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: 100

Sexology
Podcast Episodes
EP487 - When Desire Fades: Exploring the Hidden Reasons [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:03
Welcome to episode 487 of the Sexology Podcast! Today, I am excited to be joined by Courtney Faye Long, who speaks to me about understanding and resolving lost desire in long-term relationships. In this episode, we talk…
EP486 - Beyond Impulse: Understanding Out-of-Control Sexual Behaviors [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:11
Welcome to Episode 486 of the Sexology Podcast! Today I am excited to be joined by Juliane Maxwald who speaks to me about understanding our sexual symptoms as deeper unconscious communications. In this episode, we talk a…
EP485 - How to Give an Amazing Blowjob [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:29
Welcome to Episode 485 of the Sexology Podcast! Today I am excited to be joined by Sienna Sinclaire, who speaks to me about the art of oral sex and navigating the mental blocks that often surround it. In this episode, we…
EP484 - Understanding Bisexuality: When Your Wife Loves Women Too [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:16
Welcome to Episode 484 of the Sexology Podcast! Today I am excited to be joined by Genevieve Lejeune, who speaks to me about the evolution of sexual identity and the importance of creating safe spaces for exploration. In…
EP482 - Your Sexual Nervous System and Stages of Foreplay [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:25
Welcome to Episode 482 of the Sexology Podcast! Today I am excited to be joined by Jessica Idoine who speaks to me about the role of the nervous system in erotic connection and how couples can move from the stress of dai…
EP481 - Kink Curious: Play Without Shame [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:24
Welcome to Episode 481 of the Sexology Podcast! I'm thrilled to have Gigi Engle join me today as she talks about kink, how it's frequently misinterpreted, and how people can explore their desires with open communication,…
EP480 - The Impact of GLP-1’s and ED: Helpful or Hurtful [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:25
Welcome to Episode 480 of the Sexology Podcast! Today I am excited to be joined by Dr. Taylor P. Kohn who speaks to me about the impact of GLP-1 receptor agonists on sexual health and erectile function.In this episode, w…
EP479 - Contempt and Distance: The Silent Bedroom Killer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:41
Welcome to Episode 479 of the Sexology Podcast! Today I am excited to be joined by Zach Brittle who speaks to me about negative sentiment override and how relationship dynamics shape our erotic connection. In this episod…
EP478 - Your Sex Life: Before & After Children [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:48
Welcome to Episode 478 of the Sexology Podcast! Today I am excited to be joined by EJ and Tarah Kerwin who speak to me about sex and parenting, how becoming parents reshaped their intimacy, desire, and how they maintain…