Love listening to Ryan’s Roses on the radio? Then you’re gonna love iHeartPodcast She Wants More. Created by bestselling author Jo Piazza (she/her), this podcast tells the real stories of real women having affairs. “Many of the women we interview are talking about their affairs for the very first time,” she says. “It’s raw and honest, but most importantly it’s a judgment free zone where women can feel comfortable sharing some of their deepest secrets without shame.”

After all, it’s not like women have never cheated, they’ve just been stigmatized, ostracized, and so much worse while men have too often been given a pass. (Hello, Ancient Greece! 🤢) But the truth is that women have the same wants, needs, and desires as men despite societal assumptions. In She Wants More, Jo really explores the double standard of it all, unpacking the guilt, shame, and expectations placed on women in relationships. Each episode almost feels like you’re eavesdropping on an intimate convo between besties, and will truly make you question everything you thought you knew about desire, monogamy, and marriage. If that doesn’t hook ya in, the rest of this feature sure will.

So, what inspired this podcast?
I worked on Committed for five years, which talked about marriage and long-term commitment, then I wrote a book called How to Be Married where I interviewed men and women from all over the world about commitment. Now, I’ve been married for seven years and have been seeing so many women in my friend group having extramarital affairs. When I want to learn about something, I tend to report it and this is a subject I was dying to know more about.

What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned so far?
So many women classify their affairs as self-care. This is something they’re doing just for themselves—to literally take care of themselves, to boost their confidence, or to reset themselves after losing themselves to marriage or motherhood.

Why do you think this kind of podcast is needed today, especially for women?
Statistics show that more women are having extramarital affairs or initiating open marriages than ever before. These stories deserve to be told without stigma or shame so that the next generation can question all of the cultural myths we have been spoonfed about how a woman is supposed to behave.

What are some topics you hope to talk about in future episodes?
I want to dig deeper into open marriages, into how technology has made it easier than ever before to have an affair, and into more affairs in queer relationships.

Who would be your dream guest?
Glennon Doyle. Glennon’s story is the epitome of that openness and freedom we create on She Wants More. We had her and Abby on Committed right before the world shut down in 2020. In fact, it was my last in-person interview before the pandemic and they were the last non-family members I hugged for two years. It was one of the best interviews I have ever done and I would love to get Glennon’s take on this subject.

What are some other podcasts that you absolutely love?
I have a few:

  • The Turning: The Sisters Who Left is the story of the women who followed Mother Teresa into the Missionaries of Charity. They were seeking a closer relationship with God and community, and desperately wanted to help the poor. But the reality of life in the order was very different. This podcast peels back the veil to reveal the inner workings of this highly secretive group of women. Most of the stories are told by the former sisters themselves. It digs into these questions: If you make a lifelong vow, what does it mean to break it? What is the line between devotion and brainwashing? Can you truly give yourself to God?
  • Stiffed was recently released by the brilliant writer Jennifer Romolini. It’s about the Penthouse creator’s attempt to create a feminist porn magazine in the ‘70s that is truly *chef’s kiss*.
  • Terrible, Thanks for Asking is my go-to. Nora McInerney is just a true gift. I like to think of her as the funnier Ira Glass of grief and sh*tty things.

And finally: What’s your advice for those who may be questioning their current relationship, or just wondering whether monogamy is even for them?
Think about and investigate where the ideas of monogamy and marriage came from and who they benefited for most of history. And don’t be afraid to ask other women and men about their relationships. Now, I’m not saying to go have an affair, or that affairs are even good for everyone. But make sure to ask all the questions and don’t take anything for granted.