Meet Danielle Bezalel, the Host of Sex Ed with DB
Danielle Bezalel is a singer, performer and educator. She graduated UC Berkeley with a degree in Film and Media Studies and received her Master’s of Public Health from Columbia University this past May, gaining expertise in sexuality and reproductive health. We spoke to her a few months back about another one of her projects: Sex Ed With DB, a sex education podcast. Here is what she said.
MSB: Hi Danielle, thank you so much for being open to speaking with us today. Can you start by telling me a little about what inspired you to work in the sex education world?
DB: I’ve been passionate about sex ed work my whole life; my mom’s an OBGYN and she always taught me the value of women’s rights, reproductive health, and having a say in what happens to your own body.
MSB: And how did this lead to a podcast?
DB: Long story short, I had a crazy experience with a sexist rabbi while I was living in Israel teaching English for a year. That in combination with the election of dip sh*t Donald Drumpf encouraged me to start my own thing that centered convos about all things inclusive sex ed.
MSB: What inspires you to keep doing this work–especially in our current political climate?
DB: I think the positive responses from our listeners have been absolutely incredible. It feels really good to be making art that the people around you believe in and support. Also, we’re still, unfortunately, existing at a time in this country where good, accurate, non-shaming sex ed is not the norm. The more we can get inclusive, medically true and entertaining sex ed out there, the better!
MSB: What has the reception of the podcast been like? It sounds like it’s been mostly positive. Do you think anything surprised you about how people have responded?
DB: Overall it’s been absolutely amazing. I guess a surprise is that two of our most downloaded episodes were about sex work and folks not assuming motherhood, respectively. Just goes to show that those topics (and more) absolutely deserve a space in sex ed conversations.
MSB: Do you integrate the frame of gender bias at all when writing for or planning your podcast episodes?
DB: Most of our guests have identified as women, LGBTQ+, and/or non-binary. We are planning on having more men on the show this season to ensure we’re getting the full range of ideas, thoughts, and experiences.
MSB: Here at My Sex Bio, we often say that sex education can lead to inner as well as global peace. Would you agree?
DB: Sex education is everything: it’s knowing how to be yourself, understanding what you like, how to be happy, how to set boundaries, how to have healthy relationships, how to play, explore, discover, and be healthy. It can give you the tools to be the best version of yourself.
MSB: We completely agree. And there are so many other great reasons to embrace sex education! What are some little-known benefits of sex ed and that you want to help folx achieve in listening to your podcast?
DB: It is proven that abstinence only education is ineffective at delaying or preventing people from having sex. Comprehensive sex education, however, is proven to be extremely effective at delaying sex, preventing STIs and unwanted pregnancies, and giving people the skills and the knowledge to make the best decisions for them to be healthy, happy individuals. Sex education can also be funny, silly, entertaining, and boost your self-confidence with all different kinds of topics and ideas.
