188: The Hidden Link Between Sex, Health, and Desire

Podcast Guest: Laura How

August 3rd, 2026

188 Laura

Listen to the Show:

In this Episode

Sexual intimacy can play an important role in emotional connection, relationship satisfaction, and overall well-being. Relationship therapist Laura How joins Dr. Liz Hale and Dr. Dave Schramm to explore sexless marriages, differences in sexual desire, and the physical and emotional benefits of a healthy sexual relationship. Laura shares practical insights for understanding desire, talking openly about intimacy, and making your marriage a greater priority. Discover how curiosity, intentional connection, and playfulness can help couples rebuild intimacy and create a stronger marriage.

“The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of the Utah Marriage Commission.”

Chapters

00:00 – The Hidden Link Between Sex and Health
01:34 – Understanding Sexless Marriages
04:07 – Why Sexual Intimacy Is Declining
06:19 – Checking Hormones and Physical Health
07:12 – Emotional and Sexual Intimacy Needs
09:28 – How Sex Creates Emotional Connection
10:58 – Rebuilding Trust Between Men and Women
15:42 – Understanding Female Sexual Desire
18:38 – Spontaneous Versus Responsive Desire
20:13 – Becoming More Compatible Together
21:11 – Is Sexual Intimacy a Need?
24:28 – Health Benefits of Marital Sex
27:10 – Sex Strengthens Marriage and Family
29:36 – Starting Difficult Conversations About Sex
33:25 – Expressing Sexual Needs With Vulnerability
34:09 – Approach Intimacy With Curiosity
36:18 – How Childhood Shapes Sexual Connection
38:17 – Connect With Laura How
38:57 – Make Your Marriage a Priority
40:12 – Create a Playful Marriage
42:19 – Takeaway of the Day

Insights

Laura How: Make your marriage the project of your life. Prioritize personal growth and create a relationship that feels playful, joyful, and energizing. A strong marriage is possible when couples intentionally nurture their connection.
Liz Hale: A healthy sexual connection offers powerful benefits for individuals, couples, and families. Liz emphasizes the positive influence a loving, connected marriage can have on children and encourages women to recognize their power to strengthen their relationships.
Dave Schramm: Relationships require intentional attention. When work, children, stress, and technology take over, emotional and physical connection can slowly fade. Couples need to talk openly, make time for each other, and remember that a lack of attention can lead to a loss of connection.

About Laura How

Laura How is a UK relationship therapist specializing in sexless marriage and female sexual desire in long-term relationships. She works with couples and individuals worldwide to rebuild intimacy, emotional connection, and sexual confidence. With more than 20 years’ experience in the mental health field, Laura focuses on the practical realities of long-term relationships, including desire mismatch, emotional disconnection, and the challenges couples face maintaining intimacy over time.

Laura shares her insights through therapy, writing, and a YouTube channel followed by more than 30,000 subscribers, where she discusses relationships, intimacy, and the psychology of desire.

Laura How's Resources:

Website: https://laurahow.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurahow/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LauraHow

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@laurahowcounselling

X: https://x.com/laurahow

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurahowcounsellor/

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