The Death & Sex Podcast

The Death & Sex Podcast | Episode 5: Pancakes, Powerlessness & the Path to Healing

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 06:00:26 +0000

In this episode, Dr. Kailey Bradley and Stephen Thomas sit down with Dr. Bethany Fulton—therapist, educator, and advocate for holding space for hard things. Together, they explore what trauma really means, how it shows up in everyday life, and why so many people struggle to identify their experiences as trauma in the first place.

This conversation digs into the heart of trauma work, including:

Why “it wasn’t that bad” is often a trauma response
How trauma manifests in the body and nervous system (even in surprising ways)
The key differences between acute, chronic, and complex trauma
The danger of advice-giving in therapy—and what actually builds trust
How meaning-making emerges (and why it can’t be forced)

Whether you’ve experienced trauma yourself or work with people who have, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and a whole lot of honesty.

Also inside:

What The Body Keeps the Score gets right about memory
Why minimizing your pain might feel safer than naming it
CBT, DBT, IFS, mindfulness, and the power of presence
Why there’s “no billing code for gently held space”—and why that matters

The Death & Sex Podcast | Episode 4: Talking to Kids About Hard Things (Without Shame or Fear)

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 13:00:23 +0000

In this raw and real episode, Stephen and Dr. Kailey tackle one of the trickiest parts of parenting and caregiving: having honest conversations with kids and teens about death, sex, and everything in between. From the dangers of euphemisms to the importance of consent, grief literacy, and pleasure, this episode is packed with stories, laughs, stats, and hard truths. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, caregiver, or just someone who wants to break the cycle of secrecy and shame—you’ll find validation, insight, and a whole lot of permission here.

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The Death & Sex Podcast | Episode 3: The Grief That Binds Us — Why The Last of Us Hurts So Good

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 14:31:52 +0000

What makes a post-apocalyptic zombie game one of the most profound meditations on grief, love, and revenge? In this episode, Stephen Thomas (LPPC-S) and Dr. Kailey Bradley (Ph.D, LPCC-S, CFT) are joined by neuroscientist and gamer Dr. Matthew Stratton for a deep dive into The Last of Us — from the brutality of Joel’s choices to the tragedy of Ellie’s loss.

They unpack themes of unprocessed grief, attachment theory, consent, religious trauma, and how the game forces players into complicity. They also explore why the game’s violence isn’t just gratuitous — it’s the point.

This episode is about more than just a video game. It’s about what we do with our pain, and how sometimes the most human stories are told through the most unlikely mediums.

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The Death & Sex Podcast | Episode 2: Neurodivergent, Not Broken

Sun, 01 Jun 2025 12:00:19 +0000

In this episode, Stephen (LPPC-S) and Dr. Kailey (Ph.D, LPCC-S, CFT) get real about neurodiversity, late diagnoses, and the superpowers that come with being neuro-spicy. From ADHD and ASD to masking, meltdowns, and masturbation as regulation—this conversation peels back the layers of living (and loving) with a neurodivergent brain. They reflect on how their diagnoses shaped their identities, relationships, and careers—and how validation, self-compassion, and accessibility can change lives.

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The Death & Sex Podcast | Episode 1: Intros & Common Misconceptions

Tue, 06 May 2025 07:00:22 +0000

In this episode of The Death & Sex Podcast, we introduce ourselves! Stephen Thomas (LPPC-S) and Dr. Kailey Bradley (Ph.D, LPCC-S, CFT) talk about their backgrounds, specialties, and some common misconceptions about their respective fields. It’s time for some difficult conversations!

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