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Meredith for Real: the curious introvert
Each episode explores a taboo question or cultural blind spot with an expert who is themselves, a paradox -
Like the atheist doctor who studied near death experiences for 50 years (ep 224)
Or the deeply religious man studied by NASA who sees UFOs regularly (ep 261).
The mission is to inspire the kind of curiosity that looks for & celebrates nuance, because we all deserve a more curious future.
So tune in each week (new episodes every Monday) to question things like American individualism (ep 260), trigger warnings (ep 208) & circumcision (ep 178).
Still not sure where to start?
Other listeners loved ep 230 - Can a sexless marriage survive? and ep 237 - Black man who attends KKK rallies: race & friendship
Meredith for Real: the curious introvert
Ep. 329: Antique Vibrator Museum: Bees, Buffalos & Stigma [REMASTERED]
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How old is the oldest vibrator? Does self-pleasure steal affection from your partner?
Carol Queen has a Ph.D. in Sexology & a passion for pleasure. She is the curator of the Good Vibrations Antique Vibrator Museum in San Francisco, CA. In this episode, she shares the origin story of the museum & explains how vibrators went from doctor’s offices to bedside tables. She also explains why partner sex & self-sex are different activities, why pleasure should be a part of sex ed & addresses common vibrator concerns.
This episode originally aired March 7, 2022.
If you like this episode, you’ll also like episode 214: WHAT ARE RULES OF MONOGAMY? THE PSYCHOLIGIST SWINGER
Guest:
http://antiquevibratormuseum.com/
https://twitter.com/carolqueen
BlueSky @carolqueen.bsky.socia
Host:
https://www.meredithforreal.com/
https://www.instagram.com/meredithforreal/
https://www.youtube.com/meredithforreal
https://www.facebook.com/meredithforrealthecuriousintrovert
Sponsors:
https://www.jordanharbinger.com/starterpacks/
https://www.historicpensacola.org/about-us/
01:20 — What is a sexologist, actually?
04:45 — How the Antique Vibrator Museum started
07:35 — The one vibrator with a confirmed sex history
08:05 — The hippie-built DIY vibrator story
08:55 — What early vibrators looked like
09:30 — Hand-crank vibrators before electricity
11:10 — Cleopatra’s bee vibrator myth
11:55 — Papyrus boxes, gourds, and historical speculation
14:20 — Treating “hysteria” with vibration
18:05 — Why vibrators beat toasters in 1917
18:45 — What this says about women’s pleasure historically
19:35 — Was sex really that bad back then?
21:00 — The orgasm gap explained
22:20 — The wandering uterus theory (yes, really)
23:10 — Masturbation stigma and cultural norms
25:30 — Fear: “Will a vibrator replace my partner?”
26:40 — Fear: “Will I damage my nerves?”
27:20 — Temporary numbness vs long-term harm
28:05 — Feeling intimidated choosing a vibrator
30:05 — Where to get trustworthy vibrator guidance
30:40 — Good Vibrations resources and educators
31:15 — Carol’s book and recommended reading
31:55 — Where to follow Dr. Carol Queen
32:30 — Final thoughts on curiosity, pleasure, and stigma
Request to join my private Facebook Group, MFR Curious Insiders https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BAt3bpwJC/