Talking About Intimacy

Creating a conversation around your needs in relationships

As men, we were never taught how to navigate the complexities of a healthy, successful sex life in long-term relationships. It’s something we are often left to figure out ourselves, with no real guidance around how to understand, respect, and prioritize both our own and our partner’s individual needs.

As a result, many men feel unable to fully express their desires and needs around sex, which leads to communication breakdown and decreased intimacy over time.

In this episode of The Crux, join Ryan and Slade as they discuss the do’s and don’ts of approaching a conversation around intimacy needs with your partner.

SHOW NOTES

00:00 – Why the conversation around intimacy is difficult to bring up in relationships

03:41 – A lack of sexual education in adolescence requires many men to play catch-up as adults

05:40 – Ryan discusses the importance of taking inventory of all your partner’s context clues before engaging in a conversation around your needs

07:30 – Helping your partner feel connected to you beyond the scope of physical intimac

08:37 – Ryan and Slade introduce the key pieces of setting up a conversation around intimacy

10:36 – On vulnerably receiving your partner’s feedback without getting defensive

13:21 – Letting intimacy build: Stop focusing on the “now”

16:49 – Spontaneity arises when women feel seen and acknowledged

20:13 – Setting the scene to communicate your needs requires understanding theirs first

22:13 – Own your contributions to the blocks that exist around your intimacy