Sex For Couples with Heather Shannon

Heather Shannon

Sex For Couples is a podcast for committed couples who feel stressed, guilty, or frustrated about their sex life—and want to feel excited, close, and playful again. New episodes are released every Monday. Hosted by Heather Shannon, an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist with 19 years of experience as a counselor and coach, the show breaks down the emotional and psychological reasons intimacy fades and what actually helps couples reconnect. Heather has been featured on BloomTV and quoted in Cosmopolitan, Women’s Health, SELF, Glamour, and more. She is a Gottman-trained couples counselor, an Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapist and has spent 13 years as a practicing Buddhist. Through both solo and guest episodes, Sex For Couples offers approachable advice, open conversations, and helpful tools so couples can communicate better about sex, reduce shame and stigma, and enjoy rediscovering each other. This podcast isn’t about performance or perfection—it’s about helping couples stop overthinking sex and start having fun with it again. For more on Heather's work, visit HeatherShannnon.co. NOTE: This show was formerly called "Ask A Sex Therapist with Heather Shannon" and was renamed on Valentine's Day, 2026. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

  1. 6D AGO

    How To Figure Out Your Top Turn-Ons: A Simple Guide To Better Sex

    Sick of not knowing what you want in bed? Download The Free Sexy Scorecard now - https://heather-shannon.mykajabi.com/offers/km5Dd3rf Figure out your sexual self so you can communicate better with your partner and experience more pleasure together. In this episode:Discover how understanding your current patterns can open doors to new experiencesLearn why stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to deeper connectionsFind out how curiosity can be your best friend in exploring desiresGet practical tips for trying new things without any pressureHear stories about how surprises can lead to delightful discoveriesCreate and share your own "treasure map" of interests with your partnerEmbrace lifelong learning and celebrate your evolving relationshipNavigate fears with kindness and authenticity Timestamps: 00:00 - Breaking free from routines and finding joy in the bedroom 02:14 - How comfort zones can be cozy yet limiting 03:37 - Recognizing patterns and opening up to new possibilities 05:02 - Keeping the conversation alive about what you truly desire 06:25 - Letting curiosity guide you past limiting beliefs 07:55 - Personal stories of growth and learning at any age 10:01 - Fun ways to categorize and explore your pleasures 11:27 - Crafting your own "pleasure menu" to savor life 12:23 - How desires change and grow over time 14:15 - Exploring safely and authentically, with a gentle touch 15:42 - Embracing surprises as clues to what lights you up 17:37 - Turning insights into shared moments of joy 19:03 - Keeping a "treasure map" of your evolving desires 21:13 - Understanding and celebrating your partner's journey too 22:38 - Remembering there's no "right" way—just your way 23:07 - Final thoughts: Celebrating sexuality as a lifelong adventure Resources & Links:Request a free consult for Heather's Pathway to Passion coaching program: https://HeatherShannon.co Sexual Exploraion Scorecard (Free Download) Take the Why You're Stuck In A Sex Rut quiz! https://TheBetterBedroom.com This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

    25 min
  2. MAR 23

    How to Explore Your Attraction to Other Women (While Married to a Man)

    What happens when you feel attracted to another woman… but you’re in a committed relationship with a man? For a lot of women, this curiosity brings a mix of excitement, confusion, and uncertainty. You might wonder what it means, whether it’s worth exploring, or how to even begin without creating problems in your current relationship. In this episode, I’m joined by Genevieve LeJeune, founder of Skirt Club—a global community for bicurious and bisexual women—to talk about what this experience is actually like in real life. We get into the most common obstacles women face when exploring attraction to other women, why this can feel so hard to navigate, and what helps women feel safe enough to be honest with themselves and try something new. We also talk about: Why so many women discover this curiosity later in lifeThe difference between performance and genuine desireWhat makes exploration feel safe (and what doesn’t)How women navigate this while staying in a relationship with a manWhat it’s actually like to connect with another woman for the first time This is a grounded, real conversation about curiosity, identity, and creating space for parts of yourself that may have been pushed aside. Chapters00:00 -Overview of the community for bicurious women.01:30 - Genevieve LeJeune's journey from personal experience to creating a global movement.02:14 - The importance of removing men to foster genuine expression.04:27 - Tips and advice for women beginning their journey.13:50 -Navigating monogamy and non-monogamy in women's exploration.16:42 -How diverse age ranges influence openness to exploring sexuality.19:42 - Workshops and resources for building sexual confidence.22:17 - The impact of media portrayal on perceptions and expectations.33:30 - The role of shared vulnerability in healing and confidence.41:00 - Encouragement to explore sexuality with courage and authenticity.Links Check out Skirt Club: https://skirtclub.co.uk/ Schedule a free consult with Heather for the Pathway to Passion coaching program: Unlock Your Passion - Consultation Call https://HeatherShannon.co Take the Why You're Stuck In A Sex Rut quiz: https://TheBetterBedroom.com This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

    43 min
  3. MAR 16

    3 Reasons You Don’t Feel Desired by Your Partner

    You can have a loving partner who compliments you, supports you, and chooses you every day—and still feel completely undesired. The surprising truth is that the problem usually isn’t your partner’s attraction… it’s how desire is being interpreted and received in your relationship. Feeling sexually desired is one of the most powerful emotional experiences in a relationship. It boosts confidence, deepens connection, and brings energy into your partnership. But many people in long-term relationships quietly struggle with the opposite feeling: “My partner loves me… but I don’t feel wanted.” In this episode of Sex for Couples, certified sex therapist and intimacy coach Heather Shannon explains why feeling desired can be more complicated than it seems. Even when your partner appreciates you and cares deeply about the relationship, subtle psychological patterns can block you from actually feeling their attraction. Heather breaks down three common reasons people stop feeling sexually desired by their partner, and how shifting your perspective can dramatically change how you experience attraction, connection, and intimacy. What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy feeling desired is partly an internal experience, not just something your partner createsHow an external locus of control can unintentionally make you feel rejected or unwantedThe subtle ways your partner may already be choosing you and expressing attraction that you might be missingHow old beliefs about worthiness or attractiveness can block you from receiving desireWhy couples often experience “mixed signals” around attraction even when both partners care deeplyHow body image, stress, and life transitions (like parenting or aging) can impact your ability to feel wantedPractical ways to start receiving your partner’s desire instead of dismissing it Want Help Improving Your Sex Life?If you’re struggling with mismatched libidos, emotional disconnect, or feeling unwanted in your relationship, Heather works with couples and individuals to address the deeper psychological patterns behind intimacy issues. Learn more about her Pathway to Passion coaching program and request a free consultation at: 👉 https://heathershannon.co Take the Why You're Stuck In A Sex Rut Quiz at https://TheBetterBedroom.com 🎧 Subscribe to Sex for Couples for weekly conversations about sex, intimacy, and emotional connection in long-term relationships. Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/66GEEzOy8zIeXQoyMQKmdV Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sex-for-couples-with-heather-shannon/id1656078749 YouTube - https://youtube.com/@askasexcoach This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

    30 min
  4. MAR 9

    Too Busy for Sex? 3 Lies Couples Tell Themselves

    You think you're too busy for sex, but you're not! Listen in for the top 3 lies that couples tell themselves about being too busy for sex. Hosted by Certified Sex Therapist, Heather Shannon, we'll cover: Why viewing time for sex as a luxury hinders intimacy and how to reframe itThe myth that life must calm down before prioritizing sex, and what to do insteadThe connection between stress, attachment styles, and sexual availabilityHow to reallocate priorities using the big rocks theory for a balanced lifeThe importance of understanding your unique desire patterns (spontaneous vs. responsive)The benefits of fun, relaxation, and play for sustaining a healthy sex life Timestamps:00:00 - Common myths about being too busy for sex and what they cost 02:11 - The illusion that sex should just happen naturally in a relationship 03:35 - Understanding hormonal changes and setting realistic expectations 04:05 - Spontaneous vs. responsive desire — what it means for you 05:00 - How daily routines impact sexual desire and intentional connection 06:26 - Practical ways to foster flirtation and intimacy during busy days 07:50 - Why couples need to nurture their erotic connection actively08:45 - Rethinking time for sex as a luxury and its physical and mental health benefits 10:02 - The damaging myth that life needs to calm down first 11:45 - How stress and perfectionism sabotage intimacy 12:15 - Fun, relaxation, and pleasure as productivity boosters 13:14 - The importance of valuing and protecting your sexual connection 14:09 - Recognizing when busyness conceals avoidance of intimacy 15:04 - The reality that life won't slow down, and how to adapt 16:29 - Using the big rocks analogy to prioritize what truly matters 17:57 - Managing your schedule to prevent burnout and create space for intimacy 19:23 - How energy, mindset, and self-care enhance desire 20:50 - The question to ask: Do I want or make time for sex? 21:46 - Exploring attachment styles and their influence on busyness and intimacy 22:15 - The danger of waiting for a "better" time that never comes22:45 - How nurturing your sexual connection boosts energy, calmness, and bond 23:39 - Tools like the Why You're Stuck in a Sex Rut quiz to gain clarity Resources & Links:Find Your Hidden Psychological Pattern! Why You're Stuck in a Sex Rut Quiz Follow the Show: Follow the Show on Apple PodcastsFollow the Show on SpotifyFollow the Show on YouTube This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

    25 min
  5. MAR 2

    How to Navigate Your Cuckolding Kink With Your Partner

    If you’re in a committed relationship and exploring a cuckolding kink, this episode will help you navigate it without blowing up your connection. Cuckolding is one of the more common fantasies people have — but integrating it into a real relationship requires emotional steadiness, communication, and clarity. In this episode of Sex for Couples, we break down: • The difference between hotwife, stag/vixen, and cuckolding dynamics • Why taboo fantasies are often tied to insecurity and power • How to reclaim shame instead of being driven by it • How to talk to your partner about your cuckolding kink without pressure • What healthy integration can actually look like inside a committed relationship This is not about shock value. It’s about reducing stress around sex and creating more honesty and more fun in your relationship. If you’re trying to figure out how to navigate a cuckolding kink with your partner in a grounded, emotionally mature way — this episode is for you. Chapters 00:00 Navigating Cuckolding in Relationships 01:31 Understanding Cuckolding: Definitions and Dynamics 09:01 Getting Comfortable with Your Kink 15:21 Bringing It Up with Your Partner 23:09 Exploring Options and Variations Work With Heather Learn more about working with me inside my 6-month coaching program here: https://HeatherShannon.co More connection. Less stress. More fun in the bedroom. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

    28 min
  6. FEB 23

    Why You Keep Getting Told No to Sex (And It’s Not About Attraction)

    Many higher sex drive partners are accidentally reinforcing the cycle of getting told no. This episode will help you break the cycle. Certified Sex Therapist, Heather Shannon, explores the patterns and emotional dynamics behind rejection in relationships, especially when one partner has a higher sex drive. In this episode, we'll break down common behaviors like withdrawal, performance, and story-telling, offering insights into how to shift these patterns for healthier intimacy. Chapters 00:00 The Rejection Loop in Relationships 00:29 Why Rejection Isn't About Attraction 00:56 Understanding the Pattern of Withdrawal 02:17 The Impact of Withdrawal on Emotional Needs 03:08 Attachment to Outcomes and Anxiety 03:54 Introducing Self-Energy and Spaciousness 05:15 Performance and Doing Sex for Your Partner 07:00 Authentic Desire vs. Performing Sex 08:18 The Power of Honest Communication 09:32 Managing Pressure and Expectations 11:37 The Stories We Tell About Rejection 12:52 Facts vs. Stories in Relationships 14:35 Relating to Thoughts and Stories 15:28 Protective and Exiled Parts in Emotional Regulation 17:11 Living at the Mercy of External Factors 17:37 Achieving Emotional Equanimity 18:26 Creating Space for Authentic Desire 19:20 Personalized Healing and Emotional Management Work with Heather Find out more about Heather's Pathway to Passion coaching program and see if it can help you stop stressing about sex and start having fun in the bedroom again! https://HeatherShannon.co Keywords relationship advice, sex drive, emotional mastery, attachment, communication, Heather Shannon, intimacy, relationship patterns, self-energy, emotional regulation This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

    21 min
  7. FEB 16

    Is Your Sex Life Being Ruined By Hormones? A Hormone Doctor Explains

    Perimenopause libido dropping after 40? If sex feels different—lower desire, more dryness, shorter fuse, less connection—your hormones (not your relationship) may be the missing piece. In this episode of Ask a Sex Therapist, Heather Shannon talks with board-certified OB-GYN + functional/integrative hormone expert Dr. Tara Scott about the most common hormone shifts that impact women’s sex drive across postpartum, perimenopause, and menopause—and why women’s desire is often more “Goldilocks” than linear (too little or too much estrogen can cause problems). You’ll learn how hormone testing can be interpreted when timing is right, why blood levels don’t always match what’s happening in your tissues, and how chronic stress can quietly deplete DHEA and testosterone (even in your 30s and 40s). Dr. Scott also breaks down practical, realistic ways to support hormone health—movement, food quality, sleep, stress tools, and reducing endocrine disruptors—without trying to overhaul your entire life overnight. If you’re dealing with low libido, vaginal dryness, painful sex, fatigue, sleep changes, or irritability, this conversation will help you understand what’s normal, what’s treatable, and how to advocate for better care. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Hormonal Health 01:22 Understanding Hormonal Shifts Throughout Life 03:41 Differences in Male and Female Libido 14:00 Personalizing Hormonal Treatment 28:46 The Impact of Lifestyle on Hormonal Balance Want to address the emotional and psychological factors blocking your sex life? Request a free consultation for coaching/therapy with Heather or a member of her team here: Booking A Consultation With The Right Person Learn more about our guest Dr. Tara Scott at: Website - https://drtarascott.com/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@TaraScottMD This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

    45 min

Trailer

4.9
out of 5
164 Ratings

About

Sex For Couples is a podcast for committed couples who feel stressed, guilty, or frustrated about their sex life—and want to feel excited, close, and playful again. New episodes are released every Monday. Hosted by Heather Shannon, an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist with 19 years of experience as a counselor and coach, the show breaks down the emotional and psychological reasons intimacy fades and what actually helps couples reconnect. Heather has been featured on BloomTV and quoted in Cosmopolitan, Women’s Health, SELF, Glamour, and more. She is a Gottman-trained couples counselor, an Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapist and has spent 13 years as a practicing Buddhist. Through both solo and guest episodes, Sex For Couples offers approachable advice, open conversations, and helpful tools so couples can communicate better about sex, reduce shame and stigma, and enjoy rediscovering each other. This podcast isn’t about performance or perfection—it’s about helping couples stop overthinking sex and start having fun with it again. For more on Heather's work, visit HeatherShannnon.co. NOTE: This show was formerly called "Ask A Sex Therapist with Heather Shannon" and was renamed on Valentine's Day, 2026. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

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