Esther Perel Interview On Sex, Power and Desire

In this candid and provocative interview, Esther Perel talks about the relationship between sex and power, desire and arousal, and what we need to do to heal our current sex culture. We are currently in a crucial moment of sexual cultural revolution. The Harvey Weinstein effect and the #MeToo movement has ended the long standing silence around sexual harassment and other abuses of sex and power. Where do we go from here? Esther Perel shares some of her thoughts about what work needs to happen to heal the wound of sexual violence and create a healthier sex culture for us all. In this interview, Esther Perel also shares her thoughts about men and women’s deepest erotic wounds, what holds us all back from being more erotically alive, and how we can harness more sexual vibrancy in long term relationships. We discussed themes from Esther Perel’s new book, The State of Affairs, in a 3 part podcast series: Episode #262: Explicit Monogamy Agreements Episode #263: Harnessing Jealousy As Erotic Fuel Episode #264: Break The Rules – Together Ready For More From Esther Perel? There’s nothing better than hearing Esther Perel read her own book – her poetry comes alive when you hear her read it! Click here to get a free trial and free audiobook from Audible – and choose The State Of Affairs as your free gift. Or pick up your copy of State of Affairs on Amazon or your local bookstore. Listen to Esther’s podcast, where she takes you into the heart of her couple’s therapy sessions:  Where Should We Begin Watch Esther Perel’s two TED talks by clicking here Find all of Esther Perel’s books, courses and resources on her website here. Transcript of Esther Perel Interview Esther Perel (EP): To change the conversation or the culture of sexuality to alleviate suffering, what’s your take when you’re being asked these days- I just did Terry Gross this morning, you know for “Fresh Air,” … And of course I was asked again about the current moment, the harassment, the assault…the purge that’s taking place, etcetera -What do you- Where do you begin? I’m just curious, as people who are more thinking about this maybe even than me. I can, you know, we’ll hear what I said, but I’m just so curious to hear something thoughtful.   Chris Maxwell Rose (CMR): Where do we begin about the conversation of sex and power? EP: Yeah. yeah that’s what it is. Right? CMR: Well I think we’re at this cultural watershed moment where female sexual subjectivity especially is waking up and claiming space for itself. Sex and power that has been so culturally entangled… I feel like these men really thought they were entitled to sexual access to women, especially women of lower social status and kind of claimed it as a job benefit in so many ways. And never thought that that they would be held accountable. And so starting to see that conversation move forward and that accountability start to take place I think is shocking for a lot of people. But then it leaves a lot of confusion in its wake and one of the things I want to talk to you about is how can men not be afraid of being sexual and not be perceived as predators.