Reality Bytes

For the 97th episode of Private Parts Unknown, host Courtney Kocak welcomes Hallie Lieberman, author of Buzz: The Stimulating History of the Sex Toy, to talk us through the highlight reel of sex toy history. Hallie literally has a Ph.D. in sex toys, so she's the perfect guide. We discuss how sex toys were illegal in Texas until 2008 (and scary indicators that sex-related laws are regressing!), the Kinsey Institute, Japanese shunga, Anthony Comstock and his terrible legacy of sexual suppression, Betty Dodson and how she linked masturbation to women's liberation, the incredible story of Gosnell Duncan, and more. Hallie also shares what she learned from writing "Women Explain Why They Buy Male Sex Dolls" for Buzzfeed's Sneaky Links series and her predictions for the intersection of sex toys and politics in the future. Plus, we swap gigolo stories. For more Hallie Lieberman: Listen to Hallie's Joy Boy podcast about Gosnell Duncan Check out Hallie's website hallielieberman.com Follow Hallie on Twitter @halliel

For the 96th episode of Private Parts Unknown, host Courtney Kocak welcomes Jaclyn Friedman, founder and executive director of EducateUS: SIECUS In Action, to talk about sex ed in the U.S. — and why it's vital that we do better.  Jaclyn is a long-time feminist activist. She's also the author of Unscrewed: Women, Sex, Power, and How to Stop Letting the System Screw Us All and What You Really Really Want: The Smart Girl's Shame-Free Guide to Sex and Safety. In this episode, Jaclyn shares her mission to transform public school sex education in the United States and how we can do that via voting and running for office on the school board level, as so much of this issue is currently decided locally. We also cover the wide-reaching impact of good sex ed, how the culture wars are drawing attention to work in this space, the insidious, politically co-opted language of "grooming" and how it affects childhood sexual assault survivors, and more. For more Jaclyn Friedman: Check out the EducateUS: SIECUS In Action websit

For the 95th episode of Private Parts Unknown, host Courtney Kocak welcomes Zachary Zane, Men's Health Magazine sex advice columnist, Boyslut author (now available for preorder!) & host of the biannual BISLUT sex party for bisexual people and their admirers. Zachary's been dubbed a “Bisexual Mega Influencer” by the NY Daily News. We dive into Zachary's sexual awakening, coming to terms with his bisexuality and coming out, his mission to destigmatize sexuality through his writing, some favorite stories from his erotic newsletter, the best sex party ever, how consent norms differ in different spaces, his favorite type of threesome, getting the Monkeypox vaccine in NYC vs. LA, and more. For more Zachary Zane: Preorder Zachary's book Boyslut: A Memoir and Manifesto Subscribe to the BOYSLUT newsletter zacharyzane.substack.com/welcome Check out Zachary's website zacharyzane.com Follow Zachary on Twitter @ZacharyZane_ Follow Zachary on Instagram @zacharyzane_ ***BUY A PRO-ABORTION SHIRT TO HELP SUPPORT O

For the 94th episode of Private Parts Unknown, host Courtney Kocak welcomes Dr. Diana Greene Foster, who's responsible for some fascinating and groundbreaking research on abortion and contraceptives. Dr. Foster is a professor at the University of California-San Fransisco, the director of research at ANSIRH, and the author of The Turnaway Study: Ten Years, a Thousand Women, and the Consequences of Having—Or Being Denied—An Abortion. In this episode, we dive into the Turnaway Study — why she started the study, how the study was conducted, her hypothesis and how it lined up with the results, what Gloria Steinem said about her book, and more. For more Dr. Diana Greene Foster: Check out the website for ANSIRH ansirh.org Follow Dr. Foster on Twitter @Dianagfoster Buy Dr. Foster's book The Turnaway Study: Ten Years, a Thousand Women, and the Consequences of Having—Or Being Denied—An Abortion ***BUY A PRO-ABORTION SHIRT TO HELP SUPPORT OUR "ABORTION IN POST-ROE AMERICA" REPORTING TRIP (use code PRIVATE to sav

For the 93rd episode of Private Parts Unknown, host Courtney Kocak welcomes body paint artist Paul Roustan for a conversation about how he got started, the importance of separating sex from nudity, what his wife and kids think about his work, how he used his body paint art as a launch pad to becoming an NTF creator, what it's like to have groupies in the metaverse, and more. For more Roustan: Check out Roustan's website bodypainter.com Check out Roustan's YouTube channel youtube.com/roustanbodypaint Follow Roustan on Twitter @RoustanNTF Follow Roustan on Instagram @roustan Courtney and Roustan's body paint collabs: Body Painting Courtney 4K: https://youtu.be/7eo_8benGj0 Body Painting Courtney Again!: https://youtu.be/m4nM6j8lSnA Naked at the Beach and Pool with Body Paint: https://youtu.be/3EZ8Z4zQjHU New Year's Pre-Party Body Painting: https://youtu.be/mph_sVS60Mc Body Painting Courtney: https://youtu.be/PrRofOFi0F8 Psst, Courtney has an 0nIyFan$, which is a horny way to support the show: ht

For the 92nd episode of Private Parts Unknown, host Courtney Kocak welcomes research psychologist, psychotherapist, and media commentator Dr. Frieda Birnbaum, Ph.D., for a primer on toxic relationships, how to avoid them, and how to rewire abusive patterns that might be lurking around from your upbringing. But first, we talk about what it's like to be an older parent because, notably, Dr. Frieda is the oldest woman in America to give birth to twins at age 60! With her unique perspective on parenting, we also get into kids vs. career and whether or not to have kids if you don't feel particularly passionate about it. For more Dr. Frieda Birnbaum: Check out Dr. Frieda's website friedabirnbaum.wixsite.come/drfrieda Read Dr. Frieda's book Life Begins at 60: A New View of Motherhood, Marriage, and Reinventing Ourselves  Psst, Courtney has an 0nIyFan$, which is a horny way to support the show: https://linktr.ee/cocopeepshow Private Parts Unknown is a proud member of the Pleasure Podcast network. This episode i

Unfortunately, a couple of weeks ago, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade in a devastating rollback of rights. So for the 91st episode of Private Parts Unknown, we are countering a common misconception that people who are already moms don't get abortions or aren't pro-abortion. But that's not true: According to 2019 CDC statistics, 60% of people who get abortions are already mothers. So today, host Courtney Kocak speaks with reporter, abortion activist, AND mom Robin Marty, in addition to writer, speaker, and mom activist Christine Michel Carter about why abortion access is necessary, even for people who WANT to be pregnant, how to talk to your kids about abortion, and more. Robin Marty is the author of Handbook for a Post-Racial America and the updated New Handbook for a Post-Roe America, in addition to several other books, and she's currently the director of operations for the West Alabama Women's Center. Christine Michel Carter is the author of MOM AF and Can Mommy Go To Work? For more from today'

In a very grim turn of events, Roe v. Wade was overturned by SCOTUS last week. For the 90th episode of Private Parts Unknown, we're going to hold space for that grieving process — and also hear directly from the people litigating the case and an organization at the forefront of the pro-choice movement about what this means, how we got here, and what's to come. Host Courtney Kocak gives her reaction to Friday news and shares her personal experience with abortion. Then we talk through the biggest takeaways from Friday's press conference, where the Center for Reproductive Rights and Mississippi Center for Justice discussed the devastating ruling in the U.S. Supreme Court case Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, with clips from the following speakers: Nancy Northup, President and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights Julie Rikelman, Senior Director of U.S. Litigation at the Center for Reproductive Rights Hillary Schneller, Senior Staff Attorney at the Center for Reproductive Rights Robert McDuff

For the 89th episode of Private Parts Unknown, host Courtney Kocak introduces you to her OTHER podcast, The Bleeders, a new show about book writing and publishing. BUT DON'T WORRY, today's episode still manages to be very queer! The first guest for The Bleeders was the second ever guest for Private Parts Unknown — Samantha Allen, author of Real Queer America: LGBT Stories From Red States and the upcoming novel Patricia Wants to Cuddle (pub date June 28th). She shares so many nuggets of wisdom for writers. We talked shop about writing and publishing start to finish, book advances, audiobooks and her Audible Original (M to (WT)F: Twenty-Six of the Funniest Moments from My Transgender Journey), her foray from nonfiction to fiction, and the very trans sci-fi she used to devour pre-transition. Happy Pride, everyone! Hope you like this podcast (if you do, check out the links below for more), and we'll be back next with a brand new episode of Private Parts Unknown. CHECK OUT THE BLEEDERS FEED FOR MORE EPISODES (AND

For the 88th episode of Private Parts Unknown, host Courtney Kocak welcomes Dr. Amir Marashi, aka "The Vagina Whisperer" (@nycgyno on Instagram), for a fun and informative episode that spans from orgasms to endometriosis and Freud to Fear of Flying. We also discuss misconceptions about the clitoris and how that even affects doctors, different treatment options for post-menopausal women and others who need a boost (including Cliovana and "the love treatment"), his natural lube recommendation from your kitchen cupboard, and his sexual health tips for vagina-havers of all ages. For more Dr. Amir Marashi: Follow Dr. Marashi on Instagram @nycgyno Check out Dr. Marashi's website nycgyno.com Psst, Courtney has an 0nIyFan$, which is a horny way to support the show: https://linktr.ee/cocopeepshow Private Parts Unknown is a proud member of the Pleasure Podcast network. This episode is brought to you by: Our Sponsor, FLESHLIGHT, can help you reach new heights with your self-pleasure. Fleshlight is the #1 selling

For the 87th episode of Private Parts Unknown, your hosts, Courtney Kocak and Sofiya Alexandra, welcome Nova Scotia-based married couple and co-hosts of the Turn Me On podcast — Jeremie Saunders and Bryde MacLean — for a fascinating episode about their journey opening up their relationship and becoming polyamorous. We dig into how living with a life-shortening illness has impacted their trajectory, how they forged the relationship dynamic they truly wanted without having a model, relationship contracts, how their new partners fit into their daily lives, having different money values, separating finances, how their parents feel about the lifestyle, poly jealousies not being what you’d think, WHETHER OR NOT THEY STILL F*CK, and more. For more Jeremie Saunders and Bryde MacLean: Listen to the Turn Me On podcast  Follow Turn Me On on Instagram @turnmeonpodcast Follow Jeremie on Instagram @jeremiesaunders Follow Bryde on Instagram @brydemaclean Psst, Courtney has an 0nIyFan$, which is a horny way to suppo

For the 86th episode of Private Parts Unknown, your hosts Courtney Kocak and Sofiya Alexandra revisit one of our most popular episodes: a deep dive into why women cheat. First, we speak to an Ashley Madison member going by the alias of “Nikki,” then Ashley Madison’s Chief Strategy Officer, Paul Keable, and finally, their Communications Director, Isabella Mise, who co-authored "The Good Wife Study" on female infidelity. You're gonna want to check your presumptions at the door for this one! Psst, Courtney has an 0nIyFan$, which is a horny way to support the show: https://linktr.ee/cocopeepshow Private Parts Unknown is a proud member of the Pleasure Podcast network. This episode is brought to you by: Our Sponsor, FLESHLIGHT, can help you reach new heights with your self-pleasure. Fleshlight is the #1 selling male sex toy in the world. Looking for your next pocket pal? Save 10% on your next Fleshlight with Promo Code: PRIVATE at fleshlight.com. Dipsea is an audio erotica app full of short, sexy stories and guid

For the 85th episode of Private Parts Unknown, hosts Courtney Kocak and Sofiya Alexandra welcome author Chloe Caldwell for a deep dive into her latest book, The Red Zone, about her experience with PMDD and how that impacted her relationships. The Red Zone: A Love Story is a searching, galvanizing memoir about blood and love: how learning more about her period, PMS, PMDD, and the effects of hormones on moods transformed her relationships — to a new partner, to family, to non-blood kin, and to her own body — from the beloved essayist and author of Women. We discuss how PMDD is different from regular ol’ PMS, Chloe’s journey to regain control over her symptoms, what worked and what didn’t, and how being a stepparent is kind of like being queer. For more from today's guest: Follow Chloe on Instagram @chloeeeecaldwell Check out Chloe’s website chloesimonne.com Buy Chloe’s latest book The Red Zone Private Parts Unknown is a proud member of the Pleasure Podcast network. This episode is brought to you by: Lik

For the 84th episode of Private Parts Unknown, hosts Courtney Kocak and Sofiya Alexandra welcome Original Boner Gel founder Manuel Deran to bust some Dick Myths! Sofiya is the host, and Courtney and Manuel go head to head to see who’s more of a penis expert in this fun and informative game. Primary sources for this episode: 10 things you don’t know about the penis by Tim Newman for MedicalNewsToday Do I Have a Normal Penis? 8 Myths to Stop Believing About Your Penis by Suzannah Weiss for Teen Vogue 8 Myths And Beliefs About The Penis, Analyzed By Sex Experts by Brittany Wong for HuffPost 9 Lies You've Been Told About Penises by Hannah Smothers for Cosmo Private Parts Unknown is a proud member of the Pleasure Podcast network. This episode is brought to you by: Original Boner Gel is the most advanced, luxury skincare product for men, specifically targeting your skincare needs below-the-belt. Original Boner Gel is offering our listeners 20% off your order when you go to originalbonergel.com and enter c

For the 83rd episode of Private Parts Unknown, hosts Courtney Kocak and Sofiya Alexandra welcome sex educator extraordinaire Samia Burton to take us to school with Dicking Riding 101 and Intro to Squirting. Samia gives tips for getting out of a sex rut, how to talk to your partner about what’s NOT working in the bedroom, why weight is a non-issue when it comes to dick riding (big girls can grind too!), the importance of scheduling sex and self-love, and a thrilling primer on squirting. For more from today's guest: Follow Samia on Instagram @sexualessentials Follow Samia on Twitter @miabuggzy Check out Samia’s website thesexualessentials.com Study with Samia! Obviously, she’s a stellar sex educator, so take a class to level up your skills: #Dickriding 101: https://sexual-essentials.mykajabi.com/a/2147507840/g6JuLmGy #MouthMasterclass: https://sexual-essentials.mykajabi.com/a/2147507839/g6JuLmGy Masturbation & Squirting 101: https://sexual-essentials.mykajabi.com/a/2147507841/g6JuLmGy Private Part

For the 82nd episode of Private Parts Unknown, hosts Courtney Kocak and Sofiya Alexandra welcome actor, writer, and advocate Emmy Olea to discuss her new podcast, Crumbs. Emmy shares how her childhood — having teenage parents who struggled with addiction and being raised by an awesome grandma who was her paragon of strength and love — affected her dating life, what it’s like to navigate the element of disclosure when dating as a trans woman, her journey to learning her worth in relationships, and more. This is such a universal and relatable conversation... don't settle for crumbs, Privates — you're worth so much more! For more from today's guest: Listen to Emmy’s podcast Crumbs Follow Emmy on Instagram @emmyolea11   Follow Emmy on Twitter @emmyolea11  Private Parts Unknown is a proud member of the Pleasure Podcast network. This episode is brought to you by: Like A Kitten is offering our listeners 20% off AND free shipping when you go to LikeAKitten.com/Private OR enter code Private at checkout. Dipsea

For the 81st episode of Private Parts Unknown, hosts Courtney Kocak and Sofiya Alexandra welcome Ghanaian feminist writer and blogger Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah to discuss her new book: The Sex Lives of African Women. She also co-founded the award-winning blog Adventures from the Bedrooms of African Women. Nana interviewed over 30 women from the continent of Africa and the diaspora for the book, and they came from a wide variety of identities and lifestyles. In this episode, we hear stories from polygamist, trans, sex worker perspectives — in addition to a woman who went through FGM (female genital mutation) and still has pleasurable sexual experiences. Nana also explains why she identifies as a pan-Africanist. This episode is guaranteed to expand your mind and teach you something new! For more from today's guest: Buy Nana’s book The Sex Lives of African Women on Bookshop Check out Nana’s website darkoathewriter.com Follow Nana on Twitter @nas009  Follow Nana on Instagram @dfordarkoa Private Parts Unknown

For the 80th episode of Private Parts Unknown, hosts Courtney Kocak and Sofiya Alexandra are joined by Ukrainian journalist and radio host turned civilian soldier Yuriy Matsarsky (Юрій Мацарський), currently fighting in a Territorial Defense Unit in Kyiv. He touches on why he left his life in Moscow, what the daily life of a newly minted civilian soldier’s like, propaganda’s effect on his former journalist colleagues, and the difference between actually helping Ukraine and just performing (hint: turns out Facebook statuses are not that helpful, wow who knew). Plus, excerpts from his frontline podcast Fighting for Ukraine and poignant stories of Ukrainians banding together to resist Russia’s invasion (one includes soup!). Слава Україні! Героям cлава! Cмерть ворогам! For more from today's guest: Check out Yuriy’s new podcast Fighting for Ukraine fightingforukraine.podbean.com Help Ukrainian refugees through Nova Ukraine novaukraine.org Private Parts Unknown is a proud member of the Pleasure Podcast network

For the 79th episode of Private Parts Unknown, sex and art collide as host Courtney Kocak highlights a tremendous unsung hero: the dick artist. Specifically, Anjani Siddhartha, a designer for Doc Johnson and the artist behind many of their popular sex toys. We discuss her journey to becoming a sex toy artist, where she gets her inspiration, her favorite designs, how her work and life changed during COVID, her thoughts on retirement after 26 years (!!!) with Doc Johnson, and more. For more from today's guest: Buy Anjani’s poetry book Divine Indifference on Amazon Check out Anjani’s website anjani108.com Enjoy Anjani and team’s dick art docjohnson.com Private Parts Unknown is a proud member of the Pleasure Podcast network. This episode is brought to you by: Original Boner Gel is the most advanced, luxury skincare product for men, specifically targeting your skincare needs below-the-belt. Original Boner Gel is offering our listeners 20% off your order when you go to originalbonergel.com and enter code PR

For the 78th episode of Private Parts Unknown, hosts Courtney Kocak and Sofiya Alexandra are sending a love letter to Sofiya’s homeland: Ukraine — more specifically Odessa, the pearl of the Black Sea.  Sofiya grew up in Odessa, Ukraine, before immigrating to the U.S. in 1994, when she was in middle school. Now, in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Sofiya revisits the place she first called home, sharing her favorite memories and cultural touchstones, why it's Ukraine instead of "the Ukraine" (which undermines the country's sovereignty), how this war has made us realize our neglect of other conflict zones, and more. This episode was inspired by Sofiya's viral Twitter thread, which struck a chord with folks eager to learn more about Ukraine during this harrowing time.  We’re up for some Podca$h funding for the show, and, in addition to paying our team, we want to take a trip to Antarctica for a bucket list series about love and sexuality on the South Pole. Please write us a short love letter (just a sen