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

Dr. Nicole McNichols

Live Podcast Interview! You Could Be Having Better Sex

Author of You Could Be Having Better Sex and professor at the University of Washington, Dr. Nicole McNichols has been featured by The New York Times, CNN, NPR, The Washington Post, NBC News, The Atlantic, Women's Health, and Men's Health. She teaches one of the largest human sexuality courses in the United States and is one of today's leading public voices in sexuality education.

Dr. DAVID LEY

From Controversy to Credibility: How to Become the Go-To Voice for Media, Podcasts, and Public Conversations

Clinical psychologist, certified sex therapist supervisor, and author of The Myth of Sex Addiction, Insatiable Wives, Women Who Stray and the Men Who Love Them, and Ethical Porn for Dicks, Dr. David Ley is a longtime contributor to Psychology Today. He has been interviewed by The New York Times, The Washington Post, and the Los Angeles Times, and has appeared on television with Anderson Cooper, Katie Couric, and Dr. Phil.

LINDSAY GOLDWERT

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

Award-winning journalist and author of Bow Down: Lessons from Dominatrixes on How to Be a Boss in Life, Love, and Work and co-author of The Midlife Plot Twist, Lindsay Goldwert has written for The New York Times, Fast Company, CNBC, MarketWatch, Business Insider, Slate, Glamour, and many other national publications. She previously served as Editorial Director of Adulted, the editorial platform from Naomi Watts' wellness company, Stripes.

MIDORI

The Long Game: Designing & Sustaining In-Person Educational Intensives

Internationally recognized educator and author of The Seductive Art of Japanese Bondage, Wild Side Sex, and Master Han's Daughter, Midori has been featured by The New York Times, Playboy, Vice, Cosmopolitan, Wired, and HuffPost. As the founder of ForteFemme and Rope Dojo, she has spent decades shaping conversations around kink, consent, and alternative sexuality.

Arthur Brun

Marketing Pleasure: Lessons from Erika Lust's Chief Growth Officer

As Chief Growth Officer at Erika Lust, Arthur Brun helps lead one of the world's most influential independent adult media companies. Erika Lust has been featured by The New York Times, BBC, The Guardian, Forbes, Vice, and The Economist for its groundbreaking work in ethical adult filmmaking and pleasure-centered storytelling.

Nicole Leinbach Hoffman

Pleasure Meets Profit: The Business of Sexual Wellness

Founder of STIMULATE, Retail Minded, and the Independent Retailer Conference, Nicole Leinbach Hoffman is a nationally recognized entrepreneur whose work has been featured by Forbes, Entrepreneur, NBC, and Women's Wear Daily. She has spent more than two decades helping businesses grow while shaping the future of specialty retail.

Dr. Soum Rakshit

Getting Your Research into the Media: 10 Years of Learnings from the Frontlines of Sexual Health

As co-founder and CEO of MysteryVibe and MV.Health, Soum Rakshit is helping redefine sexual wellness through technology and healthcare innovation. His work has been featured by Forbes, TechCrunch, Business Insider, and Entrepreneur, making him one of the leading voices in SexTech.

Jamie Monahan

The Rise of Intimacy Coordination in Modern Media

Director, filmmaker, and intimacy coordinator, Jamie Monahan recently served as intimacy coordinator and script consultant for Quinn Audio's Ember & Ice, starring the actors from the bestselling romance Heated Rivalry. The project has been covered by Variety, Vanity Fair, and Entertainment Weekly, highlighting the growing role of intimacy professionals in modern entertainment.

Angela Skurtu

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

Licensed marriage and family therapist, AASECT Certified Sex Therapist and Supervisor, author of Helping Couples Overcome Infidelity, Pre-Marital Counseling, and From Fck No to Fck Yes Sex!, Angela Skurtu is the host of the Open Bedroom Doors podcast. Her expertise has been featured by HuffPost, Women's Day, GoodTherapy, and numerous relationship podcasts, where she shares practical guidance on communication, intimacy, and long-term relationships.

Nicole Messick

Social Selling That Actually Works! From Followers to $27K+/Month: Building a Profitable Coaching Community with Skool

Known online as @theladynikkers, Nicole Messick has built a community of more than 266,000 Instagram followers through engaging, educational content about intimacy, relationships, confidence, and pleasure. She demonstrates how creators can use social media to make evidence-informed sexual wellness accessible to broad audiences.

Alex Hall

Building Bottom's Digest: Growing a 200K+ Sexual Wellness Community Through Content and Algorithms

As co-founder of Bottom's Digest, Alex Hall has helped build one of the internet's fastest-growing queer sexual wellness platforms, reaching more than 200,000 Instagram followers. Bottom's Digest has also been featured by Eater and Queerty for its innovative approach to LGBTQ+ sexual health education.

Pauline Schmiechen

Live Q&A: Inside OnlyFans Insider Magazine

Creator economy strategist and Advisory Board Member for OnlyFans Insider Magazine, Pauline Schmiechen writes about creator businesses, AI, branding, and the future of digital intimacy. Her work provides an inside look at one of the fastest-evolving sectors of online media.

Jenn Chang

From Anatomy to The Aisle: Building Sexual Wellness Products That People Trust with Jenn Chang, VP of Product Development & Design

Working at the intersection of sexual wellness, consumer products, and emerging technology, Jenn Chang helps founders and brands develop the next generation of SexTech products. Her background spans product innovation, branding, wellness education, and startup strategy, giving her a unique perspective on where the industry is headed.

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!

WATCH THE INTERVIEWS OF THIS EVENT’S SPEAKERS BELOW

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

Dr. Nicole McNichols is a human sexuality professor at the University of Washington, where she teaches the largest human sexuality course in the United States, educating more than 4,000 undergraduates each year. She is the author of You Could Be Having Better Sex (Simon Element, 2026) and one of today’s most trusted public voices on modern intimacy.

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

Known for her down-to-earth style and practical approach, Angela teaches people how to take quality action without running themselves into burnout cycles. Whether she’s training business owners through her “Built to Last” framework, speaking on stage, hosting retreats, or helping couples move from the friend zone to the sexy zone, Angela combines humor, real-world strategies, and relatable storytelling to help humans do relationships, leadership, and life a little better.

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, actress, and certified intimacy coordinator. Jamie completed IDC’s Intimacy Coordinator training, fostering intimate, safe spaces for performers. She is currently listed on the SAG-AFTRA Intimacy Coordinator Pre-Registry. Jamie has worked on 80+ productions as an intimacy professional across mediums.

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.

Pauline Schmiechen

Pauline Schmiechen is an entrepreneur, speaker, and business development expert specializing in the creator economy, SexTech, and the adult industry. She works with founders, platforms, and brands on growth, partnerships, and go-to-market strategy, with a particular focus on creator monetization and emerging technologies.

Known for challenging stigma around the adult industry, Pauline regularly speaks about the intersection of technology, digital business models, AI, and the future of creator-led platforms. Through her content and industry work, she highlights how innovation in the adult industry often shapes broader trends across the internet economy.

Pauline has been nominated for Forbes 30 Under 30 and received multiple industry award nominations. She is a frequent speaker at international conferences on SexTech, the creator economy, and digital innovation.

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.