Jennifer Zamparelli hosts the ‘Just Between Us’ podcast.
We’ve fought for equality at work and in pay, but between the sheets? The stats are still stuck in the dark ages. Straight men are orgasming far more often than straight women and for plenty of us, that “orgasm gap” feels less like a statistic and more like a personal biography.
In this episode, Jennifer is joined by Alix Fox – writer, broadcaster and script consultant on the hit Netflix series Sex Education to unpack why that gap exists and what we can do about it. From the way we talk (or don’t talk) about women’s pleasure, to how badly the clitoris has been ignored in medical research, Alix explains why so many women struggle to climax with a partner, even when they can reach orgasm quickly on their own.
They talk about widening our idea of what “sex” actually is, moving away from just penetration as the main event and towards a much richer definition of intimacy, touch and pleasure. Alix shares practical ways to get more comfortable communicating in and out of the bedroom, from having the tricky chats on a walk rather than under the duvet, to trying “bossy massage” and blindfolds as a gentle entry point into saying what you actually want.
There’s a look at sex toys too – from vibrator anxiety to choosing between gentle starters and heavy-duty wands. Alix and Jennifer talk about why the orgasm gap is really a pleasure gap, and how easing the pressure makes more room for play and connection.
Just Between Us is an Irish Independent podcast hosted by Jennifer Zamparelli. New episodes every Thursday, wherever you get your podcasts.