{"podcast":{"title":"Sex For Couples with Heather Shannon","slug":"sex-for-couples-with-heather-shannon-5845078","podcast_index_feed_id":5845078,"rss_url":"https://feeds.captivate.fm/ask-a-sex-therapist-with-heather-shannon/","website_url":"https://heathershannon.co/podcast/","image_url":"https://artwork.captivate.fm/dcbb0239-9ee5-409e-8b0d-71903234ff7d/Sex-For-Couples-Podcast-Tile-2k-Square-Pixels.jpg","author":"Heather Shannon","episode_count":184,"summary":"Sex For Couples is a podcast for committed couples who feel stressed, guilty, or frustrated about their sex life—and want to feel excited, close, and playful again. New episodes are released every Monday. Hosted by Heather Shannon, an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist with 19 years of experience as a counselor and coach, the show breaks down the emotional and psychological reasons intimacy fades and what actually helps couples reconnect. Heather has been featured on BloomTV and quoted in Cosmopolitan, Women’s Health, SELF, Glamour, and more. She is a Gottman-trained couples counselor, an Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapist and has spent 13 years as a practicing Buddhist. Through both solo and guest episodes, Sex For Couples offers approachable advice, open conversations, and helpful tools so couples can communicate better about sex, reduce shame and stigma, and enjoy rediscovering each other. This podcast isn’t about performance or perfection—it’s about helping couples stop overthinking sex and start having fun with it again. For more on Heather's work, visit HeatherShannnon.co. NOTE: This show was formerly called \"Ask A Sex Therapist with Heather Shannon\" and was renamed on Vale…","last_synced_at":"2026-07-13T10:20:21.504059+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/sex-for-couples-with-heather-shannon-5845078"},"episode":{"title":"Why Non-Monogamy Can Save Your Relationship","slug":"why-non-monogamy-can-save-your-relationship","published_at":"2026-04-20T05:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/sex-for-couples-with-heather-shannon-5845078/why-non-monogamy-can-save-your-relationship","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/sex-for-couples-with-heather-shannon-5845078","url":"https://heathershannon.co/podcast/","audio_url":"https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/episodes.captivate.fm/episode/8ce7e8b5-5a3d-44ce-bceb-5acc60715324.mp3","summary":"Non-monogamy is usually seen as something that destroys relationships. But what if, in some cases, it can actually save them? In this episode, I’m talking with a non-monogamy expert about a perspective that challenges everything most couples have been taught about love, sex, and commitment. We explore how Ethical Non-Monogamy (ENM) and Consensual Non-Monogamy (CNM) can sometimes be a more honest and sustainable way to navigate real relationship challenges—especially when it comes to mismatched libidos , unmet needs, and resentment. This isn’t about telling you to open your relationship. It’s about helping you think more clearly about: What you actually need What your partner can realistically provide And what options exist beyond the default model of monogamy We also get into: Why expecting one person to meet all your needs can create pressure and disconnection How resentment builds when sexual needs go unmet The difference between choosing monogamy vs defaulting into it How people navigate open relationships , polyamory , and other forms of non-monogamy The role of honesty, communication, and emotional security in polyamorous relationships Why some couples explore swinging , swingers communities , or other forms of shared sexual experiences The emotional realities (not just the fantasy) of ethical non-monogamy We also talk about the different roles partners can play—and why one person often can’t be everything for you over time. Whether you’re firmly monogamous, curious about ENM , or somewhere in between, this episode will give you a new lens on relationships, desire, and what it actually means to get your needs met. 🔗 Links & Resources Take the quiz: Discover what’s really causing your intimacy issues 👉 https://TheBetterBedroom.com Request a consultation for Hea…","meta_description":"Non-monogamy is usually seen as something that destroys relationships. But what if, in some cases, it can actually save them? In this episode, I’m talking…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":3192,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/sex-for-couples-with-heather-shannon-5845078/episodes/why-non-monogamy-can-save-your-relationship/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/sex-for-couples-with-heather-shannon-5845078/why-non-monogamy-can-save-your-relationship.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}