Juno with Dr. Gretchen Sisson: Rom-Com Vom

Juno with Dr. Gretchen Sisson: Rom-Com Vom

Author: Danielle Bezalel, MPH: Sex Educator | Pleasure Expert February 5, 2025 Duration: 50:54

Juno is arguably the most well-known depiction of adoption in pop culture... but what messages does it really send about relinquishment, teen pregnancy, and reproductive justice? Is adoption truly the "perfect alternative" to abortion as Juno would have us believe, or does this charmingly complicated 2007 film gloss over the realities of birth mothers and family separation?

This week, we're joined by Dr. Gretchen Sisson, sociologist and author of Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood, to break down Juno's thorny politics on choice, motherhood, and adoption.

GUEST DETAILS
Gretchen Sisson, Ph.D., is a qualitative sociologist studying abortion and adoption at Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health (ANSIRH) in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences at University of California, San Francisco. Her research was cited in the Supreme Court's dissent in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. She is the author of Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood.

CONNECT WITH US
Instagram: @sexedwithdbpodcast
TikTok: @sexedwithdb
Twitter: @sexedwithdb
Threads: @sexedwithdbpodcast
YouTube: Sex Ed with DB

ROM-COM VOM SEASON 11 SPONSORS:

Lion's DenUberlubeMagic Wand, & Arya.
Get discounts on all of DB's favorite things here!

GET IN TOUCH
Email: sexedwithdb@gmail.com
Subscribe to our newsletter for behind-the-scenes content and answers to your sexual health questions!

FOR SEXUAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
Check out DB's workshop: "Building A Profitable Online Sexual Health Brand"

ABOUT THE SHOW
Sex Ed with DB is your go-to podcast for smart, science-backed sex education—delivering trusted insights from top experts on sex, sexuality, and pleasure. Empowering, inclusive, and grounded in real science, it's the sex ed you've always wanted.

SEASON 11 TEAM
Creator, Host & Executive Producer: Danielle Bezalel (DB)
Producer: Sadie Lidji
Communications Lead: Cathren Cohen
Marketing Coordinator: Alex Bateman
Logo Design: Evie Plumb (@cliterallythebest)


You have questions about pleasure, intimacy, and your own body that feel too complex or awkward to ask out loud. Sex Ed with DB: smart, science-backed sex education is the space where those questions are not only welcomed but explored with depth and clarity. Hosted by Danielle Bezalel (DB), a sex educator with a Masters in Public Health, this podcast moves beyond basic biology to address the real, often unspoken, aspects of our sexual lives. Each episode is built on a foundation of credible research and compassionate insight, dismantling the myths and shame that so often accompany these topics. You’ll hear DB in conversation with leading experts, therapists, and researchers, translating their knowledge into practical advice you can actually use. Whether it’s navigating communication with a partner, understanding your own desires more fully, or simply seeking a more confident and joyful connection to your sexuality, this series provides a trustworthy guide. The tone is direct, inclusive, and refreshingly free of judgment, meeting you exactly where you are in your personal journey. Tune in for a re-education that focuses not on what’s wrong, but on what’s possible for a more fulfilling and informed intimate life.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Sex Ed with DB: smart, science-backed sex education
Podcast Episodes
Can weed make sex better? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:51
Can weed actually make sex better? And what does the science have to say about it? This week, DB breaks down what the research really says about cannabis, desire, arousal, and orgasms. We're talking sexy highs, not-so-se…
What do I need to know about my hormones? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:31
What's the deal with hormones, anyway? DB breaks down how they impact your sex life, mood, energy, and overall health. Learn what's normal, what's not, and how to better understand what your body's telling you. Mentioned…
How can I have multiple orgasms? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:34
Can you really come again… and again… and again? Hell yes you can! DB is here to break down the science of multiple orgasms and what actually helps make it happen (hint: it's not just willpower). Mentioned in this ep: Th…
20 Types of Orgasms with Goody Howard [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:41
DB sits down with sexologist and educator Goody Howard, MSW, MPH to shake up everything you thought you knew about orgasms. From 20+ ways to come (yes, 20!) to the cultural myths that shut us down, they're talking about…
What do I do if my partner and I have mismatched libidos? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:48
Coping with mismatched libidos in your partnership? You are sooo not alone! DB breaks down why desire isn't just a switch you can flip, how stress and hormones play a role, and offers some evidence-based advice about wha…
Initiating Sex with Confidence with Whitni Miller [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:35
Initiating sex can feel vulnerable, awkward, or even downright scary—especially if you were socialized to anticipate everyone else's needs before your own. This week, DB is joined by the one and only Whitni Miller (aka B…
How do I talk to my partner about using sex toys together? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:33
DB breaks down how to talk to your partner about bringing sex toys into the bedroom to get more pleasure. She shares stats on who's using sex toys, why queer couples are ahead of the game, and easy ways to start the conv…
1,000 people masturbated for science with Dr. Candice Nicole Hargons [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:40
Season 12 is all about PLEASURE and we're kicking things off with a juicy one! This week, DB is joined by Dr. Candice Nicole Hargons—licensed psychologist, sex researcher, and pleasure activist—to talk about what happene…