Press Play on Pleasure: 8 Podcasts on Sex & Intimacy
Whether you are cooking dinner, walking to work, or hiding under the covers with your headphones in, a good podcast can feel like company, curiosity, and comfort all rolled into one. When it comes to sex, relationships, and the beautifully complicated terrain between the two, a great podcast can also be a lifeline that offers insight, laughter, representation, or just a moment of “Oh… it’s not just me.” For neurodivergent-specific content creators, check out this article.
In honour of International Podcast Day (30th September), we’ve rounded up some of our favourite shows that explore sex, love, identity, and intimacy from all kinds of angles. Guided by therapists, educators, storytellers, and everyday people sharing their lived experience, there is something here to nourish every erotic mind.
Come As You Are
Tune In For: Evidence-based conversations about pleasure, bodies, and the science of sexual well-being.
Educator and bestselling author Dr Emily Nagoski answers questions about sex with the latest science. This series is a modern guide to sexual well-being, backed by groundbreaking research about desire, anatomy, and orgasm. Her work on arousal is a cornerstone of neuro-affirming sex therapy, as we discuss in this article.
Standout Episode: How Desire Actually Works — Dr Nagoski explains the science of responsive desire, helping listeners understand why there is nothing "broken" about needing a physical "warm-up" before the mind catches up.
The Erotic Philosopher
Tune In For: Conversations that blend intellect and intimacy, where philosophy meets desire.
Hosted by sexologist Cyndi Darnell, this podcast explores sex and pleasure through social, cultural, somatic, and political lenses. It is an invitation to solve erotic quandaries with the world's wisest erotic philosophers.
Standout Episode: When Trauma Informs Pleasure (with Alex Iantaffi & Meg-John Barker) — Two leading voices in gender and trauma explore how our histories shape our capacity for pleasure, challenging one-size-fits-all sex advice.
Where Should We Begin?
Tune In For: Intimate, unfiltered couples therapy sessions with Esther Perel that reveal the raw, real work of relationships.
Step into the office of iconic psychotherapist Esther Perel and listen in as real people search for insight into their most profound stories. From breakups to open relationships, it’s a place to hear our own stories reflected in the lives of others.
Standout Episode: I Can’t Love You The Way You Want Me To — A couple struggles with past wounds and a painful cycle of blame. Esther helps them slow down, recognise their patterns, and break free from relational deadlock.
Sex and Psychology Podcast
Tune In For: Science-backed conversations about the psychology behind what turns us on.
Hosted by Kinsey Institute Research Fellow Dr Justin Lehmiller, this show offers a fresh perspective on sexual confidence and attraction. His expert interviews cover the boundaries of sex and the psychology of staying in the moment.
Standout Episode: How ADHD Affects Women In The Bedroom — This explores how ADHD uniquely impacts desire, distraction, and sensory overwhelm. If you want more, check out our articles on ADHD subtypes and medication side effects.
Brown Girls Do It Too
Tune In For: Bold, taboo-busting stories about sex and culture from British South Asian women who aren’t afraid to overshare.
Hosted by Poppy and Rubina, this bold and hilarious podcast smashes taboos around sex in South Asian communities. It’s unfiltered, fun, and deeply empowering.
Standout Episode: It’s Getting Hairy — The hosts tackle the politics of body hair, exploring how brown girls can reclaim their bodies in a world of rigid beauty standards.
VagEsteem
Tune In For: A healthier, inclusive sex education curriculum.
Hosted by Vanessa Geffrard, this podcast teaches sex education through courageous conversations about love and legislation, covering everything from infertility to sex work.
Standout Episode: Black Girls' Guide to Fertility with Sonhara Eastman — A heartfelt conversation on the unspoken emotional toll of fertility struggles and the power of marginalised storytelling.
Inner Hoe Uprising
Tune In For: Unapologetic queer Black feminist perspectives on sex, love, and liberation.
This podcast is always well-researched and relevant. The hosts unpack systemic injustices and personal stories with a sharp, political edge.
Standout Episode: Hoe v. Wade — A wide-ranging episode covering everything from trans-affirming healthcare to STI stigma and reproductive rights.
Girls On Porn
Tune In For: Witty, sex-positive deep dives into adult content through a critical, thoughtful lens.
Rachel and Laura research and review adult content based on popular trends. It is the witty "search engine" for porn you’ve always wanted.
Standout Episode: Impact Play — Dives into the world of spanking and paddles with curiosity and care, covering everything from enthusiastic consent to aftercare.
As we celebrate the power of podcasts, we hope this list has offered you new sources of insight, comfort, or simply a reminder that you are not alone in your questions. Whether you are diving into the science of desire or the politics of pleasure, there is a place for you to listen, learn, and feel seen. Happy listening!