Betty Dodson, a pioneer and PhD sexologist of women’s sexuality, shares with Carlin Ross her unique approach to female orgasm. Throughout the interview you’ll hear plenty of enlightening and personal details regarding what it takes to find and enjoy one.

Carlin and Betty meet in Betty’s light-filled home in an area adorned with Renaissance art of the female form. Books line several walls and there’s even a lovely sculpture and cozy textiles present – it’s evident that Betty is an artist fascinated by human body anatomy who’s passionate about self-love. Although she grew up in a Bible Belt environment with an insensitive mother named Bessie who normalized their early curiosity over their sexuality while encouraging strong thinking independence among her daughters, Betty pursued her artistic career after abandonment by an influential mother named Bessie who empowered her daughter to be strong-minded and independent women as young women in particular.

Betty became deeply politicized during the burgeoning women’s movement of the 1970s and became passionately committed to its sexual liberties. She noticed a large knowledge, interest and awareness gap regarding female pleasure compared to what married women were typically interested in experiencing for pleasure from their husbands at that time. Betty began hosting “sex parties” where women could explore their own vulvae with other women nearby.

Liberating Masturbation was released as a classic book in 1974, helping millions of women discover their first orgasms. Later she published Sex for One and Orgasms for Two to address partner sex; both books continue her legacy today as Betty continues teaching private sex coaching services as well as being an accomplished artist.