Turn Me On

Why is one German tree considered to be the Cupid of Europe? Once upon a time a clandestine love led to a ritual that rivals the dating apps of today. From its centuries-old roots to love under the leaves, this feel-good tale of a tree is a testament to the real romantics out there. Modern courtship could use a little more nature, and thanks to its postal address, there is a charming and whimsical...

Ever wonder why some of the best stories make you say, “Oh no… please don’t do that” before immediately leaning in closer? From ancient mythology to modern prestige television, this taboo theme has been used to explore power, fate, trauma, and the unraveling of societies. In this episode, we trace its use from the tragedies of Greek myth to the shocking twists of contemporary cinema, unpacking why...

What if the secret to unlocking new dimensions of reality is simply letting your mind wander? Dive into the Default Mode Network (DMN)—the brain’s backstage crew, working away when there's no specific demand on it. Don’t be fooled—while it might seem it's like “doing nothing,” the DMN is busy with some of your brain’s most important work. We’ll dive into how this network influences creativity, sel...

One minute, you’re smitten. The next, you’re watching someone pronounce “salmon” with the L and wondering how fast you can escape. This week, Bryde teaches Jeremie all about “the ick”—that sudden, irrational wave of disgust that can turn attraction into repulsion in an instant. Where does it come from? Is it evolutionary self-protection or just our brains being dramatic? From Love Island to TikTok...

If you think modern dating is complicated, try navigating love, lust, and leeches in the Middle Ages. In this episode, Bryde takes Jer on a deep (and sometimes horrifying) dive into medieval sexuality, from bizarre birth control methods (weasel testicles, anyone?) to the church’s very strong opinions on sex positions. We explore the rise of shame, the fall of hygiene, and why monks were doodling d...

Is post-sex affection the secret to long-term relationship satisfaction? In this final installment of Carnal Knowledge , we dive into the power of aftercare with resident expert Anna. From cuddles to heartfelt conversations, discover why those tender moments after intimacy matter more than you might think. Anna breaks down fascinating research linking aftercare to stronger bonds, better sex, and l...

A compliment can be a real can of worms. Even a well intentioned compliment can set off a chain of emotional and psychological outcomes for a person, and this week the hosts sort out the reasons why that may be. Citing a well researched bbc.com article called “Why it’s so hard for some people to accept compliments” (Christine Ro, April 2024), Jeremie and Bryde discuss the impact of cultural and be...

Puberty is a horrendous time when you don’t know what the fuck is happening to your body, mind, and worldview. Remember the tortuous days of sitting out of gym class because there was a pad in your underwear, or getting a nickname because of your body odour? Demetra Malios is an entrepreneur in tech and is the CEO and founder of Pu-berry, a platform offering interactive, gamified, and medically ve...

Everyone's horny and sexual function is for every body, AND there are some unique considerations for folks living with disability when it comes to personal pleasure. This week, Anna breaks down a literary review that discusses the historical context for studying sex and disability, as well as the positive aspects and particular challenges to sex positivity. A mind-opening conversation is had about...

William A Moore is making (wet) dreams come true by providing penis enhancements that blow the competitors out of the water. Lips, cheeks, butts, boobs, of course there’s also filler for a penis you might want to plump up. Moore chats with the hosts about PhalloFill, a non-invasive procedure using hyaluronic acid to help someone reach their girth goal. They chat about the contraindications (of whi...

Disney should really produce an adult, kink-themed experience for all the now grownups who first became aware of their fantasies after seeing them depicted by cartoon characters in beloved childhood movies. How did “Peter Pan” influence a young, religious cult community escapee to become her fully expressed self? Read all about it! Ariel Anderssen joins the hosts this week to discuss the life traj...

If Lady Di (Princess of Wales) was still living, she could probably dominate only fans, right? Enter Lauren Spencer, a 50-something, successful adult content creator and ambassador for TurnOnVideo.com, adored for her soft, teasing manner, and of course, her uncanny resemblance to the OG Spencer MILF. Ms. Spencer shares a little about her journey as a naughty phone operator in the 90s and the no-br...

What if closeness was overwhelming to your senses? For neurodivergent individuals, sensory avoidant or sensory seeking behaviours can cause havoc in relationships if not properly understood. The good news is that communication, no surprise, can make a world of difference. This week the hosts sit down with certified somatic sex coach and trauma specialist, Nuria Reed, and the conversation takes som...

Sex education rests in the hands of the media and serves the objectives of capitalism - sounds healthy and pleasurable, right? So not sexy. To undo this, let’s go back to school on the subject of childhood development. Dr. Tina Schermer Sellers is chatting with the podcast hosts once again, revisiting and diving deeper into the implications of abstinence only sex education and purity culture, and...

Sometimes the biggest challenges in a relationship come from within, and sometimes they come from how the world sees us. This week, Anna explores a study on intimacy and sexuality from the perspective of partners of transgender and non-binary individuals. She delves into the complexities of gender dysphoria during intimacy, the importance of consent and microaffirmations, and the many strategies c...

This one's for the penis'. Jeremie reviews the most recent product the podcast has received from a guest, made especially for the penis, inspired by real, watchable blow jobs. Truly the gift that will keep on giving. Take a listen to August's episode "Blowjobs Unlimited: The Mechanical Blowjob" to hear more about how Autoblow came to be and where you can find your very own VacuGlide, the toy that...

Window shopping for romance may define this era of dating. Apps have taken over the public spaces where we used to make social connections, and swiping takes seconds, where sifting through a pile of profiles at olympic speed gets you to the bottom of an empty barrel pretty quickly. Today, sex researcher Anna talks the hosts through a paper on the impact of choice overload when it comes to all thos...

Do you talk to your doc about your sex life? Dr. Evelin Dacker is a family practitioner and sexual health educator. Her experience over 30 years in practice has guided her towards being a leader among physicians, educating other doctors on how and why they should be talking to their patients about sex. The hosts chat with Evelin about the medical impact of pleasure, the healing nature of authentic...

History has been hard on our favourite hands-on hobby. Wanking has not been thoroughly explored in science research despite its significance in human sexuality from beginning to end of life, but Dr. Eric Sprankle has compiled his findings in a book all about our favourite pastime, “DIY: The Wonderfully Weird History and Science of Masturbation”. In this episode, Dr. Sprankle shares some curious an...

When it comes to pelvic floor health, it’s not just about Kegels and crossed legs. Dr. Sara Reardon, a.k.a. "The Vagina Whisperer," demystifies the often-overlooked world of pelvic floor therapy, revealing that it’s not just for those with vaginas. In this episode, she dives deep into the common issues like urinary leakage, pain, and tension that can affect anyone, regardless of gender. Do you blo...

Brian Sloan has dedicated his career to perfecting the art of the machine-driven blowjob. This week Bryde and Jeremie enjoy a fascinating and hilarious conversation with Brian who details the ins and outs of AutoBlow, the leading brand of blowjob machines on the market. What makes a great blowjob? Tech and technique come together in the innovation of these machines, and if you want to hear how muc...

When we’re growing up, it’s hard to conceive that the future will feel any different than the present, but the slogan “it gets better”, made popular by sexpert Dan Savage specifically addressing LGBTQ+ youth, tries to bridge that gap with reassurance. But does it actually get better? This week, sex researcher Anna delivers a longitudinal analysis following 230 LGTBQ+ adolescents over three and a h...

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but sometimes a few well-chosen words can ignite the imagination in ways a picture never could. In this episode, Carly Pfeiffer, founder of Read Aurore, delves into the world of erotic storytelling, exploring how reading erotica can be a more nuanced and fulfilling experience than visual porn. Carly discusses the educational benefits of erotica, from i...

Does it really matter if one parent in a couple does more parenting? In today's episode, sex researcher Anna delivers some Carnal Knowledge to Jeremie and Bryde via a research study on how the division of child care can affect sexual intimacy and relationship quality in heterosexual couples. They chat about what influences parents when dividing up responsibilities, what those responsibilities real...

When it comes to love and connection, our childhood experiences often cast long shadows. Today’s guest is Alex Bishop, a registered professional counsellor with strong roots in the IFS - or - Internal Family Systems  framework, and the main focus of the conversation is attachment theory and how it impacts the way we form relationships - at home, at work, and at play. Bryde introduces the conc...