Unzipping Taboos: Candid Conversations about Sex

Dr Sue and Charlie
  • 4.4 (7)
  • Sexuality
  • Updated Weekly

Join hosts Dr Sue & Charlie on "Unzipping Taboos" as they delve into the intricate & often challenging landscape of sex, & all things related to it. Each episode will be an open conversation on a different topic. Through their engaging discussions, listeners will gain insight into the complexities of sex, & how to talk about this deeply personal subject. Whether you're a seasoned advocate for sexual liberation or someone who finds the topic daunting, "Unzipping Taboos" offers a safe space to explore the nuances of human sexuality, challenge preconceptions, & help make the subject less taboo

  1. 3d ago

    Women Don’t Expire: Aging, Menopause, and Cultural Myths - Part 2

    In Part 2 of our conversation on perimenopause and menopause, we move beyond biology and into the healthcare experiences, cultural messages, and societal expectations that shape how women experience aging. We break down the differences between Pap smears and pelvic exams, talk about changing screening recommendations, and discuss why regular healthcare conversations remain important throughout adulthood. Then we zoom out. Why are women so often taught that aging makes them less visible, less desirable, or less valuable? Why are menopausal experiences so often reduced to stereotypes while companies market endless products promising to “fix” what aging changes? We unzip media portrayals of menopause, body image, desirability, and the pressure women face to resist aging rather than experience it. We also talk about self-acceptance, questioning messages designed to profit from insecurity, and the growing movement of women rejecting shame and embracing aging on their own terms. Because women do not lose their value with age—and better conversations create better care, challenge outdated narratives, and make space for women to be fully seen. If you have a story, thoughts and/or a topic or question for Dr. Sue and Charlie please share your ideas here:  ⁠Show suggestions If you want to ask Dr Sue a sex question for the weekly Q&A you can submit it here: Ask a question

    54 min

  2. Jun 3

    Women Don’t Expire: Aging, Menopause, and Cultural Myths - Part 1

    In this episode of Unzipping Taboos, we unzip a topic too many women are expected to navigate without enough information: perimenopause and menopause. We break down what perimenopause and menopause actually mean, why symptoms can show up long before periods stop completely, and why this transition can feel confusing, unpredictable, and surprisingly isolating. From sleep disruption and mood changes to hot flashes, and body changes,  we talk honestly about what women may experience—and why no two journeys look exactly alike. We also discuss the importance of finding reliable health information, advocating for yourself in medical settings, and questioning outdated narratives around menopause care and treatment options like hormone replacement therapy (HRT). This conversation became bigger than one episode, so in Part 2 we’ll continue beyond the biology—into healthcare experiences, aging, body image, cultural messages about women and desirability, and why society still has work to do in how we talk about growing older. Because aging isn’t something to fear—and women deserve information, support, and honest conversations along the way. If you have a story, thoughts and/or a topic or question for Dr. Sue and Charlie please share your ideas here:  ⁠Show suggestions If you want to ask Dr Sue a sex question for the weekly Q&A you can submit it here: Ask a question

    50 min

  3. May 27

    Clarity, Not Whispers: Sexual Wellness Procedures Unzipped

    In this episode, we unzip treatments like O-Shots®, G-Shots®, and MonaLisa Touch®—procedures that often enter conversations through television, social media, friends, and word of mouth. We talk about how conversations around sexual wellness are evolving, and why many people find themselves searching for answers about options they may not hear discussed during routine healthcare visits. We talk about why qualified providers, safety, and informed decision-making matter when navigating procedures that can come with a lot of questions—and not always clear answers. Because sexual health conversations deserve clarity—not whispers. If you have a story, thoughts and/or a topic or question for Dr. Sue and Charlie please share your ideas here:  ⁠Show suggestions If you want to ask Dr Sue a sex question for the weekly Q&A you can submit it here: Ask a question

    57 min

  4. May 20

    They’re Listening to You: Why Parents Matter in Sex Ed

    In this episode, we unzip one of the most important—and often most avoided—roles we can play as parents and caregivers: being a trusted source of sex education. Instead of relying on awkward, one-time “talks,” we explore what it means to create an ongoing, open dialogue with kids and teens. School-based sex ed is often inconsistent or incomplete, which leaves a gap—and an opportunity—for us to step in with accurate, values-informed conversations. From understanding what’s actually being taught (and what isn’t), to using tools like the National Sex Education Standards, we walk through how to approach these moments with curiosity rather than fear or perfectionism. Not having all the answers isn’t a failure—it can be an invitation to learn with your kids. Practical strategies matter here, too. We cover ways to build trust with teens, create “safe exit” plans for uncomfortable situations, and navigate device use, privacy, and the evolving landscape of sexual health information. Remember, modeling openness and challenging shame-based narratives can shift the entire tone of these conversations. Because even if it feels uncomfortable, most kids do want to talk to us about this—they just need to know it’s safe. You can find the National Sex Education Standards here, just know that it will download as a .pdf  If you have a story, thoughts and/or a topic or question for Dr. Sue and Charlie please share your ideas here:  ⁠Show suggestions If you want to ask Dr Sue a sex question for the weekly Q&A you can submit it here: Ask a question

    1h 12m

  5. May 13

    Pulling the Thread: The Real Impact of the Mifepristone Ruling

    In this episode, we unzip the recent Fifth Circuit Appeals Court ruling impacting access to mifepristone through telehealth and mail delivery, and why this fight is about so much more than one medication. We walk through what the ruling—and the drug maker’s appeal—means for people living under the Fifth Circuit and beyond. We emphasize why telehealth access matters, and how decisions like this ripple far beyond abortion care alone. Because when access to medication, providers, and healthcare delivery methods starts getting restricted, it rarely stops with just one issue. We also talk honestly about who carries the heaviest burden when healthcare becomes harder to access: women, people in rural communities, low-income families, and marginalized populations who are already navigating systems that were never built with them in mind to begin with. Throughout the conversation, we call attention to the fear-based narratives that often dominate these issues, the disconnect between policy and public opinion, and the bigger picture of bodily autonomy, healthcare access, and reproductive justice in the United States. And because staying informed matters now more than ever, we share a few ways listeners can take action—from contacting elected officials, to following reliable reporting like Jessica Valenti’s “ABORTION, EVERY DAY” to supporting organizations like The Brigid Alliance that help people access reproductive healthcare when barriers stand in the way. This is a timely, frustrated, deeply human conversation about what happens when healthcare becomes political—and why these conversations cannot stay taboo. If you have a story, thoughts and/or a topic or question for Dr. Sue and Charlie please share your ideas here:  ⁠Show suggestions If you want to ask Dr Sue a sex question for the weekly Q&A you can submit it here: Ask a question

    50 min

  6. May 6

    Private, Not Taboo: Masturbation Unzipped

    In this episode, we unzip masturbation without the awkwardness, the myths, or the shame. In honor of International Masturbation Month, we take a candid look at one of the most common, and most misunderstood, forms of sexual expression. We talk about what masturbation actually is, why it shows up differently for everyone, and how it can be a powerful tool for stress relief, self-discovery, and connection with your own body. We break down the myths that have lingered for generations—from physical harm to relationship fears—and where those ideas actually come from. We also explore the real benefits, from improved sleep and mood to increased confidence and body awareness, along with how masturbation can play a role in relationships, healing, and self-care. Along the way, we talk about sex toys, generational shifts, and the reality that for many people, this topic still sits at the intersection of culture, religion, and personal values. At the end of the day, this isn’t about telling anyone what they should do, it’s about making space for informed, judgment-free conversations so you can decide what feels right for you. Because something this normal was never meant to be taboo in the first place. If you have a story, thoughts and/or a topic or question for Dr. Sue and Charlie please share your ideas here:  ⁠Show suggestions If you want to ask Dr Sue a sex question for the weekly Q&A you can submit it here: Ask a question

    1h 7m

  7. Apr 29

    Don’t Make It Weird: It’s Just Lube

    Lube is one of the most normal parts of sex play—and one of the least talked about. In this episode of Unzipping Taboos, we get practical about what actually matters when it comes to lubricants. We break down the three main types—water-based, silicone-based, and oil-based—and how to choose the right one based on your body, your needs, and the kind of sex you’re having. From pH balance and vaginal health to condom compatibility and allergic reactions, we unzip the details that often get overlooked—but can make all the difference in comfort and safety. We also get into the nuance—why not all lubes work the same for every body, how preferences like texture and feel play a role, and what to avoid when you’re in a pinch (because not everything in your bathroom belongs anywhere near your body). This is a candid, judgment-free conversation about making informed choices, asking better questions, and normalizing something that never needed to be taboo in the first place. If you have a story, thoughts and/or a topic or question for Dr. Sue and Charlie please share your ideas here:  ⁠Show suggestions

    1h 6m

  8. Apr 22

    Masculinity & Medicine: Men, Sex, and Prostate Cancer

    Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men—and one of the easiest to ignore. In this episode of Unzipping Taboos, we sit down with Dr. Arthur Burnett—Professor of Urology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Patrick C. Walsh Professor of Urology, and Director of the Male Consultation Clinic at Johns Hopkins Hospital—to unpack what men’s health conversations too often avoid. From what the prostate actually does to why prostate cancer can develop silently, we get clear on what every man—and everyone who loves one—should know. We talk about the reality that “no symptoms” doesn’t mean “no risk,” and why waiting for something to feel wrong can come at a cost. Dr. Burnett walks us through screening, who’s most at risk, and why factors like family history and race—particularly for Black men—matter more than many people realize. And this conversation goes beyond the clinical. We get into what happens after diagnosis—the treatment decisions, the impact on sexual function, and the often unspoken emotional weight men carry when their sense of identity and masculinity feels tied to their bodies in new ways. From medications to devices to surgical options, we unzip what support and recovery can actually look like—and why silence and stigma only make it harder. This is a candid conversation about advocacy, awareness, and showing up for your health before something forces you to. Because when it comes to prostate cancer, what you don’t feel can still matter—and what you don’t talk about can cost you. If you have a story, thoughts and/or a topic or question for Dr. Sue and Charlie please share your ideas here: ⁠⁠Show suggestions

    57 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.4
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Join hosts Dr Sue & Charlie on "Unzipping Taboos" as they delve into the intricate & often challenging landscape of sex, & all things related to it. Each episode will be an open conversation on a different topic. Through their engaging discussions, listeners will gain insight into the complexities of sex, & how to talk about this deeply personal subject. Whether you're a seasoned advocate for sexual liberation or someone who finds the topic daunting, "Unzipping Taboos" offers a safe space to explore the nuances of human sexuality, challenge preconceptions, & help make the subject less taboo

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