Just Between Us with Jennifer Zamparelli

How long would you ignore a sexual health problem before getting it checked? For some people, the answer might surprise you. This week, Jen is joined by Olympic rower, doctor Dr Philip Doyle for a funny and fascinating conversation about sexual health, STI testing, mental health, blue pills, broken penises and the medical issues people leave far too late. From awkward symptoms and emergency room stories to why so many of us avoid getting help, Dr Doyle answers the questions most people are too embarrassed to ask. We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalismSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever said “yeah, that’s fine” when it absolutely wasn’t fine? This week Jennifer is joined by sex and relationship coach Shannen Barry to unpack people-pleasing in all its forms. From overcommitting and avoiding confrontation to faking orgasms. Why do so many of us prioritise someone else’s comfort over our own needs? And how do we stop? Expect laughs, honesty and a few uncomfortable truths. Sorry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Remember the birds and the bees chat? Yeah… neither do we. This week Jen is joined by sex educator Olivia Teahan to unpack the weird, funny and deeply awkward ways Irish people learned about sex or more accurately, didn’t. Funny, honest and surprisingly reassuring, this episode is all about learning to relax, communicate better, and enjoy sex without all the baggage because it is supposed to be FUN. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Got a sex question you’ve never said out loud? Jennifer Zamparelli is joined once again by sex educator and intimacy coach Grace Alice O’Shea for another special listener Q&A.  From why sex can feel amazing one day and awkward the next, to random body reactions and feeling undesired in a relationship, no question is off limits. Jennifer and Grace Alice discuss how to talk about intimacy, reconnect with your sexual self, and the one question Grace Alice believes everyone should ask themselves about their sex life.  They’re answering the questions you usually keep to yourself. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feeling sexy… it sounds simple, but for a lot of us, it’s anything but. ­ This week, Jennifer is joined by comedian Aideen McQueen and burlesque performer Bonnie Boux to unpack why so many of us feel awkward, self-conscious, or just completely disconnected from that side of ourselves. ­ From Irish shame and long-term relationship ruts to crochet-induced icks and the surprising power of a good playlist… this is a conversation about confidence, comfort, and figuring out what actually makes you feel good ­ Because as it turns out, sexy isn’t a look… it’s something you can learn.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For this episode of Just Between Us, we're talking about better sex, not more of it, not swinging from the chandeliers, just figuring out what actually works for you. Because let’s be honest… for something most of us are doing, we’re still wildly awkward talking about it. Between Catholic guilt, dodgy sex ed and the idea we’re all meant to just know what we’re doing, a lot of us are out here guessing and hoping for the best. Joining Jennifer is sex educator Jenny Keane, who’s here to take the pressure off. From viral workshops (and yes, the great Irish cucumber shortage) to simple, practical ways to shake things up, this is all about getting out of your head, out of the same old routine, and into something that feels good. ­See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For this episode of Just Between Us, Jennifer gets stuck into a relationship style that sparks a lot of curiosity… and let’s be honest, a fair bit of confusion too: polyamory. She’s joined by polyamory educator Leanne Yau, who breaks down what it is, how it works in real life, and why more people are starting to question the whole “one person forever” model. From myths and misconceptions to jealousy, boundaries and brutal honesty, this is a no-BS look at a way of loving that might just challenge everything you thought you knew about relationships. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s episode takes on one of the biggest relationship buzzwords out there: narcissism. We’ve all heard it, ‘My ex was such a narcissist’, but how much of that is internet language, and how much of it points to something far more serious? This week on Just Between Us, Jennifer is joined by family psychotherapist Richard Hogan to unpack the difference between someone being selfish and someone being truly narcissistic. From love bombing and manipulation to family estrangement and the struggle to leave, it’s a clear, sobering conversation about the patterns that can quietly pull people under.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Desire doesn’t have to have an expiry date. This week on Just Between Us, Jennifer sits down with clinical sexologist Emily Power Smith to talk about sex and ageing, from libido shifts and menopause to illness, disability and changing bodies. It’s a reassuring conversation about letting go of old expectations, learning what works now, remembering pleasure can evolve with you and sex can keep getting better. ­ We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalismSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dating in Ireland can feel like a minefield. The apps are draining, ghosting is normalised, and everyone seems either too busy, too picky, or quietly panicking about timelines. Somewhere along the way, what should feel exciting has started to feel like hard work. This week, Jennifer is joined by professional matchmaker Feargal, who has spent over 15 years setting up real-life dates and watching what actually works and what really doesn’t. From app fatigue and sky-high expectations to the danger of sticking rigidly to a “type,” he shares the patterns he sees again and again. They talk about Irish pride and privacy, the reluctance to travel for someone who might be worth it, the pressure around age and fertility, and why “not settling” can sometimes become self-sabotage. It’s an honest conversation about effort, compromise and being realistic about what truly matters. Just Between Us is the Irish Independent’s sex and relationships podcast, hosted by Jennifer Zamparelli. New episodes every Thursday.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, you might be thinking about buying a sexy gift for someone you love, or for yourself, but not know where to start. This week on Just Between Us, Jennifer Zamparelli is joined by Shawna Scott of Sex Siopa to break it all down. From bullets to bondage, dildos to dilators, Shauna explains what’s out there, how it all works, and how to find what actually suits your body, your needs and your curiosity. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Got a sex question you’ve never said out loud? Jennifer Zamparelli is joined by sex educator and intimacy coach Grace Alice O’Shea for a special listener Q&A. From libido and orgasms to body insecurities and the male G-spot, they’re answering the questions you usually keep to yourself. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when you drop the shame and start talking honestly about sex? This week, Jennifer Zamparelli is joined by comedian and sex-positive powerhouse Bláthín de Burca for a funny, frank and refreshingly open conversation about desire, kink, curiosity and learning what actually turns you on. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.