Sex, Secrets, & Sass

Angie Martin, LCPC and Krissy Johnson, LMFT
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Mental Health

A podcast about sex, secrets, relationships, double lives, betrayal, identity, the patriarchy, and the complicated reality of being a woman! No topic is too taboo. Just honest conversations, raw stories, hard truths, dark humor, and the stuff women are usually told to keep quiet about.

Episodes

  1. 6d ago

    Uncovering the Impact of Unresolved Grief on Women's Sexuality and Intimacy with Dr. Carolyn Alter

    In this episode of Sex, Secrets, & Sass, Angie and Krissy explore how unresolved grief and parental ghosts can influence a woman’s intimate life. Special guest Dr. Carolyn Alter, a Chicago-based clinical psychologist, shares her insights on navigating major life transitions and healing the emotional shadows that can affect intimacy, relationships, and our connection to ourselves. Key Topics Covered: • How grief related to parental loss can impact women’s emotional health and intimacy • The metaphor of emotional shadows acting like a "chastity belt" in the bedroom • How unresolved grief can show up as sexual disconnection and difficulty with emotional regulation • The influence of early childhood loss on adult relationships and sexuality • Practical approaches for processing grief and reconnecting with the body • How internal mental models, or "blueprints," inherited from childhood can shape persistent patterns • Why healing deep-seated emotional shadows can be a long-term process • The significance of understanding cathaxis and its relationship to arrested emotional development and emotional regulation • The connection between unresolved grief, abandonment wounds, and fear of rejection • Ways to become more present and embodied during intimacy Connect with Dr. Carolyn Alter: 🌐 Website: https://www.alterpsychpllc.com/ 📸 Instagram: @alterpsychpllc This episode offers a deeper look at how unresolved grief can shape our intimate lives, often in ways we don’t immediately recognize. Whether you’re navigating your own grief or supporting someone you love, this conversation explores what it can look like to understand those emotional shadows, reconnect with your body, and create space for greater intimacy and connection. Connect with the Hosts: Krissy Johnson, LMFT 🌐 www.inthelifetherapy.com Angie Martin, LCPC, LMHC 🌐 www.newapproachmentalhealth.com 📸 Follow Sex, Secrets, & Sass on Instagram: @gensexers ⭐ If this conversation resonated with you, please follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone who might need to hear it. Your support helps us keep these conversations going.

  2. Jul 22

    From College Drinking to Sobriety: Angie's Journey

    In this episode of Sex, Secrets, & Sass, Angie gets personal about her relationship with alcohol and the journey that eventually led her to sobriety. What started as college drinking gradually became something much bigger. Angie shares how alcohol continued to play a major role in her life long after college, the ways it affected her relationships and mental health, and the moment she finally admitted to herself that it was a problem. She opens up about what happened next, including the role therapy, support groups, and deeper self-exploration played in her recovery. Angie also talks about the connection between alcohol, trauma, and mental health, and what she began to uncover once alcohol was no longer there to numb, distract, or help her cope. Krissy and Angie also get into the growing sober curious movement and the idea that you don't have to hit a dramatic “rock bottom” to question your relationship with alcohol. Sometimes simply asking, Is this actually making my life better? can be a pretty powerful place to start. Angie reflects on how sobriety has changed her relationships, her connection with herself, her experience of sex and intimacy, and her ability to actually be present for her own life. In This EpisodeAngie's early relationship with alcohol and college drinkingHow drinking changed after collegeRecognizing the impact alcohol was having on her life and relationshipsThe moment she admitted she needed to stopThe role of therapy and support in recoveryThe connection between trauma, mental health, and alcohol useNavigating the challenges of early sobrietyThe sober curious movement and questioning our cultural relationship with alcoholRediscovering joy without drinkingHow sobriety affected Angie's relationships, sex life, and connection with herselfWhat Angie would say to someone questioning their own relationship with alcohol Mentioned in This EpisodeSober Curious by Ruby Warrington A book exploring our relationship with alcohol and what life can look like when we begin questioning drinking culture. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Peer support and recovery resources for people who want to stop drinking. About Sex, Secrets, & SassSex, Secrets, & Sass is where therapists Krissy Johnson and Angie Martin talk about the things we're all thinking about but don't always say out loud. Sex. Relationships. Secrets. Shame. Mental health. Double lives. And all the gloriously complicated stuff that comes with being human. Connect with the Hosts: Krissy Johnson, LMFT 🌐 www.inthelifetherapy.com Angie Martin, LCPC, LMHC 🌐 www.newapproachmentalhealth.com 📸 Follow Sex, Secrets, & Sass on Instagram: @gensexers ⭐ If this conversation resonated with you, please follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone who might need to hear it. Your support helps us keep these conversations going. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol or substance use, professional support is available. This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes and is not a substitute for mental health or medical treatment.

  3. Jul 15

    Navigating Sobriety and Sexuality: Insights with Dr. Lori Nabors

    Are you curious about reducing alcohol consumption but unsure where to start? In this episode, Dr. Lori Nabors, a virtual psychologist specializing in sober curiosity, shares practical insights on questioning drinking habits, understanding the impact of alcohol on women, and exploring the connection between alcohol and sex—all without shame. Main Topics Covered:Understanding sober curiosity and why it’s gaining momentum among professional womenThe concept of micro experiments: trying small changes in drinking habitsKey statistics about alcohol consumption and its effects on women’s bodiesThe difference between alcohol use disorder and being an alcoholicThe impact of alcohol on sexual experiences and consentOvercoming shame and stigma associated with drinking, especially for womenStrategies for tracking and measuring alcohol intake accuratelyThe cultural normalization of "liquid courage" and its effects on relationships Resources and Connect with Guest: Curiosity Distilled: A 6-week group for women questioning their drinking. No rock bottom required. Just honest curiosity about your relationship with alcohol, alongside other women exploring the same thing. Find out more about Dr. Lori at https://www.drlorinabors.com/ and book your free Curiosity Brewing Consult at https://drlorinabors.clientsecure.me Understanding Alcohol Consumption Guidelines This episode emphasizes self-compassion and curiosity as tools for exploring your relationship with alcohol, sexuality, and health. Remember, change begins with understanding and kindness toward yourself. Connect with the Hosts: Krissy Johnson, LMFT 🌐 www.inthelifetherapy.com Angie Martin, LCPC, LMHC 🌐 www.newapproachmentalhealth.com 📸 Follow Sex, Secrets, & Sass on Instagram: @gensexers ⭐ If this conversation resonated with you, please follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone who might need to hear it. Your support helps us keep these conversations going.

  4. Jul 8

    The Double Life That Led Me Here (Part 2): Finding My Voice Again

    This is Part 2 of Krissy's story. Last week, Krissy shared the secret she'd been hiding for years and the impossible choice she faced when an ex threatened to expose it. This week, she picks up where that story left off. Krissy shares what happened after telling her family the truth, how she began rebuilding her life, and the winding path that eventually led her from sex work to becoming a licensed marriage and family therapist. Together, Krissy and Angie explore shame, identity, healing, and what it really means to reclaim your own story. In this episode: • What happened after the secret came out • Rebuilding relationships with family • The journey from sex work to therapy • Why telling the truth can be both terrifying and freeing • How sharing our stories helps others feel less alone If this conversation resonated with you, we'd love it if you'd follow the show, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who could use the reminder that your past doesn't get the final word. Connect with the HostsKrissy Johnson, LMFT 🌐 www.inthelifetherapy.com Angie Martin, LCPC, LMHC 🌐 www.newapproachmentalhealth.com 📸 Follow Sex, Secrets, & Sass on Instagram: @gensexers ⭐ If this conversation resonated with you, please follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone who might need to hear it. Your support helps us keep these conversations going.

  5. Jul 1

    The Double Life That Led Me Here: From Sex Worker to Therapist (Part 1)

    Before Krissy became a therapist helping women navigate secrets, betrayal, and impossible relationship decisions, she had secrets of her own. In this deeply personal episode, Krissy shares the winding path from studying opera and musical theater to working in the sensual massage industry, living a double life, and eventually becoming the therapist she is today. We explore shame, survival, identity, boundaries, and the moments that changed the direction of her life. Krissy also opens up about what it was like carrying a secret for years, why she ultimately decided to tell her story publicly, and how those experiences shaped the way she works with clients today. This conversation isn't about having all the answers. It's about what happens when we stop hiding, begin listening to ourselves, and realize our past doesn't have to define our future. If you've ever carried a secret, questioned your worth because of your past, or wondered whether healing and a fresh start were still possible, this conversation is for you. In this episode, we discuss:Krissy's early dream of becoming a professional singerHow divorce unexpectedly changed the direction of her lifeEntering the sensual massage industry and living a double lifeThe role boundaries played in keeping her emotionally and physically safeShame, secrecy, and the emotional cost of hidingThe experiences that ultimately led her to become a therapistWhy our past doesn't have to determine our future Don't Miss Part 2This is Part 1 of Krissy's story. Next week, the secret she'd worked so hard to protect is suddenly at risk of being exposed, forcing her to confront a decision that would change the course of her life. Connect with the HostsKrissy Johnson, LMFT 🌐 https://www.inthelifetherapy.com Angie Martin, LCPC, LMHC 🌐 https://www.newapproachmentalhealth.com Follow Sex, Secrets, & Sass for new episodes every Wednesday. If this conversation resonated with you, we'd love it if you'd subscribe, leave a review, and share the episode with someone who might need to hear it.

  6. Jun 24

    Sex, Patriarchy, and Women's Pleasure: Unpacking Cultural Myths and Medical Misses

    Note: This episode emphasizes open dialogue about female sexuality, debunking myths, and promoting personal empowerment. Listener discretion advised for explicit topics. Join Angie and Krissy as they explore how patriarchy has historically shaped perceptions of female sexuality, from medieval myths to modern medical blind spots. This episode dives into surprising facts about sexual satisfaction, the definition of sex, and the cultural expectations placed on women, offering a candid look at how societal norms influence our intimate lives. Key Topics: Impact of patriarchy on heterosexual sex and women’s pleasureThe true definition of sex beyond penetrationHow medical research historically marginalized women’s sexualityThe evolution of beauty standards and their cultural implicationsMarital rape laws and the fight for women’s rights over their bodiesThe significance of language in shaping gender norms (“pregnant” vs. “they’re pregnant”)Challenging myths: semen as nourishment, women’s openness in medieval timesThe role of societal expectations in women faking pleasureHistorical misconceptions about women’s sexuality from Aristotle to modern timesHow societal and legal changes influence women’s autonomy today The Impact of Patriarchy on Heterosexual Sex https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObKOm_igUcM Eleanor Janega and her website Going Medieval https://going-medieval.com/ where you can find her book The Once and Future Sex: Going Medieval on Women’s Roles in Society and other essays like the two below: https://going-medieval.com/2017/05/26/on-women-and-desire/ https://going-medieval.com/2019/05/16/on-sex-logic-and-being-the-subject/ Esther Perel, where you can learn more about her and her work https://www.estherperel.com/ Anatomy of The Clitoris  1. O’CONNELL HE, SANJEEVAN KV, HUTSON JM. ANATOMY OF THE CLITORIS. Journal of Urology [internet]. 2005 Oct 1 (cited 2026 Jun 22); 174 (4 Part 1):1189-95. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1097/01.ju.0000173639.38898.cd Domestic Violence Services Network, Inc. https://www.dvsn.org/maritalrape/ Krissy Johnson, LMFT Angie Martin, LCPC, LMHC

  7. Jun 17

    Exploring Sex, Secrets and Sass

    In the inaugural episode of Sex, Secrets and Sass, hosts Krissy Johnson and Angie Martin, both therapists, explore the complexities of sexuality, relationships, and the impact of menopause on women's lives. They share their personal journeys, discuss their professional niches, and delve into the societal taboos surrounding aging and sexual health.

  • 7 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

A podcast about sex, secrets, relationships, double lives, betrayal, identity, the patriarchy, and the complicated reality of being a woman! No topic is too taboo. Just honest conversations, raw stories, hard truths, dark humor, and the stuff women are usually told to keep quiet about.

Information

  • Creator
    Angie Martin, LCPC and Krissy Johnson, LMFT
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Angie Martin, LCPC and Krissy Johnson, LMFT

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