Pleasure Project: Sex and Relationships

How much do women really know about their own sexual health? From painful sex and changing orgasms to menopause and hormonal shifts, women experience significant changes in their bodies throughout their lives. Yet many are left wondering what's normal, what's treatable, and why no one ever told them what to expect.Dr. Jenn Kennedy sits down with board-certified OB/GYN and menopause specialist Dr. Maria Sophocles, author of The Bedroom Gap, for a candid, eye-opening conversation about the medical realities of women's sexual health—and the information too often missing from the conversation.Together, they explore endometriosis, hysterectomy, menopause, painful sex, pelvic-floor dysfunction, changes in orgasm, medications, clitoral adhesions, vaginal dryness, and hormone therapy—and why women are so often left navigating these issues without adequate guidance.They also challenge some deeply ingrained assumptions about sex itself. Why is penetration treated as the ultimate goal? Why do women assume something is wrong when their orgasms change? And why aren't doctors routinely asking about sexual health?Consider this the adult sex education you probably never got.Connect with Dr. Maria:Website: https://mariasophoclesmd.comConnect with Dr. Jenn:Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@drjennkennedy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pleasure Project⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Riviera Therapy⁠

What is your therapist actually thinking during that first session? In this behind-the-scenes episode, Dr. Jenn takes you onto the couch and into the therapist’s chair to reveal what’s happening beneath the surface when a new couple walks into her office. From where partners choose to sit to how they tell their story, every interaction offers clues about their relationship, communication style, and readiness for change.Dr. Jenn shares the subtle observations, split-second decisions, and clinical instincts that guide the first session—including how therapists assess trust, safety, emotional regulation, relationship dynamics, and the delicate balance between support and accountability.You’ll learn:What therapists notice before a couple says a wordWhy body language can be as important as the story itselfHow therapists adapt their style to different clientsWhat makes building rapport happen so quickly—or notWhy couples often wait years before seeking helpThe challenge of staying connected to both partners equallyHow therapists balance empathy, accountability, humor, and hopeIf you've ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of couples therapy, this episode offers an honest look at the art, psychology, and human connection that shape the therapeutic process. Connect with Dr. Jenn:Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@drjennkennedy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pleasure Project⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Riviera Therapy⁠

What happens to intimacy after prostate cancer treatment—and why are so many men and couples unprepared for the changes?Dr. Jenn Kennedy sits down with Victoria Cullen, founder of A Touchy Subject and creator of The Hub, to talk candidly about sexual recovery after prostate cancer. They explore erectile changes, orgasm, penile rehabilitation, grief, masculinity, performance anxiety, and the emotional impact of suddenly feeling like you're living in a different body.But this conversation isn't only about what can be lost. It's also about what can be rediscovered.Victoria shares why sexual recovery requires more than simply waiting for erections to return, how partners can approach recovery as a team, and why expanding the definition of sex can lead some couples to experience more pleasure and connection than they had before treatment.They also unpack common myths—including the idea that sex is over after prostate cancer or that erections that don't return quickly never will—and discuss practical ways to support recovery before and after treatment.Whether you're navigating prostate cancer yourself, supporting a partner, or simply want to better understand sexual health after cancer, this episode offers information, hope, and a powerful reminder: your body is still capable of pleasure.Connect with Victoria:Website: www.atouchysubject.com & The HubConnect with Dr. Jenn:Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@drjennkennedy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pleasure Project⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Riviera Therapy⁠

This conversation with sex therapist Jessa Zimmerman goes deeper into one of the most misunderstood tools in couples’ sexuality: the Yes / No / Maybe list.Dr. Jenn and Jessa unpack how this exercise can expand desire without pressure, clarify boundaries, and help partners talk about fantasy versus lived experience, without shame or performance. You’ll learn why wanting to imagine something is different from wanting to do it, how to stay regulated during vulnerable conversations, and how curiosity builds erotic confidence over time.Perfect for couples navigating desire discrepancies, rebuilding erotic trust, or wanting a safer way to explore what turns them on, and what doesn’t.✨ Best paired with: Low Desire Partner w/ Jessa Zimmerman | Szn. 3 Ep. 9Reach Jessa at:⁠https://www.intimacywithease.com⁠Instagram: @intimacywitheaseConnect with Dr. Jenn:Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@drjennkennedy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pleasure Project⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Riviera Therapy⁠

Dating in midlife can feel like a completely different world—especially if the last time you were single, dating apps didn’t even exist.Dr. Jenn Kennedy sits down with Alyssa Dineen, founder of Style My Profile, to talk about how to navigate modern dating with more confidence, authenticity, and a lot less burnout.They unpack the dating profile mistakes that may be working against you, why old or overly curated photos can sabotage connection, and why chemistry doesn’t always happen on the first date. Alyssa also challenges some of the assumptions women over 50 hear about dating, including the idea that men their age are only interested in younger women.They also explore dating after divorce, how to stop seeking validation from potential partners, when to take a break from the apps, and why the better question after a date may not be “Did they like me?” but “How did I feel with them?”In this episode:• The biggest dating app mistakes people make in midlife• What makes a strong—and authentic—dating profile• Why messaging chemistry can create a false sense of connection• Why attraction may take several dates to develop• Dating from self-worth instead of seeking validation• What actually makes someone attractive in midlife• How to recognize dating app burnout• When vulnerability becomes oversharing• Why consistency and open-mindedness matter when dating onlineIf dating has started to feel more like a second job than a path toward connection, this conversation offers a more grounded way to approach it.Reach Alyssa At:Instagram: @stylemyprofilenycWebsite: stylemyprofilenyc.comConnect with Dr. Jenn:Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@drjennkennedy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pleasure Project⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Riviera Therapy⁠

Resentment rarely begins with one dramatic betrayal. More often, it builds quietly through unmet needs, unspoken expectations, unresolved conflict, and the small disappointments we convince ourselves aren't worth mentioning.In this solo episode, Dr. Jenn Kennedy explores why resentment is one of the biggest threats to emotional and physical intimacy. She explains how it develops over time, the subtle signs it's taking hold, and why avoiding difficult conversations often creates more distance than the conflict itself.You'll learn:Why resentment is a "slow leak" in relationshipsThe most common causes of resentmentHow to recognize the warning signs before they damage your connectionWhy keeping score erodes intimacyPractical strategies for communicating needs and repairing conflict earlierWhether you're feeling disconnected from your partner or simply want to strengthen your relationship before resentment takes root, this episode offers practical tools to help you create more honesty, trust, and lasting connection.If this episode resonates with you, be sure to follow Pleasure Project: Sex and Relationships, leave a review, and share it with someone who could benefit from the conversation.

Ever wondered what actually happens at play parties? In this spicy follow-up, Dr. Jenn welcomes back gerontologist & domme Dr. Nicole Marcione for a candid, myth-busting conversation about sex parties, consent culture, voyeurism vs. participation, what to wear (and what to bring home), and how curiosity, not pressure, guides the experience.This is an unfiltered, educational deep dive into pleasure, boundaries, aging bodies, and why your yes can always become a no. Perfect if you’re intrigued, nervous, or just wildly curious.✨ Best paired with: ⁠Untying Ourselves w/ Dr. Nicole Marcione | Szn 4 Ep 2⁠Reach Dr. Nicole at:⁠⁠https://www.integrativeaging.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.integrativeaging.com/mini-workbook⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.integrativeaging.com/InfluenceDomme⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drnicolemarcione/⁠Connect with Dr. Jenn:Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@drjennkennedy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pleasure Project⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Riviera Therapy⁠

Most of us spend years learning math, science, and history—but nobody teaches us how to be in a relationship. Yet, we're expected to communicate effectively: navigate conflict, set boundaries, express our needs, repair hurts, and stay emotionally connected.In this episode, Dr. Jenn breaks down the relationship skills that many of us never learned growing up—and why the struggles you're experiencing may have less to do with compatibility and more to do with skill building.You'll learn:The difference between chemistry and relationship skillsWhy conflict is normal (and how to handle it better)How emotional regulation impacts communicationThe role of boundaries in healthy relationshipsWhy resentment often signals an unmet needHow repair conversations strengthen trust and intimacyThe power of curiosity, validation, and direct communicationWhether you're dating, partnered, or reflecting on past relationships, this episode offers practical tools to help you create deeper connection and healthier communication.Because lasting relationships aren't built by perfect people—they're built by people willing to learn, practice, repair, and keep showing up.Connect with Dr. Jenn:Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@drjennkennedy⁠⁠⁠Website:⁠⁠⁠ Pleasure Project⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠Riviera Therapy⁠

Men are Paying to Increase Their GoodsMale enhancement is one of those topics people are curious about but rarely discuss openly. Yet as conversations around men's health, hormone optimization, longevity, and body image continue to grow, more men are asking questions about confidence, appearance, and sexual wellness.In this week's episode of Pleasure Project, Dr. Jenn sits down with anesthesiologist and co-founder of the Upsize Clinic, Dr. Joel Pash, to explore the rapidly growing world of male enhancement. Together, they discuss what is actually driving demand, the emotional and psychological factors behind these decisions, and the myths that many men carry about their bodies.The conversation goes far beyond procedures. You'll hear about the impact of pornography and comparison culture, the connection between body image and sexual confidence, why many men underestimate what's considered "normal," and the importance of making informed decisions in an increasingly unregulated marketplace.Whether you're curious about the topic yourself or simply interested in understanding the pressures men face around sexuality and self-image, this episode offers a thoughtful and surprisingly candid look at a conversation that is happening more often than most people realize.Connect with Dr. Pash:WebsiteTwitterInstagramTikTokYouTubeConnect with Dr. Jenn:Instagram: ⁠⁠@drjennkennedy⁠⁠Website:⁠⁠ Pleasure Project⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠Riviera Therapy⁠#PleasureProjectPodcast #DrJennKennedy #MaleEnhancement #MensHealth #MensSexualHealth #SexualConfidence #BodyImage #MensMentalHealth #Masculinity #SexualWellness #RelationshipPodcast #SexPodcast #SexTherapist #SexEducation #HealthyMasculinity #MensBodyImage #Confidence #SelfEsteem #Intimacy #Relationships #HumanSexuality #SexPositive #PornCulture #ModernDating #MentalHealthAwareness #Longevity #HormoneHealth #MidlifeMen #PodcastRecommendations #NewPodcastEpisode

The invisible labor no one talks about? It might be the thing killing your desire.In this episode, Dr. Jenn Kennedy dives into the mental load so many people carry in relationships—the nonstop planning, anticipating, organizing, remembering, and emotional caretaking that quietly drains energy, connection, and eroticism. From managing schedules and groceries to carrying the emotional responsibility for the entire household, this invisible labor can leave people feeling exhausted, resentful, and disconnected from pleasure.Dr. Jenn explores:Why mental overload impacts libido and desireThe hidden resentment that builds in partnershipsHow “manager mode” blocks playful, erotic energyWhy simply saying “help me more” often backfiresThe connection between perfectionism, control, and burnoutHow to shift from project manager back into partnerWays couples can create more spaciousness, collaboration, and intimacyThis episode is especially for anyone who feels like they’re carrying the relationship logistics, family planning, emotional labor, or invisible responsibilities—and wondering why desire feels so far away lately.Because your libido may not be broken. It may just be overloaded.✨ Plus: Dr. Jenn shares details about her self-paced course designed to help women better understand their desire, pleasure, and erotic blueprint.If this episode resonated, share it with someone who needs to hear it—and don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast to help more people find these conversations.Connect with Dr. Jenn:Instagram: ⁠@drjennkennedy⁠Website:⁠ Pleasure Project⁠Website: ⁠Riviera Therapy⁠#MentalLoad #Relationships #Desire #EmotionalLabor #CouplesTherapy #WomensDesire #SexTherapy #PleasureProject #MidlifeWomen #Intimacy #RelationshipAdvice #DrJennKennedy