202. A Sex Therapist's Advice for Rebuilding Intimacy in Long-Term Relationships
What happens to intimacy when life gets busy, and your relationship starts to feel more like managing a household than connecting with your partner? Between motherhood, work, and everything else on your plate, it's easy to lose touch with the parts of yourself and your relationship that once felt effortless. In this episode, Whitney sits down with sex therapist Brooke Bralove to talk about what intimacy really means, why it can be so hard to maintain in long-term relationships, and how to find your way back to each other. Brooke shares why intimacy goes far beyond sex, how desire naturally changes over time, and why the idea that great sex should always be spontaneous can set couples up for frustration. They talk about mismatched libidos, the impact of perimenopause on sexual desire, and practical ways to create more connection, even when life feels full. From making time for meaningful conversations to exploring what helps you reconnect with your own sexuality, Brooke offers a fresh perspective on keeping intimacy alive without adding more pressure to your relationship. Whether you've been feeling disconnected from your partner or simply want to bring more closeness into your relationship, this conversation offers practical ways to start. You'll learn how to talk about sex and intimacy more openly, approach differences in desire with less blame, and make space for connection that works for both of you. Here's what you can look forward to in this episode: What intimacy really means beyond sex Why motherhood and everyday responsibilities can get in the way of connection Simple ways to build more intimacy into a busy relationship How to navigate mismatched libidos without blame or resentment Why spontaneous desire isn't the only kind of sexual desire Taking ownership of your own sexual needs and pleasure How perimenopause and menopause can affect sexual desire The role of non-sexual touch in building closeness How curiosity, shared experiences, and gratitude strengthen relationships How to talk to your partner about sex without creating defensiveness What to expect from sex therapy and when it might help Reconnecting with your own sexuality and what makes you feel desire Reflection Question to Ponder: What allows me to tune into my sexual self and connect with my sexual self? Check out Whitney's new Come Back to Yourself Collection Learn more about 1:1 coaching with Whitney - book a 15-minute Spark Session Connect with Whitney: Instagram l Website l 5 Days to Less Stress, More Satisfaction l Tend to Your Soul Toolkit l 10 Soulful Journaling Prompts | Electric Ideas Podcast Connect with Brooke: Instagram | Website | Facebook | TikTok