Our Better Half

In this second part of our special 2-part series, our co-hosts, Jayleen, Sabitha, Rosara, and Jane are again sitting around a virtual kitchen table with mugs of tea, great baked goods, and lots of honest reflections. We talk with each other about the impact this podcast has had on our work and how it has impacted the field of human sexuality. We start with giving permission, intergenerational conversations, our work with students and clients, our mentors, how we live at the intersections, how oxytocin may increase your lifespan, and so much more. If you like our show or have any questions, contact us here at our website. You can subscribe to our podcast any way you'd like. We love our listeners and welcome your feedback. Please like us and rate us on Facebook and Instagram. And please write to us at this address. Thanks for listening!

Our guest this time is Dr. Mark Levand, a sexuality educator and researcher who has spent many deep and reflective years in the church. He’s passionate about training future sexuality educators through his deep interests in sexuality, religion, and diversity. Take a listen. It’s a terrific episode and we had a great time talking all things religion and sex with him. Dr. Levand has a Ph.D. in Human Sexuality Studies from Widener University and a Master’s in theology and religious studies from John Carroll University. Among other publications, he has recently published on matters of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church in the National Catholic Reporter and about Catholic Theology and Sexuality Education in the Journal of Theology & Sexuality. Mark has received awards for his collaborative work in sexual diversity, cross-cultural sexuality studies, and organizational change around human sexuality in Catholic higher education.  He is the author of the forthcoming book Inclusion and Sexuality in Catholic Highe

In this first part of a 2-part series, our co-hosts, Jayleen, Sabitha, Rosara, and Jane are sitting around a virtual kitchen table with mugs of tea, great baked goods, and lots of honest reflections. We talk honestly to each other about our own journeys with aging as sexual beings. How we feel about growing older, our gender identities, going through cancer treatment and reconstruction, our images of aging, invisibility, liberation, and more. One book we mentioned was Peggy Kleinplatz and Dana Menard’s book, Magnificent Sex: Lessons from Extraordinary Lovers which we all agreed would be a terrific antidote to all of the negative scripts about aging sexually. ​If you like our show or if you have questions, contact us here at our website. You can subscribe to our podcast by sending us your email or whatever way you subscribe to podcasts. We love our listeners and welcome your feedback. Please like us and rate us on our social media platforms. And please write to us at this address. Thanks for listening!

Dr. Bill Stayton is a psychologist, sexologist, and theologian. After serving as a pastor, hospital chaplain, and seminary faculty member, he was a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, Widener University, and Morehouse School of Medicine. He received a Gold Medal Award from the World Association for Sexual Health for promoting dialogue with religion and medicine about sexuality. Go check out Bill's new book, Sinless Sex: A Challenge to Religions, on his website! ​If you like our show or if you have questions, contact us here at our website. You can subscribe to our podcast by sending us your email or whatever way you subscribe to podcasts. We love our listeners and welcome your feedback. Please like us and rate us on our social media platforms. And please write to us at this address. Thanks for listening!

Our guest this time, Support Pup Cooper (aka Dr. Justin Sitron), is a professor, sexologist, sexuality educator, and advocate for diversity and inclusion. He’s also a coach who helps his clients get the most joy out of their sex lives and relationships.  As a culturally responsive and kink-affirming sexuality educator, his social media and educational programming aim to make the LGBTQ+ BDSM, pup play, and pet play communities inclusive and affirming so players of all backgrounds can find safety and belonging among other pups, pets, and kinksters.  He can be found wagging, howling, barking, and living his best dog life on Instagram @supportpupcooper, Twitter @support_cooper, and on the web at supportpupcooper.com.  ​If you like our show or if you have questions, contact us here at our website. You can subscribe to our podcast by sending us your email or whatever way you subscribe to podcasts. We love our listeners and welcome your feedback. Please like us and rate us on our social media platforms. And please

Dr. John Taylor is an Assistant Professor, Author, Christian Therapist, Media Personality, and Sexuality Educator in Philadelphia. His book: Pocket Guide For Young Men Without Fathers; Important Life Lessons was published January 2018. Dr. Taylor is also the host of the Spotify Podcast: My Mortality Matters: The Voices and Lives of Black Men. Dr. Taylor is an Assistant Professor at LaSalle University- Department of Urban Public Health and Nutrition. He teaches courses that focus on public health issues, race, violence, sexual health, sexual identity, gender identity, and health disparities.  Dr. Taylor counsels individuals, couples, and families that are dealing with depression, anxiety, suicidal ideations, relationship issues, domestic violence, sexual violence, and sexual identity. Dr. Taylor is passionate about educational and public health initiatives that address issues involving Black men and their families. He works as a liaison for organizations, churches, parents, adults, and adolescents so that con

Erica Fletcher is a certified manual physical therapist in private practice outside Philadelphia at Fletcher Physical Therapy in Narberth, Pennsylvania. Erica specializes in the treatment of pelvic, spinal and cranial dysfunction. She is a pelvic floor therapist and treats people of all genders with sexual pain syndromes. She receives referrals from various specialists including gynecologists, urologists, orthopedists and osteopaths. She also serves the dance community and is the treating physical therapist for Ballet X. Her credentials include a Certificate in Manual Physical Therapy from the Institute of Physical Therapy in St. Augustine Florida in 1993; Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin in 1984. She has been in practice since 1984. She has authored several peer-viewed publications and has presented nationally. Most importantly, Erica has been my healer and physical therapist and has kept me healthy after surgery and illnesses. if you’d like to get in touch with Erica, you can reach her a

Our guest this time is Joanne Cropper. Joanne has worked in the field of intellectual disabilities for the last 30+ years. Originally from England, she came to NYC 29 years ago. After working at a  summer camp, she was offered a job in NYC and decided to stay. She is the Director of Staff Development at a non-profit organization that provides support to people with disabilities. Going through peri-menopause herself, she realized the lack of knowledge about menopause in general but significantly in the field of disabilities. She has recently started to conduct research in this area and hopes to provide education to both staff and people who are supported at the organizations she is involved with. ​ ​ And if you’d like to hear more of our episodes, visit our website and please subscribe! We love our listeners and welcome your feedback. You can find us on Facebook and Instagram. Or you can write to us at this address.  ​We can’t wait to hear your thoughts. As always, thanks for listening!

Our guest this time is Dr. Brian DeVries, a passionate researcher who truly enjoys putting his research into practice. For instance, here’s the website he and his colleagues created to help promote thinking and talking about Advance Care Planning (ACP) among LGBTQ older adults. On the home page of this site is a link to their large Canadian study: “COVID-19 Experiences and Advance Care Planning Among Older Canadians: Influence of Age Group, Gender and Sexual Orientation.”  He is also involved in research comparing caregiving experiences of lesbian, gay, and heterosexual spouses/partners caring for partners with dementia. Out of that experience, he helped start a group, Planning Ahead for LGBTQ Seniors. He and a colleague also published a study linking the experiences of older LGBTQ persons with HIV and their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic with funding from the National Institutes of Health. If you’d like to learn more about his exciting research, you can reach him at bdevries@sfsu.edu.   And if you

Our guest this week is Nathalie Huitema who just received her Ph.D. this year in human sexuality from the California Institute of Integral Studies. She has a master’s degree in psychogerontology from Radboud University in the Netherlands and postgraduate degrees in sexology and psychology. Nathalie worked as a government-licensed psychologist in nursing homes for 15 years and was the first sexologist working in a nursing home in the Netherlands. During that time, she also worked for the Center of Consultation and Expertise to support other nursing homes with their extremely complex client cases, and as a moderator in a monthly informational meeting for caregivers and clients with Alzheimer's disease. Nathalie’s passion is enhancing the quality of life of nursing home clients through improved sexual health. She has developed training courses for aides, and medical professionals, and has done sexuality counseling for clients. Just this past year, she became a registered sexologist with the American College of

This week's guest, Dr. Hani Miletski, is a sex and relationship therapist in private practice in Bethesda, Maryland, with over 28 years of clinical experience. As an AASECT-certified sex therapist and supervisor, she has trained and supervised therapists and professionals around the world and has presented nationally and internationally. She is also an author who has published several books, book chapters, and articles. Her new book, Keep It Fresh: Tips For Couples Who Are In It For The Long Haul, is beautifully illustrated by her long-term partner and award-winning artist, Arthur Goldberg, and provides practical tips to improve romantic relationships. If you would like to get in touch with Dr. Miletski or learn more about her work, she can be reached at her website www.DrMiletski.com. And if you’d like to hear more of our episodes, visit our website and please subscribe! We love our listeners and welcome your feedback. You can find us on Facebook and Instagram. Or you can write to us at this address.  ​We

Our guest this week is Aubri Lancaster. Aubri is a sex educator of 17 years sharing adult products and educating on the mechanics of arousal. As a Greyromantic Asexual, Aubri has lived experience and a connection to the Asexual and Aromantic communities that provides a unique perspective on the issues facing the changing landscape of sexuality and orientation. If you're interested in Aubri's work, you can find that here. And if you’d like to hear more of our episodes, visit our website and please subscribe! We love our listeners and welcome your feedback. You can find us on Facebook and Instagram. Or you can write to us at this address.  ​We can’t wait to hear your thoughts. As always, thanks for listening!

Our guest is Dr. Maggie Syme from the Marcus Institute for Aging Research, a part of Hebrew Senior Life, working with thousands of older adults each day in a clinical and research capacity. She is a research psychologist by training with a specialty in aging. Her research has focused on the biopsychosocial aspects of sexual health and aging and the impact of ageism and other sociocultural phenomena on older adults' health and wellness. If you’re interested in some of her research, you can find that here. And if you’d like to hear more of our episodes, visit our website and please subscribe! We love our listeners and welcome your feedback. You can find us on Facebook and Instagram. Or you can write to us at this address. We can’t wait to hear your thoughts. As always, thanks for listening!

John Ballew is a licensed professional counselor in private practice in Atlanta. He has taught for The Body Electric School for more than 20 years. Professionally and personally he’s most interested these days in what it means to have a good and meaningful life, particularly in midlife and beyond.  Join our conversation as John Ballew delights Jane, Sabitha, and Jayleen with creative ideas about the purpose of life, making meaning of our older years, and the purpose of life. You can reach John Ballew at his website.

Join Rosara, Sabitha, and Jane for a wonderful discussion about sex therapy in the Jewish Orthodox community with Talli Rosenbaum, an individual and couple therapist and Certified Sex Therapist and Supervisor. She co-hosts her own podcast, Intimate Judaism (which is fantastic!) and is co-author of the book “I am For My Beloved: A Guide to Enhanced Intimacy for Married Couples,”  and co-edited “The Overactive Pelvic Floor.”    Join us for an insightful and reflective discussion with Talli Rosenbaum and learn more about her publications and courses here. If you'd like to be a part of Jane's free Facebook Live event this Tuesday, September 13 at 7 pm ET, she still has a few spaces left here. And if you're not on Facebook, please write to her at Jane@janefleishman.com."    And if you’d like to hear more of our episodes, visit our website and please subscribe! We love our listeners and welcome your feedback. You can find us on Facebook and Instagram. Or you can write to us at this address. We can’t wait to he

Listeners, we’ve got great news! We just got picked up for Season 8! We couldn’t wait to tell you and we are thrilled. Rosara, Jane, Sabitha, and Jayleen will all be back in the fall with more great information and intriguing guests to satisfy your curiosity. Keep on having a great summer and, as the old song goes, we’ll see you in September! Please welcome our new producer, Hayden Feldscher, an artist, producer, and student of sound. Sad to see Isaac Price-Slade go, but we are excited about this new change and look forward to working together! And if you want to catch up on any of those episodes from last season that you missed, just visit our website and please subscribe! We love our listeners and welcome your feedback. You can find us on Facebook and Instagram. Or you can write to us at this address.   We can’t wait to hear your thoughts. As always, thanks for listening!

This is it, listeners, our last episode for the season. We have been having a blast this year bringing you fascinating, captivating, and inspiring conversations with some of the best thinkers in the field of sexuality and aging. And now it’s time for us to take a well-needed break for the summer. But before we do, we want to give a tremendous thanks to our wonderful producer, Isaac Price-Slade, who has provided us with excellence in every part of his work. He’s off to his first year of law school and we wish him all the best. Thank you, Isaac! And if you want to catch up on shows you’ve missed, just visit our website and please subscribe! We love our listeners and welcome your feedback. You can find us on Facebook and Instagram. Or you can write to us at this address. We can’t wait to hear your thoughts. As always, thanks for listening!

Our guest this time is Ian Kulp. Ian has over 7 years of experience in the Adult Sexual Health and Welless Sector and he has spent over 20 years in the business world. Ian is now the Head of Sales for Je Joue where he is creating a bridge to sexual wellness through education, market collaboration, and inclusive dialogue. Before Je Joue, Ian was the director of sales at Saisfyer, the global sales and merchandising director at Lora DiCarlo, and the director of Merchandising and retail strategy at the Museum of Sex. They were also a former content contributor at EBONY and WMDSF Boss Ladies Magazine.  Ian is a fiercly feminist human who is hyper-focused on encouraging and facilitating comprehensive conversations about sexuality. He is a passionate sexual health advocate and certified in sexual health.  To get in touch with Ian, send him an email or find him on LinkedIn.  Learn more about Je Jou here.  Check out Deia here.  And if you’d like to find more shows, visit our website and please subscribe! We love ou

This episode is a conversation with Dr. Betsy Crane, a sexuality scholar, educator, author, and researcher. Betsy recently retired as Professor and former Director of graduate studies at the Widener University’s Center for Human Sexuality Studies, where she had taught since 2007. Betsy earned a Ph.D. from Cornell University in 2000 and her MA in Mental Health Education from University of Texas in 1972. She worked as a community sexuality educator, and as Executive Director for Planned Parenthood in Ithaca, NY. Betsy is past president of the Foundation for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, and was named a Distinguished University Professor by Widener University. Betsy has authored many academic publications and given presentations on sexuality around the world. Betsy tells us about a co-authored study that she led, entitled Exploring Erotic Potential: A Mixed Methods Study on Effects of a Sexological Bodywork Retreat for People Who Identify as Women.

Elle Chase is a sex educator, author, speaker, and body acceptance activist. Elle’s inspirational work have been featured on NBC's THE TODAY SHOW, Glamour, The Daily Beast, Salon and Cosmopolitan.com. She is a sought-after sex expert for other amazing podcasts, including "In Bed with Jessica Drake," (a previous guest on our show!) and is also a respected national speaker and presenter at universities and private organizations across the country. Elle is a course curator at the Los Angeles Academy of Sex Education, editor the popular "NSFW Totally Naughty Coloring Book” and the "NSFW Totally Curvy Coloring Book” by SheVibe.com and penned the book, "Curvy Girl Sex: 101 Body-Positive Positions to Empower your Sex Life." Visit Elle's website here. Listeners, we want to learn from you! We are inviting your feedback for our next season. What do you want to hear more of, less of, or something new? When you fill out our survey, we’ll enter your name into a drawing for a $50 gift card to That Drawer. So do it today!