The Sexual Wellness Sessions

From dating apps to AI companions, our relationships are increasingly mediated through screens, algorithms, and carefully curated versions of the self. But what does this mean for intimacy, desire and our capacity to tolerate the messiness of human relationships?In this episode Dr Aaron Balick draws on over two decades of clinical experience and psychodynamic thinking to unpack the idea of the digitally mediated self and how projection, fantasy, and validation can play out in online spaces. We explore why quick hits of connection, and what Dr Aaron describes as “relational doughnuts”can feel good in the moment, but leave us emotionally undernourished over time. We also discuss the rapidly changing landscape of both looking for love and connection, and maintaining relationships.This is a conversation about intimacy beyond ease and the difference between feeling seen and being known. We examine how relationships are changing as technology and AI play increasingly larger roles in our lives, and the similarities, differences and contradictions between relationship simulation and interpersonal connection. -  New Episode Every Friday -   This series was brought to you by Lelo, the world-leading luxury sexual wellness brand whose range is built on the belief that a fulfilled intimate life is a vital part of our overall wellbeing—a sentiment that sits at the very heart of this podcast.   Head over to LELO.com and use the code KM15 at the checkout to receive 15% off your order.   Code valid until 30th June 2026    -   Follow Us On Socials   Kate Moyle https://www.instagram.com/katemoyletherapy?igsh=MXNpNnFla240a3Rhcg==   Dr Aaron Balick https://www.instagram.com/draaronb?igsh=YWJyeTF1YzdiOWZo   Lelo https://www.instagram.com/lelo_official?igsh=MWhvZzJpa3o3c3l1cA==

In conversations about fertility, we often focus on hope, treatment, and the possibility of becoming a parent. But what happens when it doesn’t end that way? In this deeply honest and thoughtful episode, we explore the often unspoken experience of being childless not by choice—and the profound emotional, physical and relationship impacts that can follow fertility treatment, miscarriage, and years of trying to conceive. My guest Lucy Frank, a psychosexual and relationship therapist who now supports individuals and couples through these experiences, shares her own journey through infertility, IVF, and pregnancy loss. Together we talk about the losses and distress that so often go unseen, the concept of disenfranchised grief, and why these experiences can feel so isolating—even within relationships. We explore the language we use around fertility, the pressure of endless hope, and the cultural narratives that can make it so difficult to imagine a meaningful life outside of parenthood. We also talk about the impact on identity, relationships, intimacy, and how couples can begin to reconnect when life takes an unexpected direction. This is a conversation about the often unspoken side of infertility, and the ongoing process of making sense of what life looks like when it turns out differently to how we imagined. -  New Episode Every Friday -   This series was brought to you by Lelo, the world-leading luxury sexual wellness brand whose range is built on the belief that a fulfilled intimate life is a vital part of our overall wellbeing—a sentiment that sits at the very heart of this podcast.   Head over to LELO.com and use the code KM15 at the checkout to receive 15% off your order.   Code valid until 30th June 2026    -     Follow Us On Socials   Kate Moyle https://www.instagram.com/katemoyletherapy?igsh=MXNpNnFla240a3Rhcg==   Lucy Frank https://www.instagram.com/theyxologist/    Lelo https://www.instagram.com/lelo_official?igsh=MWhvZzJpa3o3c3l1cA==

How can we feel more confident speaking up for ourselves as a patient in a medical setting? How can we best prepare for doctor's appointments? And what are the things that can help if we feel embarrassed or ashamed about symptoms that we are experiencing? In this episode, I sit down with Dr Nighat Arif who is a GP specialising in women's health, an author, and well known medical broadcaster and voice on our screens and radios. She believes her role as a GP is multidisciplinary and that helping her patients to advocate for themselves plays an important role in improving healthcare and creating a more inclusive, compassionate, and effective healthcare system. We unpack the barriers many people face when seeking care, the importance of being heard and believed in clinical spaces, and how healthcare professionals can create environments where patients feel empowered to speak up. With practical insights and honest reflections, a huge part of this conversation is about helping patients to feel better informed, more educated, and to know their own normal. With our specialisms as clinicians being in sexual wellbeing and women's health, our discussion also has a particular focus on these areas of wellbeing that still so often get ignored or left untreated due to shame and taboo.  -   This series was brought to you by Lelo, the world-leading luxury sexual wellness brand whose range is built on the belief that a fulfilled intimate life is a vital part of our overall wellbeing—a sentiment that sits at the very heart of this podcast.     Head over to LELO.com and use the code KM15 at the checkout to receive 15% off your order.   Code valid until 30th June 2026       Follow Us On Socials   Kate Moyle https://www.instagram.com/katemoyletherapy?igsh=MXNpNnFla240a3Rhcg== Dr Nighat Arif https://www.instagram.com/drnighatarif/?hl=en Lelo https://www.instagram.com/lelo_official?igsh=MWhvZzJpa3o3c3l1cA==

Is there a tension between evolutionary biology and modern culture? How do our distinct motivations for intimacy and love differ from our sex drive, and importantly what does this mean for relationships where the two co-exist? In this episode, I’m joined by evolutionary biologist and author Dr Justin Garcia, Executive Director of the Kinsey Institute and author of The Intimate Animal. We dive deep into one of the biggest questions when it comes to our sex lives : what is the real relationship between sex, love, and intimacy — and why do they so often feel at odds? From a legal brothel in the Nevada desert to cutting-edge research on dating apps, hookup culture, and the so-called “sex recession,” this conversation unpacks what’s really driving modern relationships, and Justin explains the complimenting and competitive needs that we have as humans, and what that means for our sex lives and relationships.  At its heart, this conversation is about understanding ourselves more clearly — as intimate animals navigating a modern world our brains didn’t exactly evolve for. Because when we stop asking “What’s wrong with us?” and start asking “What are we wired for?” Then we start to see things differently.  This series was brought to you by Lelo, the world-leading luxury sexual wellness brand whose range is built on the belief that a fulfilled intimate life is a vital part of our overall wellbeing—a sentiment that sits at the very heart of this podcast.  Head over to LELO.com and use the code KM15 at the checkout to receive 15% off your order. Code valid until 30th June 2026   Follow Us On Socials Kate Moyle https://www.instagram.com/katemoyletherapy?igsh=MXNpNnFla240a3Rhcg== Dr Justin Garcia https://www.instagram.com/drjustingarcia?igsh=MWJtcDUxNGV6dWtjNQ== Lelo https://www.instagram.com/lelo_official?igsh=MWhvZzJpa3o3c3l1cA==  

These podcast episodes barely scratch the surface of conversations around different aspects of our sexual and relationship wellbeing, and this is definitely the case for this conversation on neurodiversity and how it shows up in sex lives, intimacy, relationships and dating.   Neurodiversity is an umbrella term that includes many conditions, and describes the variety of ways that people’s brains process information, which differs to what’s described as being neurotypical. By definition it’s a huge spectrum of thoughts, experiences and behaviours which can show up in our lives in a variety of ways and these unique traits and characteristics can create certain challenges when it comes to the more intimate part of our lives.   My guest for this episode is someone who experienced this personally, and trained to become a psychosexual and relationship therapist to help other neurodivergent people get the help that they felt they wanted and couldn’t find. Genevieve Collister Brown is a therapist who specialises in working with gender, sexual and relationship diversity, with a keen interest in working with neurodiversity and disability.   Follow Genevieve on Instagram at @squirtingisntpee   This series has been brought to you by the luxury sexual wellness brand Lelo, who are offering listeners 30% off all Lelo products purchased on BeautyBay.com  Use the code KMOYLE30 until 11.59pm on 31st December 2024.   The Sexual Wellness Sessions is hosted by Kate Moyle, a Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist and Certified Psycho-Sexologist, and author of The Science Of Sex : Every Question About Your Sex Life Answered.   Follow Kate on Instagram at @KateMoyleTherapy   DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast, and always seek the advice of your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider.