Isn’t it Lovely to Understand Intimacy & Sexual Health? Special Guest: Dr. Laurie Landeen

This episode is brought to you by Ignite Fitness Studio! Ignite is passionate about creating a space where everyone feels safe to bring their authentic selves, celebrating the beauty of diversity and believing that positive change must start from within! Check out Ignite at ignitefitness.studio or the MindBody App!

CW: This episode contains sensitive subject matter, including conversation around intimacy and sexual health.

The content of this podcast episode is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your mental health professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have.

“The goal is to have a feeling of wholeness…it’s about mind, body, soul - just that overall sense of wellness. When we feel good about ourselves - sexually, lovingly - we can conquer the world.”

Rachel and Tracy are thrilled to be joined by Dr. Laurie Landeen for an enlightening conversation all about women’s intimacy and sexual health! Passionate about women’s health and wellness, Dr. Landeen shares what inspired her to pioneer Sanford Women’s intimacy clinic and reveals the ways intimacy isn’t solely about sexual intercourse. With candor and sensitivity, Dr. Landeen remains committed to compassionately removing barriers of shame and isolation to help her patients address concerns including decreased sexual desire, inability to orgasm, painful intercourse, and more in order to help them embrace physical, mental, and spiritual wholeness. Dr. Landeen and Tracy explore the importance of respectful, open communication about intimacy with children and adolescents in order to prevent misconceptions and create a strong foundation of self-esteem - including why saying “no” could be your best future “yes”; Rachel and Dr. Landeen acknowledge the significance of responding to vulnerability with safety, trust, education, and resources. Rachel is delighted to learn that Dr. Landeen has delivered over 5,000 babies, amounting to a medium-sized South Dakota town, while Tracy reveals two of those babies were her own and credits Dr. Landeen for the gift of her family of five.

Episode Mentions:

• Laurie Landeen, MD - Sanford Women’s

• Molly Kuehl, DNP, APRN, CNP - Sanford Women’s

• Sanford Women’s Intimacy Clinic

• MED Magazine: Ob/Gyn Laurie Landeen, MD: Breaking Down Barriers to Intimacy

• Let’s Talk About Intimacy by Lori Walsh, South Dakota Public Radio Interview

• Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause

• International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health (ISSWSH)

• Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret 2023 Movie

• Judy Blume Essentials Boxed Set

• Judy Blume Teen Collection Boxed Set

What Are You Loving:

• Dr. Laurie Landeen: her life with her husband and soulmate, Neal.

• Rachel: Judy Blume Forever Documentary

• Tracy: Daily Clean Food and Drink

Dr. Laurie Landeen practices obstetrics and gynecology and specializes in minimally invasive robotic and gynecologic surgery and sexual health. She provides evaluation and treatment of all facets of obstetrical care, including:

• Acessa procedure for uterine fibroids

• Gynecological surgery

• Laparoscopic surgery

• Laser surgery

• Special needs related to menopause

She also serves as chief of the medical staff at Sanford USD Medical Center and clerkship director at the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine OB/GYN Department. Dr. Landeen is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, where she worked as a physician. She and her husband Neal have 4 grown children.