College can often be a place where young people truly discover their sexuality, kinks and other things they like in the bedroom. It can be scary, but it can also exhilarating. And some people might feel a little shy at times to talk about this kind of stuff.
As I say every week, there’s a podcast to help with that. Sexy podcasts. BDSM podcasts. There are even a few new terms I didn’t even know about I learned reviewing these pods — somatica practitioners exist, for example.
So feel free to dive under the covers and pop in your earbuds to listen to a few of these:
“Sexplanations”
This podcast is actually an extension of a YouTube channel by the same name, hosted by the same person, Dr. Lindsey Doe.
In terms of educational value, this podcast is excellent. The topics Doe talks about with her guests range from “masturbation’s role in the Bible” to “what a sexologist is,” and the breadth of knowledge that flows from the conversation is really fascinating.
At times, the podcast feels merely like an extension of Doe's YouTube show with an added interview thrown in. The production value can be lackluster, as some of the guests clearly sound like they were “Skyped in,” with Doe trying to make it appear like an in-person interview.
Rating: 3 out of 5 earbuds
“Sex with Strangers”
Chicago comedian Chris Sowa is trying to make the “This American Life” of sex podcasts. And I think it’s working.
Sowa travels the world delving into topics such as sex among disabled couples, the porn industry and sex therapy. His storytelling throughout his show almost has the style in what would be between an NPR news story and a “This American Life” episode: very informative, but also very revealing about the human condition.
And he doesn’t just interview people over the phone. He travels to places like London and throughout the U.S. to talk with people in-person, and the quality of the narrative is vastly improved because of that in-person experience.
My only critique is that Sowa’s narration can be a tad awkward and clumsy at times. It sounds like he’s narrating the podcast on a tightrope, for some strange reason.
Rating: 4 out of 5 earbuds
“Swingercast”
The life of a swinger couple is pretty wild. And for the couple, John and Allie, that hosts this podcast, they tell all.
This podcast probably more closely resembles erotica than an educational podcast like “Sexplanations,” as the hosts get into really, really specific detail about their sexual adventures with other people (most recently in New Orleans).
The two also speak both in low, raspy voices as they talk, which I think they were doing to add a more sensual nature to the podcast, but it just comes off as a bit humorous and melodramatic to me.
But if you're interested in getting a sneak peek into “swinger” culture, this pod will do.
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Liam Niemeyer is a senior studying journalism at Ohio University’s Honors Tutorial College. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Do you turn on the sexy pods for sexy times? Let Liam know by tweeting him @liamniemeyer.
