Welcome to Episode 479 of the Sexology Podcast! Today I am excited to be joined by Zach Brittle who speaks to me about negative sentiment override and how relationship dynamics shape our erotic connection.

In this episode, Zach and I discuss how the emotional tone of a relationship deeply influences intimacy inside and outside the bedroom. We look at the concept of Negative Sentiment Override, a term from John Gottman’s research, and discuss how couples can find themselves stuck in patterns where even neutral moments feel charged with criticism or defensiveness.

Zach has been teaching, coaching, mentoring and counseling couples for nearly 20 years. He is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Washington and a Certified Gottman Therapist (CGT) and Relational Life Therapist. He is the host of Marriage Therapy Radio and the author of the best selling relationship guide The Relationship Alphabet and the Marriage Therapy Journal. His writings and insights have also been featured in Vanity Fair, Men’s Health, Real Simple, The New York Times and the Washington Post. Zach has been happily married to his wife Rebecca for 25 of 28 years. They live in Seattle with their two adulting daughters.

In this episode, you will hear:

· Understanding Negative Sentiment Override

· Positive Versus Negative Emotional Filters

· The Pasta Example And Neutral Events

· Emotional Safety And Sexual Vulnerability

· Gender Socialization And Desire Patterns

· Slowing Down Between Impulse And Response

· Taking Responsibility In Relationship Conflict

· Contempt And The Illusion Of Superiority

· Redefining What Sex Is For

· Scheduling Erotic Play And Expanding Intimacy

Work With Dr. Nazanin Moali

Spice Up Your Social Media Feed AND Your Sex Life: Follow Us On Instagram

Podcast Produced by Vaudeo Productions

Welcome to Episode 478 of the Sexology Podcast! Today I am excited to be joined by EJ and Tarah Kerwin who speak to me about sex and parenting, how becoming parents reshaped their intimacy, desire, and how they maintain their emotional connection to each other.

In this episode, EJ and Tarah speak to me about what it was like to go from a playful, spontaneous sex life to feeling completely overwhelmed after the birth of their twins; navigating sleep deprivation, and the resurfacing of past trauma. They also talk openly about the grief that can accompany shifts in identity, libido, and partnership, and how isolating that transition can feel when couples are not talking about it.

EJ and Tarah Kerwin are the founders of Relationship Renovation and hosts of the Relationship Renovation Podcast, where they share raw honesty, humor, and decades of combined experience as relationship coaches to help couples deepen intimacy, build emotional safety, and navigate the complexities of long-term partnership.

Known for their vulnerability and willingness to share their own relationship challenges, EJ and Tarah offer practical tools, research-backed insights, and real-life stories that resonate with couples around the world.

In this episode, you will hear:

· The Impact Of Parenting On Sexual Desire

· Navigating Postpartum And Identity Shifts

· Grief Around Changing Intimacy

· Higher And Lower Desire Dynamics

· Emotional Safety In Long Term Relationships

· Pressure Windows And Sexual Expectations

· Rebuilding Intimacy Through Communication

· Processing Trauma Within Partnership

· Non Sexual Affection And Erotic Connection

· Creating Systems To Prioritize Your Relationship

FREE Foreplay Checklist Ideas

Spice Up Your Social Media Feed AND Your Sex Life: Follow Us On Instagram

Podcast Produced by Vaudeo Productions

Welcome to episode 477 of the Sexology Podcast! Today I am excited to be joined by Laurie Gerber, who speaks to me about how to communicate about sex, sexual preferences, and talking about difficult topics like STIs with more confidence and clarity.

In this episode, Laurie and I discuss why silence is one of the biggest obstacles to fulfilling sexual and romantic relationships. Laurie shares powerful insights from her work with clients, especially around why sex is a key differentiator between friendship and romantic partnership, and why ongoing conversations matter more than crisis-driven ones.

Laurie Gerber is the creator of Master the Art of Love, an online digital course for women over 50 who are ready to date like they mean it. She’s the host of the podcast “Love at Any Age,” through which she coaches the audience, based on the wholehearted belief that everyone deserves healthy, lasting love, and it’s never too late.

For over 20 years, first as President of the Life Coaching division at Handel Group® and then as founder of Laurie Gerber Coaching Inc. she has been life and love coaching thousands of individuals and couples. Laurie is currently licensing The Handel Method® and uses it in her online and one-on-one coaching to help people achieve their dreams, with a focus on love.

In this episode, you will hear:

· Why Silence Is The Biggest Mistake

· Sex As A Learnable Skill

· Making Sex An Ongoing Conversation

· Choosing The Right Time And Setting

· Asking Permission To Talk About Sex

· Practical Hacks To Start Conversations

· Navigating STI Disclosure With Confidence

· Setting Sexual Boundaries Early

· Desire Mismatches And Rejection

· Rituals, Scheduling, And Prioritizing Sex

Get The How To Be The Man She Desires Guide HERE

Spice Up Your Social Media Feed AND Your Sex Life: Follow Us On Instagram

Podcast Produced by Vaudeo Productions