Podcast

What do you imagine when you hear the word celibacy? A monk taking a vow of chastity? Someone denying themselves pleasure? Do you imagine someone saving themselves for marriage or God? Do you think that if you go too long without penetrative sex, you’ll grow cobwebs? Do you consider celibacy the absence of all orgasms - including masturbation? Have you ever gone through a period of self-imposed celibacy? For our season three finale, Liz dives deep into the topic of Celibacy with the help of some friends and guests from this season.

This special episode pays homage to rock’n’roll of the 60s and 70s with legends Bebe Buell and Pamela Des Barres. Pamela and Bebe are icons who have written groundbreaking, NY Times bestselling memoirs about their wild times loving, and leaving, some of the biggest rock stars of our time. This week, Liz talks to Pamela and Bebe about the free-love innocence of days gone by for this special episodeon sex, drugs and rock’n’roll!

Harvey Guillén is a GLAAD award-winning actor and producer who currently stars as Guillermo on the FX TV show, What We Do In The Shadows. Harvey joined Liz to discuss pansexual vampires; fatphobia in the LGBTQ community; sneaking into the 18+ section of Circus of Books as a teenager; and what his dream Hollywood project is.

Justin Simien is the creator of the incredible film and Netflix series Dear White People, which is now in its third season, and the upcoming film Bad Hair. Liz spoke to this renaissance man about queer black cinema; being the target of alt-right trolls; how he learned to market films before he made one; Buddhism; Carl Jung, Terence Nance and more.

Ramy Youssef is the Golden Globe-winning creator and star of Ramy on Hulu, which debuts its second season on May 29th. Liz spoke with Ramy about faith and sex; observing Ramadan during quarantine; the differences between his fictional and real self; filling the void with emotional eating and porn; and how to find the middle ground between earthly desires and the divine.

Dr. Kate Lister is a historian and author of A Curious History of Sex, a new book that covers her years of research into the history of sex and sexuality. She is also the brains behind the popular website and twitter account, Whores of Yore. In this week’s episode, Kate and Liz discuss their favorite historical slang; masturbating medieval gargoyles; and how the Victorians used bicycles to get off.

Mykki Blanco is an internationally renowned performance artist, LGBTQ activist, and musician who’s worked with the likes of Bjork, Kanye West, Madonna, Kathleen Hanna, Major Lazer and more. Liz sat down with Mykki in Milan in February shortly before the COVID-19 outbreak to chat about how transitioning has changed their sex life; sending letters to their heroes; being HIV positive and touring in the Middle East.

Riley Reid is an adult award-winning superstar whose videos have been viewed over a billion times on PornHub. In this week’s episode, Riley and Liz talk about being the CEO of a porn brand with major millennial appeal; how YouTube is giving her a crossover fan base; porn and safe sex in the time of COVID-19; why she likes “vanilla” sex off camera and what she is learning about intimacy.

Joel is a hilarious and talented comedian, and writer that has been on Conan, Netflix, and Comedy Central. In this episode, Liz and Joel talk about sexual stereotypes; growing up in an Evangelical household; his thoughts on the fertility industry as an adopted child; his leaked nudes; and the Jane Austen anal sex joke that he has tattooed on his body.

Ana de la Reguera is an actress, producer and activist. Liz talked to Ana about her new semi-autobiographical TV show, ANA, which she created, wrote, produced and stars in; her experiences in the telenovela world; why you need to find someone who’s got check, chic and shock; and how she’s coming of age sexually in her 40s.

Peggy Orenstein is the author of the groundbreaking NY Times bestseller Girls & Sex, and its followup, Boys & Sex. Her byline has appeared in the NY Times, The Atlantic, Washington Post and more. Liz talked to Peggy about “feminist fuckboys”; teaching boys to embrace their vulnerability and process complex emotions; why hookup culture isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, regardless of gender; and what we can do to raise boys away from the shadow of toxic masculinity.

Liz spoke to Dr. Joycelyn Elders, former US Surgeon General about being the Condom Queen of Washington, DC; entering the White House shortly after the Anita Hill trial; growing up in Dust Bowl-era Arkansas; the potential benefits to passing out vibrators in nursing homes; and why she’s optimistic about the future of sex education.

An exclusive episode of the podcast featuring Alessandro Michele, Gucci’s Creative Director. Liz met Alessandro in Milan to talk about his erotic relationship to nature; why Rome is his mistress; moving beyond confining modes of masculinity; his passion for dressing like a 1950s granny and how he channels orgasmic energy every day.

What does sex, love, intimacy and consciousness look like in the digital age? For the Season 2 finale, Liz talks to three experts about where sex and artificial intelligence intersect, and where we’re going: Gray Scott, a techno-philosopher; Stephanie Dinkins, a visual artist interacting with AI as part of a revolutionary ongoing project; and Bruce Duncan, the managing director of the innovative and mysterious Terasem Movement Foundation.

This week’s guests are Nick Kroll and Andrew Goldberg, who are life-long friends as well as co-creators and writers of the hilarious, Emmy nominated animated Netflix series, Big Mouth, Season 3 of which premieres October 4th. Liz, Nick and Andrew discussed writing comedy about the awkward stages of puberty; Hormone Monsters; enthusiastic consent; andhow to be a woke man in the 21st century.

Joey Soloway is the creator, writer, and director of the groundbreaking Amazon series TRANSparent, I Love Dick, and more. Liz and Joey talked about Hollywood power dynamics, the importance of being awkward; navigating their own #MeToo moment on set - and, of course, toppling the patriarchy.

*In June of 2020, Soloway announced a preference to be referred to as Joey rather than Jill.*

This week’s guest is Alice Little—likely the top earning legal sex worker in America, where she isthe #1 luxury companion at the Moonlite Bunny Ranch in Nevada. Alice holds degrees in psychology, sociology, physiology, and anatomy and is an advocate for legalized sex work and education. Alice and Liz talk about the logistics of legalized sex work, from licenses to law enforcement; the cornucopia of services she offers and clients she sees, and why we need to take down the whorearchy. Liz also asked her for tips on some of the most requested topics from the Sex Ed community!

This week’s podcast guest Lykke Li is a singer, songwriter, mother and co-owner of Yola Mezcal. She has been on tour supporting her record SO SAD SO SEXY and follow-up EP, STILL SAD STILL SEXY, which came out in 2018 and 2019. Lykke and Liz talk about creating art from pain; motherhood in the music business; why she’s over music festivals and how her personal definitions of love have evolved.

On the podcast this week is Rebecca Sugar-animator, writer, musician and creator of the groundbreaking animated series Steven Universe. Rebecca is the first non-male in Cartoon Network history to create their own series, which featured the first ever engagement and wedding between same-sex characters. In this episode, Rebecca and Liz discuss the importance of making wholesome LGBTQ+ content; their role in educating children—and their parents—via entertainment; the censorship an internationally syndicated animated kid’s show faces, and the upcoming Steven Universe: The Movie, out September 2.

This week’s podcast features activist and journalist Ashlee Marie Preston. Ashlee is the first openly trans person to run for state office in California, as well as the first trans person to become editor-in-chief of a nationwide publication. Ashlee and Liz talk about how tattoos have been a source of empowerment for her; life as a survival sex worker; abstinence and how transitioning, by its very definition, doesn’t follow a linear path.

This week’s podcast guest is Carrie Goldberg— victim’s rights attorney and founder of C.A. Goldberg; a cutting edge law firm that helps victims fight pervs, assholes, psychos and trolls. Carrie details how her own experience with a vengeful ex changed the course of her career; why the internet is outpacing law enforcement; what to do if you are being harassed online and her new book, Nobody’s Victim, which is out now!

This week’s podcast guest is Dr. Rachael Ross, sexologist, family physician, mother and founder of the Dr. Rachael Institute where she certifies other sexologists. Dr. Rachael and Liz chat about the importance of age appropriate sex education, giving kids ownership over their bodies, getting back to the pleasure potential of sex, and how labels can confine us. Dr. Rachael also answered some questions submitted by our Sex Ed community!

This week’s podcast features Asa Akira—legendary porn star, podcaster, author, PornHub ambassador—and a new mom. Asa and Liz talk about her pregnancy and postpartum experiences and how they affected her sex drive; what it means to be a MILF; and how she’s navigating and winning the shifting landscape of the adult biz.

This week’s guest is Alia Shawkat. Alia is an actress, producer, writer and artist. Among her many credits are starring roles on Arrested Development and Search Party. She also wrote, produced and starred in 2018’s modern erotic love story, Duck Butter. Liz and Alia talked about navigating coming-of-age in Hollywood; her upbringing as a child of a strip-club owner; and how she is invested in changing depictions of sexuality on screen.

Our guest this week is Dr. Linda Mona, a highly honored clinical psychologist specializing in patients with chronic health conditions and disabilities. Dr. Mona works as a consultant to healthcare service providers, in addition to her private practice, where she focuses on the importance of sexual health as a means of improving overall quality of life. Dr. Mona and Liz talk about digital dating with a disability; her favorite sex toy recommendations and how a disability can in fact make you MORE creative in the bedroom.

This week’s guest is Imani Gandy, lawyer, senior legal analyst for Rewire Dot News and co-host of their Boom! Lawyered podcast. Imani is a self-described recovering attorney who founded and writes the award-winning blog Angry Black Lady Chronicles. Imani and Liz discuss the capitalistic history of abortion laws in the United States going back to the 1850s; the nuances of how our government can and does legislate abortion, and actionable ways we can support others as reproductive justice becomes increasingly restrictive.

Today, our guest is Liz’s brother, Tony Goldwyn. Tony is an actor, director, producer and activist, most notably known for playing The United States President Fitzgerald Grant on ABC’s SCANDAL for 7 seasons. Tony and Liz discuss male privilege; their father’s sometimes “tough love” advice; appearing nude onstage and on screen; what it was like to become a sex symbol at 50 and how intimacy evolves with age.

This week, our guest is Rabbi Denise Eger, who leads Congregation Kol Ami in West Hollywood. Rabbi Eger is one of the first lesbian Rabbis to work openly in the United States, and was the first queer President of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, which is the largest organization of Rabbis in the world. Rabbi Eger gives a blessing before a conversation about sex and spirituality; the myth of Lilith; ordaining California’s first legal lesbian wedding and how she is leading her congregation to evolve past the gender binary.

A practitioner of BDSM, Mistress Velvet often made their straight, white male clients read and write essays about Black feminist theory. In 2019, Liz spoke with Mistress Velvet about the “whorearchy,” their post-work self care routine, why sex workers are being excluded from traditional sex ed, and how their academic studies have overlapped with their professional life.

This week’s guest is legendary fashion designer Jeremy Scott, who’s the creative force behind his own label, Jeremy Scott; has an ongoing collaboration with Adidas; and is the creative director of Moschino. Old friends Liz and Jeremy talk about letting his fashion freak flag fly as a teenager in Missouri; “making it” in Paris as a designer; and how gender identity and dress codes have been revolutionized over the last decade.

Today, our guest is Barbara Carrellas, the founder of Urban Tantra, an approach to conscious sexuality that adapts and blends a wide variety of sacred sexuality practices from Tantra to BDSM. Barbara and Liz talk about conscious kink; that one time she had an energy orgasm in a tree; how Tantra can prepare you for death; and so much more.

This week, our guest is Midori, legendary sex educator, author and artist. Midori wrote the classic rope bible, The Seductive Art of Japanese Bondage— the first English-language book on shibari. Liz and Midori cover bondage’s roots in warfare, incarceration and slavery as well as why, when tying up a lover for the first time, it’s important to maintain eye contact.

Our guest for this episode is Natasha Lyonne—actress, director, producer, writer and renaissance woman, whose most recent brainchild is the Netflix series Russian Doll. Longtime friends Natasha and Liz talk about the power dynamics of appearing nude on screen; their shared fascination with women like Mae West and Alla Nazimova; sexual appetite; and why the brain is a major turn-on.

Our guest for this episode is Sahar Pirzada, a social worker, organizer and educator. In this episode, Sahar and Liz talk about their own experiences of Islamophobia in the reproductive health care system; how to meet people where they’re at with sex education needs; and why faith and sexuality are not mutually exclusive.

We’re kicking off Season 2 of The Sex Ed Podcast fabulously with Violet Chachki, — iconic drag queen, aerialist and burlesque performer. Violet is the winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 7 and a showgirl who tours the world. On this episode, Violet and Liz discuss Catholic school uniforms, breaking Drag Race taboos, being a fashion icon and so much more.

No one person is an expert in love. So, for our season finale, Liz asked 50 strangers about LOVE: What is love? Does love hurt? Is love scary? Have you been in love? Their answers reflected a diversity of experiences and perceptions from young, old, single, happily partnered, divorced, polyamorous and currently heartbroken people. From fears of dying alone and being eaten by cats, to a couple that have been together 47 years— this episode covers it all. Visit www.thesexed.com to stay up to date on Season 2!

Betony Vernon is a sexual anthropologist, mistress of the ropes, the author of The Boudoir Bible: The Uninhibited Sex Guide for Today, and the designer behind Jewel Tools—a line of haute couture erotic jewelry. In this episode, Liz and Betony discuss the time Betony professionally tied Liz up (!) as well as digital dating and how bondage can be a healing tool for trauma. Learn more at BetonyVernon.com. You can also see a video of a talk we had in London with MatchesFashion on TheSexEd.com.

Dr. Wendy Cherry is a Sex Therapist and Executive Director and co-founder of the American Association of Couples and Sex Therapists (AACAST.) Dr. Cherry is also Co-Director of UCLA’s AACAST’s programming, for Medical residents, undergrads, licensed and practicing sex therapists. On this episode, Liz and Wendy cover what sex therapy is and how it works, how we can overcome internalized erotic shame, and how to break the ice to your partner when you want to address an issue in the bedroom.

Erica Chidi is a doula, author and co-founder of LOOM— a center in Los Angeles that provides empowered education from periods to parenting. She has guided thousands of people in their transition from pregnancy to parenthood in her practice and through her book, Nurture: A Modern Guide to Pregnancy, Birth and Early Motherhood. Erica and Liz discuss doula care for patients through birth and abortion, how pregnancy effects sex drive and why there’s no such thing as the “best way” to give birth.

Paul Fishbein founded AVN Media Network, the adult film industry’s leading trade publication, and the annual AVN Convention and Awards Show in Las Vegas, otherwise known as the “Oscars of Porn.” Now Paul is producer of the Showtime Series “Submission” and “Sex With Sunny Megatron,” amongst others. In this episode Liz and Paul discuss how a college kid with no knowledge of porn ending up founding the industry giant, how he’s transitioned to making Hollywood product and why he considers himself a feminist.

Sunny Rodgers is a clinical sexologist, certified sex coach, sex educator, ordained minister, and, among many, many other things— a regular contributor to TheSexEd.com. In this episode, Liz and Sunny cover everything from non-gendered sex toys, to prostate pleasure to the healing power of sex.

Diana Winston is the Director of Mindfulness Education at UCLA's Mindful Awareness Research Center, aka “MARC.” MARC's mission is to foster mindful awareness across the lifespan of humanity to promote well-being and a more compassionate society. In this episode, Liz and Diana discuss what exactly mindfulness is, practical ways to integrate it in your daily routine, how to have more conscious sex, and— she leads Liz in a guided meditation which you can follow along.

Dita Von Teese is known as The Queen of Burlesque. She re-popularized the art form in the 90s and remains its most well-known performer. She is also an author, model and designer. In this episode, real life bosom buddies Liz and Dita chat about the first time she discovered kink, how working strip clubs can prepare you for the real world and the unbridled joy of taking a pie to the face. Follow Dita @DitaVonTeese. To see more Dita, visit TheSexEd.com for a talk we had at The Hammer Museum in Los Angeles.

Karina Longworth is the creator of You Must Remember This, a podcast about the secrets and forgotten histories of early Hollywood and the author of the book, Seduction: Sex, Lies and Stardom in Howard Hughes’s Hollywood. Liz catches up with Karina during her book tour to discuss sex on the silver screen in cinema’s golden age and the long history of Hollywood’s boys club.

Carrie Wambach, M.D. is a board certified OB GYN with a speciality in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. At her private practice in Los Angeles, Dr. Wambach helps patients with fertility plans, egg freezing and hormone imbalances, as well as treating recurrent miscarriage and premature ovarian failure. In this episode Dr. Wambach and Liz discuss infertility, surrogacy and why there is such overwhelming cultural pressure to conceive.

Lexington Steele is one of the most well-known male adult film stars in the world. Lex is a hall of fame porn-star with three AVN Performer of the Year Awards—basically the Best Actor Oscar for porn—and he’s still going strong today, two decades into his career.

Gwen McClendon is a minister at Shabach Christian Fellowship Church in Los Angeles. She has also been a sex educator since 1969. With over 50 years of experience speaking to teenagers about sexuality, both in the public school system and as a Youth Pastor, Gwen understands first hand why abstinence only education doesn’t work. In this interview Gwen and Liz have a nuanced conversation about sex, love and God, as well as teenage hormones and the church’s responsibilities when it comes to sex education.

Nina Hartley is a world-famous adult film actress, director, author, and educator. She first achieved mainstream recognition in the 80s and 90s for promoting sex-positive feminism. In this interview, we discuss Nina’s early training as a Registered Nurse, feminism in the 1970s, and sex as an artistic medium. You can find Nina at her website, nina.live and follow her on Twitter where she’s @ninaland. Watch a video here of a talk we had at the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles.

Dr. Joshua Gonzalez, MD, is a urologist specializing in Sexual Medicine. He has devoted his career to studying and treating sexual dysfunction, with a special concentration on LGBTQ+ issues. On this episode we discuss erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, birth control side effects, and a whole host of other medical mysteries that don’t get discussed enough in polite company.

Lou Paget is a certified sex educator who travels the world sharing accurate, practical information with honesty and accessibility. She’s also the bestselling author of 5 books on sexuality. In this episode, she shares her tips for the best cunnilingus and fellatio among other insights into the bedroom.

Catherine was involved in sex work from a very young age, at her family’s direction. Catherine talks about the life of a young sex worker, the sacrifices that she made for her family, and her journey out of alcohol addiction.