This week we chat with Michael Timlin – comedian, butcher, and host of the podcast Work Sucks, I Know. We start off discussing his classic school sex ed experience (complete with P.E. teacher and all) and end the episode discussing what we've learned from people we've talked to on the pod. Does anyone anywhere ever get good sex ed?? Maybe, maybe not. You'll have to listen to find out.
Follow Michael's Twitter to read more of his brain thoughts and definitely check out his podcast, Work Sucks, I Know (pssst if you're not tired of hearing Kaylee talk yet, you can listen to her episode here).
This week we talked to Cyndi Darnell, author and sex therapist from Australia, all about her new book "Sex When You Don't Feel Like It." She tells us about how her clients inspired her to research pleasure and desire, offers sage advice on how to talk to intimate partners, and basically gives us both a free therapy session on the pod!
If you like this episode of the podcast, definitely go purchase and read a copy of Cyndi's book, "Sex When You Don't Feel Like It." For a chance to win a free copy, check out our Instagram for a giveaway during the month of December (2022)!
In part 2 of our interview with Jeff Eaton from the Christian Rightcast, we talk through the history of the purity movement in detail. We account for how it changed over time, from AIDS being treated as a moral issue to True Love Waits. We also discuss biblical masculinity, Bill Gothard and the Duggars, and the motivations of leaders in the purity movement.
This incredible interview with Jeff Eaton, co-host of the Christian Rightcast, is split into two episodes. In this episode, we discuss Jeff's upbringing as a Christian homeschooler in the 1980s. Jeff tells us all about his experience in purity culture, from the earnestness that he felt for the cause to his eventual deconstruction. We talk about the destructive pitfalls of purity culture and how consent is not only an avoided topic, but actually toxic to the ideology of purity culture.
This week, we got to talk to some teens who are in the midst of their sex education in school: Disha and Sara. These two are working on an incredible program called Project AdoleSENSE. Their mission revolves around bringing better sex education to young people in India, where they both live. Disha and Sara talk to us all about what sex ed is like in India, what inspired them to start Project AdoleSENSE, and how you can help support their work.
Follow them on Instagram or send them an email at project.adolesense@gmail.com.
We're back for part 2 of the abortion conversation. In this episode, we talk about our experiences learning about abortion (mostly from church) in the 90s and early 2000s. Kaylee recounts her slow journey from anti-abortion to pro-choice in hopes of illuminating the path from anti-abortion to pro-choice. We end the episode by discussing what common ground there is between anti-abortion and pro-choice people. Hint: it's better sex education.
If you're in need of some light and fun reading, Guttmacher Institute has a fact sheet on abortion statistics in the United States.
We're back from our mid-season break and finally ready to talk about all the crazy anti-abortion bullsh*t that's been going on in the United States. First, Kaylee outlines the legal history of abortion in the United States, from the national ban in 1910 to the passing of Roe v. Wade in 1973. Next, we discuss how abortion became a hot button issue for conservative Christians. Finally, Jen walks through what has changed state-by-state since the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Sources:
We had the pleasure of talking to the wonderful Melissa Fabello: sex & relationship educator, life coach, and support group aficionado. Talking points include queering your life, relationship anarchy, and Gaylor Swift. Be sure to follow Melissa on Instagram to stay up to date on all her latest and greatest work.
It's Pride Month 2022 and folks, it is the year of the bisexual. Jen and Kaylee talk about being extremely bisexual, the difference between being bisexual vs pansexual vs queer, and all of the best bi stereotypes. The episode ends with a talk about how sex education could be more inclusive of the extremely bisexual. If you take anything away from this episode, please remember that being bisexual is an inclusive identity!
This week we got the privilege of interviewing Alex Liu, who just released a documentary all about sex education called A Sexplanation (streaming now!). The doc covers how lacking sex ed is in America and facilitates some difficult conversations with people from across the political spectrum, as well as Liu’s parents.
In our convo with Alex, we discuss our favorite moments of the documentary, why he decided to make it, and then launch into a wonderful discussion about how to help people—especially people in favor of abstinence-only sex ed—see the value of comprehensive sex education.
You might remember TDo from previous appearances on the pod, including Kissing Girls > Kissing Boys and What's This Whole Kink Thing About? You may think we've run out of topics to talk to TDo about since we've already covered sexuality and kink, but YOU'RE WRONG! This episode may be our best TDo appearance yet. What do we discuss? You've got to listen to find out.
Did you know that on any given day, it's estimated that 1 in 5 people have a sexually transmitted infection (STI)? If it's such a common occurrence, why is there so much shame wrapped up in a positive diagnosis?
In this week's episode, Kaylee and Jen talk through their experiences learning about STIs when they were in school, which included graphic images passed around the room and essentially no useful information whatsoever. Then, Kaylee talks through her research into breaking stigmas and outing misinformation. To wrap up, Jen and Kaylee talk about ways to conduct useful, science-based, shame-free STI education that not only provides info for identifying infections, but also helps students understand how to get help, talk to their doctors, and to their partner(s).
Check out our sources:
We caught up with Blair, who runs all socials with the handle Talk Purity to Me, to talk about her sex ed experiences and all things purity culture. This one's got it all, folks! Abstinence-only sex ed in public schools, "radically middle" living room churches, fundamental misunderstandings of how pregnancy happens, and so much more! If you haven't yet, make sure to follow Blair on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok for all of your purity culture shame banishment needs.
In this episode, Jen walks us through the long and arduous history of birth control, from random experiments (did someone say elephant dung?) to condoms, diaphragms, and birth control pills. A good portion of the episode is dedicated to discussing Margaret Sanger, covering not only her world-changing work on birth control reform and the establishment of Planned Parenthood, but also how many of her views overlapped with eugenics, culminating in the birth control pill trials that took place in Puerto Rico.
Check out some of our sources:
We talked to Rachel Fey, the VP of Policy and Strategic Partnerships at Power to Decide, all about her career journey working in sex ed policy. Rachel gives us an in-depth review of the current state of the law available for sex education funding and learning requirements among the different states in the US, as well as information on what we can do to help push for better sex ed.
If you want to learn more, check out Power to Decide and Bedsider. Additionally, you can read up on the federal sex ed bill that Rachel mentioned, the Real Education for Healthy Youth Act (REHYA), as well as some of the federal sex ed funding programs she covered, like the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program (TPPP), the Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP), and Title X. Finally, you can take a look at some of the online sex ed resources Rachel mentioned in the episode, including Scarleteen, Go Ask Alice, and Amaze.
Dating shouldn’t suck, but more often than not, it does. In this episode, Jen, Kaylee, and a few of their friends share some of their most unbelievable and cringe-worthy sex and dating moments. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and hopefully you’ll feel less alone.
If you liked this episode and think this format is something we should do more often, please tell us! Email us at hello@sexedshouldntsuck.com or send us a DM on Twitter or Instagram. We'd love to hear from you <3
Also it should be noted that Jen is a fog horn.
We all probably know a lot about sex in our current culture, but have you ever wondered how sex was viewed and talked about in the past? In this episode, Kaylee and Jen dive into the ancient history of sex in India, China, and Greece.
Want to learn more? Check out our sources:
Calling all fans of feet pics, and those that are just foot-curious, this is the episode for you. Jen and Kaylee interview Kellie, a self-proclaimed semi-retired foot artist who is on OnlyFans! Talking points include white picket fences, having the “cool mom,” and...cockroaches?
Want to experience some of her sexy feet pics? Subscribe to our Patreon to get an exclusive look!
Ever heard of the relataionship escalator? In the simplest terms, it’s the expectation that a relationship take concrete steps from first date to moving in together, engagement, marriage, and finally making a family. If a relationship isn’t moving up to the next level, it’s a failure and should end.
In this episode, Kaylee and Jen discuss wha the relationship escalator is, pontificate on why society is so intense about it, and then discuss why it often fails so many of us.
We talked to Ryan Sudhakaran—comedian, engineer, and overall joy of a human—all about his experiences in sex education and puberty. Talking points include 1960s bunker sex ed videos, boner simulators, and pick up artists.
If you just couldn’t get enough of Ryan, find him on Twitter, Instagram, or if you’re in the Bay, at one of his live comedy shows.