A Widow's Guide to Sex

A Widow's Guide to Sex

From Modern Love by The New York Times

March 18, 2026 · 54 min · Episode 437

About this episode

Joan Price shares her journey of reconnecting with her sexuality after the loss of her husband and offers advice for others facing similar challenges.

When Joan Price's husband died, her grief left her feeling alienated from her body. She was numb. She couldn’t have orgasms. Her sex drive disappeared. Joan understood better than most people the importance of a fulfilling sex life; as a sex educator for older adults, she centered her work around pleasure and desire. So, she began the process of rediscovering what it means to feel good after loss. Joan ended up writing a book about everything she learned, called "Sex After Grief: Navigating Your Sexuality After Losing Your Beloved." This week on “Modern Love,” Joan Price tells the story of reconnecting with her sexuality, and she shares advice for anyone looking to do the same. Please note: this episode contains explicit descriptions of sex.

People in this episode

Guest: Joan Price

Topics covered

  • grief
  • sexuality
  • aging
  • self-discovery
  • pleasure
  • loss

Keywords

  • grief
  • sex education
  • older adults
  • sexuality
  • self-exploration
  • intimacy
  • loss

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The New York Times

Books & works: Sex After Grief: Navigating Your Sexuality After Losing Your Beloved

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