EP443 - Somebody Hold Me: Single and Touch Starved

EP443 - Somebody Hold Me: Single and Touch Starved

Author: Dr. Nazanin Moali, Ph.D, Psychology of Sex | Couple Therapy | Sex Education June 17, 2025 Duration: 46:04

Welcome to Episode 443 of the Sexology Podcast! Today I'm excited to be joined by Epiphany Jordan who speaks to me about  the essential role of nonsexual, nurturing touch in our lives and how it intersects with wellness, relationships, and even trauma recovery.

 

In this rich and deeply personal conversation, Epiphany shares her journey from studying sacred sexuality to creating structured touch experiences aimed at fostering connection and healing. We explore the cultural, religious, and psychological factors that shape how we experience touch, especially in societies where physical affection is often conflated with sexuality. 


Epiphany Jordan, MPH, CPH, is on a mission to rebrand human touch. From 2013-2020, she provided platonic touch therapy in a ritualized setting with her business, the Austin-based Karuna Sessions. She is also the author of Somebody Hold Me: The Single Person's Guide to Nurturing Human Touch. Somebody Hold Me addresses the touch deficit singles face, and offers multiple solutions. She has appeared on several podcasts discussing human touch, and spoke about solving loneliness with human touch at Austin’s SXSW Interactive Festival in 2019. In 2023, she completed her Master of Public Health with a concentration in Social Marketing from the University of South Florida, and researched rebranding human touch as part of her program.


In this episode, you will hear:


·      Why Touch Is A Mammalian And Biological Need

·      How Nonsexual Touch Can Heal Emotional Wounds

·      Cultural And Religious Impacts On How We View Touch

·      The Problem With Conflating Touch And Sex

·      The “Branding Problem” Of Physical Touch In Society

·      Four Reimagined Touch Archetypes For Modern Relationships

·      How Touch Supports Trauma Healing And Psychedelic Integration

·      Structured Ways To Practice Safe, Intentional Touch

·      The Four S’s Framework: Safe, Slow, Specific, Structured

·      Why Asking For Touch Can Be A Radical Act Of Vulnerability

 

Thanks to our sponsor Promescent! Enhance your confidence and elevate your partner's pleasure. Go HERE to save 15% off your first order.

 

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Podcast Produced by Vaudeo Productions



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Curiosity about human sexuality is universal, yet finding grounded, evidence-based conversations can be surprisingly difficult. That’s where Sexology comes in. Hosted by clinical psychologist and sex therapist Dr. Nazanin Moali, this weekly series moves beyond sensationalism and stigma to bring you thoughtful dialogues with leading experts, researchers, and therapists. Each episode delves into the nuanced psychology of sex, intimacy, and relationships, translating complex findings into relatable insights. You’ll hear conversations that address the questions many ponder but hesitate to voice, covering everything from desire and communication to the science of pleasure and emotional connection. Dr. Moali’s background in both couple therapy and sex education ensures these discussions are both academically rigorous and deeply practical. Rather than offering quick fixes, this podcast provides a compassionate space to understand the multifaceted nature of our sexual selves. Tuning in feels like gaining access to a candid, confidential forum where nothing is off-limits and everything is examined with respect and intellectual curiosity. For anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of personal or relational dynamics, Sexology offers a trusted, enlightening resource that demystifies the complexities of human sexuality through a scientific and therapeutic lens.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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