296. Pleasure Is Part Of Healing, Not The Reward For It | with Dr. Kimberly Pendleton
About this episode
The episode discusses the relationship between trauma, pleasure, and intimacy, emphasizing that healing is not a linear journey and that pleasure can be an essential part of healing.
Many people believe they need to completely heal before they can experience deep intimacy, joy, or desire. But what if waiting until you're "fixed" keeps you from the very experiences that help you heal? In this conversation, Alexandra Stockwell, MD welcomes intimacy coach and trauma-informed educator Dr. Kimberly Pendleton for a compassionate discussion about the relationship between trauma, pleasure, and lasting intimacy. Together, they explore why healing isn't a linear journey, how reconnecting with your senses can restore your sense of self, and why flirtation, confidence, and playfulness aren't frivolous—they're powerful expressions of feeling fully alive. Whether you're navigating the effects of past trauma, supporting a loved one through their healing, or simply longing for a more vibrant relationship with yourself and your partner, this episode offers a hopeful perspective on what's possible. In this episode, you'll discover: • Why pleasure can be an essential part of healing rather than something to postpone• How trauma impacts identity, desire, and emotional connection• Practical ways couples can create safer conversations around past experiences• Why…
People in this episode
Host: Alexandra Stockwell, MD
Guest: Dr. Kimberly Pendleton
Topics covered
- healing
- intimacy
- trauma
- pleasure
- relationships
- self-discovery
Keywords
- intimacy
- healing
- trauma
- pleasure
- relationships
- self
- confidence
- flirtation
- joy
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- 293. Turning Her On: What if better sex starts long before the bedroom?
- 292. Can conflict actually bring you closer? | with Devon & Nico Hase
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