Just Between Us with Jennifer Zamparelli

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.

A special Christmas Day episode with friend of the show Dr Caroline West and Indo Daily host Kevin Doyle, digging into one of Dublin’s darkest and most fascinating chapters: the Monto, once Europe’s most infamous red-light district. Expect forgotten history, surprising humanity, and the stories that were almost erased. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Just Between Us, the sex and relationships podcast from the Irish Independent, hosted by Jennifer Zamparelli. We’ve all heard about the wage gap – but what about the orgasm gap? This week, Jennifer is joined by writer, broadcaster and Sex Education script consultant Alix Fox to talk about why straight men are still having more orgasms than straight women, and how sex toys, better conversations and a broader idea of sex could help close that gap. ­ Just Between Us is an Irish Independent podcast hosted by Jennifer Zamparelli. New episodes every Thursday, wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Jennifer is joined by pharmacist and author Laura Dowling to talk vulvas, vaginas and everything we were never taught about women’s sexual health – from pubic hair and “feminine freshness” myths to lube, menopause, prolapse and the power of finally finding your own pleasure. ­ Just Between Us is an Irish Independent podcast hosted by Jennifer Zamparelli. New episodes every Thursday, wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all talk about being our best selves - at work, in the gym, even on social media. But when it comes to sex… that conversation suddenly gets a little awkward, doesn’t it? Today, Jennifer is joined by Irish Independent Columnist Dr Caroline West to talk about what it really means to be your best self sexually. Just Between Us is an Irish Independent podcast hosted by Jennifer Zamparelli. New episodes every Thursday, wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.