Good Sex @NYU

What resources do students actually have access to through NYU Wasserman?

In this final episode of Season 4, Danielle Elleman and the NYU Wasserman career team discuss the wide range of support available to students, from one-on-one coaching and mock interviews to networking events, career fairs, experiential learning opportunities, and resources for international students navigating the job search.

They also discuss how students can start building experience earlier than they think, why career development begins long before graduation, and how Wasserman support continues even after students graduate!

💬 Have questions or want to talk about your career 👉 reach out to⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wasserman Center for Career Development⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Need mental health support? Call NYU’s Wellness Exchange at (212) 443-9999, available 24/7.

What happens when you finally get the offer… and then realize you have to negotiate?

In this episode, Danielle and the NYU Wasserman career team break down the parts of the job search students are rarely taught — from salary conversations and handling multiple offers to understanding benefits, start dates, and workplace flexibility.

They also discuss how to evaluate an offer beyond just salary, how to advocate for yourself professionally, and why knowing your own priorities matters before signing anything.

💬 Have questions or want to talk about your career 👉 reach out to⁠⁠⁠⁠Wasserman Center for Career Development⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Need mental health support? Call NYU’s Wellness Exchange at (212) 443-9999, available 24/7.

In this episode, Danielle Elleman continues the conversation with career development experts from the NYU Wasserman Center to talk about the transition into the professional world. From workplace expectations and communication styles to asking questions and navigating professionalism across generations, this conversation addresses the realities of starting something new.

They also discuss the pressure to “already know everything,” why enthusiasm and adaptability matter so much early on, and how long it actually takes to feel comfortable in a role. Plus, an important reminder: your first job does not have to be your forever job!

💬 Have questions or want to talk about your career 👉 reach out to⁠⁠⁠⁠Wasserman Center for Career Development⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Need mental health support? Call NYU’s Wellness Exchange at (212) 443-9999, available 24/7.

What actually makes a workplace feel healthy — and can you tell during the interview process?

In this episode, Danielle, Kate, and Victoria discuss how students can assess company culture, notice red flags, and trust their instincts during interviews. They share why your first job may teach you more than any online review, how workplace culture can vary across teams and roles, and the subtle cues that reveal a company’s environment before you even accept the offer.

The conversation also explores interview body language, confidence, enthusiasm, virtual interview presence, and how to present the strongest version of yourself without losing authenticity.

💬 Have questions or want to talk about your career 👉 reach out to⁠⁠⁠Wasserman Center for Career Development⁠⁠⁠.

Need mental health support? Call NYU’s Wellness Exchange at (212) 443-9999, available 24/7.

Interviews can feel high pressure, especially when you think every answer has to sound polished. Join Danielle Elleman, Kate Rockey-Harris , and Victoria Dimonica as they discuss how to show curiosity, genuine interest in a role, and how to navigate interview nerves with more confidence.

Learn practical interview skills including how to recover when your mind goes blank, how to ask thoughtful questions, and why thank-you emails actually matter. 

A practical and reassuring conversation for anyone trying to feel more confident (and more human) during the interview process!

💬 Have questions or want to talk about your career 👉 reach out to⁠⁠Wasserman Center for Career Development⁠⁠.

Need mental health support? Call NYU’s Wellness Exchange at (212) 443-9999, available 24/7.

In this part of the conversation, Danielle Elleman and NYU career experts, Kate Rockey-Harris and Victoria Dimonica, share practical interview advice for students navigating nerves, awkward pauses, and high-pressure interview moments. They discuss what to do if you go blank mid-answer, whether it’s okay to acknowledge anxiety in the room, why bringing a notebook can actually help, and how your interview begins long before the first question is asked. The episode also explores thank you email etiquette, multi-round interview processes, and small details that can leave a lasting impression.

💬 Have questions or want to talk about your career 👉 reach out to⁠Wasserman Center for Career Development⁠.

Need mental health support? Call NYU’s Wellness Exchange at (212) 443-9999, available 24/7.

Breaking into the job market can feel like a lot, especially when you’re trying to get everything “just right.” But what if the hardest part is simply getting started?

In this episode, career experts from NYU Wasserman Center for Career Development share practical guidance on navigating the modern job search. From working through perfectionism and actually hitting “apply,” to using AI strategically without losing your voice, they break down what really matters in resumes, cover letters, and interviews.

You’ll learn why you don’t need to meet every job qualification to apply, how to stand out in a way that feels authentic, and why the interview matters more than your resume.

If you’ve been feeling stuck, unsure where to begin, or overwhelmed by options, this is a great place to start!

💬 Have questions or want to talk about your career 👉 reach out toWasserman Center for Career Development.

Need mental health support? Call NYU’s Wellness Exchange at (212) 443-9999, available 24/7.

“What they’re asking is not about judgment. It’s about understanding what happened.”

In Part 2, we continue the conversation with Kathleen Baer from the NYPD to break down what actually happens after someone makes a report, and what survivors can expect during the process.

We get into:

Why investigators ask certain questions (and what they’re really for)

What interviews, identification, and evidence gathering can look like

The role of advocates and support people throughout the process

What control survivors have, including the ability to pause or step back

How NYPD approaches fears around immigration status, substance use, and more

The rise of tech-facilitated sexual abuse and what it means today

This episode is centered on clarity and choice:

You deserve to understand the process, and you deserve support at every step.

Whether you’re considering reporting, supporting someone else, or just want to be informed — this conversation is here for you.

⚠️ Activation Warning: This episode discusses sexual violence, intimate partner violence, and trauma. Please take care while listening. NYU students can reach out to the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or via the Wellness Exchange app.

Resources: 

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233

National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673

NYC HOPE Hotline (people who have experienced sexual assault, intimate partner violence, domestic violence, trafficking, etc): 1-800-621-HOPE (4673)

For more resources on this topic please check out our website⁠ ⁠⁠Good Sex @NYU⁠⁠⁠Thanks for listening!

“We want to inform everyone. We, we want to give them the most information that we can so people will want to come forward.”

In honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, we’re breaking down what actually happens if someone considers reporting sexual assault — and the support available at every step.

In this episode, we’re joined by Kathleen Baer, Assistant Commissioner for the NYPD’s new Gender Based Violence Policy and Planning Unit.

Together, we unpack:

🔹 What an investigation really looks like

🔹 What a forensic exam involves

🔹 Options like delaying a report, and why that choice matters

This conversation centers one thing: survivors deserve agency, clarity, and support.

Whether you’re looking for information, resources, or just want to better understand the options — this episode is here for you.

🎧 Stay tuned for Part 2.

⚠️ Activation Warning: This episode discusses sexual violence, intimate partner violence, and trauma. Please take care while listening. NYU students can reach out to the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or via the Wellness Exchange app.

Resources: 

For more resources on this topic please check out our website⁠⁠Good Sex @NYU⁠⁠

Thanks for listening!

What does it really take to balance athletics, academics, and life beyond sports?

In the final part of this three-part series, the conversation continues to shift as they talk about the realities of managing life as a student-athlete, both during competition and after the final season ends.

From traveling for games and managing demanding schedules to maintaining a social life and preparing for life after sport, student-athletes often juggle far more than what happens on the field or court.

In this episode, the group explores:

• How student-athletes manage demanding academic schedules alongside practices and travel• The role of discipline, time management, and team support in balancing responsibilities• Why developing identities outside of athletics can be critical for long-term wellbeing• The emotional transition athletes experience when injury, graduation, or retirement ends a season or career• How the lessons learned through sports like resilience, coping with failure, and teamwork carry into life beyond athletics• The resources available to support student-athletes’ wellbeing, academics, and career development

The conversation highlights both the challenges and the lifelong strengths that come from competing at a high level and how the lessons learned in sports can shape the way athletes navigate life long after the game ends. 

Athletes practice failure every day and through it, they learn how to succeed.

For more resources check out our website at ⁠⁠Good Sex @NYU

Listen now!

Need mental health support? Call NYU’s Wellness Exchange at (212) 443-9999, available 24/7.

What happens when athletic performance is constantly visible — not just on the scoreboard, but across social media?

In Part 2 of this three-part series, Danielle Elleman continues the conversation with NYU athletics leader, former athletes, and current NCAA champion about how visibility and social media shape the student-athlete experience.

Today’s athletes compete in an environment where performances, statistics, and commentary are often publicly visible, and widely shared. We explore how that visibility can amplify pressure, fuel perfectionism, and sometimes make it harder for athletes to ask for help.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The “push through it” mindset that is common in sports culture

• The growing role of mental performance coaching in athletics

• How teammates and staff help shape team cultures that support mental health

• How athletes navigate expectations while protecting their wellbeing

For more resources check out our website at ⁠Good Sex @NYU

What does it really mean to be a student-athlete?

Balancing academics and competition can bring incredible growth, but also real pressure.

In Part 1 of this three-part series, Danielle Elleman sits down with NYU Assistant Athletic Director (and former NYU soccer coach and Seton Hall soccer player) Michele Canning, mental health counseling intern and former NYU soccer player Maddie Schier, and current NCAA Division III national champion Serenity McNair to talk about the realities of student-athlete life.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

How sports create an instant community and support network at a large university

Why athletics is often described as a “microcosm of life”

The perfectionism and stigma athletes can face around asking for help

The unique pressure of maintaining a 75+ game winning streak

How coaches shape team culture and support mental health

Why many coaches emphasize process over outcome, even when the world focuses on winning

How the transfer portal is changing team dynamics and recruitment

How success can bring both exhilaration and a new level of visibility for athletes

This episode explores the space where performance, identity, and growth collide, and what student-athletes learn about resilience, pressure, and teamwork along the way.

For more resources check out our website at Good Sex @NYU

In Part 2 of Good Anxiety, neuroscientist Dr. Wendy Suzuki explores how to work with anxiety and train your brain for joy.

Why does your brain cling to stress? How can sleep, movement, and social connection improve mood, focus, and emotional regulation?

Dr. Suzuki introduces joy conditioning, a neuroscience-based practice that helps rewire the brain by intentionally strengthening positive memories. She also explains the “garbage truck” brain metaphor and why sleep and recovery are essential for mental clarity and resilience.

Instead of eliminating anxiety, learn how to harness it and build small, realistic habits that support calm, connection, and lasting wellbeing.

✨ Good anxiety shows us what matters.✨ Joy conditioning helps us hold onto it.

Having difficulty managing your anxiety or other mental health concerns? Call NYU’s Wellness Exchange at (212) 443-9999, available 24/7 or 988 nationwide for non-NYU listeners.

For more resources check out Good Sex @NYU website: https://www.nyu.edu/students/wellbeing/wellbeing-initiatives/health-education/sexual-respect-and-healthy-relationships/good-sex-at-nyu.html

In Part 1 of Good Anxiety: Why Your Brain Needs a Bubble Bath, neuroscientist Wendy Suzuki joins Good Sex at NYUto rethink anxiety—not as something to eliminate, but something you can work with.

Dr. Wendy Suzuki isn’t just studying the brain—she’s lived this work. She shares personal moments that shaped her research, from exercise and memory to grief and resilience, bringing neuroscience out of the lab and into real life.

Join Dr. Suzuki—NYU Professor of Neuroscience, Dean of the College of Arts & Science, and author of Healthy Brain, Happy Life and Good Anxiety—as she breaks down:

the difference between “good” vs. “bad” anxiety

how stress shows up in the brain and body

why movement, breath, and presence are some of the most powerful tools for mental wellbeing

🎧 Tune in—and start building a better relationship with anxiety!

What happens when technology is used to cause harm — and how can people protect themselves?

In Part 2 of this conversation, Good Sex at NYU continues its discussion with experts from the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, focusing on laws, accountability, and real-world steps for safety when it comes to technology-facilitated gender-based violence.

This episode explores:

How existing New York State laws apply to digital abuse, stalking, harassment, and coercion

Recent updates to laws addressing non-consensual intimate images, including AI-generated deepfakes

The federal Take It Down Act and what it means for removing harmful content online

Why law enforcement responses can vary — and how advocacy and specialized cyber units can help

What to do if you’re experiencing sextortion, cyberstalking, or image-based abuse

Practical steps students can take to protect their digital footprint, privacy, and location data

Why accountability, peer intervention, and education matter in preventing harm

Resources available for NYU students and the broader community

This episode emphasizes that online harm is real harm — and that support, legal tools, and prevention strategies do exist.

⚠️ Activation Warning: This episode discusses sexual violence, intimate partner violence, and trauma. Please take care while listening. NYU students can reach out to the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or via the Wellness Exchange app.

Resources: 

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233

National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673

NYC HOPE Hotline (people who have experienced sexual assault, intimate partner violence, domestic violence, trafficking, etc): 1-800-621-HOPE (4673)

For more resources on this topic please check out our website ⁠Good Sex @NYU⁠

Technology is woven into nearly every part of modern dating and relationships — but it can also be used to exert power and control.

In Part 1 of this conversation, Good Sex at NYU is joined by experts from the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence to break down what technology-facilitated gender-based violence actually is, why it’s becoming more common, and how it shows up in students’ lives.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

What “technology-facilitated gender-based violence” means — and why it’s used as an umbrella term

How digital abuse can occur both inside and outside of intimate relationships

Why AI-driven harm like deepfake images and sextortion is increasing

How cyberstalking happens through social media, apps, and location sharing

Why everyday tools like phones, delivery apps, and smart devices matter in conversations about safety

This episode lays the foundation for understanding digital harm — before diving deeper into warning signs, protection, and resources in Part 2.

⚠️ Activation Warning: This episode discusses sexual violence, intimate partner violence, and trauma. Please take care while listening. NYU students can reach out to the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or via the Wellness Exchange app.

Resources: 

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233

National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673

NYC HOPE Hotline (people who have experienced sexual assault, intimate partner violence, domestic violence, trafficking, etc): 1-800-621-HOPE (4673)

For more resources on this topic please check out our website Good Sex @NYU

This episode explores how ADHD impacts relationships, dating, communication, emotion regulation, and conflict patterns — and what skills can help students recenter. Our clinicians break down why people with ADHD may experience more frequent mood swings, frustration, impulsivity, or conflict, and how tools like naming emotions, de-escalation strategies, expectation-setting, and transparent communication can transform connection.

We also discuss how comorbid anxiety, depression, and substance use show up in relationships, why self-acceptance is essential, and how understanding your own process reduces shame and improves intimacy.

Students will also learn about NYU ADHD resources, including: • Individual ADHD coaching (skill-based, up to four sessions) • ADHD coaching groups at Washington Square & Brooklyn • Short-term counseling and psychiatric support • Off-campus ADHD coaching directories • Academic accommodations through the Moses Center

Whether you're dating, navigating conflict, or trying to better understand how ADHD intersects with emotions and intimacy, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and concrete tools to support you.

NYU students who are experiencing symptoms of ADHD, are diagnosed with ADHD and need support, or who are activated by this episode can reach out to Wellness Exchange 212-443-9999 or go to the SHC portal and set up a phone triage appointment.

For more resources check out Good Sex @NYU website: https://www.nyu.edu/students/wellbeing/wellbeing-initiatives/health-education/sexual-respect-and-healthy-relationships/good-sex-at-nyu.html

In Part 2, NYU clinicians break down what treatment for ADHD really looks like, beyond stereotypes and “magic pill” myths. Dr. Jiyoon Lee and Dr. Reji Mathew unpack common barriers (cultural stigma, internalized ableism, financial obstacles, and medication access), and explain why ADHD is often invisible until college life magnifies the demands.

They dive into the realities of testing, medication options, and why not everyone responds the same way. You’ll also hear practical academic strategies: time-management skills, breaking down deadlines, task initiation tools like the Pomodoro technique, and building routines that support executive functioning. The episode also explores digital overwhelm, boundaries, and how ADHD can impact anxiety, comparison, and relationships.

Whether you're newly diagnosed, curious about ADHD, or supporting a friend, this episode offers tools and clarity to help you understand your brain, and move through college in a way that works for you.

NYU students who are experiencing symptoms of ADHD or are diagnosed with ADHD and need support you can reach out to Wellness Exchange 212-443-9999 or go to the SHC portal and set up a phone triage appointment.

For more resources check out Good Sex @NYU website: https://www.nyu.edu/students/wellbeing/wellbeing-initiatives/health-education/sexual-respect-and-healthy-relationships/good-sex-at-nyu.html

In Part 1 of our three-part ADHD series, we sit down with NYU experts to break down what ADHD really is, how it shows up in college students, and why so many people misunderstand it. 

We explore the three ADHD presentations (inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive, and combined), the role of executive functioning, and how symptoms look different across genders, cultures, and childhood vs. adulthood.

We also dig into why ADHD is one of the most commonly confused, dismissed, and TikTok-misrepresented neurodevelopmental conditions, and why clarity matters for your wellbeing, academic success, and relationships.

We cover:

The real definition of ADHD (beyond stereotypes)

Why ADHD looks different in women, students of color, and late-diagnosed adults

The difference between distractibility and “just being stressed”

How emotional regulation, motivation, and time blindness fit into ADHD

Why ADHD isn’t caused by laziness, lack of discipline, or personality

How the college environment amplifies ADHD challenges

What students can ask, track, or notice if they’re wondering about an evaluation

If conversations about ADHD are stressful or activating for you, please take breaks as needed and care for yourself.

NYU students who are experiencing symptoms of ADHD or are diagnosed with ADHD and need support you can reach out to Wellness Exchange 212-443-9999 or go to the SHC portal and set up a phone triage appointment.

For more resources check out Good Sex @NYU website: https://www.nyu.edu/students/wellbeing/wellbeing-initiatives/health-education/sexual-respect-and-healthy-relationships/good-sex-at-nyu.html

In Part 3 of our series on menstrual pain, we talk about how period pain affects more than your body, including mood, stress, and overall wellbeing. Our guest explains how prostaglandins contribute to both inflammation and emotional shifts, and why mental health support can be part of caring for chronic period pain.

We also address stigma, generational messages about “pushing through,” and the importance of having a care team that understands the whole picture. We clarify what happens at an appointment, when pelvic exams are (and aren’t) necessary, and how NYU’s GYN division, primary care, and the Wellness Exchange work together to support students.

We close with trauma-informed guidance to help you find providers who make you feel safe, heard, and supported.

💬Have questions or want to talk about your period pain? Book a GYN visit atshcportal.nyu.eduor call 212-443-1000.

Need mental health support? Call NYU’s Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 — available 24/7.

Additional resource mentioned in this episode:The Purple Clinic⁠ provides routine health care to people who have experienced sexual assault, relationship violence, trafficking and those seeking asylum.

Period pain is extremely common—but that doesn’t mean you should have to power through it. In this episode, we take a clear, science-backed look at what’s really going on in the body during menstruation.

We break down:

• What causes menstrual cramps (including the role of prostaglandins)

• Why symptoms like bloating, migraines, nausea, and GI changes often appear together

• Evidence-informed ways to manage discomfort—movement, heat, herbal options, acupressure, and nutrition

• Why starting NSAIDs before your period can make a meaningful difference

• How hormones, stress, and pelvic floor tension influence pain

• The difference between primary and secondary dysmenorrhea

• When painful periods may signal conditions like endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroids, or PID

• When to seek medical care—and why feeling heard and supported matters

We also discuss real-world frustrations, trial-and-error treatments, and how to understand your own menstrual patterns.

Whether your period pain is mild, disruptive, or completely debilitating, this episode offers clarity, validation, and practical tools to help you advocate for your health.

💬 Have questions or want to talk about your period pain? 👉 Book a GYN visit atshcportal.nyu.eduor call212-443-1000.

Need mental health support? Call NYU’s Wellness Exchange at (212) 443-9999, available 24/7.

Period pain is common, but that doesn’t mean you have to “just deal with.”

In this episode, hosts Danielle Elleman and Sage Latella talk with Dr. Sandra Curet Rivera, Gynecologist at NYU’s Student Health Center, about what’s really happening during your menstrual cycle — and why some pain is typical while other pain isn’t. From hormones fluctuations and prostaglandins to stress and stigma, they break down what’s actually going on when cramps hit — and why it matters to listen to your body.

Your pain is real. Your care matters. 

💬 Have questions or want to talk about your period pain? 👉 Book a GYN visit atshcportal.nyu.eduor call212-443-1000.

Need mental health support? Call NYU’s Wellness Exchange at (212) 443-9999, available 24/7.

In this final part of our conversation, we hear how real change happens — not just in courtrooms, but through collaboration, compassion, and education. From training juries and detectives to supporting survivors in hospitals, the Manhattan DA’s team and NYU advocates share how understanding each other’s roles builds stronger systems — and stronger support. They remind us that justice isn’t only about prosecution, but about prevention, partnership, and helping survivors feel seen and safe.

💜 Justice starts with listening — and with people who care enough to keep showing up

⚠️ Activation Warning: This episode discusses sexual violence, intimate partner violence, and trauma. Please take care while listening. NYU students can reach out to the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or via the Wellness Exchange app.

Resources: 

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233

National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673

NYC HOPE Hotline (people who have experienced sexual assault, intimate partner violence, domestic violence, trafficking, etc): 1-800-621-HOPE (4673)

Manhattan District Attorney's Office Initiate Partner Violence Bureau (helpline, not 24/7): 212-335-9373

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

What keeps survivors of sexual assault from engaging with the criminal justice system—and what’s changing?

In Part 2 of Inside the Justice System, Danielle Elleman (Associate Director, Sexual & Relationship Respect Services) and co-host Sage Letella continue their conversation with Hannah Pennington, Deputy Chief for Gender-Based Violence Policy, and Phoebe Rosenfeld, Assistant District Attorney at the Manhattan DA’s Office.

Together, they dive deeper into the realities behind reporting, from fear of retaliation to immigration concerns, mental health, and mistrust of law enforcement. The guests share how the DA’s office is working to close those gaps—through trauma-informed prosecution, a Special Victims Division Advisory Council, a Survivor Network, and alternatives to incarceration such as the Pathways to Public Safety Division.

They also explore how restorative justice practices and expert testimony are changing how juries—and society—understand sexual violence.

💜 This episode continues our Domestic Violence Awareness Month series, highlighting the complex, human stories behind policy and prosecution.

⚠️ Activation Warning: This episode discusses sexual violence, intimate partner violence, and trauma. Please take care while listening. NYU students can reach out to the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or via the Wellness Exchange app.

Resources: 

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233

National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673

NYC HOPE Hotline (people who have experienced sexual assault, intimate partner violence, domestic violence, trafficking, etc): 1-800-621-HOPE (4673)

Manhattan District Attorney's Office Initiate Partner Violence Bureau (helpline, not 24/7): 212-335-9373

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Stay tuned for our final part 3, where we continue this important conversation about the realities of seeking help, healing, and change during Domestic Violence Awareness Month and beyond.

Welcome back to Good Sex at NYU — your space for sex-positive, honest conversations about relationships, wellbeing, and everything in between.

In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the first episode of Season 4 features Danielle Elleman (Associate Director of Sexual and Relationship Respect Services) and co-host Sage Letella in conversation  with Hannah Pennington, Deputy Chief for Gender-Based Violence Policy, and Phoebe Rosenfeld, Assistant District Attorney, both from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. Together, they discuss what a survivor’s path to justice may look like–and how every path is different

The guests explain how the DA’s office handles cases involving intimate partner and sexual violence, describing the creation of the Special Victims Division and its focus on survivor-centered prosecution and policy. They also reflect on  recent legal changes in New York, and cross-agency collaboration are helping shift the justice system toward one that truly supports survivors.

You’ll hear how new policies, specialized bureaus, and survivor-support programs are creating a more compassionate, informed, and coordinated response to gender-based violence in New York City.

⚠️ Activation Warning: This episode discusses sexual violence, intimate partner violence, and trauma. Please take care while listening. NYU students can reach out to the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or via the Wellness Exchange app.

Resources: 

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233

National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673

NYC HOPE Hotline (people who have experienced sexual assault, intimate partner violence, domestic violence, trafficking, etc): 1-800-621-HOPE (4673)

Manhattan District Attorney's Office Initiate Partner Violence Bureau (helpline, not 24/7): 212-335-9373

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Stay tuned for Part 2 & 3, where we continue this important conversation about the realities of seeking help, healing, and change during Domestic Violence Awareness Month and beyond.

Today on Good Sex @NYU Danielle and her guest cohost, Bernadette Ker a therapist in private practice and former NYU Tisch Counselor, welcomes Lourdes Castro who is the Director of NYU Food Lab, a registered dietitian with a background in culinary arts. Lourdes joins the podcast to explore nutrition's role in sexual health. 

In this episode of the podcast, we unpack nutritional myths around seed oils, alcohol, coffee and aphrodisiacs. Lourdes gives some practical questions to ask when considering our nutrition on a daily basis; such as, considering your protein source, what is your fiber source and how much of your food is processed.  Check out Fed substack by Lourdes Castro.

This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

On this episode of Good Sex @NYU, Danielle and her guest cohost, Jane Bowman from NYU’s Student Health Center’s Wellbeing Office, are joined by journalist, writer, and author of Dry Humping; A Guide to Dating, Relating and Hooking Up without the Booze. The podcast was recorded live in collaboration with the Student Health Center’s Collegiate Recovery Program on April 8, 2025. Tawny shares part of her sober journey and answers questions about dating ourselves, setting boundaries, and what it means to have intrinsic courage when we stop relying on liquid courage. 

*Listener Note*

An audience member clarifies their question off the microphone and cannot be heard. The question is towards the end of the conversation: “As a queer person of color, working on my sobriety, how do I decenter substances when others may not be sober?”

This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

Today on Good Sex @NYU Danielle and her guest cohost, Dean of Students Dr. Rafael Rodriguez, are joined by Krystal McLeod, the Co-Executive Director and Chief Program Officer of the NYU Center on Violence and Recovery. Krystal talks about “cancel culture” and the importance of calling people in from a place of understanding and accountability. She shares moments where failing forward is part of the journey. The conversation explores the impact of the carceral state on an individual's internal self and the value of having community. 

This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), a time to bring awareness to the impact of sexual assault and ways to prevent harm. There are events and activities around the city and country to learn more about the impact of trauma and how to prevent sexual and relationship harm from occurring.

Consent is protective factor, and when practiced might reduce the risk the harm can occur. If you are interested in learning more about root causes of harm then check our our Good Sex @NYU season 1 episode 4. Additionally, we have episodes on setting boundaries (season 1, episode 10) and how to honor boundaries (season 1, episode 21). Check out NYU's Sexual Misconduct, Relationship Violence, and Stalking Policy for more information on NYU's definition of consent. Tune is for more tips on consent.

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

In this episode, Danielle is joined by Sharang Biswas, a professor at Tisch Game Design Center. Sharang talks about his sexual and relationship journey starting with growing up with liberal atheist parents in Abu Dhabi and moving to the US for college. He explains the impact of representation in video games and offers some recommendations to the audience. Check out Sharang’s book Iron Below Remembers and his game recommendations: Dream Daddy: A Date Dating Simulator; Monster Hearts, and Honey and Hot Wax: An Anthology of Erotic Art Games. 

This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

This week on the podcast, April and Danielle talk to NYU graduate student Abby Cutler about her experience growing up in a culture of social media and how that impacted her journey. Abby shares about her work in the restorative practices and how that can look for people who have experienced sexual and relationship harm. 

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

Ever wonder the history of spring break? Join Danielle as she shares the origins of spring break, tips for safety when traveling and the importance of boundaries even on vacation.

This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

How do you get the most pleasure from sex with a condom?

This week on Good Sex @ NYU, Danielle speaks with NYU Sexpert, Alyssa LaFosse about how to effectively use an internal and external condom. Alyssa demonstrates and provides tips for not just using condoms but how to discuss incorporating them into your routine. 

Another very common "error" in condom effectiveness not mentioned in the podcast is starting to have vaginal or anal penetration without a condom, then stopping (before ejaculation) to put a condom on, and then resuming intercourse. That is also "not perfect" use, since pre-ejaculatory fluid (or "pre-cum") can contain STIs, HIV, or sperm, which could lead to infection or pregnancy.  It's really important for a penis-havers to put a condom on *before* any penetration whatsoever.

If you have questions about internal or external condoms, lubs or how to negotiate condoms then tune into this episode especially on YouTube and consider listening to Good Sex @NYU season one episode 6 on communication, episode 8 on STIs and episode 22 on birth control. Additionally, Planned Parenthood and Bedsider are great resources for more information on sexual health.

Are slasher films misogynistic or feminism defined? 

This week on Good Sex @ NYU, Danielle is joined by Dr. Marybec Griffin to explore the impact that media has on social behavior. Dr. Griffin dives deep into slasher films and their unique positionality of being both a space of empowerment of women while also one of concern for violence against women. She unpacks good and bad norms that show up in music and how our values and behavior are impacted.

This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

What should a relationship look like?

This week on Good Sex @ NYU, April and Danielle speak with Luna Goya, a senior at NYU majoring in Psychology and Latino Studies. She gives insight on navigating non-monogamous and alternative relationship styles, the importance of open communication with all partners, and how being a woman affects her body image and ability to take up space. 

Luna also talks about how the NYU class Human Sexuality with Dr. Zhana Vrangalova positively influenced the way she thinks about sex, relationships, and vulnerability. You might recognize Dr. Zhana from Season 2 of Good Sex @ NYU, listen to her interview here!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

Have you ever wondered the origins of Valentine's Day? Join Danielle for this bonus episode on Valentine history and tips for this holiday celebrating love.

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

This week on the podcast, April and Danielle talk to NYU freshman undergraduate student Anthony Li about not placing an emphasis on romantic relationships but acknowledging their family and friends as key relationships in their life. Anthony shares some of the good media examples for LGBTGIA relationships that they appreciate. Additionally, Anthony talks more about their aromantic journey, what they find pleasure in and the great clubs they are connected to at the NYU LGBTQ+ Center. 

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

This week on Good Sex @ NYU, April and Danielle talk to Stevin Azo Michaels, a senior Area Manager for the post-production center at the Tisch School of the Arts film and TV program. Michaels has won several awards as a director, producer, editor & photographer and has screened at Sundance and many other accredited institutions.

Throughout this episode, Azo opens up about the challenges of overcoming internalized homophobia, developing healthy self-perceptions of one’s body, and how accurate portrayals of different identities in the media are important when trying to achieve equality. Growing up in the catholic church, Azo speaks on how they faced internal challenges through religious messaging as a queer individual. They give us insight into how they progressed to being able to focus on the messaging relating to community in the church, as well as reading between the lines to feel and spread love. As a teacher, Azo shares the lesson of not hiding who you are physically or internally.    

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

In order to live, dating and have relationships with a trauma informed lens then we need to realize the impact of trauma, recognize the signs and symptoms of trauma, respond to trauma and avoid retraumatizing those who have experienced trauma. Join Danielle for Just the Tip as explores more about these concepts.

This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

Living, dating and having relationship requires recognizing the signs and the symptoms of trauma. Are we reacting to our present situation or from past trauma? Tune into this episode where Danielle shares just the tip.

This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

This week on the podcast, April and Danielle talk to Good Sex @ NYU intern and CAS senior Sandy Battulga about working through sex-related trauma and having empathy for your parents (or trying to). They also discuss body image struggles and recovering from people-pleasing tendencies.

This is part 1 of the Good Sex @ NYU intern takeover! Stay tuned for part 2 coming after the holiday break.. 

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

Tune in to just the tip this week where Danielle share more about living with a trauma-informed lens.

This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

This week, April and Danielle are joined by Guilietta Molinar, a practicing sexologist who is also the Student Life Assistant at NYU Florence. 

In this episode, Guilietta talks about the culture of Florence (including dating and drinking culture) and what sex ed resources are available to NYU students during their time abroad. She also expands on her sexology practice and what some common problems are with couples who seek her expertise. 

This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

Have you ever been ghosted? Most of us have experienced someone ghosting us and it isn't easy to navigate. Join Danielle as she gives just the tip on addressing ghosting.

This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

This week on the Good Sex @ NYU podcast, April and Danielle talk with Grayson Chao about the relationship between physical therapy and having good sex. 

Grayson Chao is the Manager of the Physical Therapy Department at NYU’s Student Health Center. In this episode, he answers questions around maintaining pelvic health, addressing sex-related trauma in his practice, and how to work around permanent physical limitations in having sex.

This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

Are you crushing on someone and want to take it to the next level by talking to them? Today's tip is on flirting. Flirting is about complimenting someone on who they are, not sexualizing them. It's also about honoring their boundaries if they aren't into it.

This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

This week, April and Danielle talk to Zahava Weissbuch, a masters student in Global Public Health at NYU who is the founder of the sex education platform “Minx.” 

In this conversation, we talk about being unapologetically yourself and learning how to let go of internalized oppression. Zahava also speaks on prioritizing pleasure in every sexual experience and how she was able to do that after experiencing sexual assault.

This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

Click here if you are interested in completing a questionnaire for Zahava’s sex education platform.

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect ServicesFor everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

Join Danielle for this episode about regulating our emotions which is important in healthy relationships.

This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

April and Danielle are joined by Leah Robinson, the Assistant Director of The Martin Luther King Jr. Scholars Program at NYU, which is an all-university honors program that engages and empowers a cohort of undergraduate students around creating social change..

In this episode, Leah talks about the tension in her life between the fear-based lens of sex and relationships that she grew up with and the more sex-positive, accepting mindset that she chose to adopt. We talk about the norms around shaving body hair and the negative implications of complimenting people’s bodies. Additionally, she acknowledges the importance of finding her community and the deep friendships that have impacted her journey. 

This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.htm

Episode Summary: 

Being single is normal, beautiful and a valid life choice. It isn’t for everyone but it should be seen as an active state of being, where we embrace who we are and what we need. How do you feel about being single or others being single? Let’s choose to find value in being single. 

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

In this episode, April and Danielle are joined by Chris Diggs and Dr. Rafael Rodriguez to discuss restorative practices. Listeners might recognize Dr. Rodriguez, NYU’s Associate Vice President and Dean of Students, from his previous episode in season 2, episode 8. Chris is the Senior Director of the NYU Changemaker Center. 

This conversation explores the key concepts of Restorative Practices and how they can be used to build and maintain the relationships in our lives. Restorative practices have their origins within indigenous communities who have historically resolved conflict by focusing on strengthening relationships between individuals and ties to one another in their communities. Chris and Rafael share how they use restorative practices in their own professional and personal lives. 

This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

Welcome back for season 3 of Good Sex @NYU! New this season, we are giving you Just the Tip. This will be our new short segments that offer a tip on sex, dating, and health. This episode includes practical tips for self-validation on a daily basis.

Tune into to @hello_hpo on TikTok and Instagram or @Good Sex at NYU on YouTube for our videos. If you have questions about this episode or others then you can contact us at goodsex.podcast@nyu.edu.

For NYU student with urgent mental health or safety concerns then please contact Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 and for all or listeners then please call 988.

Today on the podcast, April and Danielle are joined by NYU Counseling and Wellness Racial Justice team members, Bernadette Mwelu Kerr and Sian Caisey. Listeners might remember Bernie from our Sex and Spirituality episode last season but she is a licensed clinical social worker who has been at NYU for 7 years starting as a crisis response counselor in Wellness Exchange and shifting to her current role as counselor at the Tisch School of the Arts. Sian Caisey has been an NYU counselor for 5 and a half years and prior to her role she worked for 14 years with young people with substance use and mental health needs involved in the juvenile and criminal justice system. 

In this episode, Bernie and Sian described the origins of the racial justice team and the need to find safe spaces to process oppression that is faced within an organization and within the student population they work with.The conversation explores the definition of intergenerational trauma and how that shows up in clinical practice. Bernie and Sian highlight the challenges of navigating NYU as a person who identifies as BIPOC as well as the strengths and connections that they have seen in their work. Since the podcast is about sex and relationships, we chat about the joy and difficulties that can come up with interracial dating and dating with implicit bias no matter your identity. Additionally, we discuss the resources that are available through Counseling and Wellness Services and NYU generally.

This episode mentions relationship violence and may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

Today on the podcast, April and Danielle are once again joined by Zabie Yamasaki, the Founder of Transcending Sexual Trauma through Yoga, an organization that offers trauma-informed yoga to survivors, consultation for universities and trauma agencies, and training for healing professionals. Zabie received her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Social Behavior and Education at UC Irvine and completed her graduate degree in Higher Education Administration and Student Affairs at George Washington University.  

In part two of April and Danielle’s interview with Zabie, they get personal. Zabie shares how she has navigated conflict with friends and her partner. She talks about how her identity as an outgoing, second-generation immigrant of South Asian and Muslim background impacted her early life and experience with sex and relationships. Zabie also discloses how her definition of pleasure has shifted over time. 

This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

Transcending Trauma with Yoga: zabieyamasaki.com ; on Instagram: @transcending_trauma_with_yoga

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

Today on the podcast, April and Danielle are joined by Zabie Yamasaki, the Founder of Transcending Sexual Trauma through Yoga, an organization that offers trauma-informed yoga to survivors, consultation for universities and trauma agencies, and training for healing professionals. Zabie received her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Social Behavior and Education at UC Irvine and completed her graduate degree in Higher Education Administration and Student Affairs at The George Washington University. 

In this episode, Zabie shares how her first yoga class led to finding internal peace, healing from sexual trauma, and shifted her career trajectory. She gives an in-depth explanation of  trauma-informed yoga, both how it works in practice and why it is important, and how it is rapidly becoming part of standard yoga teacher training practice. Zabie even leads April and Danielle in some basic grounding practices for calming anxiety or distress responses derived from trauma. 

This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

Transcending Trauma with Yoga: zabieyamasaki.com or on Instagram: @transcending_trauma_with_yoga

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

On this episode of Good Sex @ NYU, April and Danielle revisit their chat with Caroline Grunwald. Caroline is a first year graduate student in the School of Global Public Health. During her undergraduate studies at Princeton University, Caroline completed her thesis on hookup culture and has since been focused on completing a public health masters degree with an emphasis on reproductive health.

This episode is being re-released since April is Sexual Assault Awareness month and Caroline shares about a time someone crossed her boundaries and how this experience impacted her. She also discusses her research findings on hookup culture and what she learned from conducting  the interviews with the participants.  Throughout the conversation, Caroline emphasizes the positive effect strong communication has on good sex. 

This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

Today on Good Sex @ NYU, April and Danielle are joined by Dr. S, a board-certified physician working in family medicine for over 15 years. Dr. S has spent many of her years of medical practice providing gender-affirming care to her patients. 

In this episode, April and Danielle explore what it means to provide gender-affirming care at the Student Health Center (SHC) and more broadly. Dr. S goes into detail about some of the medical options available to folks seeking gender-affirming care at the SHC. She recounts her collaboration with a specific patient who came to the relationship with goals and how they accomplished them together. The three also discuss challenges one might experience with different medical professionals and insurance providers. 

This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

Today April and Danielle are refreshing on of their favorite conversation this season with Dr.Reji Mathew who is an award-winning artist, thinker, educator, and neuroscience-informed psychotherapist. Dr. Reji Mathew is a senior clinical social worker at the Counseling and Wellness division of the NYU Student Health Center. She is trained in CBT, DBT, TF-CBT, EMDR, Narrative Therapy and the Voice Dialogue method. Dr. Mathew is an arts accessibility advocate and an Assistant Adjunct Professor at the NYU Silver School of Social Work.

In this episode, we explore how to partner with ourselves first before partnering with others. Also, Dr. Mathew defines “emotion regulations” as the reasons behind why we get upset and how we get upset. The “why” is deeply personal and the “how” is the way we express our emotions. Building basic awareness of our emotion regulations is the foundation of emotional wellbeing and health. Dr. Mathew shares tips on regulating emotions, developing mindful practices, and changing our internal narratives. 

This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

Today on Good Sex @ NYU, Danielle converses with Meghan Kelley, LCSW at NYU London Counseling and Wellness Services and Aisling Leen, Student Life Coordinator. Meghan has worked with NYU students for over 15 years as an off-campus therapist and then as the full time global wellness counselor in London since 2019. Aisling worked at NYU for two years in the student life coordinator position where she advises students, organizes cultural trips, and helps to build community at NYU London. 

In this episode, Danielle learns more about the student experience abroad. The group discusses  how the pressures put on students by family and friends to have an amazing experience when living in a new culture can cause some stress and challenges. From not finding the Doritos you like to not having your support network in the same time zone, Danielle, Meghan and Aisling unpack all the highs and lows of living in a new place, particularly when navigating pub culture and the differences in dating and sex as compared to NYC. 

This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

Today on Good Sex @ NYU, Danielle chats with Abhishek Rana. Abhishek is studying Integrated Design and Media at NYU Tandon. He is also a graduate assistant for communications and design at the NYU Office of Global Inclusion. He loves talking about books, AI ethics, accessible design, and his dating life! 
In this episode, Abhishek shares the impact of being bullied growing up.  He opens up about what it was like growing up in India and how he transitioned to living in NYC. Danielle and Abhishek revisit the theme of effective communication in all relationships and all things throughout the conversation. He acknowledges that he hasn’t had a long-term relationship yet but feels he knows what he wants and needs from a potential partner. One of Abhishek’s favorite things to talk about is sex and relationships, and he has even started to talk to his mom about these topics, which has caused a positive shift in their relationship. 

This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

On this episode of Good Sex @ NYU, April and Danielle are joined by Dr.Reji Mathew who is an artist, thinker, educator, and neuroscience-informed psychotherapist. Dr. Mathew is a senior clinical social worker at the Counseling and Wellness division of the NYU Student Health Center. She is trained in CBT, DBT, TF-CBT, EMDR, Narrative Therapy and the Voice Dialogue method. Dr. Mathew is an arts accessibility advocate and an Assistant Adjunct Professor at the NYU Silver School of Social Work.

The topic of conversation on the podcast today is making sex accessible for all. Dr. Mathew unpacks internalized ableism and how this impacts individuals and society. She defines the term “disability humility” and the importance of asking our sexual and romantic partners for what we need and stay open to a journey of possibility and co-discovery. Dr. Mathew recommends that we all examine the narrow depiction of pleasure in our society and seek to make sex accessible for everybody and every body type. 

Many advocacy organizations like the Christopher Reeve Foundation offer spaces for conversations on sex, dating, and relationships with a disability. And that our journey with pleasure and intimacy is one that is accessible to all, critical to the holistic picture of health, well-being and happiness.

This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

Today on Good Sex @ NYU, April and Danielle are joined by Dr. Virginia Robertson and Dr. Sandra Curet, medical providers at the GYN health department at the NYU Student Health Center. Dr. Robertson is the SHC’s Associate Medical Director of GYN and Specialty Services and is a family medicine doctor by training. Dr. Curet is an OBGYN who practices general gynecology at the Student Health Center and has been a practicing OBGYN for over thirty years. 

On today’s episode, Danielle and April and their guests explore dyspareunia, or pain during sex. Pain can be closely connected to pleasure for some but others  may not seek pain during sex. Our Student Health Center experts, Dr. Robertson and Dr. Curet, walk us through how dyspareunia comes up in their practice, what an evaluation looks like for it, and possible causes and treatment options. Pain during sex is common and can happen no matter your biological traits or background. If pain is not something you find pleasurable, then working with a health care provider can offer some support and a place to work towards your health goals. 

This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

Today on Good Sex @NYU, April and Danielle are joined by Chris Woods, Senior Director, Inclusive Policy; Director of LGBTQ+ Center at the Office of Global Inclusion, Diversity and Strategic Innovation. Chris has over a decade of experience working in diversity, equity and inclusion within higher education. His research and publications are on various topics include:queer and trans people of color, racial justice and intersectionality, the experience of marginalized and minoritized communities with sexual violence on college campuses, and the intersection of faith, race and sexuality. 

In this episode of Good Sex, Chris divulges all of his X-Men crushes and shares his thoughts on the importance of considering more than the aesthetics of a love interest. He emphasizes valuing what they bring to the world. Additionally, Chris discusses the advantages of growing up with a mom who is a social worker. His upbringing shaped his ability to communicate as he received thoughtful messages about sex and relationships. Chris also discloses how being bullied in school and experiencing sexual assault impacted his ability to set boundaries.  Through therapy and his own work toward healing he has brought his authentic self to his 10 year- relationship. 

This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

Today on Good Sex @NYU, April and Danielle welcome Genny Cuocci, LCSW and Dr. Akinola Adebisi to discuss how substance use impacts our lives, including our relationships and sexual experiences. Genny Cuocci is the Assistant Director of Clinical Services  and Group Programming at Counseling and Wellness Services as well as the Substance Assessment Feedback Evaluation (SAFE) Team Leader. Genny has been at NYU for 6 years and she has worked in addiction treatment for 10 years. Dr. Adebisis is a Senior Psychiatrist at Counseling and Wellness Services and a Clinical Assistant Professor at NYU School of Medicine. He is part of the SAFE team and has also been at NYU for 6 years. 

In the episode, our guests provide a detailed definition of substance use disorders, the myths of substance use and misuse, and treatment options. The conversation also explores the various types of substances folks have historically engaged in and those that are on the increase, such as marijuana and psychedelics. Additionally,  the group talks about how substances impact our relationship and sexual lives. 

This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

Today on Good Sex @NYU, Dr. Marybec Griffin joins the podcast. Dr. Griffin holds a PhD in Social and Behavioral Health Science from NYU and is a professor at NYU and Rutgers University. She is a trained doula, certified sexologist, and co-creator of Dr. Period Hackers, a menstrual health research education collective. 

In part 2 of our discussion, Dr. Griffin compares condom negations with COVID-19 mask regulations and discusses the challenges that arise when navigating these conversations. She also shares how her attachment style has impacted her relationship. Additionally, she  reminds us that the most important relationship we have is the one we have with ourselves. Finally, Dr. Griffin gives us examples of other ways intimacy has been important in her life including the many forms of physical touch she enjoys that facilitate connection.

This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

Today on Good Sex @NYU, Dr. Marybec Griffin joins the podcast. Dr. Griffin holds a PhD in Social and Behavioral Health Science from NYU and is a professor at NYU and Rutgers University. She is a trained doula, certified sexologist and co-creator of Dr. Period Hackers, a menstrual health research education collective. 

In part one of April and Danielle’s conversation, Dr. Griffin describes hearing the song “Let’s Talk About Sex” by Salt-N-Pepa, a revolutionary experience for her as she had not heard three women rapping about protecting themselves and enjoying sex. This led Dr. Griffin to focus her career on de-stigmatizing sex and menstruation for future generations. She shares her two research studies based on health messaging in music. Dr. Griffin also discusses her work around period poverty and the collaborative educational collective she co-founded called Dr. Period Hackers. 

The content of this podcast has explicit language of music lyrics and may not be suitable for all audiences. This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

Today on Good Sex @ NYU, April and Danielle are joined by Dr.Reji Mathew who is an award-winning artist, thinker, educator, and neuroscience-informed psychotherapist. Dr. Reji Mathew is a senior clinical social worker at the Counseling and Wellness division of the NYU Student Health Center. She is trained in CBT, DBT, TF-CBT, EMDR, Narrative Therapy and the Voice Dialogue method. Dr. Mathew is an arts accessibility advocate and an Assistant Adjunct Professor at the NYU Silver School of Social Work.

In this episode, we explore how to partner with ourselves first before partnering with others. Also, Dr. Mathew defines “emotion regulations” as the reasons behind why we get upset and how we get upset. The “why” is deeply personal and the “how”is the way we express our emotions. Building basic awareness of our emotion regulations is the foundation of emotional wellbeing and health. Dr. Mathew shares tips on regulating emotions, developing mindful practices, and changing our internal narratives. 

This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.htm

Today on Good Sex @ NYU, April and Danielle chat with Caroline Grunwald. Caroline is a first year graduate student in the School of Global Public Health. During her undergraduate studies at Princeton University, Caroline completed her thesis on hookup culture and has since been focused on completing a public health masters degree with an emphasis on reproductive health.

In this episode, Caroline shares about a time someone crossed her boundaries and how this experience impacted her. She also discusses  her research findings on hookup culture and what she learned from conducting  the interviews with the participants.  Throughout the conversation, Caroline emphasizes the positive effect strong communication has on good sex. 

This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

Today on Good Sex @ NYU, April and Danielle are joined by Dr. Anne McEneany and nurse practitioner Pelagia (Peggy) Pappathomas from NYU’s Counseling and Wellness Services. Dr. McEneaney has been a practicing mental health provider for 30 years, 18 of which were at NYU. Throughout her career, she focused on working with people who experience disordered eating challenges. Peggy has been working at NYU for a year and prior to that, she worked with those seeking inpatient eating disorder treatment  at Philadelphia Children’s Hospital.

In this episode, we explore the impact culture has on our bodies, eating behavior, and how disordered eating can impact relationships. Anne and Peggy share  several signs of when eating behaviors become harmful and unhealthy from a clinical and individual perspective. The conversation explores the importance of experiencing our bodies as subjects instead of  objects, and the influence TV and social media have on harmful eating behaviors. 

This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

Today on Good Sex @ NYU, April and Danielle are joined by Dory Gurinsky, the Assistant Director at the Center for Student Life, working to support the student experience and providing resources for their time at NYU and in NYC. 

In this episode, Dory talks about her journey as an only child and how that impacted her feelings around conflict and her ability to communicate her boundaries. The conversation explores ways we are all selfish and the importance of embracing and challenging this. Along with April and Danielle, Dory unpacks the definition of self-care. 

This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

Today on Good Sex @ NYU, April and Danielle are joined by Dr. Virginia Robertson and Dr. Sandra Curet, medical providers at the GYN health department at the NYU Student Health Center. Dr. Robertson is the SHC’s Associate Medical Director of GYN and Specialty Services and is a family medicine doctor by training. Dr. Curet is an OBGYN who practices general gynecology at the Student Health Center and has been a practicing OBGYN for over thirty years. 

In this episode, Dr. Robertson and Dr. Curet discuss the services provided by NYU’s GYN health department, highlighting the department’s use of trauma informed care. Additionally, they explain the general practices of pap smears, pelvic exams, and HPV screening. They provide recommendations for best healthcare practices for people with cervixes and explain the reality of the various procedures, encouraging NYU students to receive preventative healthcare. 

This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

Today on Good Sex @ NYU, April and Danielle are joined by Rafael (aka Raf) Rodriguez, NYU’s Associate Vice President and Dean of Students. As the Dean of Students, he is the principal student advocate and provides guidance and direction to all students at NYU. Dean Rodriguez works with his team and partners across the university to strengthen community and belonging at NYU.
In this episode, Dean Rodriguez shares how he had to unpack some cultural messaging around masculinity before being able to successfully set boundaries and improve his communication skills.  The group discusses how people often experience the world through the lenses of our oppressed identities but tend to engage and interact with it  using the privilege we have. They also unpack how to reconcile this identity clash during arguments with a partner.    Additionally, April and Danielle talk with Raf about how masculinity impacted his sexual journey and how vulnerability can lead to more pleasure. 

This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

On this episode of the podcast, April and Danielle are joined by Counseling and Wellness Services Psychiatrist, Dr. Brunhild Kring. Dr. Kring has worked at NYU for the past 17 years and recently retired from her role as Associate Director of Psychiatry and is now a part-time staff psychiatrist. Dr. Kring has written on topics related to sex and gender throughout her 30 year career. 

In this episode, Dr. Kring shares the context of how the medical field has focused solely on the biology of sexual experiences and not the social and political lens. We talk about the barriers to accessing psychiatric care, what to expect in an initial evaluation and in ongoing treatment with a psychiatrist. Dr. Kring explains how different medications might have an impact on our libdo and sex lives as well as her research on cyber sex. 

This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

Today on Good Sex @ NYU, April and Danielle chat with Ruby Carmel. Ruby is a senior, in her last semester at Tisch School of the Arts, where she studies theatrical management, production, and intimacy direction. She works as an electrician, cheesemonger, and community organizer. 

In this episode, Ruby shares the impact of growing up with a therapist in the family and learning from an early age the value of engaging in healthy conflict. She shares her philosophy that  “being able to set a boundary can deepen a relationship” and acknowledges that boundaries can be difficult to implement. Ruby also discusses the spectrum of pleasure for her, from cuddling to being active in the kink world. She shares her journey of sex education as a queer person and some of the resources she has found useful. 

This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

Today on the podcast, April and Danielle are joined by Dr. Zhana Vrangalova, an adjunct professor of psychology at the College of Arts and Science at NYU. Dr. Zhana teaches human sexuality classes and her research focuses on how different aspects of sexuality (especially those that fall outside the societal box of acceptability) are linked to health and wellbeing. She also unpacks how our relationship orientation predicts the types of relationships we’re most likely to thrive in. We had such a fun and fascinating conversation that we split it into two parts so you could listen to it all. This episode is part 2 and if you haven’t listened to part 1 then we encourage you to check out this episode as well.  

In this episode April and Danielle dive into Dr. Zhana’s personal journey with pleasure. She shares more about the challenges she faces engaging in non-monogamous relationships and kink. Dr. Zhana also provides some important tips on having healthy, good casual sex 

This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

Today on the podcast, April and Danielle are joined by Dr. Zhana Vrangalova, an adjunct professor of psychology at the College of Arts and Science at NYU. Dr. Zhana teaches human sexuality classes and her research focuses on how different aspects of sexuality (especially those that fall outside the societal box of acceptability) are linked to health and wellbeing, and how our relationship orientation predicts the types of relationships we’re most likely to thrive in. We had such a fun and fascinating conversation that we split it into two parts so you could listen to it all. 

In part one of Dr. Zhana’s interview, she shares her experience growing up in Macedonia and discovering sex that was not what she was taught was typical. She describes her desire for exploration being greater than her fear of social consequences. Dr. Zhana shares her work on how to navigate the need for exploration and stability within a relationship and how she uses her platform on Instagram to help followers reframe how they think about singledom, monogamy, open monogamy, polyamory, and celibacy. Tune into part two where the conversation continues as  Dr. Zhana’s shares her personal and professional journey with sex and relationships. 

This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

Today on the podcast, April and Danielle are joined by Dr. Pekka Santtila, a professor of psychology at NYU Shanghai and a global network professor at NYU. Dr. Santtila’s research focuses on legal psychology and human sexuality where he aims to understand and develop treatment for sexual dysfunction. 
In this episode, Dr. Santtila reframes our definition of sexual dysfunction to what the term means to the individual, not how society perceives it. He shares his research on fast or premature ejaculation, what  this even means, and the interventions that are being considered for those who experience it. Dr. Santtila also explains how instinctive feelings of disgust could impact our sexual lives and how Sensate Therapy is used as a way to deepen intimacy and pleasure between those in a romantic and/or sexual relationship. 

This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

Today on the podcast, April and Danielle are joined by Alexander Pines, the Assistant Director for Global Diversity Education and Training in the Office of Global Inclusion at NYU. He facilitates workshops on power, privilege, and identity for faculty, students, and staff across campus. Alexander holds an MFA from the University of Iowa and a BA from Columbia University. He has essays published in BOMB, The Rumpus, The Black Warrior Review and elsewhere. 

In part 2 of their conversation, April and Danielle get personal with Alexander and discuss his midwestern roots and how his upbringing impacted  his relationships. Alexander shares some of the challenges he faced with his partner in a long distance relationship and how they managed through the pandemic. Listeners will also hear how Alexander has advocated for himself in healthcare settings and the importance of having time to himself, which for Alexander means dipping into his nail art while watching the latest episode of Drag Race.

This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

Today on the podcast, April and Danielle are joined by Alexander Pines, the Assistant Director for Global Diversity Education and Training in the Office of Global Inclusion at NYU. He facilitates workshops on power, privilege, and identity for faculty, students, and staff across campus. Alexander holds an MFA from the University of Iowa and a BA from Columbia University. He has essays published in BOMB, The Rumpus, The Black Warrior Review and elsewhere. 

In this episode, April and Danielle get personal with Alexander and talk about using his work voice in his personal life and how different boundaries can feel in various environments. Alexander shares the number one conflict that he gets into with his partner and how he goes from fine to a monster and how he overcomes these moments. Listeners will also hear how Alexander has learned to be wrong gracefully and how he has shifted to thinking fun weekend are going to Target.

This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

Have you missed your weekly dose of Good Sex @NYU? April and Danielle have missed you and and we have exciting news and a few changes to share. Our first full episode will drop on Monday, September 25, we hope you will join us for our sometimes funny and always sex positive conversations in our second season.

Today on the podcast, April and Danielle are joined by Sneha Sridhar, a sophomore Global Liberal Studies major and currently the Liberal Studies Student Council President. Sneha shares formative childhood anecdotes including the story of how a game of spin the bottle facilitated her first kiss and how her family helped her learn about boundaries and communication. She acknowledges that every interpersonal relationship, whether romantic, familial, or platonic, can create a learning opportunity for setting and receiving boundaries. April, Danielle, and Sneha uncover a number of oppressive messages that impact our sexual lives and relationships, including the myths around the rules of dating, when to talk about sex, and how old TV shows and movies continue to foster these harmful ideas.

This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

Today on the podcast, April and Danielle are joined by Bernadette Kerr (AKA Bernie), LCSW, who has been a counselor at NYU’s Counseling and Wellness Services since 2017. She offers one-on-one and group counseling, hosts workshops, and performs community outreach. Bernie co-leads the Racial Justice Team and is a member of the ADHD and Mindfulness teams.

In this episode, Bernie shares how she incorporates spirituality into her work. She acknowledges the link between spirituality and trauma in many communities and discusses how spiritual practices have helped some manage and move through suicidal ideation. Bernie uses the 4 I's of oppression to unpack spiritual beliefs that come from faith leaders, family, and community members versus what a religious text actually says. She beautifully describes building her own way of understanding her faith and integrating it into her daily life. Additionally, she discusses the idea of forgiveness and what it means to her. She explains it is, “...an acceptance of what happened to you, without making a commitment to anyone but you.” Finally, we explore the harms that have been done in the name of religion and how to reconstruct our faith and religion to live it out authentically.

This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

Today on the podcast, April and Danielle welcome Joyce Renzhong Tan, Director at the Center for Multicultural Education and Programs Office of Global Inclusion, Diversity and Strategic Innovation. Prior to her current role, Joyce spearheaded Diversity Initiatives at NYU Shanghai and founded a digital project called “unCoVer” which focused on promoting awareness and solidarity around the pandemic. 

During this interview, Joyce shares how boundaries can be gendered and how this has impacted their journey, as well as how they learned about boundaries when others have violated them. To punctuate her thoughts on boundaries, she reads a quote by Kai Chen Thom from their book I Hope We Choose Love: A Trans Girls Notes from the end of the World: “Boundaries are not about 'yes' or 'no', they are not about the limitations or permission, or even this thing we call consent; they are the space between me and you, the borderland where fear ends and desire begins, they are the place where love can live without being lost.” April, Danielle, and Joyce explore desirability, negative norms, and the fact that we can experience and embrace pleasure from many acts – some of which don’t include our genitalia. 

This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support. 

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

Today on the podcast, April and Danielle are joined by Siena Chanel Moran, an undergraduate student at Steinhardt majoring in Music Business. In addition to excelling as a student, Siena is an activist and an artist focusing on writing and producing her own music. 

During the interview, Siena shared how she came up with the idea of the Sex Book, an online comprehensive sex education curriculum for students, and how it has transformed over time to be a free resource for all. April and Danielle connect with Siena, as she shares her experience with early masturbation and the myths associated with this for those with vulvas. 

This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

Today on the podcast, April and Danielle are joined by the NYU Student Health Center’s Sexpert, Alyssa LaFosse, to talk about HIV, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus. The episode dives into the history of HIV, how it is spread, what individuals can do to prevent contracting the virus, the importance of getting tested for all STIs, and how to continue having a healthy and safe sex life even if someone does receive a positive HIV test result. 

Not only does the discussion include details about PrEP, or Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, which is taken before someone is potentially exposed to the virus, but they also explore PEP, or Post-Exposure Prophylaxis, which is taken after a known or possible exposure to HIV. It wouldn’t be a quickie if April and Danielle didn’t also engage in a discussion about oppressive ideas around HIV, stigma, and the importance of unpacking these harmful beliefs.

This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support. 

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

Today on the podcast April and Danielle welcome Mathew Shepard. He is an Associate Director in the Office of Student Conduct & Community Standards with a specific focus on restorative practices and the university’s response to allegations of discriminatory bias and harassment. He is also an instructor in the Cohort Leadership Program at Stern and a doctoral candidate in the Higher Education Administration program at Steinhardt. 

During this interview, Mathew and Danielle connect about both growing up in Kansas and how this impacted their journeys. Mathew reflects on the value of communication and establishing boundaries when forming a healthy relationship. He also highlights the importance of finding relationships and people that fulfill you by using the metaphor of harmony, or someone who operates in the same octave as you. Mathew shares about his experience working at NYU and some of the challenges he has faced related to his identities.

This episode may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

Are you curious to learn more about Title IX and how it works at NYU? There is some misunderstanding and confusion surrounding the law, so it is important to clarify what it refers to and how it protects students and other members of the NYU community. For those who may not know, Title IX is the federal law which addresses sex discrimination in educational environments.  

Join April and Danielle as they speak to the NYU Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO)/Title IX team about what they do, what affirmative consent is, and what services are available to students. The NYU OEO/Title IX team assists and provides support to those who have experienced harm, also known as Complainants, and those who have been accused of causing harm, or Respondents. Among other things, they connect individuals with resources on and off campus, provide accommodations, and investigate formal complaints. 

This episode may be activating for some listeners. We encourage you to take care of yourself. Consider taking a break from listening, turning off the podcast, or contacting a friend. If you or someone you know has experienced a form of sexual misconduct (such as sexual assault) or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support. 

- NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services

-For NYU Students/Employees: Contact OEO/Title IX at title9@nyu.edu or 212-998-6807

-For NYU Students/Employees: Contact Campus Safety at 212-998-2222

- For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.htm

Today on the podcast we have Cornelia Elise Holzbauer, a graduate student at NYU's Arthur L. Carter Journalism school who is set to graduate in May 2023. Cornelia moved to New York in October 2017 after completing her Bachelor's in Publishing and Media Communication from the University of Vienna. As a journalist, she has covered women's health, female pleasure, and women's reproductive rights, as well as service pieces on sexting techniques. Cornelia wants to dedicate her life to reporting for and about women. Sexuality, intimacy, and sexual health are topics she frequently discusses with friends and family. She likes to call herself the consent police and encourages folks not to mince words when asking for what they do and don’t want.

In this conversation, Cornelia discusses how she is a huge proponent of open communication. When it comes to consent and healthy relationships, she believes in having preemptive conversations. In her  experience, Cornelia has found communication about sex and sexuality empowering, especially when centered around topics like aftercare, consent, and healthy relationships. She also talks about orgasms and pleasure, specifically the value of female pleasure and sexual empowerment and how her identity as a bisexual woman has informed her thoughts about these two important subjects. Find Cornelia on LinkedIn or on Instagram @cornelia_elise.

Cornelia mentions being a survivor and about a few sexual encounters that did not go exactly as she would have liked. This may be activating for some. Be sure to listen to your body and take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services 

For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

When thinking about the “ideal relationship,” many assume that monogamy is the best and even only choice. In reality, there are an abundance of dating models to choose from! Instead of feeling pressure to conform to one idea of a healthy relationship, consider that our lives change just as our relationships do. And change isn’t a bad thing! It gives us the opportunity to be a part of an ongoing conversation about our needs with ourselves and our partners.  

Join April and Danielle as they explore monogamy, different forms of non-monogamy, and being single. Danielle even shares a personal example of how she navigated shifting into a new relationship model and the difficulties that arose during that transition. Throughout the conversation we hope you feel empowered to check in with yourself and ponder what might make you most happy in a relationship and when you’re single. 

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support. 

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

Today on the podcast, April and Danielle are joined by Professor Lauren Whitehead, a writer, performer, dramaturg, and an Assistant Arts Professor of Dramaturgy at NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Professor Whitehead has taught creative writing workshops all around the country for the past 15 years. Prior to joining the faculty at NYU, she was a part-time lecturer at the New School for Drama and was a Teaching Fellow in the Undergraduate Writing Program at Columbia University.

During the podcast, Professor Whitehead shares how she learned about healthy boundaries from her parents while growing up and how she is continually still learning about them as an adult. She learned how to trust her feelings and express them in her family. Additionally, Professor Whitehead discloses that she experienced sexual harm and discusses how she processed this trauma by going to therapy and talking about it with friends. In the conversation, she shares the great advice she gives to herself: “I never talk bad about my body while my body is in the room.” Check out Lauren’s work on her website.

Since there is discussion of sexual harm in this episode, please look out for your emotional and mental wellbeing. Pause the podcast or refrain from listening at all if you feel overwhelmed by this topic.

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

Access to birth control is an essential aspect of safe, consensual sexual activity and health. We at Good Sex @ NYU want to ensure that everyone has equitable access and accurate information regarding birth control that allows all to engage with their sexuality in an empowered and safe way.

In this episode, Danielle and April discuss the many different birth control methods available and what accessing birth control looks like, at NYU and beyond. They also discuss how birth control can be utilized for reasons other than pregnancy prevention, like decreasing heavy and painful menstruation or eliminating menstruation completely, and clearing up acne. We hope you find this episode informative! Check out more resources on our page linked below (there are a lot of great ones this week). NYU students, we encourage you to make an appointment with a medical provider at the Student Health Center to discuss any questions this episode brings up for you. 

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

Today on the podcast, April and Danielle are joined by author, father, and MFA candidate in Creative Writing at GSAS, Ronnie Huett. Ronnie identifies as a non-traditional student in that he went back for his bachelor's degree at a later stage in life and started at a community college. He transferred to Columbia University to complete his undergraduate degree and worked as a teacher before entering the NYU MFA program.

During the podcast, Ronnie quotes from poet Harold Norse and shares about the time he found his dad’s Playboy magazines. He opens up about how heteronormativity has impacted his identity and how his race and gender have influenced his dating life and relationship. Additionally, the discussion explores the challenges of finding a condom that fits and how to navigate using them. Check out Ronnie’s article called Cosmic Latte, and keep an eye out for more of his writing to come.

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

Have you ever struggled to say “no” to a partner or a friend for fear of making them feel rejected? Conversely, have you ever felt rejected when someone said “no” to you? In either scenario, you are not alone! Saying “no” and accepting “no” are both difficult. However, our ability to do both of these things is essential for us to maintain healthy relationships, sexual or otherwise.

In this episode, April and Danielle explore ways to advocate for one’s self and learn to accept when others advocate for themselves. In other words, how to give and receive the word, “no.” They even do a little role playing! As you listen to this week’s quickie, consider how April and Danielle emphasize the importance of creating a balance between establishing and implementing boundaries while honoring the needs of others.

April and Danielle also discuss the way a history of trauma - of someone experiencing a violation of their “no” - can lead to difficulties saying “no” in the present. If you think you may feel triggered by this conversation,  please take care of yourself, listen to your body, and turn off the episode if needed.

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

Today on the podcast, April and Danielle are joined by author and consultant, Michael John Carley. Michael John has been a steadfast presence in the autism spectrum world since being diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome at the same time as his 4-year old son in 2000. He joined the NYU community in Fall 2020 as a Consultant for Disability Inclusive Culture at OGI (Office of Global Inclusion). Once the university started to return to in person work, he opted to switch departments over moving back to NYC from Boston so that his son could be a high school soccer star! Michael John is now an Accessibility Specialist at the Moses Center, a role that includes facilitating the Connections Program. In 2021, he published a book called, "The Book of Happy, Positive, and Confident Sex for Adults on the Autism Spectrum...and Beyond!"  

In this conversation, Michael John shares about how sex has often been an easy way for him to connect with folks throughout his life. He also explores how sex education could be modified to be more accessible for folks on the spectrum and asks for April and Danielle to share their thoughts on this idea. This portion of the conversation does involve references to sexual assault and this can be activating to some. Please take care of yourself, listen to your body and turn off the episode, if needed.   

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support.  

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

Have you ever wanted to try out a kink or fetish, or engage in BDSM? BDSM, or Bondage and Discipline, Dominance and Submission, Sadism and Masochism, is often sensationalized in the media, or portrayed without crucial information. Engaging in healthy BDSM experiences requires consent, contracting, communication, and trust with the inclusion of respect for all parties involved. Join April and Danielle as they explore what healthy BDSM play looks like. 

During the discussion, April and Danielle unpack the ways in which BDSM is different from abusive relationships and this can be activating for some. Please take care of yourself, listen to your body and turn off the episode, if needed. 

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for support. 

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

Join April and Danielle as they converse with Sophomore Reese Villella about Good Sex. Reese (she/her) is majoring in Film Theory/Business at Gallatin with a minor in the Business of Entertainment, Media, and Technology. She is the Co-Marketing Manager for Planned Parenthood Generation Action at NYU and the Pledge Education Secretary and Marketing Manager for Delta Kappa Alpha, NYU’s gender-inclusive cinematic fraternity. Reese recently published a poetry collection titled, "Piles of Cherry Pits," which is now available on Amazon.

In this interview, Reese shares her experience at an all girls boarding school, how her parents' divorce influenced her younger self when thinking about romantic relationships, and explains why she feels we should all be thinking more about menstrual justice. The conversation might make you laugh, might make you feel less alone, and will hopefully make you think about how your own journey influences you today.

Resources: If you are activated by any of the content of this episode, we encourage you to reach out for help. 

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

Mood, stress, anxiety, and countless other barriers prevent us from being in the frame of mind to experience pleasure. Our brain is our largest sex organ; parts of it light up when we experience pleasure. If we want to engage in pleasure, we have to tune into our bodies and minds. Join April and Danielle as they explore how our mental health and pleasure are intimately connected.

At times the discussion turns to the challenges we experience in our mental health journey, including sexual and relationship harm and these topics can be activating for some. Please take care of yourself, listen to your body and turn off the episode, if needed.

If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault or relationship violence, we encourage you to reach out for help.

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

Join April and Danielle as they engage in conversation with Courtney Patterson, Reference Associate at Dibner Library at Tandon School of Engineering. Courtney has a dual degree from Howard University in journalism and public relations, with a minor in theater arts. Courtney was formerly a library assistant at Columbia University, and began working at Dibner in February 2020. Courtney worked at Planned Parenthood and this experience sparked an interest for her in these conversations about sex and highlighted the many obstacles people have to go through to obtain reproductive healthcare.

In the interview, Courtney talks about a number of myths and norms that she has encountered and how they have impacted her journey. During the discussion, Courtney shares her passion finding her own way of doing things and how being an aerialist keeps her grounded. The conversation might make you laugh, might make you feel less alone, and will hopefully make you think about how your own journey influences you today.

Resources: If you are activated by any of the content of this episode, we encourage you to reach out for help.
- NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services
- For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988 from any phone in the U.S.

For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html

Thank you to everyone who has been tuning in to Good Sex @NYU. It is winter break at NYU and we hope everyone gets a chance to rest. We are taking a break too. The Good Sex @NYU podcast team has decided to re-release some of our favorite episodes from fall semester. We hope you enjoy listening to these episodes for the first time, if you missed the initial release, or listening to them again and possibly hearing new insights you missed the first time around. We will continue our first season with new episodes in a couple of weeks.

Join April & Danielle as they engage in conversation with Ra Ra Rollins. Ra Ra is a Student Advocacy Specialist in the Office of Student Affairs at Tandon.  He is also a graduate of Steinhardt with a Master's Degree in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness. As a mental health clinician, Ra Ra prioritizes BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ clients and celebrates those with intersectional identities.  In this interview, we discuss first crushes, the struggle to obtain factual information when sex and sexuality are not discussed at home or in school, and the importance of finding a medical and mental health provider that you trust. The conversation might make you laugh, might make you feel less alone, and will hopefully make you think about how your own journey influences you today.  Resources: If you are activated by any of the content of this episode, we encourage you to reach out for help. - NYU Students: Contact the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or chat using their app and/or Sexual & Relationship Respect Services - For everyone: Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988 from any phone in the U.S.  For more show notes and resources, visit: https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/services/healthy-living/good-sex-at-nyu.html