Smart Sex book cover

Smart Sex by Emily Morse Summary

Smart Sex
Emily Morse
4.04 (1161 Reviews)
Relationship
Self-growth
Psychology
Health
Overview
Key Takeaways
Author
FAQs

Overview of Smart Sex

"Smart Sex" revolutionizes intimacy with Dr. Emily Morse's groundbreaking guide to sexual intelligence. Dubbed "the Dr. Ruth of a new generation" by NYT, her mantra "Communication is lubrication" has even Christina Aguilera raving: "This is the type of sex talk we need more of!"

Similar books to Smart Sex

Start Reading Your Way
Quick Summary8 min

Feel the book through the author's voice

Deep Dive42 min

Turn knowledge into engaging, example-rich insights

Flash Card10 insights

Capture key ideas in a flash for fast learning

Fun24 min

Enjoy the book in a fun and engaging way

Key takeaways

1

The Pleasure Revolution: Reclaiming Your Sexual Intelligence

play
00:00
00:00

In a culture obsessed with productivity but starved for pleasure, Emily Morse's "Smart Sex" arrives as a revolutionary manifesto. What if pleasure isn't selfish but essential? As host of the wildly popular "Sex with Emily" podcast since 2005, Morse has answered thousands of intimate questions, developing what she calls "Sex IQ" - not a score of sexual knowledge but a framework for understanding yourself as a sexual being. Most people seek quick fixes for sexual problems: supplements for low libido or toys for orgasm difficulties. While these solutions help temporarily, they rarely address underlying issues. The book offers a comprehensive approach through five essential pillars that help clear away common myths about sex and provide a pathway to genuine connection - with yourself and others. Before exploring these pillars, we must understand desire itself. Your brain is your largest sexual organ - where desire and arousal begin. Recent research distinguishes between spontaneous desire (occurring automatically) and responsive desire (requiring stimulus). While spontaneous desire often dominates early relationships, responsive desire requires triggers like touch or affection to develop. Understanding which type you experience helps set realistic expectations for yourself and your relationships.

2

Embodiment: Returning to Your Sensual Self

3

Overcoming the Pleasure Thieves: Stress, Trauma, and Shame

4

Solo Sex: The Foundation of Sexual Empowerment

5

The Magic of Sexual Communication

6

Beyond the Basics: Expanding Your Sexual Horizons

7

Reclaiming Your Pleasure: The Path Forward

Explore Your Way of Learning
Smart Sex isn't just a book — it's a masterclass in Relationship. To help you absorb its lessons in the way that works best for you, we offer five unique learning modes. Whether you're a deep thinker, a fast learner, or a story lover, there's a mode designed to fit your style.

Quick Summary Mode - Read or listen to Smart Sex Summary in 8 Minutes

Quick Summary
Quick Summary
Smart Sex Summary in 8 Minutes

Break down key ideas from Smart Sex into bite-sized takeaways to understand how innovative teams create, collaborate, and grow.

play
00:00
00:00

Flash Card Mode - Top 10 Insights from Smart Sex in a Nutshell

Flash Card
Flash Card
Top 10 Insights from Smart Sex in a Nutshell

Distill Smart Sex into rapid-fire memory cues that highlight Pixar’s principles of candor, teamwork, and creative resilience.

Flash Mode Swiper

Fun Mode - Smart Sex Lessons Told Through 24-Min Stories

Fun
Fun
Smart Sex Lessons Told Through 24-Min Stories

Experience Smart Sex through vivid storytelling that turns Pixar’s innovation lessons into moments you’ll remember and apply.

play
00:00
00:00

Personalize Mode - Read or listen to Smart Sex Summary in 0 Minutes

Personalize
Personalize
Experience Smart Sex in your own way.

Ask anything, pick the voice, and co-create insights that truly resonate with you.

Personalize Mode

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 200,000+ Curious Minds

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star
Start your learning journey, now
Download This Summary

Get the Smart Sex summary as a free PDF or EPUB. Print it or read offline anytime.