In this episode of Heart + Head Work, we explore sex, fantasy, and desire through the lens of presence, safety, and self-trust.

Rocky Donati and Tessa Arneson are joined by Dr. Stormy Hill, a mental health occupational therapist and intimacy coach, and Courtney Stookey, founder of Lovebound Library—Utah’s first romance-only bookstore—for an honest, playful, and deeply grounding conversation about what desire is really trying to tell us.

Together, they explore why sex is one of the most talked about—and most repressed—topics in our culture, how shame and performance disconnect us from our bodies, and what becomes possible when curiosity replaces judgment. From romance novels and fantasy as tools for exploration, to nervous system safety and sexual sovereignty, this episode invites listeners to slow down and listen inward.

Rather than offering answers or prescriptions, this conversation centers presence: learning to notice what’s alive in the body, what feels safe, and what we’re genuinely drawn toward—without pressure to act or perform.

Together, we unpack:

- Why sex is culturally obsessed over and simultaneously suppressed
- What it means to ask, “What actually turns me on?” for the first time
- How fantasy and romance can offer information—not instruction
- The role of safety, the nervous system, and the body in desire
- Reclaiming sexuality as something personal, not performative
- Why curiosity and imagination can be powerful tools for self-connection

This episode is thoughtful, warm, and unexpectedly fun—an invitation to approach desire with more honesty, softness, and trust.

Resources Mentioned:
Dr. Stormy Hill
Intimacy Coach & Mental Health Occupational Therapist
https://lovedeeplab.com/

Courtney Stookey Owner of Lovebound Library
Utah’s first romance-only bookstore
https://www.loveboundlibrary.com

Rocky and Tessa's book picks from Lovebound Library:
Heather's Pick: A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston
Rocky's Pick: Black Rose and Blood Orange by Karina Halle

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

Disclaimer:
This conversation reflects personal experience and perspective, not medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice. Everyone’s body, nervous system, and healing journey is different. We encourage you to consult a qualified medical or mental health professional before making decisions related to your physical or emotional health.

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