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Freeing Sexuality: Psychologists, Consent Teachers, Polyamory Experts, and Sex Workers Speak Out
Explores the full spectrum of sexual beliefs, practices, and identities
• Shares the author’s fascinating interviews with 20 experts, including clinical psychologist Lonnie Barbach, sex therapist Stella Resnick, sexual freedom advocate Janet Hardy, consent educator Laura McGuire, and Norma Jean Almadovar, former LA policewoman and current president of the prostitutes’ union COYOTE
• Looks at the stigmas of sex work, recovering from sexual trauma, sexual identification, gender fluidity, polyamory, and porn as a mirror for society
Exploring sexual customs, beliefs, practices, and identities from a wide variety of perspectives, Dr. Miller shares his fascinating interviews with 20 experts ranging from clinical psychologists and researchers to sex workers and polyamory educators. We learn from sex therapists, relationship experts, and tantric sex teachers, such as Dr. Lonnie Barbach, Dr. Stella Resnick, Katherine Rowland, and Diana Richardson, about the importance of communication, how to keep sensuality alive, and how to generate fulfilling and sustainable intimacy in relationships. Looking at sexual identity and non-monogamy, we hear from Dr. Ritch Savin-Williams on sexual identification and gender fluidity, Sumati Sparks on open relationships and polyamory, Janet Hardy, author of The Ethical Slut, on sexual freedom, and Annie Sprinkle and Beth Stephens on the possibilities of ecosexuality.
Revealing the inner workings of the sex industry, we hear from current and former escorts and sex workers on the stigmas and dangers of sex work and the need to decriminalize it, including Norma Jean Almadovar, former LA policewoman and current president of the prostitute’s union Coyote. Dr. Ogi Ogas, author of A Billion Wicked Thoughts, speaks about using data science and computational neuroscience to uncover true statistics about our sexual desires. We hear from Paulita Pappel on porn as a mirror for society, Faith Jones on escaping a sex cult, Maeve Moon on recovering from sexual trauma, and Dr. Laura McGuire about the broad impact of teaching consent.
Validating the extraordinary range and diversity of our sexual thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, the author gathers voices that help us free our sexuality from the past, accept our natural urge for physical pleasure, and open us up to sexuality as a power for health, healing, and happiness.
• Shares the author’s fascinating interviews with 20 experts, including clinical psychologist Lonnie Barbach, sex therapist Stella Resnick, sexual freedom advocate Janet Hardy, consent educator Laura McGuire, and Norma Jean Almadovar, former LA policewoman and current president of the prostitutes’ union COYOTE
• Looks at the stigmas of sex work, recovering from sexual trauma, sexual identification, gender fluidity, polyamory, and porn as a mirror for society
Exploring sexual customs, beliefs, practices, and identities from a wide variety of perspectives, Dr. Miller shares his fascinating interviews with 20 experts ranging from clinical psychologists and researchers to sex workers and polyamory educators. We learn from sex therapists, relationship experts, and tantric sex teachers, such as Dr. Lonnie Barbach, Dr. Stella Resnick, Katherine Rowland, and Diana Richardson, about the importance of communication, how to keep sensuality alive, and how to generate fulfilling and sustainable intimacy in relationships. Looking at sexual identity and non-monogamy, we hear from Dr. Ritch Savin-Williams on sexual identification and gender fluidity, Sumati Sparks on open relationships and polyamory, Janet Hardy, author of The Ethical Slut, on sexual freedom, and Annie Sprinkle and Beth Stephens on the possibilities of ecosexuality.
Revealing the inner workings of the sex industry, we hear from current and former escorts and sex workers on the stigmas and dangers of sex work and the need to decriminalize it, including Norma Jean Almadovar, former LA policewoman and current president of the prostitute’s union Coyote. Dr. Ogi Ogas, author of A Billion Wicked Thoughts, speaks about using data science and computational neuroscience to uncover true statistics about our sexual desires. We hear from Paulita Pappel on porn as a mirror for society, Faith Jones on escaping a sex cult, Maeve Moon on recovering from sexual trauma, and Dr. Laura McGuire about the broad impact of teaching consent.
Validating the extraordinary range and diversity of our sexual thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, the author gathers voices that help us free our sexuality from the past, accept our natural urge for physical pleasure, and open us up to sexuality as a power for health, healing, and happiness.
416 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 5, 2023
6 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Richard Louis Miller
15 books7 followersRichard Louis Miller is a Clinical Psychologist, owner of Wilbur Hot Springs Health Sanctuary, and broadcaster who hosts the Mind Body Health & Politics radio program, a radio talk show which airs on NPR affiliate KZYX&Z FM.
The program is known for its wide ranging discussions on politics and health, the show's format includes guest interviews, guest speakers, and listener call in.
Dr. Richard Miller is Founder & Chief Caretaker of Wilbur Hot Springs Health Sanctuary, established 1865, providing healing, prevention, and health maintenance.
Dr. Miller began the present Wilbur Hot Springs Sanctuary for the Self in 1972 combining the safety and security of the pristine Wilbur springs environment with a modern personal mind-body health philosophy emphasizing dignity and respect for all. He also revitalized the ancient healing method the Greeks called Balneology – the science of the therapeutic use of natural hot mineral waters.
As the Founder of the internationally acclaimed Cokenders Alcohol and Drug Program, Miller integrated his techniques, and philosophy, of humanistic psychology and psycho-physical fitness training with social model rehabilitation. Miller stated that chemical dependence is an opportunity for people disinterested in health, to learn about, and create, a healthy sustainable lifestyle. During the 1980s, he detoxified over 1,500 persons at Wilbur Hot Springs. Not one of these patients were medicated or hospitalized during their residential treatment. Dr. Miller believes the professionally designed program, the Wilbur ambiance and pristine environment, combined with the therapeutic medicinal qualities of the mineral hot springs were significant adjuncts to his 86% two-year success rate.
Dr. Miller’s innovative approaches to healing have been the subject of national television news reports (including segments on the news programs of Tom Brokaw, Dan Rather, David Brinkley and Phil Donahue), print media (Time, Newsweek, and US News & World Report), two film documentaries, the book Gestalting Addiction and his present book, Psychedelic Medicine. In order to share information with the general public, he co-authored a weekly news column in the San Francisco Chronicle, while co-hosting a weekly syndicated radio program.
Dr. Miller has presented his work at national conferences of the American Psychological Association, the American Academy of Psychotherapists and the White House Conference on Drugs.
He has spent 50 years studying, teaching, researching, administering and practicing psychology, health education, psychotherapy and Executive Consulting. His experiences include:
Fellow: United States Public Health Service
Faculty: University of Michigan and Stanford University
Founding Board of Directors: California School of Professional Psychology
Founding Board of Directors: Gestalt Institute of San Francisco
Founder and director: Cokenders Alcohol and Drug Program
Consulting psychologist: Haight Ashbury Medical Clinic
Consultant: California Assembly
Consultant: United States Department of Justice
Advisor: President's Commission on Mental Health
Advisor: California Governor's Council on Wellness and Physical Fitness
Vice President: Parkside Medical Services Corporation
Board of Directors: Redwood Practical Shooters
1st Vice President on the Board of the Mendocino Art Center
National Board of Directors, Marijuana Policy Project (MPP)
Board of Directors, Fort Bragg Senior Center
In 1990, while motorcycling, Dr Miller was hit by a recreational vehicle. In the resulting accident, the Winnebago ran over him crushing both of his legs. He kept himself alive using breathing stabilization techniques. In the emergency room he talked the attending physician out of amputating his legs which led to to a 15-hour surgery. This was the first of 6 surgeries. While in intensive care, Dr. Miller devised methods of coping with the psychological trauma, using visual imagery to aid the healing process. G
The program is known for its wide ranging discussions on politics and health, the show's format includes guest interviews, guest speakers, and listener call in.
Dr. Richard Miller is Founder & Chief Caretaker of Wilbur Hot Springs Health Sanctuary, established 1865, providing healing, prevention, and health maintenance.
Dr. Miller began the present Wilbur Hot Springs Sanctuary for the Self in 1972 combining the safety and security of the pristine Wilbur springs environment with a modern personal mind-body health philosophy emphasizing dignity and respect for all. He also revitalized the ancient healing method the Greeks called Balneology – the science of the therapeutic use of natural hot mineral waters.
As the Founder of the internationally acclaimed Cokenders Alcohol and Drug Program, Miller integrated his techniques, and philosophy, of humanistic psychology and psycho-physical fitness training with social model rehabilitation. Miller stated that chemical dependence is an opportunity for people disinterested in health, to learn about, and create, a healthy sustainable lifestyle. During the 1980s, he detoxified over 1,500 persons at Wilbur Hot Springs. Not one of these patients were medicated or hospitalized during their residential treatment. Dr. Miller believes the professionally designed program, the Wilbur ambiance and pristine environment, combined with the therapeutic medicinal qualities of the mineral hot springs were significant adjuncts to his 86% two-year success rate.
Dr. Miller’s innovative approaches to healing have been the subject of national television news reports (including segments on the news programs of Tom Brokaw, Dan Rather, David Brinkley and Phil Donahue), print media (Time, Newsweek, and US News & World Report), two film documentaries, the book Gestalting Addiction and his present book, Psychedelic Medicine. In order to share information with the general public, he co-authored a weekly news column in the San Francisco Chronicle, while co-hosting a weekly syndicated radio program.
Dr. Miller has presented his work at national conferences of the American Psychological Association, the American Academy of Psychotherapists and the White House Conference on Drugs.
He has spent 50 years studying, teaching, researching, administering and practicing psychology, health education, psychotherapy and Executive Consulting. His experiences include:
Fellow: United States Public Health Service
Faculty: University of Michigan and Stanford University
Founding Board of Directors: California School of Professional Psychology
Founding Board of Directors: Gestalt Institute of San Francisco
Founder and director: Cokenders Alcohol and Drug Program
Consulting psychologist: Haight Ashbury Medical Clinic
Consultant: California Assembly
Consultant: United States Department of Justice
Advisor: President's Commission on Mental Health
Advisor: California Governor's Council on Wellness and Physical Fitness
Vice President: Parkside Medical Services Corporation
Board of Directors: Redwood Practical Shooters
1st Vice President on the Board of the Mendocino Art Center
National Board of Directors, Marijuana Policy Project (MPP)
Board of Directors, Fort Bragg Senior Center
In 1990, while motorcycling, Dr Miller was hit by a recreational vehicle. In the resulting accident, the Winnebago ran over him crushing both of his legs. He kept himself alive using breathing stabilization techniques. In the emergency room he talked the attending physician out of amputating his legs which led to to a 15-hour surgery. This was the first of 6 surgeries. While in intensive care, Dr. Miller devised methods of coping with the psychological trauma, using visual imagery to aid the healing process. G
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 15, 2024
I loved the content and conversations about sexuality in this book, but I really hated the writing style (printed transcripts of interviews the author had with sex-perts). This book would have been much more enjoyable if it was composed of various essays from the guest speakers, rather than published transcripts. Despite this, there was a wide range of content that I found informative and interesting.
January 24, 2024
Really great conversations about all things sex
June 29, 2024
would highly reccomend, made me realise things about myself that I was completely unaware of
Read
November 9, 2025A recommendation by Sammie. Enlightening and wow, the section on sex workers was shocking. Learned a great deal and want to revisit and gather some notes I saved.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews