Murder of Crones

E15 Sex Myths, Part 2

Murder of Crones

Show Notes

Welcome back for part 2 of Sex Myths. In this episode, we explore common myths about sex and desire in long-term relationships, aiming to shed light on the realities that often go unspoken. Our conversations unravel misconceptions that can hinder intimacy, offering insight and encouragement for enduring love lives.

Show Notes Takeaways:

The myth that love naturally sustains desire over time How desire evolves with age and changes in life circumstances The impact of societal expectations and myths about aging and sexuality The role of emotional safety, distance, and separation in maintaining desire The influence of societal norms, porn, and cultural stories on expectations The significance of communication and honesty about intimacy The effects of parenthood and life transitions on sexuality Challenging the idea that sexual frequency equals health The importance of individual external lives and separate interests How myths about sexual performance and aging can create unnecessary stress

Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to the myths surrounding long-term sex and desire 02:17 - Why silence and shame impact ongoing intimacy 04:46 - The myth that desire fades as love endures 10:05 - How opening relationships doesn't necessarily restore desire 13:54 - The historical and cultural context of sexuality in different eras 17:28 - Impact of societal beliefs about spontaneous desire 22:19 - The challenge of keeping the spark alive and the myth of eternal passion 26:40 - The effectiveness of date nights and creating space for eroticism 29:47 - Differentiating closeness and desire, and the importance of healthy separation 35:10 - How desire fluctuates with life phases and age 43:06 - Common misconceptions that low desire signals relationship failure 47:30 - The influence of porn, fantasy, and societal narratives on expectations 50:01 - The myth that aging ends eroticism and desire Note: For a more comprehensive understanding, we recommend reading Esther Perel’s work, which guides much of our discussion today. The episode emphasizes that desire and intimacy in long-term relationships are dynamic, and myths only serve to create unnecessary pressure. Honest communication, ongoing self-awareness, and redefining societal narratives are key to sustaining a healthy, passionate love life as the years go by. References Basson, R. (2001). Using a different model for female sexual response to address women’s problematic low sexual desire. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 27(5), 395–403. https://doi.org/10.1080/009262301753148637 Baumeister, R. F., Catanese, K. R., & Vohs, K. D. (2001). Is there a gender difference in strength of sex drive? Personality and Social Psychology Review, 5(3), 242–273. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327957PSPR0503_5 Bogaert, A. F. (2004). Asexuality: Prevalence and associated factors. The Journal of Sex Research, 41(3), 279–287. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224490409552235 Hamilton, L. D., & Meston, C. M. (2013). Chronic stress and sexual function in women. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 42(7), 1349–1359. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-012-0044-0 Leitenberg, H., & Henning, K. (1995). Sexual fantasy. Psychological Bulletin, 117(3), 469–496. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.117.3.469 Lindau, S. T., Schumm, L. P., Laumann, E. O., Levinson, W., O’Muircheartaigh, C. A., & Waite, L. J. (2007). A study of sexuality and health among older adults. New En

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