Dr. Ashley Mader, sex therapist and founder of OurShine — August 4, 2020

Ashley Mader

Keeping sex alive for life! Dr. Diana is a gerontologist and was joined by Dr. Ashley Mader (www.OurShine.org) who focuses on older adult sexuality (as she did in her Ph.D. dissertation). Dr. Diana worked with Dr. Walter Bortz, MD (author of Dare to Be 100) in the early 1990s on aging and sexuality studies, and was later published in medical journals. Both Dr. Diana and Dr. Ashley tackled outdated expectations and promoted new ways to celebrate sexuality throughout the later years.

Within the COVID-19 crisis, there are new challenges and opportunities. “Pandemic sex” is exciting because being sexual is a reminder that one is still alive and feeling so alive! Making the most of the lockdown can deepen a (senior) sex relationship and offer health benefits as well. Putting sex on the calendar, keeping it playful, using mindfulness, incorporating fantasy, and how to get going when you don’t feel the urge—all were discussed (and all are detailed in Dr. Diana’s book Love in the Time of Corona). Dr. Ashley has some older clients who are into kink and the poly lifestyle. This brings them more dopamine, the hormone of arousal! Novelty stimulates the release of dopamine, so, change the pattern, change the place, change your approach, change your response, change your style. Tune in for more details! Dr. Ashley will return to the program August 18th when the topic of cannabis and sex will be explored.

Click below to listen to the interview (approx. one hour):