Better Loving, by Laura Ellen

Episodes

• Body Image & Light's On Confidence 07.04.2026 24m

  I’ll be brief today because it’s assignment season and all of my writing eggs are going into the uni basket.This episode is for anyone who feels like something is missing in their intimacy, who struggles with body image, and wants to form a sexual self-identity that feels… Free.I share some insights on how to cultivate the confidence you need to be yourself in intimate contexts, and connect to the parts of you that feel like they can’t.This will be helpful for you if:* You struggle to speak up during sex* Identify with the people pleaser archetype* Hide your body during sex* Feel disappointed or defeated after sex (even if it was good)As always, take what resonates. Leave the rest.»»»»» Listen on Spotify»»»»» Listen on Apple PodcastsWith love,Laura Ellen This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bylauraellen.substack.com/subscribe
• What Blocks (Genuine) Confidence 24.03.2026 22m

  Links & Resources:Work with Laura: https://laura-ellen.com/contactAbout Laura: https://laura-ellen.com/aboutSubscribe to Substack: https://substack.com/@bylauraellen?Music by PIANIKA, a New Zealand based producer, creating capsules of sound and energy. Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7CQmZy8qRGBKGAaUcBCRXwEpisode Summary:This episode sits alongside a personal reflection on creativity, confidence, and the quiet ways we move away from our own voice within sexual and relational contexts. I speak into the fear of being too expressive, too intuitive, or too unconventional, and how that can soften confidence over time. This is a grounded reflection on returning to creative self-trust, allowing space for imperfection, and reconnecting with a more natural and self-led way of speaking, creating, and being seen.Key Topics: The impact of using AI on creative expression and self-trust The difference between sounding confident and feeling connected to your voice Fear of being perceived as too spiritual, emotional, or unconventional The tension between academic validation and embodied knowing Reconnecting with intuitive expression and creative autonomy Letting go of perfection and allowing more honest, in-process work Building confidence through self-acceptance and lived experienceDisclaimerThis podcast is intended for general educational and reflective purposes only and is not a substitute for individual mental health care. The topics discussed are broad in nature and cannot account for individual circumstances or nuance. Listeners are encouraged to take what resonates, leave what doesn’t, and seek appropriate professional support where needed. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact hello@laura-ellen.com.© Laura Ellen. All rights reserved. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bylauraellen.substack.com/subscribe
• Q&A: Mismatched Libido & Sexual Incompatibility 17.03.2026 21m

  Links & Resources:Work with Laura: https://laura-ellen.com/contactAbout Laura: https://laura-ellen.com/aboutSubscribe to Substack: https://substack.com/@bylauraellen?Music by PIANIKA, a New Zealand based producer, creating capsules of sound and energy. Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7CQmZy8qRGBKGAaUcBCRXwEpisode Summary:This episode explores the impact of mismatched libido and sexual rejection on our sense of self and erotic vitality. I reflect on what happens when our desire isn’t met by a partner, how repeated experiences of being turned down can quietly erode confidence and the freedom to express sexuality, and how subtle self-silencing can affect our overall sense of aliveness. I focus on understanding what sexual rejection can mean psychologically, how it interacts with our own sense of enoughness, and how to stay connected to pleasure, desire, and sexual self-identity while honoring differences in arousal, history, and rhythm between partners. This episode is about holding space for our own vitality without trying to fix or change the other person.Key Topics Covered:How repeated sexual rejection can impact confidence and erotic vitalityThe ways self-silencing develops when desire isn’t reciprocatedUnderstanding differences in sexual rhythm, history, and arousal between partnersMaintaining connection to your sexual self-identity despite mismatchReflecting on what sexual rejection means psychologically and emotionallyPracticing enoughness and presence with your own desireDisclaimerThis podcast is intended for general educational and reflective purposes only and is not a substitute for individual mental health care. The topics discussed are broad in nature and cannot account for individual circumstances or nuance. Listeners are encouraged to take what resonates, leave what doesn’t, and seek appropriate professional support where needed. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact hello@laura-ellen.com.© Laura Ellen. All rights reserved. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bylauraellen.substack.com/subscribe
• Struggle To Relax During Sex? 10.03.2026 24m

  Links & Resources:Work with Laura: https://laura-ellen.com/contactAbout Laura: https://laura-ellen.com/aboutSubscribe to Substack: https://substack.com/@bylauraellen?Music by PIANIKA, a New Zealand based producer, creating capsules of sound and energy. Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7CQmZy8qRGBKGAaUcBCRXwEpisode Summary:Switching off at the end of a full day and moving into intimacy can feel harder than we admit. In this episode, I explore why sex is not inherently relaxing and how nervous system state, relationship context, and the pace of modern life all shape our capacity for arousal. We unpack the difference between spontaneous and responsive desire, and how cultural messaging can quietly create pressure on bodies to respond in ways that are not authentic. I speak to the moments of contraction, resistance, or bracing that arise when initiation lands at the wrong time, and how meeting those moments honestly can build deeper confidence and connection. This conversation supports you to honour your arousal system, communicate from integrity, and allow pleasure to arrive at a pace that feels true to your body.Key Topics Covered:Why sex is not automatically relaxing and how nervous system state influences readinessThe impact of stress, unresolved tension, and daily demands on sexual connectionSpontaneous and responsive desire and how each functions in real bodiesCultural expectations shaped by media and how they influence sexual pressureNoticing contraction, bracing, or resistance during initiation and what that meansBuilding confidence through honest communication in moments of discomfortMoving beyond chemistry and newness to cultivate authentic, sustainable intimacySupporting pleasure to unfold organically rather than rushing the experienceDisclaimerThis podcast is intended for general educational and reflective purposes only and is not a substitute for individual mental health care. The topics discussed are broad in nature and cannot account for individual circumstances or nuance. Listeners are encouraged to take what resonates, leave what doesn’t, and seek appropriate professional support where needed. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact hello@laura-ellen.com.© Laura Ellen. All rights reserved. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bylauraellen.substack.com/subscribe
• Painful Sex, Numbness & Dissociation 03.03.2026 19m

  Links & Resources:Work with Laura: https://laura-ellen.com/contactAbout Laura: https://laura-ellen.com/aboutSubscribe to Substack: https://substack.com/@bylauraellen?Music by PIANIKA, a New Zealand based producer, creating capsules of sound and energy. Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7CQmZy8qRGBKGAaUcBCRXwEpisode Summary:This episode explores the often unspoken reality of pain, numbness, and pressure in women’s sexual experiences. Drawing on clinical insight and research, including findings from OMGYes that one in four women experience pain during sex, I speak to the layers of shame, bracing, and self-judgement that many women carry behind closed doors. We unpack the psychodynamics and somatics of painful sex, including overwhelm, lack of safety, medical trauma, post-birth changes, heartbreak, and disembodiment. This conversation offers practical and compassionate tools for creating sexual contexts grounded in safety, attunement, and responsive desire. Designed with female bodies in mind, this episode will also support partners who want to better understand the pace and conditions that allow pleasure to unfold organically.Key Topics Covered:The prevalence of pain during sex and the impact on confidence and self-worthShame, bracing, freezing, and fawning in intimate momentsThe nervous system responses that can shape sexual experiencesMedical trauma, post-birth changes, heartbreak, and disembodimentResponsive desire and the importance of attuned, female-centered touchCreating safety as the foundation for genuine pleasurePractical tools for building a sexual context that supports your bodySupporting a partner with patience, attunement, and careDisclaimerThis podcast is intended for general educational and reflective purposes only and is not a substitute for individual mental health care. The topics discussed are broad in nature and cannot account for individual circumstances or nuance. Listeners are encouraged to take what resonates, leave what doesn’t, and seek appropriate professional support where needed. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact hello@laura-ellen.com.© Laura Ellen. All rights reserved. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bylauraellen.substack.com/subscribe
• Keeping Love Alive: Eroticism, Desire & the Art of Long-Term Loving 25.02.2026 31m

  Links & Resources:Work with LauraAbout LauraSubscribe to SubstackMusic by PIANIKA, a New Zealand based producer, creating capsules of sound and energy. Listen here.Episode Summary:In this episode, I explore long term love beyond the pressure to perform wellness, growth, or relationship mastery. We look at how modern ideas of conscious partnership can quietly create shame when relationships become ordinary, familiar, or less charged than they once were. I reflect on the emotional and somatic realities of staying with the same person over time, including boredom, irritation, longing, and the softening of passion. Drawing on different relational perspectives, including Esther Perel’s work and more devotion oriented views of intimacy, this conversation invites a gentler, more humane understanding of love as something that deepens through repetition, shared reality, and presence inside everyday life.Key Topics Covered:The pressure to perform emotional and relational maturityHow wellness culture can impact intimacy and self perceptionNormalising triggers, boredom, and repetition in long term relationshipsThe transition from novelty into familiarity and depthDesire, security, and intimacy over timeWorking with autopilot and presence in daily relatingHolding individuality and togetherness in partnershipStaying connected to erotic aliveness within yourselfFinding intimacy inside ordinary lifeDisclaimerThis podcast is intended for general educational and reflective purposes only and is not a substitute for individual mental health care. The topics discussed are broad in nature and cannot account for individual circumstances or nuance. Listeners are encouraged to take what resonates, leave what doesn’t, and seek appropriate professional support where needed. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact hello@laura-ellen.com.© Laura Ellen. All rights reserved. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bylauraellen.substack.com/subscribe
• Q&A: Attracted to Trouble & Why You Keep Falling for the Bad Boy 17.02.2026 1m

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit bylauraellen.substack.comThis episode is exclusive to monthly and annual subscribers. Join to access all Q&A episodes, monthly experiential workshops, and personal essays here.Links & Resources:Work with LauraAbout LauraSubscribe to SubstackMusic by PIANIKA, a New Zealand based producer, creating capsules of sound and energy. Listen here.Episode Summary:In this episode, I explore why we often find ourselves drawn to relationships that feel intense, exhausting, or familiar in ways that don’t serve us. Even when we know what we want, have done the work of self-awareness, and see the patterns clearly, our bodies can pull us toward dynamics that feel irresistible but stressful. I discuss how our nervous systems shape our attraction, why calm and safety can feel unfamiliar, and the ongoing practice it takes to reorient toward relationships that actually support ease, connection, and wellbeing. This is a reflection on the interplay between mind, body, and attachment, and an invitation to notice what your nervous system is truly drawn to.Key Topics Covered:How familiar patterns of intensity show up in relationshipsWhy cognitive awareness is not always enough to change choicesThe role of the nervous system in attraction and relationship dynamicsUnderstanding why safety and ease can feel unfamiliar or uncomfortableThe practice of re-orienting toward calmer, more supportive connectionsLearning to feel at ease within a secure baselineInsights into choosing relationships that nurture rather than drainDisclaimerThis podcast is intended for general educational and reflective purposes only and is not a substitute for individual mental health care. The topics discussed are broad in nature and cannot account for individual circumstances or nuance. Listeners are encouraged to take what resonates, leave what doesn’t, and seek appropriate professional support where needed. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact hello@laura-ellen.com.© Laura Ellen. All rights reserved.
• A Non-Negotiable Dating Tool That No One Talks About 10.02.2026 20m

  Links & Resources:Work with LauraAbout LauraSubscribe to SubstackMusic by PIANIKA, a New Zealand based producer, creating capsules of sound and energy. Listen here.Episode Summary:Starting to date again can feel exciting and unsettling at the same time. In this episode, I explore the subtle tension your body might feel when stepping into the dating world, whether fresh out of a relationship, enjoying single life, or seeking something more meaningful. I discuss why self-trust is the foundation for choosing well, and how to cultivate the ability to say no, walk away from what doesn’t feel right, and enjoy connection without guilt or compromise. Drawing on clinical insights, personal experience, and what I’ve learned from working with clients, I offer practical tools to help you feel embodied safety, clarity, and confidence as you navigate relationships.Key Topics Covered:Recognising the body’s subtle signals of caution and readiness in datingHow cultural pressures, apps, and past disappointments shape nervous system responsesWhy self-trust is essential for dating wellStrategies to build walk-away power and make choices that feel right in your bodyEnjoying connection without guilt or compromiseCreating safety, clarity, and confidence as you navigate relationshipsDisclaimerThis podcast is intended for general educational and reflective purposes only and is not a substitute for individual mental health care. The topics discussed are broad in nature and cannot account for individual circumstances or nuance. Listeners are encouraged to take what resonates, leave what doesn’t, and seek appropriate professional support where needed. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact hello@laura-ellen.com© Laura Ellen. All rights reserved. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bylauraellen.substack.com/subscribe
• Sex, Self-Worth & Developing a Healthy Relationship to Physical Intimacy 03.02.2026 21m

  Links & Resources:- Work with Laura- About Laura- Subscribe to the Better Loving Substack- Music by PIANIKA, a New Zealand based producer, creating capsules of sound and energy. Listen here.Episode Summary:In this episode of Better Loving, Laura Ellen explores the shift from performative sexuality—shaped by validation, approval, and desirability—to mature sexual power rooted in self-connection, presence, and authenticity. Laura unpacks how performative patterns show up in subtle ways, including faking enjoyment, over-accommodating, or shaping desire around external response, and reflects on how these dynamics impact intimacy and self-worth. Through personal insight, reflection questions, and micro-practices, this episode invites listeners to relate to their sexuality as a source of inner authority and embodied confidence rather than something to prove or exchange.Key Topics:- Sexual maturity and inner authority- Desire rooted in presence, not performance- Sexual identity beyond validation- Pleasure without agenda or outcome- Erotic self-connection and dignity- Authentic intimacy and mutuality- Self-worth beyond desirability- Non-transactional sexual relating- Embodied confidence and relational clarity- Healthy boundaries and conscious sexualityChapters & Time Stamps:00:00 Introduction: The Power of Sexuality00:40 Performative Sexuality vs. Mature Sexual Power01:36 Understanding Performative Traps08:20 Reflection Questions and Practices11:46 Embracing Erotic Integrity19:36 Final Thoughts and InvitationDisclaimer:This podcast is intended for general educational and reflective purposes only and is not a substitute for individual mental health care. The topics discussed are broad in nature and cannot account for individual circumstances or nuance. Listeners are encouraged to take what resonates, leave what doesn’t, and seek appropriate professional support where needed. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact hello@laura-ellen.com.© Laura Ellen. All rights reserved. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bylauraellen.substack.com/subscribe
• She returns. 27.01.2026 39m

  Links & Resources:About LauraWork with LauraSubscribe to SubstackMusic by PIANIKA, a New Zealand based producer, creating capsules of sound and energy. Listen here.Episode Summary:Starting again isn’t triumphant for me, it’s tender, resistant, and quietly/very confronting. In this episode, I reflect on what it’s been like to return to public creation after three years of choosing privacy, growth, and a life lived largely off the internet. Responding to your AMA questions, I share why I stepped away, what I had to let go of, and how I’m learning to hold creativity, visibility, and integrity without self-abandonment. This is a conversation about shame, courage, and allowing ourselves to be seen again.Key Topics:- Resistance, fear, and desire when starting again- Life beyond internet attention and external validation- Why I stepped away — and what that time made possible- Integrating growth through action, not just insight- Holding both visibility and integrity as a therapist- Reclaiming creativity without shame- The courage it takes to be seenDisclaimerThis podcast is intended for general educational and reflective purposes only and is not a substitute for individual mental health care. The topics discussed are broad in nature and cannot account for individual circumstances or nuance. Listeners are encouraged to take what resonates, leave what doesn’t, and seek appropriate professional support where needed. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact hello@laura-ellen.com.© Laura Ellen. All rights reserved. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bylauraellen.substack.com/subscribe
• It Takes Two To Be Toxic: How Stressful Patterns Are Co-Created in Love 03.05.2023 38m

  Links & Resources:Work with LauraSubscribe to SubstackMusic by PIANIKA, a New Zealand based producer, creating capsules of sound and energy. Listen here.Episode Summary:Cue that moment when you realise you might actually be the common denominator in your relationships. This episode dives into why we lose our power when we stay stuck in victim mentality, drama cycles, and blame, and how embracing radical self-responsibility and self-ownership can transform the way you relate to others. I explore the importance of healthy boundaries, secure attachment, and releasing anger and resentment, offering insights into how owning your 50% can unlock more empowered, authentic relationships across friends, family, money, and lovers.Key Topics:Victim mentality and its impact on personal powerRecognising drama cycles in relationshipsRadical self-responsibility and self-ownershipHealthy relationships and secure attachmentReleasing anger and resentmentSetting and maintaining boundariesEnding blame and reclaiming your powerDisclaimer:This podcast is intended for general educational and reflective purposes only and is not a substitute for individual mental health care. The topics discussed are broad in nature and cannot account for individual circumstances or nuance. Listeners are encouraged to take what resonates, leave what doesn’t, and seek appropriate professional support where needed. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact hello@laura-ellen.com.© Laura Ellen. All rights reserved. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bylauraellen.substack.com/subscribe
• Is Your Sex Life Nourishing You, or Draining You? 26.04.2023 26m

  Links & Resources:Work with LauraSubscribe to SubstackMusic by PIANIKA, a New Zealand based producer, creating capsules of sound and energy. Listen here.Episode Summary:Sexual energy is more than something to discharge or “get over with.” In this episode, Laura explores sexual energy as a vital life force—one that can either deplete us or actively nourish our creativity, confidence, and capacity to take meaningful action. Drawing from embodied wisdom and reflective inquiry, this conversation invites listeners to become more conscious of how they relate to arousal, desire, and pleasure, and how that energy can be intentionally directed toward connection, self-trust, creative expression, and personal power. This episode is an invitation to relate to sexuality with greater awareness, agency, and depth.Key Topics Covered:Depletive sex versus nourishing sexSexual energy as a creative and life-enhancing forceMindfully choosing where and how you invest your sexual energySexuality beyond performance or releaseCultivating power, vitality, and embodied confidenceUsing arousal as fuel for creativity, clarity, and bold actionDisclaimer:This podcast is intended for general educational and reflective purposes only and is not a substitute for individual mental health care. The topics discussed are broad in nature and cannot account for individual circumstances or nuance. Listeners are encouraged to take what resonates, leave what doesn’t, and seek appropriate professional support where needed. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact hello@laura-ellen.com.© Laura Ellen. All rights reserved. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bylauraellen.substack.com/subscribe
• Should I Stay or Should I go? Deciding What’s Right for You in Love 19.04.2023 39m

  Links & Resources:Work with LauraSubscribe to SubstackMusic by PIANIKA, a New Zealand based producer, creating capsules of sound and energy. Listen here.Episode Summary:In this episode, we explore the question many people quietly live inside of: Should I stay, or should I go? Rather than offering a definitive answer, this conversation invites deeper self-responsibility around indecision, ambivalence, and commitment in intimate relationships. We look at how lack of clarity erodes connection, how toxic dynamics are co-created, and what it actually takes to relate from a secure, conscious place. This episode supports listeners to slow down, ask better questions, and discern whether they are choosing from fear, habit, or genuine devotion—before making life-altering relationship decisions.Key Topics Covered:Conscious relating and secure attachmentIndecision, ambivalence, and the cost of not choosingToxic relationship dynamics and shared responsibilityDevotional love, commitment, and emotional maturityConflict, blame, and drama cyclesTrying to change your partner vs accepting realityCompromise vs self-abandonmentConsenting vs accommodatingKnowing when to stay, when to leave, and how to tell the differenceBreakup realities and relational discernmentBetter questions to ask yourself before ending (or deepening) a relationshipDisclaimer:This podcast is intended for general educational and reflective purposes only and is not a substitute for individual mental health care. The topics discussed are broad in nature and cannot account for individual circumstances or nuance. Listeners are encouraged to take what resonates, leave what doesn’t, and seek appropriate professional support where needed. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact hello@laura-ellen.com.© Laura Ellen. All rights reserved. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bylauraellen.substack.com/subscribe
• Feel Confident, Love Your Body & Express Your Wild Side Freely 12.04.2023 31m

  Links & Resources:Work with LauraSubscribe to SubstackMusic by PIANIKA, a New Zealand based producer, creating capsules of sound and energy. Listen here.Episode Summary:This episode explores what it really takes to move beyond performative sexuality and into a sex life—and sense of self—that feels authentic, embodied, and fulfilling. We look at how body confidence, anxious attachment, shame, and inherited sexual narratives can quietly shape how we show up in intimacy, often keeping us disconnected from our power and desire. Through honest reflection and practical insight, this conversation invites listeners to reclaim their sexuality as a place of agency, self-trust, and self-discovery—where sex works for you, not against you, and where being fully yourself is no longer negotiable.Key Topics Covered:Body confidence and sexual self-trustAnxious attachment and how it shows up in intimacyReleasing shame-based sexual conditioningMoving out of fear and into personal powerAuthentic self-expression in relationships and sexIntentional, pleasure-led sexualityAccessing deeper, instinctual (primal) states safelyCourage, rejection, and self-ownershipSexual fulfillment beyond external validationDisclaimer:This podcast is intended for general educational and reflective purposes only and is not a substitute for individual mental health care. The topics discussed are broad in nature and cannot account for individual circumstances or nuance. Listeners are encouraged to take what resonates, leave what doesn’t, and seek appropriate professional support where needed. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact hello@laura-ellen.com.© Laura Ellen. All rights reserved. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bylauraellen.substack.com/subscribe
• Rebecca Gunson on Open-Hearted Living 05.04.2023 1h 8m

  Links & Resources:Work with LauraSubscribe to SubstackMusic by PIANIKA, a New Zealand based producer, creating capsules of sound and energy. Listen here.Episode Summary:In this episode of the Better Loving podcast, Laura Ellen is joined by Rebecca Bee Gunson for a grounded and honest conversation about the heart as a central pathway to intimacy, integrity, and embodied aliveness. Together, they explore how social conditioning, relational harm, and the misuse of sexuality can lead to emotional shutdown—and what it takes to gently restore trust, pleasure, and connection within the body. This episode speaks to the courage required to remain open-hearted, to feel and hold love without collapsing or over-functioning, and to cultivate intimacy that is rooted in respect, agency, and emotional maturity.Key Topics Explored:Healing the heart after relational and cultural woundingHeart de-armouring and its role in intimacy and embodimentThe relationship between emotional openness and sexual vitalityIntegrity, consent, and responsibility in intimate relationshipsThe courage and resilience of the feminine heartSocial and cultural factors that contribute to emotional shutdownDeveloping the capacity to feel and hold love in the bodyPower dynamics, manipulation, and the misuse of sexualityDisclaimer:This podcast is intended for general educational and reflective purposes only and is not a substitute for individual mental health care. The topics discussed are broad in nature and cannot account for individual circumstances or nuance. Listeners are encouraged to take what resonates, leave what doesn’t, and seek appropriate professional support where needed. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact hello@laura-ellen.com.© Laura Ellen. All rights reserved. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bylauraellen.substack.com/subscribe
• Cultivate Confidence: A Path to Radiance and Inner Power 28.03.2023 35m

  Links & Resources:Work with LauraSubscribe to SubstackMusic by PIANIKA, a New Zealand based producer, creating capsules of sound and energy. Listen here.Episode Summary:In this episode of The Better Loving Podcast, I explore how self-pleasure can be a transformative practice beyond simply achieving orgasm. We dive into intentional ways to cultivate sexual energy, heal and resource your pelvis, and reclaim sovereignty over your pleasure. I discuss how nurturing your sexual energy can enhance your creativity, radiance, and overall capacity to thrive in your body, relationships, and life. This episode is for anyone curious about harnessing self-pleasure as a tool for feminine thriving, energetic vitality, and attracting sexually compatible partners, all while fostering deeper self-love and emotional connection.Key Topics Covered:Self-pleasure beyond orgasm: intentional practices for transformation and healingCultivating sexual energy as vitality and creative powerAwareness and healing of the base and sacral energiesUnpacking shame, pain, and conditioning in the pelvisMechanics of intentional self-pleasure and radical energetic practicesUsing sexual energy to cultivate radiance, love, and connectionStrong self-pleasure as a foundation for high sexual standardsMaintaining sovereignty over your pleasure and sexual energyDisclaimer:This podcast is intended for general educational and reflective purposes only and is not a substitute for individual mental health care. The topics discussed are broad in nature and cannot account for individual circumstances or nuance. Listeners are encouraged to take what resonates, leave what doesn’t, and seek appropriate professional support where needed. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact hello@laura-ellen.com.© Laura Ellen. All rights reserved. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bylauraellen.substack.com/subscribe
• From Shame to Self-Love: A Path to Embodied Feminine Power 22.03.2023 30m

  Links & Resources:Work with LauraSubscribe to SubstackMusic by PIANIKA, a New Zealand based producer, creating capsules of sound and energy. Listen here.Episode Summary:In this episode, I explore the lingering effects of sexual shame and the cultural messages that have long tried to define and confine women. I share my own journey of confronting uncomfortable and painful experiences with sexuality, unpack where sexual shame comes from, how it shows up in our bodies and relationships, and ways to reclaim confidence and pleasure. This episode is for women ready to break free from cultural stigma, step into their authentic sensuality, and live more fully and fearlessly.Key Topics Covered:Personal experiences with sexual shame and discomfortOrigins of sexual shame in culture and historyHow sexual shame manifests in the body and mindThe impact of shame on relationships and self-expressionPractical ways to release shame and reconnect with authentic sexualityDisclaimer:This podcast is intended for general educational and reflective purposes only and is not a substitute for individual mental health care. The topics discussed are broad in nature and cannot account for individual circumstances or nuance. Listeners are encouraged to take what resonates, leave what doesn’t, and seek appropriate professional support where needed. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact hello@laura-ellen.com.© Laura Ellen. All rights reserved. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bylauraellen.substack.com/subscribe
• Dating with Standards: Wanting More Without Settling for Less 07.12.2022 31m

  Links & Resources:Work with LauraSubscribe to SubstackMusic by PIANIKA, a New Zealand based producer, creating capsules of sound and energy. Listen here.Episode Summary:In this episode, I dive into the energetics of dating and how to stay aligned with your values while attracting what you truly want. We explore the challenges and strategies of online dating, how to get clear on your desires, navigating situationships, avoiding settling, and recognizing when someone isn’t that into you. I also cover insecurities, imposter syndrome, and the subtle pressures of modern dating culture, offering practical insights to help you date with integrity, confidence, and clarity. Full access to this content is available exclusively to paying members of my Substack.Key Topics Covered:Online dating strategies and profile setupGaining clarity on values and desiresAvoiding settling and navigating situationshipsChoosing consciously, not being chosenRecognizing when someone isn’t genuinely interestedDating culture, pacing, and pressureManaging insecurities and imposter syndrome in datingDisclaimer:This podcast is intended for general educational and reflective purposes only and is not a substitute for individual mental health care. The topics discussed are broad in nature and cannot account for individual circumstances or nuance. Listeners are encouraged to take what resonates, leave what doesn’t, and seek appropriate professional support where needed. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact hello@laura-ellen.com.© Laura Ellen. All rights reserved. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bylauraellen.substack.com/subscribe
• Asking for What You Need in the Bedroom—From Silence to Self-Expression: 30.11.2022 27m

  Links & Resources:Work with LauraSubscribe to SubstackMusic by PIANIKA, a New Zealand based producer, creating capsules of sound and energy. Listen here.Episode Summary:In this episode of The Sexual Wellness Podcast, I dive into why so many of us struggle to ask for what we want in the bedroom—and how to move past patterns of shrinking, freezing, or over-controlling. I share practical tools to build confidence, communicate desires with clarity, and create a culture of feedback in your intimate life, alongside techniques for self-soothing, self-pleasure, and connecting with partners in new, empowered ways.Key Topics Covered:Understanding how expressing desire is connected to how we receive others’ needsReceiving feedback with ease and graceCreating a feedback-positive culture in intimacyCommunication techniques beyond the bedroomMy “Loves, Loathes, Lusts” sharing practice for couples and loversExamining personal assertive patternsSignature process for in-the-moment self-soothingSelf-pleasure practices and embodiment exercisesDisclaimer:This podcast is intended for general educational and reflective purposes only and is not a substitute for individual mental health care. The topics discussed are broad in nature and cannot account for individual circumstances or nuance. Listeners are encouraged to take what resonates, leave what doesn’t, and seek appropriate professional support where needed. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact hello@laura-ellen.com.© Laura Ellen. All rights reserved. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bylauraellen.substack.com/subscribe
• Feel Confident Asking For What You Want & The Intelligence of Desire 23.11.2022 47m

  Links & Resources:Work with Laura: Subscribe to Substack: Music by PIANIKA, a New Zealand based producer, creating capsules of sound and energy. Listen here: Episode Summary:How do we relate to sexual desire with honesty, responsibility, and care in a post #MeToo world?In this episode, I explore sexual authenticity through a grounded, relational lens. One that acknowledges our instinctive, embodied nature while holding clear ethical and emotional boundaries. This conversation looks at how shame, suppression, and subtle social conditioning can quietly distort our relationship with desire, pleasure, and intimacy.We explore what it means to express sexual interest in ways that are respectful, attuned, and appropriate for modern relational contexts. I reflect on how cultural narratives around sex, gender, and power shape behaviour on both conscious and unconscious levels, and how greater self-awareness can support safer, more connected experiences of intimacy.This episode is an invitation to consider how sexual expression can be both alive and accountable, rooted in presence rather than performance, and guided by mutual respect rather than fear or shutdown.Key Topics:Sexual authenticity and ethical expression in a post #MeToo contextThe impact of shame and suppression on desire and connectionNavigating attraction, consent, and responsibility in everyday interactionsAsking people out in real life with clarity and respectCreating a desire-positive culture without entitlement or pressureGendered shame and its impact on relational dynamicsSubtle forms of shaming and belittling that often go unnoticedSupporting intimacy that feels safe, embodied, and mutually attunedDisclaimerThis podcast is intended for general educational and reflective purposes only and is not a substitute for individual mental health care. The topics discussed are broad in nature and cannot account for individual circumstances or nuance. Listeners are encouraged to take what resonates, leave what doesn’t, and seek appropriate professional support where needed. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact hello@laura-ellen.com.© Laura Ellen. All rights reserved. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bylauraellen.substack.com/subscribe