Love Me: How Exploring Intimacy Transformed Marianne's Life

What I Discussed With Marianne Power…- What actually happens at a tantra retreat—and why it's probably very different from what most people imagine.- Why fear, embarrassment and curiosity often go hand in hand when stepping into workshops about intimacy and sexuality.- How growing up with shame around sex can quietly shape relationships well into adulthood.- Why learning to say both "yes" and "no" became one of Marianne's most powerful lessons.- How simple exercises around touch, consent and communication can reveal deeply held beliefs about ourselves.- Why fulfilling relationships don't always have to follow the traditional "happily ever after" script.- How honest conversations about sex help us realise we're far less alone than we think.- Why it's never too late to rewrite the stories you've inherited about intimacy, love and pleasure.And much more...Episode Chapters00:00 Introduction01:20 Why Marianne Said "No" to Tantra—Then Changed Her Mind05:00 Walking Into Her First Tantra Retreat08:30 Learning About Touch, Consent and Saying No12:00 Sexual Confidence and Letting Go of Shame16:00 Challenging Traditional Ideas About Relationships20:00 Why Honest Conversations Change Everything24:00 How Tantra Helped Marianne Reconnect with Herself28:00 Living Life on Your Own Terms30:00 What's Next for MarianneShow NotesIf you've ever been curious about tantra but secretly wondered what really happens behind those retreat doors, you're certainly not alone.For many of us, the idea conjures up images of mysterious rituals, intimidatingly confident people and experiences that feel far removed from everyday life. But perhaps the biggest surprise is that most people arrive feeling exactly the same: nervous, self-conscious and convinced everyone else knows what they're doing.In this episode, I'm joined by journalist and author Marianne Power, whose book Love Me chronicles her deeply personal journey from an Irish Catholic upbringing filled with sexual shame to exploring tantra, somatic practices and a completely different relationship with intimacy. Rather than speaking as a teacher or therapist, Marianne offers something we rarely hear—the perspective of someone walking into these spaces for the very first time.Together we explore what actually happens at tantra workshops, why learning to communicate honestly can be more transformative than anything overtly sexual, and how challenging long-held beliefs about relationships opened the door to greater freedom and self-acceptance. We also reflect on why so many of us still struggle to talk about sex, ask for what we want or believe there is only one "correct" way to build a fulfilling life.Perhaps the greatest lesson from Marianne's story is that confidence doesn't come from having all the answers. It comes from being willing to stay curious enough to ask better questions.Listen, learn and enjoy.Key Takeaways- Most people arrive at tantra retreats feeling nervous rather than confident.- Tantra is often more about communication, consent and self-awareness than sex.- Learning to say "no" can be just as empowering as learning to say "yes."- Sexual shame often begins long before adulthood.- Honest conversations help people realise their experiences are far more common than they think.- There isn't one "correct" relationship model that suits everyone.- Physical touch can be deeply healing even when it isn't sexual.- Confidence grows through practice, not perfection.- Self-acceptance often begins by questioning inherited beliefs.- Personal growth is rarely comfortable, but it can be life-changing.About the GuestMarianne Power is an award-winning journalist and author best known for writing immersive books that explore personal transformation through lived experience. Following the success of Help Me!, in which she spent a year living by self-help books, Marianne wrote Love Me, documenting her exploration of Tantric practice, sexuality, intimacy, and relationships. Through humour, honesty and vulnerability, she shares the challenges of overcoming shame, questioning traditional relationship expectations, and discovering new ways to connect with herself and others.About SuzanneSuzanne Noble is a sex and relationship expert, author, and host of the Sex Advice for Seniors podcast—one of the top-rated shows empowering people 50+ to embrace confident, joyful intimacy. Known for her candid, warm, and often humorous approach, Suzanne challenges age-related taboos, misinformation, and awkward conversations about sex after 50. She helps millions around the world navigate their sexual lives with pleasure, connection, and self-assurance. Because life is too short for bad sex... or silence about it.Connect With SuzanneInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sexadviceforseniorsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/sexadviceforseniorsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sexadviceforseniorsSubstack: https://www.sexadviceforseniors.comWant More?Visit the Website: https://sexadviceforseniors.com — includes FREE guides and resources for better sex at any age.Free Downloadable Guide: 10 Most Overlooked Secrets to Better Sex PDF: https://subscribepage.io/suzannenoblefreebieSign Up for My FREE Newsletter: https://sexadviceforseniors.comOvercome Erectile Dysfunction & Stay Firm: https://www.stayfirmprogram.comCheck Out My Storefront for Better Sex: https://zaap.bio/stayfirmInterested in 1:1 Coaching or Custom Sex Advice for Seniors Sessions? https://tidycal.com/suzannenoble/30-minute-mentoringRelated EpisodesThe Surprising 69% of Women Unhappy in Sex... and How to Fix It - https://www.sexadviceforseniors.com/p/the-surprising-69-of-women-unhappyWhy Women Really Hire Male Escorts | ft. George Goulburn - https://www.sexadviceforseniors.com/p/why-women-really-hire-male-escortsBonus Live: Would You Let an AI Sex Toy Learn Your Desire? - https://www.sexadviceforseniors.com/p/would-you-let-an-ai-sex-toy-learn This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.sexadviceforseniors.com/subscribe