When was the last time you had an honest conversation about sex? Not just the logistics, but the deep stuff—pleasure, desire, and the myths we've all internalized? Dr. Emma Smith, certified sex and trauma therapist, joins us for a refreshingly candid discussion that might just transform how you think about physical intimacy.
The conversation begins with Dr. Smith's fascinating journey from trauma therapy to sex therapy. While helping sexual assault survivors reclaim their lives, she noticed something crucial was missing from their recovery: "They're showing up at work, in school, in friendships...but the bedroom is remaining elusive." This revelation led her to specialize in helping people reconnect with embodied pleasure after trauma.
We dive into pervasive sex myths that limit our experiences. Perhaps the most liberating insight? "Good sex is sex that you enjoy having. It is completely subjective." This simple truth challenges the performance-based metrics many of us unconsciously apply to intimacy. Dr. Smith debunks the myth that most women can achieve orgasm through penetration alone (80-85% cannot) and explores how responsive desire works—that slow-building arousal that takes an average of 20 minutes for women to develop fully.
Dr. Smith also addresses how religious upbringing and purity culture create lasting impacts on sexual experiences. Both of us share our Catholic backgrounds and the journey to unlearn limiting beliefs about pleasure. As she poignantly notes, many people don't even realize "sex was for my pleasure" until well into adulthood.
Whether you're struggling with performance anxiety, feeling disconnected from your desires, or simply curious about expanding your understanding of pleasure, this conversation offers compassionate insights and practical wisdom. Dr. Smith reminds us that true sexual fulfillment requires safety, trust, and the courage to explore what genuinely feels good—not what we think sex "should" look like.
Ready to rethink everything you thought you knew about good sex? Listen now, and discover how breaking free from sexual myths might just lead to the most authentic pleasure you've ever experienced.

Connect with Dr. Emma Smith on IG @ emmasmithphd or her website https://soliloquie.co/

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xx Hannah