52. We Need to Talk About Sex-But We Never Do

52. We Need to Talk About Sex-But We Never Do

This is the episode couples forward to each other without saying a word — because sometimes a link says everything you've been trying to figure out how to say.  If you and your partner have drifted — if the sex has slowed down or stopped, if every conversation about intimacy turns into a fight, if one of you wants more and the other has shut down — this episode is the conversation you've been avoiding. And it might be exactly the one you need. Clinical Sexologist and Certified Sex and Intimacy CoachDr. Stacy Friedman answers the questions couples are too afraid to ask each other: how to talk about sex without it blowing up, what to do when desire is completely mismatched, how to come back from years of rejection and resentment, how to ask for something new in bed without your partner feeling like they'renot enough, and what to do when you want to fix things but your partner won't engage. This is coaching, not therapy. Practical, passionate, andbuilt for couples who are not ready to give up on their sex lives — or each other. As a sexologist and sex coach with over 20 years of experience, Dr. Stacy brings the kind of honest conversation that actually moves the needle.   In This Episode: •      How couples drift into roommate territory — and how tofind your way back •      What to do when one partner wants sex and the otherdoesn't •      How to start the sex conversation without it turninginto a fight •      Why scheduled sex fails and what actually works instead •      How to ask for something new without making your partner feel inadequate •      Skill building in the bedroom — where to start when you don't know where to start •      What to do when you're the only one trying to fix things Host Bio Dr. Stacy Friedman Dr. Stacy Friedman is a Clinical Sexologist, Certified Sex & Intimacy Coach, and the unapologetically bold host of The Purple Passion Project — on a mission to make midlife the hottest chapter of your sex life yet. With over 26 years in the medical field and 20+ years working in sexuality, Dr. Stacy helps men and women break down taboos, communicate clearly, and build hotter, healthier intimacy — without apology. She specializes in the unique desire challenges that come withmidlife — hormonal shifts, erectile changes, mismatched sex drives, alternative lifestyles, women who experience painful sex, and the LGBTQ+ community. Known for blending expertise with humor and heart, Dr. Stacy makes conversations about sex feel empowering, entertaining, and long overdue. ✨ Everything you need is one click away: •      👉 linktr.ee/drstacyfriedman [ linktr.ee/drstacyfriedman] •      🔥 Vibe Tribe — Dr. Stacy's private midlife community. Live sessions, courses, and conversations that go way beyond thesurface. Try it free for a week. •      📖 Pleasure Playbooks — Step-by-step guides for real bedroom results. Because great sex doesn't just happen — it's built. •      💋 Shop catalog for adult products (code PURPLE for 20% off) •      📅 Free 30-minute intimacy consult — let's talk about what's possible for your sex life. •      🎁 Free PDFs including: 10 Things They Really Want in Bed (But Won't Say Out Loud) — grab yours athttps://drstacyfriedman.com/free-downloads/ [https://drstacyfriedman.com/free-downloads/] •      Follow Dr. Stacy @drstacyfriedman on Instagram, TikTok,Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and all social media platforms.

51. What's Actually Going On With Men in Midlife

00:00 Introduction02:14 The Men's Episode — One Year Anniversary10:12 Is Male Menopause Real? Understanding Andropause18:28 Why Men Lose Their Sex Drive in Midlife28:12 Emotional vs Physical Connection — Why You're Wired Differently35:47 Closing Thoughts — What Men Need to Hear Nobody is talking about what midlife really does to men'ssex lives. Today, Dr. Stacy is. This is the episode for the men who have noticed somethingshifting — in their drive, their performance, their confidence — and have had no idea where to turn. And it's for the partners who love them and are trying to understand what's going on. Clinical Sexologist Dr. Stacy Friedman answers the questions men are too embarrassed to Google, let alone ask their doctor: what really happens to testosterone after 40, whether male menopause is an actual thing, how to break the anxiety-performance cycle, why emotional and physical connection work so differently for men and women, and how to stop the slow drift into a sexless relationship before it becomes the default. No guest. No script. Just Dr. Stacy and the most honest conversation about men's sexual health in midlife you're going to find anywhere. In This Episode: •      What actually happens to testosterone, erections, anddrive after 40 •      Is andropause (male menopause) a thing — and what to doabout it •      How to break the anxiety-performance cycle that killsconfidence •      Why men stop initiating and how to find your way back •      The emotional vs. physical connection divide and how tobridge it •      What your partner means when she says she needs moreintimacy Resources Mentioned: •      Men's Intimacy Uncovered (Pleasure Playbook) —https://drstacyfriedman.com/shop-with-dr-stacy/#ebooks [https://drstacyfriedman.com/shop-with-dr-stacy/#ebooks] •      The Vibe Tribe Community — https://drstacy.mn.co/ [https://drstacy.mn.co/] •      Free 30-Minute Private Intimacy Consult — https://calendly.com/stacy-drstacy/30-min [https://calendly.com/stacy-drstacy/15-min] •      Adult Products Shop — code PURPLE for 20% off https://drstacyfriedman.com/shop-with-dr-stacy/#catalogs [https://drstacyfriedman.com/shop-with-dr-stacy/#catalogs] •      Free Access to the PDF Library: https://drstacyfriedman.com/free-downloads/ [https://drstacyfriedman.com/free-downloads/]   Host Bio Dr. Stacy Friedman Dr. Stacy Friedman is a Private Intimacy Advisor, Clinical Sexologist, Sex/ Intimacy Coach, and the unapologetically bold host of The Purple Passion Project — on a mission to make midlife the hottest chapter of your sex life yet. With over 26 years in the medical field and 20+ years working in sexuality, Dr. Stacy helps men and women break down taboos, communicate clearly, and build hotter, healthier intimacy — without apology. She specializes in the unique desire challenges that come withmidlife — hormonal shifts, erectile changes, mismatched sex drives, alternative lifestyles, women who experience painful sex, and the LGBTQ+ community. Known for blending expertise with humor and heart, Dr. Stacy makes conversations about sex feel empowering, entertaining, and long overdue. ✨ Everything you need is one click away: •      👉 linktr.ee/drstacyfriedman [https://linktr.ee/drstacyfriedman] •      🔥 Vibe Tribe — Dr. Stacy's private midlife community. Live sessions, courses, and conversations that go way beyond thesurface. Try it free for a week. https://drstacy.mn.co/⁠ [https://drstacy.mn.co/] •      📖 Pleasure Playbooks — Step-by-step guides forreal bedroom results. Because great sex doesn't just happen — it's built. https://drstacyfriedman.com/shop-with-dr-stacy/#ebooks⁠ [https://drstacyfriedman.com/shop-with-dr-stacy/#ebooks] •      💋 Shop catalog for adult products (code PURPLE for 20% off) https://drstacyfriedman.com/shop-with-dr-stacy/#catalogs⁠ [https://drstacyfriedman.com/shop-with-dr-stacy/#catalogs] •      📅 Free 30-minute intimacy consult — let's talk about what's possible for your sex life. https://calendly.com/stacy-drstacy/30-min⁠ [https://calendly.com/stacy-drstacy/15-min] •      🎁 Free PDF library including: 10 Things TheyReally Want in Bed (But Won't Say Out Loud) — grab yours athttps://drstacyfriedman.com/free-downloads/⁠ [https://drstacyfriedman.com/free-downloads/] •      Follow Dr. Stacy @drstacyfriedman on Instagram, TikTok,Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and all social media platforms.

50. Why Don't I Want Sex Anymore? The Desire Episode

One year. Hundreds of questions. All of it unfiltered.Today Dr. Stacy goes solo for a special anniversary Q&A episode answering the question she gets asked more than almost anything else: Why don't I want sex anymore? If you're a woman in midlife who has noticed your desire disappearing — and you don't know if it's hormones, your relationship, aging, or just the new you — this episode is the honest conversation your doctor probably isn't having with you. Dr. Stacy breaks down the questions her community has beenasking: the difference between hormonal and emotional low desire, what perimenopause actually does to your sex drive, the truth about responsive vs. spontaneous desire, why avoiding affection might be hurting you more than you know, and whether desire can actually come back after years of feeling nothing. No guest. No script. Just Dr. Stacy, your questions, and the kind of honest conversation that makes you feel finally, completelyunderstood.   In This Episode: •       Why low desire in midlife is not the same as losingyour sexuality forever •       How to tell the difference between hormonal, emotional,and relational desire issues •       The perimenopause-libido connection nobody warned youabout •       Responsive desire vs. spontaneous desire — and why thischanges everything •       What it means when you avoid affection to avoid sex •       How to rebuild your sense of self and sexuality whenyour body is changing •       Whether desire can actually come back — and what ittakes Host Bio  Dr. Stacy Friedman Dr. Stacy Friedman is a Clinical Sexologist, Certified Sex & Intimacy Coach, and the unapologetically bold host of The Purple Passion Project — on a mission to make midlife the hottest chapter of your sex life yet. With over 26 years in the medical field and 20+ years working in sexuality, Dr. Stacy helpsmen and women break down taboos, communicate clearly, and build hotter, healthier intimacy — without apology. She specializes in the unique desire challenges that come with midlife — hormonal shifts, erectile changes, mismatched sex drives, alternative lifestyles, women who experience painful sex, and the LGBTQ+ community. Known for blendingexpertise with humor and heart, Dr. Stacy makes conversations about sex feel empowering, entertaining, and long overdue. ✨ Everything you need is one click away: 🔥 Vibe Tribe — Dr. Stacy's private midlife community. Live sessions, courses, and conversations that go way beyond the surface. Try it free for a week. 📖 Pleasure Playbooks — Step-by-step guides for real bedroomresults. Because great sex doesn't just happen — it's built. 💋 Shop catalog for adult products (code PURPLE for 20% off) 📅 Free 30-minute intimacy consult — let's talk about what's possible for your sex life. 🎁 Free PDF library or resources: grab yours at drstacyfriedman.com 👉 linktr.ee/drstacyfriedman [https://linktr.ee/drstacyfriedman] Follow Dr. Stacy @drstacyfriedman on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and all social media platforms.

49. When Chronic Pain Steals Your Sex Life- And How to Get it Back

In this episode, Dr. Stacy sits down with Eileen Kopsaftis — physical therapist, founder of Have Lifelong Wellbeing, and bestselling author of Pain Culprits! and Aging Culprits! — to have the conversation almost nobody is having: what happens to desire, pleasure, and intimacy when you're living in pain. Eileen has spent over 30 years helping patients address the root causes of pain — including pelvic floor dysfunction — and has led support groups for women who've experienced trauma and abuse. She brings clinical expertise and real compassion to a topic that affects far more people than ever admit it. In this episode: •      Why chronic pain kills libido — even before youget to the bedroom •      What your pelvic floor has to do with your sex life (more than you think) •      How past trauma lives in the body and affects intimacy •      Positioning, movement, and pacing as tools for pain-free intimacy •      The nutrition and erectile dysfunction connection nobody talks about •      Why age doesn't have to stop desire Guest Bio & Links 💜 About Eileen Kopsaftis  Eileen Kopsaftis, BS, PT, FAFS, CMI, NE is the founder of Have Lifelong Wellbeing, LLC — and she is on a mission to erase pain from the world. An eclectically trained physical therapist, nutrition educator, and bestselling author of Pain Culprits! and Aging Culprits!, Eileen uses her extensive postgraduate education to resolve the root causes of pain and dysfunction. Teaching facts about pain, movement, and aging that are mostly unknown is herspecialty. She speaks nationally, publishes articles, and teaches movement and pain education classes both online and at her local community college. Eileen has worked with patients navigating pelvic floor dysfunction and its impact on intimacy, and has led support groups for women who've experienced abuse — bringing bothclinical expertise and deep compassion to the intersection of pain and connection. Her passion is to show people how to age without decline and move without pain — because desire doesn't have an expiration date.  📖 Books: Pain Culprits! | Aging Culprits! 🌐 Website: havelifelongwellbeing.com 📧 Email: eileen@havelifelongwellbeing.com 📺 YouTube: Search Eileen Kopsaftis 🎁 Free resources & membership: havelifelongwellbeing.com 📞 Phone: +1 (518) 496-1265 Host Bio — Dr. Stacy Friedman Dr. Stacy Friedman is a Clinical Sexologist, Certified Sex & Intimacy Coach, and the unapologetically bold host of The Purple Passion Project — on a mission to make midlife the hottest chapter of your sex life yet. With over 26 years in the medical field and 20+ years working in sexuality, Dr. Stacy helpsmen and women break down taboos, communicate clearly, and build hotter, healthier intimacy — without apology. She specializes in the unique desire challenges that come with midlife — hormonal shifts, erectile changes, mismatched sex drives, alternative lifestyles, women who experience painful sex, and the LGBTQ+ community. Known for blending expertise with humor and heart, Dr. Stacy makes conversations about sex feel empowering, entertaining, and long overdue. ✨ Everything you need is one click away: 👉 ⁠linktr.ee/drstacyfriedman⁠ [https://linktr.ee/drstacyfriedman] 🔥 Vibe Tribe — Dr. Stacy's private midlife community. Live sessions, courses, and conversations that go way beyond the surface. Try it free for a week. 📖 Pleasure Playbooks — Step-by-step guides for real bedroomresults. Because great sex doesn't just happen — it's built. 💋 Shop catalog for adult products (code PURPLE for 20% off) 📅 Free 30-minute intimacy consult — let's talk about what's possible for your sex life. 🎁 Free PDF's including: 10 Things They Really Want in Bed (But Won't Say Out Loud) — grab yours at https://drstacyfriedman.com/free-downloads/ [https://drstacyfriedman.com/free-downloads/] Follow Dr. Stacy @drstacyfriedman on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and all social media platforms.

48. The Marriage Pause Button-Why Desire Dies & How to Turn it Back On

00:00 Introduction 02:15 What Is the Marriage Pause Button? 13:36 The Three Levels of Connection 31:46 How One Person Can Change a Marriage 41:53 The Unpause App & Practical Tools to ReconnectMost marriages don’t end with a blowup. They quietly pause —and that pause is where desire goes to die. In this episode of The Purple Passion Project, Clinical Sexologist and Sex Coach Dr. Stacy Friedman sits down with marriage coach Lee Baucom — PhD-level therapist, author of seven books, and creator of the Save the Marriage System — to break down why long-term relationships stall, how desire quietly disappears, and what it actually takes to turn it back on. This is not your average couples therapy advice. This is asexologist talk that gets into the real mechanics of long-term desire, emotional disconnection, and the one thing most couples get completely wrong about communication. In this episode you will learn: • Why marriages pause long before they actually break — and the warning signs most people miss • How daily habits and relationship systems shape intimacy and sexual desire • Lee’s three levels of connection — and which level is quietly killing your desire right now • Why communication is NOT the core problem in marriage (andwhat actually is) • How one person can create real change — even when theirpartner refuses to try If your relationship feels “fine” but not alive — this conversation is going to hit. Dr. Stacy and Lee give you the tools, the mindset, and the permission slip to stop waiting and start showing updifferently. 👤 About Lee Baucom: Lee Baucom is a Ph.D.-level trained therapist turned marriage coach with over 35 years of experience helping individuals transform struggling marriages — even when only one partner is willing to take action. He is the creator of the Save the Marriage System, author of seven books including Save the Marriage and How to Save Your Marriage in 3 Simple Steps, and the founder of the Unpause App — a daily reconnection tool designed to help couples rebuild connection, desire, and intimacy through intentional systems and habits. Lee is also the host of relationship-focused podcasts with millions of downloads worldwide and is happily married with two adult children. 👤 About Dr. Stacy Friedman: Dr. Stacy Friedman is a Clinical Sexologist, Certified Sex & Intimacy Coach, and the unapologetically bold host of The Purple PassionProject — on a mission to make midlife the hottest chapter of your sex life yet. With over 26 years in the medical field and 20+ years working in sexuality, Dr. Stacy helps men and women break down taboos, communicate clearly, and build hotter, healthier intimacy — without apology. She specializes in the unique desire challenges that come with midlife — hormonal shifts, erectile changes, mismatched sex drives, alternative lifestyles, women who experience painful sex, and the LGBTQ+ community. Known for blending expertise with humor and heart, Dr. Stacy makes conversations about sex feel empowering, entertaining, and long overdue. 💥 Links & Resources: 🔗 Lee Baucom — Save the Marriage: https://savethemarriage.store [https://savethemarriage.store] 🔗 Unpause App: http://UnPauseYourMarriage.com [http://UnPauseYourMarriage.com] 📖 Pleasure Playbooks (16+ step-by-step intimacy guides, $27 each): drstacyfriedman.com [https://drstacyfriedman.com] 🔥 Vibe Tribe (Dr. Stacy’s private midlife community— live sessions, courses): drstacyfriedman.com → click Vibe Tribe 📅 Free 15-min intimacy consult: drstacyfriedman.com [https://drstacyfriedman.com]→ click Free Consultation 🎁 Free PDF — “10 Things They Really Want in Bed (ButWon’t Say Out Loud)”: drstacyfriedman.com 👉 All links: linktr.ee/drstacyfriedman [ linktr.ee/drstacyfriedman] 📌 Follow Dr. Stacy: Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube | LinkedIn:@drstacyfriedman