Kelley Johnson, Ph.D., is a professional sexologist. She is a passionate sex educator who provides comprehensive sex education to private and charter schools, as well as small groups. In her work as a sexologist, Kelley guides couples and individuals in resolving sexual issues through non-medical modalities that work within their value system. As a young person, Kelley was profoundly fascinated by human sexuality, so much so that her high school peers sought her for information and education on sex, sexuality, and sexual health. Today, Kelley is a champion of body and sex-positivity, and her doctoral degree in Human Sexuality and master’s in Public Health Education reflects her advocacy for a sexually-just society.

In this episode, Kelley and I address sexual issues couples face in their relationships. We explore challenges around sexual incompatibility and having polarized differences in sexual desires. We emphasize people’s responsibilities as sexual beings and underscore the importance of educating children on sex and body positivity. We discuss how couples can create a healthy environment that encourages their intimacy as well as how they can support each other in transforming a history of sexual abuse, trauma, and taboo into a healthy sex life.

“You are responsible for your sexual self. While sexuality as a couple is something that’s shared and that you work on together, there is also separateness.” - Kelley Johnson

This week on Relationships! Let’s Talk About It:

• How Kelley became passionate about human sexuality and child development
• The relationship between childhood development and a sexually healthy adult
• Sex as a critical part of a couple’s connection and intimacy
• How couples can work around having differences in sexual interests
• Breaking the cycle of body shaming and sexual negativity among children
• The importance of calling genitalia by their real names
• The difference between a couple’s physical and sexual relationship and how they influence each other
• Working with issues around pornography use and fears about masturbation
• Bringing joy and playfulness into sex
• Feeling pressured into having sex and the value of experiencing intimacy and connection in other areas of life
• The power of appreciation as a potent aphrodisiac
• Planned spontaneity and how making sex dates can increase sexual intimacy between a couple
• The best conditions for having sex and respecting your partner when they say “no.”
• Turning a history of sexual abuse and trauma into a healthy adult sex life
• The importance of knowing and communicating what we want and need
• The breath as a potent tool in managing one’s sexual life

Related Content:

• Porn and Sexual Health
• The #1 Relationship Booster

Connect with Kelley Johnson:

• Kelley Johnson Website

Let’s Talk About It!

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Theme music “These Streets” provided by Adi the Monk