Editorial note: Intimacy Served is now sold out, but you can stream season two of Sex Therapy: Sessions with Chantelle Otten, available exclusively on Audible.
Sex therapist, relationship expert, author, and podcaster—Chantelle Otten is the definition of a multi-hyphenate. Having racked up a slew of impressive awards, ambassadorships and qualifications, she's become an authority on relationships and dating in Australia. After a breakthrough first season, Otten's popular Audible Original podcast, Sex Therapy: Sessions with Chantelle Otten, is back bringing more intimate access to judgement-free sex therapy in its bite-sized format.
With the fresh arrival of season two, Otten gave us the inside scoop on what to expect—and spilled the deets on how you can join her for dinner to dive deep into your own fantasies and hang-ups around sex. “It’s incredible to see how these conversations around sexuality and intimacy are resonating with people, and I’m excited to bring Season two of Sex Therapy to life,” she told us.
Kicking off on Wednesday 25 September in Melbourne at Chancery Lane, before heading to Sydney on Wednesday 2 October at The White Horse, the intimate dinner party will include a slew of delicious dishes—each curated to complement the evening’s themes and discussions.
“The dinner series is all about creating an intimate, safe space where people can openly discuss topics that are often considered taboo.”
Designed by Otten to be thought-provoking and informed by the themes of her podcast, conversation prompts will open up the floor to intimacy, sexual self-esteem, and the complexities of desire. “The dinner series adds another layer of connection, allowing us to engage in these important discussions face-to-face in a warm, welcoming environment."
“My hope is that people walk away feeling more connected to themselves and others, with a sense of empowerment and a renewed understanding of their own sexuality,” Otten adds.
The most listened-to Audible Original podcast In Aus for 2023, Otten’s Sex Therapy: Sessions with Chantelle Otten is also centred around sexual empowerment and helping people connect with themselves. In each episode Otten is joined by a real patient with a sexual concern, and together they unpack it in an open therapy session.
“I see how much people crave honest, open conversations about their sexual health and relationships, and how liberating it can be to bring these issues to light.”
Before she decided to bring her relationship expertise to podcasting, Otten was clocking the same struggles in her patients on repeat in her private practice: low sexual self-esteem, communication challenges and discrepancies in desire.
That’s how the podcast started—as a way of extending these difficult convos to a wider audience, reducing the stigma and shame, and helping people feel less alone. "The podcast became a way to extend these conversations to a wider audience," Otten says.
For season two, she was ready to go deeper, focusing on the nuances of pleasure, the impact of societal expectations, and the way that past experiences can shape our present sexual selves.
“The themes are a bit more varied this time around, reflecting the diverse experiences of the people I work with, both in the clinic and beyond.”
Now available to stream, season two covers everything from consent, trauma and setting sexual boundaries, to experimentation with kink, desire in long-term relationships, and finding sexual and romantic confidence.
“Shame thrives in silence, so by bringing these conversations into the open, we’re challenging the idea that there’s something wrong with having questions or concerns about your sexuality,” she says. “The more we talk, the more we realise how common these experiences are, which can be incredibly liberating.”
“Starting a conversation about intimacy can feel daunting.”
For first-time fans and long-time devotees, Otten is aware that opening up these conversations in listeners’ own lives can be challenging, but that the kind of transparency it offers is invaluable for creating trust and deepening connections.
“Open communication is the foundation of any healthy relationship, especially when it comes to sexual intimacy. When we communicate honestly about our needs, desires, and boundaries, we create a space where both partners feel safe and understood,” she says.
“It’s hard though! Talking about sex is hard. So be kind to yourself if you struggle with it.”
To kickstart your own chat with a romantic or sexual partner, she says it’s important to choose a time when you’re both relaxed and not distracted. “Maybe during a quiet evening at home or a walk together. Start with “I” statements, like “I’ve been thinking about…” or “the story I tell myself around this is…”, which can help express your feelings without sounding accusatory,” she suggests.
“It’s okay to acknowledge that the conversation feels awkward—that honesty can actually make the discussion feel more genuine. Remember, the goal is to connect and understand each other better, not to place blame or pressure,” she adds.
With the new season and dinner series, Otten is also reflective. “I want listeners and attendees to walk away with a deeper understanding of themselves and their relationships.”
“My hope is that they feel empowered to explore their sexuality without shame, and that they gain practical tools to enhance their intimate lives.”
And when she’s not hosting podcasts, seeing patients or writing? “I’m a real home-body, so I go to friends' houses and either cook for them there or they whip up something for me,” she says.
From her home in Naarm/Melbourne, she’s heading out to Studio Amaro, Marion Wine Bar or Three Blue Ducks. And in Sydney, you’ll find her at Kiln at the Ace Hotel. “It’s hard to get me away from there as I don’t like straying too far from my comfort zone!”
Considering the challenges and vulnerabilities of the work she puts out into the world, it’s no surprise she finds comfort in friendship and familiarity. But it’s also this message of connection that she wants listeners to take away from Sex Therapy.
“Whether it’s through the stories shared on the podcast or the conversations sparked at the dinner events, I want people to feel more connected, not just to their partners, but to their own desires and needs,” Otten says. “It’s about fostering a sense of community and support around these often-taboo topics,” she adds.
Join Chantelle Otten for dinner in Melbourne at Chancery Lane on Wednesday 25 September and in Sydney at The White Horse on Wednesday 2 October. Or, get your ears around season two of Sex Therapy: Sessions with Chantelle Otten, available exclusively on Audible.
Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by Audible Australia and proudly endorsed by The Urban List. To find out more about who we work with and why read our editorial policy here.
Images: Supplied.