This week, we share (and try out!) a simple 3-step exercise to reflect upon 2021 and plan for a happy 2022. Coach Sonia Zarbatany also joins us to talk about our new coaching program and share her tips for better dating and happy marriage.

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Make the most of your relationships in 2022 with our 30-day program! There is no better investment than an investment in connection.

If you’ve got questions or topic suggestions for the podcast, submit them here. As well, you can now record your messages for us! Please record your message/question in a quiet room and use your phone’s headphones with a built-in mic if possible.

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Rough Transcript:

This is a computer-generated rough transcript, so please excuse any...

We’re doing it again! There is almost nothing better than sharing how you feel about your partner, and this “dating profile” gift is a simple, powerful gift that keeps on giving. Jess’ cousin Annabella & her cousin-in-law Denise (Anna’s mom) join us to share this homemade, no-cost, gift: a thoughtful and simple dating profile written for a loved one. Jess also shares one she wrote for her Mom, and Brandon and Jess share one another’s.

We encourage you to try this one yourself and let us know how it goes!

Huge shout out to our sponsor, AdamAndEve.com — You can get 50% off almost any item + get FREE shipping + some Free goodies too if you use code DRJESS

If you’ve got questions or topic suggestions for the podcast, submit them here. As well, you can now record your messages for us! Please record your message/question in a quiet room and use your phone’s headphones with a built-in mic if possible.

And be sure to subscribe...

• How do you know if opening up is right for you?
• How do you tell your partner that you’re interested in ethical/consensual non-monogamy?
• What’s the difference between swinging and polyamory?
• What if you want a different ENM arrangement than your partner (e.g. they want to swing and you want to explore polyamory)

Sex Goddess & Erotic Educator Taylor Sparks joins us to share her experience and advice. She is the founder of Organic Loven, the largest BIPOC owned online organic intimacy shop & works to improve sex lives around the world.

You can check out her YouTube channel and follow Taylor on her Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter accounts.

We're also excited to announce a new program for 2022: 30 Days to Master Your Relationship!

4 Group coaching sessions

• Week 1: Relational Values & Blueprint
• Week 2: Emotional & Relational Communication
• Week 3: Bedroom Mastery
• Week 4: Re(Ignite) The Spark + Ladies Night Event in Montreal

If you’ve got questions or...

Jess joined Carolyn and Jeff last week to discuss keeping cool with the family during gatherings. Check out the video and interview recap below.

What do you do when you just don’t agree politically? 

My dad and I are at polar ends of the political spectrum, and our holiday dinners always end up with tense debates?

There are so many layers:

It’s okay to disagree and not talk about topics that set you off. It’s also okay not to get together with people who cause you real distress and even trauma — this is the case when it comes to identity (e.g. a homophobic family member for queer folks).

It can be helpful to differentiate between disagreeing and being harmed. If you’re a part of a group that is being targeted - you risk being harmed. If you’re not, you have an opportunity to speak up and let them know how you feel.

I find that language offensive. 

If you are getting together, it can be helpful to plan ahead. Let them know what your...

We’re answering your questions this week including:

1. Can you please talk about fart fetishes?
2. Should I be worried that my new boyfriend finds pleasure in pain?
3. Can you share some embarrassing ways people masturbate?
4. How do I clean my vagina?

We're also excited to announce a new program for 2022: 30 Days to Master Your Relationship!

4 Group coaching sessions

• Week 1: Relational Values & Blueprint
• Week 2: Emotional & Relational Communication
• Week 3: Bedroom Mastery
• Week 4: Re(Ignite) The Spark + Ladies Night Event in Montreal

Use code* DRJESS25 to save 25% off on even the higher-end toys on TSC's Intimately You website. Code is still valid for another week!

If you’ve got questions or topic suggestions for the podcast, submit them here. As well, you can now record your messages for us! Please record your message/question in a quiet room and use your phone’s headphones with a built-in mic if possible.

And be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, ...

I was recently asked to answer some questions about phone sex and thought I'd share my thoughts with you on the blog as well. Check out the Q&A and my top tips for dirty talk (on the phone or in-person) below.

If someone wants to have phone sex but feels a little awkward about it, how might they make themselves more comfortable?

• Change your tone and volume. Oftentimes, it’s less about what you say and more about how you say it.
• Try muffling your sounds with your fingers loosely placed over your microphone.
• Lower your voice.
• Speak more slowly.

Ask questions:
 

• What are you doing?
• What do you want to do?
• What do you want to hear?
• How can I please you?

Practice talking dirty in person. And remember that dirty talk can be romantic, playful, teasing, descriptive inquisitive, sweet, ego-stroking and more — it doesn’t always have to be raunchy.

Some additional dirty talk tips from the New Sex Bible:

Start Small. When you’re ready, toss in a few words...

This week we discuss therapy and emotional expression with the mental health practitioner and author of Man, Just Express Yourself, James Harris. He shares advice for those who are resistant to therapy, as well as tips for opening up and getting your loved ones to do the same.

You can order your copy of "Man, Just Express Yourself" and the Cheesy Date Board Game. You can find James' book and board game on his website. And follow his Instagram and YouTube channels to stay up to date with James.

Holidays are coming up, and TSC's Intimately You has holiday prices going on. And you can get an additional 25% off with my code* DRJESS25 - Toys from Lelo, We-Vibe, Romp, and so much more.

If you’ve got questions or topic suggestions for the podcast, submit them here. As well, you can now record your messages for us! Please record your message/question in a quiet room and use your phone’s headphones with a built-in mic if possible.

And be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts...

I was recently asked; about whether or not it’s okay to go to bed angry and I thought I’d share my notes and thoughts from the interview below.

Is there truth behind the phrase “never go to sleep angry at your partner,” or is it a myth? Why?

You may go to sleep angry at times, and that’s okay. Some feelings can be attenuated or soothed in an evening, and others may remain for some time.

The end of the day doesn’t mean a simple wrap-up of your feelings, so you may go to bed feeling upset with one another. But this doesn’t mean that you need to be fully disconnected. Can you still kiss goodnight, hold hands, snuggle or say “I love you” after an unfinished argument? This is important, as positive expressions of love can help offset the potentially negative effects of conflict.

If you are going to sleep without resolving an argument or conflict, can you let your partner know that you’re committed to working on the issue?

For...

Want to give a hotter hand job? Check out our quick tips, and then join us as we switch gears and have a candid discussion with a Hotwife couple, John & Tiffany. They talk about their story -- from high school sweethearts to the parents of two teens — to a very happy couple in the Hotwife lifestyle. They share how they got started and explain why they find Hotwifing so fulfilling — and why you might too!

To stay up to date with Tiffany and John's hotwife lifestyle and with them. You can follow their Instagram.

If this podcast has you intrigued and considering spicing up your sex life, be sure to check out We-Vibe and their extensive list of products. Use promo code DRJESS to save!

You can check the courses mentioned in the podcast on the Happier Couples website. Mind Blowing Oral: Penis Edition and Mind Blowing Oral: Clit Edition .

If you’ve got questions or topic suggestions for the podcast, submit them here. As well, you can now record your messages for...

43 percent of adults say they’ve cheated on their partner…financially. Jess joined Carolyn & Jess of The Morning Show to dive into the topic of financial infidelity.

Check out the discussion (notes and video) below.

What is financial infidelity? 

Some people set the bar for fidelity at a level that most of us can’t live up to. They define financial cheating as anything spending at all that you hide from your partner. Do you sneak in a few clothing items at the grocery store or treat yourself to special edition sneakers and hide the receipts? Some people consider that cheating.

For others, it’s about a secret bank account, undisclosed debt, losses from investments that went wrong. If you’re hiding it, you might consider it cheating.

But the reality is that we’ve likely all covered something up or neglected to mention (AKA lied by omission) some purchases. Sometimes it’s not relevant to your budget or even your relationship because...