relationshipsPractices for positive relationshipsSexual communicationWant better sex? Ask yourself these questionsFive questions for couplesWhy don't I want sex as much as my partnerORDER my Book: Permission for Pleasure: Tending Your Sexual GardenJOIN my Newsletter: Good Education for Good SexFOLLOW on Instagram @cindyscharkeyVISIT my website and blog

Many people don’t take ownership of their own pleasure. Whether you don’t feel deserving, feel like it’s a partner’s responsibility, were taught it’s selfish, or just never thought about it in this way - my guest Brooke Bralove wants you to know you deserve pleasure. Join us as we delve into taking ownership of your own pleasure and the steps to get you there.Visit our episode sponsor Uberlube and use discount code CINDYFind Brooke BraloveMentioned in this episode:Mindfulness with Dr. Lori BrottoWhat are you saying with your touch with Dr. Sara NasserzadehEmbracing your desire and sexual agencyThe pleasure crisis and why good sex mattersORDER my Book: Permission for Pleasure: Tending Your Sexual GardenJOIN my Newsletter: Good Education for Good SexFOLLOW on Instagram @cindyscharkeyVISIT my website and blog

In long term relationships it’s easy to fall into a sexual routine. When sex becomes boring, it’s hard to stay interested! Listen in to hear how to create minor risks, introduce an element of unpredictability and generate sexual excitement for an enduring sex life.Mentioned in this episode:Affection and TouchHow Curiosity Fuels DesirePositions with PropsKink CuriousCoital Alignment TechniqueVanilla with a Cherry on TopEmbracing Your DesireKeeping it Hot in Long Term RelationshipsORDER my Book: Permission for Pleasure: Tending Your Sexual GardenJOIN my Newsletter: Good Education for Good SexFOLLOW on Instagram @cindyscharkeyVISIT my website and blog

Women’s pain is often dismissed, especially pelvic pain and painful periods. Mallory Stuparich MD joins me to talk about endometriosis and how to advocate for yourself. We discuss symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options for women suffering from what’s often referred to as the “invisible disease.” Find @MalloryStuparichMD on socialsMentioned in this episode:Tips from my pelvic floor therapistStretched out vaginas and other mythsPelvic health and pelvic painORDER my Book: Permission for Pleasure: Tending Your Sexual GardenJOIN my Newsletter: Good Education for Good SexFOLLOW on Instagram @cindyscharkeyVISIT my website and blog

Pairing clitoral stimulation with penetrative sex is often the route for more pleasure and orgasms for women. In this episode, learn about a technique called Coital Alignment. This is a variation on the missionary position that incorporates pairing and rocking techniques. Mentioned in this episode:Pleasure techniques on the blogPleasure techniques episodeWhat you need to know about the clitorisCliteracyBecoming Cliterate book reviewORDER my Book: Permission for Pleasure: Tending Your Sexual GardenJOIN my Newsletter: Good Education for Good SexFOLLOW on Instagram @cindyscharkeyVISIT my website and blog

Pleasure is good for you! Researcher Dr. Candice Nicole Hargons joins me to discuss the data on the wellness benefits of masturbation. Learn some suprising upsides for your sleep, confidence and stress level with the results of this study on self-pleasure and vibrator use.Learn more about Dr. CandiceMentioned in this episode:Dr. Candice in Season FiveMasturbation with August McLaughlinResearcher Debby Herbenick on the podcast: Rise in rough sexWhy vibrators work for women and how to choose oneCommunity questions: Vibrators, Edging and Anal SexNatural health benefits of orgasmsThe pleasure crisis and why good sex mattersORDER my Book: Permission for Pleasure: Tending Your Sexual GardenJOIN my Newsletter: Good Education for Good SexFOLLOW on Instagram @cindyscharkeyVISIT my website and blog