Why do we keep choosing the wrong partners — even when we know better? In this episode of That’s Orgasmic, Emily sits down with psychotherapist and professor Dr. Gillian O’Shea Brown to unpack the unconscious patterns that draw us toward emotionally unavailable relationships, familiar chaos, and unresolved wounds.

Together, they explore the idea of an “erotic emotional map,” how childhood attachment patterns can shape adult love lives, and why butterflies, adrenaline, and uncertainty can sometimes be misread as attraction. Gillian shares practical tools for noticing what a relationship brings out in you, including a simple body-based exercise and a post-date reflection practice that helps you track whether someone expands your sense of self or slowly erodes it.

If you’ve ever found yourself repeating the same relationship pattern, struggling to walk away, or wondering why calm love feels unfamiliar, this conversation offers compassionate insight and grounded guidance for choosing healthier, safer, and more reciprocal connection.

Get the Ultimate Sexual Wellness Bundle (all my resources/ebooks!!)

Want 10% off store products? Use code thatsorgasmic10

Submit your anonymous question for the podcast

Anonymous question link: https://www.sexualwellnesscentre.com/podcast

FOLLOW US on Instagram @thatsorgasmic
Send your comments, questions and stories to: emilyduncan@thatsorgasmic.com

Interested in therapy? Book your free discovery call HERE with Emily at The Sexual Wellness Centre

Pre-order Dr. Gillian O'Shea Brown's book now (with a preorder bonus of a sample chapter and the Erotic Emotional Map)

Take the Psychological Achilles Heel Quiz: https://gillianosheabrown.webflow.io/

Dr. Gillian's Instagram

Dr. Gillian's TikTok

 

Why do we keep choosing the wrong partners &mdash; even when we know better? In this episode of That&rsquo;s Orgasmic, Emily sits down with psychotherapist and professor Dr. Gillian O&rsquo;Shea Brown to unpack the unconscious patterns that draw us toward emotionally unavailable relationships, familiar chaos, and unresolved wounds.
Together, they explore the idea of an &ldquo;erotic emotional map,&rdquo; how childhood attachment patterns can shape adult love lives, and why butterflies, adrenaline, and uncertainty can sometimes be misread as attraction. Gillian shares practical tools for noticing what a relationship brings out in you, including a simple body-based exercise and a post-date reflection practice that helps you track whether someone expands your sense of self or slowly erodes it.
If you&rsquo;ve ever found yourself repeating the same relationship pattern, struggling to walk away, or wondering why calm love feels unfamiliar, this conversation offers compassionate insight and grounded guidance for choosing healthier, safer, and more reciprocal connection.
Get the <a href="https://www.sexualwellnesscentre.com/product-page/ultimate-sexual-wellness-bundle">Ultimate Sexual Wellness Bundle</a> (all my resources/ebooks!!)
Want 10% off <a href="https://www.sexualwellnesscentre.com/category/all-products">store products</a>? Use code thatsorgasmic10
<a href="https://www.sexualwellnesscentre.com/podcast">Submit your anonymous question for the podcast</a>
Anonymous question link: <a href="https://www.sexualwellnesscentre.com/podcast">https://www.sexualwellnesscentre.com/podcast</a>
FOLLOW US on Instagram&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/thatsorgasmic/">@thatsorgasmic</a> Send your comments, questions and stories to: <a href="mailto:emilyduncan@thatsorgasmic.com">emilyduncan@thatsorgasmic.com</a>
Interested in therapy? Book your free discovery call&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sexualwellnesscentre.com/booking">HERE</a> with Emily at <a href="https://www.sexualwellnesscentre.com/">The Sexual Wellness Centre</a>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/0063473631?tag=harpercollinsus-20">Pre-order Dr. Gillian O'Shea Brown's book now</a> (with a preorder bonus of a sample chapter and the Erotic Emotional Map)
Take the Psychological Achilles Heel Quiz: <a href="https://gillianosheabrown.webflow.io/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://gillianosheabrown.webflow.io/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1786601393155000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1PfkXCV8pX5nvPWDMxuq6r">https://gillianosheabrown.webflow.io/</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/dr.gillianosheabrown">Dr. Gillian's Instagram</a>
<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.gillianosheabrown">Dr. Gillian's TikTok</a>
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A sex positive podcast that provides a shame free perspective on all things sex. Nothing is off bounds in this uncensored podcast, delving into all the juicy and taboo topics you can imagine. Most importantly this podcast aims to break down the stigmas surrounding sex and provide the tools to create a liberating sexual experience for everyone. Disclaimer: the educational information within this podcast does not take place of professional or medical advice. FOLLOW US on instagram @thatsorgasmic. Email your questions, stories and comments to: emilyduncan@thatsorgasmic.com

This podcast is created on the land of the Wadawurrung people, the traditional custodians of this land. I pay my respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past and present. I acknowledge that it always was and always will be Aboriginal land.