Come As You Are

Pushkin Industries

Educator and bestselling author Dr. Emily Nagoski answers questions about sex with the latest science. The eight-part series is a modern guide to sexual wellbeing, backed by groundbreaking research about desire, anatomy, orgasm and much more. In conversation with her producer, Mo, Dr. Nagoski debunks cultural myths and flips the script on everything you thought you knew about sex and sexuality. Come As You Are will help you unlock your most pleasurable life, in the bedroom and beyond.

New episodes drop on Wednesdays.

Lead production by Monique LaBorde.

Come As You Are is produced by Pushkin Industries and Madison Wells.

Show art by Sofie Birkin.

To hear episodes a week early and ads free, subscribe to Pushkin+ in Apple Podcasts or at pushkin.fm/plus.

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Our Editor's Take

Come As You Are offers listeners a new way to understand their bodies, minds, and hearts. Host Dr. Emily Nagoski wants people to have good sex. This podcast shares extensive research on having a positive relationship with sexuality. Each episode answers listener questions on the science of pleasure. Due to the sexual content, parental discretion is advised.

As a sex educator, Dr. Nagoski teaches people how to live in their bodies with joy. This podcast comes from Come As You Are: The Surprising New Science That Will Transform Your Sex Life. Her 2015 study helped to revolutionize how women, in particular, think of sex. The book analyzes how women's bodies work. Unlike men, women don't have a pill that primes them for sexual encounters. Women's bodies don't work the same way. Each woman is distinct, and her sexual responses and pleasure will vary from another's. A woman's daily life influences her ability to become aroused and achieve orgasm. One of the most important lessons is that how women feel about sex is essential to their experience. Dr. Nagoski bases all these findings on years of scientific exploration.

In Come As You Are, she teaches listeners about the practice of confidence and pleasure. The podcast host answers a central question-what does better sex mean? Callers receive help with shame, self-love, and reconnection with their partners. One listener wants to know why she can't have orgasms. Another wants to know why he doesn't feel aroused at the same time as his girlfriend. A man feels insecure about his anatomy. In one vital episode, Adrienne Maree Brown joins the podcast to reveal how to make connecting with pleasure something people do every day.

People learn much about sex from television, movies, books, and popular music. But these lessons can be harmful and inhibit a person's ability to experience joy in their body. Dr. Nagoski educates people today on what it means to have a fulfilling sex life. Listeners can call the Come As You Are hotline or leave a voicemail to get featured on the podcast. Their new sex doctor is ready to answer.

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Society & CultureSociety & Culture
EducationEducation
Health & FitnessHealth & Fitness
Self-ImprovementSelf-Improvement
SexualitySexuality

Episodes

Consent and "Enthusiastic Maybe"
Dec 21 2022
Consent and "Enthusiastic Maybe"
This week, Emily answers a question from her producer, Mo, about consent. Mo and her girlfriend are considering a new sexual experience but they’re not both an “enthusiastic yes” on the idea. Mo’s girlfriend joins the conversation, and they delve into the idea of “enthusiastic maybe” in consent and how to handle all the comfortable, joyful, and consensual “maybes” that can come up in sex. A heads up before listening: in this conversation, we touch on difficult topics such as coercion and manipulation in sex. If this episode brings up some feelings for you, check out our resources below. If you have a question for Emily, call the Come As You Are hotline at (646) 397-8557‬ or send a voice memo to emily@pushkin.fm. Tell us your pronouns and pseudonym (pick a name, any name!) Your question might be answered on the show.    ADDITIONAL RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:  “ACE: What Asexuality Reveals About Desire Society” by Angela Chen  Emily learned the language of “willing consent” from Suzanne Iasenza For more on “human givers” and “human winners” read “Burnout”  Emily’s Tiktok  Emily’s definition of consent: “Everyone is glad to be there and free to leave with no unwanted consequences. Plus, there is no unwanted pain.”   CONSENT AND SURVIVOR RESOURCES:  RAINN on consent and information for sexual assault survivors  National Sexual Violence Resource Center Me Too Movement Resource Library   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.