Today we’re diving into a topic that feels both radical and beautifully simple: the connection between joy and sex. We often think of sex as physical, and joy as emotional — but what ifnthe two are inseparable? What if cultivating a practice of pleasure could actually enhance joy in every corner of our lives? This conversation is about reclaiming sex as something more than performance or expectation. It’s about presence, healing, play, and the radical act of choosing joy.
To explore this, I’m joined by Dr. MaryCatherine McDonald — researcher, and the voice behind The Joy Reset: 6 Ways Trauma Steals Your Happiness and How to Win It Back. Today, she’s here to help us unpack why joy isn’t just a fleeting feeling, but a practice — and how pleasure, especially sexual pleasure, can be one of its most powerful pathways.
So let’s get into it.
Dr. MaryCatherine McDonald is a PhD researcher, author, and trauma specialist with over 15 years of experience. She has written extensively about trauma, grief, and the power of the human spirit to heal.
Through her writing, courses, and coaching, she helps people reframe trauma from a strength-based perspective and reclaim joy after hardship. Her latest book, The Joy Reset, explores barriers that prevent us from accessing joy and how to recalibrate in order to welcome positive emotions back in. When she’s not working, she can be found dancing in the kitchen, walking in nature, or helping others rediscover their inner light.
WHERE TO FIND MARYCATHERINE MCDONALD:
Website: https://www.drmcmcdonald.com/
Instagram & TikTok: @mc.phd
BOOKS:
The Joy Reset: Six Ways Trauma Steals Happiness and How to Win It Back
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