Unzipping Taboos: Candid Conversations about Sex

In this episode of Unzipping Taboos , we dive into the pressures of modern romance—like pickup lines, “the spark,” and all the ways we’re told it’s supposed to go. Spoiler alert: these expectations usually lead to awkward moments, not magical connections. We talk about why being yourself (instead of relying on memorized lines) is way more effective, and why respecting each other’s intentions—wheth...

In this episode of Unzipping Taboos , we’re digging into the world of digital intimidation — sextortion, deepfakes, and the non-consensual sharing of intimate content — and the sexual shame that allows these threats to take hold. We each share our own encounters with sextortion attempts and unpack how these messages are crafted to provoke panic, silence, and self-blame. The tech may be newer, but...

In this episode of Unzipping Taboos , we had the honor of welcoming our friend and longtime listener, Timothy — a non-binary, queer human from rural Appalachia — for a deeply personal conversation about identity, belonging, and courage. They share what it was like to grow up in a small, deeply religious community where conversations about sex and queerness were kept behind closed doors, if they ha...

In this episode, we’re unzipping the wild, confusing, and often misunderstood world of the adolescent brain — and what that can mean for risk-taking and decision-making between the ages of 13 and 25. Dr. Sue shares what decades of teaching teens, college students, and future educators have revealed about how young people actually think about risk, pressure, and identity. (Spoiler: they are thinkin...

This week on Unzipping Taboos , we unzip the myths around the so-called “sexual revolution.” When one hears “sexual revolution” they tend to picture flower crowns, free love, and a big cultural exhale—but underneath all that was a much deeper fight for bodily autonomy, women’s rights, and freedom from patriarchal control. Our conversation explores how the 1960s and 70s reshaped everything from acc...

“Stranger danger” has long been the go-to phrase for teaching kids about safety—but it’s outdated and misleading in many ways. In this episode of Unzipping Taboos , we talk about what really protects children—teaching them consent, trust, and situational awareness. We talk about why giving children the correct names for their anatomy matters, how to create space for curiosity without shame, and wh...

In this post-election episode, we take a breath—and a moment to celebrate. After the November elections, we found ourselves feeling something we hadn’t in a while: optimism. In this episode, we talk about what it means to hold onto that feeling and how to turn it into action. We talk about the power of showing up and how to move from celebration to sustained action.  From reproductive rights to ed...

Not every parent or guardian has a Dr. Sue in their back pocket when questions about sex or sex health. And yet, kids are curious, their questions are valid, and the way adults respond can shape how they understand bodies, consent, and relationships for years to come. In this episode of Unzipping Taboos , we call in both compassion and responsibility: What does it mean to give children honest, age...

We’ve all seen it on TV, in movies or porn: two people lock eyes, clothes fly off, and somehow it’s perfect. But here’s the truth—spontaneous sex might make for great entertainment, yet for most people (especially in long-term relationships), it’s not the everyday reality. In this episode, we unzip the myth of spontaneous sex and explore the very real, very valid world of responsive desire—the kin...

In this episode of Unzipping Taboos , we dive into the intersection of respect, chivalry, and consent in our everyday interactions. We unpack how cultural expectations shape our understanding of respect, particularly through common gestures like holding doors open and using titles like "ma'am". We discuss the importance of honoring individual preferences when addressing others and ex...

Stealthing—it sounds like something out of a spy movie, but in reality, it’s a serious violation of consent. In this episode, we unzip what stealthing really is: when someone removes a condom during sex without their partner’s knowledge or consent. It’s a practice that crosses every ethical line, yet it’s still only legally recognized as sexual assault in one state (California). Together with our...

From Love Island to The Bachelor to Are You My First? , these types of reality shows turn love and sex into a competition. But what does that say about how we see relationships—and ourselves? In this episode of Unzipping Taboos , we dive into the “gamification” of sex and relationships on reality TV. We unpack how these shows reinforce harmful beauty standards, perpetuate rigid gender roles, and n...

Why do people cheat? In this episode of Unzipping Taboos , we unzip the messy realities of infidelity. From unmet needs and boredom to revenge, immaturity, or even unresolved trauma, we unpack the many reasons someone might stray — including situations where cheating happens despite a seemingly “happy” relationship. We also distinguish between cheating and consensual non-monogamy, explore the last...

In this episode of Unzipping Taboos , we unzip the tangled narratives around birth control, emergency contraception, and abortion. Too often, political headlines and misinformation blur these terms together — leaving people confused, misinformed, or even shamed for making decisions about their own bodies. We break down the difference between preventing pregnancy and ending one, highlighting how me...

“U.S. fertility rate hits an all-time low — less than 1.6 kids per woman…”  Sounds like an emergency that women are solely responsible for, right? Not so fast. In this episode, we unzip the nuance behind those sensationalist headlines, breaking down the difference between infertility and national fertility rates — ahem , birth rates — and why conflating the two isn’t just misleading, it’s harmful...

Pronouns are more than grammar—they’re about respect, identity, and creating safer spaces for everyone. In this episode of Unzipping Taboos , we unzip the power of pronouns in conversations about sex, gender, and relationships. From understanding what they are (and aren’t), to why they matter so deeply, we break down the cultural tension and political pushback surrounding something that should be...

We’re back for Part 2 of our dive into men’s health — and this time, we’re going deeper into the quiet, often invisible pressures that men face around body image, masculinity, and emotional wellbeing. We continue to explore how the “man box” not only limits expression but also distorts how men see themselves — physically and emotionally. From six-pack abs to emotional stoicism, we break down the m...

What do you do when you don’t have access to someone like Dr. Sue? For many people, the answer is: Dr. Google. In this episode, we’re unzipping the pros and cons of turning to online searches, AI tools, and social media for answers to sex and health questions. We unzip why people turn to the internet—often out of necessity—and how it can be both empowering and problematic. We talk about the conven...

We made it to 50 episodes—and for the first time ever, you can watch us talk about sex (and all the things that come with it). That’s right: Unzipping Taboos is officially a video podcast! Whether you're tuning in on Spotify or YouTube, welcome to our faces. In this milestone episode, we reflect on how far we've come—from a humble Q&A idea to a full-blown show committed to candid, inclusive, a...

In Part 1 of this 2 part conversation, we begin to unzip the disconnect between what we know about men’s health and what actually gets talked about (or acted on). We look at how the cultural expectations of masculinity shape how men see their bodies, their emotions, and their healthcare decisions. We talk about why so many men avoid the doctor, the toll of untreated mental health issues, the reali...

Why is the United States—one of the wealthiest nations in the world—leading in maternal deaths among high-income countries? And why are Black women three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women? In this episode, we unzip the urgent and often-overlooked crisis of maternal mortality in the U.S. We dig into how systemic racism, lack of access to quality healthcare for...

Pelvic floor therapy isn't just about Kegels—and it isn’t just for women. In this follow-up episode with pelvic health physical therapist Dr. Cara, we go deeper into what it really means to treat the whole person through the pelvic floor. From bowel issues to sexual pain to emotional trauma, this conversation reveals the wide-ranging impact pelvic health has on everyday life, and why so many patie...

What do leaking, libido, and lower back pain have in common? More than you might think. In this episode, we sit down with pelvic floor physical therapist Dr. Cara to talk all things pelvic health—from the muscles you didn’t know you had to the intimate connections between pain, pleasure, and pelvic function. We dive into what a pelvic floor physical therapy evaluation actually looks like, what you...

The term sex positive is everywhere—on social media, in classrooms, even in dating profiles. But is it as inclusive and liberating as it claims to be? In this episode, we dig into the unintended consequences of a term that's often used as a shorthand for open-mindedness, but can actually create new forms of judgment and exclusion.  We share personal stories and lived experiences that reveal how th...

In this episode, we team up with Annette Benedetti, host of Talk Sex with Annette , to do a deep dive into the controversial notion of “sex addiction.” We unpack why sex addiction is not recognized as a legitimate diagnosis and explore how the term is often misused, perpetuating myths that can shame and stigmatize people’s sexuality. Together, we challenge the narratives pushed by the treatment ce...