Reignite the Spark in Midlife: The “Sure Thing” Weekly Pleasure Practice with Elana Auerbach

What happens when love is solid… but the bedroom feels like roommates? In this New Year episode of Talk with Tara, I’m joined by Elana Auerbach, author of The Sure Thing: A Pleasure Practice to Revive the Spark in Your Relationship (releasing February 3, 2026). Elana shares the deeply personal story behind her “Sure Thing” a simple weekly ritual that helped her and her spouse release shame, reduce pressure, and rebuild intimacy after years of struggle.

We talk about the real midlife stuff: resentment, busy schedules, body changes, and how desire can disappear when life becomes all logistics. Elana breaks down the difference between sex vs. intimacy, why “being in the mood” isn’t the point, and how creating a consistent pleasure practice can bring tenderness, connection, and even emotional openness back into your relationship.

You’ll also hear about the surprising inspiration for the title (hello, Shabbat + “double mitzvah”), why pleasure can be a form of activism, and how small “love ripples” can shift your relationship and maybe your whole world.

In this episode, we cover:

• How to revive intimacy when you’re stuck in a rut (or feeling like roommates)

• The difference between intimacy and sex — and why intimacy takes courage

• How to talk about fantasies without shame or fear of judgment

• How body image and aging affect desire (and what to do about it)

• Why a weekly ritual works better than pressure, quotas, or “date night”

• “Solo Sure Thing” ideas for singles (or anyone rebuilding self-connection)

• How pleasure, connection, and self-love create ripple effects beyond the bedroom

About Elana Auerbach
Elana is a mentor, activist, mother, and founder of Sensual: A Woman’s Journey Into Sensuality. Her work blends embodiment, spirituality, and practical tools to help people reconnect to desire, intimacy, and aliveness without the shame or pressure. Find out more about Elana here: https://surethingexperiment.com/

Special Valentine’s Gift (for listeners!)
Here is the link for your listeners to get a special gift for V-Day: HELLO Wild Sensual Self Guided Journey
https://guide.surethingexperiment.com/wild-sensual-self

How to buy the book
You can purchase The Sure Thing in two ways:

• Directly from Elana’s website: Sure Thing Experiment (you’ll also find bonus resources and updates there)

• On Amazon: Search The Sure Thing by Elana Auerbach

Connect with Elana
Visit Sure Thing Experiment and join her email list for upcoming events, including her Sure Thing Spring 2026 Challenge (a weekly online cohort to help you start your practice). She’s also on Instagram and Facebook as Elana Auerbach.

Contact / bookings (Talk with Tara)
For guest pitches, partnerships, or questions, email me at talkwithtarapodcast@gmail.com.

If you loved this episode, please follow the show, subscribe, and leave a review — it helps more women find Talk with Tara.