Categories

An interview with Ohnut founder, Emily Sauer

Dipsea|2019.10.28

dipsea image

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

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 listen online.

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!

Listen, light yourself up.

Dipseas on apple storeDipseas on Google play store

Or listen to Dipsea on any browser.