EP197 - Sex and Creativity with Dr. Stephen Diamond

Welcome to episode 197 of the Sexology Podcast! Today I'm delighted to welcome Dr. Stephen Diamond to the podcast. In this episode Dr. Diamond talks to me about how we can best use the daimonic in our lives, analyzing the underlying reasons for our sexual fantasies and different ways we can engage with our fantasies.     Dr. Stephen Diamond is a licensed clinical and forensic psychologist practicing in Los Angeles, CA. A former pupil and protégé of existential psychoanalyst Rollo May, he is the author of Anger, Madness, and the Daimonic: The Psychological Genesis of Violence, Evil, and Creativity (State University of New York Press, 1996). Dr. Diamond has contributed chapters to the bestselling anthology Meeting the Shadow: The Hidden Power of the Dark Side of Human Nature (1990), Spirituality and Psychological Health (2005), the Encyclopedia of Psychology and Religion (2009), Writing Music (2018), a chapter titled "Existential Therapy: Confronting Life's Ultimate Concerns" to the textbook Contemporary Theory and Practice in Counseling and Psychotherapy (SAGE, 2015), and, most recently, a chapter titled “Existential Explorations of Psychopathy” for a forthcoming forensic psychology text.      His writing has also appeared in various professional journals such as the San Francisco Jung Institute Library Journal, Psychological Perspectives, the Journal of Applied Psychoanalytic Studies, PsycCRITIQUES, Existential Analysis, and Dasein, and he has lectured and taught at diverse institutions including Pacific Graduate School of Psychology (Palo Alto University), J.F.K. University, Argosy University, the C.G. Jung Institute-Zurich, Ryokan College, Loyola Marymount University, and the Existential Academy in London.      Dr. Diamond appears frequently as a guest expert in made-for-television documentaries about high-profile criminal cases. Presently, he authors a long-running blog titled “Evil Deeds” for Psychology Today, serves on the editorial board of JHP, and maintains a private psychotherapy practice. He is a contracted provider of psychotherapy for Kaiser Permanente Medical Group, and is also currently employed as a Consulting Psychologist for a private subacute psychiatric hospital in Sylmar, CA.      In this episode, you will hear:     Taking a look at the daimonic quality of sex   How aspects of the daimonic can take over or possess us   How can we channel the daimonic for our creativity?   Understanding what our sexual fantasies and desires might mean  Learning to embrace and not shut out your fantasies   Connecting with your erotic self   The difference between thinking about a fantasy and acting one out   Different ways we can engage with our fantasies   Analyzing the underlying reasons for our sexual fantasies   How using the daimonic can be a source of energy         Head to Nazanin’s Instagram each Friday for a new cooking challenge she is doing, focusing on enhancing your sensuality and libido!    Ebook: How to Increase Your Libido – For Women  https://oasis2care.com/how-to-increase-your-libido/    Find Dr. Diamond Online  http://www.drstephendiamond.com     Find Dr. Moali online:    http://www.sexologypodcast.com    Find me on social media:    https://www.instagram.com/sexologypodcast  https://www.facebook.com/oasis2care       If you are interested in booking a video counselling session with Dr. Moali:  https://oasis2care.com/contact-nazanin-moali-psychologist      Podcast Produced by Pete Bailey - http://petebailey.net/audio   Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy