It’s time for us to have deeper discussions about intimacy.
In recent years, topics once considered indecorous have become more normalised, with the rise of the internet, social media and the work of sex positivity advocates pushing discourse about sex and relationships into mainstream cultural conversations. But while we as a society may be more comfortable with explicit song lyrics and suggestive memes than we were two decades ago, when it comes to intimacy, there is still a lot that goes unsaid and many questions left unanswered.
Related: Why Can’t I Orgasm?
Award-winning psycho-sexologist and relationship expert, Chantelle Otten, sought to tackle these remaining taboos in her Audible Original podcast, Sex Therapy: Sessions With Chantelle Otten. In the series, Chantelle invites listeners inside her therapy room during real conversations with anonymous clients.
Sex Therapy is back for a second season and Audible and Chantelle are celebrating with two evenings of dinner conversation in Sydney and Melbourne. Cosmo had the opportunity to experience this unique dinner experience before it comes to the public. Throughout each event hosted by Chantelle, guests will not only enjoy a delicious three-course meal from a one-hatted restaurant, but are invited to open up with their tablemates about a range of intimate topics. With each course comes a question—designed to provoke thought and conversation about not just sex and relationships, but intimacy, and what that means to them.
If you’re hoping to open up conversations about intimacy with friends or partners in your own life, these prompts could be a great place to start.
Related: The A-Spot Is the Erogenous Zone That Can Revolutionise Your Sex Life
What ingredients help you set the mood?
While yes, aphrodisiacs do exist, Chantelle encourages guests to think about ingredients in a metaphorical sense. Consider what goes into helping you get in the mood—it could be as simple as spending quality time together.
How do you prioritise pleasure
As Chantelle explains to guests on the evening, the concept of pleasure is fluid. Consider and unpack the dynamics in your relationships. Think about what brings you pleasure; do you prefer to receive pleasure, or maybe you get pleasure from giving it to someone else? Is pleasure a priority and if so, how do you make it one? If not, would you like it to be?
When the spark disappears, how can you reignite desire?
This is a great conversation starter as it brings you back to considering what made you feel that desire in the first place. Top tip: Pondering the two questions above might be helpful in navigating this one.
Hungry for more? In Sex Therapy: Sessions With Chantelle Otten Season 2, Chantelle goes deep with clients on a broad range of topics relating to sex, dating and everything in between.
Listen to ‘Sex Therapy 2: Sessions with Chantelle Otten,’ only on Audible here.
You can purchase a ticket to Intimacy, Served Melbourne here and Sydney here.
