Catriona Boffard Asking For A Friend

Asking For A Friend

Ever had a question you felt too embarrassed to ask, and instead asked that question “for a friend”?

Hosted by Clinical Sexologist and Psychotherapist Catriona Boffard, Asking for a Friend brings you fascinating and interesting conversations about sex, intimacy, relationships, and mental and physical health. In each episode, Catriona will bring you evidence-based information and real-world advice on topics that are not often discussed but that we really need to normalise and talk more about. She’s joined by special guests who are all experts in their fields or have lived experiences of these topics. Follow Catriona on Instagram at @sexologywithcatriona
Weekly English South Africa Sexuality · Relationships
48 Episodes
1 – 20

Season four finale Q&A - S4E11

Here we are again – the end of another wonderful season of Asking for a Friend. Yet again, I’m in awe of the experts and guests I’ve had the privilege of speaking to and thrilled with the topics I’ve been able to share with you. This season I’ve wanted to…
11 Aug 2022 43 min

The science of sexual desire, with Dr Kristen Mark - S4E10

Forget everything you think you know about sexual desire and listen up! What you've heard or been taught about sexual desire is most likely all wrong... and my guest and our conversation this week are here to change your experience of sex for the better! If there’s someone to learn…
4 Aug 2022 45 min

Disability & pleasure, with Makgosi Letimile - S4E9

I really wish this topic got more airtime, both in general conversations and in the media. And yet, there’s still so much resistance to opening up discussions around sexual pleasure and disability, particularly in healthcare settings and from healthcare providers to their patients. When someone is learning to navigate a…
28 Jul 2022 57 min

Navigating gender identity, with Ron Addinall & Elliot Kotze - S4E8

While South Africa has some of the more progressive sexual, gender and reproductive health rights globally, and particularly in Africa, we still need the systems that should support those who are gender diverse to catch up. This week I’m speaking to two experts in this field, Elliot Kotze and Ronald…
21 Jul 2022 56 min

Kink 101, with Avri Spilka - S4E7

If you think that kink is ’50 shades of grey’, think again. In this episode, my guest and I delve deep into what kink actually is, how to practice it and how it can even be a therapeutic practice. In my opinion, what we see in mainstream media doesn’t do…
14 Jul 2022 55 min

Consensual non-monogamy, with Jonathan Bosworth - S4E6

Why is it that the idea of non-monogamy makes so many people uncomfortable, and yet monogamy is actually not what human beings started out practicing millennia ago? My guest today is Jonathan Bosworth (he/him/his), a counselling psychologist in Johannesburg, working in private practice, and at the Wits Reproductive Health and…
7 Jul 2022 48 min

Birth trauma, with Genevieve Putter - S4E5

This week's topic is one we just do not speak enough about! And I’m thrilled that I get to speak to Genevieve Putter about it. Postpartum doula, coach and content creator, Genevieve Putter, is on a mission… Since becoming a mother in 2016, her life’s purpose has become to spread…
30 Jun 2022 56 min

Tantra, with Valentina Leo - S4E4

Tantra isn't what you think it is or what the media has packaged it as, and listening to today's guest will inspire you to learn more about it and perhaps, even to venture further into this way of living. Valentina Leo is a renowned and trusted Tantra teacher, who’s philosophy…
23 Jun 2022 1 hr 03 min

Men's sexual wellbeing, with Prof Shingai Mutambirwa - S4E3

Unfortunately, what most people with a penis expect their sex lives to look like can often be misaligned from what they are experiencing. It’s completely normal, at times, for someone to experience difficulties in their sexual response, including not really wanting sex or perhaps not getting an erection when they…
16 Jun 2022 48 min

Sex Coaching, with Dr Patti Britton - S4E2

There’s often a lot that can be confusing about seeking help for sexual concerns. Who do you see, what type of professional is right for your needs, how do you avoid seeing a charlatan? I spoke to the eminent Dr Patti Britton, who is prolific in the field of sexuality…
9 Jun 2022 1 hour

Sexual pursuers and withdrawers, with Dr Laurie Watson - S4E1

Laurie is a highly experienced ASSECT certified sex therapist and the co-host of the chart-topping podcast, Foreplay Radio Sex Therapy. I’ve admired Laurie’s work for many years and long before I had a podcast of my own, I was sharing her podcast with my clients or colleagues because it is…
2 Jun 2022 45 min

Season three finale Q&A - S3E12

How on earth did that happen? Season 3 of Asking for a Friend is done and dusted! I’ve had the privilege of speaking to yet another 11 amazing people, who’ve spoken to me about everything from sex and stress, to mindfulness, period poverty and how to have extraordinary sex. I’ve…
14 Oct 2021 25 min

Extraordinary sex, with Prof Peggy Kleinplatz, S3E11

Sadly, I think most people think that great sex equate to sex X times a week or when sex is novel and varied (perhaps by using multiple toys or positions)… but this could not be further from the truth. And don’t we all want to have extraordinary sex? Obviously yes!…
7 Oct 2021 47 min

Treating sexual pain, with Dr Elna Rudolph - S3E10

If you struggle with sexual pain, a major concern when seeking treatment is if you will have another experience with another healthcare professional where you feel broken, traumatised or shamed (this is so common and upsetting that I am conducting research on it in order to help health care professionals…
30 Sep 2021 48 min

Can mindfulness really improve your sex life, with Dr Lori Brotto - S3E9

It’s been scientifically proven that consistent mindfulness practice can actually improve your sex life (and most other areas of your life as well) – isn’t that just amazing! But the issue is that most people don’t really have a clear understanding of what mindfulness is, often get frustrated with the…
23 Sep 2021 44 min

Attachment styles, with Dr Stan Tatkin - S3E8

I call myself an attachment theory nerd all the time. I love this psychological theory and how it clearly helps us make sense of adult romantic relationships. Attachment theory relates to the type of attachments we have to our primary care givers growing up (usually our parents), which can predict…
16 Sep 2021 56 min

Making sense of menopause, with Prof Trudy Smith - S3E7

It almost feels cruel that women experience a ‘Benjamin Button’ effect as we age – from adolescence when our bodies develop and hormones kick into action, to the menopause mid-life when hormonal levels decrease and impact our body. But it’s not supposed to be the ‘end of your womanhood’ or…
9 Sep 2021 37 min

What to expect when you're expecting, with Clare Bourne - S3E6

This is one of the topics that I get asked about the most, and in this week’s episode I spoke to Clare Bourne about how to prepare for and manage sex pre and post-partum. Clare is a London-based pelvic health physiotherapist and mum of 2. Having pregnancy and postnatal experience…
2 Sep 2021 48 min

Recognising relationship patterns, with Dr Amani Zarroug - S3E5

"Self-reflection is the area [in the relationship] where the most change can happen." Ever realised that in a new relationship, you notice the same things happen from previous relationships? In this week’s episode, I’m chatting to Dr Amani Zarroug, a Clinical Psychologist and Relationship and Psychosexual Therapist. She specialises in…
26 Aug 2021 50 min

Fighting Period Poverty, with Siv Ngesi - S3E4

140 MILLION. That’s how many school days per year are missed by South African girls because they don’t have access to menstrual products. And what’s even more shocking is that it would only cost R130/ £6.50 PER YEAR to change that for a girl. Siv is not the person you’d…
19 Aug 2021 50 min
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