Sex has a way of tapping into each of your five senses. Of course, upon first thought, the most obvious sense you might associate with sex is touch. Then sight and taste. But what about hearing? It’s not the most obvious choice, and yet, your sex life could benefit more than you know if you take a moment to listen… in and out of the bedroom.

That’s where the genre of sex and relationships podcasts come in. This isn’t your grandma’s list of podcast recommendations (unless your grandma is sexually liberated and curious about the deeper aspects of sex, in which case, get yours, granny). This is for those who want to build upon their base of sexual knowledge, hear from those who have seen the more taboo side of sex, or just enjoy a good ol’ conversation about doin’ the deed.

From learning about all the sexual opportunities available to explore, to laughing through some naughty storytelling intended to get you in the mood, the world of sex podcasts is only a play button away. Now get to it (with consent!), you dirty animal. These are the best to check out in 2021.


in bed with nick and megan podcast
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In Bed With Nick & Megan

It’s not the most overtly sexual podcast (despite the inherently sexy nature of Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman’s voices), but In Bed with Nick & Megan is always overtly intimate. Literally recorded in their bed, the married celebrity couple get personal and oftentimes sexual about the throes of their relationship. It’s a little bit of everything and a little bit of nothing at the same time. The voices may be familiar, but Mullally and Offerman don’t let their celebrity status get in the way. The conversations they have veer into the often unspoken corners of marriage, sex, and relationships, with the assistance of some of their favorite Hollywood couple guests. —Justin Kirkland

Listen earwolf.com


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Dying for Sex

This podcast from Wondery is hosted by Nikki Boyer and chronicles the life of her friend Molly, who decided, upon being diagnosed with terminal cancer, to upend her whole life. That meant her marriage got nixed, her fears were placed aside, and her sexual consciousness was awakened. The two women have incredibly candid conversations about sex and mortality, while also walking on the wild side of fetishes and kinks. And, again, Molly is doing it all fearlessly as she navigates the impossible diagnosis of stage 4 cancer. In short, Molly shows that there’s really no time like the present. With most episodes coming in at fewer than 45 minutes, it’s a breeze to fit it in. —J.K.

Listen wondery.com


better in bed
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Better in Bed

Sex always seems to come with the caveat that it’s something we shouldn’t be speaking openly about. And if you are speaking openly about it, it should be done in a Very Serious Way. Sara Tang rejects that theory. In Better in Bed, Tang, who is a certified sex coach and educator, dives into all different corners of the sex and sexuality spectrum, fearlessly covering everything from online dating to BDSM. Tang comes off more like a friend and less like some kind of Sexual Guru who is beyond your comprehension. That’s the way sex talk should be, you know? Sex ed shouldn’t be so intimidating. —J.K.

Listen sarasense.com


why are people into that

Why Are People Into That?!

Tina Horn hosts a podcast about the unthinkable. What exactly does that mean? Any sexual fantasy or kink that might throw you for a loop. For the past six years, Horn has featured a bevy of guests discussing everything from porn to BDSM. As the series has grown, the topics have become even more expansive. If Catholicism, cannibalism, and daddies don’t pique your interest, then call the rest of us vanilla. Horn leaves no stones unturned. No, seriously, there may very well be an episode about a stone fetish. Don’t count it out. —J.K.

Listen whyarepeopleintothat.com


gayish

Gayish

Gayish is nearly 200 episodes strong at this point, yet it’s just scratching the surface of what hosts Mike and Kyle set out to do. Each week, they take one gay stereotype and break it apart—everything from gay bandanna culture (look it up… or better yet, listen!) to Dolly Parton and the AIDS epidemic. The two guys leading the charge manage to bring a sense of thoughtfulness along with humor to each topic in weekly episodes, which don't explicitly offer sex advice but certainly run the gamut from flirting and gay tribes to butt plugs and threesomes. You have the pleasure of starting at the beginning or catching up on some of their recent, more polished episodes. —J.K.

Listen gayishpodcast.com


foreplay radio

Foreplay Radio

The long-running podcast from Laurie Watson and George Faller doesn’t come with any gimmicks, so much as it covers every imaginable thing you’d ever need to hear about from a sexual standpoint. Watson, a sex therapist, and Faller, a couples counselor, come together to chat about kinks, sex shame, trauma, masturbation, and more. The library runs deep, if you happen to get attached, but also, if you’re searching for answers on a specific topic (even if it feels strange!), chances are that this duo has covered it. —J.K.

Listen foreplayrst.com


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We Gotta Thing

Hosted by a married couple who has been together for a minute, We Gotta Thing dives into their experiences after adopting a swinging lifestyle. This is an interesting listen for anyone who swings or anyone who might be curious—but don’t expect to have your hand held through your first foray into swinging. Mr. and Mrs. Jones, as the pair calls themselves, are longtime swingers, and they don't waste time on a how-to. Either way, We Gotta Thing isn’t afraid to shrug off judgment for the real conversations about swinging within the confines of a marriage. —J.K.

Listen wegottathing.com


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Dipsea

Not quite as much a podcast as a sexy audiobook service, Dipsea is a startup revolutionizing the way we “get in touch with our erotic selves.” With a wide variety of stories you can browse based on your gender, sexuality, and situation (literally, you can choose situations ranging from “before bed” to “on the bus home”), Dipsea’s mission is to provide the erotic story that best fits your needs at any given moment. The service comes in a paid yearly subscription of around 48 bucks, which comes out to roughly $4 a month. That's not bad considering the money you might give to your favorite podcast's Patreon. And when you can have erotic stories tailored to you and your schedule, it’s a hard deal to beat. —J.K.

Listen dipseastories.com


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Fangasm

If you’ve ever wondered what, say, a lengthier tryst between Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen might have looked like, then Fangasm is a solid place for you to land. What started as a podcast that catered to the wildly popular world of Harry Potter erotic fan fiction (don’t act like it didn’t cross your mind in the later years), Fangasm exploded into something bigger, with its hosts reading erotic fan fiction for some of television and film’s biggest storylines. Curious about what a more explicit telling of Jim and Pam’s relationship might have looked like on The Office? Check out Fangasm. Just don’t tell Michael Scott. You know he’d ruin it. —J.K.

Listen fangasmpodcast.com


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Savage Lovecast

It’s hard to make a "Best Sex Podcasts" list without including Dan Savage’s Savage Lovecast. The author and sex advice columnist has been in the game since 1991, so he has extensive background in the field. But on top of nearly 30 years of sex advice experience, what makes Savage Lovecast so revolutionary is Savage’s ability to stay not only relevant, but on the cutting edge of sex advice. His takes are both wild and deeply empathetic (“Sometimes, I think adultery is better than divorce”). But one thing is certain: No one's going to shoot you straighter (or gayer, depending on the episode) than Savage. —J.K.

Listen savagelovecast.com


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Turn Me On

Turn Me On is hosted by Jeremie and Bryde, who identify as a married, poly couple who don’t mind an adventure. Seriously: Bryde took a three-month trip with her other lover, and the couple billed it as an episode (jokingly) called “We’re Getting a Divorce.” They’re not afraid of anything. While other podcasts on the list might take a more traditional look at sex and marriage, Turn Me On leans in a different direction, with episodes on sex and disability, the gender binary, and plenty of talk about threesomes. It pushes the boundaries of what most people find comfortable while never straying from thoughtful and intelligent conversation. —J.K.

Listen turnmeonpodcast.com


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Sex & Other Human Activities

Sex may not be the topic you’re most comfortable discussing. Sex & Other Human Activities dares to ask why. Yeah, there’s plenty of sex talk on this podcast hosted by Marcus Parks and Jackie Zebrowski, but more importantly, the duo covers the kinds of things that can get in the way of sex—everything from pressure from those around us to full-on anxiety. While other podcasts stay focused on the physicality, Sex & Other Human Activities has a special (and usually hilarious) way of discussing what makes us tick while we’re on the path to the bedroom. —J.K

Listen lastpodcastnetwork.com


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The Manwhore Podcast

"For some strange reason, my listeners seem to like knowing where my dick has been," said host Billy Procida, who had recently broken up with his girlfriend. "And right now it's covered in tears and whiskey." Procida started the podcast because, in his words, "Women would sleep with me but not date me, and I wanted to find out why." He decided to make a show out of erotic post-mortems and ex-girlfriend interviews. But Procida is more than a self-proclaimed slut; he's a thoughtful guy who chooses fresh, current topics, like what it's like to be transgender and dating, or a porn copywriter. His show is equal parts smart and bro-ey. One memorable encounter was his interview with a happy ending masseuse—conducted while getting a handjob. —Breena Kerr

Listen manwhorepod.com


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The Heart

In the words of producers Phoebe Wang and Mitra Kaboli, The Heart makes documentaries "with immersive performances and sound design that makes you feel like you've walked into a magic dream world." And each episode of this gorgeously made show does sound like art. More than that, the entirely sincere podcast plants you firmly in someone else's life, guided by diverse voices; all the staff members are queer, women of color, or both. The award-winning piece "Mariya" follows a Pakistani woman exploring her sexuality in the wake of genital mutilation. "Love, Harry" is about what happens when you fall in love with your best friend. According to show producers, the podcast is primarily recorded in host Kaitlin Prest's soundproofed bedroom closet. Maybe that's where the show gets its homey feel. —B.K.

Listen theheartradio.com


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Sex Talk with My Mom

This podcast was born when Cam Poter, a comic, realized that his best jokes were about his mom and the sex advice YouTube show she had started. So mother and son joined forces, first to help Cam with his dating life, then to help listeners. A few years later, it isn't any less uncomfortable. "The other day a phone sex operator had an orgasm on the phone with us over Skype," Cam said. "It was very awkward." Despite the discomfort, the tone remains honest and kind. It's clear that Cam can't bullshit his mom, even with the most X-rated topics. —B.K.

Listen sextalkwithmymom.com


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Bawdy Storytelling

"People call us The Moth for pervs," host Dixie De La Tour, a self-proclaimed sexual folklorist, said. Captured from live performances on the West Coast, these true sex stories from "regular" people are, in turns, side-achingly funny, illuminating, and touching. Entire episodes cover themes like "Bottoms Up!," "Cuckolds R Us," and "Leather Celebration." They are also just damn good stories; De La Tour has been hosting the show for more than 10 years, and she's a pro. "I want every single person in the audience to relate to something in each story," she said. "These are stories that don't fade out like the movies." —B.K.

Listen bawdystorytelling.com


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Sex with Strangers

Wanderlusty in the best way, Sex with Strangers is a travel podcast for the sex and sociology inclined. More than the others, this show explores a shared human experience through various cultural lenses. Episodes follow host Chris Sowa around the world while he looks into geo-specific and universal sexual mores. In Episode One, he travels to Tokyo and scours the city for its elusive used underwear vending machines. Then he heads out to Laramie, Wyoming, to interview a former minister who's using the gay sex app Grindr, and Mumbai, India, to talk with a trans woman and sex worker named Jasmine. More sex-centered globe trotting follows. —B.K.

Listen sexwithstrangers.com


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Risk

"We have a built-in psychology for when we sense someone is being authentic and telling the truth … They're opening up, and so we open up," host Kevin Allison once said in an interview. This podcast is all about those stories—the ones that feel risky, vulnerable, and scary to tell—and each has the quality of a curated fireside tale. In the "Getting to Know You" episode, for instance, one comedian recounts how joining FetLife (a social network for BDSM and kink) and taking a professional domming class helped her overcome her self-consciousness around men. Heartfelt and hilarious, this one is a treasure for road trips. —B.K.

Listen risk-show.com


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Celestial Sex

If you grew up religious and found yourself constantly questioning dogmatic rules and inexplicable mores about sex, this show provides some catharsis. As host Chris Duce, who was brought up Mormon, said, "I'm making the podcast that I wish I had when I was 15." Duce reflects on growing up on a weird mix of Mormon teachings—i.e. being gay is a mental illness, premarital sex is forbidden, and it's a sin to give blowjobs ever—while secretly listening to Loveline at night. Duce also expanded his range and began interviewing guests who grew up in other strictly religious environments. It's rare for a podcast to combine sexuality with religion. This one does it well. —B.K.

Listen libsyn.com


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Guys We Fucked

Brash, bold, and unapologetic, comedians Krystyna Hutchinson and Corinne Fisher use this podcast to interview guys they've slept with and riff off one another about sex. In one episode, for instance, the duo tackled a question that has long plagued women: "Can I Smoke Blunts With My Pussy?" Unlike other long-running weekly podcasts, the podcast doesn't waste time on mindless news-of-the-day chatter. It's fresh, geared to make you smarter, or make you laugh, or both. If you've ever wished for boisterous, rollicking friends to hang out with every week, this is your show. —B.K.

Listen luminarypodcasts.com


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My Dad Wrote a Porno

Bad porn, great British accents, and one man's fearless descent into his father's sexual fantasies are all encapsulated in My Dad Wrote a Porno. When host Jamie Morton learned that his dad had ventured into the world of self-published erotica, he decided to make a podcast devoted to dissecting it, in all its terrible glory. Although listening to one episode of this podcast might be enough—the parent-child dynamic is on the verge of being over-done—its humor makes it one of the greats. Side-cramping laughter guaranteed. —B.K.

Listen mydadwroteaporno.com

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