About this episode

Ailey Jolie and sex therapist Aleksandra Trkulja discuss how shame and body image affect intimacy and pleasure.

What if pleasure is not about learning new techniques, but learning how to feel safe in your body? In this episode, Ailey sits down with sex therapist and sexologist Aleksandra Trkulja to explore the connection between body image, nervous system regulation, and intimacy. Together, they unpack why shame, self criticism, and disconnection from the body can create real barriers to pleasure, arousal, and desire. Aleks shares insights from her work in eating disorder recovery and explains how cont...

People in this episode

Host: Ailey Jolie

Guest: Aleksandra Trkulja

Topics covered

• shame
• intimacy
• body image
• nervous system regulation
• pleasure
• self-criticism

More episodes of In This Body

• Beneath the Rage with Vanessa Bennett · May 28, 2026 · 1h 8m
• Staying In Your Body Through Chronic Illness with Dr. Ann Saffi Biasetti · May 14, 2026 · 1h 5m

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the In This Body podcast page.