In this solo episode, Shaun shares the story of Roger, his blind dog, and what loving him through loss taught him about trust, grief, and letting go. What begins as a response to a listener’s question about a dog losing its sight turns into a deeper reflection on resilience, adaptation, and how often we project our fear onto the ones we love.

He also checks in from Thailand, reflects on nicotine withdrawal and travel, and answers listener questions about dating as a therapist and navigating friendship after a breakup.

This episode is about grief without regret, freedom without guilt, and what Roger the blind dog taught Shaun about living in the moment.

Timestamps:

(00:20) Thailand update, solo travel, and being the 33rd wheel
(03:20) Day 24 without nicotine and changing plans from Europe to Korea
(07:42) Roger the blind dog, resilience, and what animals teach us about presence
(14:40) A sweet listener voicemail and why this podcast matters
(18:26) Dating as a therapist or helper without losing your humanity
(23:15) Breakups, friends staying connected to an ex, and letting go of control
(28:54) Previewing next week with Laura Griffiths
(30:09) Love Camp and an invitation into something different

Send Shaun your questions at +1 (415) 494-9559 or email him at podcast@thelovedrive.com. Voicemails and voicememos are preferred, but texts/emails are OK too.

To submit a guest, please do so here: https://shaungalanos.com/podcast/

If you’re listening on Spotify or watching on YouTube, please leave a comment. Shaun loves hearing from you. And leave a review wherever you listen.

Connect with Shaun:

Love Camp: https://shaungalanos.substack.com/p/summer-camp-isnt-just-for-kids-love

Retreats and latest offerings: ⁠https://bit.ly/m/thelovedrive⁠

Read my blog: ⁠https://shaungalanos.substack.com⁠

The Love Drive Podcast: ⁠https://shaungalanos.com/podcast/⁠

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

More About Shaun: ⁠https://shaungalanos.com/about/⁠

Buy me a coffee: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/thelovedrive⁠

In this episode, Shaun is joined by Bay Area sex therapist Claire Perelman, aka Sex Clarified, for a candid and useful conversation about sex, desire, shame, and the stuff people are usually too awkward to say out loud.

They get into monogamy, sexual compatibility, communication, squirting, pegging, orgasm pressure, porn habits, toys, libido differences, and the shame so many people still carry around pleasure.

This episode is really about permission: to communicate clearly, stop performing, get curious about your body, and stop treating sex like a test you can fail.

Send Shaun your questions at +1 (415) 494-9559 or email him at podcast@thelovedrive.com. Voicemails and voicememos are preferred, but texts/emails are OK too.

To submit a guest, please do so here: https://shaungalanos.com/podcast/

If you’re listening on Spotify or watching on YouTube, please leave a comment. Shaun loves hearing from you. And leave a review wherever you listen.

Books and other mentions:

She Comes First by Ian Kerner https://www.amazon.com/dp/0060538260/

Slow Sex: The Path to Fulfilling and Sustainable Sexuality by Diana Richardson https://www.amazon.com/Slow-Sex-Fulfilling-Sustainable-Sexuality/dp/B0853DZL95

Come As You Are by Emily Nagoski https://www.amazon.com/Come-You-Are-Surprising-Transform/dp/1476762090

Squirting workshop https://heyplura.com/events/squirting-may

Guest links:

Instagram - www.instagram.com/sexclarified

TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@sexclarified

Website – www.sexclarified.com

Substack - https://substack.com/@claireperelman

All other relevant links - linktr.ee/sexclarified

Connect with Shaun:

Retreats and latest offerings: https://bit.ly/m/thelovedrive

Read my blog: https://shaungalanos.substack.com

The Love Drive Podcast: https://shaungalanos.com/podcast/

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

More about Shaun: https://shaungalanos.com/about/
Buy me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/thelovedrive

In this solo check-in, Shaun begins with a simple question that lands deeper than expected: how is your heart? From there, Shaun moves through a mix of life update, therapy reflection, sex question detour, and a deeper check-in on what it means to feel like you’re doing enough with your life.

He talks about quitting nicotine, feeling more touched by life again, and replacing one habit with an alarming amount of gummy bears. He reflects on doomscrolling, discipline, and the small daily choices that can either ground you or pull you further away from yourself.

At the center of the episode is a vulnerable therapy reflection on feeling unaccomplished at 43 and realizing that praise, money, and external validation can’t create self-worth for you. There’s also dating advice, some delightfully unhinged sex talk, and a sweet reminder that this podcast is meant to feel like a longer voice memo from a friend.

If your sense of success has been tied to achievement and you’ve been feeling a little unmoored lately, this episode is for you. And if it speaks to you, share it with a male friend too. We’d love to have more men in these conversations.

Timestamps:

(02:54) Nicotine update and feeling more alive

(05:23) Doomscrolling and wanting more discipline

(07:01) These episodes as a voice note from a friend

(07:27) Feeling unaccomplished at 43

(12:27) Can money make you feel successful?

(15:14) Deep throating, sore throats, and bruising

(18:54) Allergic to semen?

(19:41) Reviews, voicemails, and how to send questions

(20:55) Sweet listener message and why more men should listen

(25:44) Dating question: should you ask for another date?

(29:58) Travel update and weekly Thursday releases

(31:29) Next week: Claire Perelman on sex and questions

Send Shaun your questions at +1 (415) 494-9559 or email him at podcast@thelovedrive.com. Voicemails and voicememos are preferred, but texts/emails are OK too.

To submit a guest, please do so here: https://shaungalanos.com/podcast/

If you’re listening on Spotify or watching on YouTube, please leave a comment. Shaun loves hearing from you. And leave a review wherever you listen.

Connect with Shaun:

⁠Shaun's love camp⁠

Retreats and latest offerings: https://bit.ly/m/thelovedrive

Read my blog: https://shaungalanos.substack.com

The Love Drive Podcast: https://shaungalanos.com/podcast/

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

More About Shaun: https://shaungalanos.com/about/
Buy me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/thelovedrive