Sex Ed Shouldn't Suck

This week we talked to Cyndi Darnell, author and sex therapist from Australia, all about her new book "Sex When You Don't Feel Like It." She tells us about how her clients inspired her to research pleasure and desire, offers sage advice on how to talk to intimate partners, and basically gives us both a free therapy session on the pod! 

If you like this episode of the podcast, definitely go purchase and read a copy of Cyndi's b...

This incredible interview with Jeff Eaton, co-host of the Christian Rightcast, is split into two episodes. In this episode, we discuss Jeff's upbringing as a Christian homeschooler in the 1980s. Jeff tells us all about his experience in purity culture, from the earnestness that he felt for the cause to his eventual deconstruction. We talk about the destructive pitfalls of purity culture and how consent is not only an avoided topic,...

This week, we got to talk to some teens who are in the midst of their sex education in school: Disha and Sara. These two are working on an incredible program called Project AdoleSENSE. Their mission revolves around bringing better sex education to young people in India, where they both live. Disha and Sara talk to us all about what sex ed is like in India, what inspired them to start Project AdoleSENSE, and how you can help support...

We're back for part 2 of the abortion conversation. In this episode, we talk about our experiences learning about abortion (mostly from church) in the 90s and early 2000s. Kaylee recounts her slow journey from anti-abortion to pro-choice in hopes of illuminating the path from anti-abortion to pro-choice. We end the episode by discussing what common ground there is between anti-abortion and pro-choice people. Hint: it's better sex e...

We're back from our mid-season break and finally ready to talk about all the crazy anti-abortion bullsh*t that's been going on in the United States. First, Kaylee outlines the legal history of abortion in the United States, from the national ban in 1910 to the passing of Roe v. Wade in 1973. Next, we discuss how abortion became a hot button issue for conservative Christians. Finally, Jen walks through what has changed state-by-stat...

This week we got the privilege of interviewing Alex Liu, who just released a documentary all about sex education called A Sexplanation (streaming now!). The doc covers how lacking sex ed is in America and facilitates some difficult conversations with people from across the political spectrum, as well as Liu’s parents.

In our convo with Alex, we discuss our favorite moments of the documentary, why he decided to make it, and then lau...

Did you know that on any given day, it's estimated that 1 in 5 people have a sexually transmitted infection (STI)? If it's such a common occurrence, why is there so much shame wrapped up in a positive diagnosis?

In this week's episode, Kaylee and Jen talk through their experiences learning about STIs when they were in school, which included graphic images passed around the room and essentially no useful information whatsoever. Then...

We caught up with Blair, who runs all socials with the handle Talk Purity to Me, to talk about her sex ed experiences and all things purity culture. This one's got it all, folks! Abstinence-only sex ed in public schools, "radically middle" living room churches, fundamental misunderstandings of how pregnancy happens, and so much more! If you haven't yet, make sure to follow Blair on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok for all of your pur...

In this episode, Jen walks us through the long and arduous history of birth control, from random experiments (did someone say elephant dung?) to condoms, diaphragms, and birth control pills. A good portion of the episode is dedicated to discussing Margaret Sanger, covering not only her world-changing work on birth control reform and the establishment of Planned Parenthood, but also how many of her views overlapped with eugenics, cu...

We talked to Rachel Fey, the VP of Policy and Strategic Partnerships at Power to Decide, all about her career journey working in sex ed policy. Rachel gives us an in-depth review of the current state of the law available for sex education funding and learning requirements among the different states in the US, as well as information on what we can do to help push for better sex ed. 

If you want to learn more, check out Pow...

Dating shouldn’t suck, but more often than not, it does. In this episode, Jen, Kaylee, and a few of their friends share some of their most unbelievable and cringe-worthy sex and dating moments. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and hopefully you’ll feel less alone. 

If you liked this episode and think this format is something we should do more often, please tell us! Email us at hello@sexedshouldntsuck.com or send us a DM on Twitter or...

We all probably know a lot about sex in our current culture, but have you ever wondered how sex was viewed and talked about in the past? In this episode, Kaylee and Jen dive into the ancient history of sex in India, China, and Greece.  

Want to learn more? Check out our sources: 

• A graphic history of sex  
• History of human sexuality  
• What Was Sex Like in Ancient India?  
• Sex and Sexuality Accord...

Ever heard of the relataionship escalator? In the simplest terms, it’s the expectation that a relationship take concrete steps from first date to moving in together, engagement, marriage, and finally making a family. If a relationship isn’t moving up to the next level, it’s a failure and should end. 

In this episode, Kaylee and Jen discuss wha the relationship escalator is, pontificate on why society is so intense about it, an...