187 Why you keep dating the wrong people with Dr. Gillian O’Shea Brown

Why do we keep choosing the wrong partners — even when we know better? In this episode of That’s Orgasmic, Emily sits down with psychotherapist and professor Dr. Gillian O’Shea Brown to unpack the unconscious patterns that draw us toward emotionally unavailable relationships, familiar chaos, and unresolved wounds. Together, they explore the idea of an “erotic emotional map,” how childhood attachment patterns can shape adult love lives, and why butterflies, adrenaline, and uncertainty can sometimes be misread as attraction. Gillian shares practical tools for noticing what a relationship brings out in you, including a simple body-based exercise and a post-date reflection practice that helps you track whether someone expands your sense of self or slowly erodes it. If you’ve ever found yourself repeating the same relationship pattern, struggling to walk away, or wondering why calm love feels unfamiliar, this conversation offers compassionate insight and grounded guidance for choosing healthier, safer, and more reciprocal connection. Get the Ultimate Sexual Wellness Bundle (all my resources/ebooks!!) Want 10% off store products? Use code thatsorgasmic10 Submit your anonymous question for the podcast Anonymous question link: https://www.sexualwellnesscentre.com/podcast FOLLOW US on Instagram @thatsorgasmicSend your comments, questions and stories to: [email protected] Interested in therapy? Book your free discovery call HERE with Emily at The Sexual Wellness Centre Pre-order Dr. Gillian O'Shea Brown's book now (with a preorder bonus of a sample chapter and the Erotic Emotional Map) Take the Psychological Achilles Heel Quiz: https://gillianosheabrown.webflow.io/ Dr. Gillian's Instagram Dr. Gillian's TikTok  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.