We've all been taught to work on our careers, our health, and our personal growth—but when it comes to relationships, intimacy, and sex, many of us assume things should just click with the right person. But what if intimacy is a skill—one that we can develop and refine?

In this episode, I sit down with Danielle Harel, Ph.D., and Celeste Hirschman, M.A., co-founders of the Somatica® Institute, to explore how experiential learning can transform the way we approach love, connection, and desire. We break down:

- Why intimacy is a skill, not just chemistry—and how to practice it in everyday life

- How trauma shapes desire and how to reclaim sexual energy after past wounds

- The crucial role of relationship repair in building trust, emotional safety, and deeper passion

- The psychology of arousal—how early experiences shape attraction and desire

- The surprising link between sexual fulfillment and overall health—from stress reduction to immune function

- How breaking free from shame around sex can lead to greater confidence and personal empowerment

Plus, Danielle and Celeste share insights from their books—Making Love Real, Coming Together, and Confidence—and details on new Somatica classes launching for Valentine's Day.

Check out their website: Somatica Institute 

Find them on Instagram: @somaticainstitute

HOST: Kelly Henderson // @velvetsedge // velvetsedge.com

We've all been taught to work on our careers, our health, and our personal growth&mdash;but when it comes to relationships, intimacy, and sex, many of us assume things should just&nbsp;click&nbsp;with the right person. But what if intimacy is a skill&mdash;one that we can develop and refine?
In this episode, I sit down with&nbsp;Danielle Harel, Ph.D., and Celeste Hirschman, M.A.,&nbsp;co-founders of the&nbsp;Somatica&reg; Institute, to explore how experiential learning can transform the way we approach love, connection, and desire. We break down:
- Why intimacy is a skill, not just chemistry&mdash;and how to practice it in everyday life
- How trauma shapes desire and how to reclaim sexual energy after past wounds
- The crucial role of&nbsp;relationship repair&nbsp;in building trust, emotional safety, and deeper passion
- The psychology of arousal&mdash;how early experiences shape attraction and desire
- The surprising&nbsp;link between sexual fulfillment and overall health&mdash;from stress reduction to immune function
- How breaking free from shame around sex can lead to greater confidence and personal empowerment
Plus, Danielle and Celeste share insights from their books&mdash;Making Love Real, Coming Together, and Confidence&mdash;and details on&nbsp;new Somatica classes launching for Valentine's Day.
Check out their website: <a href="https://www.somaticainstitute.com/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.somaticainstitute.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1739388041462000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1f4WhaEcfw7o2TmCvzcGOD">Somatica Institute</a>&nbsp;
Find them on Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/somatica_institute" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/somatica_institute&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1739388041462000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1qewKskl6K5HoAWIIxZlqx">@somaticainstitute</a>
HOST: Kelly Henderson //&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/velvetsedge/">@velvetsedge</a> // velvetsedge.com

The Velvet's Edge Podcast is an invitation to explore the beautiful, messy truth that real growth is an inside job. Hosted by Kelly Henderson—a celebrity stylist and men's groomer who has learned firsthand that "looking good" on the outside only gets you so far—this podcast is a space for the conversations you don't always hear out loud.

Life has a way of knocking us flat, and Kelly believes there is purpose in that pain. She uses her own journey of plot twists to show that true beauty is found by going inward. On some days, you'll hear deep dives with therapists, healers, and other people who have turned their pain into something beautiful. On other days, Kelly and Chip Dorsch laugh their way through the weird, messy "WTF is this life?" moments, because growth is easier when you and your bestie can laugh through it together.

This podcast is for you if you've ever felt empty despite doing everything you were "supposed to" do. It's for you if you're stuck in a toxic relationship cycle and don't know how to get out. It's for you if you're in the middle of a total life plot twist and have no idea where to start. You aren't broken beyond repair. You are simply a human on a soul's journey, and even though we each have our own path, it's a lot easier when we have a little help from our friends.

The Velvet's Edge Podcast&nbsp;is an invitation to explore the beautiful, messy truth that real growth is an inside job. Hosted by&nbsp;Kelly Henderson&mdash;a celebrity stylist and men's groomer who has learned firsthand that "looking good" on the outside only gets you so far&mdash;this podcast is a space for the conversations you don't always hear out loud.
Life has a way of knocking us flat, and Kelly believes there is purpose in that pain. She uses her own journey of plot twists to show that true beauty is found by going inward. On some days, you'll hear deep dives with therapists, healers, and other people who have turned their pain into something beautiful. On other days, Kelly and Chip Dorsch&nbsp;laugh their way through the weird, messy "WTF is this life?" moments, because growth is easier when you and your bestie can laugh through it together.
This podcast is for you if you've ever felt empty despite doing everything you were "supposed to" do. It's for you if you're stuck in a toxic relationship cycle and don't know how to get out. It's for you if you're in the middle of a total life plot twist and have no idea where to start. You aren't broken beyond repair. You are simply a human on a soul's journey, and even though we each have our own path, it's a lot easier when we have a little help from our friends.

Velvet's Edge with Kelly Henderson

The Art of Intimacy: Reclaiming Desire, Healing Trauma & Deepening Connection (The Velvet)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/ba5eaedb-8d7b-493b-a13a-b281016975d0/transcript

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