Sex For Couples with Heather Shannon

Feeling stuck in your sex life? Take the free quiz to find your sexy spark again: https://thebetterbedroom.comSEX WITH ADHDYou're in the middle of sex and somehow your brain wanders off to grocery lists, Hamilton the musical, or the ceiling fan clicking. Then the shame kicks in. If that's you, this episode is going to change how you think about it completely.Heather sits down with Cate Osborn, ADHD content creator, sex educator, and best-selling author of The ADHD Field Guide for Adults, to break down what ADHD and neurodivergence actually have to do with sex and intimacy. Spoiler: everything.They cover why the ADHD brain treats sex like just another series of tasks (same as making a sandwich), why kink might be the most naturally ADHD-friendly toolbox there is, how executive dysfunction shows up in the bedroom, the surprising links between ADHD and erectile dysfunction, orgasm difficulty, and hormonal shifts, and, for partners of someone with ADHD, where explanation ends and excuse begins.In this episode:00:00 Intro 01:35 Why so many of Heather's clients turn out to be neurodivergent 02:53 Executive functioning and how it touches every part of your sex life 04:15 The comorbidities nobody talks about (anxiety, OCD, disordered eating) 04:42 What "AuDHD" is and why it matters 06:45 The sexual assault statistics that stopped Heather in her tracks 08:04 Inside The ADHD Field Guide for Adults 14:11 Why kink might be the perfect tool for an ADHD brain 18:20 The real reason you get distracted during sex 23:50 "I'm thinking about Hamilton the musical", checking out mid-sex 25:10 Eye contact, communication, and knowing your own needs 36:12 The partner side: what's fair to ask, and where accountability comes in 44:34 Resentment, parentified relationships, and sex drive 45:43 Orgasm difficulty and erectile dysfunction, explainedCurious about coaching with Heather? Book a free Pathway to Passion consultMore from Cate Osborn: InstagramBuy The Book This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Take the Why You're Stuck In A Sex Rut Quiz now! https://TheBetterBedroom.com If you feel more like roommates, co-parents, or logistical planning partners than lovers, your phone might be a bigger part of the problem than you think. In this episode, Heather Shannon — certified sex therapist with 20 years of counseling experience — breaks down what constant phone use is actually doing to your sex drive and your relationship, and how getting present again brings your desire back with it.What You'll Learn00:02 — Why phone use might be quietly killing your sex life, and what a 2025 University of Connecticut/Columbia study found about phone use, conflict, and intimacy in relationships02:27 — The societal shift toward disconnection: distracted driving, ignored bids for attention, and the disappearing "hello" when you walk into a shop04:54 — Why being "in your head" instead of "in your body" is one of the biggest hidden causes of performance anxiety, difficulty orgasming, and disconnection from your partner07:16 — How to audit your own phone use: what you actually want vs. what your actions show, and why this matters even more for men who weren't encouraged to be in touch with their emotions09:38 — What you get back when you put the phone down: presence, laughter, working out as a body-awareness practice, and why boredom can actually be good for your sex life11:52 — The trade-off most people don't examine: what you're sacrificing for a quick dopamine hit (and a mention of the book Dopamine Nation)14:15 — Heather's own 48-hour phone experiment: turning off text, WhatsApp, social media, and email for a weekend — and what it did to her nervous system and her sex drive16:32 — Practical solutions: checking in with yourself before you scroll, using Screen Time/Downtime limits, and why limits alone aren't enough — you have to decide how you actually want to spend your timeJoin the 30-Day ChallengeHeather's considering building a 30-day cell-phone-reducing, relationship-presence-boosting challenge. If that's something you'd want in on, comment "CHALLENGE" on YouTube or Spotify, or email [email protected] directly. If there's enough interest, she'll build it.Resources & Links📋 Take the quiz: TheBetterBedroom.com📅 Book a consultation call for coaching: HeatherShannon.co📖 Mentioned in this episode: Dopamine Nation by Dr. Anna Lembke🧘 Mentioned in this episode: Eckhart Tolle's perspective on digital society and presenceThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

SummaryCertified Sex Therapist Heather Shannon explores the complexities of sexual awkwardness and the pressures that come with performance in intimate relationships. She discusses the importance of shifting from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset regarding sexuality, emphasizing the need to connect with one's body rather than living in one's head. Heather also delves into the protective parts and wounds that can hinder sexual expression and the judgment that often accompanies feelings of inadequacy. The episode concludes with an announcement about the podcast's rebranding to 'Sex for Couples', aimed at helping individuals in committed relationships navigate their sexual lives with confidence and joy.Chapters00:00 Understanding Awkwardness in Sexuality02:38 The Pressure of Performance in Sex05:17 Mindset Matters: Fixed vs. Growth07:55 Living in Your Head vs. Your Body10:55 The Impact of Past Experiences19:06 Judgment and Authenticity in Sexuality20:50 Podcast Transition: New Name and FocusCurious about working with Heather or someone from her team?Book A Free ConsultationKeywordssexuality, sexual energy, performance anxiety, self-acceptance, growth mindset, intimacy, relationships, sexual confidence, body awareness, emotional healingThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Certified Sex Therapist, Heather Shannon explores the common sexual assumptions and misunderstandings that derail couples' sex lives. She discusses how past experiences shape current perceptions, the importance of maintaining a growth mindset, the influence of hedonic conditioning and the need for open communication to navigate assumptions. The conversation emphasizes the role of curiosity in fostering intimacy and understanding between partners.Chapters00:00 Understanding Sexual Assumptions05:40 The Impact of Past Experiences on Present Relationships10:46 Mindset and Its Role in Sexual Communication14:34 Navigating Assumptions in Long-Term Relationships20:40 The Importance of Curiosity in IntimacyWork With HeatherWant to get out of your sex rut? Request a free consultation for Heather's signature Pathway to Passion coaching program. Unlock Your Passion - Consultation CallVideo VersionCheck out the video version of this epsiode on our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/hyyz4ZyY65A This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp