*Disclaimer: This episode includes mature educational discussion about sexual health, consent, intimacy, and trauma-informed wellness. Viewer and listener discretion is advised. This content is not medical, legal, or therapeutic advice. If you feel distressed or triggered please pause and seek support from a qualified professional.Holiday stress, family triggers, and that “new year new me” pressure can hijack your nervous system and spill straight into intimacy. In this episode of Cosmic Confluence Podcast host Sana sits down with trauma-informed sex therapist Holly Nelson to unpack sexual health and wellness in a shame-free, real-world way. They break down inherited shame vs personal values, why “low libido” is often a stress response, and how couples can protect consent without turning intimacy into a performance KPI. Expect practical tools like mindful non-sexual touch, body-based awareness, and communication strategies that reduce pressure and build safer connection. This is sexual wellness for actual humans, not internet highlight reels. About the Guest: Holly Nelson is a trauma-informed sex therapist focused on shame-free sexual health, consent, and nervous system safety. Raised in a conservative religious environment she now helps people, especially women and marginalized groups, build informed authentic and self-trusting relationships with pleasure and intimacy. Key Takeaways: Sexual wellness is not a performance metric. It is nervous system safety, boundaries, beliefs, and honest connection. Inherited shame often feels unsafe or “squirmy”. Alignment tends to feel enlivening, curious, and grounded in your body. Many “low libido” struggles are stress and overload issues. Responsive desire needs brakes removed before accelerators work. Couples win when they stop treating desire as a personality trait and start treating it as feedback from the relationship system. Try non-sexual exploratory touch alone, privately, with mindfulness and zero judgment to separate preference from programming. The mirror technique can reduce shame by normalizing body awareness, especially for women who were taught avoidance. Ongoing consent in long-term relationships is quality over quantity. “Obligated yes” creates resentment and disconnection. Expand the sexual menu beyond penetration. More options reduce pressure and support intimacy during stress cycles. Use clean pause language. “I’m feeling shut down. Can we take a break and come back?” protects consent without drama. Sometimes the relationship is the issue, not the libido. If someone feels unseen or unsafe the body may be responding appropriately. How Listeners Can Connect With The Guest: Website: https://www.theconnectioncouch.com/ TikTok: @sextherapywithholly Want to be a guest on Healthy Mind, Healthy Life? DM on PM - Send me a message on PodMatch DM Me Here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/avik Disclaimer: This video is for educational and informational purposes only. The views expressed are the personal opinions of the guest and do not reflect the views of the host or Healthy Mind By Avik™️. We do not intend to harm, defame, or discredit any person, organization, brand, product, country, or profession mentioned. All third-party media used remain the property of their respective owners and are used under fair use for informational purposes. By watching, you acknowledge and accept this disclaimer. Healthy Mind By Avik™️ is a global platform redefining mental health as a necessity, not a luxury. Born during the pandemic, it’s become a sanctuary for healing, growth, and mindful living. Hosted by Avik Chakraborty. storyteller, survivor, wellness advocate. this channel shares powerful podcasts and soul-nurturing conversations on: • Mental Health & Emotional Well-being• Mindfulness & Spiritual Growth• Holistic Healing & Conscious Living• Trauma Recovery & Self-Empowerment With over 4,400+ episodes and 168.4K+ global