Online Sexceptional Summit:
sexology & media

100% Online Conference!

Every day, the media publishes hundreds of articles, podcasts, interviews, television segments, and videos about sex, relationships, intimacy, and human behavior. 

Behind every great story is a trusted expert. Usually someone journalists, producers, and audiences turn to for credible insights and informed perspectives.

Why shouldn't that expert be you?

That’s one of the reasons we created this Summit. 

The world needs more qualified, thoughtful voices in sexology. Your expertise matters, and there has never been a greater demand for professionals who can educate, inform, and shape the conversation.

Join us for this transformative two-day online conference, where leading sexologists, educators, clinicians, entrepreneurs, and media experts will share the strategies they used to build thriving careers, successful practices, influential platforms, and profitable businesses.

 The opportunities are already out there. The question is: Will they be calling on you?

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

• How to position yourself as a sought-after expert

• What actually works when building visibility and authority

• Marketing strategies for sexologists, sex therapists, coaches, counselors and educators

• How to attract and retain aligned clients

• Practical strategies for attracting clients, media opportunities, and speaking engagements

• Building a personal brand in sexual health and sexology

• Scaling your practice, courses, or online offerings

• Navigating stigma, visibility, and burnout in this field

• Aligning your mission, values, and business growth

Whether you're just getting started or ready to expand your impact, this event will give you the insights, connections, and roadmap you need to elevate your voice and grow your influence.

WHO THIS EVENT IS FOR

• All professionals in the world of sexology

• Sexologists, medical professionals, coaches, therapists, counselors and educators

• Wellness or other types of professionals entering the sexual health field

• Entrepreneurs building or scaling a sex-positive business

• Anyone looking to turn their passion for sexual wellness into a career

• No prior SHA enrollment required — ALL ARE WELCOME!

speaker & PRESENTATION TITLEs

More TBA Soon!

Nicole McNichols

Live podcast Interview: Book, Publishing Process & Involvement in the media

Lindsay Goldwert

How to Be Your Own Best PR (Without Making Yourself Crazy)

Angela Skurtu

Let's Talk Dirty ... with AI: Creative Ways to Use AI for Your Business

Dr. Soum Rakshit

Decoding D2C: 10 Years of Learnings from the Frontlines of Sexual Health

Nicole Hoffman

Pleasure Meets Profit: The Business of Sexual Wellness

Jamie Monahan

The Rise of Intimacy Coordination in Modern Media

SCHEDULE

SATURDAY, JULY 18TH

START TIME: 10:00AM - 6:00pm cst

SUNDAY, JULY 19TH

START TIME: 10:00AM - 6:00pm cst

Use this world clock to find the corresponding time in your time zone!

WANT TO BECOME SHA CERTIFIED?

Imagine completing your Certification in Sexology (and including your AASECT application) in a fraction of the time—saving hundreds of hours—while gaining every CE you need, all in one place. When you become SHA Certified, you’re not just checking boxes; you’re joining a global community of sex educators, counselors, coaches, and therapists who are shaping the future of sexual health.

Instead of piecing together conferences one by one and hoping they align with International standards or the (US AASECT requirements), you can enroll in SHA’s Sexuality Educator / Counselor / Coach / Sexology / Sex Therapy Certification Program, where every training is intentionally curated, tracked, and streamlined to support your AASECT path. No guesswork. No overwhelm. Just a clear, supported journey from start to finish.

As an SHA Certified professional, you’ll gain:

• Access to a thriving global community of practitioners and leaders

• Expert faculty, mentorship, and guidance every step of the way

• Exclusive SHA trainings, tools, and support you won’t find anywhere else

• A complete, organized portfolio for international associations (including AASECT-aligned hours)

If you’re ready to take your sexual health education further—and become truly sexceptional—apply to become SHA Certified today. Your future clients (and your future self) will thank you. Apply HERE.

PRESENTERS

David Ley, PhD, CST-S

David Ley is a clinical psychologist in practice in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Philosophy from Ole Miss, and his Master's and Doctoral degrees in clinical psychology from the University of New Mexico. Dr. Ley is licensed in New Mexico and North Carolina, and has provided clinical and consultative services in numerous other states. He is the Executive Director of New Mexico Solutions, a large outpatient mental health and substance abuse program in Albuquerque, NM. Dr. Ley also serves on the advisory board for the Sexual Health Alliance and leads SHA’s Sexual Attitude Reassessment or Adjustment (SAR) as well as SHA’s Advanced SARs in Mexico and Jamaica.

Dr. Ley has been treating sexuality issues throughout his career. He first began treating perpetrators and victims of sexual abuse, but expanded his approach to include the fostering and promotion of healthy sexuality, and awareness of the wide range of normative sexual behaviors. Insatiable Wives is his first book and won a Silver Medal in the Foreword Magazine Book of the Year contest for 2009. Dr. Ley wrote Insatiable Wives following two years of interviews with couples around the country. His controversial second book, The Myth of Sex Addiction was released in March 2012, challenging the concept of sexual addiction and exploring a different model of male sexuality. The Myth of Sex Addiction triggered a firestorm of debate, allowing people to finally challenge the media hype of this pseudo-disorder. His most recent book, Ethical Porn for Dicks, A Man's Guide to Responsible Viewing Pleasure has been a staple for any curious individual.

Dr. Nicole McNichols

Nicole McNichols, Ph.D., is a professor of human sexuality at the University of Washington, where she teaches the largest human sexuality course in the United States. She is the author of the forthcoming book You Could Be Having Better Sex: A Definitive Guide to a Happier, Healthier and Hotter Sex Life (Simon Element, February 2026). A dynamic and in-demand speaker, Nicole gives talks across the country on topics related to intimacy, pleasure, and sustaining passion in long-term relationships. Follow her for daily insights, tips, and candid conversations on sex and relationships on Instagram and TikTok @Nicole_TheSexProfessor.

Nicole Hoffman

Nicole Leinbach Hoffman is the Founder and Publisher of RetailMinded.com, a well-respected retail industry resource that has been recognized worldwide for its leading business insight since 2007, and the nation's first B2B trade show + conference dedicated to sexual wellness, STIMULATE. Hoffman is a frequent guest and contributor to various media outlets that have included The Today Show, Forbes, Entrepreneur.com, and countless B2B publications, and has supported American Express’s Small Business Saturday as a Spokesperson.

She is also the author of the book Retail 101: The Guide to Managing and Marketing Your Retail Business from McGraw-Hill and speaks regularly at retail events that have included Dreamforce, MAGIC, NRF, Retail Global, NY Now, and many associations and private events. In March 2022, Women’s Wear Daily recognized Leinbach Hoffman as one of the most inspiring 25 women in retail, and in October 2023, she was named one of the nation’s top leaders within ESG by WWD for her work with STIMULATE.

Lindsay Goldwert

Lindsay Goldwert is a sex writer, educator, journalist, and author specializing in midlife sexuality, money, and taboo topics such as kink and menopause. She is the co-author of The Midlife Plot Twist: How to Reboot Your Life Without Burning It Down (2026) and Bow Down: Lessons from Dominatrixes on How to Get Everything You Want (2020).

Her work—known for blending humor, compassion, and practical insight—has been featured in major publications including The New York Times, New York Magazine, and Refinery29. She is currently pursuing certification with the Sexual Health Alliance as a sex educator and coach.

Goldwert has held leadership roles in editorial and content strategy, including Editorial Director at Stash, where she launched StashLearn and led financial education initiatives. She also developed content strategy for Stripes. A podcast creator, she hosted SPENT with Lindsay Goldwert and Teach Me How to Money, both recognized for making personal finance engaging and accessible.

Midori

Known as the “supernova of kink” according to Dan Savage, Midori emerged from the Sex Positive movement in San Francisco in the early 1990s and soon became one of the most highly regarded presenters on sexuality, personal fulfillment, and kinky adventures. 

Her reputation as an authority and leading expert on alternative pleasures stem not only from her unique and entertaining process of teaching concrete skills, but in her ability to deconstruct and distill complex matters of desire into surprisingly accessible lessons with eloquence and humanity. 

She’s known for tackling challenging topics with fresh and relevant insights. She calls this her “head-heart-hands” method to create a space where people are allowed individual self-exploration. Fundamentally, she is motivated by helping people to create authentic and intimate relationships while emphasizing self-actualization, shame reduction, acceptance, and justice.

Known for her ability to teach with equal parts expertise and heart, her intensives and pop-up classes are often booked months in advance. She is best known for her transformative small-group educational intensives, Rope Dojo and ForteFemme: Women’s Dominance Weekend Intensive.  

She is the author of The Seductive Art of Japanese Bondage, Wild Side Sex, and Master Han’s Daughter. She has also contributed her expertise and voice in numerous articles, columns, works of fiction, and instructional books. 

When she’s not traveling and teaching, she’s creating provocative and haunting art and performances.

DR. SOUM RAKSHIT

Dr. Soum Rakshit is the Co-Founder and CEO of MysteryVibe, an award-winning sexual health company. He holds a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering and previously worked in defense electronics, where he developed iris recognition technology for airport security. This work led to his first startup, which was acquired by a defense company. He later spent seven years in management consulting.

Dr. Rakshit founded MysteryVibe to apply his electronics expertise and medical knowledge to the field of sexual health. His company focuses on developing clinically-proven, FDA Class 2 medical devices to address issues such as erectile dysfunction, pelvic pain, and dryness, especially after major life events like childbirth, menopause, cancer treatment, or surgery. The company also produces educational content to help people have conversations about sexual health. Under his leadership, MysteryVibe has received numerous international design awards.

Beyond product innovation, Dr. Rakshit is dedicated to making sexual health solutions more accessible. He has overseen the company's achievement of FSA/HSA eligibility for all its products, and has strengthened partnerships with institutions like King's College London. He is a frequent speaker at conferences on innovation, sexual health, and the future of wellness technology.

Nicole Messick

Nicole Messick (also known as Nikki Mars Messick) is a sex coach, digital creator, and relationship wellness advocate focused on self-love, intimacy, and personal empowerment. She is the Owner and CEO of NikLovin, LLC, where she creates content and resources designed to help individuals and couples build confidence and healthier relationships.

With a background as a Regional Sales Manager and board member at Pure Romance, Messick combines business expertise with a passion for sexual wellness education. Based in Rogers, Arkansas, her work blends coaching, humor, and relatable storytelling to inspire audiences to embrace self-worth, connection, and pleasure.

Angela Skurtu, M.Ed., LMFT, ACST-S

Angela Skurtu, M.Ed., LMFT-S, ACST-S. Angela is a Keynote Speaker and Author of the books “From F*ck No to F*ck Yes Sex!” (2025), “Helping Couples Overcome Infidelity: A Therapist’s Manual” (2018), and “Pre-Marital Counseling: A Guide for Clinicians” (2016). She is a Licensed Marriage Therapist and Supervisor (AAMFT) and a Certified Sex Therapist and Supervisor (AASECT). To find out about Angela’s YouTube channel, podcast, book series, products and services, visit OpenBedroomDoors.com.

Angela on a personal level: I help couples who are best friends take their relationship from the “friend zone” to the “sexy zone” by normalizing conversations about sex. I love this work. Every day, I am privileged to walk with couples in their time of need and help sexually empower them. For many of the couples I work with, sex is mired in shame. Instead of feeling comfortable in their body, sex is scary, lonely, and creates anxiety. My work with couples is all about helping them find their own creative sexual style and become their authentic sexual selves. My passion is to help individuals find their sexual voice and their personal sexual identity. I’m Angela Skurtu and I open bedroom doors!

JENN CHANG

Jenn Chang is a product developer and creative strategist with over 10 years of experience building brands across the health, fitness, and sexual wellness industries. She specializes in transforming concepts from idea to shelf, with expertise spanning packaging design, product development, and the strategic connection between the two.

She is currently expanding her work into sexual health education, driven by the belief that the gap between what products promise and what people actually need is a conversation worth addressing.

Jamie Monahan

Jamie Monahan is an award-winning filmmaker, director, producer, and actress. She successfully produced and directed Almost Maine at The Shell Theater and produced Swingtime Canteen (Off-Broadway) at Cherry Lane Theatre. She directed and produced the award-nominated short film The Wishing Tree, and assistant directed the celebrated short, Anatomy of an Orchid. She produced and cast both the original proof of concept for Adaptive Studios' Astral and the Sundance New Voices Lab Finalist Flat Earth and executive produced Triad, and produced Below the Belt.

Jamie executive produced, wrote, directed, and starred in the original sci-fi series Lucid, garnering a Best Pilot nomination at NYC Web Fest, digital distribution from Dust, and acceptance into the Sundance Institute TV Writing program. Her latest project Legacy, earned finalist status at the Sundance 2020 Episodic Makers Lab. Jamie recently completed Levels 1, 2, and 3 of IDC's Intimacy Coordinator training, fostering intimate safe spaces for performers.

Alex Hall

Alex Hall is a nonbinary sexual health educator, body autonomy advocate, and the creator and host of The Bottom's Digest, a WOWIE-nominated cooking and sex education platform.

Co-founded in 2021 with his husband, the platform provides inclusive, sex-positive, and bottom-friendly recipes designed with digestive health in mind.

Arthur Brun

Arthur Brun is the Chief Growth Officer at Erika Lust Films, a Barcelona-based production company known for its feminist and sex-positive approach to adult cinema. With expertise spanning marketing, product development, and business strategy, Arthur leads cross-functional teams focused on digital growth, customer experience, and platform innovation.

Before joining Erika Lust Films, Arthur built his career in mobile gaming and digital marketing, leading global app marketing initiatives and pioneering App Store Optimization (ASO) strategies that significantly increased product discoverability and organic growth. His work is grounded in a deep understanding of user behavior, data-driven decision-making, and creating impactful digital experiences.

Arthur also holds a Master’s degree in Philosophy with honors, specializing in digital humanities, media theory, and the ways technology shapes human experience. By combining analytical thinking with creative innovation, he helps organizations navigate the evolving intersection of technology, media, and culture.

Sexual Health Alliance has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7730. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Sexual Health Alliance is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

This event is eligible for a maximum of 14 CE hours.