EPISODE · Jun 16, 2026 · 56 MIN
Honoring the Longing for Intimacy
from Wise · host Sharon Hoffman
In this episode of Wise, we explore one of the most universal—and often misunderstood—human experiences: the longing for intimacy.A man approaching 60 believes his opportunities for love and sex may have passed him by. Convinced that aging has closed the door on physical intimacy, he wrestles with what remains possible and becomes enlivened at the thought of finding companionship. A young woman in Pakistan ultimately longs for love, marriage, and sexual connection, yet questions whether it is acceptable to desire sex before finding the lifelong partnership she hopes to create, given her upbringing and cultural conditioning.Together, these conversations explore the tension between longing and fear, desire and conditioning, possibility and self-protection. What do we do with the parts of ourselves that yearn for love, touch, connection, sex, and intimacy? And how do we distinguish between what we’ve been taught and what we know to be true for ourselves?These are real conversations about desire, vulnerability, love, and the courage to honestly acknowledge what we want.
What this episode covers
In this episode of Wise, we explore one of the most universal—and often misunderstood—human experiences: the longing for intimacy.A man approaching 60 believes his opportunities for love and sex may have passed him by. Convinced that aging has closed the door on physical intimacy, he wrestles with what remains possible and becomes enlivened at the thought of finding companionship. A young woman in Pakistan ultimately longs for love, marriage, and sexual connection, yet questions whether it is acceptable to desire sex before finding the lifelong partnership she hopes to create, given her upbringing and cultural conditioning.Together, these conversations explore the tension between longing and fear, desire and conditioning, possibility and self-protection. What do we do with the parts of ourselves that yearn for love, touch, connection, sex, and intimacy? And how do we distinguish between what we’ve been taught and what we know to be true for ourselves?These are real conversations about desire, vulnerability, love, and the courage to honestly acknowledge what we want.
NOW PLAYING
Honoring the Longing for Intimacy
No transcript for this episode yet