Women Like Sex

Kate Downey explains how living with menstrual “death cramps” for decades led her to pick up a mic and record her journey to a successful diagnosis, in the investigative podcast CRAMPED. As well as some of the new science she’s learned about the female reproductive systems, our problematic medical system, and sexist crash test dummies and countertops.

As walking sociologists, who better than our trans peers can teach us just how much of a cultural construct gender is? That’s exactly what my friend Professor Queerstrokes does here, with one of the world’s greatest laughs to boot. We discuss how gender tropes constrict, confuse and hurt us all; how to be the best ally to trans people; and how men supported his transition much more than the women...

Of all the myths we're busting, virginity is among the biggest, and most persistent. It’s a social construct with no biological or medical definitions, yet heavy religious, personal and social baggage. Historian Anke Bernau and sociologist Laura Carpenter help us unpack the millennia-old obsession with female (yet rarely ever male) sexual purity and its consequences.

What do cabbage and Stalin’s mustache have in common? How did the Mesopotamians view sex? Were the Victorians even more repressed than we think? Award-winning author, historian and podcaster Dr. Kate Lister answers these questions and more with crackling wit and insight, and an enviable Yorkshire brogue.

Gender violence expert Tiffany Brec and I discuss how accurate, inclusive sex ed reduces harm; why she’s now teaching leadership skills too; what to do when someone calls a man a girl in your presence; and what Tiffany’s wife does to ward off shady men. 

Despite being told that women don't, or shouldn't like sex much (or as much as men), asexuality in women isn't exactly welcome either.

Purity culture teaches the same messages most girls and women get – to disregard your own body and intuition while being a sexual gatekeeper for boys and men – but to the godzillionth degree. This week’s guest shares what it means to spends years shedding purity myths, to rediscover her body, spirit, joy – and great sex too!

Black sexologist and educator Dr. Shemeka Thorpe shares insights into her work and the importance of letting Black women tell their own stories.

From hookups and "swipey dating" to sex myths and toxicity: A look at what has and hasn't changed for young women today.

Have you ever wanted to watch porn that was…not porn? Videos of healthy sex – from people who like one another, who aren’t actors, or egregiously violent? Videos vetted by humans who ensure inclusivity and flip the scripts on the male-dominated porn industry? If so, you're among the millions who already enjoy Make Love Not Porn, the brainchild of Cindy Gallop.

Two fathers of teenage girls share insights, humor and questions about what they’re doing to avoid harmful myths and stereotypes as they navigate the sometimes embarrassing road of teaching healthy sexuality.

Senior Kinsey Institute scientist Cynthia Graham debunks one of the worst pieces of “dysfunction” data, and agrees that the messaging about female orgasm is as bad as if we told men that the best way for them to orgasm is by sticking a finger up their bum.

Jonynne shares what the myths of female sexuality have meant in her personal life. She talks about being taught the mechanics – rather than emotions – of sex as a kid. About finally learning to value her pleasure above a man’s. About being a Black woman dating white men in the US, where she was once asked to slavery cosplay. And unexpectedly finding her best-ever relationship in Denmark.

With razor-sharp wit and wisdom, medieval historian Dr. Eleanor Janega dissects the lies we tell about human sexuality of the past, when – spoiler alert – women were considered hypersexual, and men were chaste.

Hetero men – and lesbians – have more orgasms than hetero women in relationship sex. And it's not because the female orgasm is "elusive."

Dr. Helen O’Connell discusses the “rubbish” and “blokey” anatomy and science that led her to her career choices and revolutionary research that proved what the clitoris actually looks like – In 2005. We also discuss the importance of cliteracy and the profound social and personal consequences of treating “foreplay” – really, women’s pleasure –  as cotton candy.

Welcome to Women Like Sex, a myth-busting show examining how and why virtually everything we know about female sexuality is wrong. Humor + education = flipping the scripts on the myths and misconceptions that, really, are hurting us all.