Brave Love Great Sex – Couples Therapy Podcast

400: Women's Pleasure Techniques - Our 400th Episode!!

11 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today we are celebrating the 400th episode of Foreplay Sex Therapy Podcast! The idea for the podcast originated after Laurie was told by commercial ra...

399: "Help! I'm Not Attracted to My Spouse Anymore."``

04 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Oof listeners, this is some hard content that we are discussing today! Loss of attraction is often shared as the reason for the ending of a relations...

398: Interview with Dr. Stan Tatkin

28 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What's better than two relationship experts hosting a podcast? When they invite a guest and now listeners are privy to THREE relationship experts! Jo...

397: Making Time for Open Heart Moments

21 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How often do you check in with your spouse where there is no agenda? We often check-in on logistics and focus on the caretaking needs of the family bu...

396: The 'Ins and Outs' of the Simultaneous Orgasm

14 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We've seen it in the movies and on TV, the sexy, good-looking couple in bed that climax together. The simultaneous orgasm is a goal many couples think...

395: How Women Are Wired

07 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the quest to answer the age old question "What do women want?" have we forgotten to stop and ask how women work? Join George and Laurie today for a...

394: What to do when your partner would rather catch ZZZ's than make fireworks.

30 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

"Not tonight, I'm just too tired." If this phrase has echoed off your bedroom walls then this episode is for you! Life's demands, new baby, chronic i...

393: Good, Good, Good, Good Vibrations

23 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Are you threatened by a vibrator? Maybe it's something you've been thinking about using or only using alone. Vibrators can play an important role in a...

392: How to ask for what you need in a way that increases connection

16 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Everybody in a relationship needs to learn this! Join Laurie and George today as they discuss and teach an integral relationship skill, asking for wha...

391: Finding Common Ground

09 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When our brain is in a threat response our view narrows and we typically only see our side. Relationship research shows that secure couples are able t...

390: Experiencing the BIG O!

02 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Who of our listeners wants a Full Bodied Orgasm? Join Laurie and George in this episode to learn all about the full bodied orgasm. A FBO is one that i...

389: If I Don't Initiate We Would Never Have It!

26 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In Episode #389 Laurie and George discuss common roles in couple's relationships around sex. Are you the partner that initiates or the receptive part...

388: Sex Life a Snoozefest?

19 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Boring is a signal and it's a sign that something needs to change! A complaint about monogamy is that the line between responsibility and desire often...

387: Answering a Listener Question on Sexual Withdrawers

12 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this listener mailbag episode, Laurie and George receive a thoughtful question from a sexual withdrawer, asking help from our hosts. They notice th...

386: Blocks to Sexual Connection

05 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

"Mistrust is part of the change process." We long for things to change, for the negative cycle to shift and for us to achieve closeness and connection...

385: Helping Withdrawers Identify and Express Longing

28 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Can we ever get out of this place, this cycle? The answer is a resounding yes! Stage 1 in EFT works on de-escalating the negative cycle and creating m...

384: The Heart of the Solution

21 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

After the negative cycle is de-escalated, couples have the opportunity to create a new positive cycle. When there is safety to take the risk of expres...

383: If Your Genitals Could Talk

17 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome listeners to another great episode of Foreplay Sex Therapy Podcast! Recently, Laurie read the book, "The Existential Importance of the Penis: ...

382: When the Sexual Withdrawer Re-Engages

07 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome listeners to episode #382 of Foreplay Sex Therapy Podcast! Join Laurie and George in a discussion on re-engagement of the sexual withdrawer. I...

381: Alcohol -- Gas Pedal or Brake?

31 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

"Sometimes popping two gummies on vacation helps us have really great sex!" "I really need that glass of wine to get me in the mood!" "Smelling alcoho...

380: Talking About Sex!

24 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

"If couples can talk more about sex, they end up having better sex." G drops this great quote in this episode. We all have sexual scripts based on wha...

379: Foreplay Listeners Best Sex Tips

17 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Just like in therapy, we learn just as much from our listeners as you learn from us! A few weeks ago, we put out a request on our Instagram feed, @for...

378: Can You Become Addicted to Viagra?

10 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome listeners! This episode centers on using Viagra or other medication to help with erectile dysfunction and if they are addictive. Join George a...

377: Look on the Brightside: Toxic Positivity and its Impact on Your Relationship

03 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Picture this, you walk in from a hard, stressful day at work and finally see your partner--your person. You say to them, "Honey, today was such a hard...

376: Opening Up About Sex and Menopause

24 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

CNN News Anchor Don Lemon recently baffled viewers on air when he said that women of a certain age are past their prime. His female co-hosts, mouth a...

375: How to Navigate Sexual Discrepancy

17 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sexual discrepancies are common in relationships. While they occur to varying degrees, an inability to have safe and secure conversation on this topic...

Introducing: Dear Albie

13 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Allow me to introduce you to Dear Albie, a podcast hosted by Albie Manzo. And with the help of family and friends, he tries to answer old (and new) ad...

374: Celebrate Valentine's Day: Naughty or nice, romance and spice!

10 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Listeners, Valentine's Day is upon us and Laurie and George have compiled a great list of gifts and ideas both romantic and spicy to help you celebrat...

373: De-Escalation of the Negative Sexual Cycle

03 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In EFT couples therapy, De-escalation is the first step in helping couples join against their negative cycle. A couple that is working on de-escalatio...

372: Plight of performance based sex

27 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Performance based sex is problematic for couples. A focus on performance can create anxiety. Sex is being thought about in the head (how long will my ...

371: How to talk about disillusionment in your sexual relationship

19 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Disillusionment, despair, hopelessness. Many couples that find themselves in a sexless marriage experience these heavy emotions. These emotions can tu...

370: Squirting orgasms; myth or the real deal?

13 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Listeners join George and Laurie as they break down exactly what a squirting orgasm is and how it differs from female ejaculation, and the how to’s ...

369: What's Your Policy on Secrets?

06 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Happy New Year listeners! In this episode we are talking about sexual secrets: when to share with your partner and when to withhold. A sexual secret m...

368: The Must-Have Conversation to Improve Your Relationship This New Year!

30 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We can’t help but get swept up in fervor of the New Year energy! Join Laurie and George for a great conversation on how to have a successful year en...

367: What Do We Need?

23 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The negative cycle creates gridlock with couples because it is all about protection. Protection of what? The protection of unmet needs. In this episo...

366: I Feel Jealous and Then I Feel Ashamed

17 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jealousy is difficult to feel. I should trust my partner, I should be more confident. Even I don’t know what to do with my insecurity - it makes me ...

365: How to recover when your attempt to experiment sexually goes wrong.

09 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode Laurie and George respond to a question from a listener asking for their help. Our listener shares that they took a risk to bring some...

364: Do You have an Insecure Attachment to Money?

02 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Beatles said it best when they sang, "Money Can't Buy Me Love," however finances are a top source of conflict between couples and in this episode...

363: The Simple Way to be a Better Listener Today!

28 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Rev is often a word you associate with a car engine, but did you know that REV is the acronym you need to improve your ability to listen to your partn...

362: The Five Dimensions of Touch

18 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, our hosts breakdown the 5 Dimensions of Touch, from an article written by renowned sex therapist Barry McCarthy, PhD. George and Laur...

361: The Six-Month Guide to Fix Premature Ejaculation

11 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Not only are our hosts here to provide good information but to dispel bad information. This week’s episode is all about premature ejaculation: the f...

360: Timing is Everything!

04 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Timing is everything and for many, well most of us, we’ve all experienced poor timing. If you’ve ever been in a relationship, you most likely have...

359: Unravelling Resentment

28 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Prompted by a listener question, Laurie and George discuss resentment in relationships. Resentment is often seen as a relationship killer, but our hos...

358: Helping Withdrawers Name Their Pain in the Sexual Cycle

21 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Attention Couples Therapists, you're going to want to listen to this episode! Laurie and George role play a therapy session to help understand the wor...

357: Staying Connected When it Goes from Hot to Not

14 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Did you know that 10% of sexual encounters with intimate partners go badly? Join Laurie and George for this episode where they discuss strategies part...

356: Wedding Night Sexpectations: The Conversation Every Newlywed Couple Needs To Have Before The Big Day

07 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Here we are at the wedding night. After months, maybe years of planning, the special day is finally here. This episode is about sexpectations on the w...

355: Am I too much? Will I always hunger for this connection?

30 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

"Am I too much? Will I always hunger for this connection?" If these are common questions you've asked yourself while stuck in a negative cycle with yo...

354: What the Sexual Withdrawer Can Do to Heal the Cycle -- Stage 2

23 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We've discussed the negative sexual cycle couples get stuck in and highlight just how important it is to name and tame it. As EFT therapists we know t...

353: What to Say to Your Sexual Pursuer or Sexual Withdrawer to Get to Deeper Connection

16 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We’ve talked about the cycle before and we’re talking about it again. This time we explore what EFT calls Stage 2. Why? because after de-escalatin...

352: Listen to Your Body to Create Change

09 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What is your body communicating? During one of our most essential episodes, Laurie and George discuss the value of bringing attention and awareness in...

351: What Shuts Her Down Sexually?

02 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The million maybe billion-dollar question: how do we increase low sexual desire in women? Laurie and George discuss what is shutting down sexual desir...

350: He Thinks I’m Too Fat for Sex

26 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Listen to a caller who leaves us a message about her husband telling her he thinks she’s too heavy to be attractive. Laurie and George work through ...

349: Women Who Don’t Like Sex

19 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

So many women seem to just give up on sex. Maybe they reach menopause and they’re done with sex. Or maybe well before menopause , she and her partn...

348: Overcoming Critical Body Image Thoughts

13 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In our world with its focus on physical perfection, we all have aspects of our body which we criticize, and even avoid looking at in the mirror. These...

347: Oral Sex -- Do you want it and your partner doesn't?

05 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Oral sex - you like it. You don’t like it. What works. What doesn’t work. Laurie and George talk about it all. They role play a couple who gets st...

346: Sex--Hit or Miss?

29 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes sex is awesome; sometimes not. This episode shows you how to turn up the heat when it's not! Thanks to our sponsors: BetterHelp.com/Forepla...

345: She Needs to Get Ready; He Needs to Get Going

22 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

She needs more foreplay and he doesn’t wanna lose his erection. Women need a slow patter of arousal to reach the best climax. Men when they’re on ...

344: Stop the Toxic Sex Cycle: Blame and Forget

15 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Libido is shared between the couple. The pursuer afraid of being rejected, almost starts every initiation with an edge of criticism. So the sexual mo...

343: The Cycles - What's It All About?

08 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In most of our episodes, we use the emotional and sexual cycles to bring coherence to the issues that plague committed relationships. We wanted to exp...

342: We're Sexless. My Partner Never Wants to Do It Again

01 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

There can be so much disappointment even shame when a couple is in a sexlessness marriage. Couple can tune out and shut down their need for flesh on f...

341: Should You Keep Sex Secrets?

24 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Laurie and George define secrets as issues, fantasies or alliances that block connection. We certainly have a right to privacy and sometimes our priva...

340: Losing Attraction - How to get it back!

17 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

“I’m just not attracted to you anymore.” - OUCH!!!I Sounds like a showstopper doesn’t it? But Laurie and George have hope for you to get it b...

339: How a Man Can Be Sexually Confident

10 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Confidence is essential for a great relationship. But how to you grow in confidence if you've lost it or never had much of it? Confidence is the end r...

338: Details of Sex

03 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Most of us grew up not talking about sex. But the more detailed you get, the more power you can have to change things. Go play-by-play and have more c...

337: Flattery

27 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone wants to feel desired certainly. But the research shows that for women - being desired, hearing their partner's verbal admiration and open "w...

336: How to Talk About Intimate Touch

20 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Touch is vital for intimate communication. We learn so much with touch - pleasure, safety, exploration and curiosity! So often we don’t put it into ...

335: Good-Enough Responding To Stay Sexually Attached

13 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We’re talking about good-enough responding - responding to our partner in ways that keep us connected even when we disappoint them. Think about whe...

334: Spicing Things Up

06 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Wanna spice it up? What have you fantasized about doing? It takes vulnerability to tell each other about ideas for novelty and change. Are you willin...

333: Something Better Than Nothing?

29 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Is it worth it to accept something that your partner wants to give you sexually instead of holding out for what you really want? Is something better t...

332: Laurie invites her girlfriends for a private talk!

22 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Would you just love to go for a walk with Laurie and talk about sex? Well, on this episode, L invites all of her girlfriends out there to talk about a...

331: Q&A Partners Wanting Sex For Themselves

15 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The million dollar question! (for pursuers) how do you get someone to pursue their own pleasure. In our Q&A, Laurie and George see a reader’s point....

330: Six Modes of Sex

08 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

  Lovemaking, maintenance sex, icebreaker sex, the 5-minute window, RED HOT sex, and scheduled sex - all have their merits. Compliments of our frien...

329: Red Light; Green Light, Brain Regulation for Better Sex

01 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Keeping connected is easier when we're in green brain - when our brain says we are safe, cared about and even loved - when we can relax, talk, listen ...

328: Sue Johnson Talks Sex!

24 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

FOREPLAY welcomes Emotionally Focused Therapy, founder Dr. Sue Johnson to talk with us about George's driving and the sexual cycle. We laughed togethe...

327: Withdrawer Vulnerability for the Win-Win

18 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Listen to this emotional episode to to help the withdrawers in your life. Trained to suppress emotions, withdrawers have decided early in life - it's ...

326: World of the Withdrawer

11 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Withdrawers in relationship are steeled against the three waves that come for them... first, they do it wrong for their pursuing partner, next it's th...

325: Getting Pursuer Needs Met

04 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We want to help pursuers get what they need and then take it into their hearts when it finally comes their way. We know there can be mistrust when a w...

324: The World of the Pursuer

25 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This is George and Laurie's love letter to those pursuers out there! We see how hard you work. Male or female, sexual or emotional pursuer. We see you...

323: Fairplay Before Foreplay

18 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

George says the value of my hour is equal to the value of your hour! Laurie says if there are big inequities in responsibility between couples - there...

322: Keeping It Married and Hot!

11 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We promise fidelity in marriage - a promise of an erotic life with our partner. So what gets in the way? Why do people joke that marriage is where sex...

321: Q&A - Can't Orgasm With Intercourse, Partner Rejection, Accepting Herpes

04 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Our Q&A - What happens when you can’t orgasm during intercourse like you used to?  George and Laurie come up with many different ideas about what m...

320: Escape Old Sexual Scripts for More Erotic Freedom - With Dr. James Hawkins

28 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We all have scripts that have been handed down. Our families have told us how we are to behave sexually. Gender roles proscribe the way we should act ...

319: Cracking the Nut - How to Breakthrough the Hard Shell Around Your Partner

21 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Are you tired of having the same fight over and over? Would you like to discuss things without triggering your partner. Can you imagine that underneat...

318: Desire After the Wedding Cake – Is Marriage An Anti-Aphrodisiac?

14 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What happens to sexual desire after marriage? Everything can change! Men are usually sexually consistent throughout the dating process and marriage. ...

317: What Does An Orgasm Feel Like? Tips for Talking About the Big 'O'

07 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What does your orgasm feel like? An orgasm is so powerful – It’s almost indescribable!  In this episode we talk about how to put words to it! An...

316: How and Why to Talk About Our Sexual Past

31 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A person’s sexual history is profoundly revealing. Those who have attempted to discuss sexual histories with their lover know the conversation can ...

315: Closing The Orgasm Gap

24 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Not fair. Women have less orgasms than men; Laurie and George talk about the disturbing stats. Why is this happening? Do men still not know how a woma...

314: Pain Points – How To Heal Attachment Injuries Together

17 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

How do we heal the pain created by reaching for our person and finding they aren’t there? We’ve all experienced hurt and disappointment in relatio...

313: Are You A Good Kisser?

10 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Let’s talk about all things smooches! Types of kissing, “good” and “bad” kissers, what a kiss means to you… Labeling someone as a “good...

312: Forbidden Dark Places – Shame & The Sexual Cycle

03 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Shame and disgust are heavy words that inhabit dark places, but we can't avoid dark places if we want to experience the highs a relationship can provi...

311: All The Feels – Sharing 5 Primary Emotions with Your Partner

26 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Let's talk about five primary emotions: joy, fear, anger, sadness, shame, and disgust – feeling all of them is important, especially with your partn...

310: The 3 Roads of Connection – Is Your Relationship On the Right Path?

19 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Let's use the 3 road analogy to discuss the sexual and emotional cycles: the High, Middle, and Low Roads. Research highlights the importance of naviga...

309: Script For A Sexual Breakthrough!

12 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

EFT (or Emotionally Focused Therapy) walks couples through a de-escalation process, but what sets EFT apart is Stage Two. The second stage of EFT focu...

308: 5 Sexual Initiation Styles – Which Turns You On?

05 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

How do you initiate in the bedroom? ;) George and Laurie explore (and joke!) about 5 different initiator styles: Seduction, Touch, Emotional Connectio...

307: The Yin and Yang of Sexual Energy

29 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Both Yin and Yang are needed for our sex lives to flourish. Where do you fall on the spectrum? Partners in relationships can both be dominant in one t...

306: Body Blocks – Moving Past Your Sensory Turnoffs

22 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Touch, smell, sound, taste, vision... Which senses cause you sexual "blocks?" Perhaps touch feels unnatural, painful, or irritating. Maybe you are sel...

305: "Still Face" In Bed – Rethinking Unresponsiveness

15 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Laurie and George discuss the 'still-face' experiments and how that shows up in the bedroom. Still face – a look on our partner's face that spells...

304: Love and Sex – How They Go Together

08 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Sex and emotions—there’s a delicate balance between the two, an overlap that can’t be ignored. Emotions can enhance sex or inhibit sex, and sex ...

303: Sensual Moves from the Movies – 3 Hollywood Tips

01 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What can we learn from Hollywood about balancing sexual 'yin and yang'? In this episode, we'll focus on sensuality as a pure act of giving, and on the...

302: How to Ask Your Partner for Variety in the Bedroom

24 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Want to explore new moves with your partner, but don't know how to ask? How can Pursuers approach and encourage their Withdrawer partner to open their...