In this episode of Sex Advice for Seniors, I had a blast talking with Lauren Elise Rogers, a certified holistic sexuality educator and embodied intimacy coach based in West Virginia. Lauren introduced me to a fascinating idea she calls weeding our sexual gardens—a powerful metaphor for examining and removing outdated sexual beliefs that no longer serve us. Through her gentle guidance, she led me through an exercise that explores the sexual and relational messages we absorb at ages 7, 14, and 21, helping us understand how those early “seeds” continue to shape our adult desires and choices.
Lauren also shared her deeply personal journey from growing up in a conservative, evangelical environment to reclaiming her body, pleasure, and autonomy after leaving a difficult marriage. Her transformation is remarkable - from purity rings and religious shame to running SexEd4U, a global coaching practice focused on informed, ethical, and joyful sexuality. Our conversation touched on everything from pleasure as an antidote to pain, to how parenting and relationships evolve after midlife, and why empty nesters often rediscover who they really are.
What resonated most for me was Lauren’s message that pleasure has no age limit and no moral hierarchy. As she beautifully put it, it’s not about what we do with our bodies but about knowing we deserve choice, consent, and joy at every stage of life. By “weeding our sexual gardens,” we can cultivate new beliefs that let our intimate lives flourish—whether we’re single, partnered, or still figuring things out.
You can find Lauren here:
Chapters
00:00 Welcome and Introduction to Sexual Gardens
03:09 Exploring Sexual Beliefs and Personal Growth
12:03 Navigating Relationships and Parenting Dynamics
21:04 The Importance of Informed Decision-Making in Sexuality
Hi, I’m Suzanne, author of the bestseller ‘The Butcher, the Baker, the Candlestick Maker: An Erotic Memoir,’ pleasure seeker and curious about ways to improve our intimate relationships as we age.
Each week, I delve into a different aspects of sex, dating and relationships with an expert which I bring to you via the Sex Advice for Seniors podcast.
Once a week, I write or invite a guest to write a more personal story, which could be in the form of an erotic experience, a sex toy review or perhaps a new perspective, typically behind a paywall.
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