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. 5d ago ·  Video

    3 Surprising Turn-Ons Most Women Have (From A Certified Sex Therapist)

    What actually turns women on? The answer might surprise you—and it often starts long before you get to the bedroom. In this solo episode of Sex for Couples, certified sex therapist Heather Shannon explores three major turn-ons for women: emotional intelligence, feeling wanted, and consideration. Through real-life examples, she explains how everyday interactions can build emotional connection and help create the conditions for sexual desire. From staying present during a conversation to expressing attraction in ways your partner can receive, Heather shares practical ways to strengthen intimacy. She also explores how resentment, an unequal mental load, and struggles with body image can get in the way of desire. This isn’t a checklist that guarantees more sex: it’s an invitation to understand your partner and show up with the care, confidence, and thoughtfulness that make connection more appealing. Why seeing a partner being a patient, caring parent can spark sexual attraction.How listening, empathy, and managing your emotions help your partner feel safe and relaxed.The difference between kindness with healthy boundaries and being the “nice guy” who has none.How flirting, compliments, thoughtful gestures, and expressing attraction can help your partner feel wanted.Why body-image struggles can make it difficult to take in a partner’s affection and desire.How sharing the mental load—and anticipating needs without being asked—can help your partner feel considered.Why treating kindness or household responsibilities as a transaction for sex can undermine attraction. Start Saving Time With Your Tovala Smart Oven For Only $69 with code HEATHER - https://tovala.pxf.io/AgDmKJ Join Beducated--the Netflix of sex education--For 50% Off With Code HEATHER - https://beducate.me/heather Curious About Working With Heather As Your Coach? Click Below To Request Your Free Consultation For The Pathway To Passion Program: https://calendly.com/hshann1/ignite This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

  2. Oct 19 ·  Video

    Sex After 50: It Ain't Over!

    Stuck in a sex rut? Take my free quiz: https://TheBetterBedroom.com Have you noticed that as you get older, what used to turn you on just isn't working anymore? In this episode of Sex for Couples, certified sex therapist Heather Shannon welcomes Suzanne Noble, host of Sex Advice for Seniors, for a candid conversation about sex after 50. Together, they explore changing desire, menopause, erection concerns, and the belief that your sex life has an expiration date. Suzanne shares her experiences with intimacy in later life, from navigating physical changes to building anticipation and getting creative with pleasure. We discuss why adapting your approach can help you feel more confident and less pressured, how to ask for what you need, and what getting older has taught Suzanne about her body and relationships. Expect practical ideas, honest stories, and plenty of humor. In this episode, we get into: • Myths about aging, sexual desire, and when people supposedly stop wanting sex • Suzanne's experiences with vaginal estrogen and testosterone, and advocating for care • Changing arousal patterns and why anticipation, touch, and scheduling can help • Erection concerns, performance anxiety, and pleasure beyond penetration • Adapting to mobility challenges with positioning, pillows, and creativity • Body confidence, communication, and giving yourself permission to take your time • Dating younger men and how Suzanne's relationship priorities have changed Start Saving Time With Your Tovala Smart Oven For Only $69 with code HEATHER - https://tovala.pxf.io/AgDmKJ Join Beducated--the Netflix of sex education--For 50% Off With Code HEATHER - https://beducate.me/heather Curious About Working With Heather As Your Coach? Click Below To Request Your Free Consultation For The Pathway To Passion Program: https://calendly.com/hshann1/ignite Connect with Suzanne: Website and podcast: https://www.sexadviceforseniors.com Social accounts and resources: https://linktr.ee/sexadviceforseniors This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

  3. Oct 12 ·  Video

    3 Mistakes Men Make When It Comes To Female Desire

    Get 50% off Beducated where you can learn the skill of great sex! Use promo code HEATHER for your discount: https://beducate.me/heather Want expert help figuring out what’s getting in the way of your sex life? Sign up for a Quickie Assessment with me for personalized guidance and a clearer direction forward: https://heather-shannon.mykajabi.com/offers/pZLVQLgG/checkout ABOUT THIS EPISODE Feeling sexually frustrated or rejected in your relationship? In this solo episode of Sex for Couples, I’m breaking down three common mistakes I see men make when their female partners have less desire—and how those approaches can accidentally make connection harder. We explore why physical and emotional safety matter for female desire, how mental load and resentment can affect intimacy, and what it looks like to help your partner feel understood and supported. Your sexual needs matter, too. I share how to express them without turning sex into a negotiation, obligation, or another item on your partner’s to-do list. We also explore how repeated rejection can create a scarcity mindset, why low libido often has several overlapping causes, and how to move toward more confidence, curiosity, flirting, and fun. The goal is a sexual connection you both genuinely want. In this episode: Why emotional safety extends beyond physical boundaries to feeling heard, respected, and free from sexual pressure.How unequal mental load, decision fatigue, and a “project manager” dynamic can get in the way of desire.Practical ways to take initiative and share responsibility without making your partner assign every task.Why bargaining for sexual contact can create obligation and negative associations with sex.How to communicate your sexual needs and feelings while staying curious about your partner’s experience.What a sexual scarcity mindset looks like—and how to start rebuilding confidence when you’ve felt unwanted.How stress, health, hormones, relationship dynamics, and daily routines can overlap to affect libido. Wondering what’s keeping you stuck? Take my free quiz, Why You’re Stuck In A Sex Rut: https://TheBetterBedroom.com Want personalized support? Request a consultation for coaching with me at https://HeatherShannon.co This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

  4. Oct 5 ·  Video

    Listener Q & A: Too Busy For Sex, Hormones, Asexuality and Best Advice

    Stuck in a sex rut? Take my free quiz to discover what could be keeping you stuck—and where to start: https://TheBetterBedroom.com What do you do when your partner comes out as asexual and you have a high sex drive? How do you get in the mood when life feels like an endless to-do list? In this listener Q&A episode of Sex for Couples, I’m answering your questions as an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist. We explore mismatched desire, different ways to experience intimacy, and how to stay curious about your options when your sex life takes an unexpected turn. I also discuss how hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and perimenopause can influence libido—and why hormones aren’t the whole picture. Plus, I share my advice for building a satisfying relationship from the beginning, including talking openly about sex, maintaining your individuality, and bringing more playfulness into your connection. Whether you’re navigating a desire discrepancy or simply feeling too busy for intimacy, this episode offers starting points for less pressure and more connection. In this episode, we cover: Navigating a relationship with an asexual partner, including conversations about boundaries, sexual needs, and shared intimacy.Why persistent, painful arousal deserves medical attention—and exploring the emotional needs that can accompany a desire for sex.Making room for intimacy when you’re overwhelmed, with mental foreplay, responsive desire, and small moments of connection.How menstrual cycles and life stages such as breastfeeding and perimenopause can affect sexual desire.Talking about sexual preferences and giving feedback in a positive, playful way—including trying a “kissing lab.”Keeping curiosity and attraction alive through individuality, novelty, emotional honesty, and a shared willingness to grow. Want personalized support with your sex life or relationship? Reach out to explore coaching with me at https://HeatherShannon.co This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

  5. Sep 25 ·  Video

    How To Let Go In The Bedroom: Dominance vs. Surrender

    Want your partner to take charge in bed, but struggle to actually let go? Or curious about being dominant without feeling like you’re playing a character? In this episode of Sex For Couples, AASECT Certified Sex Therapist Heather Shannon welcomes professional dominatrix and erotic leadership expert Kimi Inch to explore conscious kink, dominance and submission, and building sexual confidence through connection. Heather and Kimi unpack why trust, self-worth, and relationship patterns can get in the way of surrender—and how to explore BDSM with more curiosity and less pressure to perform. Through real examples from her work with couples, Kimi shares how to develop an authentic dominant style, communicate sexual fantasies and boundaries, and use a verbal rehearsal to discover what excites you both before trying it in the bedroom. Key takeaways: Why being in charge all day doesn’t automatically make surrender easy in bed.How trust, self-worth, and unresolved relationship dynamics can affect dominance and submission.What subspace and Dom space can feel like—and why both partners need to let go in different ways.How erotic leadership uses presence, responsiveness, and creativity to build connection.How to use a kink checklist to discuss desires, boundaries, and sexual compatibility.Why talking through a fantasy before acting it out can build anticipation and clarify what feels good.How short play sessions, check-ins, and permission to make mistakes can take the pressure off exploring kink. Connect with Heather: Take the free “Why You’re Stuck in a Sex Rut” quizVisit Heather’s website and explore intimacy coaching Connect with Kimi: Visit &More for Kimi’s coaching, classes, and eventsDownload the free Conscious Kink Checklist This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

  6. Sep 14 ·  Video

    Stop Trying To Get Your Old Sex Life Back

    In this episode of Sex For Couples, Heather Shannon talks with relationship coach Ally Iseman about non-monogamy, consensual open relationships, and how to build a sex life and relationship that's designed on purpose instead of running on autopilot. They get into why exclusivity and commitment aren't the same thing, why jealousy shows up in monogamous relationships too, and how monogamous couples can borrow the same tools non-monogamous couples use to keep things exciting. Ally is the founder of Passport to Pleasure, offering relationship coaching and curated travel experiences for couples who want to have the conversations they don't get to have anywhere else. She and Heather talk about relationship scripts, the difference between fantasy and desire, why living together or splitting things a certain way isn't required for commitment, and why curiosity — not effort — is the real antidote to a stuck sex life. In this episode: Why exclusivity and commitment are not the same thingJealousy is an emotional experience, not a character trait — and it shows up in monogamous relationships tooThe difference between a fantasy and a desire, and why you can share one without acting on itHow "relationship scripts" (living together, marriage, monogamy by default) keep couples from designing what actually works for themWhy avoiding a hard conversation with your partner is still a choice, not neutralHow non-monogamous couples build novelty and variety — and how monogamous couples can borrow the same toolsWhy your sex life is supposed to change over time, and what that means for your relationship Connect with Ally Iseman: Website: https://www.passport2pleasure.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allyiseman Connect with Heather: Stuck In A Sex Rut? Take the free quiz: TheBetterBedroom.com Work with Heather As Your Coach: https://HeatherShannon.co This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

  7. Sep 7 ·  Video

    How To Stop Being Sexually Inhibited

    Stuck in a sex rut? Take the free quiz at https://TheBetterBedroom.com If you've ever wondered if you're sexually repressed or inhibited, this is the eipsode for you! Discover the signs that you're sexually inhibited, why so many people hold back sexually and what to do to become more sexually authentic and free to be yourself! Let your freak flag (or vanilla flag) fly. Host and AASECT Certified Sex Therapist Heather Shannon goes over common patterns she sees with clients as well as her own past experiences feeling repressed and uncomfortable with sexuality. In this episode, Heather shares practical ways to notice when you are holding back, how to talk about desires with a partner, and how to work with the parts of yourself that feel protective or ashamed. Key topicsSexual inhibition can show up as keeping fantasies private, staying quiet during sex, or feeling like your desires are weird or inappropriate.A “low libido” may actually be hidden desire that has been buried by self-judgment, fear of being judged, or difficulty naming wants.Private sexual interests, like porn fantasies, romance novels, or kink scenarios, can be a sign that part of your sexuality is not being shared with a partner.Cultural conditioning plays a major role, including messages from family, friends, school, church, purity culture, and gender socialization.Safety matters first. Heather notes that sexual inhibition can be tied to real concerns about unwanted attention, objectification, and sexual aggression.Substance use during sex can be a clue that inhibition is getting in the way of pleasure and ease. Timestamps00:00 - What sexual inhibition is and what this episode will cover 00:31 - Signs you may be repressed or censoring yourself 05:36 - How socialization teaches people what sex is “allowed” to be 06:06 - Church, purity culture, and shame-based sexual messaging 07:03 - Sexual safety, unwanted attention, and guardedness 09:25 - Family modeling, mixed examples, and emotional risk around sex 13:36 - How civilization can lead us to exile our primal side 15:00 - Reconciling the proper self with the sexual self 16:25 - Integrating lust and emotional connection 17:24 - Using parts work to welcome the more wild parts 19:50 - How sharing desires can create intimacy and closeness 20:49 - Substance use as a sign that inhibition may be present 21:10 - Befriending the protective inner voice 21:40 - Freeing your sexuality without needing to be stereotypically wild 23:06 - How to ask for curiosity and safety from a partner Looking for coaching? Request a free consultation with Heather: Unlock Your Passion - Consultation Call This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

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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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