<p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">No matter how you experience desire, Dipsea can be the spark.</p>

<p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">Dipsea is an app for Sexy Stories, Sleep Scenes, and Wellness Sessions designed to turn you on and then tuck you in. You can download Dipsea from the App Store, Google Play Store, or online at app.dipseastories.com.</p>

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Time is a flat circle, according to Matthew McConaughey. I’ll listen to anything he says in his drawl, honestly, but that phrase in particular always stuck with me. It was the one ringing in my head this week when I found Emily Nagoski’s 2015 New York Times Op-Ed, “Nothing is Wrong with your Sex Drive.” It was written three years ago, but it's the same conversation I find myself having over and over again today. 

Dr. Nagoski wrote the article in response to the news that Sprout Pharmaceuticals was resubmitting its drug Flibanserin to the FDA, a drug meant to treat low libido in women. The major problem, as she saw it? That the company was trying to treat something that *isn’t a disease*. 

Fast forward three years. Flibanserin has gotten a millennial pink rebrand as Addyi, and is popping up on billboards all over San Francisco, and on ads in my Instagram feed. Instead of focusing on the company behind the ads, I’d rather focus on the cultural issues they’re still capitalizing on. 

Think about it for a second: do you yourself buy into the cultural narrative that women are less sexual than men? There are all sorts of societal myths on how much we should want, and like, and have sex. Too many women believe that their sex drive, or their very experience of sexuality, is disordered. That they don't want sex enough, that real pleasure and orgasm are out of reach, that something's broken. Inversely, women who want and express their desire for sex frequently have to deal with the perception that this is somehow "wrong" too.

> Too many women believe that their sex drive, or their very experience of sexuality, is disordered.

These pervasive beliefs, this list of “shoulds” we’re framing our sexual lives with, are leaving room for companies to sell pharmaceutical solutions to “fix it”.

So what if we took a step back and tried to tell the story another way. For millennia, male sexuality has dictated the cultural understanding of what a sex drive is, what arousal is, what orgasm is. Imagine if, instead of saying what is true for men should be true for women, we examined what other options there were. 

In other words, let’s stop viewing low female libido as a *disorder*, but rather as a *symptom*. A symptom of a culture that hasn’t asked women what they really need to feel sexual. It’s simply a misconception, held by men and women alike, that female desire should work like men’s.

> It's simply a misconception that female desire should work like men's. 

One of the most exciting things I’ve discovered in all my reading on sexuality is an idea called responsive vs. spontaneous desire. “Spontaneous desire” is the one we’re all most familiar with: I want you, I need you, oh baby oh baby. Sudden, intense, and immediate desire that makes arousal easy. 

But “Responsive desire" is what a lot of people (notably, women—but of course, not all women) actually experience. Instead of existing as a random urge, desire surfaces as a response: maybe a partner giving you a back massage. Or, if we’re being really honest, desire surfaces in response to a back massage...when the lighting is really good, and you went to the gym this morning and feel strong, and you’re also blissfully not at all stressed about work this week. 

Do you get where I’m going with this? In what we’ll call “highly erotic contexts”, when things feel “just right,” most women have a much easier time unlocking their sexuality. Wonderful, important work by sexuality researchers and psychologists like Dr. Emily Nagoski means we’re coming to a new understanding—women are actually just as sexual as men, they’re just more likely to experience responsive sexual desire. That knowledge is incredibly empowering. It will help to take a lot of the shame out of the equation, and pave the way for new paradigms and solutions for women to context set, get in the flow, set the mood, get turned on, whatever you want to call it. 

And guess what? That’s exactly what we’re trying to do at Dipsea. Ready to expreience it for yourself? Begin a 7-day free trial today and start exploring! 

<div class="blog-cta-centered">
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_Learn more about Responsive vs. Spontaneous Desire in Dr. Emily Nagoski’s book "Come As You Are"._


Time is a flat circle, according to Matthew McConaughey. I’ll listen to anything he says in his drawl, honestly, but that phrase in particular always stuck with me. It was the one ringing in my head this week when I found Emily Nagoski’s 2015 New York Times Op-Ed, “Nothing is Wrong with your Sex Drive.” It was written three years ago, but it's the same conversation I find myself having over and over again today. 

Dr. Nagoski wrote the article in response to the news that Sprout Pharmaceuticals was resubmitting its drug Flibanserin to the FDA, a drug meant to treat low libido in women. The major problem, as she saw it? That the company was trying to treat something that *isn’t a disease*. 

Fast forward three years. Flibanserin has gotten a millennial pink rebrand as Addyi, and is popping up on billboards all over San Francisco, and on ads in my Instagram feed. Instead of focusing on the company behind the ads, I’d rather focus on the cultural issues they’re still capitalizing on. 

Think about it for a second: do you yourself buy into the cultural narrative that women are less sexual than men? There are all sorts of societal myths on how much we should want, and like, and have sex. Too many women believe that their sex drive, or their very experience of sexuality, is disordered. That they don't want sex enough, that real pleasure and orgasm are out of reach, that something's broken. Inversely, women who want and express their desire for sex frequently have to deal with the perception that this is somehow "wrong" too.

> Too many women believe that their sex drive, or their very experience of sexuality, is disordered.

These pervasive beliefs, this list of “shoulds” we’re framing our sexual lives with, are leaving room for companies to sell pharmaceutical solutions to “fix it”.

So what if we took a step back and tried to tell the story another way. For millennia, male sexuality has dictated the cultural understanding of what a sex drive is, what arousal is, what orgasm is. Imagine if, instead of saying what is true for men should be true for women, we examined what other options there were. 

In other words, let’s stop viewing low female libido as a *disorder*, but rather as a *symptom*. A symptom of a culture that hasn’t asked women what they really need to feel sexual. It’s simply a misconception, held by men and women alike, that female desire should work like men’s.

> It's simply a misconception that female desire should work like men's. 

One of the most exciting things I’ve discovered in all my reading on sexuality is an idea called responsive vs. spontaneous desire. “Spontaneous desire” is the one we’re all most familiar with: I want you, I need you, oh baby oh baby. Sudden, intense, and immediate desire that makes arousal easy. 

But “Responsive desire" is what a lot of people (notably, women—but of course, not all women) actually experience. Instead of existing as a random urge, desire surfaces as a response: maybe a partner giving you a back massage. Or, if we’re being really honest, desire surfaces in response to a back massage...when the lighting is really good, and you went to the gym this morning and feel strong, and you’re also blissfully not at all stressed about work this week. 

Do you get where I’m going with this? In what we’ll call “highly erotic contexts”, when things feel “just right,” most women have a much easier time unlocking their sexuality. Wonderful, important work by sexuality researchers and psychologists like Dr. Emily Nagoski means we’re coming to a new understanding—women are actually just as sexual as men, they’re just more likely to experience responsive sexual desire. That knowledge is incredibly empowering. It will help to take a lot of the shame out of the equation, and pave the way for new paradigms and solutions for women to context set, get in the flow, set the mood, get turned on, whatever you want to call it. 

And guess what? That’s exactly what we’re trying to do at Dipsea. Ready to expreience it for yourself? Begin a 7-day free trial today and start exploring! 

_Learn more about Responsive vs. Spontaneous Desire in Dr. Emily Nagoski’s book "Come As You Are"._

Understanding responsive vs. spontaneous desire

Responsive-vs-Spontantious

Responsive vs. spontaneous desire

hometown

Hometown

office-hours

Office Hours I

No matter how you experience desire, Dipsea can be the spark.

Dipsea is an app for Sexy Stories, Sleep Scenes, and Wellness Sessions designed to turn you on and then tuck you in.

share-image-dusk

Welcome to The Deep Dive , a bright spot on the internet to let your hair down, get curious, and dive into the wonder and joy of sex and intimacy.

Welcome to The Deep Dive, a bright spot on the internet to let your hair down, get curious, and dive into the wonder and joy of sex and intimacy.

Dipsea Blog - The Deep Dive 

Dipsea Blog | Welcome to The Deep Dive , a bright spot on the internet to let your hair down, get curious, and dive into the wonder and joy of sex and intimacy.

<p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">Ready to take your next solo sesh to a whole new level? That's what Dipsea is for.</p>

<p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">Dipsea is an app for Sexy Stories, Sleep Scenes, and Wellness Sessions designed to turn you on and then tuck you in. You can download Dipsea from the App Store, Google Play Store, or online at app.dipseastories.com.</p>

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If you've landed on this article, chances are you've been having a little trouble in the orgasm department. The truth is, if you don't know how to make yourself cum, a partner might not know either. We’re a fan of exploring all the beautiful parts of your own body and learning what it takes to see fireworks, especially if you're hoping for partnered sex to get you there. 

That's where a healthy masturbation habit comes in. If you're new to masturbation, feeling a little weird about it, or have just found that it does nothing for you, we're here to help. Learning how to make yourself cum takes practice and patience, so start by giving yourself a break, taking a deep breath, and coming at this with fresh eyes and possibly some fun sex toys. Get excited, you're about to have an orgasm.

## You're not alone

Before we dive into the deep end of all things orgasm, we want to first emphasize that you’re not alone. About 10-15% of women have [never had an orgasm](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001953.htm#:~:text=About%2010%25%20to%2015%25%20of,for%20an%20orgasm%20to%20happen.), and orgasmic challenges are the [second most frequently reported sexual issue](https://www.nature.com/articles/ijir20148#ref-CR4) in women. The reasons for this vary, including psychological and emotional state (especially anxiety), past traumas, a sense of unsafety, low self-esteem, and feelings of sexual openness with a partner. These are [all contributors](https://bedbible.com/orgasm-statistics/) to why vulva owners can have difficulty, even more so than a lack of experience with masturbation or sexual partners. 

So, while we'll focus on helping you figure out how to make yourself cum, the mechanics will only get you so far if you're experiencing some of these other roadblocks. Let's first try and get you into the mindset and then go over some masturbation techniques.

## Masturbation 101: mindset, setup, and orgasm

Plenty of vulva owners grew up conditioned to feel shame around masturbation and sexual pleasure in general. While we can't instantly take away this mental block, we do want to emphasize that masturbation is healthy and normal. 

Sex, sexual health, pleasure, exploration, masturbation, and orgasms are all natural, good, and important parts of living a happy, healthy life. There’s no shame in experiencing pleasure and no reason to be embarrassed.

There’s also the possibility that you’re putting [too much pressure on yourself](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/stop-obsessing-over-orgasms/) if you’ve never experienced an orgasm. Give yourself a break and take the pressure off of the experience before going into it. If you've never experienced an orgasm before, either with yourself or with a partner, try to relax as the first step. It's a journey of learning and self-love, so start with that.

### Pamper yourself

Self-love is the name of the game here. Consider creating a [solo sex](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/solo-sex/) experience, which is a little more involved than going straight into masturbating. In solo sex, you're seducing yourself to help ease you into the [right mindset](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/women-sex-drive/) for self-pleasure and exploration. This first time may not yield the result you're looking for, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy yourself and the process. And you never know, this new approach could be exactly what you need to cross over into O-land. 

Try relaxing your muscles with a warm bubble bath. Rub scented oil on yourself afterward. Put on a [sexy playlist](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/summer-bedroom-jams/) and dance in the mirror, admiring your own body.

### Set the scene

Create the most relaxing environment possible for your solo sex sesh. For you that might mean cleaning up your room or changing the sheets before you get started. You might light some candles or diffuse some essential oils and put on your favorite underwear. 

Dim the lights, keep your playlist going, or turn on some audio erotica from [Dipsea](https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/self-touch-sensation-play) to provide some sonic sexiness while you explore.

### Take a deep breath ... or 10

[Breathwork](https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/breathing-deeply-basics) can be amazingly stimulating—but also relaxing. It's interesting that you'd want both sensations during a solo sesh, but when you think about it, you really do. 

[Deep breathing](https://rightasrain.uwmedicine.org/mind/stress/why-deep-breathing-makes-you-feel-so-chill) helps put your sympathetic nervous system (the one that governs your stress, nervousness, and anxiety) on pause and allows your parasympathetic nervous system (the one that controls rest and relaxation) to take over. In fact, it's literally impossible for your body to release stress hormones when your parasympathetic nervous system is in charge. Try closing your eyes and counting to five on the inhale and then five on the exhale. Once you're comfortable with that, bump it up to a seven-count. Notice how your body feels as you breathe. 

As for stimulation, deep breathing brings oxygen into your bloodstream and to all the body parts that need it. Sexologist Jessica O'Reilly suggests [taking deep breaths during masturbation](https://www.self.com/story/better-orgasms-breathing) to help increase blood flow to the genitals and increase sensation. While you don't want to focus so hard on your breath that you take your mind completely away from the task at hand, try breathing as you move your own hands across your body.

### Foreplay

So far, all the instructions we've outlined constitute light foreplay. Now it's time to get into a more body-based activity. You can keep breathing through all of this, but just let it flow if you feel like there are too many balls in the air. 

If you've had some partnered sexual experiences, you know that there's nothing like foreplay to get wet and stimulate your body. With solo sex, it's no different. Gently stroke your chest with the tips of your fingers, running them down between your breasts and encircling each one. If you like nipple play (or aren't sure if you do), stop on each one and give each one some gentle attention or a light squeeze. Trace the lines of your belly down to the line of your pubic hair and stroke the outside of your vulva gently. 

Again, try to release any expectations of orgasm on this journey, and just notice what feels good and how your body reacts to each sensation.

### Explore how to make yourself cum

Your vulva is a multi-faceted organ with components that can enhance your sexual experience and build pleasure that leads to orgasm. Many sex blogs and podcasts focus on the clitoris and clitoral stimulation, and while that's fantastic (and definitely something to build up to), going straight to the most sensitive part of your anatomy might be a little aggressive, especially if you've been having orgasmic challenges. Your clitoris has [8,000 nerve endings](https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/health-family/the-clitoris-has-8-000-nerve-endings-and-nine-other-things-we-learned-from-a-new-artwork-1.2947694#:~:text=There%20are%20more%20than%208%2C000,erectile%20tissue%2C%20muscle%20and%20nerves.) in it, so it's incredibly sensitive. Depending on how you're built, you may never want to go straight at it without a barrier like the clitoral hood or a pair of underwear to help soften the sensation. 

But there's only one way to find out!

Start by exploring the whole vulvar landscape. This includes your outer and inner labia (the lips or folds of skin around the opening of your vagina), the hood of your clitoris (which encircles the top and sides of your clit and protects it from overstimulation), and even the tender skin where your legs meet your crotch. Spend a minute or two with each part, notice if your body reacts as you gently stroke each area. 

You might find it helpful to use lube or coconut oil to make gliding across these body parts easier. You might also notice that tilting your pelvis forward in a sort of tucked butt flex position increases sensation in some of these areas. You could also pulse your hips forward and back to stimulate the interior of your vagina as you play with the exterior with your fingers. 

If you find that touching a particular area starts creating a warm buildup inside of you, begin moving your fingers faster on that area to see if that increases the pleasure. If it does, keep going. You're well on your way to learning just what an orgasm feels like.

## Types of orgasms

So everything we just talked about was all about externally derived orgasms. That's because most vulva owners find that [external (clitoral) stimulation is critical](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28678639/) to reaching an orgasm, and vaginal penetration alone just doesn't do it. But that doesn't mean that there's no pleasure in vaginal penetration. On the contrary, vaginal penetration coupled with clitoral stimulation can actually result in mind-blowing orgasms, especially if the penetration involves hitting the g-spot. 

Some vulva owners have both clitoral orgasms and g-spot orgasms at the same time, which some call full-body orgasms. 

If you're curious about penetration during your solo play, don't shy away from it. Try using your fingers or a toy (like a dildo or vibrator). Slowly insert a finger into your vagina and try pulling it in and out, or stroking the vaginal wall on the front of your body to try to find the g-spot. It might even feel good to just experience the fullness of having fingers or a toy inside of you without moving them. There’s no wrong way to do this!

You can alternate between penetration and playing with the clitoris and touching your body. Chances are high that if you're learning how to make yourself cum for the first time, the outside bits are going to be the key. 

## How to use toys

Sex toys are most certainly welcome in solo play. When you're by yourself, the sky's the limit.

As a [first-timer](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/sex-toys-for-beginners/), you might consider getting a bullet vibrator or something designed specifically for external stimulation to help you discover which parts of your vulva provide the most pleasure. There are a number of options that offer different speeds and pulse patterns, which is a great way to start because you want to make sure you have the option to ramp up the power on your toy. (For example, magic wands are very powerful, so that would be an advanced toy for your first purchase.) Check out this article for more tips on [how to purchase and use a vibrator](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/how-to-use-a-vibrator-tips-for-choosing-and-using-a-new-toy/).

One more thing you could try in the area of assisted orgasms is a little tool you don't have to purchase at all: the showerhead or bathtub faucet. If you have a hot tub in your backyard, a hot tub jet works too.

Stand in the shower and let your handheld showerhead flow against your vulva. Play with the settings to see which one you like best. Or lay with your butt against the front wall of your tub, legs straight up in a V-shape on either side of the faucet (this position might be too hard for some, and that's fine, no biggie). In the hot tub, face the jets and see how it goes.

Warm, pressurized water can have a way of working magic on your entire genital area. Even if you can't quite get all the way to the finish line using water, it's a fun way to get yourself going.

## The big O

So how do you know if you’re getting close? If you’ve never had an orgasm, then you might be wondering how you know if you’re getting warmer or colder. While everyone is different, there are a few potential signs that you’re doing what your body likes. 

First and foremost, as you become aroused and heading toward climax, your clitoris becomes more sensitive (usually in a good way) to what you’re doing to it or around it (sometimes it’s so sensitive you don't even need to touch it directly). A warm feeling might begin traveling upward from your vulva. You might begin breathing more heavily. Your body might want to tense up to increase the sensation. 

In some cases, it might feel a little like you have to pee as you get closer. If this makes you nervous, try playing in the bathtub or shower so that you can give yourself permission to just go with it. You probably won’t pee, but you might. And some vulva owners squirt (it’s normal, and it’s also a [whole other conversation](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25545022/#:~:text=Conclusions%3A%20The%20present%20data%20based,the%20emitted%20fluid%20often%20exists.) if you're curious), but many don't!

It’s called a climax for a reason. If you’ve reached it, you’ll feel a peak of sensation in your genitals as your muscles contract repeatedly—many compare it to a warm throbbing feeling or a surge of pleasure. Your heart will beat faster, your breath will speed up, you might involuntarily twitch, moan, or lift your pelvis, and your fingers and toes might curl. And chances are, when you’re finished, you won’t want to touch anything down there for a few minutes at least, as it will be highly sensitive and stimulated.

## It's time

The best way to learn is to do, so it's time to give all these suggestions a try. You deserve to feel good and enjoy your sex life, no matter if it's a solo sex life or a partnered one. The tips we've shared will surely help you get closer to the orgasmic feeling you're after. Just don't give up if it doesn't happen on your first try. To help you get started, take a listen to these guided self-touch sessions, in which you'll explore the various sensations in your body and even get into some gentle toy play. 

<div class="blog-cta-centered">
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<div style="max-width: 41.25em; margin: 0 auto">
<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row">

<div style="text-align: center; margin: 0 10px 0 0">
  <a target="_blank" href="https://app.dipseastories.com/series/self-touch-male-narrator-series?utm_source=web&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=makeyourselfcumblog">
    <img src="////images.contentful.com/03of3q5qzesq/6t8WfeHVplrAyi7cccPNzj/90a840545859b211dbe09451cf74f19e/500-352_Self_Touch_Gabby-fs8.png?h=250" />
    <p style="text-align: center;">Glow Up</p>
  </a>
</div>

<div style="text-align: center; margin: 0 10px 0 0">
  <a target="_blank" href="https://app.dipseastories.com/series/self-touch-male-narrator-series?utm_source=web&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=makeyourselfcumblog">
    <img src="//images.contentful.com/03of3q5qzesq/7L85SfC635CNby3y1Gb5Zl/d4b27a0317915cb12affcc27cadd67e1/500-370_SelfTouch_Gabby-fs8.png?h=250" />
    <p style="text-align: center;">Mix It Up</p>
  </a>
</div>

</div>
</div>

If you've landed on this article, chances are you've been having a little trouble in the orgasm department. The truth is, if you don't know how to make yourself cum, a partner might not know either. We’re a fan of exploring all the beautiful parts of your own body and learning what it takes to see fireworks, especially if you're hoping for partnered sex to get you there. 

That's where a healthy masturbation habit comes in. If you're new to masturbation, feeling a little weird about it, or have just found that it does nothing for you, we're here to help. Learning how to make yourself cum takes practice and patience, so start by giving yourself a break, taking a deep breath, and coming at this with fresh eyes and possibly some fun sex toys. Get excited, you're about to have an orgasm.

## You're not alone

Before we dive into the deep end of all things orgasm, we want to first emphasize that you’re not alone. About 10-15% of women have [never had an orgasm](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001953.htm#:~:text=About%2010%25%20to%2015%25%20of,for%20an%20orgasm%20to%20happen.), and orgasmic challenges are the [second most frequently reported sexual issue](https://www.nature.com/articles/ijir20148#ref-CR4) in women. The reasons for this vary, including psychological and emotional state (especially anxiety), past traumas, a sense of unsafety, low self-esteem, and feelings of sexual openness with a partner. These are [all contributors](https://bedbible.com/orgasm-statistics/) to why vulva owners can have difficulty, even more so than a lack of experience with masturbation or sexual partners. 

So, while we'll focus on helping you figure out how to make yourself cum, the mechanics will only get you so far if you're experiencing some of these other roadblocks. Let's first try and get you into the mindset and then go over some masturbation techniques.

## Masturbation 101: mindset, setup, and orgasm

Plenty of vulva owners grew up conditioned to feel shame around masturbation and sexual pleasure in general. While we can't instantly take away this mental block, we do want to emphasize that masturbation is healthy and normal. 

Sex, sexual health, pleasure, exploration, masturbation, and orgasms are all natural, good, and important parts of living a happy, healthy life. There’s no shame in experiencing pleasure and no reason to be embarrassed.

There’s also the possibility that you’re putting [too much pressure on yourself](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/stop-obsessing-over-orgasms/) if you’ve never experienced an orgasm. Give yourself a break and take the pressure off of the experience before going into it. If you've never experienced an orgasm before, either with yourself or with a partner, try to relax as the first step. It's a journey of learning and self-love, so start with that.

### Pamper yourself

Self-love is the name of the game here. Consider creating a [solo sex](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/solo-sex/) experience, which is a little more involved than going straight into masturbating. In solo sex, you're seducing yourself to help ease you into the [right mindset](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/women-sex-drive/) for self-pleasure and exploration. This first time may not yield the result you're looking for, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy yourself and the process. And you never know, this new approach could be exactly what you need to cross over into O-land. 

Try relaxing your muscles with a warm bubble bath. Rub scented oil on yourself afterward. Put on a [sexy playlist](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/summer-bedroom-jams/) and dance in the mirror, admiring your own body.

### Set the scene

Create the most relaxing environment possible for your solo sex sesh. For you that might mean cleaning up your room or changing the sheets before you get started. You might light some candles or diffuse some essential oils and put on your favorite underwear. 

Dim the lights, keep your playlist going, or turn on some audio erotica from [Dipsea](https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/self-touch-sensation-play) to provide some sonic sexiness while you explore.

### Take a deep breath ... or 10

[Breathwork](https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/breathing-deeply-basics) can be amazingly stimulating—but also relaxing. It's interesting that you'd want both sensations during a solo sesh, but when you think about it, you really do. 

[Deep breathing](https://rightasrain.uwmedicine.org/mind/stress/why-deep-breathing-makes-you-feel-so-chill) helps put your sympathetic nervous system (the one that governs your stress, nervousness, and anxiety) on pause and allows your parasympathetic nervous system (the one that controls rest and relaxation) to take over. In fact, it's literally impossible for your body to release stress hormones when your parasympathetic nervous system is in charge. Try closing your eyes and counting to five on the inhale and then five on the exhale. Once you're comfortable with that, bump it up to a seven-count. Notice how your body feels as you breathe. 

As for stimulation, deep breathing brings oxygen into your bloodstream and to all the body parts that need it. Sexologist Jessica O'Reilly suggests [taking deep breaths during masturbation](https://www.self.com/story/better-orgasms-breathing) to help increase blood flow to the genitals and increase sensation. While you don't want to focus so hard on your breath that you take your mind completely away from the task at hand, try breathing as you move your own hands across your body.

### Foreplay

So far, all the instructions we've outlined constitute light foreplay. Now it's time to get into a more body-based activity. You can keep breathing through all of this, but just let it flow if you feel like there are too many balls in the air. 

If you've had some partnered sexual experiences, you know that there's nothing like foreplay to get wet and stimulate your body. With solo sex, it's no different. Gently stroke your chest with the tips of your fingers, running them down between your breasts and encircling each one. If you like nipple play (or aren't sure if you do), stop on each one and give each one some gentle attention or a light squeeze. Trace the lines of your belly down to the line of your pubic hair and stroke the outside of your vulva gently. 

Again, try to release any expectations of orgasm on this journey, and just notice what feels good and how your body reacts to each sensation.

### Explore how to make yourself cum

Your vulva is a multi-faceted organ with components that can enhance your sexual experience and build pleasure that leads to orgasm. Many sex blogs and podcasts focus on the clitoris and clitoral stimulation, and while that's fantastic (and definitely something to build up to), going straight to the most sensitive part of your anatomy might be a little aggressive, especially if you've been having orgasmic challenges. Your clitoris has [8,000 nerve endings](https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/health-family/the-clitoris-has-8-000-nerve-endings-and-nine-other-things-we-learned-from-a-new-artwork-1.2947694#:~:text=There%20are%20more%20than%208%2C000,erectile%20tissue%2C%20muscle%20and%20nerves.) in it, so it's incredibly sensitive. Depending on how you're built, you may never want to go straight at it without a barrier like the clitoral hood or a pair of underwear to help soften the sensation. 

But there's only one way to find out!

Start by exploring the whole vulvar landscape. This includes your outer and inner labia (the lips or folds of skin around the opening of your vagina), the hood of your clitoris (which encircles the top and sides of your clit and protects it from overstimulation), and even the tender skin where your legs meet your crotch. Spend a minute or two with each part, notice if your body reacts as you gently stroke each area. 

You might find it helpful to use lube or coconut oil to make gliding across these body parts easier. You might also notice that tilting your pelvis forward in a sort of tucked butt flex position increases sensation in some of these areas. You could also pulse your hips forward and back to stimulate the interior of your vagina as you play with the exterior with your fingers. 

If you find that touching a particular area starts creating a warm buildup inside of you, begin moving your fingers faster on that area to see if that increases the pleasure. If it does, keep going. You're well on your way to learning just what an orgasm feels like.

## Types of orgasms

So everything we just talked about was all about externally derived orgasms. That's because most vulva owners find that [external (clitoral) stimulation is critical](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28678639/) to reaching an orgasm, and vaginal penetration alone just doesn't do it. But that doesn't mean that there's no pleasure in vaginal penetration. On the contrary, vaginal penetration coupled with clitoral stimulation can actually result in mind-blowing orgasms, especially if the penetration involves hitting the g-spot. 

Some vulva owners have both clitoral orgasms and g-spot orgasms at the same time, which some call full-body orgasms. 

If you're curious about penetration during your solo play, don't shy away from it. Try using your fingers or a toy (like a dildo or vibrator). Slowly insert a finger into your vagina and try pulling it in and out, or stroking the vaginal wall on the front of your body to try to find the g-spot. It might even feel good to just experience the fullness of having fingers or a toy inside of you without moving them. There’s no wrong way to do this!

You can alternate between penetration and playing with the clitoris and touching your body. Chances are high that if you're learning how to make yourself cum for the first time, the outside bits are going to be the key. 

## How to use toys

Sex toys are most certainly welcome in solo play. When you're by yourself, the sky's the limit.

As a [first-timer](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/sex-toys-for-beginners/), you might consider getting a bullet vibrator or something designed specifically for external stimulation to help you discover which parts of your vulva provide the most pleasure. There are a number of options that offer different speeds and pulse patterns, which is a great way to start because you want to make sure you have the option to ramp up the power on your toy. (For example, magic wands are very powerful, so that would be an advanced toy for your first purchase.) Check out this article for more tips on [how to purchase and use a vibrator](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/how-to-use-a-vibrator-tips-for-choosing-and-using-a-new-toy/).

One more thing you could try in the area of assisted orgasms is a little tool you don't have to purchase at all: the showerhead or bathtub faucet. If you have a hot tub in your backyard, a hot tub jet works too.

Stand in the shower and let your handheld showerhead flow against your vulva. Play with the settings to see which one you like best. Or lay with your butt against the front wall of your tub, legs straight up in a V-shape on either side of the faucet (this position might be too hard for some, and that's fine, no biggie). In the hot tub, face the jets and see how it goes.

Warm, pressurized water can have a way of working magic on your entire genital area. Even if you can't quite get all the way to the finish line using water, it's a fun way to get yourself going.

## The big O

So how do you know if you’re getting close? If you’ve never had an orgasm, then you might be wondering how you know if you’re getting warmer or colder. While everyone is different, there are a few potential signs that you’re doing what your body likes. 

First and foremost, as you become aroused and heading toward climax, your clitoris becomes more sensitive (usually in a good way) to what you’re doing to it or around it (sometimes it’s so sensitive you don't even need to touch it directly). A warm feeling might begin traveling upward from your vulva. You might begin breathing more heavily. Your body might want to tense up to increase the sensation. 

In some cases, it might feel a little like you have to pee as you get closer. If this makes you nervous, try playing in the bathtub or shower so that you can give yourself permission to just go with it. You probably won’t pee, but you might. And some vulva owners squirt (it’s normal, and it’s also a [whole other conversation](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25545022/#:~:text=Conclusions%3A%20The%20present%20data%20based,the%20emitted%20fluid%20often%20exists.) if you're curious), but many don't!

It’s called a climax for a reason. If you’ve reached it, you’ll feel a peak of sensation in your genitals as your muscles contract repeatedly—many compare it to a warm throbbing feeling or a surge of pleasure. Your heart will beat faster, your breath will speed up, you might involuntarily twitch, moan, or lift your pelvis, and your fingers and toes might curl. And chances are, when you’re finished, you won’t want to touch anything down there for a few minutes at least, as it will be highly sensitive and stimulated.

## It's time

The best way to learn is to do, so it's time to give all these suggestions a try. You deserve to feel good and enjoy your sex life, no matter if it's a solo sex life or a partnered one. The tips we've shared will surely help you get closer to the orgasmic feeling you're after. Just don't give up if it doesn't happen on your first try. To help you get started, take a listen to these guided self-touch sessions, in which you'll explore the various sensations in your body and even get into some gentle toy play. 

While it may be your first orgasm, you don't have to figure it out alone. Learn exactly how to make yourself cum with a fun, nonjudgmental guide.

Your first solo orgasm: How to make yourself cum

Make-Yourself-Cum

Glow-up

Glow Up

mix-it-up

Mix it Up

Ready to take your next solo sesh to a whole new level? That's what Dipsea is for.

Women don't have as many orgasms as men. This orgasm gap exists mainly because most women don’t grow up learning about female sexual pleasure. If we don't know how to bring our bodies to orgasm, it's almost impossible to expect your partner to know (but a little googling never hurt anyone!). 

Because women tend to use mental framing to get turned on, one of the keys to earth-shattering sexual experiences is to know what turns your mind on. Once you activate your arousal, you can discover what sorts of touch your body prefers. After you’ve done that, it’s a whole lot easier to communicate your needs to a partner. 

People often forget that mind-blowing sexual experiences are an [essential part of overall health](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/316954). Sex is good for your mental health, heart, relationships, and even your immune system. It’s time to prioritize good sex. 

Erotic fiction is an effective tool for preparing your body for sex—either solo or partnered. Listening to erotica can do more than help you get in the mood. Erotic short stories can help you understand your sexual desires, build intimacy with yourself or a partner, and give you the sexual confidence you crave. Here’s a look at the key benefits of listening to erotic short stories.

## 1. Erotic short stories help women identify their sexual desires
There's a strong [link between sexual fantasizing and having a satisfying sex life](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/199509/the-safest-sex). Sexual fantasies are healthy and normal, but many women worry they aren't.

Society often teaches women to hide their desires which means many women might not even discuss fantasies with their best friends. 

When women grow up being socialized to not talk about sex beyond whatever reproductive health course is offered in their high school (which are, all too often, not that great!), they don't learn about desire or arousal, the first two steps in the sexual response cycle. 

In addition to sub-par formal sex education, women recieve incomplete social messaging about what their sexual desires are supposed to be. We hear things about how [men supposedly have higher sex drives](https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20160630-the-enduring-enigma-of-female-desire) than women, instead of learning about the natural [variablity of sex drives](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/navigating-mismatched-desire/) regardless of gender.  

Combine the lack of comprehensive sex-ed with the socialization women receive regarding gender stereotypes and women wind up not knowing what they want in the bedroom (or the kitchen or the shower). We worry that our fantasies of taking or relinquishing control are misguided. We fear that our sex drives are too high or too low. 

And all that worry can make your vulva as responsive as an uncharged vibrator. 

The first step to satisfying sex is identifying what you want out of your sexual experiences. Indulging in [a story about one of your fantasies](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/a-brief-sexy-history-of-erotica/) will prep your mind for sex. But, it may also help you figure out whether you enjoy thinking about romance, BDSM, orgies, casual sexual encounters, or something else.

Erotica can help you experience any fetish you desire without needing to step through the doors of a BDSM dungeon. Steamy stories let women explore sexual fantasies from a safe distance. 

For some women, listening to erotic stories helps them decide they want to move one of those fantasies from hypothetical to real life. Erotica can give them the language they need to communicate that desire to a partner. 

Identifying your sexual desires is the first step toward a satisfying sex life. 

## 2. Erotica helps women become more intimate with themselves

Mindfulness practices, such as meditation, help us connect with ourselves. The first time you try to meditate, your mind wanders from your breathing to the pile of laundry.  You get stuck in a constant state of trying to pull your mind back to meditating, and eventually it works. For many, guided meditation is the answer to a wandering mind. 

Women who masturbate regularly know their bodies and what turns them on. Unfortunately, for many women, getting in the right mindset for arousal is difficult. Sex stories, especially erotic audio, serve as a guided meditation, helping you connect with your sexual self. 

Listening to erotic short stories can keep your mind focused on arousal and away from the laundry room, the board room, or whatever kind of room your mind gets stuck in. Once your mindset is taken care of, you can focus on the task at hand. 

Spending time experimenting with different types of touch will help you learn whether you prefer a vibrating or sucking sensation, and whether internal or external stimulation is really what gets you there. [The more you masturbate](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/masturbating-is-important-even-when-youre-in-a-relationship/), the more you’ll come to know about your preferences. And that intimate knowledge translates to more orgasms during solo or partnered sex.

## 3. Sexy short stories increase intimacy with your partner

Women who masturbate regularly and are intimately connected with their sexual self have more orgasms during solo sex. What's more, they can take that same sexual energy to their partnered sex.

Erotic short stories do more than improve your masturbation sessions. Listening to examples of erotic fantasy can help you become more comfortable talking about what interests you sexually. Your partner wants to know what gets you off. It's on you to tell them, but because discussing sex openly and honestly isn’t something we see frequently, it can be hard to [confidently articulate it](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/stress-and-sex/201712/sexual-communication-the-bedrock-make-your-bed-rock). 

When you’re comfortable explaining that you prefer circles around your clitoris over direct pressure, you’ll be able to experience more orgasms during partnered sex. The more orgasms you have, the more you'll want (we assume!). Better sex leads to more orgasms, and more orgasms lead to more sex. Everybody wins here. 

Don't keep the erotica to yourself. Listening to steamy stories together can help you explain your desires to a partner and help you learn about theirs. This connection makes it easier to talk about things like introducing sex toys, exploring threesomes, or something nonsexual like deciding which person is responsible for the pile of laundry. [Intimacy is the key](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/increase-intimacy-precare-foreplay-aftercare/) to a satisfying partnership in and out of the bedroom.

## 4. Women's erotica inspires sexual confidence

Desire and arousal are primarily mental processes. Sometimes the stuff of life makes it difficult for women to get in the mood for sex. Let’s be honest, there’s a lot going on in the world right now, and if we’re focusing on that full-time, we’re not readying our minds for sex. If our mindset isn't right, getting in the mood can feel more like driving down a dirt road without street lights than a well-lit highway. 

Women-centric erotic fiction prepares our minds for sex. According to the Kinsey Institute, [nearly 90% of women use scenario conjuring](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/8233688_Turning_On_and_Turning_Off_A_Focus_Group_Study_of_the_Factors_That_Affect_Women's_Sexual_Arousal) to kick off their sexual response cycle. These scenarios can include sexual fantasies or even thinking about their emotional connection with a partner.

Women need stimuli to experience sexual desire. They also need it to move from desire to arousal. Erotica provides a paved highway toward arousal. And that intense arousal is the key to feeling confident in bed. Confidence leads to more intense orgasms, which can make sex more satisfying. 

## Improve your sex life with erotic short stories

Listening to erotic fiction inspires women to embrace their desires. For as long as we can remember, women learned from parents, religious leaders, and society that they should keep their sexual desires under wraps—but we’ve had enough of that.
Women like sex. Women want sex. At Dipsea, we believe women should get to have the sex they want. 

When women understand their desires, they can better communicate with their partners. Communication improves intimacy and creates a more satisfying relationship with yourself and your partner (or partners). 

[Erotic audio from Dipsea is unique](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/erotic-audio/) because it includes more than just words on a page. It’s immersive and evocative, just like being dropped into the middle of a movie scene. 

All that mental stimulation helps women get into the right mindset for sexual activity so that even if all they have time for is a quickie, they can get in, get an orgasm (or four), and then go on to do whatever else it is they need to do. To get your mindset in the right place, take the assist from erotic short stories. 

  <div style="max-width: 41.25em; margin: 0 auto">
<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row">

<div style="text-align: center; margin: 0 10px 0 0">
  <a target="_blank" href="https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/office-hours">
    <img src="//images.contentful.com/03of3q5qzesq/bTk4b0eVOnJ5IBlklET0l/7d26ef06c9bf8ce25e190bb873c420ce/Queer_Lecture_1.png?h=250" />
    <p style="text-align: center;">Office Hours</p>
  </a>
</div>

<div style="text-align: center; margin: 0 0 0 10px">
  <a target="_blank" href="https://app.dipseastories.com/series/five-years-series">
    <img src="//images.contentful.com/03of3q5qzesq/6I5z8LCbdiH3lnN8rjCXkh/6a5d715d693f0330226b15b0f541af98/302_Five_Years_1_KatieEdmunds.png?h=250" />
    <p style="text-align: center;">Five Years</p>
  </a>
</div>

</div>
</div>

<br /><br />


Women don't have as many orgasms as men. This orgasm gap exists mainly because most women don’t grow up learning about female sexual pleasure. If we don't know how to bring our bodies to orgasm, it's almost impossible to expect your partner to know (but a little googling never hurt anyone!). 

Because women tend to use mental framing to get turned on, one of the keys to earth-shattering sexual experiences is to know what turns your mind on. Once you activate your arousal, you can discover what sorts of touch your body prefers. After you’ve done that, it’s a whole lot easier to communicate your needs to a partner. 

People often forget that mind-blowing sexual experiences are an [essential part of overall health](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/316954). Sex is good for your mental health, heart, relationships, and even your immune system. It’s time to prioritize good sex. 

Erotic fiction is an effective tool for preparing your body for sex—either solo or partnered. Listening to erotica can do more than help you get in the mood. Erotic short stories can help you understand your sexual desires, build intimacy with yourself or a partner, and give you the sexual confidence you crave. Here’s a look at the key benefits of listening to erotic short stories.

## 1. Erotic short stories help women identify their sexual desires
There's a strong [link between sexual fantasizing and having a satisfying sex life](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/199509/the-safest-sex). Sexual fantasies are healthy and normal, but many women worry they aren't.

Society often teaches women to hide their desires which means many women might not even discuss fantasies with their best friends. 

When women grow up being socialized to not talk about sex beyond whatever reproductive health course is offered in their high school (which are, all too often, not that great!), they don't learn about desire or arousal, the first two steps in the sexual response cycle. 

In addition to sub-par formal sex education, women recieve incomplete social messaging about what their sexual desires are supposed to be. We hear things about how [men supposedly have higher sex drives](https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20160630-the-enduring-enigma-of-female-desire) than women, instead of learning about the natural [variablity of sex drives](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/navigating-mismatched-desire/) regardless of gender.  

Combine the lack of comprehensive sex-ed with the socialization women receive regarding gender stereotypes and women wind up not knowing what they want in the bedroom (or the kitchen or the shower). We worry that our fantasies of taking or relinquishing control are misguided. We fear that our sex drives are too high or too low. 

And all that worry can make your vulva as responsive as an uncharged vibrator. 

The first step to satisfying sex is identifying what you want out of your sexual experiences. Indulging in [a story about one of your fantasies](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/a-brief-sexy-history-of-erotica/) will prep your mind for sex. But, it may also help you figure out whether you enjoy thinking about romance, BDSM, orgies, casual sexual encounters, or something else.

Erotica can help you experience any fetish you desire without needing to step through the doors of a BDSM dungeon. Steamy stories let women explore sexual fantasies from a safe distance. 

For some women, listening to erotic stories helps them decide they want to move one of those fantasies from hypothetical to real life. Erotica can give them the language they need to communicate that desire to a partner. 

Identifying your sexual desires is the first step toward a satisfying sex life. 

## 2. Erotica helps women become more intimate with themselves

Mindfulness practices, such as meditation, help us connect with ourselves. The first time you try to meditate, your mind wanders from your breathing to the pile of laundry.  You get stuck in a constant state of trying to pull your mind back to meditating, and eventually it works. For many, guided meditation is the answer to a wandering mind. 

Women who masturbate regularly know their bodies and what turns them on. Unfortunately, for many women, getting in the right mindset for arousal is difficult. Sex stories, especially erotic audio, serve as a guided meditation, helping you connect with your sexual self. 

Listening to erotic short stories can keep your mind focused on arousal and away from the laundry room, the board room, or whatever kind of room your mind gets stuck in. Once your mindset is taken care of, you can focus on the task at hand. 

Spending time experimenting with different types of touch will help you learn whether you prefer a vibrating or sucking sensation, and whether internal or external stimulation is really what gets you there. [The more you masturbate](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/masturbating-is-important-even-when-youre-in-a-relationship/), the more you’ll come to know about your preferences. And that intimate knowledge translates to more orgasms during solo or partnered sex.

## 3. Sexy short stories increase intimacy with your partner

Women who masturbate regularly and are intimately connected with their sexual self have more orgasms during solo sex. What's more, they can take that same sexual energy to their partnered sex.

Erotic short stories do more than improve your masturbation sessions. Listening to examples of erotic fantasy can help you become more comfortable talking about what interests you sexually. Your partner wants to know what gets you off. It's on you to tell them, but because discussing sex openly and honestly isn’t something we see frequently, it can be hard to [confidently articulate it](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/stress-and-sex/201712/sexual-communication-the-bedrock-make-your-bed-rock). 

When you’re comfortable explaining that you prefer circles around your clitoris over direct pressure, you’ll be able to experience more orgasms during partnered sex. The more orgasms you have, the more you'll want (we assume!). Better sex leads to more orgasms, and more orgasms lead to more sex. Everybody wins here. 

Don't keep the erotica to yourself. Listening to steamy stories together can help you explain your desires to a partner and help you learn about theirs. This connection makes it easier to talk about things like introducing sex toys, exploring threesomes, or something nonsexual like deciding which person is responsible for the pile of laundry. [Intimacy is the key](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/increase-intimacy-precare-foreplay-aftercare/) to a satisfying partnership in and out of the bedroom.

## 4. Women's erotica inspires sexual confidence

Desire and arousal are primarily mental processes. Sometimes the stuff of life makes it difficult for women to get in the mood for sex. Let’s be honest, there’s a lot going on in the world right now, and if we’re focusing on that full-time, we’re not readying our minds for sex. If our mindset isn't right, getting in the mood can feel more like driving down a dirt road without street lights than a well-lit highway. 

Women-centric erotic fiction prepares our minds for sex. According to the Kinsey Institute, [nearly 90% of women use scenario conjuring](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/8233688_Turning_On_and_Turning_Off_A_Focus_Group_Study_of_the_Factors_That_Affect_Women's_Sexual_Arousal) to kick off their sexual response cycle. These scenarios can include sexual fantasies or even thinking about their emotional connection with a partner.

Women need stimuli to experience sexual desire. They also need it to move from desire to arousal. Erotica provides a paved highway toward arousal. And that intense arousal is the key to feeling confident in bed. Confidence leads to more intense orgasms, which can make sex more satisfying. 

## Improve your sex life with erotic short stories

Listening to erotic fiction inspires women to embrace their desires. For as long as we can remember, women learned from parents, religious leaders, and society that they should keep their sexual desires under wraps—but we’ve had enough of that.
Women like sex. Women want sex. At Dipsea, we believe women should get to have the sex they want. 

When women understand their desires, they can better communicate with their partners. Communication improves intimacy and creates a more satisfying relationship with yourself and your partner (or partners). 

[Erotic audio from Dipsea is unique](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/erotic-audio/) because it includes more than just words on a page. It’s immersive and evocative, just like being dropped into the middle of a movie scene. 

All that mental stimulation helps women get into the right mindset for sexual activity so that even if all they have time for is a quickie, they can get in, get an orgasm (or four), and then go on to do whatever else it is they need to do. To get your mindset in the right place, take the assist from erotic short stories. 

Erotic short stories can help you understand your sexual desires, build intimacy with yourself or a partner, and give you the sexual confidence you crave.

4 ways erotic short stories can improve sexual satisfaction 

4-ways-Erotic-Short-Stories

4 ways erotic short stories improve sexual satisfaction 

5 YEARS

Five Years I

Ready to take "me time" to a whole new level? Dipsea has you covered.

Hi! I’m Gina, one of the co-founders of Dipsea. Welcome to the “Dipseaverse,” I’m so glad you’ve decided to check us out!

Nothing makes us happier than hearing from listeners about the ways Dipsea helps them to feel more: more in tune with their bodies, more connected to their partners, more flirtatious putting themselves out there, and the most like themselves.  

But before you’re ready to dive in yourself, maybe you want to know more. Dipsea is an entirely new experience, so that makes sense! I’ll be answering some of the questions we get asked the most here. As a team that prides itself on communication, consent, and setting clear expectations—you’re in the right place to get all the answers. 

xo Gina

<div class="blog-cta-centered">
  <a
    class="blog-cta-purple-pill"
    href="https://app.dipseastories.com/?utm_source=web&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=FAQblog"
  >
    Try Dipsea Free
  </a>
</div>

__What is Dipsea?__

Dipsea is where storytelling meets sexual wellness. With an annual or a monthly subscription, you can get access to hundreds of audio stories designed to get you in the mood, show you what you like, and open you up to self-discovery. Every Dipsea story is a consensual, feminist, and sex-positive original production created by our in-house team of storytellers. 

In addition to Sexy Stories, our library also includes cozy Sleep Scenes, and Wellness Sessions.

You can download Dipsea in the App Store, Google Play Store, or access the app online. 

__Who are the people behind the app?__

We’re a female-founded company based in San Francisco, California. My co-founder Faye and I were friends before we started Dipsea, and we were fascinated by the idea that sexuality is as mental as it is physical. So we set out to create erotica as sexy as it is sex-positive. 

Four years later, Dipsea has grown into a team of 20+ incredible people. We’re half tech startup and half story studio. Our team includes audio producers and software engineers, writers, and product managers. None of us had professional experience creating erotica, which means we write our own rules and bring fresh energy and ideas to a totally new genre of storytelling. 

__How do you work with voice actors and story contributors?__

The best way to live a commitment to diversity and inclusion is to give paid opportunities to people doing excellent work. We work with a big network of talented voice actors who can represent how the world really sounds, and over 50% of our characters are voiced by people of color. 

Voice actors are recorded individually in studios all over the world. Dipsea producers then mix those recordings to create immersive audio stories where it sounds like multiple characters are together. It’s amazing how realistic a Dipsea story sounds, and a lot of hard work goes into creating that magic. 

Most of our stories are written in-house, but we occasionally partner with writers and story contributors with unique stories to tell and who can base their storytelling on their lived experiences. 

__What makes Dipsea special?__

Chances are you’ve probably been taught a few things about sex that aren’t serving you: that your desires are shameful, that pleasure is only okay when it comes after the word “guilty,” and that sex is basically a relay race toward orgasm with a partner. 

Dipsea is (literally) flipping the script, deprogramming harmful ideas, and re-setting the standards—high—for women’s lives and relationships. 

At Dipsea, we have two core beliefs. The first? Sexual wellness is essential. You deserve to feel good in your body, to live shame-free, to voice your preferences and state your boundaries, and to experience pleasure. The second? That storytelling is powerful. It illuminates the parts of yourself you might have lost touch with, gives you ideas for your own life, and fires up the imagination. 

We take a mind-first approach to sexuality because the answers have always been a part of you. Dipsea is a powerful reminder that starting with you—your wants, your needs, your fantasies—is the best way to manifest sexual wellness, and to feel more confident and joyful in and out of the bedroom. 

__What are the stories like?__

Desire is all in the details. That’s why we put so much care into every story we create. Between 10-25 minutes long, Dipsea audio stories immerse you in a world of aspirational and 100% consensual sex and relationships, and sometimes even insert you into the story. You’ll meet characters you’ll love—and watch your imagination do the rest. 

We want people to hear themselves in our stories. Over 50% of our characters are voiced by people of color, and over 25% of our stories are queer. Characters are empowered in their sexual, social, and romantic experiences. Sex is communicative, and pleasure doesn’t sound performed. 

__How sexy are the stories, really?__

Dipsea stories are designed to be erotic. Some are more flirtatious and romantic, and some include more intense themes like off-limits hookups, threesomes, and BDSM. 

We believe communication is key. Stories are always clearly tagged, labeled, and explained—so you always know exactly what you’re getting into before you listen. Because if you don’t feel safe and comfortable, you’ll never feel relaxed and turned on. And you’ll have an easy time finding more of what you’re looking for, especially as we get to know you better. 

__What are your Sleep Scenes like?__

Every night Dipsea was already being invited under duvets, tucked under pillows, and placed on nightstands. Sleep by Dipsea was developed as an even more intentional exhale at the end of a listening session.

Queue up soothing sounds, tranquil tours of dreamy destinations, and cozy Sleep Overs where a Dipsea Hunk tucks you in and then stays close by (playing the guitar or cleaning up after dinner) while you drift off. Dipsea Sleep Scenes range between 15-60 minutes. 

__What about the Wellness Sessions?__

Our Wellness Sessions are designed to support listeners trying to bring more of an active practice into their sexual and romantic lives. We partner with experts to create meditations, erotic breathwork exercises, dirty talk how-to’s, self-love guides, and more. 

__Why does Dipsea focus on audio?__

90% of women use their imaginations to get aroused, according to a study done by OMGYes and the Kinsey Institute. Audio erotica is intimate, immersive, and incredibly personal for each listener. Every story becomes your own personal version, designed by your own imagination. 
Dipsea now also offers sexy stories that you can read chapter by chapter, so you can get lost in the steamy backstories of your favorite Hunks, or discover new retellings of our most loved series.

__Why is Dipsea a subscription app and not a podcast?__

When we first imagined creating a new genre of erotic storytelling, we knew the experience needed to be as exceptional as the stories we told. No cringey design, no distracting ads. Just a beautifully designed app that surfaces the right stories for you. Only by controlling for all the details (like making sure you can find Black Voiced stories, or can avoid Infidelity stories if you find them triggering) is Dipsea able to create a truly comfortable and safe space for you to explore. An app lets us do all that and more. 

By asking users to subscribe, we invite them to engage in an always-improving experience: new features, new kinds of storytelling, and new audio content each week. Your subscription fee ensures voice actors are paid fairly, and the quality of our productions stays exceptional. 

But before you’re ready to dive in with an annual or monthly subscription, explore the handful of stories that we offer free and decide whether Dipsea is right for you. 

__Is Dipsea just for women?__

Dipsea was designed with women in mind because they were so clearly underserved in a space defined by and for the male gaze. But the app is a safe space for all perspectives, preferences, and genders. Dipsea has HER + HER, HER + HIM, and a growing selection of HIM + HIM, and non-binary content. Over 25% of the Dipsea library is queer. Dipsea is an approachable resource for anyone who wants to get in the mood, spark their imagination, and learn about themselves. 

__Can partners listen together?__

If you think Dipsea might be a fun way to get in the mood together or to break the ice on certain topics with your partner—amazing! Dipsea is a highly personal experience, and you should listen in the ways that make the most sense for you. Our research shows that most people listen solo (~90% of subscribers), but more than 30% of people say the reason they listen to Dipsea is for the positive effect it has on their relationships. 

By nurturing your imagination and getting familiar with your fantasies and boundaries, you’re primed to have great sex with yourself and others. 

__Can I work for Dipsea?__ 

We’re only as great as the people we work with, and we’d love to meet you. Check out the current opportunities for working with us: 

- [Work with us](https://angel.co/dipsea/jobs)
- [Voice act for us](https://www.dipseastories.com/voice/) 
- [Become a story contributor](https://forms.gle/dQ4j9zPFxffqoH5c6) 

<div class="blog-cta-centered">
  <a
    class="blog-cta-purple-pill"
    href="https://app.dipseastories.com/?utm_source=web&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=FAQblog"
  >
    Try Dipsea Free
  </a>
</div>

Hi! I’m Gina, one of the co-founders of Dipsea. Welcome to the “Dipseaverse,” I’m so glad you’ve decided to check us out!

Nothing makes us happier than hearing from listeners about the ways Dipsea helps them to feel more: more in tune with their bodies, more connected to their partners, more flirtatious putting themselves out there, and the most like themselves.  

But before you’re ready to dive in yourself, maybe you want to know more. Dipsea is an entirely new experience, so that makes sense! I’ll be answering some of the questions we get asked the most here. As a team that prides itself on communication, consent, and setting clear expectations—you’re in the right place to get all the answers. 

xo Gina

__What is Dipsea?__

Dipsea is where storytelling meets sexual wellness. With an annual or a monthly subscription, you can get access to hundreds of audio stories designed to get you in the mood, show you what you like, and open you up to self-discovery. Every Dipsea story is a consensual, feminist, and sex-positive original production created by our in-house team of storytellers. 

In addition to Sexy Stories, our library also includes cozy Sleep Scenes, and Wellness Sessions.

You can download Dipsea in the App Store, Google Play Store, or access the app online. 

__Who are the people behind the app?__

We’re a female-founded company based in San Francisco, California. My co-founder Faye and I were friends before we started Dipsea, and we were fascinated by the idea that sexuality is as mental as it is physical. So we set out to create erotica as sexy as it is sex-positive. 

Four years later, Dipsea has grown into a team of 20+ incredible people. We’re half tech startup and half story studio. Our team includes audio producers and software engineers, writers, and product managers. None of us had professional experience creating erotica, which means we write our own rules and bring fresh energy and ideas to a totally new genre of storytelling. 

__How do you work with voice actors and story contributors?__

The best way to live a commitment to diversity and inclusion is to give paid opportunities to people doing excellent work. We work with a big network of talented voice actors who can represent how the world really sounds, and over 50% of our characters are voiced by people of color. 

Voice actors are recorded individually in studios all over the world. Dipsea producers then mix those recordings to create immersive audio stories where it sounds like multiple characters are together. It’s amazing how realistic a Dipsea story sounds, and a lot of hard work goes into creating that magic. 

Most of our stories are written in-house, but we occasionally partner with writers and story contributors with unique stories to tell and who can base their storytelling on their lived experiences. 

__What makes Dipsea special?__

Chances are you’ve probably been taught a few things about sex that aren’t serving you: that your desires are shameful, that pleasure is only okay when it comes after the word “guilty,” and that sex is basically a relay race toward orgasm with a partner. 

Dipsea is (literally) flipping the script, deprogramming harmful ideas, and re-setting the standards—high—for women’s lives and relationships. 

At Dipsea, we have two core beliefs. The first? Sexual wellness is essential. You deserve to feel good in your body, to live shame-free, to voice your preferences and state your boundaries, and to experience pleasure. The second? That storytelling is powerful. It illuminates the parts of yourself you might have lost touch with, gives you ideas for your own life, and fires up the imagination. 

We take a mind-first approach to sexuality because the answers have always been a part of you. Dipsea is a powerful reminder that starting with you—your wants, your needs, your fantasies—is the best way to manifest sexual wellness, and to feel more confident and joyful in and out of the bedroom. 

__What are the stories like?__

Desire is all in the details. That’s why we put so much care into every story we create. Between 10-25 minutes long, Dipsea audio stories immerse you in a world of aspirational and 100% consensual sex and relationships, and sometimes even insert you into the story. You’ll meet characters you’ll love—and watch your imagination do the rest. 

We want people to hear themselves in our stories. Over 50% of our characters are voiced by people of color, and over 25% of our stories are queer. Characters are empowered in their sexual, social, and romantic experiences. Sex is communicative, and pleasure doesn’t sound performed. 

__How sexy are the stories, really?__

Dipsea stories are designed to be erotic. Some are more flirtatious and romantic, and some include more intense themes like off-limits hookups, threesomes, and BDSM. 

We believe communication is key. Stories are always clearly tagged, labeled, and explained—so you always know exactly what you’re getting into before you listen. Because if you don’t feel safe and comfortable, you’ll never feel relaxed and turned on. And you’ll have an easy time finding more of what you’re looking for, especially as we get to know you better. 

__What are your Sleep Scenes like?__

Every night Dipsea was already being invited under duvets, tucked under pillows, and placed on nightstands. Sleep by Dipsea was developed as an even more intentional exhale at the end of a listening session.

Queue up soothing sounds, tranquil tours of dreamy destinations, and cozy Sleep Overs where a Dipsea Hunk tucks you in and then stays close by (playing the guitar or cleaning up after dinner) while you drift off. Dipsea Sleep Scenes range between 15-60 minutes. 

__What about the Wellness Sessions?__

Our Wellness Sessions are designed to support listeners trying to bring more of an active practice into their sexual and romantic lives. We partner with experts to create meditations, erotic breathwork exercises, dirty talk how-to’s, self-love guides, and more. 

__Why does Dipsea focus on audio?__

90% of women use their imaginations to get aroused, according to a study done by OMGYes and the Kinsey Institute. Audio erotica is intimate, immersive, and incredibly personal for each listener. Every story becomes your own personal version, designed by your own imagination. 
Dipsea now also offers sexy stories that you can read chapter by chapter, so you can get lost in the steamy backstories of your favorite Hunks, or discover new retellings of our most loved series.

__Why is Dipsea a subscription app and not a podcast?__

When we first imagined creating a new genre of erotic storytelling, we knew the experience needed to be as exceptional as the stories we told. No cringey design, no distracting ads. Just a beautifully designed app that surfaces the right stories for you. Only by controlling for all the details (like making sure you can find Black Voiced stories, or can avoid Infidelity stories if you find them triggering) is Dipsea able to create a truly comfortable and safe space for you to explore. An app lets us do all that and more. 

By asking users to subscribe, we invite them to engage in an always-improving experience: new features, new kinds of storytelling, and new audio content each week. Your subscription fee ensures voice actors are paid fairly, and the quality of our productions stays exceptional. 

But before you’re ready to dive in with an annual or monthly subscription, explore the handful of stories that we offer free and decide whether Dipsea is right for you. 

__Is Dipsea just for women?__

Dipsea was designed with women in mind because they were so clearly underserved in a space defined by and for the male gaze. But the app is a safe space for all perspectives, preferences, and genders. Dipsea has HER + HER, HER + HIM, and a growing selection of HIM + HIM, and non-binary content. Over 25% of the Dipsea library is queer. Dipsea is an approachable resource for anyone who wants to get in the mood, spark their imagination, and learn about themselves. 

__Can partners listen together?__

If you think Dipsea might be a fun way to get in the mood together or to break the ice on certain topics with your partner—amazing! Dipsea is a highly personal experience, and you should listen in the ways that make the most sense for you. Our research shows that most people listen solo (~90% of subscribers), but more than 30% of people say the reason they listen to Dipsea is for the positive effect it has on their relationships. 

By nurturing your imagination and getting familiar with your fantasies and boundaries, you’re primed to have great sex with yourself and others. 

__Can I work for Dipsea?__ 

We’re only as great as the people we work with, and we’d love to meet you. Check out the current opportunities for working with us: 

- [Work with us](https://angel.co/dipsea/jobs)
- [Voice act for us](https://www.dipseastories.com/voice/) 
- [Become a story contributor](https://forms.gle/dQ4j9zPFxffqoH5c6) 


Looking for answers? You're in the right place. Read the FAQs to find out what Dipsea is and learn more about the team behind it. We've got all your answers right here. 

What is Dipsea? Why does Dipsea matter? Who is Dipsea for?

FAQ-v2

Dipsea FAQ

Ready to explore a new side of yourself? That's what Dipsea is for. 

The Deep Dive opens up the dialogue around modern intimacy and gives you a peek into the universe of people, ideas, and stories that light us up and move the conversation around sexuality forward.

The Deep Dive

Happy Pride Month! 

Pride technically only comes once a year, but in the Dipseaverse, you can celebrate queer love and pleasure any month (or day…or hour…) you choose. Thirty five percent of Dipsea’s library is queer because celebrating queerness is not only important – it’s also hot. Plus, over half of our amazing team identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community, so you know your erotica is made by queer people, for queer people. 🌈

Join us in celebrating Pride by diving into the Dipsea team’s favorite queer series! These stories have touched our hearts and stoked our imaginations, and we’re excited to share why we love them with you.

<br>
<br>

<div style='width:100%;max-width:550px;margin:0 auto;display:flex;flex-direction:column'>
  <img src='https://images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/27QmjH1FkjWZh5tYeeVrRl/bd98cfa56a3535bd0d47a0bff4793260/3.png' />
  <h2>Bethany</h2>
  <p>
    <b>Pronouns:</b> she/her<br>
    <b>Position:</b> Growth Marketing Lead<br>
    <b>Favorite Dipsea series:</b> Under Construction
    <br>
    <br>
    <i>"It’s the queer handyman fantasy I’ve always wanted! As a person who also crushes hard, I love that Lucy’s crush
      on Rachel keeps bringing them together. Rachel is the butch babe you can trust to be handy in more ways than
      one."</i>
  </p>
</div>

<br>
<br>

<div style='width:100%;max-width:550px;margin:0 auto;display:flex;flex-direction:column'>
  <img src='https://images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/5lcwbrLXaYbS6ML5ozFNqP/e282df443c4919b229095426ddfdd4b6/6.png' />
  <h2>Angela</h2>
  <p>
    <b>Pronouns:</b> she/her
    <br>
    <b>Position:</b> Senior Audio Producer
    <br>
    <b>Favorite Dipsea series:</b> The Ticket
    <br>
    <br>
    <i>
      "I always love an escape to distant lands, so I naturally gravitate towards The Ticket. The sense of adventure is
      heightened by Juliette, an alluring and mysterious woman who aims to please no matter how risqué the location."
    </i>
  </p>
</div>

<br>
<br>

<div style='width:100%;max-width:550px;margin:0 auto;display:flex;flex-direction:column'>
  <img src='https://images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/4UrFkeHkv5WObIpgwIDx7d/33e619226fd38cb2527efa921a388263/7.png' />
  <h2>Sy</h2>
  <p>
    <b>Pronouns:</b> they/them/their
    <br>
    <b>Position:</b> Data Analyst
    <br>
    <b>Favorite Dipsea series:</b> Plus One
    <br>
    <br>
    <i>
      "E.R. Fightmaster’s Jay is such a hunk! They’re so smooth and effortless and cheeky. Also our writers did such a
      great job making this series feel queer and contemporary – there are so many great details and little jokes about
      iced oatmilk lattes that make the story and characters feel like actual people I know. The story is about making
      your ex jealous by bringing a fake partner as your “plus one” to a wedding you’re both invited to – get into the
      queer chaos!"
    </i>
  </p>
</div>

<br>
<br>

<div style='width:100%;max-width:550px;margin:0 auto;display:flex;flex-direction:column'>
  <img src='https://images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/7kWRnJm94j0OMDSdfLKtWW/3cd015c87896e1dca2e2f26e82ce3fba/4.png' />
  <h2>Kara</h2>
  <p>
    <b>Pronouns:</b> she/her
    <br>
    <b>Position:</b> Audio Producer
    <br>
    <b>Favorite Dipsea series:</b> Say Yes
    <br>
    <br>
    <i>
      "A solo vacation that turns into a three day hedonistic adventure with two experienced guides? I say YES! The
      dynamic between these three characters is insatiable - more is more with them. Their instant bond makes it safe
      for them to explore all of their desires, and is a joy to listen to!"
    </i>
  </p>
</div>

<br>
<br>

<div style='width:100%;max-width:550px;margin:0 auto;display:flex;flex-direction:column'>
  <img src='https://images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/6V7YS6ApePxmBMaMmw91qR/631f7f40fd4151b945123c6fb6eafc3b/8.png' />
  <h2>Ang</h2>
  <p>
    <b>Pronouns:</b> she/her
    <br>
    <b>Position:</b> Audio Producer
    <br>
    <b>Favorite Dipsea series:</b> Raise the Bar
    <br>
    <br>
    <i>
      "I love the off-limits workplace tension! Knowing you shouldn't be doing it makes the sex (and foreplay) even more
      heated ❤️‍🔥 Isa’s calm, dominant nature pairs so well with Alex’s spunk and brattiness. Plus, there are eight
      episodes in the series available so the two of them really get to explore different dynamics and settings."
    </i>
  </p>
</div>

<br>
<br>

<div style='width:100%;max-width:550px;margin:0 auto;display:flex;flex-direction:column'>
  <img src='https://images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/6zndWC1L1sxgaqIXTs0IdU/b27c05d4a316d0cd7cf8a3d894d23e94/2.png' />
  <h2>Dan</h2>
  <p>
    <b>Pronouns:</b> he/him
    <br>
    <b>Position:</b> VP of Engineering
    <br>
    <b>Favorite Dipsea series:</b> Gods & Men
    <br>
    <br>
    <i>
      "Our main character intimately teaches Apollo how to draw an arrow…which–leads to sex–of course! The sexual
      chemistry is hot and intense. My favorite: we discover Apollo’s special bag of godly oils…. ✋, yes please! What
      else is in that bag 👀?"
    </i>
  </p>
</div>

<br>
<br>

<div style='width:100%;max-width:550px;margin:0 auto;display:flex;flex-direction:column'>
  <img src='//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/5zxIS8sDL6uEPXyEwHeYOp/1907e8cad5e89e67e0fb4766fa9033d2/1.png' />
  <h2>Liz</h2>
  <p>
    <b>Pronouns:</b> she/they
    <br>
    <b>Position:</b> Senior Brand Manager
    <br>
    <b>Favorite Dipsea series:</b> Homecoming
    <br>
    <br>
    <i>
      "The only thing better than a friends-to-lovers story is a friends-to-enemies-to-lovers story! The initial tension
      and then intense chemistry between Zoe and Adrianne in “Homecoming” are top tier! And I love how Zoe continuously
      checks in with Adrianne and reassures her that they can take things slow."
    </i>
  </p>
</div>


Pride may only be one month a year, but at Dipsea, we celebrate queer pleasure all year long!

dipsea-pride-queer-stories

Picks for Pride: A roundup of the Dipsea team’s favorite queer series

Trace Lysette is the title character in the buzzy new film *Monica*, for which she received an 11.5-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival. Her star is rising fast, but Lysette is the first to tell you that her career has been a slow burn. Despite scene-stealing roles like Tracey in Jennifer Lopez’s *Hustlers* and Shae in Amazon’s *Transparent*, her phone hasn’t always been ringing with opportunities. It’s one of the many struggles confronting trans women in entertainment. While trans people are more likely to play the best friend than ever, they rarely get the center stage, and even more rarely get to ride off into the sunset with great sex and a love that lasts. 

When we approached Trace about creating a series that rewrites the narratives we commonly see in the media about trans women, she said yes–as long as we didn’t shy away from any of the details. She wanted to tell a story about a big romance. She wanted to be real and get graphic about post-op trans women’s bodies. She was ready to break ground, and so were we. 

Trace Lysette is as dynamic off-screen as she is on. Our team was struck by what we saw as her “bothness”: she’s soft-spoken and gentle, but she also exudes an unassuming strength and sexiness. She’s wholeheartedly herself, and that authenticity makes her a match made in heaven for the intimacy of a Dipsea audio story. And the chemistry between Trace and her male co-star? Well, you really just need to hear it for yourself...

Trace Lysette’s series *Close Up* stars Sophia, a trans woman and trained actress who lived in stealth for years. Sophia was just cast in her first big film alongside Austin Adams, and she’s nervous to see him again. Sophia and Austin hooked up while she was still a bartender and he was still on the B-List, and he didn’t know she was trans. When sparks fly between the two of them, their budding relationship in the spotlight brings its challenges–and surfaces big feelings. 

The first episode of the three-part series drops on Friday, June 9, with a new episode dropping every Friday. 

As both the star and a co-producer, Trace Lysette was involved in the development of *Close Up* every step of the way. Her character Sophia was influenced by Trace’s own lived experiences, and even her love interest, Austin, has characteristics borrowed from a former fling. The tender realness of this story, plus the chemistry between two people falling in love, showcases the joy we want to see at the center of many more trans stories. 

In advance of her series release, we talked to Lysette about her collaboration with Dipsea. Here’s what she had to say: 

What drew you towards creating the *Close Up* series with Dipsea?

I wanted to collaborate with Dipsea because it’s a women-led company and I feel like they do a good job of telling stories that…tell the whole, full spectrum of womanhood, and are very inclusive of different types of womanhood.

When we first started collaborating you talked about the lack of stories about trans women in the media–and specifically stories that highlight trans women’s sexual experiences. Could you elaborate on that? 

There’s this longstanding myth about our bodies and the functionality of our bodies and our vaginas, and I never see myself represented in storytelling in the way that I know to be true to my own life.

I was just really interested in going there, and getting graphic, and romantic, and talking about my body in a way that validates my sexual experiences unapologetically…and not shying away from everything that I know to be true. 

Tell us a little more about the characters, Sophia and Austin. What excited you about their dynamic? 

`[Sophia is]` an actress, and a post-op trans woman. The male lead in this story was inspired by a leading man that I had a fling with probably a decade ago. And then it’s been fictionalized and has an alternative kind of ending and chapter that we never got to explore. 

It’s been fantasized…but I see so much of myself in Sophia, and it’s really cool to have that play out. 

What were some of your favorite moments from *Close Up*? (Warning: Spoiler Alert!) 

Some of my favorite moments in the Dipsea series are the complicated romantic moments between Sophia and Austin. I especially like the ending where he finds the courage to love her unapologetically.

The interview scene `[in episode 3]` is special because Austin takes it upon himself to surprise her…and claim her, for lack of a better word, to the world. Or claim his own feelings. And I just think that has been so elusive for trans women. So for me it was really special. 

Why is this series meaningful to you, as an actress and as a co-producer?

This series is meaningful to me as an actor and a co-producer because it’s a story I’ve never heard before. And as a co-producer, I think it’s important that trans people are involved in crafting our own stories.

What was it like for you to take part in a story that puts romance and pleasure at the center?

The link between romance and pleasure is very important to me. I have learned how to separate the two in my adult life, like I think a lot of people have, but innately I think that they are linked, and the best pleasure for me is always linked to romance. 

What do you hope listeners take from your Dipsea series? 

I hope listeners take away that trans women are deserving of love and opportunity and unapologetic romance. Our bodies are desirable in a way that’s not just a fetish. If they take that with them, I’ll be happy! 

Trace Lysette is the title character in the buzzy new film *Monica*, for which she received an [11.5-minute standing ovation](https://www.out.com/film/2022/9/06/trace-lysette-gets-11-minute-standing-ovation-venice-festival-film) at the Venice Film Festival. Her star is rising fast, but Lysette is the first to tell you that her career has been a slow burn. Despite scene-stealing roles like Tracey in Jennifer Lopez’s *Hustlers* and Shae in Amazon’s *Transparent*, her phone hasn’t always been ringing with opportunities. It’s one of the many struggles confronting trans women in entertainment. While trans people are more likely to play the [best friend](https://www.them.us/story/trans-best-friend-hollywood-trope-gay-best-friend) than ever, they rarely get the center stage, and even more rarely get to ride off into the sunset with great sex and a love that lasts. 

When we approached Trace about creating a series that rewrites the narratives we commonly see in the media about trans women, she said yes–as long as we didn’t shy away from any of the details. She wanted to tell a story about a big romance. She wanted to be real and get graphic about post-op trans women’s bodies. She was ready to break ground, and so were we. 

Trace Lysette is as dynamic off-screen as she is on. Our team was struck by what we saw as her “bothness”: she’s soft-spoken and gentle, but she also exudes an unassuming strength and sexiness. She’s wholeheartedly herself, and that authenticity makes her a match made in heaven for the intimacy of a Dipsea audio story. And the chemistry between Trace and her male co-star? Well, you really just need to hear it for yourself...

Trace Lysette’s series *Close Up* stars Sophia, a trans woman and trained actress who lived in stealth for years. Sophia was just cast in her first big film alongside Austin Adams, and she’s nervous to see him again. Sophia and Austin hooked up while she was still a bartender and he was still on the B-List, and he didn’t know she was trans. When sparks fly between the two of them, their budding relationship in the spotlight brings its challenges–and surfaces big feelings. 

The first episode of the three-part series drops on Friday, June 9, with a new episode dropping every Friday. 

As both the star and a co-producer, Trace Lysette was involved in the development of *Close Up* every step of the way. Her character Sophia was influenced by Trace’s own lived experiences, and even her love interest, Austin, has characteristics borrowed from a former fling. The tender realness of this story, plus the chemistry between two people falling in love, showcases the joy we want to see at the center of many more trans stories. 

In advance of her series release, we talked to Lysette about her collaboration with Dipsea. Here’s what she had to say: 

### What drew you towards creating the *Close Up* series with Dipsea?

I wanted to collaborate with Dipsea because it’s a women-led company and I feel like they do a good job of telling stories that…tell the whole, full spectrum of womanhood, and are very inclusive of different types of womanhood.

### When we first started collaborating you talked about the lack of stories about trans women in the media–and specifically stories that highlight trans women’s sexual experiences. Could you elaborate on that? 

There’s this longstanding myth about our bodies and the functionality of our bodies and our vaginas, and I never see myself represented in storytelling in the way that I know to be true to my own life.

I was just really interested in going there, and getting graphic, and romantic, and talking about my body in a way that validates my sexual experiences unapologetically…and not shying away from everything that I know to be true. 

### Tell us a little more about the characters, Sophia and Austin. What excited you about their dynamic? 

`[Sophia is]` an actress, and a post-op trans woman. The male lead in this story was inspired by a leading man that I had a fling with probably a decade ago. And then it’s been fictionalized and has an alternative kind of ending and chapter that we never got to explore. 

It’s been fantasized…but I see so much of myself in Sophia, and it’s really cool to have that play out. 

### What were some of your favorite moments from *Close Up*? (Warning: Spoiler Alert!) 

Some of my favorite moments in the Dipsea series are the complicated romantic moments between Sophia and Austin. I especially like the ending where he finds the courage to love her unapologetically.

The interview scene `[in episode 3]` is special because Austin takes it upon himself to surprise her…and claim her, for lack of a better word, to the world. Or claim his own feelings. And I just think that has been so elusive for trans women. So for me it was really special. 

### Why is this series meaningful to you, as an actress and as a co-producer?

This series is meaningful to me as an actor and a co-producer because it’s a story I’ve never heard before. And as a co-producer, I think it’s important that trans people are involved in crafting our own stories.

### What was it like for you to take part in a story that puts romance and pleasure at the center?

The link between romance and pleasure is very important to me. I have learned how to separate the two in my adult life, like I think a lot of people have, but innately I think that they are linked, and the best pleasure for me is always linked to romance. 

### What do you hope listeners take from your Dipsea series? 

I hope listeners take away that trans women are deserving of love and opportunity and unapologetic romance. Our bodies are desirable in a way that’s not just a fetish. If they take that with them, I’ll be happy! 

We partnered with Trace Lysette from Amazon's "Transparent" and Jennifer Lopez's "Hustlers," to showcase the joy we believe should be at the center of many more trans stories.

Trace-Lysette-Dipsea

Trace Lysette’s new series celebrates trans women’s love and pleasure 

Ready to hear Trace Lysette like never before? It's only available on Dipsea. 

2022 was a year of firsts: the first fantasy series on Dipsea (Night School), our first non-binary celebrity voice actor (E.R. Fightmaster), our first time collectively ordering a negroni sbagliato (turns out, the fantasy was better than the reality on that one). 

But let’s take a step back! Scientists tell us that we live in an era that has made our perception of time funkier than ever. So whether you look back at this year and remember the months crawling by, or feel like it all happened in a blink—one thing we can all agree on is that it’s more important than ever to savor the moment, and mark the memories. 

As a Dipsea listener, you’re already way ahead of the curve on savoring the moment by prioritizing me-time and putting pleasure front and center. Well done, you! So as we close out 2022, let’s mark those memories. It’s been an action-packed year in the Dipseaverse! 

## We’ve got a praise kink, can we brag for a second?

The incredibly talented writers, editors, audio producers, and voice actors of the Dipseaverse released 200 new stories this year, bringing the grand total to nearly 700 erotic stories, sleep scenes, and wellness sessions on the Dipsea app. And that’s not even including the 7 books we published this year! 

More stories meant more chances for you to get lost in immersive worlds with your favorite characters, resulting in a whopping 5.4 million listens. That’s over 50 million minutes of Dipsea in 2022! 50 million minutes is a whole lot of ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs,’ shivers and sighs—and we hope you feel just as good about that as we do. 

## Your 2022 favorites, revealed

There’s a clear favorite series in town, and it’s…*Hometown*! High school crushes die hard. The next two most popular series were *Lecture Me* and *The Local*, and it’s no mystery why: lots of us get hot for a teacher fantasy, and Irish accents are to die for. And the book you all couldn’t get enough of this year? It’s probably no surprise that *James After Class* was at the top of the list. 

The first episode of *Plus One*, starring the intensely crushable E.R. Fightmaster, reigned as the top queer story of 2022. And the top queer series were *Office Hours* and *The Figure*–you went hard for teacher types in 2022! 

The top tag on Dipsea this year was “Rough & Wild”. Turns out, the steamier, the better for most of you. But the “Dirty Talk” tag got lots of love too. We’re all audiophiles here, so it checks out that we love hearing someone verbalize the action! 

On the sleepy side of things, *Autumn Rainstorm* came out on top. We think it’s pretty sweet how universal it is to enjoy falling asleep all cozied up during a rainstorm. 

## A little local flavor 

Incredibly, Dipsea had listeners in nearly every country in the world this year! The fact that we have folks tuning in from Bhutan, The Marshall Islands, and Uzbekistan will never get old for our small, U.S.-based team. 

The top Dipsea cities were far-flung and far-reaching: New York City came in at number one, followed closely by London, LA, Chicago, and then Melbourne. Special shout out to Warsaw, a queer hotspot, where over 25% of listens were to queer stories! And an honorable mention to a few smaller American cities that were also queer story hotspots. We see you, Burlington, Albuquerque, and Omaha! 

And it’s always fun when a city’s reputation lines up with the stories people like most. Portland, Oregon—famous for its outdoorsy vibes—fell asleep most often to *Forest Thunderstorm*, and loved the episode of *Hometown* called "Gone Camping". And in fashion-forward LA and NYC, the *Off the Record* episode called "The Exclusive" came out on top. That’s fashion, baby. 

## Sexy on a schedule

Sunday night is hands down the most popular listening time on Dipsea. We’ve always known that Dipsea is the ultimate answer to the Sunday Scaries, and it looks like everyone else has figured that out too! When the clock strikes 9pm local time, listeners are most likely to be opening the app. 

Right as we put the darkest day of the year behind us, let us remember that the sexiest time of year is right around the corner! Summer marks the hottest Dipsea listening months, and we get it! More skin + more heat = a perfect recipe for the sexiest listening season. 

## That’s a wrap!

As we approach 2023, we want to remind you that the only kind of resolutions we believe in at Dipsea are the ones about giving yourself more. More pleasure, more rest, and more time to make yourself feel good. We’re so excited you spent 2022 with us, and we can’t wait for you to hear what’s coming in 2023!

2022 was a year of firsts: the first fantasy series on Dipsea (*Night School*), our first non-binary celebrity voice actor (E.R. Fightmaster), our first time collectively ordering a negroni sbagliato (turns out, the fantasy was better than the reality on that one). 

But let’s take a step back! Scientists tell us that we live in an era that has made our perception of time funkier than ever. So whether you look back at this year and remember the months crawling by, or feel like it all happened in a blink—one thing we can all agree on is that it’s more important than ever to savor the moment, and mark the memories. 

As a Dipsea listener, you’re already way ahead of the curve on savoring the moment by prioritizing me-time and putting pleasure front and center. Well done, you! So as we close out 2022, let’s mark those memories. It’s been an action-packed year in the Dipseaverse! 

## We’ve got a praise kink, can we brag for a second?

The incredibly talented writers, editors, audio producers, and voice actors of the Dipseaverse released 200 new stories this year, bringing the grand total to nearly 700 erotic stories, sleep scenes, and wellness sessions on the Dipsea app. And that’s not even including the 7 books we published this year! 

More stories meant more chances for you to get lost in immersive worlds with your favorite characters, resulting in a whopping 5.4 million listens. That’s over 50 million minutes of Dipsea in 2022! 50 million minutes is a whole lot of ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs,’ shivers and sighs—and we hope you feel just as good about that as we do. 

## Your 2022 favorites, revealed

There’s a clear favorite series in town, and it’s… *Hometown*! High school crushes die hard. The next two most popular series were *Lecture Me* and *The Local*, and it’s no mystery why: lots of us get hot for a teacher fantasy, and Irish accents are to die for. And the book you all couldn’t get enough of this year? It’s probably no surprise that *James After Class* was at the top of the list. 

The first episode of *Plus One*, starring the intensely crushable E.R. Fightmaster, reigned as the top queer story of 2022. And the top queer series were *Office Hours* and *The Figure*–you went hard for professor types this year! 

The top tag on Dipsea was “Rough & Wild”. Turns out, the steamier, the better for most of you. But the “Dirty Talk” tag got lots of love too. We’re all audiophiles here, so it checks out that we love hearing someone verbalize the action! 

On the sleepy side of things, *Autumn Rainstorm* came out on top. We think it’s pretty sweet how universal it is to enjoy falling asleep all cozied up during a rainstorm. 

## A little local flavor 

Incredibly, Dipsea had listeners in nearly every country in the world this year! The fact that we have folks tuning in from Bhutan, The Marshall Islands, and Uzbekistan will never get old for our small, U.S.-based team. 

The top Dipsea cities were far-flung and far-reaching: New York City came in at number one, followed closely by London, LA, Chicago, and then Melbourne. Special shout out to Warsaw, a queer hotspot, where over 25% of listens were to queer stories! And an honorable mention to a few smaller American cities that were also queer story hotspots. We see you, Burlington, Albuquerque, and Omaha! 

And it’s always fun when a city’s reputation lines up with the stories people like most. Portland, Oregon—famous for its outdoorsy vibes—fell asleep most often to *Forest Thunderstorm*, and loved the episode of *Hometown* called "Gone Camping". And in fashion-forward LA and NYC, the *Off the Record* episode called "The Exclusive" came out on top. That’s fashion, baby. 

## Sexy on a schedule

Sunday night is hands down the most popular listening time on Dipsea. We’ve always known that Dipsea is the ultimate answer to the Sunday Scaries, and it looks like everyone else has figured that out too! When the clock strikes 9pm local time, listeners are most likely to be opening the app. 

Right as we put the darkest day of the year behind us, let us remember that the sexiest time of year is right around the corner! Summer marks the hottest Dipsea listening months, and we get it! More skin + more heat = a perfect recipe for the sexiest listening season. 

## That’s a wrap!

As we approach 2023, we want to remind you that the only kind of resolutions we believe in at Dipsea are the ones about giving yourself more. More pleasure, more rest, and more time to make yourself feel good. We’re so excited you spent 2022 with us, and we can’t wait for you to hear what’s coming in 2023!

All the stories and characters of the Dipseaverse that kept you coming back for more.

Dipsea's 2022 year in review

year in review dipsea

Plus One

<p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">Ready to take your next solo sesh to a whole new level? That's what Dipsea is for.</p>

<p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">Dipsea is an app for Sexy Stories, Sleep Scenes, and Wellness Sessions designed to turn you on and then tuck you in. You can download Dipsea from the App Store, Google Play Store, or online at app.dipseastories.com.</p>

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Vampires are everywhere. Not in real life, of course—but they’ve dominated films and pop culture since the 1920s. Now that is immortal-level staying power. But at Dipsea, what we think is even more interesting is how vampires consistently show up in romance, fan fic, and in explicitly sexy shows and movies like *Twilight*, *True Blood*, and *A Discovery of Witches*. So what is it about the intersection of horror and romance that we love so much? Why do vampires have such a hold on us? And why are they so sexy?

The Dipsea creative team lives and breathes the psychology of what is hot. We know the tropes people love (and love to hear subverted), the sex acts that are the most thrilling, and the qualities that make hunks of all genders really attractive. All of this is to say that we were well aware that vampires live at the center of the Venn Diagram of Sexiness. (Okay, that’s not a thing, but it should be.) So why did it take us so long to make a vampire series? Well, because we wanted to get it right. 

On September 30th, the first episode of “Night School” drops. In the series, grad student Helena meets Nicholas Whitlock, a visiting professor from Oxford whose reputation precedes him. Helena has never been the type to care about hearsay. But when a strange set of coincidences brings her closer to Professor Whitlock, she finds herself entangled in an affair and desperately curious about those rumors she’d once written off.

In honor of Dipsea’s first-ever fantasy series, we’re unpacking exactly what makes vampires so incredibly alluring. 

## 1. The potential brush with death makes us feel alive

When we’re comfortable, our nervous system is at ease. That may be how we want to feel with a life partner, but not necessarily a fantasy hookup. That’s because when there’s an element of danger, our senses are heightened. A little risk makes us alert, awake, and imprints powerful memories. Basically, the best way to feel alive is to have a *gentle* graze with death. Okay, hear us out…

It’s why people go bungee jumping, or drive fast cars, or watch horror movies. 

It’s also why taboo is sexually stimulating to so many people: when norms and customs forbid certain behaviors, getting caught would mean a kind of social death. 

But vampires offer a different sort of brush with danger: because they have a bloodlust for both their victims and their lovers, being with them means the stakes are incredibly high. The consequences of a slip-up are very real. Which makes us feel that incredibly seductive flicker of aliveness that we long for.  

## 2. Every interaction is foreplay 

Every single interaction with a vampire is a kind of foreplay because at any given moment they are simultaneously lusting for your blood–and holding themselves back. It’s basically endless edging.

There is no better tease in the world than a vampire: they are suspended in a constant state of desire, showing us the discipline they use to control themselves, and to hold themselves back. 

It also means they keep their lovers in a perpetual state of wanting more. Which, as anyone who has ever had a crush that they can’t act on knows, is pretty delicious agony. 

## 3. When they pick you, they worship you 

As Esther Perel says about female sexuality, “what turns (women) on is to be the turn on,” and vampires really get that. They make it abundantly clear when they’ve fallen for you, and that they can’t get enough of you. Once they’ve set their sights on someone, they desire them so intensely that they become a little obsessed. Who doesn’t love being obsessed over by someone who’s so desirable?

Not only are vampires worshipful towards every inch of their lovers’ skin, but they’re also incredibly loyal. Once they’ve got a blood bond with you, they’re not going anywhere. 

Vampires are often described as hyper-protective, domineering, and powerful. That, compounded with gender norms from 1200 AD, allow for a kind of permanently Dominant behavior that we probably wouldn’t tolerate from any random person born in the early 90’s. 

## 4. They leave a lot to the imagination 

Vampires have to hide their true selves to avoid, you know, angry mobs with stakes – which means they’re preternaturally aloof and mysterious. While we humans try to keep the mystery alive in our relationships (separate bathrooms, anyone?), vampires have no choice. They’re secretive by nature. 

Vampires are also always trying on new identities to hide from us mortals the fact  that they’re immortal, which means more likely than not they probably have a sexy accent from a past life in Ireland, Albania, Nigeria, or some other foreign place. 

## 5. Every one of your senses is heightened

Vampires come with a whole new set of sensory delights. Not only do they have a keen sense of smell, but their skin is also supposedly cool to the touch. Being physically intimate with a vampire comes with it a whole set of supernatural sensory surprises that are exciting to fantasize about. 

Another thing? Vampires are nocturnal, so the world you inhabit inside a vampire story is dark, misty, and cool. Think about the late nights or early mornings  when it feels like a whole different world. Your senses are on high alert, and you rely on touch, taste, and smell more than you normally would. 

## 6. Consent comes by default

Did you know that, according to vampire lore, vampires need an invitation in order to come into a house? The power is in their lover’s hands about whether a vampire enters a space, and quite literally requires verbal consent. 

Call us suckers for consent, but nothing is sexier than getting it loud, clear, and crisp from someone you can’t wait to jump into bed with. 

## 7. Unearthly beauty doesn’t hurt (or does it?)

Okay, we’d be remiss to not hit this one. Vampires are beautiful! In folklore, they’re described as having blue, green, gold, silver, and even lavender-colored eyes. Whether their skin is pale and smooth or dark and luminous, they literally glow with otherworldly energy that makes passersby prickle with curiosity. 

Ok, I think we’ve made our point. Vampires, sexy since forever. On Dipsea since 2022. 

Don’t miss out on “Night School,” a four-part erotic audio series featuring our very first vampire hunk, Professor Nicholas Whitlock. The first episode drops on September 30, 2022!

Vampires are everywhere. Not in real life, of course—but they’ve dominated films and pop culture since the 1920s. Now that is immortal-level staying power. But at Dipsea, what we think is even more interesting is how vampires consistently show up in romance, fan fic, and in explicitly sexy shows and movies like *Twilight*, *True Blood*, and *A Discovery of Witches*. So what is it about the intersection of horror and romance that we love so much? Why do vampires have such a hold on us? And why are they so sexy?

The Dipsea creative team lives and breathes the psychology of what is hot. We know the tropes people love (and love to hear subverted), the sex acts that are the most thrilling, and the qualities that make hunks of all genders really attractive. All of this is to say that we were well aware that vampires live at the center of the Venn Diagram of Sexiness. (Okay, that’s not a thing, but it should be.) So why did it take us so long to make a vampire series? Well, because we wanted to get it right. 

On September 30th, the first episode of “Night School” drops. In the series, grad student Helena meets Nicholas Whitlock, a visiting professor from Oxford whose reputation precedes him. Helena has never been the type to care about hearsay. But when a strange set of coincidences brings her closer to Professor Whitlock, she finds herself entangled in an affair and desperately curious about those rumors she’d once written off.

In honor of Dipsea’s first-ever fantasy series, we’re unpacking exactly what makes vampires so incredibly alluring. 

## 1. The potential brush with death makes us feel alive

When we’re comfortable, our nervous system is at ease. That may be how we want to feel with a life partner, but not necessarily a fantasy hookup. That’s because when there’s an element of danger, our senses are heightened. A little risk makes us alert, awake, and imprints powerful memories. Basically, the best way to feel alive is to have a *gentle* graze with death. Okay, hear us out…

It’s why people go bungee jumping, or drive fast cars, or watch horror movies. 

It’s also why taboo is sexually stimulating to so many people: when norms and customs forbid certain behaviors, getting caught would mean a kind of social death. 

But vampires offer a different sort of brush with danger: because they have a bloodlust for both their victims and their lovers, being with them means the stakes are incredibly high. The consequences of a slip-up are very real. Which makes us feel that incredibly seductive flicker of aliveness that we long for.  

## 2. Every interaction is foreplay 

Every single interaction with a vampire is a kind of foreplay because at any given moment they are simultaneously lusting for your blood–and holding themselves back. It’s basically endless edging.

There is no better tease in the world than a vampire: they are suspended in a constant state of desire, showing us the discipline they use to control themselves, and to hold themselves back. 

It also means they keep their lovers in a perpetual state of wanting more. Which, as anyone who has ever had a crush that they can’t act on knows, is pretty delicious agony. 



## 3. When they pick you, they worship you 

As Esther Perel says about female sexuality, “what turns (women) on is to be the turn on,” and vampires really get that. They make it abundantly clear when they’ve fallen for you, and that they can’t get enough of you. Once they’ve set their sights on someone, they desire them so intensely that they become a little obsessed. Who doesn’t love being obsessed over by someone who’s so desirable?

Not only are vampires worshipful towards every inch of their lovers’ skin, but they’re also incredibly loyal. Once they’ve got a blood bond with you, they’re not going anywhere. 

Vampires are often described as hyper-protective, domineering, and powerful. That, compounded with gender norms from 1200 AD, allow for a kind of permanently Dominant behavior that we probably wouldn’t tolerate from any random person born in the early 90’s. 

## 4. They leave a lot to the imagination

Vampires have to hide their true selves to avoid, you know, angry mobs with stakes – which means they’re preternaturally aloof and mysterious. While we humans try to keep the mystery alive in our relationships (separate bathrooms, anyone?), vampires have no choice. They’re secretive by nature. 

Vampires are also always trying on new identities to hide from us mortals the fact  that they’re immortal, which means more likely than not they probably have a sexy accent from a past life in Ireland, Albania, Nigeria, or some other foreign place. 

## 5. Every one of your senses is heightened

Vampires come with a whole new set of sensory delights. Not only do they have a keen sense of smell, but their skin is also supposedly cool to the touch. Being physically intimate with a vampire comes with it a whole set of supernatural sensory surprises that are exciting to fantasize about. 

Another thing? Vampires are nocturnal, so the world you inhabit inside a vampire story is dark, misty, and cool. Think about the late nights or early mornings  when it feels like a whole different world. Your senses are on high alert, and you rely on touch, taste, and smell more than you normally would. 

## 6. Consent comes by default

Did you know that, according to vampire lore, vampires need an invitation in order to come into a house? The power is in their lover’s hands about whether a vampire enters a space, and quite literally requires verbal consent. 

Call us suckers for consent, but nothing is sexier than getting it loud, clear, and crisp from someone you can’t wait to jump into bed with. 

## 7. Unearthly beauty doesn’t hurt (or does it?)

Okay, we’d be remiss to not hit this one. Vampires are beautiful! In folklore, they’re described as having blue, green, gold, silver, and even lavender-colored eyes. Whether their skin is pale and smooth or dark and luminous, they literally glow with otherworldly energy that makes passersby prickle with curiosity. 

Ok, I think we’ve made our point. Vampires, sexy since forever. On Dipsea since 2022. 

Don’t miss out on “Night School,” a four-part erotic audio series featuring our very first vampire hunk, Professor Nicholas Whitlock. The first episode drops on September 30, 2022!

To celebrate the beginning of Hot Girl Fall, and the release of Dipsea's first ever vampire series, we're breaking down what makes these brooding babes are so sexy

Why vampires are so damn sexy

Dipsea-vampire-professor-story

Why are vampires so sexy?

Who… hasn’t seen a TED Talk? Their videos are ubiquitous on the internet, teaching us about humanity, culture, science, and technology. TED is the best curator of ideas in the world, exposing us to the most exciting new concepts and the thinkers that brought them to life. 

So when our co-founder, Gina, was invited to give a TED Talk on the main stage alongside speakers like Al Gore, Elon Musk, Bill Gates, and Olympian Allyson Felix…well, we were all freaking out. It’s an honor, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spread some of the messages we care most about at Dipsea. We hope Gina’s talk will help a lot more people feel a lot more agency over their own pleasure and sexual wellness. 

In the talk, Gina shares that while we intuitively understand that our minds matter when it comes to sex, we massively underestimate the power of our own imaginations in giving us pleasure. That’s especially true for women, by the way–whose physical arousal systems can be kicked into overdrive, or shut off completely, by the thoughts that they’re thinking. The solution, she says, is simpler than you’d think. Get comfortable using your own sexual imagination. Flex it like a muscle. And explore where those stories take you. 

The video is now live, so check it out! 

On the eve of the video’s release, we asked Gina a few questions about how it all went down in Vancouver. Here’s what she had to say: 

How does someone even get discovered for a TED Talk?

Most people who speak at TED are found by “Curators”, who go out and seek people that are doing the most interesting things in whatever category. What’s interesting about how I got found is that it was actually because of an article about one of our competitors. And I remember reading the article and saying to my co-founder Faye, “Wow that was a big win for them,” and then I got the call from TED. At the very end of the article the writer had said, “But there is this one company Dipsea and they’re ahead of the game and have been doing this for longer,” and my Curator pulled that thread and looked us up. 

Did you get any challenging feedback or pushback?

I don’t expect people who aren’t talking about sex all day every day like I am to pick it up right where I’m putting it down, you know what I mean? Everyone’s baseline is so different. Some people feel really sex-comfortable and so me trying to talk in a way that makes sense to the average person can feel too basic. But more often, it can make people feel uncomfortable. Maybe because they were made to feel shame growing up, or never got sex education, or have hangs ups that they’ve struggled to kick – and for those people, any conversation around sex feels really edgy. 

That’s why I always try and calibrate based on who I’m talking to. Which is hard, when you’re talking to thousands of people. Everyone’s going to have a different baseline. 

And that showed up while I was preparing for TED too. When I was rehearsing with the TED team, who are actually a very diverse group of people, a 60+ year old man said that he thought it was dangerous for me to recommend that people who are married fantasize about whatever they want. And so I had to say, respectfully: you asked me to come and give this talk for a reason, and so I’m going to give it. Fantasy isn’t a gateway drug to infidelity, or worse. That’s just one among many myths that we really, really need to debunk. 

What was harder, writing it or memorizing it?

Ohhh. Writing is hard because there’s only so much you can say in 10 minutes! And you can’t say it all. It feels like this one shot, and you have to make it count! But I felt that the memorizing was the most stressful part. When you repeat the same thing over and over 100 times, you start to feel like none of it makes sense. But I did learn some really helpful [memorization techniques](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ginagutierrez1_ted2022-publicspeaking-tipsandtricks-activity-6932774255529013248-TELk?utm_source=linkedin_share&utm_medium=member_desktop_web).   

Any cool moments from your time at TED in Vancouver?

So many! Getting there was overwhelming and a little intimidating. You’re like, "Oh my gosh there’s that person, and there’s that person." A woman came up to me backstage in a rehearsal room after I practiced on stage for the first time and she had tousled hair and big sunglasses and she said, “I heard your rehearsal, I loved your talk!” and I said “Oh, thank you!” and only later did I realize that it was Meg Ryan. 

I also just felt really inspired by what so many people had to say. I remembered that the future is going to be shaped by all kinds of passionate people, each one obsessed with their particular way of making the world a better place.

How do you think the talk went? Are you happy with it? Was there more that you wish you got to say?

Ask me after I see the video go live tomorrow (laughs)! Yes, I am happy with it. But there is always more that I want to say. We’re only just scratching the surface on helping people discover how to be their fullest, realest, most empowered selves in the bedroom and beyond. I’m hopeful a video like mine gets people hearing ideas like these for the first time feeling…curious. And inspired. 

Did it go well? What’s the crowd like at TED?

It did! Shout out to some of the women in the front rows who gave me a standing O. But yeah, most people in the TED audience aren’t 18-35 year old female-identifying people…so, I’d say the energy was more like “big intro lecture” than “hyped up vibes”. At one point in the talk I play an audio clip and I could visibly feel 1,500 people freeze up (laughs). They thought I was going to play a Dipsea story. 

What was your favorite line from the talk?

There’s a part about “you being the protagonist” that I really liked. I thought it was a powerful message. But I also thought it was hilarious that the biggest laugh I got was a line I totally ad-libbed – and the joke I made about Outlander got crickets! I thought everybody would get that reference (laughs).

What do you hope people take away from your TED Talk?

I hope people hear it and take one extra step towards taking more agency over their own sex life. Maybe that’s trying a new thing. Maybe that’s trying out an imagination exercise. Maybe that’s downloading Dipsea. I hope it makes people feel like they don’t need to wait, that it starts with them.  

Who… hasn’t seen a TED Talk? Their videos are ubiquitous on the internet, teaching us about humanity, culture, science, and technology. TED is the best curator of ideas in the world, exposing us to the most exciting new concepts and the thinkers that brought them to life. 

So when our co-founder, Gina, was invited to give a TED Talk on the main stage alongside speakers like Al Gore, Elon Musk, Bill Gates, and Olympian Allyson Felix…well, we were all freaking out. It’s an honor, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spread some of the messages we care most about at Dipsea. We hope Gina’s talk will help a lot more people feel a lot more agency over their own pleasure and sexual wellness.

![Gina on TED stage](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/wvpvC66YdKh78OG2VAIDN/300007da24adbaed89e0b379ec4fdde1/3f631978-6dce-487b-8aad-2c5eb19fe2c1-New-2.jpg)

In the talk, Gina shares that while we intuitively understand that our minds matter when it comes to sex, we massively underestimate the power of our own imaginations in giving us pleasure. That’s especially true for women, by the way–whose physical arousal systems can be kicked into overdrive, or shut off completely, by the thoughts that they’re thinking. The solution, she says, is simpler than you’d think. Get comfortable using your own sexual imagination. Flex it like a muscle. And explore where those stories take you. 

The video is now live, so check it out!

<div style="position:relative;height:0;padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://embed.ted.com/talks/lang/en/gina_gutierrez_the_link_between_sex_and_imagination" width="854" height="480" style="position:absolute;left:0;top:0;width:100%;height:100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

On the eve of the video’s release, we asked Gina a few questions about how it all went down in Vancouver. Here’s what she had to say:  

### How does someone even get discovered for a TED Talk?

Most people who speak at TED are found by “Curators”, who go out and seek people that are doing the most interesting things in whatever category. What’s interesting about how I got found is that it was actually because of an article about one of our competitors. And I remember reading the article and saying to my co-founder Faye, “Wow that was a big win for them,” and then I got the call from TED. At the very end of the article the writer had said, “But there is this one company Dipsea and they’re ahead of the game and have been doing this for longer,” and my Curator pulled that thread and looked us up. 

### Did you get any challenging feedback or pushback?

I don’t expect people who aren’t talking about sex all day every day like I am to pick it up right where I’m putting it down, you know what I mean? Everyone’s baseline is so different. Some people feel really sex-comfortable and so me trying to talk in a way that makes sense to the average person can feel too basic. But more often, it can make people feel uncomfortable. Maybe because they were made to feel shame growing up, or never got sex education, or have hangs ups that they’ve struggled to kick – and for those people, any conversation around sex feels really edgy. 

That’s why I always try and calibrate based on who I’m talking to. Which is hard, when you’re talking to thousands of people. Everyone’s going to have a different baseline. 

And that showed up while I was preparing for TED too. When I was rehearsing with the TED team, who are actually a very diverse group of people, a 60+ year old man said that he thought it was dangerous for me to recommend that people who are married fantasize about whatever they want. And so I had to say, respectfully: you asked me to come and give this talk for a reason, and so I’m going to give it. Fantasy isn’t a gateway drug to infidelity, or worse. That’s just one among many myths that we really, really need to debunk. 

### What was harder, writing it or memorizing it?

Ohhh. Writing is hard because there’s only so much you can say in 10 minutes! And you can’t say it all. It feels like this one shot, and you have to make it count! But I felt that the memorizing was the most stressful part. When you repeat the same thing over and over 100 times, you start to feel like none of it makes sense. But I did learn some really helpful [memorization techniques](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ginagutierrez1_ted2022-publicspeaking-tipsandtricks-activity-6932774255529013248-TELk?utm_source=linkedin_share&utm_medium=member_desktop_web).   

### Any cool moments from your time at TED in Vancouver?

So many! Getting there was overwhelming and a little intimidating. You’re like, "Oh my gosh there’s that person, and there’s that person." A woman came up to me backstage in a rehearsal room after I practiced on stage for the first time and she had tousled hair and big sunglasses and she said, “I heard your rehearsal, I loved your talk!” and I said “Oh, thank you!” and only later did I realize that it was Meg Ryan. 

I also just felt really inspired by what so many people had to say. I remembered that the future is going to be shaped by all kinds of passionate people, each one obsessed with their particular way of making the world a better place.

### How do you think the talk went? Are you happy with it? Was there more that you wish you got to say?

Ask me after I see the video go live tomorrow (laughs)! Yes, I am happy with it. But there is always more that I want to say. We’re only just scratching the surface on helping people discover how to be their fullest, realest, most empowered selves in the bedroom and beyond. I’m hopeful a video like mine gets people hearing ideas like these for the first time feeling…curious. And inspired. 

### Did it go well? What’s the crowd like at TED?

It did! Shout out to some of the women in the front rows who gave me a standing O. But yeah, most people in the TED audience aren’t 18-35 year old female-identifying people…so, I’d say the energy was more like “big intro lecture” than “hyped up vibes”. At one point in the talk I play an audio clip and I could visibly feel 1,500 people freeze up (laughs). They thought I was going to play a Dipsea story. 

### What was your favorite line from the talk?

There’s a part about “you being the protagonist” that I really liked. I thought it was a powerful message. But I also thought it was hilarious that the biggest laugh I got was a line I totally ad-libbed – and the joke I made about Outlander got crickets! I thought everybody would get that reference (laughs). 

### What do you hope people take away from your TED Talk?

I hope people hear it and take one extra step towards taking more agency over their own sex life. Maybe that’s trying a new thing. Maybe that’s trying out an imagination exercise. Maybe that’s downloading Dipsea. I hope it makes people feel like they don’t need to wait, that it starts with them.

Dipsea's co-founder, Gina Gutierrez, talks about the power of our imaginations, the beauty of audio, and the importance of taking pleasure into your own hands on the main stage at TED.

Gina-Gutierrez-TED-2022

Dipsea takes its place on the TED main stage

What’s not to love about E.R. Fightmaster? From the moment we saw them on Hulu’s Shrill, and of course, on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, we were hooked. 

They’ve got it all—they’re unassumingly sexy, totally disarming, and their voice, well, that’s how we knew we absolutely had to work with them. They collaborated with us to bring our new series, Plus One, to life. The first episode of the three-part series drops on Sunday, May 29, with a new episode dropping every Sunday through June 12. 

In Plus One, Fightmaster stars as Jay—a charming, playful barista. When one of their regulars, Eva, jokes about needing a date for her friend’s wedding to make her ex jealous, Jay eagerly volunteers. But when they actually start catching feelings for each other, the weekend takes an unexpected turn.

Fightmaster has been part of the development of Plus One every step of the way. Their character has been informed by their lived experience—which allows us to lean into the parasocial relationships fans already have with them in a way traditional media hasn’t figured out how to capture yet. 

“Plus One” is also an homage to the playful intimacy and spontaneity that permeate queer relationships. Queer content has been part of Dipsea from the beginning, but we’re so excited to launch our first queer celebrity series—especially one that centers non-binary folks and queer women.

In advance of their series release, we talked to Fightmaster about their collaboration with Dipsea. Here’s what they had to say: 

What made you want to create this series with Dipsea? 

Well, I’m a Women and Gender Studies major and a raging feminist, and when I met with the team at Dipsea and they described the mission of centering the ways not-male-people feel pleasure, I felt extremely passionate about it right away. 

And, if we can get people horny in unconventional ways, that's always my goal.

What does the media get wrong about sex and relationships, in your opinion?

I think a lot of our understanding of sex and relationships are developed through cis male wants and needs and their gaze and view of the world. So, when we de-center their gaze, we actually have this entire world of creativity that hasn’t been fully explored yet. And I think Dipsea is doing that.

Why is this series meaningful to you, as an actor and as a co-producer? 

I loved the premise for this series, and I think the writer did such a great job. I love the idea of the face that we give to the world, this outward-facing projection of self, and how intimate it is when you take off that armor. And, you know, share the little creature inside with somebody else.

I think that intimacy is inherently sexy. So, especially as someone who spends a lot of time publicly facing, it felt nice to get to act out sharing that vulnerability with someone else.

Can you talk a little bit about how your own life and personal experiences informed the creation of the character of Jay?

Well, I definitely have a lot of parasocial relationships. That’s absolutely true, but I also really love weddings. I just think weddings are kind of naturally… Actually, I don't know how it is for the bride and bride, groom and groom, or whatever and whatever, but it's a horny experience to go to a wedding. 

Everybody's in love. Everybody's friends and family from both sides of these people's lives are coming together. So a whole room is just all this, like, beautiful connected energy. And then to go there with a stranger and not know anyone and just witness all this raw love? It’s very kinky to me.

What themes were you most excited to touch on in this series?

You know what? I’m a really horny person. I've built an entire career off being horny. I’m really excited to explore that in this series.

What was I excited about outside of being horny? 

You know what's wrong with me? My brain is like, ‘Uh.. when I got to talk about the thighs.’ [laughs].

This also fits into the hornyverse. It’s horny adjacent. But, one of the things that I liked about this series, and I liked about collaborating with the team, was focusing on hands and moments with hands. 

This is no disrespect to strap-ons and whatever else we're playing with, but I find so much true tenderness and passion and feeling comes from the hands. They are these incredible multipurpose tools that we get to feel every sensation of while they work. And so, Plus One, for me, is an ode to hands.

How was this project different from your other acting projects?

I think there's something so intimate about this process, even down to the way that you are controlling your own breath. You're having this intimate experience with the self, of checking in with your body, listening to your own voice, and listening to the sounds you make. And you are acting out these sounds by imagining this moment. 

And so it's this private moment inside of a little sound box where you're letting your brain kind of unselfconsciously explore what sex sounds like and feels like to you. And so, I think checking in with those sensations during this process was very calming to me in a way that I didn't expect. 

What does creating more open dialogue about healthy sexuality mean to you?

One of the things that I like about Dipsea as a whole is that the team seems to be exploring options. It's all of these options about what makes you feel connected between your brain and your body. And I think a lot of times in other forms of erotica, once again, we've centered the cis-hetero male gaze so much that sometimes it even bleeds into queer spaces, and Dipsea doesn't feel like that to me.

We're told from the time that we are little that cis men are more visual, and so all erotica has to be eye-catching. To completely take out the visual components and create something that is just you and your brain, so you are centering your experience, you are centering this super intimacy with your brain, and you are doing it, in my opinion, in an inherently queer way, because you're subverting a norm and then you are centering a queer story—that to me is this beautiful cross-section of all of the goals that we should try to accomplish in creating something that's for queer people in order to deliver queer pleasure.

Anything else to add? 

Something that I am intrigued by, and I’d like to know, is how my erotica is made and how the people that are making this erotica feel during the process. How are they protected? How are they celebrated? How do they feel comfortable enough to get to this place?

And I will say that one of the things I really like about Dipsea is that the whole process seems very focused on making sure that we are constantly checking in with each other. The voice actor and the team, the actor slash co-producer, and the writers slash producers. It's this constant process of consent that I think helps everyone to relax over the course of the project.

And so, you are listening to an actor who is feeling very safe and who is feeling very engaged. And if there was ever a moment where that disengagement happened, we've been working with each other in such a, like, a lovely consensual, creative way that I think we would feel it. And I don't think listeners will feel that in "Plus One."

What’s not to love about E.R. Fightmaster? From the moment we saw them on Hulu’s *Shrill*, and of course, on ABC’s *Grey’s Anatomy*, we were hooked. 

They’ve got it all—they’re unassumingly sexy, totally disarming, and their voice, well, that’s how we knew we absolutely had to work with them. They collaborated with us to bring our new series, "Plus One," to life. The first episode of the three-part series drops on Sunday, May 29, with a new episode dropping every Sunday through June 12. 

In "Plus One," Fightmaster stars as Jay—a charming, playful barista. When one of their regulars, Eva, jokes about needing a date for her friend’s wedding to make her ex jealous, Jay eagerly volunteers. But when they actually start catching feelings for each other, the weekend takes an unexpected turn.

Fightmaster has been part of the development of "Plus One" every step of the way. Their character has been informed by their lived experience—which allows us to lean into the parasocial relationships fans already have with them in a way traditional media hasn’t figured out how to capture yet. 

“Plus One” is also an homage to the playful intimacy and spontaneity that permeate queer relationships. Queer content has been part of Dipsea from the beginning, but we’re so excited to launch our first queer celebrity series—especially one that centers non-binary folks and queer women.

In advance of their series release, we talked to Fightmaster about their collaboration with Dipsea. Here’s what they had to say:

### What made you want to create this series with Dipsea? 

Well, I’m a Women and Gender Studies major and a raging feminist, and when I met with the team at Dipsea and they described the mission of centering the ways not-male-people feel pleasure, I felt extremely passionate about it right away. 

And, if we can get people horny in unconventional ways, that's always my goal.

### What does the media get wrong about sex and relationships, in your opinion?

I think a lot of our understanding of sex and relationships are developed through cis male wants and needs and their gaze and view of the world. So, when we de-center their gaze, we actually have this entire world of creativity that hasn’t been fully explored yet. And I think Dipsea is doing that.

### Why is this series meaningful to you, as an actor and as a co-producer? 

I loved the premise for this series, and I think the writer did such a great job. I love the idea of the face that we give to the world, this outward-facing projection of self, and how intimate it is when you take off that armor. And, you know, share the little creature inside with somebody else.

I think that intimacy is inherently sexy. So, especially as someone who spends a lot of time publicly facing, it felt nice to get to act out sharing that vulnerability with someone else.

### Can you talk a little bit about how your own life and personal experiences informed the creation of the character of Jay?

Well, I definitely have a lot of parasocial relationships. That’s absolutely true, but I also really love weddings. I just think weddings are kind of naturally… Actually, I don't know how it is for the bride and bride, groom and groom, or whatever and whatever, but it's a horny experience to go to a wedding. 

Everybody's in love. Everybody's friends and family from both sides of these people's lives are coming together. So a whole room is just all this, like, beautiful connected energy. And then to go there with a stranger and not know anyone and just witness all this raw love? It’s very kinky to me.

### What themes were you most excited to touch on in this series?

You know what? I’m a really horny person. I've built an entire career off being horny. I’m really excited to explore that in this series.

What was I excited about outside of being horny? 

You know what's wrong with me? My brain is like, ‘Uh.. when I got to talk about the thighs.’ [laughs].

This also fits into the hornyverse. It’s horny adjacent. But, one of the things that I liked about this series, and I liked about collaborating with the team, was focusing on hands and moments with hands. 

This is no disrespect to strap-ons and whatever else we're playing with, but I find so much true tenderness and passion and feeling comes from the hands. They are these incredible multipurpose tools that we get to feel every sensation of while they work. And so, Plus One, for me, is an ode to hands.

### How was this project different from your other acting projects?

I think there's something so intimate about this process, even down to the way that you are controlling your own breath. You're having this intimate experience with the self, of checking in with your body, listening to your own voice, and listening to the sounds you make. And you are acting out these sounds by imagining this moment. 

And so it's this private moment inside of a little sound box where you're letting your brain kind of unselfconsciously explore what sex sounds like and feels like to you. And so, I think checking in with those sensations during this process was very calming to me in a way that I didn't expect. 

### What does creating more open dialogue about healthy sexuality mean to you?

One of the things that I like about Dipsea as a whole is that the team seems to be exploring options. It's all of these options about what makes you feel connected between your brain and your body. And I think a lot of times in other forms of erotica, once again, we've centered the cis-hetero male gaze so much that sometimes it even bleeds into queer spaces, and Dipsea doesn't feel like that to me.

We're told from the time that we are little that cis men are more visual, and so all erotica has to be eye-catching. To completely take out the visual components and create something that is just you and your brain, so you are centering your experience, you are centering this super intimacy with your brain, and you are doing it, in my opinion, in an inherently queer way, because you're subverting a norm and then you are centering a queer story—that to me is this beautiful cross-section of all of the goals that we should try to accomplish in creating something that's for queer people in order to deliver queer pleasure.

### Anything else to add? 

Something that I am intrigued by, and I’d like to know, is how my erotica is made and how the people that are making this erotica feel during the process. How are they protected? How are they celebrated? How do they feel comfortable enough to get to this place?

And I will say that one of the things I really like about Dipsea is that the whole process seems very focused on making sure that we are constantly checking in with each other. The voice actor and the team, the actor slash co-producer, and the writers slash producers. It's this constant process of consent that I think helps everyone to relax over the course of the project.

And so, you are listening to an actor who is feeling very safe and who is feeling very engaged. And if there was ever a moment where that disengagement happened, we've been working with each other in such a, like, a lovely consensual, creative way that I think we would feel it. And I don't think listeners will feel that in "Plus One."

From the moment we saw E.R. Fightmaster on Hulu’s Shrill, and of course, on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, we were hooked. Now they star as Jay, a charming barista, in the newest Dipsea series, “Plus One.”

ER-Fightmaster

E.R. Fightmaster brings a queer, parasocial love story to life 

Ready to hear E.R. Fightmaster like never before? It's only available on Dipsea. 

You probably know Luke Cook as the incredibly charming, albeit evil, Lucifer from Netflix’s Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Now, he’s Jake Rader, the star of the new Dipsea series “Act Natural.” 

As both the star and co-producer of the series, Cook worked closely with the Dipsea creative studio.His passion and creativity inspired much of the way his character, Jake, navigates the Hollywood machine in a subversive, sexy way—and without ever losing the optimism that you can really have it all.

The three-part audio series launches March 20, 2022, and follows Jake, an overnight Hollywood heartthrob, as he grapples with his newfound fame and the interesting, unexpectedly-sexy ways it spices up his marriage.

Cook, a certified Hollywood heartthrob in his own right, pulled inspiration from his personal life when working with the Dipsea team to bring “Act Natural” to life. Happily married and a new father, Cook wanted to highlight the eroticism and spontaneity that is still very much alive in long-term relationships, regardless of what people see in movies or on TV. 

“I really wanted to show a relationship where married people are having good, delicious, interesting moments and sex together,” Cook shared. “Because what I see more and more of in media is that it's only ever people who've just met having good sex, or people who are having an affair who are having good sex, everyone in a marriage is miserable—kids are running all over them, and their hair's a mess….and so this was a good opportunity for me to say what I thought, and to tell a different story.” 

In episode one of “Act Natural”, Jake’s agent suggests he fakes a relationship for publicity, so he and his wife use it as an opportunity to explore new sides of their marriage. In episode two, dropping March 27th, Jake and his wife escape to the desert, along with his new PR girlfriend, and things get even more interesting. A Pillowtalk, also dropping on March 27th, provides a more intimate experience with Jake as he talks directly to you, the listener.

Cook is the perfect balance of everything we want in a man: a little bit of mischief, a lot of sweetness, and a deep Australian accent that’ll make anyone weak in the knees—and he brought all of that and more to his collaboration with Dipsea. We had the chance to talk with him about the series and why he feels so connected to Dipsea’s mission. You can read the interview below, and listen to episode one of “Act Natural” on March, 20th exclusively on Dipsea.

What made you want to work with Dipsea? 

I love sex, and I've always disliked visual erotica in its classic form, where it's purely visual, and it only looks good from the male perspective. I just never believed or liked it. Once I heard about what Dipsea was, heard what they did, I was like, I love what they do. 

I feel like what's so important about what Dipsae does is it creates a backstory and gives you some feeling, some tone, and perhaps a connection between the people having sex.

The best part of sex is the connection. It's not the wham, bam, thank you, ma'am…It's the things that happen between the lines: the little looks, the connection between two people.

What do you think media gets wrong about sex and relationships that you wanted to get right with this series?

With this series we're doing right now, we see a couple who make their own action. They don't wait for it to come to them. They seek it. And I think that's what people get wrong about being sexual and sensual. You know, love is a verb. It's an action.

In this story, they're looking for inspiration. They're looking to take something new into the bedroom. They're actively seeking it out. They’re actively curious. That's something I aspire to, that we should all aspire to. Don't wait for the inspiration. You are the inspiration. Go, go looking for it, seek it out.

Why is it important for everyone to have a more honest dialogue about healthy sexuality? 

I think everyone deserves connection, and everyone is capable of connection. I think opening up and talking about sex with everyone, your friends, you lovers, talking about what you like and what you don't like is a great way for people to connect with you. 

I think once you get honest about sex and the things that we pretend that we like, we can say, actually, I don't like that. And I never have, and I don't know why I continue to do it.

Why is this series is so meaningful to you as an actor and co-producer?

Well, number one, it's definitely stepping outside of my comfort zone, and I love stepping outside of my comfort zone. I'm expressing myself in a way that I've never done before, and I get to use a talent I've never been able to show many people. I don't only write little notes to lovers—it's an opportunity for me to express myself.

And I think Dipsea and this whole thing, in general, is incredibly healthy.

What parts of your own life informed the character of Jake?

This is kind of close to my life. As close to my life as it can be. I kind of was an overnight sex symbol. [Laughs] That's far too complimentary, but it was kind of like, out of nowhere, everyone was posting about me and my body.

And then, you know, I'm a married man. So I really wanted to show a relationship where married people are having good, delicious, interesting moments and sex together. 

Because what I see more and more of in media is that it's only ever people who've just met having good sex, or people who are having an affair who are having good sex, everyone in a marriage is miserable—kids are running all over them, and their hair's a mess….and so this was a good opportunity for me to say what I thought, and to tell a different story.

Is there anything that surprised you about this experience?

Yeah—the first moan that I did. I was like, oh my God, what am I doing? Am I doing this wrong? And then I was like, no, shut up, keep going. And I gave a couple more moans, and I completely relaxed and got over it. 

You’ve just got to do it. Just give it 100%. No, give it 110% straight away.

Are there any specific moments from the story that you love?

I like how Jake and Annie eye each other across rooms—they're always looking for fun. I reckon that's probably pretty important. Always look for fun. Be fun. Look for opportunities to be fun. I always think it's a good sign.

When you see a couple staring at each other across the room and smiling… I don't know. I think it's a sign that there are good things happening. Every so often, you'll catch a couple who has separated at a party, and then they’ll wave across the room, and you're like, oh, they're good. Everything's good in that department. 

Anything else you wanted to talk about with this collaboration or your experience or your thoughts on Dipsea? 

I'm glad Dipsea exists. I think it's necessary. I think that visual erotica, in the traditional sense, just doesn't do it. It doesn't hit on connectivity, and it doesn't hit on your imagination. When I used to watch it, I felt it was taking over my sexual imagination in a way that wouldn’t make me a better lover. Dipsea doesn’t do that. It allows you to enter your imagination and tether your imagination to the story. 

I think it's good, healthy. It's a revolution, really, and I hope it's just up and up and up—let storytellers blow your mind. 

You probably know Luke Cook as the incredibly charming, albeit evil, Lucifer from Netflix’s *Chilling Adventures of Sabrina*. Now, he’s Jake Rader, the star of the new Dipsea series “Act Natural.” 

As both the star and co-producer of the series, Cook worked closely with the Dipsea creative studio.His passion and creativity inspired much of the way his character, Jake, navigates the Hollywood machine in a subversive, sexy way—and without ever losing the optimism that you can really have it all.

The three-part audio series launches March 20, 2022, and follows Jake, an overnight Hollywood heartthrob, as he grapples with his newfound fame and the interesting, unexpectedly-sexy ways it spices up his marriage.

Cook, a certified Hollywood heartthrob in his own right, pulled inspiration from his personal life when working with the Dipsea team to bring “Act Natural” to life. Happily married and a new father, Cook wanted to highlight the eroticism and spontaneity that is still very much alive in long-term relationships, regardless of what people see in movies or on TV. 

“I really wanted to show a relationship where married people are having good, delicious, interesting moments and sex together,” Cook shared. “Because what I see more and more of in media is that it's only ever people who've just met having good sex, or people who are having an affair who are having good sex, everyone in a marriage is miserable—kids are running all over them, and their hair's a mess….and so this was a good opportunity for me to say what I thought, and to tell a different story.” 

In episode one of “Act Natural," Jake’s agent suggests he fakes a relationship for publicity, so he and his wife use it as an opportunity to explore new sides of their marriage. In episode two, dropping March 27th, Jake and his wife escape to the desert, along with his new PR girlfriend, and things get even more interesting. A Pillowtalk, also dropping on March 27th, provides a more intimate experience with Jake as he talks directly to you, the listener.

Cook is the perfect balance of everything we want in a man: a little bit of mischief, a lot of sweetness, and a deep Australian accent that’ll make anyone weak in the knees—and he brought all of that and more to his collaboration with Dipsea. We had the chance to talk with him about the series and why he feels so connected to Dipsea’s mission. You can read the interview below, and listen to episode one of “Act Natural” on March, 20th exclusively on Dipsea.

### What made you want to work with Dipsea? 

I love sex, and I've always disliked visual erotica in its classic form, where it's purely visual, and it only looks good from the male perspective. I just never believed or liked it. Once I heard about what Dipsea was, heard what they did, I was like, I love what they do. 

I feel like what's so important about what Dipsea does is it creates a backstory and gives you some feeling, some tone, and perhaps a connection between the people having sex.

The best part of sex is the connection. It's not the wham, bam, thank you, ma'am…It's the things that happen between the lines: the little looks, the connection between two people.

### What do you think media gets wrong about sex and relationships that you wanted to get right with this series?

With this series we're doing right now, we see a couple who make their own action. They don't wait for it to come to them. They seek it. And I think that's what people get wrong about being sexual and sensual. You know, love is a verb. It's an action.

In this story, they're looking for inspiration. They're looking to take something new into the bedroom. They're actively seeking it out. They’re actively curious. That's something I aspire to, that we should all aspire to. Don't wait for the inspiration. You are the inspiration. Go, go looking for it, seek it out.

### Why is it important for everyone to have a more honest dialogue about healthy sexuality? 

I think everyone deserves connection, and everyone is capable of connection. I think opening up and talking about sex with everyone, your friends, you lovers, talking about what you like and what you don't like is a great way for people to connect with you. 

I think once you get honest about sex and the things that we pretend that we like, we can say, actually, I don't like that. And I never have, and I don't know why I continue to do it.

### Why is this series is so meaningful to you as an actor and co-producer?

Well, number one, it's definitely stepping outside of my comfort zone, and I love stepping outside of my comfort zone. I'm expressing myself in a way that I've never done before, and I get to use a talent I've never been able to show many people. I don't only write little notes to lovers—it's an opportunity for me to express myself.

And I think Dipsea and this whole thing, in general, is incredibly healthy.

### What parts of your own life informed the character of Jake?

This is kind of close to my life. As close to my life as it can be. I kind of was an overnight sex symbol. [Laughs] That's far too complimentary, but it was kind of like, out of nowhere, everyone was posting about me and my body.

And then, you know, I'm a married man. So I really wanted to show a relationship where married people are having good, delicious, interesting moments and sex together. 

Because what I see more and more of in media is that it's only ever people who've just met having good sex, or people who are having an affair who are having good sex, everyone in a marriage is miserable—kids are running all over them, and their hair's a mess….and so this was a good opportunity for me to say what I thought, and to tell a different story.

### Is there anything that surprised you about this experience?

Yeah—the first moan that I did. I was like, oh my God, what am I doing? Am I doing this wrong? And then I was like, no, shut up, keep going. And I gave a couple more moans, and I completely relaxed and got over it. 

You’ve just got to do it. Just give it 100%. No, give it 110% straight away.

### Are there any specific moments from the story that you love?

I like how Jake and Annie eye each other across rooms—they're always looking for fun. I reckon that's probably pretty important. Always look for fun. Be fun. Look for opportunities to be fun. I always think it's a good sign.

When you see a couple staring at each other across the room and smiling… I don't know. I think it's a sign that there are good things happening. Every so often, you'll catch a couple who has separated at a party, and then they’ll wave across the room, and you're like, oh, they're good. Everything's good in that department. 

### Anything else you wanted to talk about with this collaboration or your experience or your thoughts on Dipsea? 

I'm glad Dipsea exists. I think it's necessary. I think that visual erotica, in the traditional sense, just doesn't do it. It doesn't hit on connectivity, and it doesn't hit on your imagination. When I used to watch it, I felt it was taking over my sexual imagination in a way that wouldn’t make me a better lover. Dipsea doesn’t do that. It allows you to enter your imagination and tether your imagination to the story. 

I think it's good, healthy. It's a revolution, really, and I hope it's just up and up and up—let storytellers blow your mind. 

You probably know Luke Cook as the incredibly charming, albeit evil, Lucifer from Netflix’s Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Now, he’s Jake Rader, the star of the new Dipsea series “Act Natural.” 

Luke-Cook

Luke Cook brings his Aussie charm to Dipsea

Ready to hear Luke Cook like never before? It's only available on Dipsea. 

Hedonism is healthy, seriously

If you’ve heard of “hedonism,” chances are endless partying and champagne brunches are coming to mind. But, at its core, hedonism is actually just about recognizing and luxuriating in your own pleasure and joy. It’s just as much about getting [cozy with chicken pot pie](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-PnBLxorl0&t=138s) on Tuesday nights as it is about being covered in glitter on the dance floor on Saturdays. Even more importantly, it’s the antithesis of the grind culture we operate under that tells us if we’re not working we aren’t worthy. Here, we’ll break it down for you. 

Let’s start out with the definition. Hedonism, as a practice, is the pursuit of pleasure and sensual self-indulgence. That’s it, that’s all there is to it. Hedonism is about orienting your life with the intention of doing more of the things that make you feel good. Not just on the surface (although surface-level pleasures certainly have their time and place), but deeply, in a meaningful way.

We’ve all spent the last two years listening to people tell us what we should be doing to make ourselves feel good. Going on walks in the morning. Eating less of this, drinking more of that. Writing morning pages. [Pointing our naked butts toward the sun](https://jezebel.com/sunbathe-your-asshole-for-wellness-1840031856)? It was… a lot. But you know who already knows what makes you feel good? You do. 

PQ: Hedonism is healthy

So maybe that means skipping your morning walk and staying in bed a little longer, or not, if that’s your thing. Maybe it’s swapping an apple for your favorite pastry every once in a while. Skip the gym and dance until you sweat, or break a sweat under the sheets all by yourself. You didn’t earn it, and the good news is, you don’t have to. Pleasure is yours to give yourself freely whenever you want. Live a little! Or better yet, live a lot. 

And, wouldn’t you know it? Doing more of what feels good is actually good for you. Wild, we know. A little bit of new research in 2020 concluded that savoring, pursuing, and enjoying pleasurable activities leads to a happy life. As it turns out, hedonism is healthy. 

Back in early January, over on Instagram, Reese Witherspoon shared a list of habits she was working toward. New Year’s Resolutions, if you will. Here’s what they were: 

1. Start the day with a big glass of water.
2. Get 10 mins of outdoor light.
3. Spend 30 - 60 mins reading without distraction everyday.
4. In bed by 10pm. no late night TV binges. Try to get  8 hours of rest!

All of those things sound wonderful. We love Reese, and outdoor light. But, we also love occasional late nights, and TV binges. Thankfully, Ina Garten snuck into the comments section. 

Maybe your version of hedonism looks like Reese’s, and maybe it looks like Ina’s. Or maybe it looks like something entirely different. The only important thing is that you start noticing what it looks like, so that you can start doing more of it. 

We created Dipsea because we wanted there to be more. More space for pleasure. More options for women when it comes to accessing their pleasure. More conversation about sex and intimacy. And more opportunities for women to get comfortable doing whatever it is they damn well want. We created it to be a little hedonism sanctuary, and we’re so glad you’re here with us. 

Hedonism is healthy. Pleasure is powerful. And when you embrace both, you’re unstoppable. 

xx, 
Dipsea


If you’ve heard of “hedonism,” chances are endless partying and champagne brunches are coming to mind. But, at its core, hedonism is actually just about recognizing and luxuriating in your own pleasure and joy. It’s just as much about getting [cozy with chicken pot pie](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-PnBLxorl0&t=138s) on Tuesday nights as it is about being covered in glitter on the dance floor on Saturdays. Even more importantly, it’s the antithesis of the grind culture we operate under that tells us if we’re not working we aren’t worthy. Here, we’ll break it down for you. 

Let’s start out with the definition. Hedonism, as a practice, is the pursuit of pleasure and sensual self-indulgence. That’s it, that’s all there is to it. Hedonism is about orienting your life with the intention of doing more of the things that make you feel good. Not just on the surface (although surface-level pleasures certainly have their time and place), but deeply, in a meaningful way.

We’ve all spent the last two years listening to people tell us what we should be doing to make ourselves feel good. Going on walks in the morning. Eating less of this, drinking more of that. Writing morning pages. [Pointing our naked butts toward the sun](https://jezebel.com/sunbathe-your-asshole-for-wellness-1840031856)? It was… a lot. But you know who already knows what makes you feel good? You do. 

So maybe that means skipping your morning walk and staying in bed a little longer, or not, if that’s your thing. Maybe it’s swapping an apple for your favorite pastry every once in a while. Skip the gym and dance until you sweat, or break a sweat under the sheets all by yourself. You didn’t earn it, and the good news is, you don’t have to. Pleasure is yours to give yourself freely whenever you want. Live a little! Or better yet, live a lot. 

<img src="//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/1VFmYgdQUWcpG3OqalWrkH/e7e89d13963010e5cc9bf1db233faa67/Screen_Shot_2022-02-28_at_2.21.51_PM.png" alt="hedonism" width="2396" height="806">

And, wouldn’t you know it? Doing more of what feels good is actually good for you. Wild, we know. A little bit of [new research](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/07/200727114739.htm) in 2020 concluded that savoring, pursuing, and enjoying pleasurable activities leads to a happy life. As it turns out, hedonism is healthy. 

Back in early January, over on Instagram, Reese Witherspoon shared a list of habits she was working toward. New Year’s Resolutions, if you will. Here’s what they were: 

1. Start the day with a big glass of water.
2. Get 10 mins of outdoor light.
3. Spend 30 - 60 mins reading without distraction everyday.
4. In bed by 10pm. no late-night TV binges. Try to get 8 hours of rest!

All of those things sound wonderful. We love Reese, and outdoor light. But, we also love occasional late nights, and TV binges. Thankfully, Ina Garten [snuck into the comments section](https://www.delish.com/food-news/a38746139/ina-garten-reese-witherspoon-resolutions/). 

![hedonism](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/MLTd6NDhUethETeoyHYk5/69419f7f9bdea47122ddeef01962a7fa/unnamed__1_.png)

"That sounds great but I’m probably not doing any of those things! LOL!!" Garten commented. "My formula is easier to follow: 1. Drink more large cosmos 2. Stay up late watching addictive streaming series, 3. Stay in bed in the morning playing Sudoku instead of reading a good book. 4. Spend more time (safely) with people you love. In a pandemic, I do what I can!"

Maybe your version of hedonism looks like Reese’s, and maybe it looks like Ina’s. Or maybe it looks like something entirely different. The only important thing is that you start noticing what it looks like, so that you can start doing more of it. 

We created Dipsea because we wanted there to be more. More space for pleasure. More options for women when it comes to accessing their pleasure. More conversation about sex and intimacy. And more opportunities for women to get comfortable doing whatever it is they damn well want. We created it to be a little hedonism sanctuary, and we’re so glad you’re here with us. 

Hedonism is healthy. Pleasure is powerful. And when you embrace both, you’re unstoppable. 

xx, 
Dipsea


What is hedonism? Hedonism, as a practice, is the pursuit of pleasure and sensual self-indulgence. That’s it, that’s all there is to it.

Hedonism is healthy

hedonism

Hedonism is healthy, seriously

in the dark

In the Dark

the tradition

The Tradition

Ready to dive into your own hedonism sanctuary? That's what Dipsea is for. 

Since our launch in 2018, Dipsea has been focused on helping women tap into their sexuality more easily, all through the power of storytelling. The world hasn’t stopped changing, and Dipsea hasn’t stopped evolving. We’re telling the best stories in the world about relationships, sex, and intimacy. We’ve released a dozen new formats and 10Xed our library since launch. 

As we grow into the company that was just a twinkle in our eyes a few short years ago, we want to make sure our brand look and feel continues to reflect our vision. That’s why we’re very excited to unveil the new branding that our team has been working on behind the scenes for months. 

### Where We Started

We’ve always worked hard to make sure that the Dipsea experience is simple, beautiful, and considered. The Dipsea app is design-forward on purpose. In the same way we believe that women should feel empowered to talk openly about their sexuality, we wanted our app to be something that felt made for them, and that they would be proud of. Something they could pull up on their phones and say, with confidence, check this out…this app is beautiful, it was created by women, and it’s how I get turned on and explore what it is I really want. 

Our signature visual design was feminine, elegant, curvy, and also ahead of the curve. It represented a brand all about women’s sexuality without any of the pink and black clichés people expected to see. It made people stop and pay attention to a space they’d always ignored, or written off as taboo. It was a radical First Act, and one we knew would be important to do right by with Act Two.  

### Where We’re Going

Our updated branding doesn’t change the DNA of Dipsea, but it does change our expression— and gives us the room we need to grow into a truly mainstream brand. If you poke around our website or open the Dipsea app, you’ll notice that a few things have changed. Here’s what’s new in the Dipseaverse. 

### Our curvy new logomark 
Our previous logo was bold and direct—kind of like us. Our new logomark is more about you. It points inwards to express the idea of it all starting with you, and illuminating the parts of yourself that you’ve either lost touch with or have yet to discover. It also gives a subtle nod to the shape of an ear and the intimacy of listening. What can we say, we love layers. 

![ezgif-2-04a79ca865](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/7f4j68KWZ1xWFlC3aQqMuT/59d821983e478c2f397d7fbc442afb55/ezgif-2-04a79ca865.gif)

### We’ve given a fresh coat of paint to our apps and website
The gorgeous dusk and dawn gradients you’ll see everywhere are evocative of dusk, twilight, and dawn hours: the times Dipsea finds its way onto our listeners’ pillows and nightstand. The pops of orange represent the idea of lighting yourself up. Which brings us to…

### Our new tagline
“Listen, light yourself up.” This phrase embodies our belief that it is a radical and freeing realization that the answers to your own pleasure are already inside you. Our storytelling is a door to that inner world—letting you feel more. More in touch with your body, more connected to your partner, more flirtatious before a date, and the most like yourself.

![ezgif-2-39e3ce2c9e](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/5DfS356g9hox5LFvCLNpI8/a623e10a28ae58d4b14c4e2c6d7ec109/ezgif-2-39e3ce2c9e.gif)

### All sorts of other visual goodies. 
For all the design minds out there, you’ll spot new typography, colors, and a ton of new visual elements we love, and that better showcase who we are and the imaginative world of our story universe. 

---

When we launched Dipsea in 2018, our Co-Founder and President Gina wrote this for our blog:

*To us, Dipsea stories are more than 15 minutes of fun—they’re a catalyst for what happens afterward. Maybe that means feeling more alive, more in touch with yourself. Or more intimate or explorative with a partner. Maybe it means heading out the door feeling empowered, sexy, and confident. That’s the real power of nurturing the sexual being inside all of us.*

Four years later, we’re proud that this is still wonderfully, meaningfully, deeply true. Dipsea has become the sexiest storytelling experience in the world, and remains a powerful way to access what’s already inside of you, just waiting to be nurtured and let out. 

We hope you love our new look and feel. But even more than that, we hope that you listen, and that you light yourself up. 

See you in the Dipseaverse. 

xx,
Dipsea

Since our launch in 2018, Dipsea has been focused on helping women tap into their sexuality more easily, all through the power of storytelling. The world hasn’t stopped changing, and Dipsea hasn’t stopped evolving. We’re telling the best stories in the world about relationships, sex, and intimacy. We’ve released a dozen new formats and 10Xed our library since launch. 

As we grow into the company that was just a twinkle in our eyes a few short years ago, we want to make sure our brand look and feel continues to reflect our vision. That’s why we’re very excited to unveil the new branding that our team has been working on behind the scenes for months. 

### Where We Started

We’ve always worked hard to make sure that the Dipsea experience is simple, beautiful, and considered. The Dipsea app is design-forward on purpose. In the same way we believe that women should feel empowered to talk openly about their sexuality, we wanted our app to be something that felt made for them, and that they would be proud of. Something they could pull up on their phones and say, with confidence, check this out…this app is beautiful, it was created by women, and it’s how I get turned on and explore what it is I really want. 

Our signature visual design was feminine, elegant, curvy, and also ahead of the curve. It represented a brand all about women’s sexuality without any of the pink and black clichés people expected to see. It made people stop and pay attention to a space they’d always ignored, or written off as taboo. It was a radical First Act, and one we knew would be important to do right by with Act Two.  

### Where We’re Going

Our updated branding doesn’t change the DNA of Dipsea, but it does change our expression— and gives us the room we need to grow into a truly mainstream brand. If you poke around our website or open the Dipsea app, you’ll notice that a few things have changed. Here’s what’s new in the Dipseaverse. 

### Our curvy new logomark 
Our previous logo was bold and direct—kind of like us. Our new logomark is more about you. It points inwards to express the idea of it all starting with you, and illuminating the parts of yourself that you’ve either lost touch with or have yet to discover. It also gives a subtle nod to the shape of an ear and the intimacy of listening. What can we say, we love layers. 

![ezgif-2-04a79ca865](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/7f4j68KWZ1xWFlC3aQqMuT/59d821983e478c2f397d7fbc442afb55/ezgif-2-04a79ca865.gif)

### We’ve given a fresh coat of paint to our apps and website
The gorgeous dusk and dawn gradients you’ll see everywhere are evocative of dusk, twilight, and dawn hours: the times Dipsea finds its way onto our listeners’ pillows and nightstand. The pops of orange represent the idea of lighting yourself up. Which brings us to…

### Our new tagline
“Listen, light yourself up.” This phrase embodies our belief that it is a radical and freeing realization that the answers to your own pleasure are already inside you. Our storytelling is a door to that inner world—letting you feel more. More in touch with your body, more connected to your partner, more flirtatious before a date, and the most like yourself.

![ezgif-2-39e3ce2c9e](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/5DfS356g9hox5LFvCLNpI8/a623e10a28ae58d4b14c4e2c6d7ec109/ezgif-2-39e3ce2c9e.gif)

### All sorts of other visual goodies. 
For all the design minds out there, you’ll spot new typography, colors, and a ton of new visual elements we love, and that better showcase who we are and the imaginative world of our story universe. 

---

When we launched Dipsea in 2018, our Co-Founder and President Gina wrote this for our blog:

*To us, Dipsea stories are more than 15 minutes of fun—they’re a catalyst for what happens afterward. Maybe that means feeling more alive, more in touch with yourself. Or more intimate or explorative with a partner. Maybe it means heading out the door feeling empowered, sexy, and confident. That’s the real power of nurturing the sexual being inside all of us.*

Four years later, we’re proud that this is still wonderfully, meaningfully, deeply true. Dipsea has become the sexiest storytelling experience in the world, and remains a powerful way to access what’s already inside of you, just waiting to be nurtured and let out. 

We hope you love our new look and feel. But even more than that, we hope that you listen, and that you light yourself up. 

See you in the Dipseaverse. 

xx,
Dipsea

At Dipsea, we’re not big fans of resolutions. But evolutions? That’s another story. We’re heading into 2022 with a totally refreshed look and feel and are so excited to share it with you.

Welcome to the new Dipsea

dipsea gif

partner's parter

My Partner's Parter

Ready to connect with yourself in a whole new way? That's what Dipsea is for. 

<p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">Ready to learn for yourself what all the hype is about. Now's the time!</p>

<p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">Dipsea is an app for Sexy Stories, Sleep Scenes, and Wellness Sessions designed to turn you on and then tuck you in. You can download Dipsea from the App Store, Google Play Store, or online at app.dipseastories.com.</p>

<div class="blog-cta-centered">
  <a
    class="blog-cta-purple-pill"
    href="https://app.dipseastories.com/?utm_source=web&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=2021reviewblog"
  >
    Try Dipsea Free
  </a>
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Looking back at this year in the Dipseaverse, one thing was clear: “me time” was more important than ever. Connecting with yourself and your body, and making time to make yourself feel good was high on everyone’s priority list, to which we say, hell yeah. 

In many ways, 2021 crept by like the last hour of a road trip while stuck in traffic, and on the other hand, it was very much a blink and you missed it kind of year. Entire months seemed to vanish before our eyes while it felt like it was June for a decade. 

To try and preserve some memories, particularly the sweetness of the Dipseaverse, let’s take a look at what everyone was listening to, reading, falling asleep to, and everything in between this year. 

### A few numbers (but just a few, we promise)

This year, the Dipsea library exploded to include over [500 Sexy Stories](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/celebrating-500-stories-and-our-favorite-moments/), Sleep Scenes, and Wellness Sessions. That’s over 85% growth since our launch. Creating over 500 pieces of original content, all thoughtfully written, expertly acted, and carefully directed and sound designed by our in-house team of creatives and the wonderful network of voice actors we work with is no small feat, but it’s something we’re so, so proud of. 

AND, more stories meant more opportunities for you to get lost in immersive worlds with your favorite characters, resulting in more listens than ever before. __4.9 million__ to be exact (and the year isn’t quite over yet!). 4.9 million listens is a whole lot of ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ and shivers and good vibes and we hope you feel just as good about that as we do. 

### The stories you loved

Of course, every place had its own regional favorite too. In __Sydney, Australia__ ‘[Leather & Lace](https://app.dipseastories.com/series/leather-and-lace-series)’ came out on top, while in __Charlotte, North Carolina__ it was ‘[Five Years](https://app.dipseastories.com/series/five-years-series).’ __In Toronto, Canada__ it was ‘[Focus](https://app.dipseastories.com/series/focus-series),’ and over in __Boston, Massachusetts__ it was ‘[On the Apps](https://app.dipseastories.com/series/on-the-apps-series).’ 

And although everyone enjoyed [Sleep by Dipsea](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/dipsea-sleep-stories/) this year, in __London__ the track on repeat was '[Cozy Rainstorm](https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/cozy-rainstorm-sleep),' which proves once and for all that Dipsea is even better than the real thing. 

This year Dipsea also [released five books—bingeable](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/now-on-dipsea-read-sexy-stories/) chapters about your favorite Hunks you can (and did) read over and over again! It was a close race, but when all was said and done ‘James After Class’ was the one nobody could put down. 

### Twists and Trends 

If 2021 was anything, it was the year of delayed gratification. Of stopping and starting and stopping… and starting again. Which is why we can’t decide if it’s totally surprising or not surprising at all that the top Wellness track of the year was '[Edging](https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/self-touch-edging-ii).' Maybe a little bit of the madness of the outside world made its way into the bedroom after all. 

And, for the third year in a row, the most popular day of the week for listening is __Sunday__, specifically __Sunday night__. We’ve always known that Dipsea was the ultimate answer to the Sunday Scarries, and it looks like everyone else figured that out too. All those in favor of rebranding to Sunday Sexies say ‘Aye!’ (We’ll keep working on it.)

Also for the third year in a row, __Threesome__ was the most searched term in the Dipseaverse. It looks like everyone was still looking for a little more companionship (and we’re glad you found it!). __Oral Sex__ and __Dirty Talk__ rounded out the top three search terms, kocking __Co-worker__ and __Friends Become More__ out of the places they held last year. Guess no one was ready to head back to the office after all!

### Like, comment, and subscribe

The Dipseaverse, as it’s lovingly referred to, is so much more than the app. It’s all of the places and ways we get to engage with listeners outside of Sexy Stories, Sleep Scenes, and Wellness Sessions. And we had so much fun doing that with you this year!

You spent a lot of time with us on Tiktok—you picked the [sexiest voice of the year](https://www.tiktok.com/@dipseastories/video/7032439917699566894) in our first-ever Sexiest Voice Contest (congratulations again, Naya!), and you also made [this video](https://www.tiktok.com/@dipseastories/video/6989368809563950341) about Spontaneous vs. Responsive desire our most viewed (1.2 million and counting). 

We also got to know so many of you so well over on Instagram, where you’ve continued to break down the barriers around sex and sexuality, showing up in the comments for honest, fun, freeing conversations about all things sexual wellness. [This post](https://www.instagram.com/p/CWmPOscFugk/?utm_medium=copy_link) about the most important lessons you’ve learned about sex was the most liked this year (at over 8k!), and [this one](https://www.instagram.com/p/CXE7AlSNKaG/?utm_medium=copy_link) about describing your sex live with emojis got 260 comments that are definitely worth revising! 

---

As we approach 2022, we want to remind you that the only kind of resolutions we believe in at Dipsea are the ones about giving yourself more. More pleasure, more rest, and more time to make yourself feel good. We’re so excited you spent 2021 with us, and we can’t wait for you to hear what’s coming in 2022!

<div class="blog-cta-centered">
  <a
    class="blog-cta-purple-pill"
    href="https://app.dipseastories.com/?utm_source=web&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=2021reviewblog"
  >
    Try Dipsea Free
  </a>
</div>

xx, 
Dipsea 

All the audio erotica Dipsea listeners were listening to in 2021. All of the trends, steam stories, and adult bedtime stories people love on the Dipsea app. 

All the audio erotica Dipsea listeners were listening to in 2021

2021

Dipsea 2021 year in review

The holidays are, historically, a pretty unsexy time for most people. Sex and sexuality experts all seem to agree that pleasure takes a back seat during the final few months of the year for one reason or another. 

That’s why, this year, Dipsea has joined forces with some of our favorite brands to put sexual wellness at the very top of everyone’s gift list. 

While a Dipsea subscription is a perfect gift on its own, pairing it with one of these exclusive offers will take things to a whole new level. Everyone could use a little more time to make themselves feel good, and that’s what these gifts are all about—reminders that pleasure, rest, and comfort are all opportunities to find joy in and out of the bedroom. 

And don’t forget about you! After you’ve finished holiday shopping for everyone else, go ahead and surprise yourself underneath the mistletoe. It’s great to give, but don’t forget how fun it can be to receive too. 

## Dipsea Subscription, 30% Off For the Holidays
*Because everyone could use a little me-time*
![Dipsea-Gift-Image](//images.contentful.com/03of3q5qzesq/6EVnV3u61wsFGgiWhRvjhv/eaff9db8f5b551c4bae4c390ada651dc/Dipsea-Gift-Image.png)
Everyone needs a little escape or a little me-time. Dipsea can give you both. This holiday season, give someone the gift of feeling good. With over 500 Sexy Stories, Sleep Scenes, and Wellness Sessions, the gift of Dipsea is the perfect way to say, “you deserve to feel good every single day.” Head to [dipseastories.com/givedipsea2021](https://www.dipseastories.com/gift/checkout/?promo=givedipsea2021&utm_source=partner&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=givedipsea2021) for an exclusive 30% off an Annual Subscription. Want to treat yourself too? You can [head here](https://www.dipseastories.com/subscribe/?utm_source=web&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=holidaygiftblog) and use the code __GIVEDIPSEA2021__ to bring yourself a little holiday joy this season. 

*At Dipsea, we’re big fans of more. Pair a Dipsea subscription with any of the exclusive gift offers below and gift everyone on your list the ultimate holiday pleasure package.*

## Unbound: Erotic Escape Gift Set
*Because we think everyone should have a “go” bag*
![Holiday-Gift-One (1)](//images.contentful.com/03of3q5qzesq/7nvfFv97hSgle0nmDvp5zZ/591de406243dd86f5ddbc8eaf2c80ecb/Holiday-Gift-One__1_.jpg)
The Erotic Escape set is the perfect bundle for prioritizing pleasure while traveling or during a staycation at home. Featuring the compactly powerful Pep vibrator, travel-friendly 3 oz bottle of Jelly, 30-day pass to Dipsea, and a tote for the babe on the go—__this bundle is available at a 28% discount for $65 at this link__: [https://unboundbabes.com/products/eroticescape](https://unboundbabes.com/products/eroticescape?utm_source=web&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=holidaygiftblog)

## ThirdLove: Luxe Lace Set
*Because we love a little lace for the holidays*
![Holiday-Gift-Three](//images.contentful.com/03of3q5qzesq/4FJbADrH0VyL2qkQiba5TU/5b9671e205b8a193824e05e35d340538/Holiday-Gift-Three.jpg)
When it comes to the right fit and a confident feel, ThirdLove is never complacent. They obsess over each stitch, so you never have to think about how something feels, looks, or wears. While trends come and go, they’ve always stayed true to one notion: they do comfort, you do you. 
This holiday season, lace up and go out with the [Luxe Lace Set](https://www.thirdlove.com/search?q=luxe+lace&type=product?utm_medium=digitalbrand&utm_source=dipsea&utm_campaign=gifting_holiday2021&utm_content=gift_guide&discount=TL-DIPSEA). Delicate 'dragonfly wing' lace delivers just what everyday frill seekers want: all-day comfort in a satin-trimmed package.
__$25 off orders of $100+ for first time customers with the code TL-DIPSEA at check-out.__

## Foria: The Quickie Kit
*Because we love a mini-moment*
![Holiday-Gift-Two](//images.contentful.com/03of3q5qzesq/6i2YAJNBPFQrNIyj4kGxkS/08455f5fbc7117c7f2af5c240840be51/Holiday-Gift-Two.jpg)
Want to have out-of-this-world sex on the regular? You'll love the Quickie Kit. Get all 3 of Foria’s Intimacy bestsellers in deluxe mini sizes and make sex (solo or with a partner) an unforgettable, OMFG, wake-the-neighbors-up experience. Yeah, it's that good. Included in kit: 15ml Awaken Arousal Oil (approx. 15 uses), 15ml Sex Oil, 2 Intimacy Suppositories. __Redeem 25% off of [The Quickie Kit](https://www.foriawellness.com/products/the-quickie-kit?utm_source=web&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=holidaygiftblog) with the code DIPSEA at checkout.__

## Kitty and Vibe: Pajama Set
*Because we’re obsessed with these prints*
![Kitty-and-Vibe](//images.contentful.com/03of3q5qzesq/31myL7AJanl5toMgVvH8DW/049c83ef7595c03e2db30ccc1b5dbfb9/Kitty-and-Vibe.png)
Bring the vibes to bed! The Kitty and Vibe best-selling prints you know and love are now available in their newest category: pajamas! Mix and match among the four PJ silhouettes in sizes S - 5X. The silky smooth fabric is moisture-wicking, lightweight, and cooling. It’s about to get real cozy. __Get $20 off any purchase of 2 or more items from the pajama collection [at this link](https://www.kittyandvibe.com/discount/DIPSEA20?redirect=%2Fcollections%2Fpajamas?utm_source=web&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=holidaygiftblog), or use the code DIPSEA20 at checkout.__


Dipsea has partnered with our favorite sexual wellness brands to bring you the sexiest gift guide this holiday season. Explore more from Unbound, Third Love, Kitty & Vibe, and Foria. 

Looking for the perfect sexy gift this holiday season? Dipsea has you covered. 

2021-Holiday-Gift-Guide

2021 Dipsea Holiday Gift Guide

<p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">Ready to try something new? Dipsea has you covered.</p>

<p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">Dipsea is an app for Sexy Stories, Sleep Scenes, and Wellness Sessions designed to turn you on and then tuck you in. You can download Dipsea from the App Store, Google Play Store, or online at app.dipseastories.com.</p>

<div class="blog-cta-centered">
  <a
    class="blog-cta-purple-pill"
    href="https://app.dipseastories.com/?utm_source=web&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=500storiesblog"
  >
    Try Dipsea Free
  </a>
</div>

We launched Dipsea in 2018 with six stories and the promise that we would release feminist, sex-positive, inclusive content each week to inspire our listeners to find joy and confidence in and out of the bedroom. 

Now, just three years later, we’re celebrating over 500 Sexy Stories, Sleep Scenes, and Wellness Sessions live in the app—and we’re not slowing down anytime soon. That means that the deeper you dive into the Dipseaverse, the more you’re going to find!

And when we say more, we mean more. A lot more. As our library continues to expand, so does our audience. And each new person who enters the Dipseaverse brings with them their own interests, desires, and reasons for exploring. All the things that make sexuality and pleasure so unique and exciting. 

There are some things you’ll find in every Dipsea story. Consent, first and foremost. Also, characters and scenarios that feel at once real and immersive, like you’re right there in the story, but also transportive enough that you can truly let your mind wander and yourself get lost. A sense of safety and calm. Dipsea is and will always be a place where only good things happen and where your pleasure is the only priority. 

And then there are things you’ll find all over the Dipseaverse, but are unique to different stories and series. Group play, dirty talk, edging, roleplay, we’ve got it all. From rough and wild to flirty and romantic—as our audience has grown, we’ve created more stories that meet their unique interests so that there will always be something new to explore, right alongside their tried and true favorites. We also know that the same listeners come back for different things on different days. One day you might be looking to be tucked in, the next, tied up. We’ve got a story for both of those moods, and everything in between.

And each of those Dipsea stories, every kiss, spark, and sigh, are carefully crafted by our in-house content team, who work tirelessly to bring our listeners the immersive escapes they crave. 

Creating over 500 pieces of original content (with more coming all the time!) that connects with Dipsea listeners’ unique, intimate lives is no small feat, but the six women who make up our content team rise to the occasion every single day. Of course, everyone at Dipsea has played a part in bringing these stories to life, but our content team has brought each of these stories from just an idea, a spark of inspiration, to the immersive audio landscapes you hear in the app. 

We love every single story on Dipsea, the content team especially so. But surely, after over 500 stories, there had to be one moment for each of them that rose above the rest. A shining moment that they each felt stood out as their number one Dipsea story moment. And so, we asked them to let us know what each of theirs was. Here’s what they said! 

### Selene, Senior Audio Producer

In the midst of all the–everything?–going on in the world, creating worlds of rest and relaxation in [Sleep Overs](https://app.dipseastories.com/categories/sleep-overs-category?utm_source=web&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=500storiesblog) has been such a relief. We get to dream up the coziest scenes using the right mix of comforting sounds and let our favorite characters invite our listeners to relax and unwind. My favorite might be “[Elliot’s Porch](https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/elliots-porch?utm_source=web&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=500storiesblog).” Something about the gentle guitar strumming, rocking chair, and soft nature sounds puts me right there on a warm summer evening, listening to the forest fall asleep.

### Kristina, Head of Audio

We love to create chemistry, tension, and desire between our protagonists and their crushes, but I have to give a shout-out to the unsung heroes of Dipsea: the best friend characters. They are the ones who will hype you up, express some much-needed tough love, and are down to help you on your quest for self-love actualization! 

In the "[On the Market](https://app.dipseastories.com/series/on-the-market-series?utm_source=web&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=500storiesblog)" series, the main character Jordan turns to their best friend Beck when they can’t quite hack the dating scene in a new city. Beck not only flies across the country to bleach Jordan’s hair but is right there to support Jordan in getting their groove back. In "On the Market II," we get a glimpse of Beck’s own dating life (BFF characters are fully autonomous humans with their own relationships, okay!). But we also see the true intimacy of their friendship. And I’m not saying that in this series, friends could become more, but I guess you’ll have to keep listening to find out. 

### Angela, Senior Audio Producer

I’m a big fan of cozy moments, and lucky for me, there are plenty in the Dipseaverse—a warm fire on a cold winter evening, whispers in a snuggle sesh, a request for french fries after sex. But the first story where I felt something really click in terms of bringing a cozy moment to life was “[Extra Hot](https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/extra-hot?utm_source=web&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=500storiesblog).” Near the end of the story, the two actors discuss what an orgasm feels like. This is definitely a hard question to answer, and any attempt at it requires tapping deep inside one’s own truth. I’m so humbled by our actors’ willingness to collaborate with us in making these moments happen. 

### Olivia, Senior Content Editor

I feel really lucky to tell stories about sex, but I also feel really privileged to bear witness to them. As a society, we’ve been discouraged from talking about sex, attraction, desire, and being able to do it so openly is something I don’t take for granted. A while back, I got to interview a queer tailor for a story called “[Tailormade](https://app.dipseastories.com/series/tailormade-series?utm_source=web&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=500storiesblog).” They were so open and vulnerable with me, and the details and perspective they provided made for a final product we’re all proud of. Every part of that story-making process was special. Interviewing the collaborator, writing the script, and getting to listen to it for the first time. But getting on the phone and getting to listen to someone share their experiences with me is something I won’t ever forget. 

### Kara, Senior Audio Producer

As our Head of Audio says (hi Kristina!), one of our goals at Dipsea is to put our listeners in a different mood state, whether it’s sparking desire with our narrative stories or lulling them to sleep with our Sleep Overs. Our Wellness content is no different-it inspires new thoughts the listener can learn and grow from. Earlier this year, we produced two 7-day wellness series, “[Get Grounded with Mark](https://app.dipseastories.com/series/get-grounded-with-mark-series?utm_source=web&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=500storiesblog)” and “[Tough Love with Freddie](https://app.dipseastories.com/series/tough-love-with-freddie-series?utm_source=web&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=500storiesblog).” Through more physical exercises in “Get Grounded,” and more mental ones in “Tough Love,” we tried to answer questions like “how does movement in our bodies affect the way we think?” and “can we transform our relationships to ourselves through positive self-talk?”. We got to create a collection of 3-minute episodes whose only job was to make the listener feel better than when they started. How amazing is that?! I feel so proud to be a part of a team that creates content for listeners that is stimulating in all of the ways.

We launched Dipsea in 2018 with six stories and the promise that we would release feminist, sex-positive, inclusive content each week to inspire our listeners to find joy and confidence in and out of the bedroom. 

Now, just three years later, we’re celebrating over 500 Sexy Stories, Sleep Scenes, and Wellness Sessions live in the app—and we’re not slowing down anytime soon. That means that the deeper you dive into the Dipseaverse, the more you’re going to find!

And when we say more, we mean more. A lot more. As our library continues to expand, so does our audience. And each new person who enters the Dipseaverse brings with them their own interests, desires, and reasons for exploring. All the things that make sexuality and pleasure so unique and exciting. 

There are some things you’ll find in every Dipsea story. Consent, first and foremost. Also, characters and scenarios that feel at once real and immersive, like you’re right there in the story, but also transportive enough that you can truly let your mind wander and yourself get lost. A sense of safety and calm. Dipsea is and will always be a place where only good things happen and where your pleasure is the only priority. 

And then there are things you’ll find all over the Dipseaverse, but are unique to different stories and series. Group play, dirty talk, edging, roleplay, we’ve got it all. From rough and wild to flirty and romantic—as our audience has grown, we’ve created more stories that meet their unique interests so that there will always be something new to explore, right alongside their tried and true favorites. We also know that the same listeners come back for different things on different days. One day you might be looking to be tucked in, the next, tied up. We’ve got a story for both of those moods, and everything in between.

And each of those Dipsea stories, every kiss, spark, and sigh, are carefully crafted by our in-house content team, who work tirelessly to bring our listeners the immersive escapes they crave. 

Creating over 500 pieces of original content (with more coming all the time!) that connects with Dipsea listeners’ unique, intimate lives is no small feat, but the six women who make up our content team rise to the occasion every single day. Of course, everyone at Dipsea has played a part in bringing these stories to life, but our content team has brought each of these stories from just an idea, a spark of inspiration, to the immersive audio landscapes you hear in the app. 

We love every single story on Dipsea, the content team especially so. But surely, after over 500 stories, there had to be one moment for each of them that rose above the rest. A shining moment that they each felt stood out as their number one Dipsea story moment. And so, we asked them to let us know what each of theirs was. Here’s what they said! 

### Selene, Senior Audio Producer

In the midst of all the–everything?–going on in the world, creating worlds of rest and relaxation in [Sleep Overs](https://app.dipseastories.com/categories/sleep-overs-category?utm_source=web&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=500storiesblog) has been such a relief. We get to dream up the coziest scenes using the right mix of comforting sounds and let our favorite characters invite our listeners to relax and unwind. My favorite might be “[Elliot’s Porch](https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/elliots-porch?utm_source=web&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=500storiesblog).” Something about the gentle guitar strumming, rocking chair, and soft nature sounds puts me right there on a warm summer evening, listening to the forest fall asleep.

### Kristina, Head of Audio

We love to create chemistry, tension, and desire between our protagonists and their crushes, but I have to give a shout-out to the unsung heroes of Dipsea: the best friend characters. They are the ones who will hype you up, express some much-needed tough love, and are down to help you on your quest for self-love actualization! 

In the "[On the Market](https://app.dipseastories.com/series/on-the-market-series?utm_source=web&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=500storiesblog)" series, the main character Jordan turns to their best friend Beck when they can’t quite hack the dating scene in a new city. Beck not only flies across the country to bleach Jordan’s hair but is right there to support Jordan in getting their groove back. In "On the Market II," we get a glimpse of Beck’s own dating life (BFF characters are fully autonomous humans with their own relationships, okay!). But we also see the true intimacy of their friendship. And I’m not saying that in this series, friends could become more, but I guess you’ll have to keep listening to find out. 

### Angela, Senior Audio Producer

I’m a big fan of cozy moments, and lucky for me, there are plenty in the Dipseaverse—a warm fire on a cold winter evening, whispers in a snuggle sesh, a request for french fries after sex. But the first story where I felt something really click in terms of bringing a cozy moment to life was “[Extra Hot](https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/extra-hot?utm_source=web&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=500storiesblog).” Near the end of the story, the two actors discuss what an orgasm feels like. This is definitely a hard question to answer, and any attempt at it requires tapping deep inside one’s own truth. I’m so humbled by our actors’ willingness to collaborate with us in making these moments happen. 

### Olivia, Senior Content Editor

I feel really lucky to tell stories about sex, but I also feel really privileged to bear witness to them. As a society, we’ve been discouraged from talking about sex, attraction, desire, and being able to do it so openly is something I don’t take for granted. A while back, I got to interview a queer tailor for a story called “[Tailormade](https://app.dipseastories.com/series/tailormade-series?utm_source=web&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=500storiesblog).” They were so open and vulnerable with me, and the details and perspective they provided made for a final product we’re all proud of. Every part of that story-making process was special. Interviewing the collaborator, writing the script, and getting to listen to it for the first time. But getting on the phone and getting to listen to someone share their experiences with me is something I won’t ever forget. 

### Kara, Senior Audio Producer

As our Head of Audio says (hi Kristina!), one of our goals at Dipsea is to put our listeners in a different mood state, whether it’s sparking desire with our narrative stories or lulling them to sleep with our Sleep Overs. Our Wellness content is no different-it inspires new thoughts the listener can learn and grow from. Earlier this year, we produced two 7-day wellness series, “[Get Grounded with Mark](https://app.dipseastories.com/series/get-grounded-with-mark-series?utm_source=web&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=500storiesblog)” and “[Tough Love with Freddie](https://app.dipseastories.com/series/tough-love-with-freddie-series?utm_source=web&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=500storiesblog).” Through more physical exercises in “Get Grounded,” and more mental ones in “Tough Love,” we tried to answer questions like “how does movement in our bodies affect the way we think?” and “can we transform our relationships to ourselves through positive self-talk?”. We got to create a collection of 3-minute episodes whose only job was to make the listener feel better than when they started. How amazing is that?! I feel so proud to be a part of a team that creates content for listeners that is stimulating in all of the ways.

There are 500 sexy stories, sleep scenes, and wellness sessions now live on Dipsea. That's a lot of audio erotica and bedtime stories for adults to listen to!

500 sexy stories, sleep scenes, and guided wellness session live on Dipsea

500-Stories

Celebrating 500 stories and our favorite moments!

Ready to try something new? Dipsea has you covered.

*Note: Dipsea’s written stories are only available on the iOS and Android apps at this time. Download Dipsea from the [App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dipsea-sexy-audio-stories/id1434242889) or [Google Play Store](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dipsea&hl=en_US&gl=US) today.*

Did you know that the oldest written piece of erotica ever discovered is a love poem that was written sometime between 2037 and 2029 BC? Naturally, it was written by a woman (who we know tend to be the [best writers of erotic content](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/men-written-by-women/)!), or at least it is presumed to have been. The bride of King Shu-Sin of Sumer, the first erotica writer. Well, the first that we know of. 

If you’d like to know more about the history of erotica, you can read our sexy little history of the genre [here](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/a-brief-sexy-history-of-erotica/). The last tidbit we’ll leave you with is that the oldest erotic art ever uncovered is allegedly a carving of a vulva, which might just be proof that nudes are our most universal language.

But back to the written word. 

We’ve come a long way since the bride of King Shu-Sin of Sumer first put pen to paper, or, rather, reed to tablet. And so has written erotica, in the 4,000 or so years since the bride wrote her poem. 

For starters, the romance genre is consistently the [number one selling genre](https://theurbanwriters.com/blogs/publishing/popular-book-genres-for-your-next-bestseller) of literature and has never fallen out of the top 5 genres since sales have started to be recorded. Add to that the fact that the romantic literature industry is worth 1.5 billion dollars and it becomes pretty clear that the mother of written erotica might also be the world’s first-ever girlboss (we’re kidding!). 

At Dipsea, we’re proud to be the pioneers of erotic audio, having created the first-ever audio platform specifically for sexual wellness. We’re a team of storytellers at heart, and we believe that telling immersive, character-driven, sensual stories has the power to help our listeners discover new sides of themselves and connect more deeply with their bodies and their desires. That’s never going to change. 

However, we also know that our listeners are always looking for new ways to engage with Dipsea and be transported by exceptional storytelling. As you might guess, we’re big, big fans of the idea that more is more, and we always believe in giving people more of what they want. So now, in addition to getting lost in the world of audio erotica, you can read bingeable chapters about your favorite Dipsea characters. Maybe it’s their steamy backstory or a retelling of their series from a new perspective. There’s only one way to find out! (Read, of course.)

We started off by releasing four books about four of the most popular Dipsea characters, with four chapters ready to be devoured in each. But don’t worry, more chapters will be added to these stories regularly, so you’ll never be left waiting too long. 

The stories are, obviously, perfect for any occasion, but might be particularly exciting for those who are looking to get their Dipsea fix but might to be somewhere where listening isn’t the most convenient. 

On a crowded bus or train and nervous about being overheard? No worries, just open up “Jennifer’s New Student” and let yourself get lost in a new erotic landscape. Forgot your headphones on your morning commute? “Call Me Freddie” is the answer to your prayers. Just looking for something wonderful to read before bed? “Mark Breaks Rank” is the perfect bedtime story. 

Below, you can check out a little bit about each book, and what you can expect to read in the first four chapters of each. Happy reading! 

### Call Me Freddie
Vera’s intrigued by her new boss, Freddie. As they get closer, professional lines start to blur.

__Chapter 1: He’s Here__
The new guy in the office causes a stir. What’s he all about?

__Chapter 2: The Meeting__
Rumors swirl about Freddie, and things get heated between him and Vera.

__Chapter 3: Do You Trust Me?__
Freddie and Vera smooth things over, but Vera isn’t prepared for what’s next. 

__Chapter 4: Black Silk Tie__
Freddie has one question for Vera. Her answer could change everything.

### Mark Breaks Rank
Disillusioned with his life as a Marine, Mark isn’t sure what he wants anymore. When he meets Ainsley, things start to change, but of course, nothing good ever comes easy... 

__Chapter 1: Roadside Assistance__
Mark stops to help and gets more than he bargained for.

__Chapter 2: Good Initiative, Bad Judgement__
He can’t stop thinking about Ainsley. Is Mark brave enough to make a move?

__Chapter 3: Was I Off-Base?__
Their chemistry is electric, but a chance encounter might ruin it all.

__Chapter 4: Backroads__
Before she takes Mark back to base, Ainsely gets what she wants.

### Jennifer’s New Student
When Taylor first shows up to Jennifer’s office hours, things are purely academic. As time goes on, she’s not so sure anymore.

__Chapter 1: Coincidence__
Taylor’s semester is off to an interesting start after a chance encounter.

__Chapter 2: Office Hours__
Taylor keeps showing up to Jennifer’s office. Why’s she there?

__Chapter 3: Flirting Is Always Serious__
Taylor’s in Jennifer’s office again, only now, something has shifted.

__Chapter 4: On the Desk__
Taylor and Jennifer lock the door and do their best to stay quiet. 

### Jack’s Passenger Seat
Jack and Gia never thought they’d find themselves back in their hometown, but something’s drawn them back together.

__Chapter 1: First Sight__
Jack doesn’t remember a lot about high school, except for meeting Gia.

__Chapter 2: Winter Break__
After a party, Jack finds himself alone in his car with Gia.

__Chapter 3: The In-Between__
The click of her boots, the back of her hair: it had to be her, didn't it?

__Chapter 4: Keep Driving__
Jack drives Gia home, but this time she isn’t quite ready to head inside. 


*Note: Dipsea’s written stories are only available on the iOS and Android apps at this time. Download Dipsea from the [App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dipsea-sexy-audio-stories/id1434242889) or [Google Play Store](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dipsea&hl=en_US&gl=US) today.*

Did you know that the oldest written piece of erotica ever discovered is a love poem that was written sometime between 2037 and 2029 BC? Naturally, it was written by a woman (who we know tend to be the [best writers of erotic content](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/men-written-by-women/)!), or at least it is presumed to have been. The bride of King Shu-Sin of Sumer, the first erotica writer. Well, the first that we know of. 

If you’d like to know more about the history of erotica, you can read our sexy little history of the genre [here](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/a-brief-sexy-history-of-erotica/). The last tidbit we’ll leave you with is that the oldest erotic art ever uncovered is allegedly a carving of a vulva, which might just be proof that nudes are our most universal language.

But back to the written word. 

We’ve come a long way since the bride of King Shu-Sin of Sumer first put pen to paper, or, rather, reed to tablet. And so has written erotica, in the 4,000 or so years since the bride wrote her poem. 

For starters, the romance genre is consistently the [number one selling genre](https://theurbanwriters.com/blogs/publishing/popular-book-genres-for-your-next-bestseller) of literature and has never fallen out of the top 5 genres since sales have started to be recorded. Add to that the fact that the romantic literature industry is worth 1.5 billion dollars and it becomes pretty clear that the mother of written erotica might also be the world’s first-ever girlboss (we’re kidding!). 

At Dipsea, we’re proud to be the pioneers of erotic audio, having created the first-ever audio platform specifically for sexual wellness. We’re a team of storytellers at heart, and we believe that telling immersive, character-driven, sensual stories has the power to help our listeners discover new sides of themselves and connect more deeply with their bodies and their desires. That’s never going to change. 


However, we also know that our listeners are always looking for new ways to engage with Dipsea and be transported by exceptional storytelling. As you might guess, we’re big, big fans of the idea that more is more, and we always believe in giving people more of what they want. So now, in addition to getting lost in the world of audio erotica, you can read bingeable chapters about your favorite Dipsea characters. Maybe it’s their steamy backstory or a retelling of their series from a new perspective. There’s only one way to find out! (Read, of course.)

We started off by releasing four books about four of the most popular Dipsea characters, with four chapters ready to be devoured in each. But don’t worry, more chapters will be added to these stories regularly, so you’ll never be left waiting too long. 

The stories are, obviously, perfect for any occasion, but might be particularly exciting for those who are looking to get their Dipsea fix but might to be somewhere where listening isn’t the most convenient. 

On a crowded bus or train and nervous about being overheard? No worries, just open up “Jennifer’s New Student” and let yourself get lost in a new erotic landscape. Forgot your headphones on your morning commute? “Call Me Freddie” is the answer to your prayers. Just looking for something wonderful to read before bed? “Mark Breaks Rank” is the perfect bedtime story. 

Below, you can check out a little bit about each book, and what you can expect to read in the first four chapters of each. Happy reading! 

### Call Me Freddie
Vera’s intrigued by her new boss, Freddie. As they get closer, professional lines start to blur.

__Chapter 1: He’s Here__
The new guy in the office causes a stir. What’s he all about?

__Chapter 2: The Meeting__
Rumors swirl about Freddie, and things get heated between him and Vera.

__Chapter 3: Do You Trust Me?__
Freddie and Vera smooth things over, but Vera isn’t prepared for what’s next. 

__Chapter 4: Black Silk Tie__
Freddie has one question for Vera. Her answer could change everything.

### Mark Breaks Rank
Disillusioned with his life as a Marine, Mark isn’t sure what he wants anymore. When he meets Ainsley, things start to change, but of course, nothing good ever comes easy... 

__Chapter 1: Roadside Assistance__
Mark stops to help and gets more than he bargained for.

__Chapter 2: Good Initiative, Bad Judgement__
He can’t stop thinking about Ainsley. Is Mark brave enough to make a move?

__Chapter 3: Was I Off-Base?__
Their chemistry is electric, but a chance encounter might ruin it all.

__Chapter 4: Backroads__
Before she takes Mark back to base, Ainsely gets what she wants.

### Jennifer’s New Student
When Taylor first shows up to Jennifer’s office hours, things are purely academic. As time goes on, she’s not so sure anymore.

__Chapter 1: Coincidence__
Taylor’s semester is off to an interesting start after a chance encounter.

__Chapter 2: Office Hours__
Taylor keeps showing up to Jennifer’s office. Why’s she there?

__Chapter 3: Flirting Is Always Serious__
Taylor’s in Jennifer’s office again, only now, something has shifted.

__Chapter 4: On the Desk__
Taylor and Jennifer lock the door and do their best to stay quiet. 

### Jack’s Passenger Seat
Jack and Gia never thought they’d find themselves back in their hometown, but something’s drawn them back together.

__Chapter 1: First Sight__
Jack doesn’t remember a lot about high school, except for meeting Gia.

__Chapter 2: Winter Break__
After a party, Jack finds himself alone in his car with Gia.

__Chapter 3: The In-Between__
The click of her boots, the back of her hair: it had to be her, didn't it?

__Chapter 4: Keep Driving__
Jack drives Gia home, but this time she isn’t quite ready to head inside. 

Now, in addition to getting lost in the world of audio erotica, you can read sexy stories about your favorite Dipsea characters. They're perfect to read anywhere.

Now on Dipsea you can read sexy backstories about characters

Read-Sexy-Stories

Now on Dipsea: Read sexy stories

Ready to tap into your sexuality in a whole new way? Dipsea has you covered.

__From June 20th to 26th, we’re unlocking [all queer content](https://app.dipseastories.com/categories/queer-stories-category) and making it free for the community in celebration of Pride!__ 

Pride may only be one month a year, but at Dipsea, we celebrate queer pleasure all year long. Over 30% of the Dipsea library is filled with queer content, and nearly half of the Dipsea team identifies as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. 

At Dipsea, we’re proud to create fantasies that portray the beauty of queer passion and to be able to highlight the magic of queer creatives while doing so.

We believe in the power of storytelling, in both its ability to make people feel seen and understood and also in its ability to transport us and to places we never imagined possible. It’s work we love to do and work we take very seriously because we know just how necessary it is. 

> The Dipseaverse is about pure pleasure. It's about witnessing someone in all of their loveliness, celebrating them, laughing with them, locking eyes from across the room, grinding with them on the dance floor, noticing that one freckle they have just below their eye, asking about their tattoo.
> 

This Pride, we asked our team why they feel it’s important to celebrate queer pleasure and also for their favorite queer Dipsea stories. Here’s what some of them had to say! 

*The Dipseaverse is about pure pleasure. It's about witnessing someone in all of their loveliness, celebrating them, laughing with them, locking eyes from across the room, grinding with them on the dance floor, noticing that one freckle they have just below their eye, asking about their tattoo. It's about giving them a pep talk, a long embrace, a morning whisper, and a lasting orgasm. Coming out stories, investigations into the struggle trans and queer folks face in the fight for civil rights, and the daily quest to articulate one’s identity - are all important stories to tell. And so are the stories where you witness QUEER JOY. QUEER FLIRTATION. QUEER FOREPLAY. QUEER SWAGGER. AND QUEER LOVE!*

__Favorite queer Dipsea story__: [Wild Hearts](https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/wild-hearts-i). It's basically giving you hot-girl-summer-on-the-ranch-get-your-mind-dirty-but-your-hands-clean love triangle realness. 

- Kristina Loring, Head of Audio

![Wild Hearts](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/uKUgJ2jViYBbPf0TOBUyi/d8679a95ce52a3c2b153068f6657e48c/473_OffSeasonI_SarahAliceRabbit.png)

---

*In media, there are so few queer love stories told by and for queer people. Hearing stories that celebrate the love we experience is so validating! It's helped me work through so much lingering shame that I didn't even know I still had.*

__Favorite queer Dipsea story__: The [Swipe Right](https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/swipe-right) series! I wish I could share these stories with my younger self and say, "Here, listen to this and take notes. You don't have to be scared. You don't need a ton of experience. Just get out there and have fun!"

- Liz Levitch, Brand Manager

![Swipe Right](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/1ykvVI6owal3Oxei8zSpef/f64331ef20bc9b9122bc453689fd71fd/357_BiDatingApp_ClemenceGuoy.png)

---

*Queer sex, desire, and expression have been marginalized and criminalized throughout history (and still is, in many places), so it is important that Dipsea is a place where queer pleasure can be explored and celebrated!! These stories are there for those who are curious or questioning, closeted or coming out, isolated or struggling... AND for those who are just psyched to dive into the sexy queer vibe that reflects and inspires our desires!*

__Favorite queer Dipsea story__: [Second First Date](https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/second-first-date)! It's so powerful (and HOT) to hear stories centering the desire of trans folks and inspiring to hear these voices owning their needs and express their wants with passion and confidence. 

- Levi Halberstadt, Operations Manager

![Second First Date](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/6ED8fBkawkIk1I4sUvRD7J/d2531281c1716e146ec54c435ea5a4c0/297_Second_DateClemenceGuoy.png)

---

*There's this song I really like that talks about how we never get to see ourselves sleeping, that it's up to the people we love to see us in our most peaceful moments. And I think about that sentiment a lot. There's only so much reflection we can do on our own -- Our friends, lovers, and community become the most trusted looking glasses of our lives! And I swear I'm getting to the point here, but I think stories, when made thoughtfully and authentically, can be part of that trusted team of reflectors. I love making these small worlds for people to peer into. I hope that people see themselves, or it helps them carve a new path to pleasure. There's also just so much pain out there in the big bad world; I love building a place where pleasure reigns supreme, where everyone is safe and loved. That's no small thing.*

__Favorite queer Dipsea story__: There are so many, but right now, it’s [Swipe Right III](https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/swipe-right-iii). It's this very sweet friends become more storyline that feels so fresh. There are no frills or bells and whistles, just two old friends getting together after years of secretly crushing. It feels like a story my friend would excitedly tell me as we walked around with coffee. I mean...what's better than that? 

- Olivia Taylor, Senior Content Editor

![Swipe Right III](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/Npvzs45gRpGqNTEMfSUef/829bf3703e1b2efc55096aefa89dc965/444_SwipeRightIII_BonnieBrown.PNG)

---

*Growing up, being queer was a secret. Sharing queer stories is a way to celebrate that sweet queer magic many of us have had to hide in one way or another throughout our lives. Hearing our characters indulge in that magic helps heal the leftover shame that can sometimes still get in the way of experiencing queer love and pleasure to their fullest.*

__Favorite queer Dipsea story__: [Golden Hour](https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/golden-hour), because who doesn't want to de-stress on a rooftop in the sexiest way possible?

- Angela Sarakan, Senior Audio Producer

![Golden Hour](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/7FW6pygUnlqPe98EOVhW3g/873acc9ec85413a01bef16bd6232824b/371_GoldenHour_BonnieBrown.PNG)

---

> We’re excited to continue telling stories that center and celebrate the power of queer pleasure, not just in the month of June but all year long.
> 

Recently, we asked our [Instagram followers](https://www.instagram.com/dipseastories/) a few questions about identity. We learned that for 40% of our followers, their sexual identity had been a source of anxiety, and only 6% of them had a sex-ed class in school that was LGBTQ+ inclusive. 

We also learned that for the 48% of our followers who identify as something other than straight, 86% feel like they’re surrounded by people who support their sexuality. That’s really great news! And hopefully helps to alleviate any stress created by those first two statistics. 

We also hope that Dipsea can be a means of soothing anxieties and of telling authentic, immersive, powerful stories about queer sex and sexuality. And also that we can be counted among the places people look to find support when it comes to their sexuality. Especially when it comes to feeling seen and when people are looking for a sensual escape.

We’re excited to continue telling stories that center and celebrate the power of queer pleasure, not just in the month of June but all year long. Even in 2021, it can be difficult to find media that is telling joyful, sensual, transportive stories about queer love. But in the Dipseaverse, they’ll always be front and center. 


Pride-2021

Celebrating the power of queer pleasure

We attach ourselves to characters we love. Characters that make us feel seen, that make us feel good, that open us up to explore new sides of ourselves. 

At Dipsea, we’re in the business of creating those kinds of characters, which is why we’re launching a [Hunks Category](https://app.dipseastories.com/categories/hunks-category) and putting all our most popular characters in one place. 

<div style="max-width: 350px; margin: 0 auto;">
<img 
src="//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/6hf011x3iiozPIsDc95Von/c2763f16763ff74e1e2316fc10e28242/Hunks-Page-Phone-Template.png"/>
</div>
<br><br>

We love every character in the Dipseaverse, but some of them have that special something extra, that je nes se quoi that makes them sparkle. Those are the Hunks. 

Let’s be honest: finding the perfect match can be exhausting. After a while, swiping left and right can turn into an apathetic blur. But at Dipsea, every swipe right will land you a perfect match. And the best part? All of those perfect matches are now available in one place.  

Producing new stories, wellness sessions, and sleep scenes every week means that the Dipsea library grows pretty quickly. But as it expands, we want to make sure that it doesn’t just get wider; we want to let you dive deeper and deeper into it. Immersing yourself in new worlds and experiences created for your pleasure and rest.

> The Hunks Category allows you to find your favorite character and then get lost in their world, exploring all the areas of the Dipseaverse they show up in. 
> 

Dipsea’s Hunks are part of that expansion. Now, not only can you follow characters through multiple episodes of a series, but you can also get up close and personal with them in a Pillowtalk, where you’re right there in the story. And, with the addition of Sleep to our library, your favorite characters can tuck you in while you drift off. A few of them even narrate guided wellness sessions and mediations to help you connect with yourself and get grounded. 

The Hunks Category allows you to find your favorite character and then get lost in their world, exploring all the areas of the Dipseaverse they show up in. 

> In the Dipseaverse, Hunks aren’t just one type of character. They’re a little bit of everything.
> 

In the app on the Discover tab, you can tap on the Hunks Category to find and from there, you can tap through a story that features all of our current Hunks and listen to little snippets of their voice that give you a taste of who they are and what they sound like. 

<div style="max-width: 350px; margin: 0 auto;">
<img 
src="//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/6EQwdW5Fa10ulV2Fab5nQj/1f478a17a4b30938a6c384b918c0c539/Hunks-Stories.gif"/>
</div>
<br><br>

Once you find your Hunk, you can swipe up and head to their individual page to start exploring their world. Already have a Hunk you love? From the Hunks Category or from the Discover tab, simply tap on a Hunk’s name and get to listening!

In the Dipseaverse, Hunks aren’t just one type of character. They’re a little bit of everything. Some are doms, ready to take control and get a little rough. Others are gentle and tender, more lovers than fighters. Here’s a rundown of our current Hunks, so you can get to know them a little better. 

### [Freddie](https://app.dipseastories.com/categories/freddie-category)
*A deep-voiced dom with a gentle side who knows how to satisfy his partner*

### [Malcolm](https://app.dipseastories.com/categories/malcolm-category)
*A fashion designer who usually plays games but is ready to fall in love*

### [Ari](https://app.dipseastories.com/categories/ari-category)
*A playful California babe down for an adventure and ready for anything* 

### [James](https://app.dipseastories.com/categories/james-category)
*A college professor who’s not afraid to break the rules and let loose* 

### [Mark](https://app.dipseastories.com/categories/mark-category)
An ex-marine-turned yoga instructor, he’s strict but kind 

### [Quentin](https://app.dipseastories.com/categories/quentin-category)
*An intense Brit with a sexy accent and a penchant for sex in public* 

### [Elliot](https://app.dipseastories.com/categories/elliot-category)
*A mysterious bar owner with a sweet side and a dirty mouth* 

### [Mateo](https://app.dipseastories.com/categories/mateo-category) 
*An empathetic therapist who’s ready to unleash his dominant side* 

### [Eve ](https://app.dipseastories.com/categories/eve-category)
*A hands-on boxing instructor who’s in change both in and out of the ring*

### [Paul](https://app.dipseastories.com/categories/paul-category) 
*A sweet and attentive nerd who wants you to let go and feel good* 

### [Jennifer](https://app.dipseastories.com/categories/jennifer-category)
*A dynamic professor with great style who doesn’t back down*

Still need help deciding? We created this quiz to help you find your perfect match. 

![Hunk Quiz](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/HEwqCJnMektMybpTFg0dM/784e5c86742a0e2e3adf4ebbcd018318/Flex-Quiz.png)

At Dipsea, we like to think of Freddie as the original Dipsea Hunk. But that’s not a title we gave him, that came from our listeners. Freddie was one of the first characters in the Dipseaverse our listeners asked for by name, and so, we built out his world. Because we listen when our listeners love someone and because we believe that captivating characters should live on. Now, there’s an entire universe of Hunks to explore, each with their own world to get lost in. So go on, find your favorite and dive on in. 


We attach ourselves to characters we love. Characters that make us feel seen, that make us feel good, that open us up to explore new sides of ourselves. 

At Dipsea, we’re in the business of creating those kinds of characters, which is why we’re launching a [Hunks Category](https://app.dipseastories.com/categories/hunks-category) and putting all our most popular characters in one place. 

<div style="max-width: 350px; margin: 0 auto;">
<img 
src="//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/6hf011x3iiozPIsDc95Von/c2763f16763ff74e1e2316fc10e28242/Hunks-Page-Phone-Template.png"/>
</div>
<br><br>

We love every character in the Dipseaverse, but some of them have that special something extra, that je nes se quoi that makes them sparkle. Those are the Hunks. 

Let’s be honest: finding the perfect match can be exhausting. After a while, swiping left and right can turn into an apathetic blur. But at Dipsea, every swipe right will land you a perfect match. And the best part? All of those perfect matches are now available in one place.  

Producing new stories, wellness sessions, and sleep scenes every week means that the Dipsea library grows pretty quickly. But as it expands, we want to make sure that it doesn’t just get wider; we want to let you dive deeper and deeper into it. Immersing yourself in new worlds and experiences created for your pleasure and rest.

> The Hunks Category allows you to find your favorite character and then get lost in their world, exploring all the areas of the Dipseaverse they show up in. 
> 

Dipsea’s Hunks are part of that expansion. Now, not only can you follow characters through multiple episodes of a series, but you can also get up close and personal with them in a Pillowtalk, where you’re right there in the story. And, with the addition of Sleep to our library, your favorite characters can tuck you in while you drift off. A few of them even narrate guided wellness sessions and mediations to help you connect with yourself and get grounded. 

The Hunks Category allows you to find your favorite character and then get lost in their world, exploring all the areas of the Dipseaverse they show up in. 

> In the Dipseaverse, Hunks aren’t just one type of character. They’re a little bit of everything.
> 

In the app on the Discover tab, you can tap on the Hunks Category to find and from there, you can tap through a story that features all of our current Hunks and listen to little snippets of their voice that give you a taste of who they are and what they sound like. 

<div style="max-width: 350px; margin: 0 auto;">
<img 
src="//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/6EQwdW5Fa10ulV2Fab5nQj/1f478a17a4b30938a6c384b918c0c539/Hunks-Stories.gif"/>
</div>
<br><br>

Once you find your Hunk, you can swipe up and head to their individual page to start exploring their world. Already have a Hunk you love? From the Hunks Category or from the Discover tab, simply tap on a Hunk’s name and get to listening!

In the Dipseaverse, Hunks aren’t just one type of character. They’re a little bit of everything. Some are doms, ready to take control and get a little rough. Others are gentle and tender, more lovers than fighters. Here’s a rundown of our current Hunks, so you can get to know them a little better. 

### [Freddie](https://app.dipseastories.com/categories/freddie-category)
*A deep-voiced dom with a gentle side who knows how to satisfy his partner*

### [Malcolm](https://app.dipseastories.com/categories/malcolm-category)
*A fashion designer who usually plays games but is ready to fall in love*

### [Ari](https://app.dipseastories.com/categories/ari-category)
*A playful California babe down for an adventure and ready for anything* 

### [James](https://app.dipseastories.com/categories/james-category)
*A college professor who’s not afraid to break the rules and let loose* 

### [Mark](https://app.dipseastories.com/categories/mark-category)
An ex-marine-turned yoga instructor, he’s strict but kind 

### [Quentin](https://app.dipseastories.com/categories/quentin-category)
*An intense Brit with a sexy accent and a penchant for sex in public* 

### [Elliot](https://app.dipseastories.com/categories/elliot-category)
*A mysterious bar owner with a sweet side and a dirty mouth* 

### [Mateo](https://app.dipseastories.com/categories/mateo-category) 
*An empathetic therapist who’s ready to unleash his dominant side* 

### [Eve ](https://app.dipseastories.com/categories/eve-category)
*A hands-on boxing instructor who’s in change both in and out of the ring*

### [Paul](https://app.dipseastories.com/categories/paul-category) 
*A sweet and attentive nerd who wants you to let go and feel good* 

### [Jennifer](https://app.dipseastories.com/categories/jennifer-category)
*A dynamic professor with great style who doesn’t back down*

Still need help deciding? We created this quiz to help you find your perfect match. 

![Hunk Quiz](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/HEwqCJnMektMybpTFg0dM/784e5c86742a0e2e3adf4ebbcd018318/Flex-Quiz.png)

At Dipsea, we like to think of Freddie as the original Dipsea Hunk. But that’s not a title we gave him, that came from our listeners. Freddie was one of the first characters in the Dipseaverse our listeners asked for by name, and so, we built out his world. Because we listen when our listeners love someone and because we believe that captivating characters should live on. Now, there’s an entire universe of Hunks to explore, each with their own world to get lost in. So go on, find your favorite and dive on in. 


Hunks

Here come the Hunks

quentin iii

Get Intimate with Quentin III

jennifer ii

Get Intimate with Jennifer II

When we launched Dipsea in 2018, we knew exactly what we wanted to be: a space where people, particularly women, felt safe to explore pleasure, cultivate intimacy, and connect with themselves. As 2020 progressed, it became clear that pleasure, intimacy, and connection were exactly what the world needed more than ever, and we're thrilled so many of you were able to find it in the Dipseaverse. 

So here’s a little look back at Dipsea in 2020. The numbers, the new features, and all the moments we got to share with you.

## A year to remember (because it won’t let us forget)

__In January of 2020__, Dipsea launched its [__web app__](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/dipsea-launches-its-web-app/)! It meant that Dipsea became available to everyone on literally any device with a web browser and an internet connection. 

When the world shut down in __March__, we [__unlocked all of our Wellness content__](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/dipsea-free/) as a way to support listeners during a particularly uncertain time. As our founders, Gina and Faye, said back in March, pleasure is usually the first thing overlooked in moments of crisis. But pleasure is an important way to self-soothe, reconnect mind and body, and remember that you are worthy of joy. As Wellness listening spiked in the following weeks, it was clear that the message resonated.

Then, as studios closed around the world, our audio team worked tirelessly to help actors record from their homes, keeping our partners working and our listeners listening. 

## Turning up the volume 

Over the course of the year, listenership __increased over 80%__, culminating in an incredible __37.3 million listening minutes__ on Dipsea. That’s a whole lot of “oohs” and “ahhs” and “mmms” and “yeaas.”

2020 was the year that Dipsea truly went global. We had listeners tuning in and turning on from all 50 states, and a total of 155 countries. And every place seemed to have their favorite stories.

The folks in __Boston__ had a particular interest in “Lecture Me” (looking at you Ivy Leaguers), while the beach babes in __Florida__ couldn’t get enough of “Salty” (welcome to Margaritaville). In __England__, people warmed up with “Extra Hot.” And in __Australia__, people loved “After Hours.” Guess the only thing hotter than the sun Down Under, are the dads.

This year, timing mattered too. It looks like everyone was trying to start their week off right because __Sundays__ were the most popular day listen, while __Wednesday__ failed to live up to it’s Hump Day title. 

2020 was also the year that __Freddie__ came out on top. We don’t pick favorites, of course, but you all certainly did, and no character was more sought after. 

<div style="max-width: 350px; margin: 0 auto;">
<img 
src="//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/6CcZE4xsmPm0oYnHPycrHY/d22b52f335ebf4da002dbd560cb98bb9/IMG_1822.jpg"/>
</div>
<br><br>

## We weren’t done yet

In __July__ we partnered with podcast company QCODE to sponsor ”Dirty Diana” starring __Demi Moore__, which was quickly picked up by Amazon Studios to be turned into a TV show. 

In __October__ we launched __Continuous Play__, a whole new way to listen to multiple stories seamlessly, along with some exciting new personalized sections of the app. 

<div style="max-width: 350px; margin: 0 auto;">
<img 
src="//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/6b36n9ZTKdhpKfcFh96qvK/0216c17c2f6f82ff596b6f62a5082f9c/IMG_1823.jpg"/>
</div>
<br><br>

As we neared the holidays, we still had one more gift left to give. [__Sleep by Dipsea__](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/dipsea-sleep-stories/) went live in __December__. We created a world of Sleep content because we knew we were already in bed with our listeners. Now you can get turned on and wind down all in one place.

## Social butterflies 

The next time you’re having a down day, may we suggest checking out [Dipsea's Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/dipseastories/)? It’s been amazing watching the sense of curiousity, support, and love that's fostered there. In 2020 our community grew from __40K__ to __60K__ to __80K__. We're so grateful for each and every one of you! Our [most-liked post](https://www.instagram.com/p/CF5AIg5H6Fj/?igshid=1no7vog2mkyhm) was about masturbating in front of a mirror, which just felt right. In our most-watched story, our followers shared their [top tips for more satisfying hookups](https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/17847102890411173/), and in our most-commented post people shared their [strange turn-ons](https://www.instagram.com/p/CC_jcmxH49K/). You got weird, and we love you for it. Thank you for being vulnerable, and for continuing to help us break down the barriers around pleasure—it’s so beautiful to see.

<div class="instagram-post">
  <iframe src="https://www.instagram.com/p/CF5AIg5H6Fj/embed" 
        width="500" 
        height="656" 
        frameborder="0" 
        scrolling="yes" 
        allowtransparency="true">
  </iframe>
</div>
<br><br><br>

It wasn’t a surprise that in a year where people spent so much time apart, that __Friends Become More__, __Coworker__, and __Threesome__ were the most searched terms in the app. Everyone was missing those little moments of connection: stolen glances, slipping past someone in a tight hallway, eye contact across the bar. The moments that spark a little something in you and make you feel. Just feel! And while nothing may ever compare to IRL butterflies, we’re so happy we could be a little rush of joy for you this year. 

So cheers to you—you made it through 2020! Here’s to more pleasure, more rest, more joy, more time to connect with our bodies, and continuing to explore all the ways to make ourselves feel good. We’re only just getting started.

Xoxo, 
<br>The Dipsea Team

2020

Dipsea 2020 year in review

Happy endings are kind of our thing, which is why we want to help you have the happiest ending of all: a good night’s sleep at the end of a long day. 

Today we’re launching [Sleep by Dipsea](https://app.dipseastories.com/sleep). The same app, the same sexy stories and wellness sessions, now with a new world of relaxing stories, sounds, and scenes designed to lull you into dreamland. 

![Listen Screen Bedtime Story](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/50Yw90elRAdHcl0dvvU5NP/6e258e8a9a378a8330491a82b295e188/Listen_Screen_Bedtime_Story.png)

Just like sexuality, sleep is precious and powerful. From the beginning, we’ve created safe, immersive stories that break down the walls to accessing your sexuality. Now we also offer immersive content designed to wind you down rather than turn you on. So after you listen to a sexy story, you can put on a sleep scene, suspend your state of pleasure, and find restful sleep more easily.

The development of Sleep by Dipsea has been a long time coming. We began including more aftercare into our stories after hearing that you wanted more time to wind down at the end of an episode. Now after a sex scene ends, a character might make a cup of tea, or offer a back rub. Sleep by Dipsea is an even more intentional exhale. We’re closing the loop on your whole bedtime routine – maybe even helping you create a new one.

Over the last two years, we saw that most people were listening to Dipsea at bedtime, between 9pm and 1am. We also knew that 30% of our listeners were coming to us specifically when they couldn’t fall asleep. Every night we’re already invited under duvets, tucked under pillows, placed on nightstands. So we asked ourselves, why not stay with our listeners for longer?

We did our research, and were shocked by what we found. Did you know over half of adults struggle to fall asleep on a regular basis? And that women are almost twice as likely to experience this struggle than men?

When we asked our Instagram followers if they had trouble sleeping, those statistics really came to life. More than half of you said you have trouble falling and staying asleep, and 60% of you said that it often takes more than 15 minutes to doze off. All that means a whopping 76% of you feel tired throughout the day. And over half of you said the COVID-19 pandemic has made it even harder to get rest (yup, that checks out!). 

But you know what’s really interesting? Most people say they have better sleep after masturbating. And for good reason. When you have an orgasm, you release hormones like serotonin, vasopressin, endorphins, oxytocin, norepinephrine – all little signals from your brain that you’re allowed to chill. So what better way to end a ménage à moi than by seamlessly queuing sleep sounds right after, or by choosing an immersive bedtime story or scene designed by the talented Dipsea production team. 

You can find Sleep by Dipsea on all of our apps (iOS, Android, and Web) in the Sleep tab. We’re launching with three unique types of Sleep content, Sleep Overs, Bedtime Stories, and Soundscapes.

![Sleep Page](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/6rHL32YwXRwbVsYviphR9A/166324d1700b25a8920375c08643dcf5/Sleep_Page.png)

Sleep Overs let you fall asleep in the presence of characters you know and love. You can get tucked in by Mark, the yoga instructor, James the professor, or Emmy the masseuse, and then drift off while they stay near. Sleep Overs are all about comfort and closeness. Think back to when you were younger when you might have felt comforted by the sound of family in the next room while you drifted off, or the times you’ve napped while a partner or friend was working in the next room. Sleep Overs offer that same sense of cozy with some of your favorite Dipsea characters. 

Bedtime Stories are sensual, mellow, narrative stories designed to relax you instead of turn you on. They’re the closest to what people have come to expect from Dipsea, but rather than being hot and heavy, these are sleepy stories with just enough plot to let your mind meander. 

Soundscapes are soothing and familiar sounds designed to help you drift into sleep. Imagine a cabin fireplace or a cozy rainstorm. In the app, you can even queue these Soundscapes after a story, in intervals of 30, 45, or 60 minutes. Or, if you prefer, you can access them via the Sleep tab and play them on their own. 

After a long day, it’s far too easy to let our most personal and intimate time be invaded by the world at large – especially now, when our homes have become our offices, our restaurants, our meeting spaces, and our vacation spots. It can be difficult to pull ourselves away. 

We encourage you to make time for yourself, for pleasure, and for rest. [Sleep by Dipsea](https://app.dipseastories.com/sleep) in an invitation to stop scrolling, and to start listening. To build, or rebuild, a better bedtime habit. 

Sweet dreams!

The Dipsea Team

Sleep-Launch

Sleep has arrived at Dipsea

__This 2020 for Pride Weekend, we're unlocking all our queer stories and making them free for the community from June 26 - June 30. Enjoy!__

When almost half of Dipsea employees are members of the LGBTQ community, and over 30% of the content available in our app is queer, it can be hard to pick our favorite stories! However, this Pride season, that’s exactly what we asked our team to do. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it. 

Stories about queer pleasure are so, so important. But unfortunately, they're still rare in the media landscape, leaving queer folks with less representation for what healthy and pleasurable sex, real communication, and loving relationships look and sound like. We’re proud to tell these stories at Dipsea, and to reflect back the power that exists in queer sensuality. 

Whether they’re hot and heavy one-night-stands, or stories that follow characters as they connect over several episodes, there’s a lot of amazing queer content where sparks fly in the Dipseaverse. We’ve picked some of our favorites, and you can find [all our queer content here](https://app.dipseastories.com/categories/queer-stories-category)!




<div style="max-width: 500px; margin: 0 auto;">  
<h2>Tailormade</h2>
<a href="https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/tailormade">
<img src="//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/7BeSqOWmVZaaWaex15PEDK/556d7aca240bf10e9408d0962f11ede4/500-274_Tailor_GunKarlsson-fs8.png"/>
</a>

__THEM + THEM • HOOKUP • INTIMATE__

"It’s pretty impossible to choose an absolute favorite queer story, but Tailormade is definitely at the top of my list. The acting is golden and the characters exude a sweet and natural intimacy with each other. In the story, we get an inner glimpse into the thoughts of Kai, who is crushing on their irresistibly charming tailor, El. Kai feels seen and safe when El notices subtle details about their body as they design the perfect suit for them. The progression to their hook up is slow and subtle. I love the moments where we lean into Kai’s breath as El slowly comes closer to do their measurements. I can practically hear my own heartbeat as I wait for what happens next! Also, insider secret: this story features one of Dipsea’s very first puns (you can hear it at the 3:07 mark!), which could have come across as cheesy if the actor wasn’t such a dream machine." [Listen here.](https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/tailormade)

— Angela, Senior Audio Producer
</div>
<br><br><br>

<div style="max-width: 500px; margin: 0 auto;">  
<h2>Memory Lane</h2>
<a href="https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/memory-lane">
<img src="//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/1cACx7yZhrMf3habsjngPP/b73d641df54f894e541c5179f7b6d634/500-255_MemoryLane_AureliaDurand-fs8.png"/>
</a>

__HER + HER • HOOKUP • PAST LOVE__

"Memory Lane is a story about a woman’s first encounter with a childhood crush, who she hasn’t seen for years. This story celebrates coming out without ever mentioning coming out—only the juicy reward of a steamy reunion with the hottest girl back home. And to top it all off, there’s a moment in the sound design when the main character sees her crush from across the room and the rest of the room fades away—that is absolute ecstasy!" [Listen here.](https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/memory-lane)

— Emily, Staff Writer
</div>
<br><br><br>

<div style="max-width: 500px; margin: 0 auto;">  
<h2>Inked</h2>

<a href="https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/the-shop-ii">
<img src="//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/g31WuQmcjZX3xMA5n6JvN/32ec65026506c2d957713492f2726239/resized-500-241_TheShopQueer_LouisaCannell-fs8.png"/>
</a>

__HER + HER • HOOKUP • OFF LIMITS__

"I love this story about Jess going to get a tattoo from Ciara. There’s something about Ciara that I just can’t get out of my head! Maybe it’s the image I have of her—shaved head, covered in tattoos—maybe it’s her voice, or maybe it’s how even though Jess’s friend warns her that Ciara is bad news, Jess just can’t resist…" [Listen here.](https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/the-shop-ii)

— Selene, Audio Producer
</div>
<br><br><br>

<div style="max-width: 500px; margin: 0 auto;">  
<h2>Commando</h2>
<a href="https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/commando">
<img src="//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/IaLx74fPpErG99kY24RKG/4f45e7575836d3a2abc5d9ccdc2aa995/500-190_Commando-fs8.png"/>
</a>

__HIM + HIM + HIM • OPEN RELATIONSHIP • THREESOME__

Commando celebrates the gay club scene and sex-positivity with consensual, sexy, steamy play. In our Covid-19 reality, I can escape into a pre-2020 dancing fantasy for Pride. Gay dance clubs are celebrations of sexual identity and exploration plus stress release all packed into four hours of pumping music. We could use a little of that right now! [Listen here.](https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/commando)

— Dan, Staff Engineer
</div>
<br><br><br>

<div style="max-width: 500px; margin: 0 auto;">  
<h2>Open Floor Plan II</h2>
<a href="https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/open-floor-plan-ii">
<img src="//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/xbJaKzhgnTAF62XIPBzPv/a2b9799bf1e4d16d35240c321f860017/500-283_OpenFloorPlan2_AureliaDurand-fs8.png"/>
</a>

__HER + HER • COUPLE • DOMINANCE__

"This series follows Liz and Sevyn, a couple moving into their first apartment together. They have such a natural chemistry between them—I love watching their relationship evolve. In each episode, they try something new together, and it’s always with an openness and curiosity which I think is very special. In this episode, they experiment with a little power play—making a relatable scenario at home into a kinky adventure." [Listen here.](https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/open-floor-plan-ii)

— Olivia, Content Editor
</div>
<br><br><br>

<div style="max-width: 500px; margin: 0 auto;">  
<h2>Get Intimate With Ari</h2>
<a href="https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/stay-in-bed-with-ari">
<img src="//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/5dWNG5Vk01lU304pokpavp/6552bfbe4d6455d89573750de62bb67d/500-264_InBedwithAri-fs8.png"/>
</a>

__HER + YOU • HOOKUP • OFF LIMITS__

"I love this piece because Ari from our Les Rebound series speaks directly to you while your bodies are intertwined under the sheets. She knows exactly what she wants, and isn’t afraid to tell you. The intimacy in this piece makes you feel like you’re in a sweet summer tryst with a touch of escapism. It’s giving you sweet pillow talk between strained, turned on whispers. It’s giving you fanfic meets dirty talk meets a total babe worshiping your body, just the way it is. It’s giving you 'I can love you better than she can' and 'tell ’em you're my girl' Syd the Kid vibes. Ari is ready to risk it all for you and moan directly into your soul." [Listen here.](https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/stay-in-bed-with-ari)

—Kristina, Storytelling Lead
</div>
<br><br><br>

<div style="max-width: 500px; margin: 0 auto;">  
<h2>Pisces Season</h2>
<a href="https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/pisces-season">
<img src="//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/6m0RnvSWJxKDRRwsyFHXqH/327ed021cad8c81507ff13c0263d2c5f/500-275_PiscesSeason_Gabriella-fs8.png"/>
</a>


__HER + HER • HOOKUP • ATHLETIC__

"A slightly biased choice because I'm a Pisces, but Pisces Season is my favorite story! It's about a woman named Evelyn, who flew to visit her boyfriend in California. When she arrived, he breaks up with her. Lost in thoughts, powered by emotion, she goes on a run down the beach. Brit, a surf instructor, appears looking for her no-show surf student. Instead, she offers Evelyn to paddle out with her. The sound of crashing waves, seagulls in the air, Brit cheering on in the background, makes you feel like you just caught your first wave. Everything feels unreal, new, and exciting. The personality vibes and first experience with a woman is fun and very, very sexy." [Listen here.](https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/pisces-season)

— Vicky, Software Engineer 
</div>
<br><br><br>

<div style="max-width: 500px; margin: 0 auto;">  
<h2>Firsts I</h2>
<a href="https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/firsts-i">
<img src="//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/1xtD5g70yZ3Dpga0pzdChU/a764887869ed3323544fcc9e0af0a7e4/500-248_firstsI_ElenaMiska-fs8.png"/>
</a>

__HIM + HIM • HOOKUP • ANAL PLAY__

"It’s such a relatable thing, telling a new partner about the people you’ve slept with in the past. You answer questions from your new boo, and talk about your experience in more detail than you normally would with just a friend. And if it’s a good recounting, both of you are probably left feeling a little flushed and turned on.

The conceit of Firsts I is exactly this—we, the listeners, are listening in on Sean telling his new girlfriend, Heather, about his first time having sex with a man. But instead of just getting details about the hookup (as we would with a new partner on planet Earth), in the Dipseaverse we are sonically transported into the room, and get to listen to the hookup happen in real time. The sound design in this story is so simple, but so effective. The rain that is present throughout the story, from scene to scene creates an intimacy between the listener and the characters. It’s one of my all time faves, and I’m sure it will be one of yours, too!" [Listen here.](https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/firsts-i)

— Kara, Associate Audio Producer
</div>
<br><br><br>


<div style="max-width: 500px; margin: 0 auto;">  
<h2>Hooked</h2>
<a href="https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/hooked">
<img src="//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/zJ1ETpTPpPDSyay3LPjvI/b1f022d9979547299e7be6b3db880519/500-163_Hooked.png"/>
</a>

__HER + HER • DOMINANCE • ATHLETIC__

"Hooked is the story of Eve, a woman who owns a boxing gym, and her intense hook up with one of her students. Eve is one of the original Dipsea hunks—a mythological hottie, who in real life, would be totally unattainable. But in the Dipseaverse, she only has eyes for you." [Listen here.](https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/hooked)

— Emily, Staff Writer
</div>
<br><br><br>

<div style="max-width: 500px; margin: 0 auto;">  
<h2>From The Top</h2>
<a href="https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/from-the-top">
<img src="//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/1VvcEJx7YX7I9TSySgqlDB/d7441d3652575554e54aaa5c77852e13/resized-500-161_FromTheTop_AmberVittoria-fs8.png"/>
</a>

__HER + THEM • HOOKUP • TRANS NON-BINARY__

"From the Top is about two dancers on a K-Pop team. This story gives off major early 2000’s dance competition movie energy, think Step Up, Save the Last Dance, and Bring it On… but with the queerness center stage. I also love that it’s a celebration of pleasure in all forms—the pleasure of finding a new friend you connect with, of being in your body, of pushing yourself to try something new." [Listen here.](https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/from-the-top)

— Olivia, Content Editor

Dipsea Offers Free Access to Queer Content for Pride

2020-Pride

Dipsea offers free access to queer content for Pride

At the beginning of March, we unlocked our library of Wellness and How To sessions until April 30th. Which means, you have two weeks left to listen to 33 sessions (and counting!). Looking for meaningful ways to connect with your partner? Ready to deepen your self-care practice? Need a reminder to slow down and destress? Whether you’re looking to try something new, connect with yourself or a partner, or unwind after a long day—we have just the right session for you.
<br><br>
__TRY SOMETHING NEW__
<br><br>
Maybe you’ve been masturbating more than usual and you want to switch things up. Or, maybe there’s something you’ve been curious about trying but you haven’t had the time. Here are our favorite wellness pieces for trying something new:
<br><br>
__BDSM Series__
<br><br>
In this [series](https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/defining-bdsm), BDSM educator, Yin Q, teaches you how to identify your kinks, establish boundaries, and map out your aftercare practice. Ready to explore different power dynamics? Look out for two new sessions coming out this Sunday— “Dom Role Play” and “Sub Role Play.” 
<br><br>
__Dirty Talk__
<br><br>
Have you ever tried to say something sexy, but you froze instead? Or, if you did manage to say something, you thought it sounded weird? Well, we’ve all been there. Which is why we teamed up with sex educator, Tina Horn, to create a three-part Dirty Talk series. In these sessions, you’ll [build your erotic vocabulary](https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/dirty-talk-basics), [practice talking out loud](https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/dirty-talk-out-loud), and [tackle the taboo](https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/dirty-talk-taboos) that’s been holding you back.
<br><br><br><br>
__CONNECT WITH A PARTNER__
<br><br>
Whether you’re self-isolating with your partner or you’ve suddenly found yourself in a long-distance relationship, quarantine is a great time to find new ways to connect! Here are our top picks for partner exploration:
<br><br>
__Partner Massage__
<br><br>
In this three-part series, an expert massage therapist will walk you through how to give [a head, neck, and back massage](https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/partner-massage-i), [a hand massage](https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/partner-massage-ii), and [a foot massage](https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/partner-massage-iii). Break out the massage oil, get comfortable, and unwind with your partner after a long day.
<br><br>
__12 Questions__
<br><br>
Looking for a fun date night idea? Check out our [12 Question series](https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/12-questions-part-i)! It’s our spin on the [36 questions that lead to love](https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/11/style/36-questions-that-lead-to-love.html). Play along with a partner, either IRL or on FaceTime, and discover your deepest desires together with questions like, “What’s something you’re excited to try sexually that you haven’t yet?” and “Do you have a go-to fantasy when you’re masturbating?”
<br><br><br><br>
__CONNECT WITH YOURSELF__
<br><br>
In times of stress, it’s easy to become disconnected from ourselves. Self-care and pleasure tend to be low on our list of priorities. But now, more than ever, we need to find ways to fill our cups. So set aside some time to take care of the most important person in your life—you.
<br><br>
__Self Touch: Edging__
<br><br>
Has your self touch ritual turned into a routine? Mix it up with an edging exercise! In [this session](https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/self-touch-edging), you’ll use your vibrator to control the rhythm and pace of your orgasm instead of rushing through. Stay tuned for Edging 2.0, coming out next Sunday, 4/26!
<br><br>
__Self Love Languages__
<br><br>
Sometimes self-care can feel like a buzzword. And if you’re stressed or struggling to connect with yourself, a face mask might not be enough. In ["Self Love Languages,"](https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/self-love-languages) you'll learn how to use the love languages framework to identify and practice deeper ways to care for yourself.
<br><br><br><br>
__UNWIND__
<br><br>
Are you spending an unprecedented amount of time on Instagram? Have you given up on a sleep schedule? Does each day seem to blend into the next? We’re right there with you! Here are a few sessions that will help you press pause and recenter:
<br><br>
__Breathwork__
<br><br>
In this three-part series, psychologist and breathwork expert, Eva Kazcor, will help you harness your breath for transformation. In the [first session](https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/breathing-deeply-basics), you’ll learn how to shift your mood for greater relaxation, paving the way for a deeper connection to your erotic self. In [session two](https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/breathing-deeply-orgasmic-breath), things heat up as you explore orgasmic breathing techniques. And in the [final session](https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/breathing-deeply-partner-connection), Eva creates a space for you and a partner to reconnect, relax, and get turned on.
<br><br>
__Erotic Meditation__
<br><br>
Looking for an escape? We’ve got just the thing—erotic meditations. In [“Erotic Meditation: Sail,”](https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/erotic-meditation-sail) board your own private vessel in the Mediterranean, relax on the deck, and feel the power you hold over a young fisherman who’s watching you from afar. But don’t stop there... In [“Erotic Meditation: Float,”](https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/erotic-meditation-float) sink your toes into the cool sand of a secluded beach. When you’re sunning yourself, open your eyes to see a man emerge from the water and lay down on the towel next to you.


wellness-sessions

Top picks: wellness sessions

To celebrate the upcoming release of “Last Call,” a story about an actress who has a steamy threesome with her friend and a cute bartender, we interviewed our muse for the story—sex icon, Erin Clark. Listen to the story this Sunday, 3/29, on the [Dipsea app](https://app.dipseastories.com/)!

## So, Erin, tell us a bit about yourself. Where are you from? Where do you live currently?

I am from Canada and I am currently in Canada. It’s the first time in almost a decade I am living where I started. I tend to put my whole life into what I want to explore or create, which has found me living on an island in British Columbia, in New York City and a small Catalan town in Spain. I have been back in Canada for less than a year, and I am ready to discover something new. I’m not sure where or what that will be yet, so for now I am enjoying having all my books in one place and close by. And by close by, I mean next to me in bed. I curl up like a cat and wake up half reading. It’s been a gentle, restoring interlude between adventures. 

## What do you do for work? How do you spend your free time?

I am a writer and an aerialist and pole dancer. I write, train, make short films and take photos. I don’t have a traditional separation between work and not work. Performing, creating and adventuring blend together in a way that I find very pleasant and productive. I have to be conscious of my physical limits all the time, in every moment. A planned separation of resting time and working time will fall apart very quickly so I don’t organize them in different categories.  

## Based on your Instagram posts, it seems like you love to travel. Where is the most romantic place you’ve ever been?

It depends on the kind of romance we’re talking about. Of course, Paris. I love to shop for lingerie and eat french pastries and take selfies with parisian monuments and flirt. When I’m in Paris, Paris is my lover. It’s a glamorous, yet impersonal love. Paris is everyone’s lover.  

The most personally romantic place I’ve been was Oranjemund, Namibia. I spent two months in the middle of the desert where I didn’t know anyone, in a very small mining town. I met my generous and entertaining neighbours, I made great friends, the balance between being left alone and being in company was perfect. I got to spend a night camping under the full moon, scrambling and swimming and driving and exploring one of the most compelling environments I’d ever known, four-wheeling up and down massive sand dunes, having barbeque and learning the styles of weather that happen in a desert that I have never felt before. And while all the adventure and connection was happening, I wrote the first draft of my memoir from beginning to end. A place that satisfies my adventure lust, fuels my creative energy so I can complete a massive project and then cradles me in a supportive balance between social and solitude is the height of romance for me. 

## You’re often referred to, by yourself and others, as a sex icon. How did you come to coin this term and what does it mean to you?

Sex Icon was born on a stage in New York City. My friend Laura von Holt and I started an aerial comedy duo called Flaming Mermaid Broken Star. 

The hot issue of being a disabled aerialist is how to control the narrative of the spectacle. If you have a wheelchair on stage, the audience has a tendency to automatically experience whatever you do as ‘inspiring’. Partly, that’s the social script. Disabled people doing things is ‘inspiring’ and that’s…. it.  I believe it’s also a defense against the taboo of judging disabled people. If I do a bad job on stage, the audience feels bad for noticing, not bad for being put through that experience. So, I sometimes get the impression that, when it comes to performance, ‘inspiring’ is used in place of ‘uncomfortable’ and a lot of potentially important dialogue is lost. I could go on for ages about standards and who sets them and how ableism ruins it for everyone, but that’s not what you asked. 

Laura and I had to figure out how to let the audience feel whatever they were going to feel but also give us room to suggest that they feel what we, as the performers, intended them to feel as well. Somehow, we needed to acknowledge that we understood the interaction came with a prescription of inspiration and then suggest we ignore it and do our own thing together. 

Thus, I became a sex icon. In the timing of the performance, there were moments we knew the audience would expect to be given an explanation of my chair - a curiosity I trusted they had the maturity to endure. The chair was not relevant to the skits we were performing and it wasn’t among the information they needed to trust me to tell those stories. We weren’t there for a symposium on disability. Our show was absurd and comedic. But if there’s a gun on stage… So instead, we’d lead them up to the edge of disclosure, a kind of seduction they knew we knew they wanted. Would we give it to them? 

“Everyone can tell there is something different about me.” I say during our introduction. “And I don’t feel right going on with the show until I address it."

*Laura turns to look at me. It’s like I’m the only person in the room.* 

*“As you can see, I am using….”*

*Laura sucks in her breath. She is about to hear something she’s been dying to know.  Something possibly wondrous. Maybe something disastrous.* 

*“...a microphone.”* 

*I point to a completely invisible LAV mic. The audience laughs. Laura holds her astonishment.* 

*“Go on.” Laura says.* 

*“It’s because I’m a Sex Icon. And I have to do a lot of kegel exercises and smoldering.” I smolder at the audience, pant slightly so they can hear the effort of a kegel. “Which makes it hard to project my voice, so I require audio augmentation.”* 

*“Wow, Thank you for sharing that with us.” Laura says with utter sincerity.*  

*We don't give them what they thought they wanted. We give them what they don't know they can ask for. They trust us. Now we can tell more interesting stories than the dusty, medical-file version of my presence.* 

A wheelchair is as superficial as sex appeal. They carry the same amount of innate meaning. What you know about me through my wheelchair is the same amount of information you would know about someone you think of as sexy just by being attracted to them. Which is, nothing. They are both literally meaningless. 

What I personally loved about superimposing the symbolism of sexiness with the wheelchair is how sex is considered a form of power and a wheelchair is considered a symbol of ultimate disempowerment. Overlapping them let us explore a lot of nuanced and interconnected elements of power and who has it and what is it for just by having my character on stage. 

After I left New York, I started to post on Instagram as the character. I would take dramatic, high-contrast selfies all over the world and write vignettes in second person as a way of playing with the projections of what a disabled person’s life means. I wrote as if the things that were happening to me, that were entirely outside of typical disability narratives, were happening to the reader. But I got to define the meaning instead of disability-through-the-lens-of-society that was usually projected onto me. 

Over time, that took on it’s own life. People started to refer to #sexicon moments when they felt a striking sense of self love or had a moment of particular intimacy they hadn’t noticed in that way before. When they were making choices to empower themselves or chose their own narrative. It was no longer just about sex or disability, it was about being. And how to nurture it. The audience created that as much as I did.

## What are your thoughts on the representation of disability in the media?

It’s coming. I see disabled characters in television series that make me feel so excited to be a creator and writer and performer in this time. There are still pervasive stereotypes that limit what stories ‘the media’ will let disabled people tell.  And I am passionate about telling the kind of stories in which we are not being observed like animals in a zoo, but we are the guides and ushers into experiences that allow the audience to see something new in themselves. Like all great storytelling, it’s not just that you see a character, it’s the potential that character holds, the world they inhabit and their ability to draw you into it for yourself. People with disabilities are also carriers of potential, of realms and wonderings and knowings. I’d like to see those stories honoured with the same sprawl as the non-disabled.

## You recently collaborated with our staff writer, Emily, on the story, “Last Call.” What was that experience like? How did you approach fictionalizing your own experience for the story?

I loved working with Emily. When she first reached out to me, I confessed to her that I could come up with scenarios and character development all day, but when it came to the sex act... it wasn’t the part that excited me. 

Seeing as how it’s kind of the key element for Dipsea, I expected that to be the end of it. But Emily suggested a collaboration that really worked to maximize my strengths and make the story the best it could be.  Which, in a way, is what good sex does. It’s not focused on the payoff in the most mechanical terms, it’s focused on the process and drawing out the depth of pleasure for the parties involved, each one supporting the other to create something together each of them couldn’t create on their own. 

It was one of the most sexually explicit conversations of my life, entirely without embarrasment, which is a gift I wish we gave to each other more often: talking about sex without shame. We’d go from where the head of one guy’s penis would be when the other guy was holding her up from behind and then dovetail into these philosophical and political tangents along the way. It was exhilarating on it’s own terms, and then I got paid. For my expertise, essentially, in pleasure. That’s pretty life affirming. 

The other thing I loved was that Emily wrote the script. I was the source material. This was special to me because I don’t think representation of disabled people is bad because abled bodied people do it. I think it’s bad because they don’t listen. Emily listened. I sent her links to videos of me on a photo shoot where my lover (at the time) is stroking my wheelchair rims and lifting me out of my chair so she could see the choreography of romance with a wheelchair for herself. I sent her links to pieces I had written with elements of erotica in them. I answered questions she came up with as she worked on the script and together we brainstormed a sex act and then I described the mechanics and logistics that would get my body into those positions and what I might be feeling while it happened.

It was satisfying to me to provide the material in a way that is different than being the author directly. I have poured so much of myself into the things I have created. For the very conscious and deliberate purpose of expanding the imaginations of non-disabled people as well as feeding the souls of disabled people. The fact that Emily could take so much from them and render a story in which I could see myself reflected was very confirming. 

In order for representation of disability to improve, we have to create — we have to generate material from inside our experiences — and we have to collaborate. Knowing my work had enough stability and substance to contribute to an able bodied writer rendering a sexual encounter that includes a disabled character vividly and erotically is profoundly rewarding. 

## What is your favorite part of the story and why?

My favourite part is when Liv goes “I want you to get each other warmed up. And then… make it all about me.”  I laughed out loud at that part - that’s the most sex icon thing she could say. I could go on and on about what exactly I appreciate about the way Liv’s disability is woven into the scene, but what I truly love is that it doesn’t matter. It’s not instructional, it’s not a statement, the characters are hot for each other, so they fuck. It’s meant to be experienced. It’s meant to be hot. It’s meant to bring arousal to any kind of body that finds arousal in it. Including a body like mine. 

Find Erin on Instagram at [@erinunleashes](https://www.instagram.com/erinunleashes/ "@erinunleashes") <3

Dipsea-Muse

Meet Dipsea muse, Erin Clark

In the current global crisis, we’re all facing a lot of uncertainty. With constant news updates, endless social media posts, and recommended social distancing, our collective anxiety levels are high. Now, more than ever, we need to take care of ourselves and our communities.

In times of crisis, pleasure is often overlooked. But we can’t let ourselves forget to feel alive in the midst of struggle. At its core, pleasure is an opportunity to check in with yourself, a way to self-soothe, and a reminder that you are worthy of joy.

Dipsea has proven to be a source of solace, escape, and eroticism for many in the last several days: since the beginning of March, daily signups have more than doubled. The majority of this spike in traffic has come from New York and California, states where most public spaces have already been closed. We only expect this trend to grow. 

As a company whose mission is to empower people to access their sexuality more easily and on their terms, we believe we have an important responsibility to help our greater community during these difficult times. 

From now until April 30th, anyone can access all of the Wellness and How-To content on our [iOS app](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dipsea-sexy-audio-stories/id1434242889?_branch_match_id=650846696706996964), [Android app](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dipsea&_branch_match_id=650846696706996964), or [web app](https://app-qa.dipseastories.com/wellness) for free. While Dipsea is best known for its sexy stories, our library of Wellness and How-To content is designed to help people develop their pleasure and self care practices. In these sessions, we cover everything from edging to meditation, from dirty talk to breathwork—so you’ll have plenty to explore over the next six weeks.

Need to unwind after a long day of work calls? Transition into a relaxing evening with “Sensual Recentering." Looking for some new self care ideas? Get to know yourself with “Self Love Languages.” Want to spend quality time with your partner in a meaningful way? Try one of our “Partner Pleasure” sessions. Are you stuck far from your person because of travel restrictions? Binge the “12 Questions” series to help you stay connected.

With focus, intention, and the right resources, we can all use this time to turn inward, to learn how to love ourselves deeply and compassionately. Remember, we’re all in this together.

With love,
The Dipsea Team


We believe it's important to care for our community. That's why Dipsea is offering free access to all wellness content. Tune in, wind down, care for yourself.

Dipsea offers free access to all wellness content during COVID.

Free-For-April

Dipsea offers free access to all wellness sessions until end of April

When we first launched Dipsea in December 2018, it was with a mobile app. Starting out that way made a lot of sense. We loved the idea of a curated place in your pocket, a sea of stories you could dip into whenever and wherever you wanted. 

In the beginning, Dipsea stories were more flirtatiously sexy than explicit. We imagined people listening on the bus ride home as easily as they might before a date, or at bedtime. We thought of listening more like a way to enter a sensual state of mind – like foreplay for your brain. But more and more users started telling us that they loved the sensual scenes as much as they loved the story build up. Dipsea stories started to evolve. The sex scenes became longer. Partners having sex in our stories were communicative, their pleasure sounded un-performative, and their interactions felt real. Because no one else was portraying sex quite like that, listeners were really excited by it. As a content studio, we began to really hit our stride. 

__More at-home, in-bed listening__

Naturally as Dipsea stories became more explicit, bus ride listening started to decline (although some of you are still out there and that rules. Power to you!). And bedtime listening went up! 9PM-1AM is Dipsea primetime in any given timezone. This was our first hint that a web app could be a great new way for listeners to access Dipsea content. By being accessible on any browser, we could empower listeners to transition out of work brain by simply closing their email and switching over to Dipsea right from their laptops. Plenty of users told us they brought their computers or iPads to bed, so a web listening experience would make a lot of sense for them. We also heard something from listeners that really surprised us... 

__Headphone free listening__

Over the course of several subscriber surveys, more than 60% of you said that you listen to Dipsea out loud. We heard from people that, whether they were under their duvets alone or with their partners, many liked to listen to Dipsea without any headphones at all.  We thought that was pretty cool, and another strong indication that a web app would be a great new experience for our users. 

__Platform freedom__

Then in October of 2019, Dipsea was removed from the Google Play Store. It was an illuminating moment for us: even though society has made so much progress becoming more comfortable with the idea of healthy sexuality as an aspect of wellness, sexuality—particularly as it relates to women—is still deeply misunderstood. Dipsea has received an overwhelmingly positive response from our listeners and from the mainstream media, but the truth is that we were still beholden to a big platform to provide access to Android-using customers.

While we believe we’ll be able to cooperate with Google in the long term, we decided to take matters into our own hands and build our own platform. 

__The Dipsea Web App__ 

For the past three months, the Dipsea product team has worked tirelessly to translate our mobile app experience to your [browsers](https://app.dipseastories.com/). You’ll now be able to access stories and sessions from any mobile device, tablet, or desktop computer. It’s a whole new way to listen to Dipsea and a huge win in our quest to make our stories accessible to as many users as possible. It also means we can invite Android users back into the Dipseaverse. It’s an exciting day! 

To those of you who have been waiting to listen, we’re grateful for your patience. And to those of you who have followed along, sent your heartfelt testimonials (mystory@dipseastories.com), and believed in our mission to help people tap into their sexuality on their own terms and feel more empowered in their lives—THANK YOU! 

Check out our new web app [here](https://app.dipseastories.com/)!

Much love,
Team Dipsea

Web-App

Dipsea launches its web app

<p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">Ready to try something new? Dipsea has you covered.</p>

<p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">Dipsea is an app for Sexy Stories, Sleep Scenes, and Wellness Sessions designed to turn you on and then tuck you in. You can download Dipsea from the App Store, Google Play Store, or online at app.dipseastories.com.</p>

<div class="blog-cta-centered">
  <a
    class="blog-cta-purple-pill"
    href="https://app.dipseastories.com/?utm_source=web&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=2019favoritestoriesblog"
  >
    Try Dipsea Free
  </a>
</div>

And that’s a wrap! To celebrate the past year, seven of our team members share their favorite stories from 2019. From sexual exploration to second chances with old flames, these stories are all unique in their own way. Some are sonically adventurous, relying on music and sensual sounds to support the narrative. Others are more character-driven, utilizing narration and dialogue to explore desire. Whatever you’re into, there’s something on this list for you! We hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

__F Train II__

Honestly every Dipsea story has a special place in my heart, but one of my favorites from 2019 is definitely "F Train II." It’s about Liza and Alex, exes who famously reconnect in "F Train I." This time around, they’re back together officially and ready to experiment, specifically with pegging. I love that this story goes to a place that some might consider taboo, but in a super casual, open, non-judgemental way. Also, any story where a woman is taking the lead as a dom-top is my kind of story!

— Garrett Schlichte, Operations Manager

__Virgo Season__

One of my favorites from 2019 is "Virgo Season." In the story, Allison is in charge of a big project and seeks out the advice of a creative director she used to work with named Louis. She meets him at his studio, and realizes the intimacy of getting a better sense of someone after seeing their space. The two are opposites, and they clash, but that only makes their attraction more intense. I love that Allison is such a boss babe. She knows what she wants, and how to make it a reality. But she also likes when someone pushes back a little, or disagrees with her in a way that actually changes her mind. Louis is kind of her perfect foil, but in her Virgo brain she never saw him that way. Their hookup is all business, a little rough, and I guarantee neither of them sent a "That was really fun!" text message the next morning. And you know what? Sometimes it's even hotter that way.

— Gina Gutierrez, CEO

__Encore__

"Encore" is one of my all-time favorite stories. It’s about a woman named Reese whose love of music has lead to a lot of different lovers, and the music sewn throughout the piece creates such a fun sonic texture. My favorite part is how the song at the end transitions from live at the concert to at home with Reese and her boyfriend. The song is “Good Luck” by local band Meernaa, and I love how perfectly timed the song is with the, uh, finale of the story!

— Selene Ross, Audio Producer

__Memory Lane__

In "Memory Lane," Zadie begrudgingly shows up at a holiday party when she’s back in her hometown. As she’s grabbing a drink, she spots June, her first queer crush from high school. Zadie works up the nerve to talk to her and realizes it’s easier than she thought to pick up where they left off. The premise is a holigay classic. It harnesses nostalgia and reconnection as a type of foreplay. It skips the awkwardness that can ensue (think that infamous bathroom scene in the movie "Booksmart") when you are a young queer teen going through every aspect of the coming out process. Instead, our leading ladies are older, wiser, and ready for a second chance. The other aspect that I absolutely love about this story is how the sound design tries to translate the feeling of being completely consumed by someone you have a long-standing crush on (“Drowning in June” as Zadie calls it). Zadie is put under June’s spell, and we wanted the listener to feel that sonically, as well. 

— Kristina Loring, Storytelling Lead

__Lights Out__

It’s hard to pick a fav, but "Lights Out" has a lot of elements I love! Post breakup, Jason needs a place to crash and decides to hit up his old college crush, Grace. After years of not-quite-the-right-timing, they're both finally single at the same time. A spontaneous black out amps up the evening’s sexiness even more. It’s the perfect adult bedtime story because there are lots of quiet sexy sounds: brushing teeth, shower splashing, and finally an intimate couch hookup. I love the combo of cozy nostalgia and sexy newness that makes hooking up with old friends so irresistible.

— Faye Keegan, CTO

__Les Rebound I__

My fav story is "Les Rebound I," but really the whole five-part series is amazing. It’s a retelling of Angela’s juicy rebound stories on her path to getting over her ex. I love this series because I think the writing is awesome. The characters are so real. And it’s truly laugh out loud funny. In my opinion, it’s the best mix of comedy and really hot sex on the whole app!

— Emily Acker, Staff Writer

__Did You?__

“Did You?” is about a couple, Sabrina and Paul, working through sexual blocks together. Specifically, Sabrina has never orgasmed with a partner before. This story is so simple, but the theme is universal. So many women I know have trouble orgasming with a partner and it always seems like the burden falls on them to fix it. In the story, Sabrina tells Paul she’s having trouble coming when they have sex and is trying to figure it out. Instead of taking it personally, Paul is totally down to figure it out together. They make an adventure out of a roadblock, and to me, that’s so sexy.  It doesn't feel clinical. Or like a downer. It just feels supportive, sexy, and real. Listening to this story for the first time moved me. I realized I’d never heard this kind of conversation in any kind of media I consumed. Being part of creating something new and something needed, is infinitely cool.

— Olivia Taylor, Content Editor

And that’s a wrap! To celebrate the past year, seven of our team members share their favorite stories from 2019. From sexual exploration to second chances with old flames, these stories are all unique in their own way. Some are sonically adventurous, relying on music and sensual sounds to support the narrative. Others are more character-driven, utilizing narration and dialogue to explore desire. Whatever you’re into, there’s something on this list for you! We hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

__F Train II__

Honestly every Dipsea story has a special place in my heart, but one of my favorites from 2019 is definitely "F Train II." It’s about Liza and Alex, exes who famously reconnect in "F Train I." This time around, they’re back together officially and ready to experiment, specifically with pegging. I love that this story goes to a place that some might consider taboo, but in a super casual, open, non-judgemental way. Also, any story where a woman is taking the lead as a dom-top is my kind of story!

— Garrett Schlichte, Operations Manager

__Virgo Season__

One of my favorites from 2019 is "Virgo Season." In the story, Allison is in charge of a big project and seeks out the advice of a creative director she used to work with named Louis. She meets him at his studio, and realizes the intimacy of getting a better sense of someone after seeing their space. The two are opposites, and they clash, but that only makes their attraction more intense. I love that Allison is such a boss babe. She knows what she wants, and how to make it a reality. But she also likes when someone pushes back a little, or disagrees with her in a way that actually changes her mind. Louis is kind of her perfect foil, but in her Virgo brain she never saw him that way. Their hookup is all business, a little rough, and I guarantee neither of them sent a "That was really fun!" text message the next morning. And you know what? Sometimes it's even hotter that way.

— Gina Gutierrez, CEO

__Encore__

"Encore" is one of my all-time favorite stories. It’s about a woman named Reese whose love of music has lead to a lot of different lovers, and the music sewn throughout the piece creates such a fun sonic texture. My favorite part is how the song at the end transitions from live at the concert to at home with Reese and her boyfriend. The song is “Good Luck” by local band Meernaa, and I love how perfectly timed the song is with the, uh, finale of the story!

— Selene Ross, Audio Producer

__Memory Lane__

In "Memory Lane," Zadie begrudgingly shows up at a holiday party when she’s back in her hometown. As she’s grabbing a drink, she spots June, her first queer crush from high school. Zadie works up the nerve to talk to her and realizes it’s easier than she thought to pick up where they left off. The premise is a holigay classic. It harnesses nostalgia and reconnection as a type of foreplay. It skips the awkwardness that can ensue (think that infamous bathroom scene in the movie "Booksmart") when you are a young queer teen going through every aspect of the coming out process. Instead, our leading ladies are older, wiser, and ready for a second chance. The other aspect that I absolutely love about this story is how the sound design tries to translate the feeling of being completely consumed by someone you have a long-standing crush on (“Drowning in June” as Zadie calls it). Zadie is put under June’s spell, and we wanted the listener to feel that sonically, as well. 

— Kristina Loring, Storytelling Lead

__Lights Out__

It’s hard to pick a fav, but "Lights Out" has a lot of elements I love! Post breakup, Jason needs a place to crash and decides to hit up his old college crush, Grace. After years of not-quite-the-right-timing, they're both finally single at the same time. A spontaneous black out amps up the evening’s sexiness even more. It’s the perfect adult bedtime story because there are lots of quiet sexy sounds: brushing teeth, shower splashing, and finally an intimate couch hookup. I love the combo of cozy nostalgia and sexy newness that makes hooking up with old friends so irresistible.

— Faye Keegan, CTO

__Les Rebound I__

My fav story is "Les Rebound I," but really the whole five-part series is amazing. It’s a retelling of Angela’s juicy rebound stories on her path to getting over her ex. I love this series because I think the writing is awesome. The characters are so real. And it’s truly laugh out loud funny. In my opinion, it’s the best mix of comedy and really hot sex on the whole app!

— Emily Acker, Staff Writer

__Did You?__

“Did You?” is about a couple, Sabrina and Paul, working through sexual blocks together. Specifically, Sabrina has never orgasmed with a partner before. This story is so simple, but the theme is universal. So many women I know have trouble orgasming with a partner and it always seems like the burden falls on them to fix it. In the story, Sabrina tells Paul she’s having trouble coming when they have sex and is trying to figure it out. Instead of taking it personally, Paul is totally down to figure it out together. They make an adventure out of a roadblock, and to me, that’s so sexy.  It doesn't feel clinical. Or like a downer. It just feels supportive, sexy, and real. Listening to this story for the first time moved me. I realized I’d never heard this kind of conversation in any kind of media I consumed. Being part of creating something new and something needed, is infinitely cool.

— Olivia Taylor, Content Editor

Our-Fav-Stories-2019

Our favorite erotic audio stories from 2019

ftrain2

F-Train II

145 LesRebound LouisaCannell

Les Rebound I

UPDATE: As of 02.10.20, Dipsea is back up on the Play Store and available to [download](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dipsea&_branch_match_id=650846696706996964)! Thank you to everyone who shared their stories, or simply wrote in to offer their support. Your words were a powerful reminder of the community we’re building, and a beautiful testimony to the many ways Dipsea has impacted your lives. Our team was humbled by the feeling that our listeners are our allies as we fight for what’s right. Welcome back to the Dipseaverse, Android users! We've missed you.


Dear Dipsea listeners,

We were excited to launch our Android app this past August because it meant opening up access to so many more listeners. But unfortunately in late October, Dipsea was suspended from the Google Play Store. This decision is based on a fundamental misunderstanding of what Dipsea is and the value that we provide to our listeners. We’re in the process of working with Google to resolve this misunderstanding.

In the meantime, this means that Android users who downloaded the app before 10/28 still have the app, but it can no longer be updated. It also means any Android listener with an active subscription has had it cancelled by Google (although we’ve extended their unlimited access at no charge). And it means that anyone looking for Dipsea in the Play Store won’t find us. We’re as frustrated as those who have been affected, and we’re working hard to find a resolution.

Here’s what we’re doing about it, our perspective on the issue more broadly, and how you can help.

__We’re continuing to innovate: A web app is coming.__

First of all, we’re excited to announce that in January, Dipsea will release a web app! That means all of our listeners, Android and iOS alike, will be able to listen and subscribe from their browsers.

Second, if you’re an iOS user with the mobile app, nothing has changed! You’ll continue to be able to subscribe and listen from the App Store.

Android users, we’re hopeful we’ll be able to work with Google and get the Android app back in the Play Store soon. But in the meantime, come January you’ll have full access to the Dipsea platform again via the web app. We’ll post announcements as we have them.

__Our perspective: We’re pioneering a new genre of content.__

At Dipsea, we’re putting healthy sexuality where it belongs: in the same conversation as meditation and exercise when we talk about living happy, whole lives. Our sexy stories and wellness sessions help listeners feel empowered, heighten intimacy with their partners, and unlock confidence. Particularly for women, this has important implications far beyond the bedroom. We’ve heard from so many of you about the amazing impact Dipsea has had on your life, your relationships, and your relationship with yourself. In fact, 90% of subscribers say that Dipsea has a positive impact on their overall sexual wellbeing.

But unfortunately, our mission isn’t broadly understood yet. Companies like Google have content policies that are intended to safeguard customers on the internet, which is an important and challenging task. But these policies were created before players like Dipsea existed, and at a time when pleasure was classified as vice and not wellness. According to the World Health Organization, sex is a health issue. The WHO says sexual health “requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships.” Content policies like Google’s don’t yet have the nuance to recognize that this is the true value of Dipsea’s product.

The team at Dipsea crafts, records, and produces our audio content with the utmost care. Our stories are thoughtfully edited for their sex positivity, communication, and consent. Our narratives are as focused on relationships and chemistry as they are on sex. And we work with trained and paid actors to voice our stories with a level of depth and realism reserved for the highest quality productions.

We look forward to a time when the Google Play Store and Dipsea can find common ground, cooperate, and continue to serve the needs of our Android customers. We believe it’s culturally critical for content makers like Dipsea to enjoy the same distribution access as other companies, and for this new genre of storytelling to be broadly accessible to the users that desire it.

__What you can do: Share your experiences!__

The best evidence we have that Dipsea is as much about empowerment as it is about entertainment is to hear it directly from listeners like you. Do you have a story about how Dipsea has impacted your life? Your romantic relationship? Your journey of healing? Your understanding of your sexuality? Your self-confidence? We would be so grateful if you shared it with us at __mystory@dipseastories.com__. Tell us why Dipsea matters to you and help us move the world forward into a future where healthy sexuality and pleasure—especially for women and femme-identifying individuals—isn’t misunderstood anymore.

With love and gratitude,

Gina & Faye, Dipsea co-founders

Important-Message

Important news for our community

__Hey Emily, thanks for chatting with us. We love Ohnut! It’s such a life-changing product for so many people. For those who may be less familiar, can you explain what Ohnut is?__

Ohnut is changing the conversation about discomfort during sex, with a mission-driven wearable that customizes penetration depth. For those experiencing pain when penetration goes too deep, Ohnut gives couples the ability to stack 1 to 4 soft rings around a penetrating partner (ex. a penis), which compress down, like a buffer! Rings can be added or removed at any time during any position. It’s a new way to explore what depths feel good — for both partners. 

__What did you do before founding Ohnut? Does that feel like a lifetime ago, or does anything that you learned apply to running your business today?__

As far as interest in sexuality goes! A year into Ohnut I connected the hidden dots, which now seem obvious. My photography thesis in college was a massive poster wall of fake ads that i made, featuring the ‘young sexy female’ paired with over-the-counter drugs. It felt absurd to me that women were so obviously objectified for benign brands, so I took it a step further to highlight the patronizing trend. A Nicoderm patch was made to look like a ‘tramp stamp,’ bbq sauce on my friend’s face made Pepcid AC sexy, a martini olive was replaced with Nyquil. All images were wheat-pasted on a poster wall, so technically anyone could draw anything, on these vulnerable women.

I guess it’s in my blood to be delightfully confrontational :) and I’ve been creating movements of connection and self-worth my whole life. Ohnut was unexpected, but in hindsight it absolutely makes sense.

>I guess it’s in my blood to be delightfully confrontational :) and I’ve been creating movements of connection and self-worth my whole life. Ohnut was unexpected, but in hindsight it absolutely makes sense.

__As a new product (like us!) we imagine you do a lot of educating. What’s a common misconception people have about Ohnut?__

While Ohnut isn't just for women, research shows that 75% of women will have painful sex in their lifetime. The unfortunate mainstream assumption is that "he's just too big," yet there are dozens of physical and psychological causes of discomfort. Ohnut has seen the most support from new moms, folks with endometriosis, and practitioners who are eager to give their clients non-hormonal, non-invasive tools. 

That being said, over 25% of our customers are men! We're proud to say that Ohnut has been well received by the gay community as well.

__What’s your favorite story about someone using Ohnut?__

One woman said that she gave the “most romantic handjob” she’s ever given with Ohnut, and one couple was having so much fun with them before getting intimate that they started flinging them across the room. They were in such hysterics that it changed their entire approach to sex. Most often we hear that Ohnut helps couples relax, leading to excited explorations of positions. Testimonials are saturated with gratitude, often with equal parts of: tears and exclamation points. 

__Is it weird that we think Ohnut is super cute? Tell us about what went into the design.__

Given that painful sex is generally isolating and unsupported, everything about Ohnut is meant to be friendly and affirming. The squishy stretchy material, the Jade color, the dimple texture, even the shape of the rings. The original design idea started as a pink frosted donut, which is where ‘Ohnut’ name came from. Also because of the approachable design and stretchiness, people get awesomely brainstormy - saying things like Ohnut could be a small plant holder or even sex Lego, which is exactly what we hope for. With Ohnut, couples who were previously inhibited by shame enter a dynamic of creativity. 

__Sometimes in sexual wellness it can feel like you’re always battling at the front lines. What do you do to take care of yourself and unwind?__

I try to stop work between 6-7pm - most of the time. Separation from the intensity keeps my brain fresh. I’ve also been nurturing hobbies like partner acrobatics. Sometimes it’s hard to feel the fruits of labor day to day - so acro is a playful, physical way to embody routine and to physically feel a sense of accomplishment.

__What do you hope that someone says to their partner after using Ohnut for the first time?__

How did that feel for you? Let’s do that again sometime :) 

__What was your reaction when you first heard the Dipsea Ohnut story, “BDE”?__

I can't tell you what a relief it is for so many women to hear for the first time that their partner wants to be supportive in the bedroom. It's hard enough to say out loud (let alone accept) that sex is painful for the person in pain, let alone having a partner who creates a safe space to bring sexy back. Wow! AND! Then you guys have them transition into the down and dirty! SO GOOD. 

> It's hard enough to say out loud (let alone accept) that sex is painful for the person in pain, let alone having a partner who creates a safe space to bring sexy back.

__We love that. Okay, now we're gonna throw a couple quick fire questions your way that we love to ask...__

__What's your favorite sound?__ Rain. Suedey female blues vocals. 

__What’s your favorite bedroom jam?__ It oscillates between my super intimate side - Cold War by Cautious Clay, and the silly performative side Christina Aguilera’s Nasty Naughty Boy. 

__What’s the sexiest scene you’ve ever seen (or listened to!)?__ I mean the entire movie "9 ½ Weeks" is sexy - heated PDA, blindfolded dessert. There’s a playfulness and immediacy in their dynamic. 

__Anything non-sexual that you find really sexy?__ You know when you say/do something that taps so hard into someone’s soul that they hug you enormously enough to turn you both into one person? That.

__Any deal-breaker turn offs?__ An unwillingness to try on ideas that challenge our understanding.

__What’s inspiring you right now?__ Women in FemTech and healthcare redefining sexual health as health, with products that prioritize human connection and life quality.

__Thank you so much, Emily!__






Emily-Sauer

An interview with Ohnut founder, Emily Sauer

__Back in college, my friends would turn to me to talk through their sexual questions and anxieties. And it wasn’t because I was any sort of expert. It was just because I was comfortable talking about “that kind of thing.” That was years ago, and the progress I saw my female peers make throughout our twenties was incredible. We collectively became more open about masturbation. More communicative with our partners. More honest about our needs and desires. These changes were mirrored in and encouraged by the way culture was evolving around us.__

I felt proud to be part of a generation of women growing increasingly more sex-comfortable and sex-positive. But even with all that momentum, finding sexual fulfillment still seemed super, super difficult. For all of us. I wondered why that was. It was definitely partly a question of the body. Discovering, understanding, and communicating what feels good is really hard. But what seemed to me like the bigger challenge was rooted in the brain, and no one was talking about that. 

Thoughts. Imagination. Mood. Context. The stories we tell ourselves to make everything just a little bit, sexier! In my own experience, porn definitely had never told me any stories. I had never felt like romance novels’ stories were for, or about, me. It was obvious that my half of the population (women actually make up 51% of the American population—how’s that for a “niche market”!) needed better options. 

> I felt proud to be part of a generation of women growing increasingly more sex-comfortable and sex-positive.

But who was going to do it? Who’s up to the task of creating better options for women? Well... women. I’m definitely not trying to say empathy can’t cross the gender divide. But I believe the most powerful means to understanding women’s experiences is having lived them. For too long men have been designing for women based on assumptions. And with enough time and persistence, those assumptions can start to feel like facts. 

One of the best examples of this is in the pantyhose industry. For decades, men sold and advertised pantyhose telling women that it flattered their legs. Until Spanx founder Sara Blakely had an amazing insight based on her own lived experience: she separated the control-tops from the tights and sold them alone. As it turns out, women actually care more about smoothing their butts than their legs, and the pantyhose industry started to eat Spanx’s dust.  

> Who's up to the task of creating better options for women? Well...women. 


In 2017, I had a few of my own insights. Women needed more relatable, evolved erotic content. Better yet, it should be produced in audio. Why? Because audio lets our imaginations dream up their own personal versions of every story. Because it’s scene-setting and mood-making. It checked the box for so many things I believed women need to get to that sexy place in their minds. 

My friend Faye and I did research for a year. We talked late into the night at her kitchen table. We knew we wanted this to exist. And ultimately, we decided we wanted to be the ones to build it. We founded Dipsea together in 2018: an app for audio stories designed to turn women on. 

To us, Dipsea stories are more than 15 minutes of fun—they’re a catalyst for what happens afterwards. Maybe that means feeling more alive, more in touch with yourself. Or more intimate or explorative with a partner. Maybe it means heading out the door feeling empowered, sexy, and confident. That’s the real power of nurturing the sexual being inside all of us. 

We’re on a mission to help women tap into their sexual powers more accessibly. And while we’re brimming with passion and ideas, we're not pretending we have all the answers. We’re figuring it out day-by-day, with a lot of help from our listeners. Thanks for following along with our story. This is just the beginning! 


__Gina, 
CEO & co-founder of Dipsea__


We’re on a mission to help women tap into their sexual powers more accessibly.