We Can Do Better17 Huhti 2025

Worthiness of love, cock ring experiments, and the duty of joy

Today, John and Shaun open up about emotional honesty, the fear of being too much, and the art of letting others take care of you. From cock ring experiments and therapist breakthroughs to growing up without unconditional love, they explore the tangled roots of worthiness and connection. Also: the Love Drive podcast is making a comeback, and the house cleaner found the cock rings.

They dive into what it means to feel safe in romantic vulnerability, Shaun’s fear of scaring people away with his sadness, and how early family dynamics shape our adult intimacy patterns. Shaun gets real about doubting his long-term relationship potential and shares his top five non-negotiables for a lasting partnership—including space to be silly, emotional resilience, and yes, vanilla sex.

Dr. MC McDonald joins the conversation with reflections on The Joy Reset, her new book about why joy isn't a luxury - it's a vital part of healing. They talk about survivor's guilt, the duty of joy, and how to support friends in messy relationships without playing savior. There’s also a candid take on how porn misleads us, why advocating for your desires matters, and what happens when your therapist tells you,"there’s a little me inside of you." It's tender, funny, and full of unexpected wisdom.

Resources Mentioned:

Follow Dr. MaryCatherine McDonald on → Instagram

Pre-order or grab a copy of her new book → The Joy Reset

Also check out her first book → Unbroken: The Trauma Response Is Never Wrong

Curious about exploring your desires? Try the Yes, No, Maybe list by Autostraddle

Leave a one-minute voicemail for John and Shaun at 657-549-1001.

Enjoying the show? Don't forget to subscribe, also rate us on Spotify, and leave a comment - we read every single one (yes, even the spicy ones)!

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Find out more about John HERE.

Follow John on Instagram HERE.

Find out more about Shaun HERE.

Follow Shaun on Instagram HERE.

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