Pleasure Project: Sex and Relationships

Dr. Jenn Kennedy, PhD, LMFT
  • 4.7 (32)
  • Sexuality
  • Updated Biweekly

Exploration of all topics related to relationships and sexual pleasure: anatomy, psychology, toys, aging, communication, media, history. As a Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in couples and sexuality, I will also sometimes discuss adjacent topics such as attachment, dating, couples goals, communication, sex addiction and relational dynamics.

  1. Aug 6

    Dating After 50 w/ Alyssa Dineen | Szn. 5 Ep. 6

    Dating in midlife can feel like a completely different world—especially if the last time you were single, dating apps didn’t even exist. Dr. Jenn Kennedy sits down with Alyssa Dineen, founder of Style My Profile, to talk about how to navigate modern dating with more confidence, authenticity, and a lot less burnout. They unpack the dating profile mistakes that may be working against you, why old or overly curated photos can sabotage connection, and why chemistry doesn’t always happen on the first date. Alyssa also challenges some of the assumptions women over 50 hear about dating, including the idea that men their age are only interested in younger women. They also explore dating after divorce, how to stop seeking validation from potential partners, when to take a break from the apps, and why the better question after a date may not be “Did they like me?” but “How did I feel with them?” In this episode:• The biggest dating app mistakes people make in midlife• What makes a strong—and authentic—dating profile• Why messaging chemistry can create a false sense of connection• Why attraction may take several dates to develop• Dating from self-worth instead of seeking validation• What actually makes someone attractive in midlife• How to recognize dating app burnout• When vulnerability becomes oversharing• Why consistency and open-mindedness matter when dating online If dating has started to feel more like a second job than a path toward connection, this conversation offers a more grounded way to approach it. Reach Alyssa At: Instagram: @stylemyprofilenyc Website: stylemyprofilenyc.com Connect with Dr. Jenn: Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@drjennkennedy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pleasure Project⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Riviera Therapy⁠

  2. Jul 26

    Resentment in Couples | Szn. 5 Ep. 5

    Resentment rarely begins with one dramatic betrayal. More often, it builds quietly through unmet needs, unspoken expectations, unresolved conflict, and the small disappointments we convince ourselves aren't worth mentioning. In this solo episode, Dr. Jenn Kennedy explores why resentment is one of the biggest threats to emotional and physical intimacy. She explains how it develops over time, the subtle signs it's taking hold, and why avoiding difficult conversations often creates more distance than the conflict itself. You'll learn: Why resentment is a "slow leak" in relationshipsThe most common causes of resentmentHow to recognize the warning signs before they damage your connectionWhy keeping score erodes intimacyPractical strategies for communicating needs and repairing conflict earlierWhether you're feeling disconnected from your partner or simply want to strengthen your relationship before resentment takes root, this episode offers practical tools to help you create more honesty, trust, and lasting connection. If this episode resonates with you, be sure to follow Pleasure Project: Sex and Relationships, leave a review, and share it with someone who could benefit from the conversation.

  3. Jul 12

    Play Parties 101: What Happens After Dark w/ Dr. Nicole Marcione | Szn. 5 Ep. 4

    Ever wondered what actually happens at play parties? In this spicy follow-up, Dr. Jenn welcomes back gerontologist & domme Dr. Nicole Marcione for a candid, myth-busting conversation about sex parties, consent culture, voyeurism vs. participation, what to wear (and what to bring home), and how curiosity, not pressure, guides the experience. This is an unfiltered, educational deep dive into pleasure, boundaries, aging bodies, and why your yes can always become a no. Perfect if you’re intrigued, nervous, or just wildly curious. ✨ Best paired with: ⁠Untying Ourselves w/ Dr. Nicole Marcione | Szn 4 Ep 2⁠ Reach Dr. Nicole at: ⁠⁠https://www.integrativeaging.com/⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.integrativeaging.com/mini-workbook⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.integrativeaging.com/InfluenceDomme⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drnicolemarcione/⁠ Connect with Dr. Jenn: Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@drjennkennedy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pleasure Project⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Riviera Therapy⁠

  4. Jun 28

    Chemistry Isn't Compatibility | Szn. 5 Ep. 3

    Most of us spend years learning math, science, and history—but nobody teaches us how to be in a relationship. Yet, we're expected to communicate effectively: navigate conflict, set boundaries, express our needs, repair hurts, and stay emotionally connected. In this episode, Dr. Jenn breaks down the relationship skills that many of us never learned growing up—and why the struggles you're experiencing may have less to do with compatibility and more to do with skill building. You'll learn: The difference between chemistry and relationship skillsWhy conflict is normal (and how to handle it better)How emotional regulation impacts communicationThe role of boundaries in healthy relationshipsWhy resentment often signals an unmet needHow repair conversations strengthen trust and intimacyThe power of curiosity, validation, and direct communicationWhether you're dating, partnered, or reflecting on past relationships, this episode offers practical tools to help you create deeper connection and healthier communication. Because lasting relationships aren't built by perfect people—they're built by people willing to learn, practice, repair, and keep showing up. Connect with Dr. Jenn: Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@drjennkennedy⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠⁠ Pleasure Project⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠Riviera Therapy⁠

  5. Jun 14

    Does Size Really Matter w/ Dr. Joel Pash | Szn. 5 Ep. 2

    Men are Paying to Increase Their Goods Male enhancement is one of those topics people are curious about but rarely discuss openly. Yet as conversations around men's health, hormone optimization, longevity, and body image continue to grow, more men are asking questions about confidence, appearance, and sexual wellness. In this week's episode of Pleasure Project, Dr. Jenn sits down with anesthesiologist and co-founder of the Upsize Clinic, Dr. Joel Pash, to explore the rapidly growing world of male enhancement. Together, they discuss what is actually driving demand, the emotional and psychological factors behind these decisions, and the myths that many men carry about their bodies. The conversation goes far beyond procedures. You'll hear about the impact of pornography and comparison culture, the connection between body image and sexual confidence, why many men underestimate what's considered "normal," and the importance of making informed decisions in an increasingly unregulated marketplace. Whether you're curious about the topic yourself or simply interested in understanding the pressures men face around sexuality and self-image, this episode offers a thoughtful and surprisingly candid look at a conversation that is happening more often than most people realize. Connect with Dr. Pash: Website Twitter Instagram TikTok YouTube Connect with Dr. Jenn: Instagram: ⁠⁠@drjennkennedy⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠ Pleasure Project⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠Riviera Therapy⁠ #PleasureProjectPodcast #DrJennKennedy #MaleEnhancement #MensHealth #MensSexualHealth #SexualConfidence #BodyImage #MensMentalHealth #Masculinity #SexualWellness #RelationshipPodcast #SexPodcast #SexTherapist #SexEducation #HealthyMasculinity #MensBodyImage #Confidence #SelfEsteem #Intimacy #Relationships #HumanSexuality #SexPositive #PornCulture #ModernDating #MentalHealthAwareness #Longevity #HormoneHealth #MidlifeMen #PodcastRecommendations #NewPodcastEpisode

  6. May 31

    How Mental Load Derails Desire | Szn. 5 Ep. 1

    The invisible labor no one talks about? It might be the thing killing your desire. In this episode, Dr. Jenn Kennedy dives into the mental load so many people carry in relationships—the nonstop planning, anticipating, organizing, remembering, and emotional caretaking that quietly drains energy, connection, and eroticism. From managing schedules and groceries to carrying the emotional responsibility for the entire household, this invisible labor can leave people feeling exhausted, resentful, and disconnected from pleasure. Dr. Jenn explores: Why mental overload impacts libido and desireThe hidden resentment that builds in partnershipsHow “manager mode” blocks playful, erotic energyWhy simply saying “help me more” often backfiresThe connection between perfectionism, control, and burnoutHow to shift from project manager back into partnerWays couples can create more spaciousness, collaboration, and intimacyThis episode is especially for anyone who feels like they’re carrying the relationship logistics, family planning, emotional labor, or invisible responsibilities—and wondering why desire feels so far away lately. Because your libido may not be broken. It may just be overloaded. ✨ Plus: Dr. Jenn shares details about her self-paced course designed to help women better understand their desire, pleasure, and erotic blueprint. If this episode resonated, share it with someone who needs to hear it—and don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast to help more people find these conversations. Connect with Dr. Jenn: Instagram: ⁠@drjennkennedy⁠ Website:⁠ Pleasure Project⁠ Website: ⁠Riviera Therapy⁠ #MentalLoad #Relationships #Desire #EmotionalLabor #CouplesTherapy #WomensDesire #SexTherapy #PleasureProject #MidlifeWomen #Intimacy #RelationshipAdvice #DrJennKennedy

  7. May 17

    Getting What You Want w/ Jocelyn Silva | Szn. 4 Ep. 17

    What happens when a relationship feels safe… but no longer feels alive? In this episode, Dr. Jenn Kennedy sits down with sexual empowerment coach Jocelyn Silva for a conversation about shame, desire, authenticity, and what it really takes to create intimacy that feels both secure and deeply turned on. Together, they unpack: ​How purity culture and religious shame shape adult sexuality​Why so many couples have sex but never actually talk about sex​The hidden ways shame shows up in relationships and the bedroom​Why performance anxiety disconnects us from pleasure​The tension between attachment and authenticity​How to communicate desires without fear or self-abandonment​What it means to feel “at home” in your body​Why pleasure is about more than sex—it’s about creating a life that excites youJocelyn also shares her personal journey from religious shame and sexual repression to healing, self-trust, and helping others reclaim their erotic selves through curiosity, communication, and embodiment. This episode is for anyone who wants more than just safety in their relationship. It’s for people craving aliveness, playfulness, connection, and permission to want what they want. Because intimacy isn’t just about sex. It’s about feeling fully expressed in your own life. ✨ Plus: Jocelyn shares details about her new course, Speak Your Desires: A Woman’s Guide to Knowing What She Wants and Asking For It. Connect with Jocelyn: Instagram: @iamjocelynsilva Website: Jocelyn Silva Substack: @therelentlesslover Connect with Dr. Jenn: Instagram: @drjennkennedy Website: Pleasure Project Website: Riviera Therapy #SexTherapy #Intimacy #Desire #Relationships #SexualShame #PurityCulture #EroticIntelligence #Pleasure #CouplesTherapy #WomensDesire #Authenticity #EmotionalIntimacy #PleasureProject

  8. May 4

    Emotional Outsourcing w/ Béa Albina | Szn. 4 Ep. 16

    Ever find yourself needing your partner to reassure you that you’re okay, desirable, or enough? That’s emotional outsourcing—and it quietly drains intimacy and desire. In this episode, Dr. Jenn Kennedy sits down with Bea Victoria Albina to unpack how this pattern forms, why it shows up in both daily life and the bedroom, and how it can keep you stuck in cycles of disconnection. Together, they explore what it really means to take your power back—by reclaiming your voice, setting boundaries that actually hold, and rebuilding desire from the inside out. If you’ve been feeling a little too dependent on your partner’s validation (or just a little off in your connection), this conversation will help you shift the dynamic—without losing the relationship. Because desire doesn’t thrive on reassurance—it thrives on ownership. If this episode resonates, share it with someone who needs a little reminder that they’re already enough—and don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the show to help more people find these conversations. Connect with Bea: Website Instagram #EmotionalOutsourcing #IntimacyIssues #RelationshipPatterns #Desire #WomensDesire #MidlifeLove #SecureAttachment #Boundaries #SelfWorth #CouplesTherapy #SexTherapy #HealthyRelationships #PleasureProject #PodcastEpisode

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4.7
out of 5
32 Ratings

About

Exploration of all topics related to relationships and sexual pleasure: anatomy, psychology, toys, aging, communication, media, history. As a Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in couples and sexuality, I will also sometimes discuss adjacent topics such as attachment, dating, couples goals, communication, sex addiction and relational dynamics.

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