Life Turned On: Stories of Sexual Self-Discovery in Midlife & Beyond

Learning to Receive Care, Support, and Pleasure  In this final episode of the Receiving series , we explore why receiving is one of the most important—and most uncomfortable—skills in intimacy. Through a personal story of illness and a deeper look at how women are conditioned to give, this conversation reveals why pleasure, desire, and erotic life require something many of us have never practiced:...

In this episode, we explore the kind of wanting many women have been quietly trained out of — not achievement or performance, but honest, embodied desire. The kind that feels vulnerable to admit. We talk about “desire smuggling,” the subtle ways we hide what we want to avoid rejection, and how naming our desires builds self-trust, intimacy, and aliveness — even when the answer is no. Your wanting...

We’re between podcast seasons, but I didn’t want to disappear on you completely, so I’m dropping in with a short mini-series on a theme that keeps surfacing in my life and work: receiving. In this episode, we explore why receiving can feel uncomfortable — even selfish — especially for high-capacity, high-achieving women. If you’re the planner, the emotional anchor, the one everyone relies on, this...

In this special episode, Kayla Moore and Shauna Stewart reflect on the magic and transformation that unfolded at the recent Shed Retreat . They share intimate behind-the-scenes moments, the unexpected breakthroughs, and the profound sense of connection that emerged as a diverse group of women came together to share, heal, and transform. From guided meditations and deep, vulnerable conversations to...

It's the season finale and we're reflecting on what it truly means to shed, not just as an act of personal transformation, but as a collective one. Our sexual self-discovery isn’t isolated; it ripples through our relationships, our communities, and the wider culture. When one of us reconnects with our body and our pleasure, we shift the field between us. Follow us on Instagram @lifeturne...

In this episode, Shauna talks with Ericka Day , founder of Erica Day Rising and co-founder of The Kind Teacher , about the transformative role of psilocybin in healing, motherhood, and shedding old stories. They explore the balance between masculine and feminine energies, vulnerability, and the science behind using psychedelics for personal growth.  Welcome to Season Four. We’re not just talking a...

(CW: Sex trafficking.) In this episode, we talk with coach and trauma-conscious practitioner Joanna Arai  about what it really means to reclaim intimacy with yourself. Joanna shares her path from survival and disconnection to deep embodiment and pleasure, all while never having experienced orgasm. Through vulnerability and self-honesty, she’s cultivated a rich, beautiful sex life rooted in presenc...

 This Kinktober, we’re shedding one of the biggest myths about pleasure — that kink isn’t for “people like us.” Shauna shares her journey from accidentally “coming out” as kinky at a professional dinner to discovering how kink is really about presence, play, and freedom. A story of curiosity, courage, and reclaiming desire — both in intimacy and in life.  Follow us on Instagram @lifeturnedonpodcas...

Shauna and guest Melissa Schafer explore how diet culture fuels body shame, restricts pleasure, and disconnects us from ourselves. Together, they share personal stories and practical wisdom on cultivating food neutrality, body compassion, and a more liberated relationship with our bodies.  Welcome to Season Four. We’re not just talking about shedding—we’re doing it. In our bodies, our breath, our...

Guest Natalie Blair shares her journey through perimenopause, burnout, and disconnection—and how bioidentical hormone therapy reignited her energy, libido, and joy. As an ASSECT-certified sex therapist, she now helps others reclaim their sexuality. Together we explore how intention, authenticity, and connection can transform midlife into a life fully turned on.  You can connect with our guest at @...

In this episode, we're stepping away from our season’s theme of shedding to talk about something burning at the center of my heart right now: erotic leadership. The world feels heavy. Systems are collapsing, crises keep repeating, and it’s easy to go numb. But here’s the thing: when we disconnect from our erotic selves, we disconnect from the very life force that could carry us through. The e...

Shedding isn’t always soft. In this raw conversation, Kate and Ant—together 22 years, married 15—share how infidelity in 2023 became the catalyst for radical honesty, counseling, and ultimately opening their marriage in 2024. We explore the difference between cheating and consensual non-monogamy, the systems that keep them grounded (weekly “CEO chats,” shared accounts, vibe checks, red lines, and...

From ‘good wife’ to fully alive. Jen Kushner spent years trapped in people-pleasing, infertility struggles, and the pressure to play the perfect wife — leaving her feeling basic and boring. Nearing forty, she shed those scripts, reclaimed her sexual magic, and reconnected with the sacred feminine. Now she’s fun, free, and unapologetically herself — teaching empathy in healthcare, performing stand-...

In this Shed episode, Shauna reveals her journey of breaking free from the cultural script that sex exists only for men’s pleasure. She shares how those beliefs shaped her marriage and well-being—and how reclaiming sex for herself unlocked deeper joy and connection. Together, we’ll explore how these stories impact women and men alike, and why rewriting them matters. Plus, Shauna invites you to the...

In this sequel episode, Vanessa Leja, a resilient voice and advocate who has been thriving while living with HIV for more than a decade, opens up about her courageous decision to publicly share her HIV status, the liberation she found in shedding internalized stigma, and the heartening support she received from her community. This episode dives into the transformative power of storytelling, the fr...

From trauma to divine union — in this episode, Aasha T., founder of Beyond EQ International, reveals how she transformed her own pain into a path of power. A leader in embodied feminine leadership and emotional intelligence, Asha shares how she guides high-achieving women to heal, reclaim their voice, and create safe, authentic connections. We explore PTSD recovery, celibacy as a conscious choice,...

What can cuddling with strangers teach you about desire? After divorce, CJ—a sexual empowerment coach and non-monogamy mentor—embarked on a journey of radical self-discovery. It started with platonic touch and led to kink, open relating, and deep personal liberation. In this episode, she and Shauna explore shedding sexual shame, asking for what you want, and reconnecting with your body on your own...

 Shauna sits down with Monica Tanner—relationship coach, host of The Secrets of Happily Ever After podcast, and author of Bad Marriage Advice . Monica opens up about growing up in a sexually open home and marrying into a conservative family, and how that journey shaped her voice, boundaries, and bold truth-telling. Together, they unpack myths about sex in marriage, harmful advice women are given,...

In this soul-baring episode, Shauna shares why she's closing her beloved lingerie boutique to go deeper with coaching, retreats, and courses. Inspired by the theme SHED , she explores what it means to release before burnout, choose alignment over appearance, and create space for a life rooted in connection, freedom, and embodied pleasure. What are you ready to shed? Welcome to Season Four. We...

This season, you're invited to take the conversations of shedding out of your earbuds and into your body at the SHED Retreat. If you're wondering if this is the right place for you, tune into this episode as co-leaders Kayla Moore and Shauna Stewart dive into some of the details. Register for the SHED Retreat A weekend for women ready to release the rules and reclaim what’s real. 👉 SHED...

(CW: Rape.) What if everything you were taught to hide about your body, your desires, and your identity was actually the key to your freedom? In this episode, body- and sex-positive artist and kink educator Tiffany Nickel  shares her powerful journey of shedding the scripts imposed by religion, culture, and shame. From navigating Mormonism and eating disorders to embracing kink and body liberation...

In this episode, we speak with Vanessa, a ten-year HIV thriver who has transformed her diagnosis into a journey of power, advocacy, and deep self-trust.  Vanessa’s story invites us to release old scripts about sex, health, and worth. It’s a conversation about resilience, mutual accountability, and the quiet strength it takes to become your own source of healing. Welcome to Season Four. We’re not j...

In this episode, therapist Kayla Moore unpacks what ‘safer sex’ really means—emotionally and physically. Through personal stories and expert insight, we explore how consent, safety, and pleasure intersect in and beyond long-term relationships.  Welcome to Season Four. We’re not just talking about shedding—we’re doing it. In our bodies, our breath, our choices, and our stories. If you're feeli...

What happens when we stop performing and start peeling back the layers? When we let go of the stories that never truly belonged to us? Welcome to Season Four of Life Turned On —a season dedicated to shedding.  In this opening episode, Shauna shares the heart behind this season’s theme and what it means to strip away old scripts, expectations, and identities we’ve outgrown. She reflects on what she...

Join us for the season finale of Life Turned On as we dive into the transformative themes of sex, money, and power. Reflecting on the season's discussions, we'll unpack the powerful need for safety in our lives and explore topics such as the fear of uncontrollable power, sexuality as a source of power, societal double standards, and living orgasmically. Stay tuned till the end for inform...