Opening to Pleasure: Lia Lawton on Shame, Sensitivity, and the Courage to Feel

What becomes possible when we stop pathologising ourselves and start listening more deeply to the body?In this episode, Kait sits down with psychologist and psychosexual therapist Lia Lawton for a wide-ranging conversation on trauma, neurodivergence, shame, pleasure, intimacy, and what it takes to feel safe enough to be fully yourself. Together, they explore why so many people learn to survive through numbness, why vulnerability can feel dangerous, and how healing often begins with small moments of safety, self-trust, and embodied truth. This is a thoughtful, honest conversation about reclaiming pleasure, softening shame, and learning to live with more authenticity and less self-abandonment.About LiaLia Lawton is a psychologist and clinically registered psychosexual therapist based in Tasmania. She is the founder of Find Sanctuary and works with individuals and couples across trauma, relationships, sexuality, ADHD, and emotional wellbeing, with a warm, person-centred and non-judgemental approach.Key TakeawaysTrauma can teach us to sit in chaos, while calm and safety can feel unfamiliar.Shame is often inherited from family, school, and culture, not born within us.Pleasure is not frivolous. It can be a pathway back to the body, truth, and self-connection.Healing does not always feel dramatic. Sometimes it looks like meeting an old trigger and noticing there is no charge there anymore.Memorable Quote“How do I actually open myself up enough to feel pleasure?”Connect with Lia LawtonWebsite: https://findsanctuary.com.auFind Sanctuary on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/findsanctuaryFind Sanctuary Therapy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/findsantuarytherapy/Lia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masterofsex_ology/ (Find Sanctuary)Connect with Kait + PhenXXKait on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaitlyntregenza/PhenXX: https://www.phenxx.comPhenXX on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovephenxxBecoming Flame Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/becomingflame.podYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lovephenxxSponsored by PhenXX.com — use promo code "podcast" for 10% off your first purchase.