In 2018, Judge Rosemarie Aquilina made headlines around the world by doing something radical in a courtroom: She listened. During the sentencing hearing for Larry Nassar—a doctor who sexually abused over 150 women and girls under the guise of medical treatment—she operated her courtroom with a level of sensitivity and sophistication that we rarely see outside of a therapist’s office, giving each survivor the opportunity to speak, validating their pain and allowing their stories to be heard in a system that so often silences them.

In this episode, I sit down with Judge Aquilina to talk about trauma, justice, and what happens when survivors are finally believed. We explore the emotional toll of reporting sexual abuse, the institutional failures that allowed Nassar’s abuse to continue for decades, and how one judge’s empathy became a turning point in the #MeToo movement.

⚠️ Content warning: This episode contains explicit discussions of sexual abuse and trauma, including the crimes committed by Larry Nassar. Please listen with care.

Topics we cover:

• Why so many survivors of sexual assault stay silent.
• How institutions fail to protect victims—and protect abusers instead.
• The power of being believed and heard in a courtroom.
• Judge Aquilina’s unique role in a landmark case—and how she holds space for survivor healing.
• What justice can look like when it centers empathy and accountability.

If you or someone you know is a survivor of sexual violence, support is available. Visit RAINN.org or call 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

Xxoo Darcy

REFERENCES/RESOURCES

www.AlternativesCounseling.com

Darcy’s Hair: TheHairPlayStudio.com

Just Watch Me

Speak Up: Lessons in Trusting Your Instincts

CREDITS

“We Need To Talk With Dr. Darcy Sterling” is a Sterling Standard Production. Editing and sound engineering by Bart Migal. Our theme music is by Trending Music. Special thanks to Amanda Cristiani and Robyn Jaenchen.

DISCLAIMER

Instagram:@drdarcysterling

Facebook:Dr.Darcy Sterling

Tik Tok:@doctordarcysterling

Twitter:@DrDarcySterling

YouTube:@DarcySterling

Threads:@drdarcysterling

Watch this episode here on YouTube.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We talk a lot about rebuilding emotional trust after infidelity. But what happens when it’s time to rebuild sexual trust—the kind that requires you to feel safe enough to be vulnerable again in your body?

In this episode of We Need To Talk with Dr. Darcy Sterling, Dr. Darcy sits down with renowned sex therapist Dr. Emily Jamea to explore what couples often don’t anticipate: how hard it can be to reclaim desire after betrayal.

Together, they unpack the disconnect between forgiveness and physical intimacy, why the body doesn’t always follow the heart, and what it really takes to get the sex back after trust has been broken.

You’ll Learn:

• Why intimacy often triggers fear, resentment, or shame post-betrayal.
• What makes physical reconnection harder than emotional forgiveness.
• How to rebuild sexual trust after infidelity.
• 
  

AND… Dr. Emily and I both weigh in on how we’d respond to infidelity in our respective marriages.

This is a great conversation — I highly recommend listening.

Xxoo Darcy

REFERENCES

Mindful Care

Anatomy of Desire: Five Secrets to Create Connection and Cultivate Passion

CREDITS

“We Need To Talk With Dr. Darcy Sterling” is a Sterling Standard Production. Editing and sound engineering by Bart Migal. Our theme music is by Trending Music. Special thanks to Amanda Cristiani, Robyn Jaenchen, and Ines Gout.

DISCLAIMER

Instagram:@drdarcysterling

Facebook:Dr.Darcy Sterling

Tik Tok:@doctordarcysterling

X:@DrDarcySterling

YouTube:@DarcySterling

Threads:@drdarcysterling

Watch this episode here on YouTube.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Everything You’ve Been Taught About Intimacy Is Wrong

Today’s episode is one I couldn’t wait to bring back. It’s a listener favorite that’s just as powerful now as when it first aired. If you missed it the first time, you’re in for something special — and if you didn’t, you’ll get even more out of it this time:

Everything you thought you knew about intimacy? Michaela Boehm is here to challenge it.

Michaela Boehm is a renowned intimacy expert and celebrity relationship coach whose unconventional approach flips traditional relationship advice on its head.

In this episode, we reveal:

• Why date nights can backfire on your romantic connection.
• How casual touch may be dulling your sexual chemistry over time.
• Why fading attraction can actually be a sign of relationship growth.

If you’re looking for practical intimacy tips and a fresh perspective on love, sex, and relationships, this is a must-listen.

Xxoo Darcy

REFERENCES

Mindful Care

The Wild Woman's Way: Reconnect to Your Body's Wisdom (A Woman's Guide to Spiritual Growth)

CREDITS

“We Need To Talk With Dr. Darcy Sterling” is a Sterling Standard Production. Editing and sound engineering by Bart Migal. Our theme music is by Trending Music. Special thanks to Amanda Cristiani and Preston Smith.

DISCLAIMER

Instagram:@drdarcysterling

Facebook:Dr.Darcy Sterling

Tik Tok:@doctordarcysterling

X:@DrDarcySterling

YouTube:@DarcySterling

Threads:@drdarcysterling

Watch this episode here on YouTube.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.