What happens when your partner refuses therapy, refuses to talk, and refuses to change- but divorce isn’t on the table?

In Part 2 of our special replay from Taboo to Truth, we’re once again turning the tables on Dr. Jenni and Daniel, as they continue their candid conversation with friend and fellow podcast host, Karen Bigman.

We’re incredibly grateful to Karen for generously allowing us to share this two-part conversation with our Sex and the Psyche listeners and give you a chance to hear Jenni and Daniel from the other side of the microphone.

This time, the conversation goes even deeper into what can slowly kill desire in long-term relationships- and what couples can realistically do when they feel stuck.

Jenni and Daniel talk about how to express your needs when your partner isn't willing to budge, why stagnation- not necessarily incompatibility, can be one of the biggest threats to a couple’s sex life, and how to tell your partner you're bored in bed without completely crushing their confidence.

They also unpack the “Madonna-whore complex” and the love-lust split, explore why menopause and postpartum can become significant periods of sexual stagnation, and get refreshingly personal about what it’s like to navigate intimacy when you're both married and sex therapists.

And they tackle an important question about relationships and gender roles: Why do so many men defer to women when it comes to being the “relationship expert,” and what happens when both partners take responsibility for understanding and nurturing their connection?

It’s honest, vulnerable, sometimes uncomfortable- and exactly the kind of conversation we love having on Sex and the Psyche.

A huge thank-you to Karen Bigman and Taboo to Truth for sharing this conversation with us.

If you haven't listened to Part 1 yet, go back and start there!

And be sure to check out Taboo to Truth wherever you listen to podcasts.

Follow Karen Bigman:

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

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@taboototruth

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taboototruth/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenbigman

Website: http://taboototruth.com

Substack: https://karenbigman.substack.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when one partner wants sex and the other doesn’t?

Mismatched desire- or desire discrepancy is one of the most common issues Dr. Jenni Skyler and Daniel Lebowitz see among couples, and it’s a topic they’re asked about again and again.

For this special episode of Sex and the Psyche, we’re turning the tables and putting Jenni and Daniel in the hot seat!

Our friend Karen Bigman, host of Taboo to Truth, generously invited Jenni and Daniel onto her podcast for a candid conversation about desire discrepancy, intimacy, shame, and the challenges couples face when their libidos don't match. We’re so grateful to Karen for allowing us to replay this conversation here on Sex and the Psyche, giving our listeners a chance to hear Jenni and Daniel as guests and get a behind-the-scenes look at how they answer the questions they’re usually the ones asking.

In this first part of the two-part conversation, Jenni and Daniel explore why desire discrepancy happens, what it can look like in long-term relationships, and why the partner with lower desire is never simply “the problem.” They also talk about why some men shut down or go silent when they’re struggling sexually, how shame can take over in the bedroom, and how the right words can open the door to a much more honest and compassionate conversation between partners.

A huge thank-you to Karen Bigman and Taboo to Truth for sharing this conversation with our Sex and the Psyche audience.

Be sure to listen to Part 2 for more of Jenni and Daniel in the hot seat!

And while you're at it, check out Taboo to Truth wherever you listen to podcasts. You may discover your next favorite show!

Follow Karen Bigman

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

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@taboototruth

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taboototruth/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenbigman

Website: http://taboototruth.com

Substack: https://karenbigman.substack.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if someone had actually taught you how to have a great relationship?

While Sex and the Psyche takes a short production break, we're bringing back some of the conversations our listeners connected with most. In this Encore Episode, we revisit our conversation with Zach and Sally Maxwell and explore The Relationship Framework Nobody Taught You.

Relationships don't come with an instruction manual. Most of us learn how to communicate, navigate conflict, build intimacy, and stay connected by trial and error—and sometimes by making a whole lot of mistakes along the way.

Zach and Sally offer a fresh perspective on the skills and framework that can help couples better understand each other, communicate more effectively, and create a stronger, more connected relationship.

Whether you heard this conversation the first time around or you're discovering it for the first time, this is one worth revisiting.

Take another listen, share it with someone you love, and remember: a better relationship starts with better conversations.

New episodes of Sex and the Psyche return soon. Until then, enjoy this Encore Conversation—and keep your questions coming!

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok and please DM us with your questions!

Guest Information:

sally@max-wellcoaching.com

https://www.max-wellcoaching.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.