EP471 - Intimacy and Desire: A Guide to Finding Connection

EP471 - Intimacy and Desire: A Guide to Finding Connection

Author: Dr. Nazanin Moali, Ph.D, Psychology of Sex | Couple Therapy | Sex Education December 30, 2025 Duration: 34:09

Welcome to Episode 471 of the Sexology Podcast! Today I am excited to be joined by Ita O’Brien, who speaks to me about intimacy coordination, embodied consent, and creating safety and authenticity in intimate storytelling.


In this episode, I sit down with Ita to discuss what an intimacy coordinator actually does and why this role has become so essential in film, television, and theatre. We talk about how intimacy coordination brings structure, clarity, and care to intimate scenes, not only to protect performers, but to serve the story, the characters, and the creative vision. 


Ita O’Brien is an intimacy coordinator and movement director for film, television, and theater. For more than a decade, she has been developing “intimacy on set” guidelines: best practices for working on scenes with sexual content and nudity in film, TV, and theater. O’Brien pioneered the role of intimacy coordinator, which is used in production companies including HBO and Netflix. Her work has been featured in publications such as The Guardian, The New York Times, and NBC. She’s contributed to the intimate content praised in shows such as Normal People, Sex Education, and I May Destroy You.


In this episode, you will hear:

 

·      What An Intimacy Coordinator Does

·      Creating Safety On Set

·      Consent As A Creative Foundation

·      Embodiment And Somatic Awareness

·      Choreographing Intimate Scenes

·      Anatomy And Authentic Storytelling

·      Power Dynamics And Character Choice

·      Training And Professional Standards

·      Emotional Safety In Long Term Relationships

·      Bringing Intimacy Practices Into Daily Life


Thank you to our sponsor Filthy Milfs! Your podcast lineup is about to get filthy. Get ready for a completely uncensored, outspoken, dirty-minded, and eye-opening look from the most adventurous milfs on the block, Ellen Ancui and Sophie Levine. They're filthy. They're milfy. And they’re waiting for you on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you catch your favorite podcasts.


Get your FREE Sex Bucket List


Book an Appointment with Dr. Moali

 

Spice Up Your Social Media Feed AND Your Sex Life: Follow Us On Instagram

 

Podcast Produced by Vaudeo Productions

 



Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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: 50

Sexology
Podcast Episodes
EP507 - Should You Have Sex When You're Not in the Mood? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:14
Should you have sex when you’re not in the mood? You should never feel pressured or obligated to have sex, but you may not need to wait for spontaneous desire before beginning to connect. Writer and speaker Caroline Hood…
EP504 - Why Emotionally Unavailable People Feel So Irresistible [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:29
Welcome to Episode 504 of the Sexology Podcast! Today I am excited to welcome back Dr. Richard Espinoza, who speaks to me about how attachment styles shape our dating patterns, relationships, and sexual connections.In th…
EP503 - Why So Many People Secretly Want to Let Go of Control [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:12
Welcome to Episode 503 of the Sexology Podcast! Today I am excited to be joined by Midori who speaks to me about exploring kink, dominance, submission, and finding authentic ways to embrace our desires.In this episode, I…
EP500 - What 500 Conversations About Sex Taught Me [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:29
Welcome to Episode 500 of the Sexology Podcast! Today, I am excited to be joined by some of my most memorable guests, who speak to me about the biggest lessons on pleasure, desire, intimacy, and connection from the past…
EP499 - You Don't Have a Low Libido. Here's What's Really Happening [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:51
Welcome to Episode 499 of the Sexology Podcast! Today I am excited to be joined by Dr. Michelle Sands, who speaks to me about the connection between hormones, stress, the nervous system, and women’s sexual desire.In this…
EP498 - What Women Really Mean When They Want a Man to "Take Charge" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:52
Welcome to Episode 498 of the Sexology Podcast! Today I am excited to be joined by Amanda Dames who speaks to me about soft dom dynamics, masculinity, and communication in kink.In this episode Amanda and I discuss what i…