*Trigger warning: This episode contains explicit discussions about sex, including references to sexual experiences, intimacy, consent, and adult themes. Listener discretion is advised, especially for those who may be sensitive to sexual content. This episode is intended for mature audiences only.

What if the key to better sex isn’t performance, but presence?

In this rich and thoughtful conversation, host Lucy Colgan sits down with psychotherapist Nadine Pittam to unpack how shame, silence and unspoken expectations quietly shape our intimate lives, and how creativity can transform them.

Drawing from her work as a psychotherapist, Nadine explores why talking about sex can feel so difficult and how shame often blocks authentic sexual expression. Together, we examine how desire discrepancies and performance pressures create barriers in intimate relationships. Nadine shares why removing these barriers - turning off the turn off's - is often the most effective path to deeper connection and more fulfilling sex.

The episode also highlights the importance of attunement, vulnerability and play. By balancing a strong sense of self with relational awareness, couples can move beyond scripts and toward more creative, connected experiences. Ultimately, this conversation invites listeners to see intimacy not as a goal to achieve, but as a dynamic, evolving space that thrives on curiosity and courage.

I’d love to hear from you! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube - be sure to subscribe here so you never miss an episode - and check out our FREE Substack newsletter!

Enjoying the show? You can rate and review the podcast here - your feedback helps more listeners discover the show, builds our community, and keeps the episodes coming!

About the Host:

Lucy Colgan is a seasoned creative leader, educator and podcast host with nearly two decades of experience in the arts and education. She holds a PGCE in Drama & Performing Arts and a Professional Diploma in Dance from Trinity Laban, and has worked as a freelance artist, project manager, and director across the creative sector.

She launched The Wilderness of Creativity in 2024 and invites listeners to explore what it really means to 'take the road less travelled' in creative life, combining vulnerability, practical insight and inspirational storytelling.

Want to learn more about today’s guest? Check out their full bio and links below!

Nadine is a psychotherapist specialising in relationships and intimacy. She works with individuals and couples to understand and navigate complex relationship patterns, helping them break free from painful relational dynamics including limerence, fantasies and obsessive attachments. Alongside her specialist focus on close relationships, Nadine has extensive experience supporting people with anxiety, depression, loneliness, identity concerns, work-related stress, sexuality, and self-esteem. She also welcomes those who may not have a clear label for what’s wrong but simply feel that something isn’t quite right - offering a thoughtful and compassionate space to explore what’s going on and find a way forward.

Mentioned in this episode:

The canvas of learning