Understanding Sexual Shame

What this episode covers

Many of us carry sexual shame that began long before adulthood. The tone of our childhood homes, the way our parents handled emotion and mistakes, and the silence or anxiety surrounding the body all shaped how acceptable our desires—and our imperfections—felt to us. Those early messages often linger, coloring how we see ourselves and even how we imagine God sees us. In this NEW episode, Dr. Finlayson-Fife joins Chris Rich of The Mixed-Faith Relationship Podcast to unpack where sexual shame comes from and how it shows up in adulthood. She explains how shame turns toxic when it convinces us that our flaws make us unworthy, and she offers a clearer, kinder way forward—one that helps us accept our embodied nature, integrate our sexuality, and relate to ourselves with more honesty and compassion. Listen to the full episode to learn more about: What sexual shame actually is—and how it develops How childhood experiences shape comfort with desire Why many of us confuse anxiety with “God’s judgment” The difference between healthy inhibition and toxic shame How both repression and indulgence keep us stuck What genuine sexual integration looks like How to foster healthier, shame-free conversations with our children JOIN OUR MAILING LIST HERE and you'll get the link to join us for an online screening of "The Mormon Sex Therapist" on Thursday!