Podcast

Taboo to Truth: Life & Sex After 50

Health & Fitness, Relationships, Sexuality, Society & Culture

Karen Bigman, a Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sex Educator, Life, and Relationship Coach, tackles the often-taboo subject of sexuality with a straightforward and candid approach. We explore the intricacies of sex in midlife, offering insights and support for all those experiencing these transformative phases.

We'll discuss dating and sex post-divorce, shedding light on the challenges and triumphs of rediscovering intimacy. Karen dives deep into the impact of hormonal changes on sexuality, examining how these shifts influence desire, pleasure, and overall sexual health across different ages.

The podcast encompasses a wide array of topics, including polyamory, kink, BDSM, and sexual dysfunction, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of modern sexual dynamics.

Taboo to Truth is a platform for open, honest conversations about sex, relationships, and everything in between. Join me to embrace your sexuality, empower your journey, and break free from societal taboos.

Follow me:
Email: karen@taboototruth.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taboototruth/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcast
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenbigman/

*The information on this podcast does not constitute medical advice and is for informational purposes only.

Sexuality chart
#192
Episodes
237
Releases
Twice a week
Typical length
20 min
On air since
2023
Latest episode
23 hours ago

Episodes

237 episodes, newest first

  1. What Is Tantric Sex? It’s Not What You Think (Tantra for Beginners) | Ep. 211 (Part 2)

    Season 7, Episode 211

    Show notes

    In this episode, I’m back with tantra teacher Deborah Kat for part two, and we pick up right where we left off: you’ve decided to slow down, so now what? Deborah walks me through the tantric sex practices couples can actually start with, and the first step isn’t touch. It’s commitment, then ritual.

    She explains masculine and feminine energy as the frame and the flow, the banks and the river, and why it has nothing to do with gender. We talk about stepping out of everyday life with pet names, breathing together, and a three-minute exercise where you simply ask your partner what they’d like. Deborah also shares what she hears most from couples: men saying “I can’t do anything right,” which is a plea for approval, and women saying “you never look at me like that anymore,” which is a plea to feel chosen. We all want both.

    One of my favorite moments is Deborah’s energy check-in. Most of us don’t know where we are until we snap, and in menopause a woman can drop from 80% to 10% in two seconds without knowing why. Her husband’s question, “Where are you on the traffic light?”, gets past the defensiveness. We also laugh about the dishwasher fight every long-term couple has had, and Deborah gives the easiest script I’ve heard for bringing tantra or kink into a relationship.

    The antidote to a boring sex life isn't trying harder, it's trying something new together — Take the quiz at arya.fyi and use code: TRUTH15 for 15% off their guided intimacy subscription at https://arya.fyi/start?rfsn=8333683.c9f861

    In This Episode:

    00:00 – Teaser: A Fantasy She Hasn’t Lived Yet

    00:28 – Welcome to Taboo to Truth

    01:02 – Tantric Sex Practices: Where Couples Start

    01:34 – Masculine and Feminine Energy: The Frame and the Flow

    03:00 – Rituals for Couples: Pet Names, Breath and the 3-Minute Game

    05:22 – What’s Under Desire: Approval vs. Feeling Chosen

    07:44 – The Energy Check-In: Menopause and the 80% to 10% Drop

    10:27 – Partner Break: ARIA

    10:59 – Red, Yellow, Green: The Traffic Light Check-In

    12:25 – Curiosity Without the Job Interview (and Your Phone)

    14:12 – Receiving and the Dishwasher Fight

    15:38 – How to Bring Tantra or Kink Into Your Relationship

    16:55 – Deborah’s Definition of Sex

    17:47 – Her Best Orgasm: A Night of Teasing

    18:38 – The Fantasy: Trained to Be Sacrificed

    19:38 – Where to Find Deborah Kat

    20:26 – Outro

    To watch the video version of this episode, head over toYouTube!

    About The Guest:

    Deborah Kat is a sex and relationship coach on a mission to help people have the best sex of their lives with the people they love. She has practiced tantra for more than 20 years across at least three lineages, and she brings years of experience as a bodyworker plus training in kink, massage, flirting, dating, and relating. She has worked with hundreds of clients, from corporate CEOs to newlywed couples, and draws on her own 27-year relationship to teach that communication, repair, and erotic connection are skills you can learn and practice. Deborah hosts The Better Sex Podcast and the Better Sex Summit. Her philosophy is simple: better sex, better humans, better world.

    Connect with Deborah Kat:

    Website: https://www.deborahkat.com

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deborahtantrakat/

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@deborahkat9349

    Podcast: https://www.deborahkat.com/podcast

    Substack: https://deborahkat.substack.com

    About The Host:

    Karen Bigman, a Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sex Educator, Life, and Relationship Coach. She tackles the often-taboo subject of sexuality with a straightforward and candid approach. On this show, we explore the intricacies of sex in midlife, offering insights and support for all those experiencing this transformative phase.

    This podcast is not intended to give medical advice. Karen Bigman is not a medical professional. For any medical questions or issues, please visit your licensed medical provider.

    Looking for some fresh perspective on sex in midlife? You can find me here:

    Email: karen@taboototruth.com

    Website: https://www.taboototruth.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taboototruth

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcast

    Substack:https://karenbigman.substack.com/https://karenbigman.substack.com

    MORE LINKS, RESOURCES, EXCLUSIVE VIP DISCOUNTS & FREEBIES!

    🪄 Head to Mystery Vibe for award-winning devices that deliver precise vibrations to support erectile function and more! 🛒 Link: https://tidd.ly/4mePTpF

    🥰 If you want her to want you more — start by understanding her body better. Free resources → https://www.taboototruth.com/free-resources

    💋 Hotter, Wilder, Wiser | You’ve mastered everything else in life — now master pleasure! https://www.taboototruth.com/hotter-wilder-wiser

    🔥 Ready to spice things up? This Yes/No/Maybe list is your permission slip for pleasure. https://www.taboototruth.com/free-resources-1/yes%2Fno%2Fmaybe%3F

    21 min
  2. Sexless Marriage Effect on Husband: Rejection, Silence & What Helps | Ep. 212

    Season 7, Episode 212

    Show notes

    If you feel more like roommates than partners, The Sexless Marriage Reset is my 12-week group program built for men in exactly this place. Limited spots are available here: https://www.themidlifemancoach.com

    In this episode, I’m talking about the moment in a sexless marriage that nobody names. It isn’t the first no or the tenth. It’s the moment a man decides asking again just isn’t worth the risk.

    Most men in this spot have already built a story about why: it’s their body, their age, their performance, some flaw their partner is too afraid to say out loud. That story is what keeps them quiet. A man who stops asking isn’t protecting himself from pain. He’s moving the pain somewhere quieter. I share the story of a client who had made peace with a life without intimacy, and what shifted once he finally told his partner how he felt.

    From there I take apart the three stories men tell themselves, explain the difference between spontaneous and responsive desire (and why she may never be the one to initiate), and give you permission to feel hurt, to want more, and to change your approach first. Low intimacy isn’t a verdict on you or your marriage. It’s information.

    In This Episode:

    00:00 – The Moment a Man Stops Trying

    00:14 – Welcome to Taboo to Truth

    00:41 – Sexless Marriage Statistics: You’re Not the Only One

    01:04 – Why Unexplained Rejection Does the Real Damage

    01:41 – A Client’s Story: When He Finally Spoke Up

    02:01 – The 3 Stories Men Tell Themselves About Rejection

    02:37 – The Sexless Marriage Reset: My 12-Week Program for Men

    03:43 – What You Can Actually Control: Presence Over Pressure

    04:18 – Spontaneous vs. Responsive Desire

    05:11 – The Permission Piece

    05:41 – Low Intimacy Is Information: What to Say to Her Today

    06:28 – Outro

    To watch the video version of this episode, head over toYouTube!

    About The Host:

    Karen Bigman, a Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sex Educator, Life, and Relationship Coach. She tackles the often-taboo subject of sexuality with a straightforward and candid approach. On this show, we explore the intricacies of sex in midlife, offering insights and support for all those experiencing this transformative phase.

    This podcast is not intended to give medical advice. Karen Bigman is not a medical professional. For any medical questions or issues, please visit your licensed medical provider.

    Looking for some fresh perspective on sex in midlife? You can find me here:

    Email: karen@taboototruth.com

    Website: https://www.taboototruth.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taboototruth

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcast

    Substack:https://karenbigman.substack.com/https://karenbigman.substack.com

    MORE LINKS, RESOURCES, EXCLUSIVE VIP DISCOUNTS & FREEBIES!

    🪄 Head to Mystery Vibe for award-winning devices that deliver precise vibrations to support erectile function and more! 🛒 Link: https://tidd.ly/4mePTpF

    🥰 If you want her to want you more — start by understanding her body better. Free resources → https://www.taboototruth.com/free-resources

    💋 Hotter, Wilder, Wiser | You’ve mastered everything else in life — now master pleasure! https://www.taboototruth.com/hotter-wilder-wiser

    🔥 Ready to spice things up? This Yes/No/Maybe list is your permission slip for pleasure. https://www.taboototruth.com/free-resources-1/yes%2Fno%2Fmaybe%3F

    7 min
  3. What Is Tantric Sex? It’s Not What You Think (Tantra for Beginners) | Ep. 211

    Season 7, Episode 211

    Show notes

    In this episode, I’m talking about tantra with tantra teacher and intimacy coach Deborah "Kat", and I’ll admit she threw me off within the first five minutes. Like most of you, when I heard “tantra” I thought tantric sex. Deb told me it’s a way of life, and the moment she explained it, the whole conversation about sexless marriages opened up.

    So many couples over 50 tell me they feel like roommates. The kids are gone, retirement is on the horizon, and nothing is happening in the bedroom. Deb’s answer starts with you, not your partner. She walks me through the three physical principles of tantra, movement, breath, and sound, and why letting yourself make noise during solo pleasure changed everything for her. She also shares how, after 27 years with her partner, she still finds her way back to desire by simply letting herself look at him.

    We get real about resentment, the socks-under-the-bed kind that kills attraction, and why it has to be worked through privately before any invitation can land. Deb explains why men often roll over after sex out of vulnerability, not exhaustion, how shame shaped what she let herself enjoy for years, and the one line she gives men in mismatched desire relationships: “I just want to kiss. If you want more, come to me.” I also share a painful moment from my own marriage, when my husband didn’t notice I’d lost 15 pounds until a therapist asked him directly.

    If you’ve gone quiet in your relationship, this conversation gives you small, doable places to start. And part two is coming, so stay close.

    This is part one of my two-part conversation with Deb Kat. Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don’t miss part two next week, where we pick up right where we left off.

    🔗 The antidote to a boring sex life isn't trying harder, it's trying something new together — Take the quiz at arya.fyi and use code: TRUTH15 for 15% off their guided intimacy subscription at https://arya.fyi/start?rfsn=8333683.c9f861

    In This Episode:

    00:00 – Roommates, Not Lovers

    00:22 – Welcome to Taboo to Truth

    00:55 – Meet Deborah "Kat": Tantra, Bodywork and 27 Years Together

    02:10 – What Is Tantra? The Meaning Beyond Tantric Sex

    03:51 – Movement, Breath and Sound: Tantric Sex Practices for Beginners

    06:47 – Finding Pleasure Outside the Bedroom

    08:59 – Permission, Asking for What You Want and the Sound of the Heart

    11:11 – When Resentment Is Killing Your Sex Life

    14:07 – Deciding to Be Available: What Can We Do in a Minute?

    15:35 – Why He Rolls Over After Sex (It’s Not Sleep)

    17:47 – Shame, Pillow Talk and Talking About It After

    20:21 – Revisiting Your Early Dates

    21:40 – Responsive vs. Spontaneous Desire: Just a Kiss

    23:43 – The Pool Story: Flirting Through Self-Care

    25:37 – Reclaiming Intimacy in a Midlife Body

    27:05 – Stop Fighting Your Partner in Your Head: 10 Deep Breaths

    28:55 – When My Husband Didn’t Notice Me: Slow Down

    31:25 – Coming Up in Part Two

    31:56 – Outro

    About The Guest:

    Deborah Kat is a sex and relationship coach on a mission to help people have the best sex of their lives with the people they love. She has practiced tantra for more than 20 years across at least three lineages, and she brings years of experience as a bodyworker plus training in kink, massage, flirting, dating, and relating. She has worked with hundreds of clients, from corporate CEOs to newlywed couples, and draws on her own 27-year relationship to teach that communication, repair, and erotic connection are skills you can learn and practice. Deborah hosts The Better Sex Podcast and the Better Sex Summit. Her philosophy is simple: better sex, better humans, better world.

    Connect with Deborah Kat:

    Website: https://www.deborahkat.com

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deborahtantrakat/

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@deborahkat9349

    Podcast: https://www.deborahkat.com/podcast

    Substack: https://deborahkat.substack.com

    About The Host:

    Karen Bigman, a Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sex Educator, Life, and Relationship Coach. She tackles the often-taboo subject of sexuality with a straightforward and candid approach. On this show, we explore the intricacies of sex in midlife, offering insights and support for all those experiencing this transformative phase.

    This podcast is not intended to give medical advice. Karen Bigman is not a medical professional. For any medical questions or issues, please visit your licensed medical provider.

    Looking for some fresh perspective on sex in midlife? You can find me here:

    Email: karen@taboototruth.com

    Website: https://www.taboototruth.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taboototruth

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcast

    Substack:https://karenbigman.substack.com/https://karenbigman.substack.com

    MORE LINKS, RESOURCES, EXCLUSIVE VIP DISCOUNTS & FREEBIES!

    🪄 Head to Mystery Vibe for award-winning devices that deliver precise vibrations to support erectile function and more! 🛒 Link: https://tidd.ly/4mePTpF

    🥰 If you want her to want you more — start by understanding her body better. Free resources → https://www.taboototruth.com/free-resources

    💋 Hotter, Wilder, Wiser | You’ve mastered everything else in life — now master pleasure! https://www.taboototruth.com/hotter-wilder-wiser

    🔥 Ready to spice things up? This Yes/No/Maybe list is your permission slip for pleasure. https://www.taboototruth.com/free-resources-1/yes%2Fno%2Fmaybe%3F

    33 min
  4. Can a Sexless Marriage Survive? 4 Patterns to Spot & Break

    Season 7, Episode 210

    Show notes

    In this episode, I’m taking on a sentence I hear constantly from men in a sexless marriage: “She just doesn’t want sex anymore. This is who she is now.” I want to slow that down, since treating her disinterest as a fixed personality trait is usually misreading the situation entirely.

    What’s usually running underneath is one or more of four patterns that relationship researcher John Gottman calls the Four Horsemen: criticism, contempt, defensiveness and stonewalling. Researchers can predict a relationship ending from watching a single argument, and these four are what they’re watching for. I take them one at a time and show you what each is quietly doing to desire. Criticism goes after who you are instead of what you did. Contempt, the one weighed heaviest, says I think less of you, and you can’t want someone you feel looked down on by. Defensiveness turns every soft moment into ammunition. And stonewalling, that flat “fine” and the walk out of the room, reads as total indifference even when it’s really a nervous system hitting overwhelm.

    None of this means one of you is the problem and the other is the patient one. You can both be trying sincerely and still be stuck. So I close with what interrupts these patterns: naming a behavior instead of attacking character, pausing a fight without abandoning each other, and rebuilding affection with no expectation attached before you try to fix sex at all. My ask for you: pick the one pattern that hit hardest and notice the next time it shows up, in your voice or your partner’s.

    🔗 The antidote to a boring sex life isn't trying harder, it's trying something new together — Take the quiz at arya.fyi and use code: TRUTH15 for 15% off their guided intimacy subscription at https://arya.fyi/start?rfsn=8333683.c9f861

    In This Episode:

    0:00 – 4 Patterns That Predict a Sexless Marriage

    0:07 – “She Just Doesn’t Want It Anymore” Isn’t Who She Is

    0:45 – Gottman’s Four Horsemen: The Patterns That Predict a Breakup

    1:57 – Horseman 1: Criticism (Character vs. Behavior)

    2:47 – Horseman 2: Contempt, the Strongest Predictor

    3:30 – Sponsor: ARYA

    3:52 – Horseman 3: Defensiveness

    4:23 – Horseman 4: Stonewalling & the Silent Treatment

    5:00 – Why a Sexless Marriage Is Rarely a Mystery

    5:22 – How to Fix It: Address Behavior, Not Character

    5:43 – How to Pause a Fight Without Abandoning Each Other

    6:10 – Don’t Make Intimacy the First Thing You Fix

    6:34 – Your Takeaway: Notice One Pattern

    6:53 – The Midlife Man Coaching Program

    To watch the video version of this episode, head over toYouTube!

    About The Host:

    Karen Bigman, a Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sex Educator, Life, and Relationship Coach. She tackles the often-taboo subject of sexuality with a straightforward and candid approach. On this show, we explore the intricacies of sex in midlife, offering insights and support for all those experiencing this transformative phase.

    This podcast is not intended to give medical advice. Karen Bigman is not a medical professional. For any medical questions or issues, please visit your licensed medical provider.

    Looking for some fresh perspective on sex in midlife? You can find me here:

    Email: karen@taboototruth.com

    Website: https://www.taboototruth.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taboototruth

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcast

    Substack:https://karenbigman.substack.com/https://karenbigman.substack.com

    MORE LINKS, RESOURCES, EXCLUSIVE VIP DISCOUNTS & FREEBIES!

    🪄 Head to Mystery Vibe for award-winning devices that deliver precise vibrations to support erectile function and more! 🛒 Link: https://tidd.ly/4mePTpF

    🥰 If you want her to want you more — start by understanding her body better. Free resources → https://www.taboototruth.com/free-resources

    💋 Hotter, Wilder, Wiser | You’ve mastered everything else in life — now master pleasure! https://www.taboototruth.com/hotter-wilder-wiser

    🔥 Ready to spice things up? This Yes/No/Maybe list is your permission slip for pleasure. https://www.taboototruth.com/free-resources-1/yes%2Fno%2Fmaybe%3F

    8 min
  5. Why Women Don’t Tell Men What They Want in Bed | Ep. 208 (Part 1)

    Season 7, Episode 208

    Show notes

    This episode is brought to you by OBOO, makers of vibrators, lubricants, and vulva care for women in perimenopause and beyond. Use code TRUTH15 for 15% off at https://oboo.love

    In this episode, I’m back with sex researcher Melanie Curtin for part two, and we start with something I’ll admit right up front. I can talk to any stranger about anything, and I still find it hard to tell a man in bed that he’s crossed a line or that something hurts.

    Melanie’s research shows I’m far from alone. Just under half of the women she surveyed said telling a partner what isn’t working is a 7 out of 10 or harder, and 10% called it impossible. She walks me through the four fears underneath that silence, and why grinning and bearing it can feel safer than risking the relationship. Then she explains what men can do about it: lead instead of waiting, and say thank you when she finally tells the truth, even when it stings.

    From there we get into her heart-power matrix, why the nice guy and the bad boy both leave women unsatisfied, and what women really mean when they say they want to feel ravished. Melanie also explains why trauma bonds can pull harder than chemistry, why so many men are lonelier than they realize, and why the best way to attract a healthy partner is to do your own work first.

    In This Episode:

    0:00 – Sponsor: OBOO

    0:39 – Welcome Back to Part Two

    1:32 – Why It’s Still Hard to Say “That Hurts”

    2:44 – Fear 1: He’ll Lash Out

    3:23 – Fear 2: He’ll Pull Away

    4:09 – Fear 3: Feeling Like Something’s Wrong With Her

    4:48 – Fear 4: Being Judged for What She Wants

    6:00 – “Thank You for Telling Me”: How to Be a Safe Man

    6:53 – When Silence Ends a Marriage

    7:39 – Passive, Aggressive, or Leading?

    9:36 – The Heart-Power Matrix

    10:55 – What Polarity Really Means

    11:47 – Too Nice vs. Too Rough: What Women Said

    12:53 – The Integrated Man

    14:12 – Feeling Taken and Safe at the Same Time

    16:36 – Nice Guys, Players & Why Men Are So Lonely

    18:34 – Why Women Go for the Bad Boy

    19:52 – “He Read Me Like a Book”

    20:45 – From Nice Guy to Bold and Direct

    22:56 – Does Sex Make Women Bond Faster?

    23:48 – Trauma Bonds & Attracting a Healthy Partner

    26:12 – How the Patriarchy Hurts Men

    27:31 – Where to Find Melanie

    To watch the video version of this episode, head over toYouTube!

    About The Guest:

    Melanie Curtin is a sex and relationship coach and Stanford-educated sex researcher whose research is published in the Harvard Dataverse. She helps growth-minded men have thriving sex and love lives, whether they’re single or partnered. She surveyed 1,067 women about what makes a man great in bed, what makes him forgettable, and what they wish they’d told a past partner. She’s also the host of the Dear Men podcast.

    Connect with Melanie Curtin:

    Website:https://www.melaniecurtin.comhttps://www.melaniecurtin.com

    Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/melaniebcurtin/https://www.instagram.com/melaniebcurtin/

    LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/melaniecurtinhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/melaniecurtin

    Podcast - Dear Menhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dear-men-how-to-rock-sex-datingand-relationships-with-women/id1347811999https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dear-men-how-to-rock-sex-datingand-relationships-with-women/id1347811999

    About The Host:

    Karen Bigman, a Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sex Educator, Life, and Relationship Coach. She tackles the often-taboo subject of sexuality with a straightforward and candid approach. On this show, we explore the intricacies of sex in midlife, offering insights and support for all those experiencing this transformative phase.

    This podcast is not intended to give medical advice. Karen Bigman is not a medical professional. For any medical questions or issues, please visit your licensed medical provider.

    Looking for some fresh perspective on sex in midlife? You can find me here:

    Email: karen@taboototruth.com

    Website: https://www.taboototruth.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taboototruth

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcast

    Substack:https://karenbigman.substack.com/https://karenbigman.substack.com

    29 min
  6. Do Men Need Emotional Connection to Want Sex? The Real Answer | Ep. 209

    Season 7, Episode 209

    Show notes

    Do men need emotional connection to feel desire? The story we all learned says men just need a body and an opportunity, and women are the ones who need to feel close first. For a lot of men, that story is backwards. They just never say it out loud.

    I break down why men are taught from adolescence that wanting closeness is needy, and how that unspoken need shows up instead as irritability, withdrawal, or a sudden drop in desire. I explain the difference between vasopressin and oxytocin, why men often bond through shared effort and shared goals instead of long conversations, and how attachment style can make a guarded man disengage from intimacy as a form of protection, even decades into a relationship.

    Then I walk through the five places connection gets built or lost in long-term and midlife relationships: open communication, active listening, quality time, empathy, and physical touch outside the bedroom. You’ll hear what each one looks like in real life, why empty nest couples often lose quality time to logistics, and the easiest one you can restart tonight.

    This episode is sponsored by ARYA, a monthly intimacy membership curated by AASECT-certified sexologists. Take the quiz at https://www.arya.fyi/and use code TRUTH15 for 15% off.

    Check out my S*x Snacks: https://www.taboototruth.com/post/sex-snacks

    In This Episode:

    0:00 – Do Men Need Emotional Connection to Want S*x?

    0:07 – The Man Who Proved Me Wrong

    0:30 – Why the “Men Just Need a Body” Story Is Backwards

    1:20 – Attachment Style and Why He Pulls Away

    2:19 – 5 Places Connection Is Built: #1 Open Communication

    3:26 – #2 Active Listening

    3:56 – Sponsor: ARIA

    4:32 – #3 Quality Time: Vasopressin vs. Oxytocin

    5:22 – #4 Empathy Without Fixing

    6:12 – #5 Touch Outside the Bedroom

    6:43 – Final Thoughts: Look for the Disconnection First

    To watch the video version of this episode, head over toYouTube!

    About The Host:

    Karen Bigman, a Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sex Educator, Life, and Relationship Coach. She tackles the often-taboo subject of sexuality with a straightforward and candid approach. On this show, we explore the intricacies of sex in midlife, offering insights and support for all those experiencing this transformative phase.

    This podcast is not intended to give medical advice. Karen Bigman is not a medical professional. For any medical questions or issues, please visit your licensed medical provider.

    Looking for some fresh perspective on sex in midlife? You can find me here:

    Email: karen@taboototruth.com

    Website: https://www.taboototruth.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taboototruth

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcast

    Substack:https://karenbigman.substack.com/https://karenbigman.substack.com

    MORE LINKS, RESOURCES, EXCLUSIVE VIP DISCOUNTS & FREEBIES!

    🪄 Head to Mystery Vibe for award-winning devices that deliver precise vibrations to support erectile function and more! 🛒 Link: https://tidd.ly/4mePTpF

    🥰 If you want her to want you more — start by understanding her body better. Free resources → https://www.taboototruth.com/free-resources

    💋 Hotter, Wilder, Wiser | You’ve mastered everything else in life — now master pleasure! https://www.taboototruth.com/hotter-wilder-wiser

    🔥 Ready to spice things up? This Yes/No/Maybe list is your permission slip for pleasure. https://www.taboototruth.com/free-resources-1/yes%2Fno%2Fmaybe%3F

    8 min
  7. What Makes a Man Great in Bed? A Researcher Asked 1,067 Women | Ep. 208

    Season 7, Episode 208

    Show notes

    In this episode, I sit down with researcher and men’s relationship coach Melanie Curtin. She asked more than 1,000 women a question most men think they already know the answer to: what actually makes a man great in bed? Her findings blew up a lot of assumptions, mine included.

    We start with the number that stopped me. 61% of women say they’ve broken up with someone over the sex, and most never said a word to him about it. Melanie explains the pattern she saw again and again. A woman speaks up once or twice, watches nothing change, and decides to grin and bear it so she doesn’t feel like a nag. I share my own version of that story from my dating life right now, plus what menopause and dryness add to the mix.

    We get into why pain is one of women’s top complaints in bed and never shows up on men’s list, and why so many men touch a woman the way they’d want to be touched. Melanie’s rule is simple: if she asks for anything, multiply it by ten. We also talk about the arousal gap, the shame spiral that follows performance anxiety, and why the women in her research almost never mentioned erections, endurance, or a great body.

    The best lovers did something much simpler. They paid attention, in and out of the bedroom. Part two is coming next week, so stay close.

    💓 This episode is brought to you by OBOO, makers of vibrators, lubricants, and vulva care for women in perimenopause and beyond. Use code TRUTH15 for 15% off at https://oboo.love/

    In This Episode:

    0:00 – Sponsor: OBOO

    0:34 – Welcome to Taboo to Truth

    1:08 – Meet Melanie Curtin

    2:21 – How the Research Worked (and Why It’s Subjective)

    4:59 – Have You Ever Broken Up Over Bad Sex?

    6:30 – Why Women Speak Up Once, Then Give Up

    8:51 – Men’s vs. Women’s Top Sex Problems

    11:12 – Why Her Body Is More Sensitive Than He Thinks

    13:05 – Slow and Light: The 21-Minute Arousal Gap

    14:30 – Menopause, Dryness & Why Slowing Down Matters

    16:12 – Performance Anxiety: Why Some Men Stop Dating

    18:33 – Why He Touches Her the Way He Wants to Be Touched

    19:30 – The Couples Who Grin and Bear It

    20:26 – Turn Her Feedback Up 10x

    21:51 – Ask the Right Question, Then Actually Listen

    22:25 – Masculinity, Menopause & His Silent Changes

    23:16 – What 97% of Women Never Mentioned

    24:12 – The Best Lover She Ever Had (No Intercourse)

    25:37 – Losing an Erection Without Losing Her

    27:30 – What 37% of Women Remembered Most

    28:55 – Feeling Seen Is Foreplay

    29:46 – Part Two Coming Next...

    About The Guest:

    About The Guest:

    Melanie Curtin is a sex and relationship coach and Stanford-educated sex researcher whose research is published in the Harvard Dataverse. She helps growth-minded men have thriving sex and love lives, whether they’re single or partnered. She surveyed 1,067 women about what makes a man great in bed, what makes him forgettable, and what they wish they’d told a past partner. She’s also the host of the Dear Men podcast.

    Connect with Melanie Curtin:

    Website:https://www.melaniecurtin.comhttps://www.melaniecurtin.com

    Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/melaniebcurtin/https://www.instagram.com/melaniebcurtin/

    LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/melaniecurtinhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/melaniecurtin

    Podcast - Dear Menhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dear-men-how-to-rock-sex-datingand-relationships-with-women/id1347811999https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dear-men-how-to-rock-sex-datingand-relationships-with-women/id1347811999

    About The Host:

    Karen Bigman, a Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sex Educator, Life, and Relationship Coach. She tackles the often-taboo subject of sexuality with a straightforward and candid approach. On this show, we explore the intricacies of sex in midlife, offering insights and support for all those experiencing this transformative phase.

    This podcast is not intended to give medical advice. Karen Bigman is not a medical professional. For any medical questions or issues, please visit your licensed medical provider.

    Looking for some fresh perspective on sex in midlife? You can find me here:

    Email: karen@taboototruth.com

    Website: https://www.taboototruth.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taboototruth

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcast

    Substack:https://karenbigman.substack.com/https://karenbigman.substack.com

    31 min
  8. Could Your Penis Be Telling You Something? ED, Diabetes & Heart Health After 50 | Ep. 206

    Season 7, Episode 207

    Show notes

    In this episode, I’m talking about what diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart health have to do with your sex life, and why a change in your erections deserves a doctor’s visit, not a private panic.

    Most men who notice a change ask themselves the wrong questions first. Am I still a man? Am I still desired? Is this the beginning of the end? That identity filter is exactly what keeps them out of the doctor’s office. Erectile difficulties are not a verdict on who you are. They’re a health signal.

    I walk through how high blood pressure and diabetes affect blood flow and nerves, why some blood pressure medications can be the real culprit, and why the arteries in the penis often show damage years before the heart does. I also get honest about where the shame comes from. Men were taught that masculinity lives in their erections, so any change feels like an indictment. It isn’t. It’s information.

    My ask: find a doctor you see regularly, so when the harder conversations come up, you already have someone you trust. And if this lands for you, send it to a man in your life who needs the nudge.

    ‼️ Your erections can flag a blood flow problem years before your heart does. That’s why I partnered with FirmTech, a smart ring that tracks your erectile health so you get real data instead of guesswork. Get 15% using my link and code TABOO15 at https://myfirmtech.com/karenbigman

    Sign up for my free newsletter, where the real, unfiltered stuff lives: https://www.taboototruth.com

    In This Episode:

    0:00 – Your Erection Could Be a Warning Sign

    0:18 – Welcome to Taboo to Truth

    0:44 – The Identity Filter That Keeps Men From Getting Checked

    1:06 – ED by the Numbers: Diabetes & High Blood Pressure

    1:29 – How Blood Pressure and Diabetes Affect Erections

    1:47 – When Your Blood Pressure Meds Are the Problem

    2:10 – Your Body’s Barometer: The Heart Connection

    2:47 – Newsletter Break

    3:06 – Embarrassment, Quick Fixes & Where the Shame Comes From

    3:36 – The Biggest Obstacle: Not Seeking Help

    3:58 – Find a Doctor Before You Need One

    4:34 – Final thoughts

    To watch the video version of this episode, head over toYouTube!

    About The Host:

    Karen Bigman, a Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sex Educator, Life, and Relationship Coach. She tackles the often-taboo subject of sexuality with a straightforward and candid approach. On this show, we explore the intricacies of sex in midlife, offering insights and support for all those experiencing this transformative phase.

    This podcast is not intended to give medical advice. Karen Bigman is not a medical professional. For any medical questions or issues, please visit your licensed medical provider.

    Looking for some fresh perspective on sex in midlife? You can find me here:

    Email: karen@taboototruth.com

    Website: https://www.taboototruth.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taboototruth

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcast

    Substack:https://karenbigman.substack.com/https://karenbigman.substack.com

    MORE LINKS, RESOURCES, EXCLUSIVE VIP DISCOUNTS & FREEBIES!

    🪄 Head to Mystery Vibe for award-winning devices that deliver precise vibrations to support erectile function and more! 🛒 Link: https://tidd.ly/4mePTpF

    🥰 If you want her to want you more — start by understanding her body better. Free resources → https://www.taboototruth.com/free-resources

    💋 Hotter, Wilder, Wiser | You’ve mastered everything else in life — now master pleasure! https://www.taboototruth.com/hotter-wilder-wiser

    🔥 Ready to spice things up? This Yes/No/Maybe list is your permission slip for pleasure. https://www.taboototruth.com/free-resources-1/yes%2Fno%2Fmaybe%3F

    5 min
  9. Sex after prostate cancer: what men need to know before surgery with Dr. Amy Pearlman | Ep. 205 (Part 2)

    Season 7, Episode 205

    Show notes

    In this episode, I'm back with urologist Dr. Amy Pearlman for part two of our conversation. We start with a question I hear all the time: does ejaculating often protect your prostate? She walks me through the research, why masturbation counts, and the plant-forward way of eating that protects your prostate along with every other organ.

    Then we get into prostate cancer. Dr. Pearlman explains why most men die with it rather than from it, when active surveillance makes sense, and why you should get more than one opinion before choosing a treatment. Most importantly, she explains how men can protect their sex lives: starting penile rehab before surgery, seeing a pelvic floor physical therapist, practicing with a vacuum pump, and using Trimix injections when Viagra and Cialis aren't enough. She even believes many men can have the best sex of their lives after treatment.

    We finish with penis size. Dr. Pearlman shares why she asks every patient about size concerns, what traction therapy can realistically do for length, why she uses dissolvable hyaluronic acid for girth enhancement, and why you should always ask what the worst-case scenario is before any procedure. Her final advice: go to every appointment prepared, with a list of questions and a goal.

    Most men have no idea what's actually happening with their erections until something goes wrong. That's why I partnered with FirmTech, a smart ring that tracks your erectile health so you get real data instead of guesswork. Get 15% off at myfirmtech.com/karenbigman

    ‼️ Join the waitlist for my upcoming coaching program for midlife men HERE.

    In This Episode:

    00:00 – Intro

    00:45 – Does ejaculating more protect your prostate?

    02:05 – The diet that protects your prostate (and every other organ)

    03:18 – Prostate cancer and your sex life

    04:26 – Active surveillance: when you don't need treatment yet

    05:00 – Why prostate cancer usually has no symptoms

    06:14 – Your treatment options, and why to get more than one opinion

    07:44 – Why penile rehab starts before surgery

    08:24 – Pelvic floor PT before prostate surgery

    09:26 – Learning the vacuum pump before you need it

    10:00 – Trimix: penile injections explained

    11:08 – How men learn to do their first injection

    12:05 – Why injections work when Viagra doesn't

    13:46 – Better sex after prostate cancer?

    15:23 – Why men are obsessed with penis size

    17:16 – Girth enhancement with hyaluronic acid

    20:00 – Can you actually gain length?

    21:30 – The worst-case question before any procedure

    22:38 – What is Phallofill?

    25:11 – Use ChatGPT to prep for your doctor's visit

    26:47 – Where to find Dr. Amy Pearlman

    27:38 – Outro

    To watch the video version of this episode, head over toYouTube!

    About The Guest:

    Dr. Amy Pearlman is a board-certified urologist and fellowship-trained specialist in sexual medicine, male hormonal health, and genitourinary reconstruction. She is the co-founder of Prime Institute in Miami, where she takes a modern, evidence-based approach to optimizing sexual health, hormones, and longevity. A nationally recognized educator and speaker, Dr. Pearlman is passionate about making conversations around sexual health more practical, approachable, and engaging. Her work bridges traditional medicine with emerging therapies and technologies, helping patients better understand their bodies and the growing number of options available to improve sexual function, confidence, and quality of life.

    Connect with Dr. Amy Pearlman:

    Website: https://www.primeinstitute.us

    Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/sirr.leezus/?hl=enhttps://www.instagram.com/amypearlmanmd

    YouTube: @DocAmyUrology

    Podcast: Fertility and Other F Words

    About The Host:

    Karen Bigman, a Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sex Educator, Life, and Relationship Coach. She tackles the often-taboo subject of sexuality with a straightforward and candid approach. On this show, we explore the intricacies of sex in midlife, offering insights and support for all those experiencing this transformative phase.

    This podcast is not intended to give medical advice. Karen Bigman is not a medical professional. For any medical questions or issues, please visit your licensed medical provider.

    Looking for some fresh perspective on sex in midlife? You can find me here:

    Email: karen@taboototruth.com

    Website: https://www.taboototruth.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taboototruth

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcast

    Substack:https://karenbigman.substack.com/https://karenbigman.substack.com

    MORE LINKS, RESOURCES, EXCLUSIVE VIP DISCOUNTS & FREEBIES!

    🪄 Head to Mystery Vibe for award-winning devices that deliver precise vibrations to support erectile function and more! 🛒 Link: https://tidd.ly/4mePTpF

    🥰 If you want her to want you more — start by understanding her body better. Free resources → https://www.taboototruth.com/free-resources

    💋 Hotter, Wilder, Wiser | You’ve mastered everything else in life — now master pleasure! https://www.taboototruth.com/hotter-wilder-wiser

    🔥 Ready to spice things up? This Yes/No/Maybe list is your permission slip for pleasure. https://www.taboototruth.com/free-resources-1/yes%2Fno%2Fmaybe%3F

    28 min
  10. Erectile Dysfunction After 50? Let’s Talk Penis Rings, Pumps & What Actually Works | Ep. 206

    Season 7, Episode 206

    Show notes

    In this episode, I'm opening up the toolbox most men refuse to touch: penis rings, vacuum pumps, and prostate massagers. Men avoid these products for the same reason they avoid the doctor. They think needing help means something is wrong with them. It doesn't. Your body at 50 isn't your body at 25, and a tool that works with it is a way to enjoy the body you're in right now, not an admission of failure.

    I break down what a ring can and can't do (it holds what's already there, it doesn't create it), why your overnight data can be an early warning sign for your vascular health, and the 30-minute rule I repeat every single time. I explain why pumps started in urologists' offices, why going slow matters more than going fast, and why this part of your body really does follow a use-it-or-lose-it rule. Then I get into the prostate, the gland most men ignore, the myth that keeps them from exploring it, and how it can support pelvic health.

    If there's a man in your life who's been quietly struggling, or just curious, send him this one.

    ‼️ Join the waitlist for my upcoming coaching program for midlife men HERE.

    In This Episode:

    0:00 – Rings, Pumps & Prostate Massagers

    0:09 – Welcome to Taboo to Truth

    0:35 – Why Men Avoid These Tools

    1:14 – How a Ring Actually Works

    1:43 – When to Talk to Your Doctor

    2:13 – Beginner Silicone Rings

    2:28 – FirmTech: Hook Ring, Tech Ring & Add-On

    3:17 – MyHixel & Lasting Longer

    3:43 – Ring Options for Couples

    3:58 – Ring Safety: The 30-Minute Rule

    4:16 – The Ohnut: Comfort for Couples

    4:51 – How Vacuum Pumps Work

    5:09 – Dr. Joel Kaplan's Clinical Pump

    6:02 – Go Slow: Pump Safety

    6:23 – Use It or Lose It

    6:44 – Bathmate Water Pumps

    7:17 – Why Pumps and Rings Work Together

    7:28 – Why the Prostate Matters

    8:04 – The Myth That Holds Men Back

    8:25 – Prostate Massage for Pelvic Health

    8:44 – MysteryVibe Molto

    9:04 – Aneros: Hands-Free Massagers

    9:58 – Patience & Safety Basics

    10:19 – Final Thoughts

    10:37 – Outro

    To watch the video version of this episode, head over toYouTube!

    Shop the products I mention:

    FirmTech Penis Rings (15% off) with my link:https://myfirmtech.com/karenbigmanhttps://myfirmtech.com/karenbigman

    Couples: Kiiroo's Lux Him/Lux Her or FirmTech's vibrating attachment.

    Mystery VibeMolto Prostate Massager(10% off) with Code: TABOO10

    Silicone beginner rings (Amazon)

    MyHixel Pressure-point ring

    MyHixel Endurance Trainer

    Ohnut Buffer Rings

    Dr. Joel Kaplan Vacuum Devices (10% Off) with code TABOO10

    Bathmate Penis Pumps (15% off) with code TABOO15

    Jim Benson's The Multi-Orgasmic Lover ($50 off using my link)

    About The Host:

    Karen Bigman, a Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sex Educator, Life, and Relationship Coach. She tackles the often-taboo subject of sexuality with a straightforward and candid approach. On this show, we explore the intricacies of sex in midlife, offering insights and support for all those experiencing this transformative phase.

    This podcast is not intended to give medical advice. Karen Bigman is not a medical professional. For any medical questions or issues, please visit your licensed medical provider.

    Looking for some fresh perspective on sex in midlife? You can find me here:

    Email: karen@taboototruth.com

    Website: https://www.taboototruth.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taboototruth

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcast

    Substack:https://karenbigman.substack.com/https://karenbigman.substack.com

    11 min
  11. What Really Happens At The Urologist (and why men avoid it) with Dr. Amy Pearlman | Ep. 205 (Part 1)

    Season 7, Episode 205

    Show notes

    In this episode, I sit down with urologist Dr. Amy Pearlman to talk about what men actually need from their doctors and so rarely get. We start with the urology visit most men dread: why she spends an hour or more just talking before she ever asks for an exam, what a prostate exam actually checks, and why your colonoscopy isn't telling you anything about your prostate. She explains why erectile dysfunction is so much more than a quick questionnaire and a Cialis prescription, and why she sees it as a door into a man's overall health.

    Then we get into testosterone. Dr. Pearlman explains why she's seeing low T in healthy-looking men in their 20s and 30s, why it's about health and not age, and what testosterone really does for mood, muscle, energy, and brain fog. She shares the question she asks every man before prescribing it, no matter how old he is, why so many men are turning to the black market, and why there's no age at which a man stops being a candidate.

    Most men have no idea what's actually happening with their erections until something goes wrong. That's why I partnered with FirmTech, a smart ring that tracks your erectile health so you get real data instead of guesswork. Get 15% off at myfirmtech.com/karenbigman

    ‼️ Join the waitlist for my upcoming coaching program for midlife men HERE.

    In This Episode:

    00:00 – Intro

    00:40 – Meet Dr. Amy Pearlman

    02:17 – What's a woman's role in men's health?

    06:52 – Why men dread the urologist

    08:29 – The opt-in exam: what a visit should really feel like

    09:55 – The prostate exam, explained (and the colonoscopy myth)

    11:38 – Why ED is more than a questionnaire

    12:29 – FirmTech

    12:58 – When should men start seeing a doctor?

    15:27 – The warning signs men shouldn't ignore

    16:47 – Why men need a "well man" visit

    17:21 – Viagra with no exam: when ED is a warning sign

    18:58 – Why testosterone is dropping, even in young men

    21:16 – What testosterone actually does

    22:41 – The fertility question before any testosterone

    24:30 – Black market testosterone and why men go there

    25:50 – Is low T the new Viagra?

    27:45 – Testosterone after 55: is there an age cutoff?

    28:36 – Outro

    To watch the video version of this episode, head over toYouTube!

    About The Guest:

    Dr. Amy Pearlman is a board-certified urologist and fellowship-trained specialist in sexual medicine, male hormonal health, and genitourinary reconstruction. She is the co-founder of Prime Institute in Miami, where she takes a modern, evidence-based approach to optimizing sexual health, hormones, and longevity. A nationally recognized educator and speaker, Dr. Pearlman is passionate about making conversations around sexual health more practical, approachable, and engaging. Her work bridges traditional medicine with emerging therapies and technologies, helping patients better understand their bodies and the growing number of options available to improve sexual function, confidence, and quality of life.

    Connect with Dr. Amy Pearlman:

    Website: https://www.primeinstitute.us

    Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/sirr.leezus/?hl=enhttps://www.instagram.com/amypearlmanmd

    About The Host:

    Karen Bigman, a Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sex Educator, Life, and Relationship Coach. She tackles the often-taboo subject of sexuality with a straightforward and candid approach. On this show, we explore the intricacies of sex in midlife, offering insights and support for all those experiencing this transformative phase.

    This podcast is not intended to give medical advice. Karen Bigman is not a medical professional. For any medical questions or issues, please visit your licensed medical provider.

    Looking for some fresh perspective on sex in midlife? You can find me here:

    Email: karen@taboototruth.com

    Website: https://www.taboototruth.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taboototruth

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcast

    Substack:https://karenbigman.substack.com/https://karenbigman.substack.com

    MORE LINKS, RESOURCES, EXCLUSIVE VIP DISCOUNTS & FREEBIES!

    🪄 Head to Mystery Vibe for award-winning devices that deliver precise vibrations to support erectile function and more! 🛒 Link: https://tidd.ly/4mePTpF

    🥰 If you want her to want you more — start by understanding her body better. Free resources → https://www.taboototruth.com/free-resources

    💋 Hotter, Wilder, Wiser | You’ve mastered everything else in life — now master pleasure! https://www.taboototruth.com/hotter-wilder-wiser

    🔥 Ready to spice things up? This Yes/No/Maybe list is your permission slip for pleasure. https://www.taboototruth.com/free-resources-1/yes%2Fno%2Fmaybe%3F

    29 min
  12. Testosterone for Men vs. Women: The Truth About Libido, Energy & Orgasm | Ep. 204

    Season 7, Episode 204

    Show notes

    In this episode, I'm talking about testosterone in midlife, menopause, low sex drive, and why so many women on hormone therapy are still missing the one hormone nobody thought to check. I learned this the hard way: after my divorce, I was dating again and having more sex than I had in years, and my pleasure started to disappear, even though I was already taking estrogen and progesterone. It took finding a sexual medicine practice before anyone mentioned testosterone.

    I use that experience to take apart some of the biggest myths about testosterone. It isn't only a male hormone (when we're younger, women actually make more of it than men). A "normal" result doesn't mean much if your provider doesn't know how to read it. More isn't better. And a men's product at a much smaller dose isn't dangerous when the right clinician prescribes it. I also explain why low T in men builds so slowly that many don't notice it until their 50s and 60s, what men who want children should know before starting treatment, and why testosterone can help a relationship but will never fix one on its own.

    If you've been told your libido loss is "just menopause" or "just age," this episode gives you the language to go back to your provider and ask better questions. And a friendly reminder: don't take your partner's testosterone.

    The antidote to a boring sex life isn't trying harder, it's trying something new together — Take the quiz at arya.fyi and use code: TRUTH15 for 15% off their guided intimacy subscription at https://arya.fyi/start?rfsn=8333683.c9f861

    In This Episode:

    0:00 – Low T Isn't Just a Men's Problem

    0:14 – Welcome to Taboo to Truth

    0:46 – Testosterone: More Than the "Male" Hormone

    1:24 – How Men and Women Make Testosterone

    1:56 – How Testosterone Changes as We Age

    2:34 – Signs of Low Testosterone in Men

    3:30 – Signs of Low Testosterone in Women

    3:58 – My Story: Why My Orgasms Stopped

    4:23 – It's Not Always Testosterone

    4:56 – Total T, Free T & SHBG Explained

    6:08 – Why Testing Units and Timing Matter

    7:09 – Arya.fyi

    7:35 – There's No Magic Number for Women's Desire

    8:12 – How Men Are Diagnosed and Treated

    9:11 – What Testosterone Can Do for Women

    10:02 – Side Effects for Men

    10:40 – Side Effects and Dosing for Women

    11:24 – Creams, Pellets, Injections & Compounding

    12:22 – Off-Label Testosterone for Women

    13:41 – Don't Diagnose Yourself: Final Thoughts

    14:12 – Final thoughts

    ‼️ Join the waitlist for my upcoming coaching program for midlife men HERE.

    To watch the video version of this episode, head over toYouTube!

    About The Host:

    Karen Bigman, a Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sex Educator, Life, and Relationship Coach. She tackles the often-taboo subject of sexuality with a straightforward and candid approach. On this show, we explore the intricacies of sex in midlife, offering insights and support for all those experiencing this transformative phase.

    This podcast is not intended to give medical advice. Karen Bigman is not a medical professional. For any medical questions or issues, please visit your licensed medical provider.

    Looking for some fresh perspective on sex in midlife? You can find me here:

    Email: karen@taboototruth.com

    Website: https://www.taboototruth.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taboototruth

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcast

    Substack:https://karenbigman.substack.com/https://karenbigman.substack.com

    Take control of your pleasure with my Pleasure Playbook, filled with tips to help you connect with your body and enhance intimacy. Download it now at http://www.taboototruth.com/pleasureplaybook.

    MORE LINKS, RESOURCES, EXCLUSIVE VIP DISCOUNTS & FREEBIES!

    🪄 Head to Mystery Vibe for award-winning devices that deliver precise vibrations to support erectile function and more! 🛒 Link: https://tidd.ly/4mePTpF

    🥰 If you want her to want you more — start by understanding her body better. Free resources → https://www.taboototruth.com/free-resources

    💋 Hotter, Wilder, Wiser | You’ve mastered everything else in life — now master pleasure! https://www.taboototruth.com/hotter-wilder-wiser

    🔥 Ready to spice things up? This Yes/No/Maybe list is your permission slip for pleasure. https://www.taboototruth.com/free-resources-1/yes%2Fno%2Fmaybe%3F

    15 min
  13. Inside a Sex Club and a Kink Club for the First Time: What I Learned | Ep. 203

    Season 7, Episode 203

    Show notes

    In this episode, I'm sharing something completely different: a firsthand account of a weekend I had in Montreal. I was there for an Advanced SAR — a Sexual Attitude Reassessment, the kind of training clinicians and sex educators take to get comfortable with behaviors and experiences outside their own — and it happened to land the same weekend as the Montreal Fetish Festival. So I went.

    I walk through everything, starting with the cabaret show on night one that included flogging and, in a moment that genuinely jarred me. I talk about sitting down with a woman deeply involved in the BDSM community, who explained electric play and needle play to me — including how she experiences needle play as creating art on someone's body, and why the buildup to pain can trigger something called subspace, a genuine chemical shift in the brain. I also get honest about my own reaction as someone who calls herself vanilla: I turn away when someone draws blood, so understanding how pain becomes pleasure for someone else took real effort.

    I take you inside both a sex club and a kink club for the first time in my life — the gear, the setup, the consent culture, the "vacuum bagging," the group room that turned out to be nothing like what I expected, the St. Andrew's Cross, and the costume culture that included everything from latex and leather to pup play and collaring. Through all of it, my point stays the same: understanding why something is pleasurable for someone else doesn't mean you have to practice it yourself. It just means approaching it with curiosity instead of judgment.

    In This Episode:

    0:00 – The Staple Gun Moment

    0:29 – Welcome to Taboo to Truth

    0:56 – My Unexpected Path to Becoming a Sex Educator

    2:09 – What Is a SAR? Inside the Advanced Class

    3:22 – The Vanilla Sex Educator: My Background Before This Weekend

    4:32 – Kink Isn't Always About Sex

    5:20 – Night One: Cabaret, Flogging & the Staple Gun

    6:17 – Curiosity Over Judgment: Talking to the Kink Community

    8:31 – Sex Club vs. Kink Club: What's the Difference

    10:23 – Inside the Sex Club: Gear, Consent & a Peep Show Surprise

    12:14 – Inside the Kink Club: Electric Shocks, Rope & the St. Andrew's Cross

    14:22 – The Costume Party: Latex, Pup Play & Collars

    15:51 – What I Learned: Curiosity Is Power

    To watch the video version of this episode, head over toYouTube!

    ‼️ Join the waitlist for my upcoming coaching program for midlife men HERE.

    About The Host:

    Karen Bigman, a Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sex Educator, Life, and Relationship Coach. She tackles the often-taboo subject of sexuality with a straightforward and candid approach. On this show, we explore the intricacies of sex in midlife, offering insights and support for all those experiencing this transformative phase.

    This podcast is not intended to give medical advice. Karen Bigman is not a medical professional. For any medical questions or issues, please visit your licensed medical provider.

    Looking for some fresh perspective on sex in midlife? You can find me here:

    Email: karen@taboototruth.com

    Website: https://www.taboototruth.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taboototruth

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcast

    Substack:https://karenbigman.substack.com/https://karenbigman.substack.com

    LINKS, RESOURCES, EXCLUSIVE VIP DISCOUNTS & FREEBIES!

    🪄 Head to Mystery Vibe for award-winning devices that deliver precise vibrations to support erectile function and more! 🛒 Link: https://tidd.ly/4mePTpF

    🥰 If you want her to want you more — start by understanding her body better. Free resources → https://www.taboototruth.com/free-resources

    💋 Hotter, Wilder, Wiser | You’ve mastered everything else in life — now master pleasure! https://www.taboototruth.com/hotter-wilder-wiser

    🔥 Ready to spice things up? This Yes/No/Maybe list is your permission slip for pleasure. https://www.taboototruth.com/free-resources-1/yes%2Fno%2Fmaybe%3F

    18 min
  14. The Male G-Spot 101: The Truth About Prostate Massage, Risk, and the Anus Myth | Ep. 202

    Season 7, Episode 202

    Show notes

    The prostate, also called the male G-spot, is a walnut-sized gland most straight men never want to talk about, and this episode is exactly that conversation. I get into what it does, how it's tied to ejaculation, and why stimulating it can feel intensely pleasurable for some men, regardless of orientation.

    You'll hear about the three prostate conditions every guy in midlife should know for his prostate health, BPH, prostatitis, and prostate cancer, the real evidence on prostate massage versus the wellness-industry hype, and how to explore it, through the perineum or internally, without ever needing to go through the anus if you don't want to. There's a study linking ejaculation frequency to prostate cancer risk, and the bigger point underneath it all: men's sexual health after 50 doesn't have to start and end with the penis.

    Enjoy 15% off The TechRing with code TABOO15 using this link: http://myfirmtech.com/karenbigman

    In This Episode:

    0:00 – Why We're Talking About the Prostate

    0:50 – Disclaimer

    1:30 – What Exactly Is the Prostate?

    2:35 – How the Prostate Participates in Ejaculation

    3:15 – Why It's Called the Male G-Spot

    4:10 – Why Prostate Stimulation Feels Good (No Orientation Attached)

    5:15 – What Can Go Wrong: BPH (Enlarged Prostate)

    6:35 – Prostatitis: Infection vs. Chronic Pelvic Pain

    7:45 – Prostate Cancer & Why Screening Conversations Matter

    8:20 – Does Prostate Massage Actually Help the Prostate?

    9:35 – Do You Have to Go Through the Anus? (No — the Perineum)

    10:35 – Hygiene, Prep & What to Expect

    11:35 – Sponsor: FirmTech

    12:05 – How to Massage the Prostate Internally, Step by Step

    14:10 – Toys, Safety & What to Avoid

    15:00 – When You Should NOT Do a Prostate Massage

    15:35 – Ejaculation Frequency & Prostate Cancer Research

    16:35 – Expanding Pleasure Beyond the Penis

    17:35 – Talking to a Partner Who's Not Interested

    18:15 – Final Thoughts

    Tools In This Episode Worth Exploring

    The MultiOrgasmic Lover– Use code KBIG50 to save $50 off The Multi-Orgasmic Lover course from Master Sex Coach Jim Benson.

    MysteryVibe Molto - The Molto prostate massager is a medical-grade silicone, genuinely slim, and built around a malleable core you can shape to your anatomy. The high-frequency vibrations are biomedically engineered to increase blood flow to the pelvic region, which means this isn't just a pleasure device-it's a tissue health tool. Use discount code T2T15 for 15% off.

    Aneros Vibrating Prostate Massager - The Eupho Syn V is Aneros's vibrating update to its iconic slim, highly mobile prostate massager, offering 10 tuned vibration patterns across 4 speeds plus full functionality in unpowered mode for experienced hands-free play. This product has targeted stimulation and the same nimble profile that lets skilled users work it against the prostate for distinct sensations.

    ‼️ Join the waitlist for my upcoming coaching program for midlife men HERE.

    To watch the video version of this episode, head over toYouTube!

    About The Host:

    Karen Bigman, a Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sex Educator, Life, and Relationship Coach. She tackles the often-taboo subject of sexuality with a straightforward and candid approach. On this show, we explore the intricacies of sex in midlife, offering insights and support for all those experiencing this transformative phase.

    This podcast is not intended to give medical advice. Karen Bigman is not a medical professional. For any medical questions or issues, please visit your licensed medical provider.

    Looking for some fresh perspective on sex in midlife? You can find me here:

    Email: karen@taboototruth.com

    Website: https://www.taboototruth.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taboototruth

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcast

    Substack:https://karenbigman.substack.com/https://karenbigman.substack.com

    Take control of your pleasure with my Pleasure Playbook, filled with tips to help you connect with your body and enhance intimacy. Download it now at http://www.taboototruth.com/pleasureplaybook.

    MORE LINKS, RESOURCES, EXCLUSIVE VIP DISCOUNTS & FREEBIES!

    🪄 Head to Mystery Vibe for award-winning devices that deliver precise vibrations to support erectile function and more! 🛒 Link: https://tidd.ly/4mePTpF

    🥰 If you want her to want you more — start by understanding her body better. Free resources → https://www.taboototruth.com/free-resources

    💋 Hotter, Wilder, Wiser | You’ve mastered everything else in life — now master pleasure! https://www.taboototruth.com/hotter-wilder-wiser

    🔥 Ready to spice things up? This Yes/No/Maybe list is your permission slip for pleasure. https://www.taboototruth.com/free-resources-1/yes%2Fno%2Fmaybe%3F

    19 min
  15. How To Fix Performance Anxiety In The Bedroom, According To Sex Coach Alex Grendi | Ep. 201

    Season 7, Episode 201

    Show notes

    In this episode, I'm talking with Alex Grendi, a men's intimacy and confidence coach who spent years quietly numbing his own performance anxiety before he understood what was actually driving it. Alex is a former professional soccer player, and he opens up about carrying performance anxiety into the bedroom long before he ever had sex, shaped almost entirely by porn and movies telling him he'd better be good at it or be humiliated for it.

    We get into why the confidence he built on the field never carried into intimacy, how getting sober forced him to actually look at how he was showing up with women, and how a friend mentioning a book on Taoist sexuality sent him down the path to becoming a sex coach himself. Alex breaks down the mindset shift, not just the technique, that actually resolves performance anxiety, and we talk candidly about the sexual scripts most men are following without realizing it, why heterosexual sex still gets treated as over the moment the man finishes, and the one question, "can I kiss you?", that changes everything in the bedroom and that almost no one asks. I even share a recent dating experience of my own where I could feel a partner running his script in real time.

    This is part one of a two-part conversation, so stay close for part two next week.

    ‼️ Join the waitlist for my upcoming coaching program for midlife men HERE.

    In This Episode:

    0:00 – You're Not the Only One Staying Silent

    0:16 – Welcome to Taboo to Truth

    0:42 – Meet Alex Grendi, the Men's Intimacy Coach Who Used to Numb It All

    1:31 – From Pro Soccer to the Bedroom: Alex's Unlikely Path

    2:30 – Where His Performance Anxiety Actually Came From

    4:45 – Discovering Taoist Sexuality and What a Sex Coach Actually Is

    7:52 – Finding the Courage to Book That First Call

    9:30 – The Real Fix Isn't a Technique, It's a Mindset Shift

    10:49 – Newsletter

    11:08 – Why Field Confidence Never Transferred to the Bedroom

    12:06 – The Sexual Script: Why Men Think They're Supposed to Already Know

    13:39 – Karen's Own Story: Shutting Down When a Partner Ran His Script

    14:51 – Why "Can I Kiss You?" Is the Sexiest Question a Man Can Ask

    17:30 – Teaching Men to Lead by Asking, Not Assuming

    19:23 – Part Two Is Coming

    To watch the video version of this episode, head over toYouTube!

    About The Guest:

    Alex Grendi is a men's intimacy and confidence coach who helps men reconnect with their bodies, expand their capacity for pleasure, and build deeper emotional and physical connection with their partners. His coaching blends ancient practices, practical exercises, and a simple step-by-step process, supported by direct guidance and a community of men on the same journey. Alex's work empowers men to move past shame, rebuild self-trust, and create meaningful, lasting intimacy in their relationships.

    Connect with Alex Grendi:

    Website: https://www.alexgrendi.com/

    Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/sirr.leezus/?hl=enhttps://www.instagram.com/alex.grendi

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Alex.Grendi

    About The Host:

    Karen Bigman, a Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sex Educator, Life, and Relationship Coach. She tackles the often-taboo subject of sexuality with a straightforward and candid approach. On this show, we explore the intricacies of sex in midlife, offering insights and support for all those experiencing this transformative phase.

    This podcast is not intended to give medical advice. Karen Bigman is not a medical professional. For any medical questions or issues, please visit your licensed medical provider.

    Looking for some fresh perspective on sex in midlife? You can find me here:

    Email: karen@taboototruth.com

    Website: https://www.taboototruth.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taboototruth

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcast

    Substack:https://karenbigman.substack.com/https://karenbigman.substack.com

    Take control of your pleasure with my Pleasure Playbook, filled with tips to help you connect with your body and enhance intimacy. Download it now at http://www.taboototruth.com/pleasureplaybook.

    LINKS, RESOURCES, EXCLUSIVE VIP DISCOUNTS & FREEBIES

    🪄 Head to Mystery Vibe for award-winning devices that deliver precise vibrations to support erectile function and more! 🛒 Link: https://tidd.ly/4mePTpF

    🥰 If you want her to want you more — start by understanding her body better. Free resources → https://www.taboototruth.com/free-resources

    💋 Hotter, Wilder, Wiser | You’ve mastered everything else in life — now master pleasure! https://www.taboototruth.com/hotter-wilder-wiser

    🔥 Ready to spice things up? This Yes/No/Maybe list is your permission slip for pleasure. https://www.taboototruth.com/free-resources-1/yes%2Fno%2Fmaybe%3F

    20 min
  16. Why Your Marriage Went Sexless — And How to Talk About It Again | Ep. 200

    Season 7, Episode 200

    Show notes

    In this episode, I'm kicking off season 7 — and marking 200 episodes of Taboo to Truth — with one of the topics that comes up in my practice more than almost anything else: sexless marriages. From the outside, a relationship can look completely fine — you're raising kids, running a household, laughing together — while almost nothing is happening behind the bedroom door, sometimes for months or years.

    I break down five real reasons marriages and long-term relationships go sexless, and why it's almost never as simple as losing attraction. I start with what happens when one partner shuts the conversation down completely rather than simply saying no to sex in the moment, and how that silence lets both partners write their own, often painful, story about what it means.

    I get into the mental load that quietly kills desire, in women and in men, and why "why don't you want me?" is usually the wrong question to ask. I talk about what it looks like when someone has lost touch with their own erotic identity so completely they can't answer what turns them on anymore, and why exploration, not pressure, is the way back in. I also get honest about porn, sex toys, and AI companionship: when they expand a sex life versus when they quietly start to replace it, and what I call the "secret garden," the private sexual world a partner can build without the other ever knowing.

    I close with why the sex talk can never be a one-time conversation, my framework for balanced sexuality — sensation, relationship, and fantasy — and why a sexless relationship is not automatically a loveless or a doomed one.

    ‼️ Join the waitlist for my upcoming coaching program for midlife men HERE.

    In This Episode:

    0:00 – When Sex Just Stops

    0:38 – Welcome to Season 7: Today's Topic, Sexless Marriages

    1:20 – What Sexless Looks Like From the Outside

    1:52 – Consent, Entitlement & Why This Still Matters

    2:19 – Reason 1: When One Partner Shuts Down the Conversation

    4:07 – Reason 2: Mental Load, Stress & Hormonal Changes

    5:39 – Reason 2 Continued: Low Desire in Men

    6:31 – Reason 3: Losing Touch With Your Own Pleasure

    7:30 – Exploring Desire Without Pressure + Sponsor: ARIA

    8:44 – Reason 4: Porn & Sex Toys as a Crutch

    9:54 – Reason 4 Continued: AI Companionship & Intimacy

    10:39 – Reason 5: Treating the Sex Talk as a One-Time Conversation

    11:16 – Why Sexual Communication Has to Be Ongoing

    12:32 – The Balanced Sexuality Framework

    13:40 – Sexless Doesn't Mean Loveless: Final Thoughts

    14:11 – Final thoughts

    To watch the video version of this episode, head over toYouTube!

    🔗 The antidote to a boring sex life isn't trying harder, it's trying something new together — Take the quiz at arya.fyi and use code: TRUTH15 for 15% off their guided intimacy subscription at https://arya.fyi/start?rfsn=8333683.c9f861

    About The Host:

    Karen Bigman, a Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sex Educator, Life, and Relationship Coach. She tackles the often-taboo subject of sexuality with a straightforward and candid approach. On this show, we explore the intricacies of sex in midlife, offering insights and support for all those experiencing this transformative phase.

    This podcast is not intended to give medical advice. Karen Bigman is not a medical professional. For any medical questions or issues, please visit your licensed medical provider.

    Looking for some fresh perspective on sex in midlife? You can find me here:

    Email: karen@taboototruth.com

    Website: https://www.taboototruth.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taboototruth

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcast

    Substack:https://karenbigman.substack.com/https://karenbigman.substack.com

    Take control of your pleasure with my Pleasure Playbook, filled with tips to help you connect with your body and enhance intimacy. Download it now at http://www.taboototruth.com/pleasureplaybook.

    LINKS, RESOURCES, EXCLUSIVE VIP DISCOUNTS & FREEBIES

    🪄 Head to Mystery Vibe for award-winning devices that deliver precise vibrations to support erectile function and more! 🛒 Link: https://tidd.ly/4mePTpF

    🥰 If you want her to want you more — start by understanding her body better. Free resources → https://www.taboototruth.com/free-resources

    💋 Hotter, Wilder, Wiser | You’ve mastered everything else in life — now master pleasure! https://www.taboototruth.com/hotter-wilder-wiser

    🔥 Ready to spice things up? This Yes/No/Maybe list is your permission slip for pleasure. https://www.taboototruth.com/free-resources-1/yes%2Fno%2Fmaybe%3F

    15 min
  17. The Secret to Reconnecting in a Sexless Marriage with Coach Mike Elliott | Ep. 198 (Part 2)

    Season 6, Episode 198

    Show notes

    In part two of my conversation with men's coach Mike Elliott, we get into how couples actually reconnect and rebuild intimacy after a sexless marriage, low desire, or years of disconnection in midlife. Mike walks me through the nervous system work, attachment science, and couples practice he uses to help men move past shame and disconnection in their relationship.

    Part two is where Mike gives us the actual practice. If you haven't watched part one yet, start there, since everything here builds on it directly.

    Mike walks me through his golden rule: move at the pace of connection, not the pace of friction. We get specific about what that looks like between two people, breathing together, gazing at each other before anything else happens, slowing down instead of rushing toward the end goal, and why so many men only find their way into this work once a marriage is already breaking. He talks about the "little boy" still running the show in a lot of grown men, why erectile difficulty is almost never really about the body, and why he believes healing happens in proximity to other men who've already done the work themselves.

    We also get into why a sexless marriage is never one partner's problem to fix alone, what happens to a relationship once the early hormone rush fades around the 18-month mark, and the "we language" Mike and his partner Courtney built their entire practice around. I close it out with my three rapid-fire questions: his definition of sex, his best orgasm, and the one fantasy he hasn't lived out yet.

    In This Episode:

    0:00 – The Six-Figure Life With a Silent Bedroom

    0:10 – Welcome to Taboo to Truth

    0:36 – Welcome Back to Part Two

    1:32 – The Golden Rule: Move at the Pace of Connection, Not Friction

    4:25 – Why Sex Is the Most Vulnerable Place We Go

    5:10 – Radical Transparency: How Men Actually Start This Work

    8:55 – When She Feels His Energy Leaking Somewhere Else

    9:43 – It's Never a "You Problem," It's a "We Problem"

    11:16 – The Honeymoon Hormones (And Why the Real Work Starts After)

    12:16 – Learning "We Work": Moving Toward Instead of Pulling Away

    13:49 – Can You Really Stay With One Person for Life?

    14:33 – The Sacred We: Building a Language for the Long Haul

    17:30 – Sacred Relationship and the Maturity That Creates Real Attraction

    18:50 – Mike's Closing Advice: Pace of Connection, Not Pace of Ambition

    20:53 – Three Rapid-Fire Questions: Sex, Best Orgasm & Unfulfilled Fantasy

    23:07 – Where to Find Mike & Wrap-Up

    To watch the video version of this episode, head over toYouTube!

    🔗 The antidote to a boring sex life isn't trying harder, it's trying something new together — Take the quiz at arya.fyi and use code: TRUTH15 for 15% off their guided intimacy subscription at https://arya.fyi/start?rfsn=8333683.c9f861

    ‼️ Join the waitlist for my upcoming coaching program for midlife men HERE.

    About The Guest:

    Mike Elliott is a Relational Leadership Mentor and Men's Initiation Guide, working with men who want to have it all. He guides them to lead with Relational Authority™—anchored in initiation, integration, and inspiration. Having been adopted twice and walked through the dark night of divorce, he rebuilt his life from the inside out. Now co-host of "The Sacred We," he helps men transform their relationships—starting with themselves—and create legacies of love, presence, and purpose.

    Connect with Mike Elliott:

    Website: www.itsmikeelliott.com

    Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mikeelliott.relating/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itsmikeelliott

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thetogetherpodcast

    The Sacred We Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/7EqHPtL9DovzPtazag8QO1?si

    About The Host:

    Karen Bigman, a Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sex Educator, Life, and Relationship Coach. She tackles the often-taboo subject of sexuality with a straightforward and candid approach. On this show, we explore the intricacies of sex in midlife, offering insights and support for all those experiencing this transformative phase.

    This podcast is not intended to give medical advice. Karen Bigman is not a medical professional. For any medical questions or issues, please visit your licensed medical provider.

    Looking for some fresh perspective on sex in midlife? You can find me here:

    Email: karen@taboototruth.com

    Website: https://www.taboototruth.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taboototruth

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcast

    Substack:https://karenbigman.substack.com/https://karenbigman.substack.com

    LINKS, RESOURCES, EXCLUSIVE VIP DISCOUNTS & FREEBIES

    🪄 Head to Mystery Vibe for award-winning devices that deliver precise vibrations to support erectile function and more! 🛒 Link: https://tidd.ly/4mePTpF

    🥰 If you want her to want you more — start by understanding her body better. Free resources → https://www.taboototruth.com/free-resources

    💋 Hotter, Wilder, Wiser | You’ve mastered everything else in life — now master pleasure! https://www.taboototruth.com/hotter-wilder-wiser

    🔥 Ready to spice things up? This Yes/No/Maybe list is your permission slip for pleasure. https://www.taboototruth.com/free-resources-1/yes%2Fno%2Fmaybe%3F

    24 min
  18. The Impact of Sexual Rejection: What It Does to Your Brain, Body & Relationship | Ep. 199

    Season 6, Episode 199

    Show notes

    Chronic sexual rejection in a relationship doesn't just cause hurt feelings, it rewires how a person feels about themselves, their body, and their worth.

    In this episode I break down what's actually happening in the nervous system when a partner is turned down again and again, why rejection activates some of the same brain regions involved in physical pain, and how "not tonight" starts to feel like proof you're not wanted. I get into the real difference between a mutual dry spell and a unilateral shutdown, why low desire is never manipulation, and how weaponizing intimacy is a distinct and more damaging pattern. Then I trace the predictable spiral: pursue, withdraw, keep score, and eventually contempt — which Gottman identifies as the clearest warning sign a relationship is breaking down.

    I close with what actually helps: small daily check-ins instead of relationship summits, physical affection with genuinely no expectation attached, and letting go of the idea that fixing your sex life means going back to exactly how it used to be.

    In This Episode:

    0:00 – The Man Who Kept a Rejection Chart

    0:14 – Welcome to Taboo to Truth

    0:32 – Today's Topic: When Intimacy Quietly Disappears

    1:19 – Consent, Entitlement & Why This Still Hurts

    2:09 – The Nervous System's Response to Rejection

    2:47 – The Pursue-Withdraw Cycle Begins

    3:48 – What Rejection Really Asks: Am I Wanted?

    5:09 – Touch, Oxytocin & the Stress Spiral

    6:04 – Consent vs. Weaponized Intimacy

    8:04 – Criticism, Contempt & the Four Horsemen

    9:39 – Sponsor Break: ARIA

    10:01 – The Other Side: Why the Lower-Desire Partner Shuts Down

    11:32 – Rebuilding Starts Here: The Daily Check-In

    13:00 – Rebuilding: Affection With No Expectation

    14:08 – Redefining Intimacy for Who You Are Now

    15:39 – When to Get Outside Help, Final Thoughts & Outro

    To watch the video version of this episode, head over toYouTube!

    🔗 The antidote to a boring sex life isn't trying harder, it's trying something new together — Take the quiz at arya.fyi and use code: TRUTH15 for 15% off their guided intimacy subscription at https://arya.fyi/start?rfsn=8333683.c9f861

    ‼️ Join the waitlist for my upcoming coaching program for midlife men HERE.

    About The Host:

    Karen Bigman, a Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sex Educator, Life, and Relationship Coach. She tackles the often-taboo subject of sexuality with a straightforward and candid approach. On this show, we explore the intricacies of sex in midlife, offering insights and support for all those experiencing this transformative phase.

    This podcast is not intended to give medical advice. Karen Bigman is not a medical professional. For any medical questions or issues, please visit your licensed medical provider.

    Looking for some fresh perspective on sex in midlife? You can find me here:

    Email: karen@taboototruth.com

    Website: https://www.taboototruth.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taboototruth

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcast

    Substack:https://karenbigman.substack.com/https://karenbigman.substack.com

    LINKS, RESOURCES, EXCLUSIVE VIP DISCOUNTS & FREEBIES

    🪄 Head to Mystery Vibe for award-winning devices that deliver precise vibrations to support erectile function and more! 🛒 Link: https://tidd.ly/4mePTpF

    🥰 If you want her to want you more — start by understanding her body better. Free resources → https://www.taboototruth.com/free-resources

    💋 Hotter, Wilder, Wiser | You’ve mastered everything else in life — now master pleasure! https://www.taboototruth.com/hotter-wilder-wiser

    🔥 Ready to spice things up? This Yes/No/Maybe list is your permission slip for pleasure. https://www.taboototruth.com/free-resources-1/yes%2Fno%2Fmaybe%3F

    17 min
  19. The Secret to Reconnecting in a Sexless Marriage with Coach Mike Elliott | Ep. 198 (Part 1)

    Season 6, Episode 198

    Show notes

    Every conversation about a sexless marriage gets pointed at the woman. Low desire, hormones, resentment, the mental load, she's the one who's supposed to explain herself. Nobody asks what happens on the other side of the bed, and today I sat down with men's coach Mike Elliott to find out.

    Mike works with high-performing men who look successful on paper and feel quietly disconnected underneath. In this conversation we get into why she rejects him and he assumes she doesn't want sex anymore, when the real story is closer to this: she doesn't feel seen, and her body has been scanning for safety the whole time. We talk about the difference between yang sex and yin sex, the exact instruction Mike gives every man he coaches (slow down, three times), and why a man who can't hold his own feelings can't hold hers either.

    Mike also gets personal. He tells me about the night in Whistler when he lost his erection with his own partner and spiraled into a shame he'd been avoiding his whole adult life, and what happened when she refused to let him run from it. If you have ever gone quiet in your own marriage, present in the house and absent in the relationship, this conversation names exactly what's happening in his body and gives you language for it. Part two is coming, so stay close.

    Join the waitlist for my upcoming coaching program for midlife men HERE.

    In This Episode:

    0:00 – He's Not Pursuing Her, He's Pressuring Her

    0:10 – Welcome to Taboo to Truth

    0:37 – Today's Topic: The Sexless Marriage Conversation From His Side

    1:35 – Why This Exact Fight Keeps Happening

    4:32 – What's Really Happening When She Rejects Him

    6:52 – Yang Sex vs. Yin Sex: Why Men Default to Friction

    9:53 – The Pushback: Masculine Enough vs. Emotionally Available

    13:15 – It's Not a Libido Problem, It's a Polarity Problem

    13:47 – Why Men Want the Quick Fix: Give Me the Pill

    14:49 – Mike's Story: Chasing "More" Instead of Feeling More

    16:53 – The Whistler Story: Losing His Erection Mid-Intimacy

    19:08 – The Shame Spiral and the Moment He Stopped Running

    20:51 – Holding the Shame: How His Body Finally Let Go

    22:23 – Wrap-Up: Part Two Is Coming

    To watch the video version of this episode, head over toYouTube!

    About The Guest:

    Mike Elliott is a Relational Leadership Mentor and Men's Initiation Guide, working with men who want to have it all. He guides them to lead with Relational Authority™—anchored in initiation, integration, and inspiration. Having been adopted twice and walked through the dark night of divorce, he rebuilt his life from the inside out. Now co-host of "The Sacred We," he helps men transform their relationships—starting with themselves—and create legacies of love, presence, and purpose.

    Connect with Mike Elliott:

    Website: www.itsmikeelliott.com

    Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mikeelliott.relating/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itsmikeelliott

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thetogetherpodcast

    The Sacred We Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/7EqHPtL9DovzPtazag8QO1?si

    About The Host:

    Karen Bigman, a Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sex Educator, Life, and Relationship Coach. She tackles the often-taboo subject of sexuality with a straightforward and candid approach. On this show, we explore the intricacies of sex in midlife, offering insights and support for all those experiencing this transformative phase.

    This podcast is not intended to give medical advice. Karen Bigman is not a medical professional. For any medical questions or issues, please visit your licensed medical provider.

    Looking for some fresh perspective on sex in midlife? You can find me here:

    Email: karen@taboototruth.com

    Website: https://www.taboototruth.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taboototruth

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcast

    Substack:https://karenbigman.substack.com/https://karenbigman.substack.com

    LINKS, RESOURCES, EXCLUSIVE VIP DISCOUNTS & FREEBIES

    🪄 Head to Mystery Vibe for award-winning devices that deliver precise vibrations to support erectile function and more! 🛒 Link: https://tidd.ly/4mePTpF

    🥰 If you want her to want you more — start by understanding her body better. Free resources → https://www.taboototruth.com/free-resources

    💋 Hotter, Wilder, Wiser | You’ve mastered everything else in life — now master pleasure! https://www.taboototruth.com/hotter-wilder-wiser

    🔥 Ready to spice things up? This Yes/No/Maybe list is your permission slip for pleasure. https://www.taboototruth.com/free-resources-1/yes%2Fno%2Fmaybe%3F

    23 min
  20. Dating After Divorce: What Nobody Tells You About Starting Over After 50

    Season 6, Episode 197

    Show notes

    Dating after divorce isn't a downgrade. It's the first time you get to pick a partner with your eyes wide open, and that's exactly what I'm digging into this episode.

    I walk through what's genuinely different about dating in midlife: the full history you're carrying, the fact that your intentions have shifted from figuring yourself out to actually knowing what you want, and why a smaller dating pool raises the stakes on every single date. I get into my biggest pet peeve, texting standing in for real conversation, the physical changes that change how intimacy actually works, and why the terrain feels rougher this time, from rebuilding a social circle from scratch to navigating kids, exes, and logistics that never existed the first time around.

    I also get into the part nobody prepares you for: dating later in life comes with real advantages. No ticking clock. No pressure. The ability to filter for character instead of potential, because you've watched enough people over enough decades to spot the patterns early. And a bonus round of tips for anyone braving the apps, including the photos that help you and the ones that hurt you.

    If you're dating after divorce right now, approach it with excitement instead of fear. Yes, there are moments that suck. There are also more moments of meeting new people, learning new things, and trying activities you never would have imagined earlier in life.

    Join the waitlist for my upcoming coaching program for midlife men HERE.

    In This Episode:

    0:00 – Dating After Divorce Isn't a Downgrade

    0:09 – Welcome to Taboo to Truth

    0:24 – Today's Topic: What's Really Different About Dating After Divorce

    0:57 – Full History, New Intentions & a Smaller Pool

    1:59 – More Baggage, Texting & Physical Changes

    2:47 – Why the Terrain Feels Rougher (Rebuilding, Grief & Logistics)

    3:43 – Newsletter Break

    4:00 – Rejection Hits Different — Then the Real Advantages

    4:34 – Filtering for Character, Better Sex & Choosing Connection

    5:11 – Bonus: Online Dating & Profile Tips

    6:38 – Approach It With Excitement

    To watch the video version of this episode, head over toYouTube!

    About The Host:

    Karen Bigman, a Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sex Educator, Life, and Menopause Coach, tackles the often-taboo subject of sexuality with a straightforward and candid approach. We explore the intricacies of sex during perimenopause, post-menopause, and andropause, offering insights and support for all those experiencing these transformative phases.

    This podcast is not intended to give medical advice. Karen Bigman is not a medical professional. For any medical questions or issues, please visit your licensed medical provider.

    Looking for some fresh perspective on sex in midlife? You can find me here:

    Email: karen@taboototruth.com

    Website: https://www.taboototruth.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taboototruth

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@taboototruthpodcast

    Substack:https://karenbigman.substack.com/https://karenbigman.substack.com

    Take control of your pleasure with my Pleasure Playbook, filled with tips to help you connect with your body and enhance intimacy. Download it now at http://www.taboototruth.com/pleasureplaybook.

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    7 min