logo
episode-header-image
Feb 2017
22m 42s

Episode 61: Just Sex

Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam
About this episode
We all know casual sex isn't about love. But what if it's not even about lust? Sociologist Lisa Wade believes the pervasive hookup culture on campuses today is different from that faced by previous generations. This week on Hidden Brain, we explore what this culture means for those who choose to participate, and for those who opt out. 
Up next
Oct 5
When Bad Things Happen to Good People
When historian Kate Bowler was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer, she became fascinated by the ways people try to impose order on events they can't control. She joins us to explore what it means to live fully when life offers no satisfying explanation for the tragedies we may face. ... Show More
1h 32m
Sep 28
How to Make a Difference: Part 2
Think about the last time you had a discouraging thought. Maybe you told yourself, "This won't work. I'm not cut out for this." Did you take that thought as fact? Last week, we talked with psychologist Martin Seligman about why some people come to believe that their actions don’t ... Show More
49m 9s
Sep 21
How to Make a Difference: Part 1
Why do some people act on the possibilities before them, while others come to believe that nothing they do will make a difference? Psychologist Martin Seligman describes his groundbreaking research on learned helplessness, and explains how the stories we tell ourselves about setb ... Show More
48m 10s
Recommended Episodes
Jan 2017
The Reality of Hook Up Culture
<p>Welcome to episode 04 of the Sexology Podcast, today my guest is Dr. Lisa Wade. Lisa is an associate professor of sociology at Occidental College. In this conversation, Lisa talks in-depth about the history of hook up culture, its impact on sexual attitudes and relationships, ... Show More
31m 58s
Apr 2025
Let’s Talk About the Sex No One Talks About - EP. 53
We’re getting into the messy middle of sex and relationships, the parts no one warns you about. What happens when the honeymoon phase fades? When your sex drive dips and you’re not sure if it’s just a phase or a sign? When the sex is so good it’s blinding you to the red flags? We ... Show More
34m 40s
Jan 2022
The Truth About Modern Men And Casual Sex
It's recently been shown that young people are having less sex than previous generations. This got us thinking: Is Casual Sex Losing Its Appeal?Matt and Stephen sit down to talk:How men and women think about casual sex in 2022.What needs are met by casual sex (and what can cause ... Show More
51m 22s
Jan 2022
149. Stop Trying to Have Sex Like a Man!
<p>Suzanne talks about how casual sex affects women drastically different than it affects men.</p> <p><strong>IN THIS EPISODE:</strong></p> <p>1:20&nbsp; Suzanne reads from <em>Loose Girl, </em>a book that analyzes in great detail the emotions that accompany what most young women ... Show More
22m 56s
Jun 2023
Episode 196: When Women Are (and Aren’t) Into Casual Sex
<p>Imagine a woman wanders around a college campus and asks 100 different men at random whether they&#8217;d have sex with her. Now imagine a man wandering around the same campus asking 100 women for sex. How many people do you think would agree in each case? It turns out that we ... Show More
19m 10s
Jul 2024
157. Kissing, Hookup Culture, and Drama Lessons.
Hey everyone! In this episode, we're diving deep into the world of kissing, hookup culture, and navigating the complexities of relationships. From discussing what hooking up really means to reminiscing about kissing on dance floors and the fun frivolities of it all, we cover it a ... Show More
19m 49s
Sep 2025
Does Size Really Matter?
This week on Pretty Basic we’re getting real about sex with special guests Dr. Cory Pedersen (founder of Orgasm Lab) and Amanda Champion (lead researcher). From the psychology behind dick pics (including the recent one Alisha got 👀), to the orgasm gap, to the myths and taboos we ... Show More
1h 6m
Mar 2023
76. Hookup culture and casual dating in your 20’s ft. Louise Rumball
This week we dive into the psychology behind hookup culture and casual dating in our 20’s. We are joined by the host of The Openhouse Podcast, Louise Rumball, as we discuss the cultural and societal changes that have contributed to this sexual liberation, what happens to our brai ... Show More
52m 24s
Sep 2022
Ep 57 - Let's Talk About Sex
<p>If we’re being honest, there are a lot of questions around sex.  What are the keys to mind-blowing sex? Are there any perks to watching porn? How can I have a better orgasm? On today's episode Tinx is joined by her friend, and host of the <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us ... Show More
37m 11s