Mormon Sex Info
Providing Accurate Information and Sexual Education for Mormons and their Families
Welcome!
Mormon Sex info is Hosted by
Natasha Helfer parker, LCMFT, CST
Certified Sex Therapist
Licensed Marriage & Family therapist...
working with LDS/mormon Members & other Religious communities for over 20 years
I thoroughly enjoy the Mormon Sex Info podcasts.
I love the thoughtful analysis on these topics.
Episodes are usually released weekly
(except for holidays)
and are available for $1.25 per download.
Plan on about 40-45 episodes being released per year.
Whether you come from a Mormon/LDS background, other religious cultures, or are looking for high-quality, accurate sexual education, you will find these podcasts useful and relevant.
Subscribe to Mormon Sex Info for $35 a Year
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Subscribers get earlier access to podcasts than the general public.
Get access to ALL Mormon Sex Info podcasts at the subscription rate.
Best Value!! Easiest Option!!
Subscribers get earlier access to podcasts than the general public.
Episode 97: Raising Healthy Sexual Beings after Trauma and Abuse
Amy Hammer joins Natasha on this episode of Mormon Sex Info as they discuss instances when young children and pre-adolescents are involved in sexual play/exploration with one another. Amy is a CST and Licensed Clinical Social Worker and works in Kansas.
Episode 96: Why "Sex Addiction" Isn't a Thing - A Personal Story
On this episode of Mormon Sex Info, Matt Fullmer joins Natasha to share his experience going through “Sex Addiction Treatment,” coming from the Mormon Tradition. He shares his experiences with the treatment as the church ramped up its porn rhetoric, why the treatment didn’t work for him and why he’s now better off realizing that this type of treatment is not clinically sound nor effective.
Episode 95: Myths of Sexuality with Tammy Ellis
Tammy Ellis returns on this episode of Mormon Sex Info where they discuss how things are being taught in higher education. On this episode, Tammy shares some myths she’s observed when it comes to sexuality including gender dysphoria, pregnancy and sexuality, how to treat sexual behavior that’s out of control and older people not being interested in sex.
Episode 94: Justin Lehmiller: Fantasies and Sexuality Part 2
Dr. Lehmiller returns on this episode of Mormon Sex Info. He continues discussing his book “Tell Me What You Want”. They go into depth with his book including the differences between male and female fantasies along with 15 things that can affect sexual fantasies. Some of these include: age, sexual orientation, religious affiliation and political affiliations. He ends with overall takeaways of the book.
Episode 93: Justin Lehmiller: Fantasies and Sexuality Part 1
Dr. Justin Lehmiller joins Natasha on this episode of Mormon Sex Info. Dr. Lehmiller recently published his new book, “Tell Me What You Want: The Science of Sexual Desire” and discusses the book with Natasha. He discusses his book and how fantasies play into sexuality.
Katherine Wela Bogen joins Natasha on this episode of Mormon Mental Health to discuss the data behind false reporting. She made a facebook post during the Brett Kavanaugh hearings when Christine Blasey Ford spoke out about her experience with Kavanaugh in high school. The post went viral and you fan find it here:
https://www.facebook.com/katherine.bogen/posts/2141527535858774
Episode 91: John Dehlin: Research on LGBTQIA+ and Mix Orientation Relationships - Part 1
In this part 1 of a conversation with John Dehlin, Natasha and John discuss his research and findings when it comes to LGBBTQIA and Mix Orientation Relationships. John shares how he came into this field, how he got his data and what findings his data represents.
Episode 89: Joelle Casteix and Sexual Assault Advocacy
Joelle Casteix joins Natasha on this episode. Joelle is a sexual assault advocate having worked with SNAP and is currently with STOP. Joelle shares her story of sexual assault while a student at a Catholic school where the heads of the school knew what was happening, silencing her as a teenager. She goes into detail with similarities between her religion, Catholicism, and Mormonism.
Episode 88: Personal Experiences as Bisexual Mormons
Blaire Ostler and Nick Stewart join Natasha on this episode of Mormon Sex Info. Both Blaire and Nick identify as bisexual and they share their stories of coming out within a Mormon culture. They give helpful suggestions to help both individuals who identify as bisexual as well as those who are family and friends of those who identify as bisexual.
Episode 87: Sex in the Mormon News August 2018
Shannon Hickman of Core Healing Counseling and Kristin Hodson join Natasha on this month’s Sex in the Mormon News. On this episode, they discuss several articles which include their criticism about an article coming out of BYU Idaho that talks about why comprehensive sex ed is damaging, discussion around the Mormon Mental Health statement that recently was released about worthiness interviews and then the policy that is harmful to homosexual members in the church.
A Personal Story of a Mixed Orientation Marriage
This episode is an intimate conversation with Natasha’s close friend, Melissa, who found she was in a mixed orientation marriage several years into her Mormon marriage. At the time, Natasha was a part of Melissa’s process of uncovering her own journey. And, Natasha went on her own journey because of this situation herself, admitting her own biases.
Episode 84: McKenna Denson’s Journey and Her Stand Against Joseph Bishop and the LDS Church
TRIGGER WARNING
Rape and other abuse are discussed in this episode.
McKenna joins Natasha to discuss the mental health aspects of her life as a young sexually abused child by her step father to her encounters with Bishop, and after. Natasha also dives into the cyclical responses of perpetrators and why this is problematic and shares advise on what kind of help there is and things to look out for.
Episode 83: “Women’s Anatomy of Arousal: Secret Maps to Buried Pleasure” with Sheri Winston
Episode 82: Sex in the Mormon News June 2018
Shannon Hickman joins Natasha on this episode of Sex in the Mormon News for June 2018. They begin the discussion with comments from an article that recently came out in the “Journal of Sex Research” called, “God, I Can’t Stop Thinking About Sex! The Rebound Effect in Unsuccessful Suppression of Sexual Thoughts Among Religious Adolescents” where they discuss the research supporting the view that suppressing sexual thought only causes more damage...
Episode 81: Lioness: The Vibrator that Tracks Your Orgasms
Liz Klinger joins Natasha on this episode of Mormon Sex Info. Liz is the Co-Founder and CEO of Lioness, a vibrator that tracks women’s pleasure to better explore their own bodies and sexuality. Natasha and Liz dive into the genesis of the product, the current status and how pleasure is different for every woman and the hope for Lioness in the future.
Episode 77: Consent & Boundaries for Allies of Sexual Assault Victims & Survivors
Mormon Sex Info interviews
Episode 76: Sex in the Mormon News April 2018
Mormon Sex Info Interviews
Episode 71: Sexual Principle #6: Mutual Pleasure
Mormon Sex Info interviews Dr. Doug Braun-Harvey for part three in a 6-part series they are creating to discuss the sexual principles of healthy sexuality developed by the World Health Organization. The sixth principle is mutual pleasure...
Episode 70: Why the Church Holds the Positions it Does on Gay Marriage
Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Bryce Cook, founding member of ALL (Arizona LDS LGBT Friends and Family) and the “All are alike unto God Conference,” member of the church and father of two gay sons, in regards to his writing the following piece for Dialogue:
Episode 69: The Naked People in your iPod w/ Paul Malan
Mormon Sex Info interviews Paul Malan on the article he wrote several years ago, The Naked People in your iPod, that has garnered national attention -- including renowned sex therapists. He writes it from a perspective as a father who wants to help his son navigate the landscape that teens currently face in regards to sexually explicit material they can easily come across on the internet....
Episode 68: Sex in the Mormon News Feb 2018
Natasha Helfer Parker leads a monthly podcast "bookclub style" with colleagues who also happen to be AASECT Certified Sex Therapists in regards to current articles, news stories, research, etc. that have to do with the Mormon community from a sex-positive perspective...
Episode 67: The Guide to Getting It On w/ Paul Joannides
Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Paul Joannides, author of The Guide to Getting it On, which is reminiscent of an encyclopedia about sexuality. Anything you would want to know about is covered, to the point that medical school and other training facilities are now using this resource as a text in their training programs. Paul talks about some of the content and what drove him to do this type of..
Episode 66: Sexual Principle #5: Shared Values
Mormon Sex Info interviews Dr. Doug Braun-Harvey for part three in a 6-part series they are creating to discuss the sexual principles of healthy sexuality developed by the World Health Organization. The fifth principle is all about shared values...
Episode 65: Protect LDS Children - One of the Many Stories Part 2
"Sandy" (not real name) shares her story that she submitted to the protectldschildren.org page. She discusses with Natasha the ways that these worthiness interviews allow a setting where sexual assault can and does take place. Not to mention the blurring of boundaries that often happens with inappropriate asking of sexual questions of minors and even adults.
Episode 64: Protect LDS Children - One of the Many Stories Part 1
"Sandy" (not real name) shares her story that she submitted to the protectldschildren.org page. She discusses with Natasha the ways that these worthiness interviews allow a setting where sexual assault can and does take place. Not to mention the blurring of boundaries that often happens with inappropriate asking of sexual questions of minors and even adults.
Episode 63: Sex in the Mormon News #2
Natasha Helfer Parker leads a monthly podcast "bookclub style" with colleagues who also happen to be AASECT Certified Sex Therapists in regards to current articles, news stories, research, etc. that have to do with the Mormon community from a sex-positive perspective...
Episode 62: Sexual Principle #4: Honesty
Mormon Sex Info interviews Dr. Doug Braun-Harvey for part three in a 6-part series they are creating to discuss the sexual principles of healthy sexuality developed by the World Health Organization. The fourth principle of "honesty" is discussed in length and detail.
Episode 61: Sex in the Mormon News #1
Natasha Helfer Parker leads a monthly podcast “bookclub style” with colleagues who also happen to be AASECT Certified Sex Therapists in regards to current articles, news stories, research, etc. that have to do with the Mormon community from a sex-positive perspective....
Mormon Sex Info interviews Dr. Doug Braun-Harvey for part three in a 6-part series they are creating to discuss the sexual principles of healthy sexuality developed by the World Health Organization. The third principle of avoiding unwanted pregnancy and STIs is discussed in length and detail. It's surprising with all the education available on this topic... how much it's still a problem in our national statistics.
Mormon Sex Info interviews Dr. Doug Braun-Harvey for part three in a 6-part series they are creating to discuss the sexual principles of healthy sexuality developed by the World Health Organization. The third principle of avoiding unwanted pregnancy and STIs is discussed in length and detail. You would think the conversation would be as simple as "use birth control and condoms." Not so. Doug has an uncanny way of furthering the conversation in such important ways that have implications...
Mormon Sex Info interviews Dr. Doug Braun-Harvey for part three in a 6-part series they are creating to discuss the sexual principles of healthy sexuality developed by the World Health Organization. The second principle of having sexuality be non-exploitative between partners is incredibly important. When "exploitation" comes up as a word, many think of extremes like human trafficking. However, the reality is that exploitative tactics are found in the most common of relationships...
Episode 57: Sexual Principle #1: Consent
Mormon Sex Info interviews Dr. Doug Braun-Harvey for part one in a 6-part series they are creating to discuss the sexual principles of healthy sexuality developed by the World Health Organization. The first principle of consent is discussed in length and detail. Many assume this is a simple concept, and yet we see in much of our national discussion today, that it's much more complicated than we've assumed in the past. This is a principle the majority of people agree with....
Mormon Sex Info interviews Dr. Joe Kort in regards to his background in both the sex addiction certification process and becoming a Certified Sex Therapist. They discuss the issues with looking at sexual behavior through an addictions lens, even when there are problematic issues that should be treated. There is an important overlay to be aware of between values and behaviors as well as the challenging of heteronormative culture - where only certain types of sexual....
Episode 55: Defining Sexual Shame
Mormon Sex Info interviews Dr. Tina Sellers in regards to her work with clients and students from religiously conservative cultures and her experience noticing a recent increase of sexual shame coming from what she calls the purity movement. She recently published a book called Sex, God and the Conservative Church: Erasing Shame from Sexual Intimacy where she addresses sex-positive ways people can reduce harmful shame and adopt both Christian and Judeo traditions...
Mormon Sex Info interviews Dr. Marty Klein in regards to his latest publication, His Porn, Her Pain: Confronting America's Porn Panic with Honest Talk About Sex. Dr. Klein will be presenting at the upcoming Rocky Mountain Sex & Intimacy Summit in Salt Lake City, September 22-23. They discuss some of the societal and relational challenges that have taken place since the advent of broadband internet, and how we are often having the wrong conversations. Instead of focusing..
Mormon Sex Info interviews Dr. Roger Libby, author of The Naked Truth about Sex: A Guide to Intelligent Sexual Choices for Teenagers and Twentysomethings and Sex from Aah to Zipper: A Delightful Glossary of Love, Lust and Laughter. They discuss the history of sexual revolutions that have been part of our sexual narrative in this country, which then approaches myths, folklore, perceptions and processes that affect the day-to-day lives of sexual......
Mormon Sex Info interviews Dr. David Ley, author of Ethical Porn for Dicks: A Man's Guide to Responsible Viewing Pleasure and a return guest on the show. Many people, even members of the LDS church, are moving away from the "porn addiction" framing and rigid expectations of 0% viewing of sexually explicit material. But then the next question inevitably comes up... how do I participate in a behavior that has questionable issues in regards to the industry, my values, ethics, cultural...
(free download)
Four Certified Sex Therapists who routinely work with Mormon clientele offer a response to An Open Letter to Bishops from a Wife of a Pornography Addict: 7 Things I Wish You Knew. Natasha Helfer Parker, Kristin Hodson, Kristin Marie Bennion and Shannon Hickman lead a thorough discussion walking listeners through both the clinically sound parts of the piece as well as those perspectives that they consider not helpful and even harmful to potential readers.
(free download)
Four Certified Sex Therapists who routinely work with Mormon clientele offer a response to An Open Letter to Bishops from a Wife of a Pornography Addict: 7 Things I Wish You Knew. Natasha Helfer Parker, Kristin Hodson, Kristin Marie Bennion and Shannon Hickman lead a thorough discussion walking listeners through both the clinically sound parts of the piece as well as those perspectives that they consider not helpful and even harmful to potential readers.
(free download)
Mormon Sex Info interviews Dr. Brian Willoughby, associate professor at Brigham Young University, in regards to his involvement with the recent research publication written in The Journal of Sex Research titled: Damaged Goods: Perception of Pornography Addiction as a Mediator Between Religiosity and Relationship Anxiety Surrounding Pornography Use.
Mormon Sex Info interviews Ryan Flake, who was referred to the LDS Addiction Recovery Program by his bishop due to confessions about viewing sexually explicit material and masturbation. They discuss his upbringing as a Mormon and the many messages he received from an early age that contributed to quite a bit of sexual shame by the time Ryan was preparing to go on a mission, even though he was not having any relational sexual experiences...
Mormon Sex Info interviews Ryan Flake, who was referred to the LDS Addiction Recovery Program by his bishop due to confessions about viewing sexually explicit material and masturbation. They discuss his upbringing as a Mormon and the many messages he received from an early age that contributed to quite a bit of sexual shame by the time Ryan was preparing to go on a mission, even though he was not having any relational sexual experiences...
Mormon Sex Info interviews Dr. Daniel Parkinson and Thomas Montgomery. They discuss the alarming increase in suicide rates in Utah — a trend that has been apparent since the Church’s involvement in Prop 8, increased focus on anti-gay rhetoric in talks over the pulpit and the “November 5th policy” which specifically calls out homosexual marriage as a sin worthy of excommunication...
Mormon Sex Info interviews Dr. Daniel Parkinson and Thomas Montgomery. They discuss the alarming increase in suicide rates in Utah — a trend that has been apparent since the Church’s involvement in Prop 8, increased focus on anti-gay rhetoric in talks over the pulpit and the “November 5th policy” which specifically calls out homosexual marriage as a sin worthy of excommunication...
Mormon Sex Info interviews Drs. Chuck and Jo-Ann Bird in regards to some of the more common sex toys and aids on the market, their practical uses not just for pleasure but also for help with types of sexual dysfunction, and how to best go about purchasing, using and caring for such products. Sex toys and aids can still be a taboo topic for many couples and individuals, and myths abound that add to people's concerns in regards to incorporating them to their sex lives....
Gina Colvin of A Thoughtful Faith, interviews sex and marriage therapists Natasha Helfer-Parker and Julie de Azevedo-Hanks about Wendy Watson Nelson’s speech at the January 2017 Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults. Nelson’s address garnered some criticism for the unhealthy, purity-centered and confusing expectations that she constructed around sex. She argued that "Four Truths" should govern and inform marital sex. Helfer-Parker and de Azevedo-Hanks...
Gina Colvin of A Thoughtful Faith, interviews sex and marriage therapists Natasha Helfer-Parker and Julie de Azevedo-Hanks about Wendy Watson Nelson’s speech at the January 2017 Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults. Nelson’s address garnered some criticism for the unhealthy, purity-centered and confusing expectations that she constructed around sex. She argued that "Four Truths" should govern and inform marital sex. Helfer-Parker and de Azevedo-Hanks...
Mormon Sex Info interviews Dr. David Hersh regarding his long career and experience as a sex therapist working with couples. Through this expertise Dr. Hersh has developed a concise and helpful list of things that detract from the type of sexual experiences most couples desire and want to seek after. He talks about how these detractors are much more common in creating problems in the bedroom than any type of official disorder or dysfunction, and how with a combination of...
Mormon Sex Info interviews Dr. Stephanie Buehler, PhD in regards to how sexuality is commonly affected by pregnancy. They discuss a variety of applicable topics for couples to consider: emotional changes, physical changes, myths & common fears, concerns that should be addressed with a physician, how husbands/partners are affected, and tips/strategies to help a couple best communicate as well as different positions and tools to better have comfortable sex...
Mormon Sex Info interviews Doug Braun-Harvey and Michael Vigorito, authors of the book titled Treating Out of Control Sexual Behavior: Rethinking Sex Addiction. With so much media and public emphasis on looking at any sexual behavioral problem through an addictions lens, Doug and Michael have developed a sexual health assessment and treatment protocol for people who present to a therapy office with sexual behaviors that feel out of control to them. This can be...
Mormon Sex Info interviews Doug Braun-Harvey and Michael Vigorito, authors of the book titled Treating Out of Control Sexual Behavior: Rethinking Sex Addiction. With so much media and public emphasis on looking at any sexual behavioral problem through an addictions lens, Doug and Michael have developed a sexual health assessment and treatment protocol for people who present to a therapy office with sexual behaviors that feel out of control to them. This can be...
Natasha Helfer Parker invites Dr. Ricky Siegel and his brother Larry Siegel back to the show to discuss some of the problematic messaging that can be found in mainstream pornography -- specifically when in context of adolescent viewers. Since Natasha takes a strong position against the "porn addiction" treatment approach, she often gets accused of being "pro-porn" or minimizing the negative effects pornography can have. This interview is a rich dialogue about the....
Mormon Sex Info invites Dr. Ricky Siegel and his brother Larry Siegel back to the show to discuss some of the problematic messaging that can be found in mainstream pornography -- specifically when in context of adolescent viewers. Since Natasha takes a strong position against the "porn addiction" treatment approach, she often gets accused of being "pro-porn" or minimizing the negative effects pornography can have. This interview is a rich dialogue about the....
Due to the support LDS LGBTQ+ members currently need, this interview discussing the harms of reparative/conversion therapies will be co-released with Mormon Mental Health and is available at no charge. Natasha Helfer Parker interviews James Guay, a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist who grew up as a pastor's son in an evangelical community and went through reparative therapy as a young man to try to change his sexual orientation. They discuss the harms that LGBTQ+..
This episode is being co-released in partnership with Mormon Matters and Mormon Mental Health and is available at no charge. Natasha Helfer Parker and Kristin Hodson (both Mormon and certified sex therapists), along with neuroscientist and sex researcher Dr. Nicole Prause and counselor and sex therapist Jay Blevins (who are both non-LDS), join Mormon Matters host Dan Wotherspoon for a wide-ranging discussion of the research surrounding the effects of...
This episode is being co-released in partnership with Mormon Matters and Mormon Mental Health and is available at no charge. Natasha Helfer Parker and Kristin Hodson (both Mormon and certified sex therapists), along with neuroscientist and sex researcher Dr. Nicole Prause and counselor and sex therapist Jay Blevins (who are both non-LDS), join Mormon Matters host Dan Wotherspoon for a wide-ranging discussion of the research surrounding the effects of...
Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Dr. Stephanie Buehler, PhD in regards to how sexuality is commonly affected by infertility as well as how some sexual disorders can actually play a role in causing infertility. With 5-10% of couples facing some level of infertility in their family planning journey, this can be a sensitive and painful topic fraught with cultural, personal and religious pressures/messages. And the information surrounding treatment protocols can feel overwhelming and daunting....
Natasha Helfer Parker interviews neuroscientist Dr. James G. Pfaus, PhD, in regards to helping women understand sexual desire and arousal disorders as opposed to libido disparities with partners, vaginismus, an asexual orientation, etc. This podcast is so loaded with information that it will be worth listening to at least twice. This podcast covers everything from evolutionary theory, to the benefits and limitations of the new drug Addyi (flibanserin), to feminine/masculine traits..
Natasha Helfer Parker interviews neuroscientist Dr. James G. Pfaus, PhD, in regards to helping women understand sexual desire and arousal disorders as opposed to libido disparities with partners, vaginismus, an asexual orientation, etc. This podcast is so loaded with information that it will be worth listening to at least twice. This podcast covers everything from evolutionary theory, to the benefits and limitations of the new drug Addyi (flibanserin), to feminine/masculine traits..
Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Dr. Jennifer Gunsaullus, PhD, a sociologist and sex educator of the popular In the Den with Dr. Jenn video podcast show. She recently gave an address at The New Narrative in San Diego titled Sex & The Price of Masculinity. She gives a detailed account of an encounter where, as a single, educated, mature woman, her date goes past the boundaries they had previously consented on. And the difficult conversations and reflections that ensued...
Assertiveness & Sexuality
Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Dr. Julie Hanks De Azevedo, author of the The Assertiveness Guide for Women and The Burnout Cure, about how the ability to develop good assertiveness skills can help with sexual satisfaction. They discuss cultural gender messages, both within Mormonism and without, that get in the way of such things as differentiation, communication skills, self-care and self-awareness. They cover the 5 skills Julie delves into in her book, that can help....
Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Carol Lynn Pearson, author of The Ghost of Polygamy: Haunting the Hearts and Heaven of Mormon Women and Men, about the unfortunate and damaging legacy the Mormon doctrine of polygamy continues to have on mainstream LDS members and their relationships with self, spouse and God. Carol Lynn explains her project and how it came to be, starting with her own story as to how polygamy affected her sense of self as a female since...
Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Dr. Holly Welker, author of Baring Witness: 36 Mormon Women Talk Candidly about Love, Sex and Marriage, about this collection of essays she painstakingly edited. They discuss how Holly became interested in this project through the observation of her own parents' Mormon marriage with the catalyst being the death of her mother. And her curiosity about how women in particular are affected by their courtships, marriages and sexuality. From devoted...
Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Dr. Gina Ogden for Part 2 of their original interview exploring low female sexual desire. Gina will soon be presenting in Salt Lake City, alongside Emily Nagoski, at the Rocky Mountain Summit of Sex and Intimacy. The summit is sponsoring this episode, which will be available for free until the event takes place: September 23 and 24, 2016! Also, those who subscribe to the podcast between now and then, will receive a $30 discount to attend the summit!
Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Dr. Russell Stambaugh, author of The Elephant in the Hot Tub: Kink in Context blog. They cover a variety of topics including the definition of "kink," how cultural context has affected sexual norms throughout history, and where we stand today as far as types of alternative sexuality (i.e. different forms of BDSM, cross-dressing, non-monogamy, and more). It is interesting to note that many who would consider themselves "heteronormative" have...
Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Dr. Emily Nagoski, author of Come As You Are: The Surprising New Science that will Transform your Sex Life. This podcast is being sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Summit of Sex and Intimacy which is making this episode available for free until the summit takes place on September 23 and 24, 2016! Also, those who subscribe to the podcast between now and then, will receive a $30 discount to attend the summit! This podcast covers relevant....
Natasha Helfer Parker continues her interview with Scott and Mitzi Cannon. They discuss the painful process Scott went through preparing to disclose to his wife his history with pornography viewing, how that disclosure went, the painful struggles they went through in their marriage as a result, and how they came through to the other side by deciding to negotiate their sexuality on their own terms as a couple - instead of through the Mormon messaging they had both grown up with....
Challenges
within Marital Sexuality - Cannon's Part 2
Natasha Helfer Parker continues her interview with Scott and Mitzi Cannon. There is a quick review of some of the shaming themes covered in Part 1, and then they move into how this perceived problem with pornography and masturbation played into the relational dynamics between Scott and Mitzi as they met, courted, and became married. They cover what it was like to start having a sexual relationship as a couple, expectations they had going in that were not met, difficulties....
Natasha Helfer Parker speaks with Scott and Mitzi Cannon in a 3-part, in-depth interview about their experience dealing with a porn disclosure in their marriage. Part 1 focuses mainly on the negative messaging that Scott received about the evils of pornography viewing & masturbation, and sexuality in general. He delves into how these messages exacerbated an anxiety disorder, to the point that he became suicidal and was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder at BYU.
Porn Reframe
and Flourishing Marriage
Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Ben and Jen Johnson about their experience dealing with a porn disclosure in their marriage. They discuss the messages they heard growing up Mormon that framed their sexual understanding, their histories in regards to being introduced to pornography, the betrayal and hurt they had to face when Ben would disclose his pornography viewing behavior to his wife, meanings that were attributed to the behavior (including that their marriage might be...
Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Dr. Nicole Prause, founder of the Sexual Psychophysiology and Affective Neuroscience (SPAN) Laboratory, in regards to the research she has personally done (and is aware of) concerning our relationships with pornography and erotic viewing materials. They cover all types of topics such as: What are some common correlations that are made in regards to porn research that are completely inaccurate? Are we aware that those who view porn tend...
Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Kimberly Anderson, author of the Mama Story Dragon Project, regarding her journey of gender discovery and her ensuing knowledge on such topics as intersexuality and the transgender experience. In the wake of so much controversy about transgender rights to use public restrooms, this is such an important area for all of us to seek education about. What are intersexual conditions? What does it mean to be transgender? How are these topics...
Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Dr. Tammy Nelson, author of The New Monogamy: Redefining Your Relationship After Infidelity, regarding the complicated issues and tasks associated with recovering from infidelity. So many applicable things are discussed, whether you have experienced infidelity in your relationship or not. How do we define infidelity in the first place? How does having dialogue about what monogamy means help prevent infidelity? What can one expect to experience..
Sexual Assault Experiences
Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Colleen Payne Dietz and Alyson Bigelow Horrocks in regards to their experiences with sexual assault during their college years. In this time, when Brigham Young Univeristy is undergoing a lot of scrutiny about their policies and procedures when students report cases of sexual assault, these stories are so important to share. This podcast is co-produced with the Mormon Mental Health Podcast and is free of charge. Be aware that detailed information is shared in regards to the assaults that took place.
Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife on the topic of how to best handle a pornography disclosure within a couple system. This would be applicable for a couple where pornography viewing and/or masturbation was/is taking place by one spouse/partner in secret from the other. And now the behavior has come to light either through a voluntary disclosure ("confession" per se) or has been "found out." This often creates a marital or relational crisis that needs...
Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Al Vernacchio on the topic of providing the most effective types of sexual education to adolescents. What's the difference between abstinence and comprehensive sexual education? What's the history of the importance of virginal status and the impact it has on our culture? How do we teach teens what it means to have sex outside of the mechanical definition? How do we honor our teens as sexual beings? What kinds of sexual options can we offer...
Natasha Helfer parker interviews Aimee Heffernan, LMFT in regards to achieving what can at times seem like the elusive female orgasm. They cover all types of topics from psychological aspects that can get in the way of climax, to specific techniques that women and their partners find helpful. What ruts can we get stuck in either in regards to sexual practice or sexual meaning? How can using a vibrator help achieve orgasm? Does the G-Spot exist? What about multiple orgasms?...
Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Dr. David Ley, author of The Myth of Sex Addiction, regarding the problems with the sex addiction treatment model and the conversations we should be having instead. He states that not only is this type of modality erroneous, but dangerous. They cover such issues as: How do shifting attitudes about sexuality force us to renegotiate how we see and define healthy sexuality? Why is sexual diversity easily pathologized? Why is it that...