It’s Not About the Sex

Consensual Non-Monogamy - Mellissa McCracken, CADC, CSAT-C

Mellissa McCracken is a trauma informed substance abuse counselor working in an acute treatment setting in Los Angeles. In this episode we explore consensual non-monogamy, polyamory, and open relationships all in the context of sexual recovery and more. Mellissabrings her expertise and wisdom within the LGBTQI+ community into this valuable conversation. Please join us to learn more about these often-misunderstood terms and definitions.
Music Credit: Neil Freebern, Freebernmusic.com

Holiday Tips - Susskind & Merlino

Andrew and Sue offer an abundance of tips to help navigate the 2023-2024 holidays and beyond. Borrowed from Andrew’s new book, The It’sNot About the Sex Workbook (Routledge Press, February 2023), these tipsare part of the practices outlined at the end of his workbook. Take alisten and try out a few tips that resonate for you.

Porn Literacy - Diane Gleim, LMFT

Porn has inadvertently become a form of sex education in our culture, but it’s actually entertainment. Diane Gleim is a psychotherapist as well as a certified sex therapist who brings her seasoned perspective and wisdom to this often-misunderstood topic. In this conversation she helps us explore the ambiguity of porn, the suspension of disbelief, moral incongruence as well as erotic conflicts. Join us for this illuminating and objective discussion of using porn as a form of sexual expression. Visit Diane’s website at www.dianegleim.com for more information about her on-demand class, Porn Literacy 101.

Guided Breathing Meditation - Susskind

How often do we forget to simply breathe? Listen to this guided meditation as an opportunity to take stock of your breath non-judgmentally and with curiosity. In this brief exercise you will build body and breath awareness and see where this moment of relaxation may take you. This exercise has been modified from a meditation originally developed by the Mindfulness Awareness Research Center (MARC) at UCLA.

Understanding Motivation for Change - Michael Vigorito, LMFT, CGP, CST-S

In this episode we welcome psychotherapist, sex therapist, author and trainer, Michael Vigorito as wediscuss the motivation for change through a sexual health lens. He is the co-author of Treating Out of Control Sexual Behavior: Rethinking Sex Addiction with Douglas Braun-Harvey, a refreshing, non-pathologizing and research-based text. Take a listen to this informative sexual health conversation about how change really happens. Visit www.michaelvigorito.com for more information about Michael’s clinical practice and valuable contributions to the field.

Navigating Depression - Susskind & Merlino

In this episode Andrew and Sue examine the differences between clinical depression, seasonalmood changes and generalized sadness. Depression sometimes shows up side-by-side withsexual compulsivity, but how do you know how to tackle these complicated issues? Listen tothe many ways that depression manifests and some practical tips you can try at home.

Becoming an Executive Coach - Klifton Fehr, LMHC

In this episode we welcome Klifton Fehr, a counselor based in South Florida who works extensively within the corporate sector as a coach and trainer. With a focus on inspirational influences, we explore the many directions mental health and group therapy has taken him through the years. Learn about the differences between counseling and coaching as well as the avenues he continues to develop. Visit www.fehrassociates.com for more details.

Five Years Later - Susskind & Merlino

Andrew and Sue take a look at the past five years since the original book It’s Not About theSex was born. In this episode Andrew reveals the big news about his companion workbookto be released in the Spring of 2024 (Routledge Press, New York City). We discuss theevolution of thinking that has accompanied this process as well as the many influences ofthis latest project. Listen to this lively retrospective discussion!

Happy, Silly, Wise - Claudia Lewis, LMFT

This episode features psychotherapist and spiritual seeker, Claudia Lewis, LMFT as we discuss her recent provocative book entitled Happy, Silly, Wise: Creating a Magical Life in Challenging Times. Themes such as “not enough-ness”, human being vs. human doing, letting go of seriousness and cultivating creativity are just some of the topics explored. Contact Claudia at www.claudialewistherapy.com.

Guided Meditation for Working with Difficulties - Susskind

In this meditation we focus on the possibility of holding both pleasant and unpleasant feelings/sensations simultaneously. Borrowed from the Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC) atUCLA, this mindfulness exercise allows you to feel your capacity to hold whatever life has tooffer you. For more information and mindfulness resources, visit www.marc.ucla.edu.