Just Between Us with Jennifer Zamparelli

Smut didn’t begin with BookTok. From Judy Blume and Jackie Collins to audiobooks and sexy dragons, women have long read it for fantasy and escape. But can it help you work out what turns you on, or leave real-life sex feeling flat? Jennifer is joined by bestselling author and former sex columnist Vicki Notaro to talk desire, porn and whether sharing a steamy chapter can help couples say what they want. ­ We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A couples’ holiday sounds romantic until you’re tired, lost and arguing over where to eat. Jennifer is joined by psychotherapist Síle Uí Chiaráin to explain why holidays can expose pressure points in a relationship – and how couples can manage conflict, repair a row and reconnect. Just Between Us is part of the Trust Project. You can see our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anal sex is surrounded by myths about preparation and pain. General Surgeon Dr Evan Goldstein joins Jennifer to explain what people often get wrong and how to approach your body from a pleasure point of view. Listeners note; Competition entries are now closed for tickets to our live podcast recording. We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When a friend keeps returning to the same relationship, it can feel like you’re trapped in the cycle with them. Do you tell them exactly what you think, keep your mouth shut or admit that you can’t keep having the same conversation? Psychologist Louize Carroll joins Jennifer Zamparelli to discuss compassion fatigue, boundaries and the difference between honest support and judgement disguised as care. Plus, why people go back, whether no contact works and how to face the ex everyone called a bastard. Listeners note; Competition entries are now closed for tickets to our live podcast recording. We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've all had a fantasy we've kept to ourselves, but should it stay there? Jen is joined by relationship and sex educator Aoife Murray to talk about the fantasies people actually have, why they're so common, and why talking about them doesn't have to be awkward. From BDSM and foot fetishes to communication, consent and Irish shame, this is an honest, funny conversation about what really goes on in our heads. We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who should pay on a first date, should couples split everything equally, and how much financial independence should each partner keep? Jennifer Zamparelli and matchmaker Mairead Loughman explore how money exposes our expectations around fairness, security and respect—from joint accounts and childcare to debt, spending habits and the rows that are rarely just about money. Listeners note; Competition entries are now closed for tickets to our live podcast recording. Just Between Us is part of the Trust Project. You can see our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Long before our first kiss or heartbreak, our ideas about love were already taking shape at home. Jennifer is joined by Emma Kehoe, Brenda Dennehy and Kieran Corrigan for a funny and revealing chat about how siblings, birth order, school and the Irish mammy can shape our relationships. From eldest-daughter syndrome to growing up with brothers or in a family of eight, they ask how much of our love lives can be traced back to childhood. Listeners note; Competition entries are now closed for tickets to our live podcast recording. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why do good people cheat? Jennifer Zamparelli sits down with psychotherapist Dr. Richard Hogan to talk about the messy reality of infidelity and why it's rarely as simple as right or wrong. They chat about attachment styles, midlife, rebuilding trust, and whether a relationship can ever come back from betrayal. Listeners note; Competition entries are now closed for tickets to our live podcast recording. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most of us learned about sex in fragments through rumours, awkward conversations and a lot of guesswork. Twenty years after his bestselling book She Comes First changed the conversation around female pleasure, sex therapist Ian Kerner joins Jennifer for an honest, funny, and eye-opening chat about cunnilingus, the orgasm gap, performance anxiety, and why great sex has far more to do with communication than technique. From clitoral anatomy to confidence in the bedroom, this episode unpacks what actually works and why many of us are still getting it wrong. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How long would you ignore a sexual health problem before getting it checked? For some people, the answer might surprise you. ­ This week, Jen is joined by Olympic rower, doctor Dr Philip Doyle for a funny and fascinating conversation about sexual health, STI testing, mental health, blue pills, broken penises and the medical issues people leave far too late. ­ From awkward symptoms and emergency room stories to why so many of us avoid getting help, Dr Doyle answers the questions most people are too embarrassed to ask. ­ We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Jennifer is joined by Shawna Scott, sex educator and owner of Ireland's multi-award-winning, sex-positive online boutique SexSiopa.ie. Together they explore the apps promising better sex, better communication and better relationships. From scheduling intimacy and sharing fantasies to app-controlled sex toys and AI matchmaking, can technology actually help us connect or is it getting in the way? Why are so many people exhausted by dating apps? What exactly is Madonna doing on Grindr? And is scheduling sex really as unsexy as it sounds? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever said “yeah, that’s fine” when it absolutely wasn’t fine? This week Jennifer is joined by sex and relationship coach Shannen Barry to unpack people-pleasing in all its forms. From overcommitting and avoiding confrontation to faking orgasms. Why do so many of us prioritise someone else’s comfort over our own needs? And how do we stop? Expect laughs, honesty and a few uncomfortable truths. Sorry. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why does dirty talk feel so awkward for so many people, and how can it become a powerful tool for connection? This week Jen is joined by Somatica Institute founders Celeste Hirschman and Dr. Danielle Harel to explore the psychology behind sexy communication, core desires, and bedroom confidence. Together, they discuss how to discover what turns you on, navigate boundaries, and find language that feels authentic rather than scripted. We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Remember the birds and the bees chat? Yeah… neither do we. This week Jen is joined by sex educator Olivia Teahan to unpack the weird, funny and deeply awkward ways Irish people learned about sex or more accurately, didn’t. Funny, honest and surprisingly reassuring, this episode is all about learning to relax, communicate better, and enjoy sex without all the baggage because it is supposed to be FUN. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Porn used to be all about what you see. Now, women are putting the headphones in and letting imagination do the heavy lifting. Jen dives headfirst into the wildly addictive world of audio erotica. From sexy Irish accents and fantasy roleplay, to why millions of women are listening to smut while doing the Tesco shop. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Got a sex question you’ve never said out loud? Jennifer Zamparelli is joined once again by sex educator and intimacy coach Grace Alice O’Shea for another special listener Q&A. From why sex can feel amazing one day and awkward the next, to random body reactions and feeling undesired in a relationship, no question is off limits. Jennifer and Grace Alice discuss how to talk about intimacy, reconnect with your sexual self, and the one question Grace Alice believes everyone should ask themselves about their sex life. They’re answering the questions you usually keep to yourself. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever been told to think about your granny to last longer? Or eat pineapple to “improve the taste”? Yeah… this episode is full of that kind of advice. Jennifer is joined by comedians Eddie Mullarkey and Paul Marsh, alongside public health doctor Ralph Hurley O’Dwyer, for a hilarious and surprisingly honest chat about the worst sex advice men have ever received, where it all came from, and what we should probably unlearn immediately. From wet dreams and one-night stands to manscaping, porn myths and modern dating apps, nothing is off limits. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feeling sexy… it sounds simple, but for a lot of us, it’s anything but. ­ This week, Jennifer is joined by comedian Aideen McQueen and burlesque performer Bonnie Boux to unpack why so many of us feel awkward, self-conscious, or just completely disconnected from that side of ourselves. ­ From Irish shame and long-term relationship ruts to crochet-induced icks and the surprising power of a good playlist… this is a conversation about confidence, comfort, and figuring out what actually makes you feel good ­ Because as it turns out, sexy isn’t a look… it’s something you can learn. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever heard of lactophilia or sploshing ? Well, you’ve come to the right place. This week, we’re getting into kinks… and all the questions you’d nearly be afraid to ask out loud. From erotic lactation (yes, it is what you think!) to squeaking balloons, there is no stone left unturned. Jennifer, comedian Aideen McQueen and Jamie Ryan (aka Mr Leather Europe 2026) unpack where curiosity comes from, what draws people into this world, and what actually goes on behind the scenes. And let us tell you… it’s a lot more common, and a lot less “out there” than you might think. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For this episode of Just Between Us , we're talking about better sex, not more of it, not swinging from the chandeliers, just figuring out what actually works for you. Because let’s be honest… for something most of us are doing, we’re still wildly awkward talking about it. Between Catholic guilt, dodgy sex ed and the idea we’re all meant to just know what we’re doing, a lot of us are out here guessing and hoping for the best. Joining Jennifer is sex educator Jenny Keane, who’s here to take the pressure off. From viral workshops (and yes, the great Irish cucumber shortage) to simple, practical ways to shake things up, this is all about getting out of your head, out of the same old routine, and into something that feels good. ­ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.